National movement aims to create inclusion for all children, but some criticize it
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNTIYMEDIA.COM
A jack-o’-lantern candy bucket is an essential when it comes to trick-or-treating. And through the years, the di erent colored candy buckets have taken on speci c meanings with a goal to bring awareness to various medical conditions. However, some of the movements have gained criticism.
e idea of inclusion was the premise of the Blue Bucket for Autism , which stems from 2018 after a parent posted on Facebook that her
“I don’t think that at any point a child or their parents should feel like they need to have a speci c color bucket or disclose any speci c information about their child in order to receive empathy and acceptance,” said Sawyer.
While the movement was created to promote awareness for trick-or-treaters with autism and those who are nonspeaking, some say that children shouldn’t have to “advertise” their medical diagnosis just to be included fairly.
“If our children could thrive on good intentions,
Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability and impacts one’s social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function. It a ects one in 36 children, according to the National Autism Association. While autism varies person to person, about 40% of children with autism do not speak.
Elizabeth Bennet, a psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said Halloween can be di cult for a lot of people for various reasons, including it being a change of routine or it creating social anxiety.
Halloween.
“In my imaginary ideal world, everybody has awareness that we don’t know each other’s whole story, and that people can behave di erently for a lot of di erent reasons, and that we don’t get to set expectations for other people,” said Bennet. “We don’t live in that ideal world yet.”
Jessica Vestal, whose son is nonverbal and has trouble performing tasks, has watched as adults have told her son, “no candy until you say trick-or-treat!”
Feeling election stress?
Here’s how to stay
calm amid political tensions
As anxiety spikes ahead of Nov. 5, a local expert shares tips on how to maintain your well-being
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If you’re feeling stressed about the upcoming election, you’re not alone. Mental health professionals are seeing a spike in election-related stress, with concerns ranging from political divisions to uncertainty about the future.
“I’m hearing and seeing people who are anxious and stressed about what’s going to happen,” said Randi Smith a psychology professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “ ere is a general sense of uncertainty and fear among some that things are going to fall apart to such a degree that they are questioning if they can even make plans in November.”
All that election-related distress is negatively impacting the country’s mental health. Results of three national surveys found that close to half of U.S. adults say politics is a signi cant source of stress, citing problems such as lost sleep, shortened tempers and obsessive thoughts.
While political anxiety may be unavoidable, especially if you’re surrounded by family, friends or neighbors with opposing views, the good news is that there are practical steps you can take to keep your sanity leading up to and after Nov. 5.
Take screen breaks
Smith said it’s essential to recognize that our social media feeds and the news we tune into tend to reinforce our belief systems.
“ ese belief systems have become increasingly polarized over the last eight or 10 years to the point where we don’t all necessarily live in the same reality, and there tends to be a lot of demonizing people who don’t share the belief system,” she said.
The di erent-colored Halloween candy buckets have taken on new meanings over the years in hopes to bring awareness to various medical conditions and diagnoses. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Kroger’s CEO claims to not think about raising prices
Prosecution case to block grocery merger rests, Kroger starts its defense
BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN
Testifying this week in Colorado’s antitrust trial to block the $24.6 billion supermarket megamerger, Kroger Co.’s CEO Rodney McMullen stuck to his statement made to a local newspaper last year that yes, he’s never thought about how to raise prices.
During the trial in Denver District Court, he shared simple responses to questions asked by Jason Slothouber, a senior prosecutor at the Colorado Attorney General’s o ce. No, he wasn’t familiar with a Kroger division that studied pricing and found they could raise prices at stores with little competition without losing shoppers. No, he wasn’t familiar with a group of eight City Markets put into a “mountain no comp zone,” where prices were raised. No, he didn’t know this zone was a big part of the state’s antitrust case.
“Kroger has invested in lowering prices for the last 15 years,” he said. “Strategically every year, we would make decisions on continuing to lower relative pricing.” “In areas where there is competition?” Slothouber asked.
“Across the country,” McMullen responded.
“Well, not in the mountain no comp zones, right?” Slothouber asked.
“I don’t know,” McMullen said.
McMullen, who had been sequestered during the trial, had not been privy to earlier testimony in the Colorado vs. Kroger et al, in its third week with closing arguments scheduled for Oct. 24. But so far, lawyers for the Attorney General’s ofce have laid out their case for the potential harm a merger between Kroger and Albertsons could cause to residents, employees, local suppliers and farmers if it results in store closures. A merger might create “no comp” stores, in addition to those now located in Aspen, Breckenridge, Carbondale, Eagle, El Jebel, Glenwood Springs, Granby and New Castle. e prosecution rested Monday. But throughout the rst part of the trial, grocery executives did have a lot to say about competition as they were questioned. ey said their prime competition was Walmart, Costco and Amazon and less so with one another. And those competitors are everywhere, including in some of those eight communities. e merger creates a national chain with stores in 48 states and ability to use Kroger’s moneysaving technology and strategies chainwide. Kroger, the parent of King Soopers and City Market, also would invest $1 billion to lower prices at the acquired Albertsons stores, which includes $40 million in Colorado.
Meanwhile, the comparatively tiny competitor C&S Wholesale Grocer would buy 579 Albertsons stores, including 91 Albertsons and Safeways in Colorado, for $2.9 billion. C&S, which has about two dozen supermarkets and a national distribution network, has no plans to close any stores. It’s o ering jobs to current Albertsons employees, including Chief Operations O cer Susan Morris, a Colorado State University graduate who got a job at an Albertsons in Littleton at age 16. Morris, who would leave Albertsons with
an exit package valued at $30 million, agreed to become CEO of C&S’ new retail arm if the merger is completed.
CEO doesn’t make short-term price decisions
McMullen, who worked at Kroger while in college and became Kroger’s CEO in 2014, was the rst witness to share the grocery stores’ side of the merger. When it was the defense team’s turn again, McMullen elaborated on what he meant by never thinking about raising prices.
He said he reads “every book on retail,” and learned companies that are most successful are those that lower prices over time. Companies newer to the grocery business or expanding to new markets — including Walmart, Amazon and fastgrowing Illinois-based grocer Aldi — start with lower prices. So, he thinks about the long term. He thinks about lowering prices — not raising them. e day-to-day ups and downs of prices? at doesn’t concern him. at would be the concern of Stuart Aitken, Kroger’s chief marketing o cer, testi ed later that day.
McMullen acknowledged that supermarket prices have increased for customers. at’s not the store’s doing, but in ation, credit card fees and the consumer packaged goods companies that produce the goods who are raising the prices they charge to Kroger.
“SometimesCPGswill do cost increases that we don’t think is justi ed and it’s the reason why our brands are so important,” McMullen said. If Kroger wasn’t actively trying to lower prices, he said prices at King Soopers and City Market would be closer to Albertsons and Safeway, which are 10% to 12% higher. And Kroger stores are about 3% more expensive than Walmart stores.
But he said he didn’t contradict himself by saying he never thinks about raising prices. He was talking about the basket of goods over time. His goal is to lower the overall cost to shoppers.
“We believe when you look over a 10-
year horizon, if we try to raise prices or raised relative pricing, we would belike A&Pas opposed to being successful, like an Amazon or a Costco or a Walmart,” McMullen said.
A&P is one of America’s original grocery stores, founded in New York just before the Civil War. It led bankruptcy for the last timein 2015, sold o a number of locationsto Albertsonsand other grocery companies, as well as shut down stores.
Aitken on Monday afternoon testied that Kroger has no stores without competition. Even areas identi ed in Kroger’s no-comp mountain zone, other options exist, like a Costco in Eagle, a Natural Grocers in Glenwood Springs and a Whole Foods a half-mile from the City Market in El Jebel. Prices were raised in those areas to o set higher labor and transportation costs, he said.
“We’re a low, low margin business and those additional transportation costs, even housing costs — we have 66 units in the mountains for associate apartments so they can a ord to stay up there — those costs are costs we’re looking to recoup,” Aitken said.
Overall prices in those communities are 1.8% higher than other Kroger stores not in the zone while Safeways are 9% more expensive than the low-comp zoned City Markets, he said.
Kroger’s formula: Cost cutting, personalized shopping, alternative profits
Kroger has gured out how to make more money without raising prices. McMullen said they do that by lowering costs. He said Kroger has reduced energy usage by 30% per square foot by doing things like using equipment in stores that generate heat to help heat stores in the winter, or purchasing bags from one place instead of multiple locations.
ere are also the value-added products, like selling guacamole instead of just avocados and all the ingredients. “Obviously, the customer is willing to pay more for that,” McMullen said.
Aitken talked about Kroger’s growing e-commerce business, which includes partnering with Instacart to provide grocery delivery to customers. Almost 30% of its $13 billion e-commerce business is handled by Instacart, or $4 billion. But there’s something else that the company began investing heavily in within the past decade: alternative pro t businesses. at includes gift cards, credit cards and targeted advertising, which have “signi cantly higher” margins than the regular grocery business, McMullen said. Its Kroger Precision marketing business essentially sells access to customers, much like Google and Meta do.
In its most recent annual report, Kroger said 95% of customer transactions were part of its loyalty program. at data feeds its system to create personalized shopping experiences, which includes selling ads to consumer-product companies like CocaCola. McMullen con rmed that Kroger doesn’t sell a customer’s personal data to advertisers. But if a customer tends to buy Coke products, they’ll see ads for new products from Coke — not Pepsi.
Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief information o cer, testi ed Tuesday that the alternative businesses bring in $1 billion in annual pro t today. In its most recent quarter, which ended Aug. 17, Kroger reported $33.9 billion, which was the same as the year-ago second quarter. Operating pro t improved to $815 million from a loss of $479 million a year earlier.
“All these pillars are a signi cant source of revenue. ey’re in excess of a billion dollars in pro t as we stand today,” Cosset said. “ ey contribute to funding investment … to lower prices and be more relevant on the value side of the experience and invest in wages for our associates who ultimately are responsible for delivering that customer experience.” is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
A King Soopers grocery store in Denver in January 2022.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN/THE COLORADO SUN
A Sign of the Times: Zillow Shows Climate Risk Data for All Active Listings
I was as shocked as anyone to hear that Asheville, North Carolina, had been devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene. It is over 300 miles inland from the Atlantic coast and on the western slope of the Appalachian mountain range. It is 2,100 feet above sea level.
To those of us who comfort ourselves that we are in a haven from climate change, this should be a wake-up call.
Zillow heard that wake-up call and recently introduced a “Climate Risk” assessment for all active listings on its website. At right are charts you’ll find if you search on Zillow for my listing at 48 Lang Street in Twin Lakes, Colorado, at the eastern foot of Independence Pass. I’m only showing the Flood risk map, but there are comparable maps for Fire, Wind, Air Quality and Heat risks by clicking on the buttons you see at the top left of the map.
younger home shoppers, who are driving the market. The median age of today's home buyer is 39, and first-time buyers make up 50% of all buyers. Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who comprise 54% of all home buyers are most likely to consider a climate risk when determining where to shop for a home. Across generations, a majority of shoppers reported taking into account at least one climate risk when looking for their next home.”
Although 86% of Millennials are likely to consider climate risks when searching for a home, the average for all groups is 83%, with Baby Boomers the lowest at 70%. Bottom line: it’s a big concern for everyone, and we need to take notice.
“Climate risks are now a critical factor in home-buying decisions,” said Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow.
It was a year ago last month that Zillow released a report stating that “A clear majority of prospective buyers in each region of the United States consider at least one climate risk when shopping for a home.” In the Midwest the percentage was 77% and in the West it was 90%.
Such risks were of least concern, surprisingly, to prospective buyers in the South, including Florida, but I suspect that may change after recent hurricanes.
The Sept. 2023 report continued: “Climate risks are a major concern for
The data source for Zillow is First Street, which provides climate risk data across multiple industries, including government, banking, and insurance.
First Street’s analysis of the destruction caused by August’s Cat-1 hurricane Debby found that 78% of flooded properties were outside FEMA’s flood zones.
According to Zillow, “First Street is the standard for climate risk financial modeling (CRFM) working to connect climate change to financial risk. First Street uses transparent, peer-reviewed methodologies to calculate the past, present, and future climate risk for properties globally, and makes it available for citizens, industry and government.”
Don’t expect to find climate risk data for your home on Zillow, unless it is cur-
Price Reduced on 2-Bedroom Winter Park Condo
rently for sale. However, you could look for a nearby home that is for sale and find your home on the maps such as the one above.
Years ago, I learned couple important things about flood insurance. First, for water damage to be covered by regular homeowners insurance, the water can’t hit the ground before entering your house. If the water hits the ground first, it is considered flooding and is only covered by flood insurance.
However, even flood insurance does not cover a finished basement. It will cover anything in your basement, such as a furnace and water heater, that serves the above-grade floors, but it will not cover below-grade walls, floors or furnishings.
Climate risk information is currently available on Zillow’s iPhone app and on the Zillow website, with Android availability expected early next year.
Take Pictures of Your Home Before the Snow Falls
Even if you don’t expect to put your home on the market this winter, it’s a good idea to have exterior pictures of your home and yard which the grass is green and the leaves are on the trees. If you have trees which blossom in the spring, make a note to take a picture then too.
“Life happens,” and it’s good to be prepared to show your home at its best.
NAR: ‘Make Your Listings Shine Online’
With ski season just around the corner, don’t miss your chance to make this fabulous condo at 693 Wapiti Drive your home in the mountains. Full of natural light, you'll delight in the open concept living and dining area with windows that showcase the beautiful views. The kitchen features hickory cabinets, an island and granite countertops. There is also a pantry/laundry room on the main floor. Additional features of this unit include a gorgeous moss rock fireplace, a skylight and a private balcony with stunning views of Byers Peak. All bathrooms have granite countertops with hickory cabinets, and the two full bathrooms, including the primary ensuite, have tiled floors and bath. Both bedrooms have double closets. There is an oversize garage with a large locked room for plenty of storage. No more scraping snow off your car! This condo is tastefully furnished and has reasonable HOA dues. Experience the great outdoors just outside your door with a walk down to the beautiful Fraser River for a hike or bike along the river trail that takes you up to the Winter Park Resort or take your rod for a little fly fishing! You'll also be just a short walk from downtown Fraser, which is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, just steps away is the free Lift bus line which will take you to concerts in Hideaway Park, skiing & summer activities at Winter Park Resort and all of the events, restaurants & entertainment Winter Park offers. Take a narrated video tour at www.GRElistings.com, then call David at 303-908-4835 to see it.
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had a newsletter item that caught my attention.
Covid had, of course, increased the importance of making listings more attractive to potential buyers who might not be able to visit the home in person. The newsletter article pointed out that, just like work-at-home, buying without seeing a home in person is still a thing.
It quoted a 2022 survey of 1,000 homeowners by Lending Tree which showed that 47% of them bought without an in-person tour of the property.
We already know that the vast majority well over 90% of buyers begin their home search online and only call an agent when they want to see a home. During Covid, that meant in some cases a FaceTime tour of the home by a showing agent. (We were “essential workers.”)
Americans got so used to Zoom meetings and working virtually during Covid that many of them still prefer Zoom meetings, and that translates into wanting to see a home virtually before making an offer.
What the article failed to mention was
that most of those buyers probably did attend the professional inspection of the home after going under contract, but the fact remains that a good online presence is what got that home under contract.
The article mentioned some of the technological tools, in addition to FaceTime, which have allowed listing agents to dramatically improve the online presentation of their listings, thereby allowing buyers to feel comfortable with submitting an offer prior to seeing the listing in person.
Matterport’s interactive still photos linked to a floor plan was one of those technologies. It allows a person, with their computer mouse, to rotate each still photo 360 degrees and even look at the ceiling and floor.
What wasn’t mentioned, and shocked me by its absence, was the mention of narrated video tours, which my broker associates and I create for every residential listing! What could be more useful than being able to walk through a home with the listing agent describing all its features basically simulating an inperson showing?
BUCKETS
“Whether they are unable to say trickor-treat, have to use an AAC device, have no way to say it at all or are carrying a specially-colored pumpkin, each kid deserves to participate in something fun,” said Vestal.
Both Vestal and Yarbrough believe the movement was created with good intentions, but wonder why there needs to be a color-coded system to be accepting and inclusive of all abilities. Yarbrough added that displaying a child’s diagnosis has the potential to increase the risk that the child will be mistreated or bullied.
“I love when people choose to sit at the end of their driveway to hand out treats, since narrow walkways and steps to the front door are di cult to manage for those in wheelchairs or (those who have) mobility issues,” said Yarbrough.
Having worked with neurodivergent children, Sawyer has had parents ask her about the di erent colored buckets. She said it should be more about“if they would like to, not that they should have to — and let the child lead on that decision.
Similar to Bennet, Sawyer hopes that people answering doors will answer with empathy and a willingness to be accepting of all individuals and use Halloween as a time to show kindness to neighbors.
For three consecutive years, Sawyer participated in the Town of Parker’s Trunk or Treat event because she enjoys the opportunity to allow families to have a little more control of the environment. She appreciates the inclusivity that the rst hour of the event is sensory-friendly because it creates a safer and more ac-
cessible environment.
Whether a family chooses to carry a blue bucket to raise awareness of autism
or if they feel uncomfortable with it, Sawyer encourages letting the child lead on how they want to do Halloween.
“ ere’s no wrong way of doing it,” said Sawyer. “So having a good time within your child’s capacity is really important.”
Children may carry a di erent colored bucket because it’s their favorite color. But, these colors have taken on meanings. For example, pink for breast cancer awareness and red for driving under the
In 2012, after facing challenges due to having epilepsy, a young boy in Connecticut wanted to raise awareness for the medical condition. He decided to paint a pumpkin purple and his family shared it on Facebook. With more than 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the country, the initiative soon gained national recognition and the Epilepsy Foundation launched the Purple Pumpkin Project.
Colored pumpkins can also be seen on people’s front porches to indicate to trick-or-treaters and their families that it is an inclusive home. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, another com-
e Teal Pumpkin Project was created to promote food safety and inclusion of those who have food allergies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 13 children have a food allergy. erefore, having options other than candy helps children feel included. Non-edible treat ideas include Halloween erasers, novelty toys, vampire fangs, spider rings and bouncy balls.
e Food Allergy Research and Education nonpro t organization provides a map of houses that have non-food treats as well as free printable signs, ideas for non-food treats and facts about di erent types of candy. ese can be found at tinyurl.com/5eac8f4c.
Blue Halloween candy buckets available at stores across the metro area. The Blue Bucket for Autism movement was started in 2018 and has gained national attention; however, some criticize it. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
A remembrance of Jim Green, who helped millions ‘hoooold on’ at DIA
Denver-based sound artist died in September
BY KATHRYN CHARLES SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Jim Green was a towering gure in the art world, known mostly for his public art sound sculptures in airports, city sidewalks, and museums.
On Sept. 11, Jim slipped away from Earth in the same manner he approached his art: subtly catching us all by surprise through his positive a rmations, greetings and unexpected sounds that brought joy to passersby.
Jim Green, a CU graduate with a masters in ne arts, was the “Mr. Rogers” of the art world.
Green was probably the rst to record creative messages for public transportation, including the greetings on the train at Denver International Airport, on rapid transit in Salt Lake City, and in Fort Collins.
Jim instructed us to “HOLD ON, the train is departing,” using the voices of Alan Roach, Reynelda Muse, Peyton Manning and Lindsay Vonn. His chimes between messages were homemade from various plumbing pipes and early synthesizers.
Green’s notable “Singing Sinks” at the Denver Art Museum revolutionized the public’s experience of hand washing when they unexpectedly triggered a trio of three sinks singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
Green recorded all the sounds connected to the Martin Luther King Memo-
rial in Denver’s City Park, where people gather annually on King’s birthday for the annual MLK ‘Marade’ down Colfax to Civic Center Park.
Jim loved working with the sound of water, and his “Talking Drinking Fountains” in Seattle’s Airport continues to amuse thirsty travelers.
“Sound Walk” along Curtis Street next to Denver’s Federal Reserve building transported pedestrians from their heady thoughts through recordings of subway trains, yodeling, and cow mooing mysteriously seeping out of sidewalk grates.
Visitors attending a multitude of Colorado Convention Center gatherings enjoyed the sound of laughter on a usually boring escalator ride up to the second oor.
e “Talking Trash Cans” in front of the Arvada Center welcomed visitors with greetings of positive a rmations including “I like your shoes,” or “You look great today!”
Perhaps one of the most complicated projects was Green’s “Talking Parking Meters” placed in the market place at Denver’s Central Park. Coins went toward Hickenlooper’s Road Home Project bene ting unhoused people.
“Unplugged,” installed in Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art, consisted of pneumatic compressors activating the rich, various noises of Whoopie Cushions pressed automatically under plexiglass, again triggered by motion. It is one of the museum’s most successful longrunning exhibitions.
“ e Red Phone” installed at Redline made a direct connection with Green,
who was willing to talk to his audience one at a time, live.
Jim Green was listening. Jim Green was a keen observer of human nature peculiarity. His early recordings and research led him to travel the country one summer to document the sounds of amusement parks and state fairs. He amassed a catalogue of people
working at sideshows, recording their shticks and their stories.
Green’s positive spin on a dark world brought a little more humanity to our lives. His message to the world was clear, concise, positive and playful. He reminded us to be present, listen to the world around us, and most of all, not take ourselves too seriously.
Jim Green, who created sound designs in public spaces around the Denver metro area, died Sept. 11. COURTESY OF KATHRYN CHARLES
Terrifying tales to give you chills this Halloween
Recently I experienced one of my great work anxieties: a library customer asked me to recommend romance books. I have nothing but respect for romance and its readers, but I tend toward books that are sad, scary, weird or any combination thereof. If I’m picking a Ryan Gosling movie, Drive always wins over La La Land. I wanted to write (this column) about haunting stories, and here are some highlights:
Shirley Jackson’s “ e Lottery” is high school syllabi mainstay, just one of her scads of spine-chilling short stories. But Jackson’s novels take Gothic ction to another level. Her 1959 novel “ e Haunting of Hill House” has a classic setup: to study the “not sane” Hill House, Dr. Montague invites a group of people with seemingly psychic abilities to stay for a week. Eleanor, eo and Luke turn up to subject themselves to Hill House’s sinister history, architecture and energy.
Jackson’s sharp prose and precisely drawn characters usher us from fascination to terror (with comic detours), mostly through Eleanor, whose sensitivity either feeds on or is fed upon by Hill House. Carissa Orlando’s “ e September House” is a good complement that shares Jackson’s dark humor and sense of sti ing expectations, but updates the
TENSIONS
To avoid catastrophizing about the worst-case scenario if the “other side” wins, Smith recommends setting boundaries around screen time and recognizing when one’s thoughts begin to spiral.
“If you do go online, aim for dispassionate observations rather than heated, frontline engagement,” Smith said. “Most of all, remember this: Although social platforms give prominence to the most extreme views, most vehement arguments and most radical takedowns, that’s only because they are controversy aggregators and outrage is their business model.
“Such outlooks are not necessarily representative of most people’s actual beliefs,” Smith continued.
Cultivate perspective
While it may feel safer to avoid those who disagree with you or express opposing views, Smith said having conversations with others helps us see we have more in common than we think and that exaggerated hyperbolic rhetoric doesn’t re ect the views of most Americans across the aisle.
Also, give yourself the freedom to step away from political discussions and remember what connected you in the rst place. Spending time with family or friends while leaving politics o the table cultivates connection, which is important for our mental health.
“We need to recognize that just because somebody might vote di erently, it doesn’t mean that they’re bad people,” she said.
Connect with your support system
CHECK IT OUT
premise for our era of outrageous property values.
Lauren Seegmiller
Nick Medina’s “Sisters of the Lost Nation” pairs horrors from supernatural and earthly realms. Anna Horn has grown up haunted by the specter of a disembodied head, and now also contends with bullying at school, work and home. When An-
na’s sister becomes the latest in a series of women to vanish from their reservation, Anna must combat her fears to nd answers before it’s too late.
Medina creates multiple layers of horror by combining mythological traditions, the real Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis and life as a mis t teen. e result is a complex, gripping and unsettling debut novel that stays with you long after you’ve nished it. Readers may also like how Silvia Moreno-Garcia blends history and horror in “Silver Nitrate,” where cult lms collide with occultist Nazis.
For recommendations tailor-made to your tastes, whether that’s horri c, romantic, both or neither, visit denverlibrary.org/reads to request a Personalized Reading List.
And nally: after four suspenseful years, the Central Library will reopen on Nov. 3, complete with a 10 a.m. ribboncutting and celebration to follow. Until then, limited curbside services and a
book drop are available on 13th Avenue.
Lauren Seegmiller is a librarian at Denver’s Central Library. She enjoys gaming, movies and the delusion that she needs more craft supplies.
“We should never underestimate the value and importance of social support. If you’re feeling stressed about the political process, nding others with similar viewpoints could be a real comfort,” and improving the things that are important to us closer to home.”
Does Denver have too many gas stations?
Proposed ordinance would build bu ers between new gas stations, mass transit stops and housing
BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
Paul Kashmann says he’s not trying to shut o the gas pumps in Denver altogether.
In fact, the service-minded Denver City Council member is still driving a gas car himself, and he doesn’t like high prices or long drives to stations any more than the next person.
But he is part of a City Council movement that sees construction of new a ordable housing as more important for Denver right now than an additional place to gas up and grab a bag of chips. Kashmann and some colleagues are bringing a proposed ordinance for a 2024 committee green-light that would build buffers between proposed new gas stations, mass transit stops and residential housing.
“I have never gotten a call from anyone saying, ‘Hey, councilman, I need to ll up my tank and I can’t nd anywhere to do it,’” said Kashmann, who represents southeast Denver’s District 6. Instead, he gets call after call from citizens who say, “Why are they building another gas station on East Evans?” His colleagues in the
south and north stretches of Denver get the same calls.
“Why do we need four, ve, six, eight gas stations on Evans between Colorado and Quebec?” asked Kashmann, a nine-year council member.
e rules currently under draft would bar a new gas station closer than a quarter-mile from existing pumps, a quarter-mile bu er from an existing light rail station, and 300 feet to the nearest residence. Still in play in the negotiations, Kashmann said, is a provision allowing gas pumps combined with a new grocery store if it is serving a “food desert” that lacks healthy food retailers. at exception, he added, must include de nitions of a true food desert, and what constitutes healthy food for a neighborhood — cigarettes and soda alone won’t cut it, he said.
Like any other big city, Denver has lots of zoning ordinances that steer development in ways that are good for the community as a whole, Kashmann said.
“ e big need in the city and county of Denver is for housing, and we’re a landlocked city,” Kashmann said. “ e places where gas stations tend to site are along our major transportation corridors, which is exactly where we’re told it’s best to site denser housing.”
e restrictions on new building have been met so far with surprisingly amicable negotiations with the gas station trade leaders. ey have pushed back on some provisions, but say Denver’s approach has been far more cooper-
ative with business interests than gas station zoning in other cities.
“I think it’s going to move forward in a way that we can implement it … without unduly burdening the marketplace,” said Grier Bailey, executive director of Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers.
Gas station developers believe there are still parts of Denver that might need new pumps, including the growing housing developments at Green Valley Ranch, and the varied businesses growing up in the Denver International Airport complex, rapidly becoming a city unto itself. Owners also want to make sure they can make renovations to existing stations or comply with environmental regulations demanding replacement of older underground storage tanks without triggering a nobuilding ordinance, Bailey said.
at’s where Denver’s other zoning desires can come into play, Kashmann said. Communities with only convenience stores instead of true full-service groceries might be willing to see a new gas station if it also sold produce and healthy foods, he said.
For their part, gas station developers know their market is changing rapidly, with more electric vehicles on the road and gasoline cars growing more ecient. A new station must accommodate not only EV chargers, but also the potential for hydrogen lling pumps or other technologies, Bailey said.
Almost every new gas station is already designed to be certied for taking electronic bene ts
for healthy foods purchased using bene ts from programs like Women, Infants and Children, Bailey said. “We don’t build six pumps and a garage; we build small grocery stores,” he said.
Moreover, the industry is used to so-called “setbacks” zoning, which regulates any business where cigarettes and liquor are sold. New alcohol retailers in Colorado, for example, must be a certain distance from existing stores.
“ e council is trying to strike the balance and we appreciate being included in the conversation,” Bailey said. “It’s not uniform support” from the industry, “but it has been collaborative.”
Kashmann said drafts of the ordinance may continue to change, with a target for a council committee passage later this year, and a full council vote in early 2025. In the meantime, he said, Denver will still have plenty of gasoline.
“God bless those who are delivering us our petroleum gas, because most of us still need it,” he said. (Full battery-electric and plug-in electric hybrids currently account for about 20% of new vehicle sales in Colorado.)
“I do hope we get to a world someday where we’re not burning up dinosaurs to get around,” said Kashmann, who is in his third and nal allowed term on council. “But it looks like it’s going to be a good long way down the pike.”
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Call first: c/o The Colorado Sun Buell Public Media Center 2101 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO
80205
Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: DenverHerald.net A publication of To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code
LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
CHRISTY STEADMAN South Metro Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
BUSINESS INQUIRIES For advertiser or vendor questions, please email our business department at accounting@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Independent.
We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Denver Herald-Dispatch (ISSN 1542-5797)(USPS 241-760) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Denver, Colorado, the Herald-Dispatch is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 1624 Market St., Suite 202, Denver, CO 80202.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT DENVER, COLORADO and additional mailing o ces.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Denver Herald, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
Cars whiz by two gas stations at Alameda and Downing during rush hour on July 16.
PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
Embrace wins, learn from losses, avoid mediocrity
There’s nothing quite like the taste of victory. Whether it’s our rst win in youth sports, receiving an academic award, or closing our rst sale, that feeling of triumph is something we carry with us for a lifetime. Our heart swells, our con dence rises, and we can’t wait to share the moment with those closest to us. at rst win, no matter how big or small, often sets the tone for how we approach life, shaping who we become and what we pursue.
Take a moment to think back to the rst
time you experienced victory. Maybe it was a childhood moment, like scoring the winning goal in a soccer game, or perhaps it was something academic, like becoming a valedictorian or receiving an award in high school. ese early wins are more than just a eeting feeling of success. ey imprint on us, showing
us what’s possible when we work, stay focused, and rise to the occasion. e satisfaction of that win becomes a guiding force, pushing us to seek out more challenges, work harder, and continue striving for success. Once we nd ourselves in a role that we love, we want to share that sense of accomplishment with others. We feel proud, motivated, and driven because of the wins and the journey that led us there.
But the taste of victory isn’t limited to enormous, life-changing wins. Some-
times, it’s the small victories that push us forward. It could be completing a challenging project, getting promoted for the rst time, or even mastering a new skill. ese moments may not change our lives overnight, but they build momentum, giving us the con dence to keep going and pushing ourselves toward bigger goals. No matter how small, each win reinforces the idea that we’re capable of greatness.
“Chaos in You” You hold the solution to the madness of this maze. Start with the ‘S’ found center-left, then maze-around to ‘E’ to restore order. See anything along the way?
RTD, county clerks o er two Zero Fare to Vote days
Zero Fare to Vote days set for Oct. 29 and Nov. 5
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Let city workers unionize
eral Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said in the news release. “ is year and in subsequent general election years, registered voters can rely on RTD to deliver them to any polling place throughout the district to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
“Colorado does everything we can to make it easy for eligible Coloradans to vote,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold adds in the news release. “I’m proud that RTD is offering zero fare days to encourage people to cast their ballots. is program is another way that Colorado is reducing barriers to the ballot box.”
National Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan day of celebration encouraging voters to cast a ballot. In Colorado, voters in the Denver metro area can use RTD services to vote in person at Vote Centers/Voter Service and Polling Centers or return their mail ballot to any o cial drop box. Colorado voters can return their mail ballots to any county clerk drop box or vote center regardless of what county they live in, the news release states.
“I’m grateful that RTD is supporting voter
RTD services will be free on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5
participation in such a concrete and meaningful way,” Boulder County Clerk and Colorado County Clerks Association President Molly Fitzpatrick said in the news release. “Providing zero fare days not only supports those who face transportation and nancial burdens, but it also increases public awareness about opportunities to vote early to ensure last minute emergencies won’t stand in anyone’s way of casting a ballot
Colorado voters can nd their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and use RTD’s trip planner and click the “Vote” icon to nd the best route to a designated drop box or polling location, the agency says.
Customers can further lter the trip planner results by selecting “Drop Box”, “Early Voting” and “Open Now.” To nd the desired voting or drop box location, customers can then click the “Plan Trip” button, the news release states.
I wholeheartedly support the ability of 11,000 City of Denver workers to form a labor union and to engage in collective bargaining. In a time when workers’ rights are more crucial than ever, it is critical that all employees have the ability to collectively bargain for fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security. Every worker deserves a union to ght for their interests and maintain fairness in labor practices.
Unionization empowers workers to negotiate with their employers on an equal footing, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are represented. It fosters a sense of solidarity among employees and cultivates a supportive work environment where concerns can be addressed collectively.
A unionized workforce bene ts not only the employees but also would bene t our Denver community. Studies have shown that unionized workers often receive better pay, bene ts, and job protections, leading to improved living standards and economic stability for our local economy.
gible results, providing direct relief from the high cost of living through innovative and executable policies.
Although Meg has secured some bipartisan support, the signi cant obstacles in achieving diverse political backing necessitate a new approach. With proven expertise in building consensus among varied viewpoints, I am prepared to foster inclusivity and ensure that progress re ects the collective voice of our community.
Opponents may argue that unionization could lead to increased costs for the city or disrupt operations. However, history has shown that when workers have a seat at the table, they are more invested in the success of their workplace and are willing to collaborate to nd mutually bene cial solutions. CWA, the organization leading the e ort, also has a history of positive outcomes and would bring that same level of professionalism to this e ort.
As residents of Denver, we should stand in solidarity with our city’s workers and uphold their fundamental right to organize. Let us support their e orts to form a labor union and create a more just and equitable community for all. Vote yes on 2U in Denver.
Erik Clarke, Denver
Meg’s intentions for transparency in her committee work are commendable yet hard to realize. I pledge to implement robust mechanisms to ensure legislative processes are transparent and engage the public directly, removing bureaucratic barriers and enhancing accountability. e ongoing neglect of writein candidates and diverse political perspectives by the media is not just an oversight — it’s a democratic shortfall. It is imperative that all candidates are given equal opportunities to share their vision. My campaign aims to break through these barriers, advocating for fairness and comprehensive representation.
Write in Marla Fernandez for change
You deserve a leader who not only pledges to lead but has the capability to implement signicant, positive changes. I urge you to write in “Marla Fernandez” when you vote, supporting a candidate who stands for both the integrity and diversity of our democratic process.
Together, let’s ensure District 3 is represented by someone who truly understands and embodies our community’s values and aspirations. Marla Fernandez Write-In Candidate, Colorado State Legislature HD 3 Marla Fernandez, Denver
Support Proposition 127
at said, the true value of victory isn’t just in the win; it’s also in the losses. Too often, people mistake losing as something negative, something to be avoided at all costs. But the reality is that losing, when framed correctly, can be just as valuable as winning. Each loss is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Many of the most successful people in the world will tell you that their greatest lessons came from their failures, not their victories.
e problem arises when we become afraid of losing or, worse yet when we settle for mediocrity. Being lukewarm, neither fully committed to success nor willing to embrace failure, is the most dangerous place. It leads to a hollow, mundane experience in life, where we’re neither pushed to improve nor inspired to chase greatness.
But here’s the truth: I have never met someone who can’t succeed. While it’s true that some people struggle, many eventually nd themselves doing exactly what they were meant
to do. ey nd a job, position, or calling that feels like a perfect t, and suddenly, everything clicks into place. e career that may have once felt like a series of losses becomes one of ful llment, purpose, and joy. is is the taste of victory when we nally nd ourselves where we belong, doing the work we were designed to do. Ultimately, the taste of victory knows no prejudice. It can come in the form of a small win that propels us forward, a middle-of-the-road success that reassures us, or a transformational victory that changes the trajectory of our lives.
But the key is to remain hungry, driven, and willing to push beyond mediocrity. Big and small wins await those who strive, fail, learn, and rise again. Each of us holds within our hands the seeds of failure or the potential for greatness; the choice is ours.
I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can train ourselves to embrace the taste of victory and defeat, it really will be a better than good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
As a write-in candidate for Colorado’s House District 3, I am committed to authentically representing our community — a voice often overlooked by traditional media. Meg Froelich may have a notable record, but it’s crucial to critically examine both her promises and her accomplishments, particularly when alternative voices like mine are marginalized, challenging the principles of a fair and free press. Leadership is not just about tenure; it’s about impact and innovation. My background as a mediator and community advocate has equipped me with unique skills to e ect real change and ensure comprehensive representation, even without mainstream media attention.
As a lifelong sportsperson and someone who has purchased shing licenses and habitat stamps here for 25 years, I was pleased to see so many of our current and past CPW commissioners rightly support Prop 127 for numerous reasons: science, ethics and fair chase, not to mention the great service that big cats provide against the spread of chronic wasting disease in our deer and elk herds.
Meg discusses the rising costs of living, healthcare, and energy challenges. Despite her e orts, the slow progress in areas like a ordable housing highlights a disconnect between actions and outcomes. My strategy is built on delivering immediate, tan-
Using GPS collared dogs to chase a lion into a tree and then shoot the lion from point-blank range is not hunting … it’s merely shooting. It serves no conservation purpose and only removes animals from the landscape that have no history of con ict, while undoubtedly orphaning many young kittens — keep in mind, nearly half of the lions killed are females. As sportspersons, it’s time to clean up our act and not mince words when we correctly describe big cat hunting and trapping as a crime against nature. I fully support Prop 127 and hope that Coloradans decide to relegate this blood sport and fur trapping of bobcats to the history books.
Charles Seymour, Denver
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Some might say that what’s important is the journey, not the destination — and if you travel in Colorado, you might encounter roads that are considered “destinations unto themselves.”
ose include a couple of Colorado’s more than two dozen designated byways: signi cant roads that are, for many Coloradans, o the beaten path. Around the state, those roads are marked as byways because they hold archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities.
“We protect those intrinsic qualities,” said Lenore Bates, who manages Colorado’s byways program.
e routes drive economic activity, too. e roads attract travelers, said Bates, adding that they can be “like a bucket list” item.
“Just like the national parks,” Bates said. People “will arrive just to do that byway.” e routes mark the map around Colorado, with some falling close to Denver and others sitting a longer drive away. Here’s a look at the state’s byways system and information about the roads.
Decades of byways
Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways program works to protect and promote the byways, Bates said.
Nationally, in the 1960s, “there was a lot of interest in outdoor recreation, and then in the 70s, it got put on the back burner,” Bates said.
Colorado’s byways program started in 1989, Bates said.
At the federal level, the National Scenic Byways program was created in 1991. It’s an e ort to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads around the country, according to a federal news release.
ere are 13 of Colorado’s 26 byways designated at the federal level as America’s Byways, which gives Colorado more national designations than any other state, according to the state program’s webpage.
‘Grassroots’ involvement
Each of Colorado’s byways has its own local organization that helps take care of and oversee the roads.
ose groups can fall under other entities, such as a county, a national park or national heritage area, or they could be a nonpro t, Bates said.
“So they’re very grassroots,” Bates said, adding: “A lot of them are, of course, volunteers who have full-time jobs.”
Byway groups might be involved in making updates to outdated resources, a visitor center or a rest area, for example.
“We’re trying to get everything ADA accessible or accessible for people who need visual resources,” Bates said, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
One challenge the byways community faces is updating the kiosks — boards with historical information that people can pull over and read, Bates said.
“Unfortunately, a lot of those stories are outdated, and the language is not always up to current view,” Bates said. “And they might be missing somebody’s story on that storyline — it might be one-sided. So we’re trying to get those stories updated slowly. It’s a huge endeavor.”
“We need to get tribal input and other organizations to give those stories,” she added.
Overall, Colorado’s byways program is managed by a governor-appointed commission of up to 15 members, including representatives from a variety of government bodies, Bates said.
Money for taking care of Colorado’s byways comes from a mix of federal and state government sources, as well as local fundraising, Bates said.
‘All-American’ travel
Some byways get a special designation as an “All-American Road.”
To be highlighted with that title, a byway must meet criteria for at least two of the “intrinsic” qualities that are nationally signi cant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere, according to the federal byways webpage.
“ e road or highway must also be considered a ‘destination unto itself,’” the webpage says. “ at is, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along the (road) a primary reason for their trip.”
Colorado has two All-American Roads: Trail Ridge Road, running between Estes Park and Grand Lake, and San Juan Skyway, which runs in the Durango and Telluride areas.
In general, the last time Colorado designated a new byway was in 2014, when Tracks Across Borders Byway was designated between Durango and Chama, New Mexico, Bates said.
Colorado’s byways include paved and unpaved roads. All of them have access to local recreation, such as trailheads, state parks or national parks, Bates said.
“Some of them have parallel paths on a portion of the corridor — for example, along the West Elk Loop is the Crystal Valley Trail” in the Carbondale area, Bates said.
Some of the byways host cycling events, such as Ride the Rockies, Bates added.
Colorado’s byways o er views, history
How many byways have you been on?
Here’s a list of Colorado’s byways, their length according to CDOT, and their location, starting with some near Denver.
Lariat Loop: Runs 40 miles through the Morrison, Golden, Bergen Park and Evergreen areas
Peak to Peak: Runs 55 miles between the Estes Park and Black Hawk areas. e route “provides matchless views of the Continental Divide and its timbered approaches,” CDOT’s webpage for the byway says
Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans): Runs 49 miles, winding from the Idaho Springs area to the Bergen Park area. Reservations are required for vehicle entry at Mount Blue Sky. See recreation.gov. e road to Mount Blue Sky is currently closed and is not expected to reopen until mid-2026.
Guanella Pass: Runs 22 miles between the Georgetown and Grant areas. Guanella Pass Road is seasonally closed on or about Nov. 26
Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park: Runs 48 miles between the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas. For up-to-date information on the status of Trail Ridge Road, call 970-586-1222
Alpine Loop: Runs 63 miles, generally between the Lake City, Silverton and Ouray areas
Cache la Poudre – North Park: Runs 101 miles between the Fort Collins and Walden areas
Collegiate Peaks: Runs 57 miles (one way), generally between the Granite and Salida areas
Colorado River Headwaters: Runs 80 miles. “ e route begins at Grand Lake, an old resort town on the shores of Colorado’s largest natural lake, and ends on a gravel road through spectacular Upper Gore Canyon,” CDOT’s website says
Dinosaur Diamond: Runs 134 miles or about 500 miles total in Colorado and Utah, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes between the Dinosaur and Fruita areas
Flat Tops Trail: Runs 82 miles between the Yampa and Meeker areas
Frontier Pathways: Runs 103 miles, generally between the Pueblo, Silver Cli and Rye areas
Gold Belt Tour: Runs 131 miles and includes multiple roads between the Florissant and Canon City areas
Grand Mesa: Runs 63 miles, generally winding between the Mesa and Cedaredge areas
Highway of Legends: Runs 82 miles, generally in three legs running from the Walsenburg, Aguilar and Trinidad areas and through the Monument Park area
Los Caminos Antiguos: Runs 129 miles, according to CDOT, generally in the Alamosa, San Luis and Conejos areas
Pawnee Pioneer Trails: Runs 128 miles, generally between the Sterling, Fort Morgan and Ault areas
San Juan Skyway: Runs 236 miles in a loop, generally between the Durango, Cortez and Ridgway areas. e roads go “snaking through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks,” CDOT’s webpage says
Santa Fe Trail: Runs 188 miles or about 565 miles total for Colorado and New Mexico, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it runs roughly from the Lamar area to the Trinidad area
Silver read: Runs 117 miles, roughly from the Gunnison area to the South Fork area
South Platte River Trail: Runs 19 miles in a loop roughly between the Julesburg and Ovid areas
Top of the Rockies: Runs 115 miles, generally between the Aspen and Vail areas
Tracks Across Borders: Runs 89 miles or about 125 miles total for Colorado and New Mexico, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes roughly from the Durango area past the Arboles area
Trail of the Ancients: Runs 116 miles or about 480 miles total for Colorado and Utah, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes roughly from the Four Corners Monument through the Cortez area and past the Yellow Jacket area
Unaweep Tabeguache: Runs 133 miles, generally between the Norwood area and the Whitewater area near Grand Junction
West Elk Loop: Runs 205 miles, generally between the Carbondale and Gunnison areas.
For more details about each byway, see the program’s page on the Colorado Department of Transportation website at codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways.
Fall leaves show various colors in the Guanella Pass byway area on Oct. 12 in the Georgetown area.
PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD
of Colorado’s byways o Interstate 70.
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Golden resident Matt Tedeschi tucked into his last plate of Café Prague sauerbraten Oct. 13 with a mix of satisfaction and sorrow. Tedeschi didn’t know it would be his last meal at the Morrison restaurant until he walked in that night and learned it was closing. He’s among several regulars shocked and saddened by the 20-year restaurant’s unexpected ending.
“It’s a tough loss,” said Tedeschi, who became an immediate fan after discovering the restaurant a few years ago. “I came 12 times in the rst month. I just went down the menu and each entree was excellent. I bring friends in here all the time, they ask what’s good and I say, ‘Literally everything.’ Nothing can replace this.”
Every table and seat at Café Prague was full the evening of Oct. 13, with some waiting outside in the chilly fall air for a late table and a last chance to dine there. e upscale restaurant, which several of Sunday’s patrons described as not only the best in Morrison but for many miles around, served Czech food created by Czechoslovakiantrained chef Ales Zabilansky. It was reputed not only for its hearty comfort foods but cozy ambience.
Morrison’s Cafe Prague closes
Restaurant owner Dennis Cionetti declined to comment on Café Prague’s closing, but two patrons said the decision stemmed from a rent increase.
Building owner Je Bradley said the lease expired and Cionetti did not want to renew.
“I hate to see it go,” said Ed Kautz, who lives in unincorporated Morrison and dined at
Café Prague weekly. “We like ne dining and we don’t want to go too far. I like the food, the atmosphere, the sta , everything. When the kids came to visit, we’d have a big dinner in the back here. I’m not sure what we’re going to do to replace it.”
Bartender Logan Brayer poured wine and shook cocktails at a fast pace, but it wasn’t
such an awesome place. e clientele is unmatched. I have genuine friendships in the people I’ve met here.”
Adam Starr, a resident of the nearby Solterra neighborhood, said Café Prague was also his go-to choice for dining out.
“Embarrassingly, we’ve come at least once a week for the last seven years,” he said. “We’d put this place up against any restaurant in Denver. I’m really disappointed we won’t get to spend another Christmas season here. We’re very sad to see such a good restaurant go.”
Bradley, who also owns the now-vacant, former Morrison Carworks building and the vacant building that once housed the town’s old post o ce, said he, too, is disappointed by Café Prague’s closing.
“It’s been a nice run; they’ve done a nice job for 20 years,” he said. “We’re trying to get another high-quality restaurant in there.”
enough to distract him from the reality of the restaurant’s closure. Brayer, a Green Mountain High School graduate, started at the restaurant as a 16-year-old busboy and worked his way up to bartending. He doesn’t think he’ll nd the same experience working at any other restaurant.
“I feel melancholy,” he said, as closing time approached. “It’s
Cafe Prague opened in Georgetown in 1999, moving to Morrison in 2004. Original proprietor Tomas Stribal sold it to his childhood friend and Prague native Cionetti in 2016. e 1876 stone structure that housed the restaurant was once owned by Morrison pioneer and Bradley’s great-grandfather John Ross. Bradley and his family undertook a two-year reconstruction of the building in 2001.
Cafe Prague bartender Logan Brayer pours a drink as regular customer Adam Starr cheerfully photo bombs the moment.
PHOTO BY JANE REUTER
Thu 10/31
Youth Swim Lessons WRC Level 1-2
@ 3:30pm Oct 31st - Dec 19th
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
All Hallows' Eve w/ The Dollhouse Thieves
@ 5pm
Starburn Will Be Rocking In The Zone! @ 7pm In The Zone Sports Bar and Grill, 15600 West 44th Ave, Golden
Deadmau5 @ 7pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Yachty Got Back @ 8pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Dani Flow @ 9pm Eclipse Event Center, 2155 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver
Sun 11/03
CRi: Anjunadeep Open Air Red Rocks @ 2pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Tue 11/05
Advanced Boys Gymnastics (6-17yo)Nov @ 3:15am Nov 5th - Nov 25th
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Pickleball - Beginner- Nov 5 & 12 @ 7am Nov 5th - Nov 12th
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Nils Hoffmann @ 6pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Beginner Girls Gymnastics (6-17yo)Nov @ 5:15pm Nov 5th - Nov 19th Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Jazz 3 @ 5:15pm Nov 5th - Nov 19th Buchanan Park Recreation Center, 32003 Elling‐wood Trail, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Youth Basketball Clinic - Boys 7th-8th Tue Nov/Dec @ 7pm Nov 5th - Dec 19th Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Anjunadeep @ 6pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison
Mon 11/04
Girls Hot Shots Gymnastics (4-6yo)Nov @ 4:15pm Nov 4th - Nov 20th
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
pigeon pit @ 7pm
Wed 11/06
Sister Hazel @ 6pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Youth Basketball Clinic - Girls 6th-8th Wed Nov/Dec @ 6:30pm Nov 6th - Dec 18th Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Seventh Circle Music Collective, 2935 W 7th Ave, Denver
Performance Team @ 7:30pm Nov 4th - Nov 26th
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Dustin Lynch @ 7pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
DIRECTV – leader in sports.
Claim based on o ering of Nat’l and Regional Sports Networks. RSNs avail. with CHOICE package or higher. Availability of RSNs varies by ZIP code and package.
Easily access live TV and thousands of streaming apps like Netflix, Max™, Prime Video and more – all from inside the DIRECTV experience.
Req’s separate paid subscriptions for Net ix, Max, Prime Video (see amazon.com/amazonprime for details) and other 3rd party apps. Restrictions apply. Internet-connected compatible device required.
Set-up is fast and easy with DIRECTV.
apply for eligible multi-dwelling units. All o ers, packages,
legal/ or call for details. Pricing: CHOICE $115.98/mo. for 2 years. After 2
SERVICE DIRECTORY
C
NEEDED
therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Miscellaneous
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595
Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
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 12/29/24.) Call 1-844-501-3208
Wanted to Buy
Sigler & Nelson LLC
390 Union Blvd., Ste. 580 Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: (303) 444-3025
Fax:(866) 421-2093
E-mail: Sandra@SiglerLawCO.com
E-mail: Kayla@SiglerLawCO.com
Case Number: 2024CV32621
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2024 AMENDED BUDGETS AND THE 2025 BUDGETS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that amended 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets have been submitted to Denver Rock Drill Metropolitan District. A copy of such proposed budgets has been filed at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, Colorado 80537, where the same is open for public inspection. The Board of Directors will consider the adoption of the proposed budgets of the District at a Regular Meeting of the Denver Rock Drill Metropolitan District to be held via MS Teams on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 11:00 am. Any interested elector of the Denver Rock Drill Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed budgets at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budgets.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: DENVER ROCK DRILL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Andrew Kunkel, District Administrator
Legal Notice No. DHD 3272
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
COURT, DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO 1437 Bannock St., Ste 256 Denver, CO 80202
Plaintiff: Sylvia A. Vigil, an Individual; v. Defendants: Allen K. Vigil, an Individual; Donna K. Vigil aka Donna Ulibarri, an Individual; Claudia C. Olmedo, an Individual; Claude S. Vigil aka Claude S. Vigil III, an Individual; and Irene Torres, an Individual
Attorneys for Plaintiff, Sylvia A. Vigil
Sandra M. Sigler, #44522
Kayla R. Nelson, #46242
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT: ALLEN K. VIGIL
You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint [petition] filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint [petition] may be obtained from the clerk of the court.
If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint [petition] in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.
This is an action for partition concerning the real property situated in the City and County of Denver, State of Colorado, and legally described as:
ALL THAT PARCEL OF LAND IN DENVER COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO, AS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 2696, PAGE 534, ID# 0506106018000, BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS:
LOT 37-38, BLOCK 2, WEST COLFAX.
MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1453 QUITMAN ST, DENVER, CO 80204.
BY FEE SIMPLE DEED FROM SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AS SET FORTH IN BOOK 2696 PAGE 534 DATED 04/14/1982 AND RECORDED 11/22/1982, DENVER COUNTY RECORDS, STATE OF COLORADO.
also known and numbered as: 1453 Quitman St., Denver, Colorado 80204.
Dated: October 3, 2024
Sandra M. Sigler, #44522
Attorney for Plaintiff
Legal Notice No. DHD 3301
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: November 14, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles
Public Notice
Notice to obtain title- The following vehicle was towed and abandoned;
1) VIN 1HGCM56856A066057
2006 Honda Accord
M1 Towing lot address 2810 W 62nd Ave Unit B, Denver, CO 80221, 720-364-1160 is applying for title.
Legal Notice No. DHD 3315
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
Broncos Towing, 303-722-3555 (office) will be applying for title to the following vehicles, abandoned.
1) 2003 Ford f350 white D32595 2) 2002 Camp trailer brown 017636 3) 2003 Dodge pickup white 659744
Legal Notice No. DHD 3294
First Publication: October 3, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Notice to Creditors
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of
Margaret Elizabeth Ejsmont-Perlin, a/k/a Margaret Elizabeth Perlin, a/k/a Margaret E. Ejsmont-Perlin, a/k/a Margaret E. Perlin, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31042
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 12, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Tatyana Mignon, Personal Representative c/o Nancy R. Crow Hutchins & Associates LLC 1999 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, CO 80202
Legal Notice No. DHD 3297
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Elaine R. Kaplan, aka Elaine Rose Kaplan, aka Elaine Kaplan, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31154
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Francine Kaplan Fisher, Personal Representative c/o Katz, Look & Onorato, P.C., 1120 Lincoln St., Ste 1100 Denver, CO 80203
Legal Notice No. DHD 3306
First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Robert C. Clesen, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030696
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Patrick Ridgeway, Personal Representative c/o 3i Law, LLC
2000 S. Colorado Blvd Tower 1, Suite 10000 Denver, CO 80222
Legal Notice No. DHD 3309
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Jeanette Roybal, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31074
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to pres-
Public Notices
ent them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Lilly Kathryn Roybal Personal Representative
14904 Maxwell Place Denver, CO 80239
Legal Notice No. DHD 3302
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate-of Gordon Ray Miller, a/k/a Gordon R. Miller, a/k/a Gordon Miller, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR31091
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver. Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
John W Gollub, Attorney to the Personal Representative
351 S Pennsylvania Street Denver CO 80209
Legal Notice No. DHD 3314
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Chelsea Rae Autrey, aka Chelsea R. Autrey, aka Chelsea Autrey, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31175
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Julian Billotte, Personal Representative
829 Moultrie Street San Francisco, CA 94110
Legal Notice No. DHD 3316
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Charles E. Fritts, aka Chuck Fritts, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30920
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City
and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 10, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Kelly Fritts, Co-Personal Representative 2958 Syracuse Street, Unit #114 Denver, CO 80238
Legal Notice No. DHD 3299
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of JANET LEAR SUE, AKA JANET SUE, AKA JANET L. SUE
AKA J. SUE, AKA J.L. SUE
AKA J. LEAR SUE, AKA JANET LEAR
AKA JANET SUE LEAR, AKA JANET S. LEAR, Deceased Case Number: 24PR486
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 10, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Kellie Adam CS Advocare, Inc., Personal Representative 7500 E Arapahoe Rd, Ste. #101 Centennial CO 80112
Legal Notice No. DHD 3298
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of JOYCE ANNE DECK, a/k/a, JOYCE A. DECK, a/k/a JOYCE DECK, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31204
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
WILLIAM DEWAYNE DECK, Personal Representative 4630 Washington Street Denver, CO 80216
Legal Notice No. DHD 3317
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Roque Richard Morales, also known as Roque R. Morales, and Roque Morales, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031008
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to
present them to Lauren Anne Gonzales c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC, 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80127; or to: Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.
Lauren Anne Gonzales, Personal Representative c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC Brian Hedberg, Attorney for Lauren Anne Gonzales 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200 Littleton, CO 80127
Legal Notice No. DHD 3313
First Publication: October 24, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of: Jason T. Guerrero, a/k/a Jason Theodore Guerrero a/k/a Jason Guerrero, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31063
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
/s/ Jerome A. DeHerrera
Jerome A. DeHerrera, Esq. Attorney to the Personal Representative ACHIEVE LAW GROUP, LLC 146 W. 11th Avenue Denver, CO 80204
Legal Notice No. DHD 3303
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of LANCE CHRISTOPHER ELKINS, a/k/a LANCE C. ELKINS, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30651
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
John J. Vierthaler
Personal Representative 8441 W. Bowles Ave., Ste. 210 Littleton, CO 80123
Legal Notice No. DHD 3312
First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of EILEEN RUTH PRICE, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30855
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Kevin M. Wein, Counselor at Law 8557 W Quarles Place Littleton, CO 80128
Legal Notice No. DHD 3310
First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of GLEN WILLIAMS, also known as GLEN WILLIAMS, SR. Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 31068
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Dazha L. S. Williams, Personal Representative 5136 Crystal Street Denver, CO 80239
Legal Notice No. DHD 3304
First Publication: October 17, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of RAFAEL GALLEGOS, a/k/a RALPH L GALLEGOS, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30549
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
John J. Vierthaler
Personal Representative
8441 W. Bowles Ave., Ste. 210 Littleton, CO 80123
Legal Notice No. DHD 3311
First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
