Denver Herald Dispatch December 26, 2024

Here’s what to know about signing

up for free preschool

Finding cold weather shelter for homeless

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

During cold weather in the Denver region, people without homes may struggle to nd a safe, warm place to go — and that can be a matter of life and death.

Unhoused Coloradans face the risk of hypothermia, a sometimes-deadly condition caused by exposure to cold temperatures. Staying outside also can cause frostbite, a freezing of body tissues that can lead to amputation.

e nonpro t Severe Weather Shelter Network, a program that kept people warm in a large swath of the Denver metro area, recently shut down permanently.

But several programs in Ad-

ams, Arapahoe, Denver and Je erson counties, and beyond, o er shelter.

Here’s a look at where you may be able to nd a warm place amid cold weather.

Adams and Broomfield counties

In a large part of the north metro area, the Severe Weather Activation Program, or SWAP, provides hotel vouchers to the unhoused. e program generally activates when temperatures reach 32 degrees and wet, or 20 degrees and dry, according to the website for Brightonbased organization Almost Home.

People with documented ties to Broom eld or Adams County may qualify for the program. See the website at

almosthomeonline.org/swap or call 303-659-6199 for more information.

O cials in Adams also o er transportation to help people reach a safe destination.

“Adams County believes that transportation should not be a barrier to life-saving shelter. We o er bus passes and no-cost Lyft rides through our municipal and nonpro t navigators to help low-income community members access necessary resources,” said Nikki Kimbleton, a spokesperson for Adams County. “For those who need transportation to stay with friends or family in another community, we can purchase bus, plane or train tickets to reunite folks with friends, family and housing.” e public can email Pov-

ertyReduction@adcogov.org for more information on longdistance travel.

Thornton

When temperatures drop below 32 degrees for daytime highs and below 20 degrees for nighttime lows, ornton opens a “warming center” at the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center at 11151 Colorado Blvd. — near 112th Avenue — according to the city. When active, the warming center is open from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to Gary Hobbs, deputy chief of administration with ornton Fire Department.

BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT

Colorado families can now apply for the state’s free preschool program for the 2025-26 school year.

e $344 million program, which launched in the fall of 2023, is open to all 4-year-olds. About 41,000 4-year-olds are currently enrolled in the program — about 65% of that age group in the state. A smaller number of 3-year-olds who need extra help are also enrolled.

e state has made a few key changes to the process this year, including opening the application window two months earlier and o ering a phone helpline that o ers interpretation in over 100 languages.

Here’s what families need to know about the preschool program and the online application.

Who gets free preschool? How much do they get?

Two groups of children qualify: All 4-year-olds and some 3-year-olds who need extra help.

e preschool program is primarily designed for children in the year before they go to kindergarten. For the upcoming 2025-26 school year, that generally means children who turn 4 before Oct. 1, 2025. (Some districts have slightly di erent cuto dates.)

Most 4-year-olds will get 15 hours of preschool a week, though some preschool providers o er only 10 hours a week.

In addition, some 4-year-olds will qualify for 30 hours of tuition-free preschool a week. ese include children from families with incomes at or below 100% of the 2024 federal poverty level — up to $31,200 for a family of four. Four-year-olds with two or more of the following risk factors will also qualify for 30 hours a week:

State program gets earlier start on applications for upcoming academic year SEE PRESCHOOL, P4

People walk through snowfall in November near Union Station in Denver.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

Afghan pilots soar with help of Emily Gri th

Technical college o ers education for refugees

BY ERNEST GURULÉ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

From a few thousand feet above the foothills, 27-year-old pilot Sayed Jawad Padsha takes in the view. But only momentarily. In high-country ying, notorious invisible and unpredictable air currents can suddenly seize control of an aircraft and create chaos.

But, said the Afghanistan expatriate, for one brief moment, the view provides “comfort…with good memories.” e mountains remind him of home.

Padsha is in a training program o ered by Denver’s Emily Gri th Technical College and funded by the U.S. government’s O ce of Refugee Resettlement. e program assists refugees in acquiring or upgrading the skills necessary to more easily integrate into their new environment.

Already a pilot in his native country, Padsha was in the Kabul Air Wing ying single-engine aircraft.

“ e main goal,” he said, “was to carry military personnel and wounded soldiers all around Afghanistan.” Other times he was dropping “food and ammunition for the soldiers.” But wherever he ew, with a seemingly unending war and often uncompromising adversary, each mission carried its own unique risks.

Padsha is one of several Afghan pilots who have taken or earned their private or commercial pilot license under the auspices of Emily Gri th. Currently, the technical college’s program has successfully enrolled four Afghan pilots with one earning a commercial pilot’s license. Another is completing training for instrument rating, which quali es a pilot to y in unfavorable conditions, and two are becoming certi ed as private pilots.

Flying has been Padsha’s dream since childhood, a childhood spent following a father whose military career took the family to postings all across Afghanistan and beyond. Padsha was born when his family was in Turkey. Today, his parents and brother, also in the Afghan military, have been resettled following America’s withdrawal from the war.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Padsha joined the Afghanistan military. He attended the country’s air force academy, where he earned a pilot’s license, the foundation of his dream to command bigger, faster aircraft.

Padsha, through his association with Emily Gri th, said he found a welcoming environment. It is the most dramatic contrast, he said, to the country he left behind that has become one of the most autocratic governments in the world.

“I feel really blessed to have met such people,” Padsha said. Emily Gri th and Denver, he said with gratitude, is “like coming to heaven from a man-made Hell.” Afghanistan is corrupted and run by people “with corrupted minds.”

Afghanistan has long been called the “graveyard of empires.” In the late 19th century, the British were unsuccessful in securing dominion. e Russians, then the Soviet Union, also failed in their 10-year-long occupation, which began in 1979 and claimed the lives of more than 15,000 soldiers. America’s withdrawal from its 20-year war against the Taliban came in August 2021. More than 20,000 American troops were killed or wounded in that war.

According to the U.S. State Department, nearly 100,000 Afghanistan refugees were allowed asylum in the United States following the war’s end, including Padsha’s family.

While the program aids refugees like Padsha, it also helps replenish America’s own inventory of pilots, for which there is a growing shortage, said Ti any Jaramillo, Emily Gri th’s manager of career programs.

“Right now, we have four pilots in our program…we’re hoping to get eight to 10 more in the next year,” Jaramillo said.

Padsha, who began his Emily Gri th training last February using Centennial Airport for the “hands-on” portion, is hoping to be certi ed on multi-engine aircraft, Jaramillo said. But returning to Afghanistan, she added, is not part of his future.

“He plans to stay,” and to work as an airline pilot. Returning to Afghanistan would put him, like so many other refugees, at “great risk.”

While exact numbers of Afghanistan refugees enrolled in the technical college were not available, Emily Gri th has established programs, Jaramillo said, that also address health services, education and English classes, and counseling on initial housing placement for refugees.

Sayed Jawad Padsha, pictured here in his fatigues with the Kabul Air Wing. Padsha is in a training program o ered by the Emily Gri th Technical College that helps refugees acquire skills. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAYED JAWAD PADSHA

Sayed Jawad Padsha, a participant in the Emily Gri th Technical College’s program to help refugees, sits in the cockpit of a plane. Padsha was already a pilot in his native country, Afghanistan, and is receiving additional training.

Small Landlords: Looking to Cash Out Due to New Pro-Tenant Laws? Here’s One Option.

Under laws enacted by the 2024 General Assembly, Colorado tenants gained many protections, both from eviction and for “habitability,” but those protections for tenants have made being a landlord trickier, more expensive, and riskier, especially for the small landlord who manages his or her own rental units.

Last week, I helped one such small landlord dispose of his rental duplex and invest the proceeds in a way that deferred his capital gains but didn’t get him into yet a new investment that carried those problems and management.

you’re able to put the entire proceeds to work generating income. If you keep doing 1031 exchanges until you die, your heirs will inherit your final holding(s) with a stepped up value and no capital gains tax liability at all.

In his case, he had to deal with a squatter who knew his protections against eviction that already existed under Colorado law and refused to leave. That experience left such a bad taste in my client’s mouth that he chose to sell instead of finding a new tenant.

I was once a commercial landlord myself and earned some great passive income from it for several years, but I vowed never to be a residential landlord. Back then, the big concern was whether your tenant might be cooking meth — a nightmare situation requiring not only eviction but very expensive mitigation before the property could be put back on the rental market or sold. I preferred being a commercial landlord, because my tenants’ offices were always open and I knew they wouldn’t trash their office, because they had customers.

These new protections for residential tenants only add to the unattractiveness of being a small landlord of residential properties.

Other changes in landlord-tenant law include the banning of occupancy limits based on familial relationships by local governments and prohibiting rent increases in excess of 10% over the prior year’s rent (defined as “rent gouging”). Local governments may still implement residential occupancy limits based on demonstrated health and safety standards, such as international building codes, fire codes, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wastewater and water quality standards, or affordable housing program guidelines.

College towns, including Boulder and Golden, have in the past implemented occupancy limits to prevent the use of singlefamily homes by large numbers of unrelated college students. Those laws are now invalidated by state law.

In the posting of this article on my blog, http://RealEstateToday.substack.com, I’ve included a link to an article with a fuller description of those 2024 landlord-tenant laws. Meanwhile, selling a long-held investment property can subject the seller to capital gains tax and depreciation recapture that can wipe out much of the profit from selling. A common tax strategy for deferring those taxes is to do a “like kind” exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.

By purchasing a replacement investment property (not a primary residence) with the proceeds from your relinquished property,

You may be saying, “I don’t want to own any new investment property, especially a residential rental property,” given these new laws, but I have good news for you.

“Like kind” properties are broadly interpreted by the IRS to include any real estate (except a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT). This allows you to reinvest your funds as a passive investor in what’s known as a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST). However, a DST investment is only for accredited investors. Individual accredited investors come under two categories:

They have an individual net worth, or joint net worth with their spouse, excluding primary residence, but including home furnishings and personal automobiles, of more than $1,000,000, or

They have an individual income in excess of $200,000 or joint income with their spouse in excess of $300,000, in each of the two most recent years and have a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

DSTs are exploding in popularity, and with good reason. A Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) is an ownership structure that allows an investor to purchase a fractional interest in a large property or portfolio of properties. The DST is a legal entity (formed as a trust under the laws of Delaware) which holds legal title to property(ies) held in the trust.

For Federal income tax purposes, each DST investor owns a “beneficial interest” in the trust and is treated as owning an undivided fractional interest in the real estate being held by the trust. A real estate company, known as the sponsor, purchases the real estate for the DST and sells “beneficial interests” to 1031 exchange investors through broker/dealers.

The investors, as beneficiaries of the trust, receive their prorated share of the income, tax benefits, and any capital appreciation produced by the real estate. The real estate company, the sponsor of the DST, serves as the trust manager and is responsible for making the major management decisions of the trust. Some examples of the type of real estate that a DST may invest in are: Industrial, MultiFamily, Medical Office, Student Housing, Senior Housing, Retail, Storage, etc. The sponsor purchases the real estate for the DST and sells "beneficial interests" to 1031 exchange investors through broker/dealers. If you list your investment property for sale and your listing agent doesn’t tell you about DSTs, it could be because it’s an investment of your proceeds that doesn’t allow your agent to earn a commission. It could also, however, be because he or she is not familiar with DSTs. Show him or her this article!

We learned more about DSTs when Wayne Bernardo of Bernardo Asset Management, a boutique real estate securities firm in Evergreen, spoke to our broker associates and me at a recent office meeting.

One problem with doing a traditional 1031 exchange is that you must identify your replacement property within 45 days of closing on the relinquished property, and close on the replacement property within 180 days. It’s not uncommon for a 1031 exchange to fail due to missing these deadlines, leaving the seller of the relinquished property to owe the capital gains tax which he or she was intending to defer. The good news in that situation is that it takes almost no time to switch to a DST. If it’s day 45 and you know you’ll miss the deadline, there’s still time to invest in a DST. But you must identify the DST by day 45 with your Qualified Intermediary (QI).

That’s because there are always some DSTs being offered, and Wayne Bernardo can assist you in finding a DST option to complete your 1031 exchange. He proved that last week when he spoke to us on Monday, and I told him I had a closing that Friday in which the seller was facing over $500,000 in taxable capital gains which he was willing to pay to get out of his rental investment. “Can you help him,” I asked.

The answer was clearly “yes,” because at the closing on Friday, the settlement statement showed $500,000 of the sellers’ proceeds going to my client's Qualified Intermediary for a DST purchase. Wayne was able to find a few DST options for my client and my client decided to purchase one of Wayne's DST recommendations.

Instead of paying capital gains tax (and depreciation recapture) on his sale and wondering how to invest what was left, my client is investing $500,000 in a DST that will earn him an expected monthly income stream over the life of the DST. (Note: Distributions are not guaranteed.)

One of the “negatives” about DSTs is that it is not a liquid investment. You can’t pull your money out of the DST for at least 5 to 10 years, but if that is not problematic, it’s a great solution for the seller who wants to get out of an investment property without paying capital gains tax but having no further management concerns or liabilities. Wayne refers to it as “mailbox money,” because you get a

check in the mail without the headaches of being a landlord.

Note: You don’t have to invest your entire proceeds in a 1031 exchange. My client who invested $500,000 in the DST also received $153,000 in proceeds on which he will pay capital gains tax but still providing him over $100,000 in net proceeds for other purposes, such as travel. I did the same thing when I sold an office building in 2004 and didn’t reinvest the entire amount using a 1031 exchange.

For more information about DSTs, check out Wayne's website BernardoAsset.com, or call Wayne at 303-981-1387, or email him at Wayne@BernardoAsset.com Let Wayne know you saw this article, which he factchecked for accuracy prior to publication.

Of course, my broker associates and I are ready and able to help you sell your investment property. Our contact info is below. As with any real estate investment, there are risks with investing in DSTs. Here’s how they are spelled out on Wayne’s website:  Investors Do Not Hold Title: 1031 Exchange DST investors do not hold title of the property but rather own beneficial interests in the trust and the sponsor controls the management and selling of the property.

 Illiquidity: A Delaware Statutory Trust interest is an illiquid alternative investment and there is no current active secondary market for selling your interest, which creates the inability to access immediate liquidity.

 Potential for Property Value Loss: All real estate investments have the potential to lose value during the life of the investment.

 Reduction or Elimination of Monthly Cas Flow Distributions: Like any investment in real estate, if a property unexpectedly loses tenants or sustains substantial damage, there is a potential for suspension of cash flow distributions.

 No Performance Guarantee: General real estate market risks also apply to DSTs. There can be no assurance that a property will perform as projected. DSTs are subject to economic volatility, tenants not paying their rent on time, and other traditional risks of owning, operating and selling real estate.

 Potential Change in Tax Law: Tax laws are subject to change, which may have a negative impact on a DST investment.

Why Are HOA Dues Being Raised So Much?

This is a question which I have been asked by readers, so I reached out to Stan Hrincevich, president of Colorado HOA Forum, who suggested some possible causes.

Many HOAs are discovering that their reserve accounts are underfunded and are increasing monthly dues in lieu of a one-time special assessment.

Insurance costs have skyrocketed, and if the HOA is responsible for more than just common elements, this could be a reason for increased dues. If the dues weren’t raised in a timely manner, the eventual increase could be even bigger.

Insurance deductibles have increased significantly, too, and if, for example, the HOA insures the community’s roofs and there’s a hail storm, your individual share of the deductible for replacing the roofs could result in

a special assessment in the tens of thousands of dollars. Ask the provider of your individual insurance policy about a rider to cover such an assessment.

Fees charged by HOA management companies and the contractors hired by them, such as for grounds maintenance and snow removal, have increased substantially.

Water charges have skyrocketed, and if the HOA provides irrigation, that could cause dues to increase.

If the HOA embarks on lawsuits and loses, this can result in a financial impact that could raise monthly dues or result in a special assessment.

If you are worried about misappropriation, ask to see the check register and bank statements of your HOA and see where the money is going.

NOTE: All prior “Real Estate Today” columns are archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com

PRESCHOOL

- eir family income is between 100% and 270% of the federal poverty level — $31,200 to $84,240 for a family of four.

- ey speak a language other than English at home.

- ey have a special education plan, also known as an IEP.

- ey are homeless.

- ey are in foster care.

Qualifying for 30 hours of free preschool through the state isn’t a guarantee that a child will get it. Not every preschool offers a 30-hour a week schedule — or has open seats available even if it does.

Compared to 4-year-olds, only a small number of 3-year-olds — children two years away from kindergarten — qualify for tuition-free preschool. Only 3-yearolds who have special education plans are guaranteed free preschool.

What about 5-year-olds who aren’t in kindergarten yet?

A small number of 5-year-olds are eligible for free preschool in the year before they attend kindergarten. Speci cally: ose living in school districts with kindergarten cut-o dates earlier than the state’s Oct. 1 cut-o whose birthdays fall between the two cut-o dates. is lookup tool can help you determine if your 5-year-old will qualify.

Five-year-olds who could go to kindergarten but have been held out by their families — a practice often called redshirting — aren’t eligible for free preschool in that year.

When can I fill out the universal preschool application?

is year’s application opened at noon

on Dec. 17, about two months earlier than last year. Some families of children who will be 4 by Oct. 1 will get to preregister, specically those who want to send their child to the preschool where the child is currently enrolled, where a sibling is enrolled, or where the parent is employed. ese families should ll out the state preschool application, list their current provider as their rst choice, and submit. ey’ll receive con rmation of their choice and must accept or decline the match between Feb. 3 and 10.

Families not eligible to preregister can still ll out the universal preschool application starting Dec. 17. ose who submit by Feb. 5 will fall into the state’s rst round of matching. ey’ll nd out which program they matched with on Feb. 24. ey will have to accept or decline their match by March 3.

Families that submit their choices between Feb. 6 and March 5 will fall into the state’s second round of matching. ey’ll nd out their match on March 24 and must accept or decline the match by March 31.

What if I apply after the first 2 matching windows?

Families of children who will be 4 by Oct. 1 can still apply for free preschool after the rst two rounds of matching are complete through what’s called “direct enrollment.” Contact the preschool you’re interested in to see if they have space. If they do, they’ll assist you with the enrollment process, including lling out the state universal preschool application.

If you don’t have a preschool in mind, you can browse an online list of universal preschool providers on the state’s application website.

What do I need to fill out the state preschool application?

You’ll need to provide an email address or phone number to create an account and start your online preschool application. Most families will need about 15 minutes to ll it out. e application is available in English and 10 other languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, and Hindi.

Families with incomes at or below 270% of the federal poverty line will need to upload proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax forms, when they apply for universal preschool.

I have a child who will be 3 by Oct. 1, 2025. Should I complete the application?

school applicant. For example, a schoolbased preschool might turn away a child who lives outside district boundaries. Faith-based preschools used to have the option to turn down a child who is not part of their congregation, but that’s no longer the case for the 2025-26 school year.

Can I pick my 3-year-old’s preschool?

Possibly, but you won’t have as many choices as 4-year-olds do. It all depends on your school district since districts are in charge of placing 3-year-old preschoolers. Some districts primarily serve 3-yearolds in district-run classrooms while others work with community child care programs to serve 3-year-olds.

Do I have to fill out my district’s school choice form too?

The DeAngelis Center Foundation offers a variety of trainings and services supporting school and community safety. Our mission is to teach proper response and past lessons learned to help prevent and avoid traumas. Helping to create more beautiful futures for our children and every person living in our community.

If your child has an Individualized Education Program or IEP, yes. Otherwise, parents of 3-year-olds should contact their local school district to nd out if they qualify for tuition-free preschool.

My child has a disability. Should I complete the application?

Yes. Families with a child who will be 3 or 4 next school year and has a special education plan — also known as an Individualized Education Program, or IEP — should ll out the state preschool application. Be sure to check “yes” in response to the question about whether the child has an active Individualized Education Program. e local school district will contact families about the enrollment and placement process. Most preschoolers with IEPs will be placed in classrooms run by their school districts.

Parents who are worried their preschooler may be delayed in speech, learning, or development, but don’t have a diagnosis or IEP, should contact Child Find, a state program that screens children suspected of having a disability. Check this list for Child Find coordinators by region.

Can I pick my 4-year-old’s preschool?

Yes. More than 2,000 preschools across Colorado are part of the universal program. Families who don’t qualify for preregistration or want a program other than the one their child currently attends will be asked on the state application to pick up to ve preschools. ey can rank their choices. Options include school-based preschools, faith-based preschools, preschool programs inside child care centers, and state-licensed home-based programs. is year, about 90% of families were matched with their rst choice of preschool.

ere are some cases where preschool providers can turn down a universal pre-

Families who want to send their child to a preschool run by their school district may have to ll out two applications: e district school choice form and the state universal preschool application. If you’re not sure if your district has a school choice form or if you are required to ll it out, contact your district.

What if I need more hours than what my preschooler is eligible for?

You can still pay for extra hours above and beyond what the state covers for free, as long as the preschool o ers more hours. You can also see if you qualify for nancial help through other means, such as the state’s child care subsidy program or a local tuition assistance program like the Denver Preschool Program. Here’s a rundown of the options.

I have more questions. What should I do? Contact the local group that’s coordinating the universal preschool program in your county or region. Here’s a countyby-county list of all the groups — the state calls them Local Coordinating Organizations or LCOs — with email addresses. You can also contact the state’s help desk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. e number is 303-866-5223 and interpretation is available in over 100 languages. Families can also email the help desk at universalpreschool@state.co.us or submit an online form at help.upk.colorado.gov.

Do you have a question you don’t see answered here or can’t nd the answer to elsewhere? Let us know at co.tips@chalkbeat. org and we’ll do our best to nd an answer. Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

Colorado’s application for universal preschool opened at noon Dec. 17 for the 2025-26 school year.

JIMENA PECK FOR CHALKBEAT

Pathways aim to reduce dementia risk in Colorado

Research shows small changes can reduce risk

BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

Dementia, a disease with profound effects on families, loved ones and caregivers, a ects more than 55 million people globally, including 6 million in the United States.

New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small changes in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.

Sarah Lock, senior vice president for policy at AARP, said there are also important steps policymakers can take to make it easier for people to maintain healthy behaviors.

“When we do that, we can disrupt dementia,” Lock asserted. “ at’s a really exciting possibility, given that so many of us — as our nation is aging — are facing that risk.”

Dementia is the third-largest cause of death in the nation for people age 70 and older, and two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor. People who smoke ve cigarettes per day have a 16% higher dementia risk than nonsmokers. People with prediabetes face a 25% increased risk, which rises to 50% with full-blown diabetes. Prolonged exposure to air pollution is also a major dementia risk factor.

Other risk factors include alcohol use, depression, high body mass index, hearing loss, hypertension, low education, physical inactivity, social isolation and

New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small changes in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.

traumatic brain injury. Lock pointed out policies to reduce these risks can vary by state. For example, in Colorado, physical inactivity may not be as big of a problem

as in other states, but hearing loss is relatively high.

“We can suggest to policymakers that they focus on ways to help people screen

“When we do that, we can disrupt dementia. That’s a really exciting possibility, given that so many of us — as our nation is aging — are facing that risk.”

Sarah Lock, senior vice president

for policy at AARP

and correct for hearing loss,” Lock noted. “In Colorado, that might be a wiser use of public dollars, to go after the problem that seems to be biggest in your state.”

Lock added the goal of the research is to o er people pathways to better brain health and to give older Americans more quality time with their loved ones. e ndings were released by the new Dementia Risk Reduction Project, a collaboration between AARP, the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative and the University of Washington.

Reprinted with permission from Public News Service, an independent, membersupported news organization providing news in the public interest.

Open enrollment is here: Discover affordable options from Anthem in Colorado

BY MATT PICKETT

We all want good health, both for ourselves and for our families. That’s why we center many of our choices around improving our health and well-being. Now that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace open enrollment period has begun, it’s time to start exploring the best plan for you and your family. ACA Marketplace health plans are specifically for those who do not have access to an employer-sponsored health plan and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.

To ensure you have health coverage beginning in 2025, it’s important to start focusing on finding a plan that meets your needs and your budget. Colorado’s official health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, is where you will enroll when you’re ready. Selecting a health plan can feel like a daunting task, but Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado (Anthem) can help you choose the right one for you. Anthem has been in Colorado for 86 years and is the only health benefit plan available in every county in the state.

Benefits are more affordable than you may think Anthem’s health plans offer different options for care, and your premium and deductible will depend on the plan you choose. Our website outlines the available options based on coverage needs and pricing for individual and family plans. It’s important to remember health plans cover preventive health care—such as mammograms, colonoscopies, regular check-ups and other important services—at no cost to consumers. Chronic health conditions that negatively impact quality of life and significantly increase healthcare costs can often be prevented or managed through these early detection screenings.

You may also be eligible to receive additional financial help through ACA subsidies, which can help lower or eliminate monthly premiums and decrease out-of-pocket costs. In fact, nine out of 10 people nationwide can save on the cost of health coverage through these subsidies.

The high cost of no benefits

Forgoing healthcare coverage might seem like a cost-effective alternative; however, out-of-pocket costs and unexpected hospitalizations add up quickly. Uninsured individuals often face unaffordable medical bills when they do seek care, which can lead to medical debt and other forms of financial instability. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 62% of uninsured adults report having medical debt. Uninsured adults are more likely to face negative consequences due to health care debt, such as using their savings, having difficulty paying other living expenses, or needing to borrow money.

Nearly 1 In 12 U.S. adults owe medical debt, and almost 67% of all bankruptcies in America are tied to medical issues, whether due to the high costs of medical bills or the loss of income after taking time off from work. We understand inflation is still challenging for many household budgets, but securing healthcare coverage now may really help you save money in the long run.

Next steps

Anthem offers decades of experience and knowledgeable support to help people create a path to better health and wellness. We can be a resource to help you through this process, regardless of what health plan you eventually choose. Call us at (833) 2361058 or visit our website to easily compare the available plans as you determine what will best work for you and your budget. Then visit Connect for Health Colorado to enroll. Be sure to enroll by December 15 for coverage to begin January 1 or enroll by January 15 for coverage to begin February 1. Get ahead of the new year by exploring Anthem health plans today.

Matt Pickett is the President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado.

SHUTTERSTOCK

“ is program does not o er services such as warm meals, showers, bunk rooms, storage for belonging, etc., that are typically provided by emergency shelters,” Hobbs wrote in a statement. “If a community member requires longer-term emergency sheltering, sta will work to nd a sheltering solution. Typically, this includes relocating the person(s) to a shelter in another jurisdiction or working to acquire a SWAP voucher.”

Anyone in need of a place to warm up can drop in without an appointment anytime the warming center is operational, Hobbs said.

Westminster

Westminster activates a cold-weather shelter when weather is projected to be zero degrees or sustained wind chill below zero degrees for six hours or more, said Andy Le, a spokesperson for the city. e shelter will stay open for at least 48 hours, Le said.

e city converts e MAC recreation center — at 3295 W. 72nd Ave., a short walk west of Federal Boulevard — into a temporary shelter.

You can call ahead of time to check availability at 303-426-4310, according to the city.

Hotel vouchers are also part of the local strategy for addressing homelessness.

“Our Homeless Navigator program helps distribute hotel vouchers provided by Jeffco and Adams County for people experiencing homelessness,” Le said. “Westminster provides additional vouchers when the weather drops below 10 (degrees) to provide additional support for our most vulnerable population.”

Northglenn

ere are not any city-managed coldweather shelters in Northglenn, said Diana Wilson, spokesperson for the city.

But the Crisis Response Unit, or CRU, is available by appointment or during open o ce hours from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays at the Northglenn Justice Center’s west door entrance at 50 Community Center Drive — east of Huron Street and 112th Avenue.

CRU o ers some services and resources. See tinyurl.com/CrisisResponseUnitNorthglenn. Transportation and shelter passes are available on a limited basis, Wilson said.

Call 720-822-0558 or see the link above for more information.

Commerce City

Commerce City operates two emergency shelters when conditions warrant, said Kristen Knoll, a spokesperson who provided information for the city.

e city’s two shelter locations are the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center at 6060 Parkway Drive — near U.S. Highway 85 and 60th Avenue — and the Bison Ridge Recreation Center at 13905 E. 112th Ave., near state Highway 2, according to Knoll.

Each location has capacity for up to 30 beds and o ers kitchen and sanitary facilities, Knoll said.

is capability is intended to meet the short-term — no more than three nights or four days — needs of up to 30 residents per location in the event of various emergency situations, Knoll said.

“Once the location, timing and capacity have been determined, Community WellBeing division sta and Police Department sta will contact known people experiencing homelessness and assist with transportation, if needed,” Knoll said. e following criteria trigger activation of at least one shelter, Knoll said. e same

criteria will be used to activate an overnight shelter if one of the below scenarios occur between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.:

• Anticipated cold below 10 degrees

• Wind chill below zero

• Winds or blizzard conditions

• “72/48/24/12-hour alerts” and warning from the National Weather Service.

At least one of the criteria needs to be met — or anticipated — for shelter to be activated, Knoll said.

Brighton

e City of Brighton does not have a standing cold-weather shelter program, said Jared Putnam, a spokesperson for the city

“Almost Home is the only such program in Brighton,” Putnam said.

See the website at almosthomeonline. org/swap or call 303-659-6199 for more information.

Fort Lupton

Fort Lupton pointed to a handful of resources.

“At this time, we do not have any designated cold weather or warming shelters under the city’s operation,” said Juan Arellano, a spokesperson for the city.

e city encouraged people to reach out to Hope at Miracle House in Fort Lupton, Almost Home, or United Way of Weld County, or call 2-1-1 for listed sheltering services that may be nearby.

Hope at Miracle House describes itself as a year-round emergency shelter assisting families that are experiencing homelessness in south Weld County. For more information, call 720-676-9697, see hopeatmiraclehouse.org or email programdirector0236@gmail.com.

Lakewood Lakewood’s homelessness navigation

center at 8000 W. Colfax Ave. — a short walk west of Wadsworth Boulevard — serves as the city’s severe-weather shelter.

When the shelter is open, it operates from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning, said Stacie Oulton, spokesperson for Lakewood.

ose needing shelter do not need to arrive until the 7 p.m. opening, Oulton said.

“No registrations or referrals are required for shelter services that are available to adults, and service animals/pets may be accommodated if they do not disrupt the comfort or safety of other guests,” Oulton said.

SEE SHELTER, P7

People walk through snowfall in November near Union Station in Denver. PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

“Once the shelter is open and has reached capacity, the contractor may coordinate transportation to other locations,” Oulton added.

e city will consult the National Weather Service for two thresholds that may activate the shelter: when overnight low temperatures are forecast to be 32 degrees or lower and arrive with active, accumulating snowfall; or overnight low temperatures are forecast to be 20 degrees or lower with or without active snowfall, Oulton said.

“Lakewood retains the discretion to activate or not activate outside of these thresholds, but decisions generally are based on these weather conditions,” Oulton said.

For a countywide view of resources, see Jefferson County’s Heading Home webpage at headinghomeje co.com/get-help.

Arvada

e Rising/Mission Arvada will be open when temperatures fall below 20 degrees and/ or 6 inches of snow falls from November to the end of March, Colorado Community Media has previously reported.

e Rising church sits at 7500 W. 57th Ave. See more about shelter in Je erson County at tinyurl.com/Je coShelterUpdate.

Wheat Ridge

ere are no programs o ering cold-weather shelter in Wheat Ridge for people experiencing homelessness, but the city participates in a “countywide sheltering model,” said Amanda Harrison, spokesperson for Wheat Ridge.

“Je erson County Public Health determines shelter activation based on a centrally located National Weather Service station and will alert all concerned parties in the region, including the homeless navigator at Wheat Ridge,” Harrison said. e “best way to stay up to date is to subscribe for email updates about activations.”

e public can subscribe to the Heading Home newsletter at headinghomeje co.com, Harrison said.

Wheat Ridge navigators give their clients — and anyone else seeking shelter — bus tickets, Harrison said.

Evergreen

e EChO Shelter in the Evergreen area is an overnight-only shelter open each night from 6:15 p.m. to 7 a.m. from October to late April, said Tim Clancy, the shelter manager.

All shelter guests must rst be registered by an EChO case worker at the EChO o ce. To make an appointment to register, call 303670-1796.

Shelter guests are welcomed with services such as dinner, shower, laundry, and a quiet, safe place to sleep, and in the morning, they are provided a breakfast and a sack lunch to go, according to Clancy.

All EChO shelter guests meet with a case worker for further needs, he added.

When EChO is closed, people needing shelter should call the sheri non-emergency line at 303-277-0211, according to Clancy.

See more information at tinyurl.com/ EChOshelter.

Englewood-Littleton-Sheridan area

Homelessness Awareness and Action Task Force, or HAAT Force, and Movement 5280 will be the primary overnight shelters for the Tri-Cities area, according to the City of Englewood.

HAAT Force is to serve as the main shelter, with Movement 5280 serving as an over ow shelter, according to the city.

ey activate under the following conditions, according to the city:

• e shelter is activated on severe-weather nights from Oct. 1 through April 30 when temperatures are expected to reach 20 degrees or below with no active moisture, or 32 degrees

or below with active moisture.

• Temperature and moisture must be projected for three hours or more during the overnight hours from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• Moisture is de ned as predicted rain or snowfall. It may not include previously fallen moisture remaining on the ground.

Clients can call the hotline — 720-483-7864 — daily at 9 a.m. to get the weather determination, according to the city.

If open, registered clients must call to reserve their spot between 10 a.m. and noon, or until full, for shelter that night. Reservations for unregistered clients “begin from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.” only if rooms are still available, according to the city.

e hotline will be transferred to Movement 5280, which will respond to requests for shelter from 2-5 p.m., according to the city.

Movement 5280 will open the doors for shelter at 6 p.m., and doors will be closed for the night at 9 p.m., according to the city.

HAAT Force sits at 4300 S. Lincoln St., o Quincy Avenue near Broadway, in Englewood. Movement 5280 is located at 3190 S. Grant St., o Eastman Avenue a short walk east of Broadway, also in Englewood.

For more information on the two shelter programs, see Colorado Community Media’s earlier coverage at coloradocommunitymedia.com/2024/11/15/severe-weather-shelters.

For warming center information for Littleton and Sheridan, see tricitieshomeless.com/ need-help.

Centennial

Generally, there are no shelters in Centennial, according to Allison Wittern, a spokesperson for the city.

“However, we’ve recently created a resource brochure that we give to various organizations and those unhoused,” Wittern said. at can be found at centennialco.gov/ homelessness.

Aurora

e Aurora Day Resource Center is available for shelter amid severe life-threatening weather. e center is located at 13387 E. 19th Place and serves as an overnight shelter for adults 18 years or older on a rst-come, rstserved basis, according to the City of Aurora. e center can accommodate close to 200 people per night and is managed by Advance.

During cold-weather activation, no one will be turned away, according to Advance’s website.

To receive alerts about cold-weather activations at the center, text “Advance” to 38276.

e center sits a few blocks north of Colfax Avenue and a couple blocks west of Interstate 225 — north of Children’s Hospital.

Call 303-343-7808 or 303-341-9160 for more information. Sta at the center will provide referrals to families for family-designated shelters, such as Comitis Crisis Center.

At Aurora Day Resource Center, overnight cold-weather sheltering starts at 5 p.m., and there is not a cuto time for when people need to show up in order to get shelter for the night, according to Matt Brown, who served as a spokesperson for the city when Colorado Community Media reached out.

At the center, the threshold of weather conditions that trigger the cold-weather shelter to open is 20 degrees and below, or cold and precipitating, Brown said.

e center will be providing a cold-weather shelter program through the end of the year, and the city is looking at alternatives for sheltering in the new year, Brown said.

“If there is an alternative cold-weather sheltering option, the ADRC will no longer operate as an emergency cold-weather shelter but will still operate day services. No matter the outcome, emergency cold-weather sheltering will be provided,” Brown said.

Denver

During the cold-weather months, Denver shelters generally see more people coming in-

doors and often provide over ow capacity to help meet the need, according to the city.

“We really encourage people in need of shelter to go to Denver’s ‘front door’ shelter access points,” which expand capacity for cold weather, said Derek Woodbury, a spokesperson for the Denver Department of Housing Stability.

ose “front door” shelters include:

• Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center at 2222 Lawrence St. in the downtown area for individual men

• Samaritan House at 2301 Lawrence St. in the downtown area for individual women

• And Urban Peak at 1630 S. Acoma St. for youth ages 15-20.

Denver’s cold-weather program also provides extra shelter at the Stone Creek shelter — the former Best Western hotel — at 4595 N. Quebec St. and at city facilities located at 2601 W. 7th Ave., and 375 S. Zuni St.

e Quebec Street location is just north of Interstate 70.

Families in need of shelter should call e Salvation Army Connection Center at 303295-3366, according to the city.

According to the city, Denver opens the extra shelter when capacity is exceeded in the existing homeless shelter system and one of the below criteria is met:

• Forecasted overnight low temperature of 25 degrees or below or

• Two inches or more of snow are forecasted for Denver; existing snow accumulation will also be taken into account, and activation will depend on amount and city’s ability to clear snow from roads, sidewalks, and bus stops; or

• A cold weather advisory, extreme cold watch, or extreme cold warning is issued for Denver by the National Weather Service.

Denver’s threshold for opening emergency cold-weather shelter for the homeless used to be when temperatures fall to 20 degrees, but as of October this year, the city raised the threshold to 25 degrees, Woodbury said.

Still, the city prefers that people make the “front door” locations their rst stop rather than going straight to the Quebec, Zuni and 7th Avenue locations, according to Woodbury.

“We strongly recommend that individuals go direct to ‘front door’ shelters during these conditions, where connections — and transportation if needed — is provided to available beds in our shelter system,” Woodbury said.

For more information, see the city’s shelter webpage at tinyurl.com/DenverColdWeatherShelter.

Douglas County

Douglas County runs its Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, to help address homelessness. For any available resources, call 303-660-7301.

To complete an online referral form, see tinyurl.com/HEARTreferralDouglas.

Clear Creek County

Generally, Clear Creek County considers opening warming centers or emergency shelters when forecasts predict more than 2 feet of snow accumulation, or snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour for consecutive hours, said Megan Hiler, spokesperson for the county.

“ is threshold is weather dependent, and plans may change if conditions worsen,” Hiler said in late November.

Potential sheltering sites are spread around the county, according to Hiler.

“We have several pre-identi ed sites that have agreed to partner with the county in case of emergency sheltering needs,” Hiler said.

“ ey are strategically located in our higherdensity population areas and include Idaho Springs, Georgetown and Empire.”

Should an emergency shelter need to be opened, messaging will be pushed through county, sheri ’s o ce and state channels, Hiler said.

Check via the links to webpages or phone numbers throughout the story for any updated information. is list of resources is not necessarily exhaustive.

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What brightens you?

IWORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

grew up in a family where stories were a nightly part of our meals. My father, a great storyteller, came from a family of nine, seven boys and two girls. His baseball team-sized family gave him a huge volume of tales to share on seemingly endless topics. While my father told many stories around the dinner table, there were moments when the storytelling would come from my mom.

Mom had tales of her father’s work as a traveling salesperson, her time in high school and many “neighborhood” stories. When Mom told us her favorite story, her face would light up and she would talk about dancing. In that story, she did not spend much time talking about speci c performances, her attempts to make every child born into the extended family a dancer, or even her time learning from and eventually teaching for Colorado Ballet founders Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker. What she talked about was her love of motion. She would explain that as a teenager her favorite game was to walk quickly through a crowd of people without touching any of them but coming within a few inches of every person she passed. She would de-

BMany people worry about the potential tax implications their families may face after their passing. Fortunately, for most individuals, the tax burden is not as heavy as anticipated. However, understanding the di erent types of taxes that may apply can help you plan e ectively and ensure your loved ones are nancially prepared.

GUEST COLUMN

VOICES

scribe feeling the air as she passed individuals, appreciating the uidity of her motion and the fact that so many people were gathered, allowing her to play her game.

I loved the story partly for the vision it created of Mom as a teenager, but more for the absolute passion you could feel in the words she shared. When she told this story, you gained an insight into the way she viewed the world. You understood that she saw things di erently than others. at the daily mundane physical tasks most people muddled through were, in her mind, a dance; a beautiful dance to be appreciated.

e joy in Mom’s face is still fresh in my mind even though it has been more than 35 years since I last heard her share the story. is memory will never fade for me.

We all need things in our lives that ll us with such joy that it is re ected on our faces whether we are engaging in the activity or telling the story of it. We need things that color our vision, helping us to see the beauty that surrounds us.

Take time this week to think about the things that are so exciting to you that they light your face when you mention them. During struggles, unmitigated joy is a tonic that will help each one of us.

If you would be willing to share, I would love to know what creates joy for you, I can be contacted at jim.roome@gmail.com .

As always, I hope that you will nd in-

spiration in my words and share those words of encouragement with those who need it. ank you to all who have shared stories with me so far, I love hearing from you as you nd helpful morsels in these columns and nd ways to encourage those around you.

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife

Understanding the taxes that may apply after death

Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences.

The beauty of living with hope

Here’s an overview of the key tax considerations after death:

Federal Estate Tax

e federal estate tax applies to the value of an individual’s estate at the time of death. However, most people won’t need to worry about this tax due to a generous exemption amount. As of 2024, estates valued at less than $13.61 million are exempt. is means that if your estate falls below this threshold, no federal estate tax will be due.

For those with larger estates, there are strategies to minimize tax exposure. For instance, assets left to a spouse or charities may be exempt. However, it’s important to note that this exemption will be reduced to approximately $7 million on January 1, 2026, so planning ahead is essential.

State estate and inheritance taxes

While Colorado does not impose an estate or inheritance

Jennifer

tax, some other states do. If you own property or have residency in a state with these taxes, it’s worth consulting with a tax professional to determine whether taxes may apply.

M. Spitz

Capital gains tax relief

One bene cial aspect of the U.S. tax system is the “step-up” in basis that applies to certain assets upon death. For example, if you own stocks or real estate, their tax basis is adjusted to the fair market value at the date of your death. is adjustment reduces (or eliminates) the capital gains tax liability when the asset is sold by your heirs. However, this process can be more complex for assets held in business entities like partnerships, LLCs, or corporations. Understanding these nuances is key to ensuring your heirs bene t from the step-up in basis.

Income tax on retirement accounts

If you hold retirement accounts such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), it’s important to un-

derstand that these accounts carry income tax obligations. You pay income tax as you withdraw funds during your lifetime, and the same applies to your heirs after your death.

For example, if your IRA is passed to a bene ciary, they will be required to take distributions and pay the corresponding income taxes. Planning for these taxes can help your heirs better manage their tax burden. Planning ahead

While the idea of taxes after death can be intimidating, many estates fall below the federal exemption threshold, and Colorado residents do not face additional state estate taxes. However, each family’s situation is unique, and tax laws are constantly evolving.

Meeting with an experienced estate planning attorney can help you understand the specific taxes that may apply to your situation and explore strategies to reduce or eliminate those taxes.

For Colorado residents, the opportunity to ensure your family’s nancial well-being starts with education and preparation.

Jennifer Spitz is a shareholder at Lyons Gaddis in Longmont, specializing in estate planning and tax law.

As the year draws to a close, I often re ect on themes that carry us into the future with purpose and positivity. Gratitude, imagination, nishing strong and, most profoundly, hope are the cornerstones of these re ections. Gratitude and hope stand at the pinnacle of all the emotions that enrich our lives.

ey are intertwined, like two sides of the same coin, each fueling and strengthening the other. Hope, as I see it, is never truly lost, it may be buried, misplaced or dimmed, but it endures, like a ickering pilot light waiting to be reignited.

WINNING

It’s not uncommon for someone to ask, “How can I nd hope when it feels like all is lost?” My response is always the same: Hope is never gone. It may feel distant or faint, but it is there, quietly waiting for you to reconnect with it. Often, the key to nding that spark of hope lies in gratitude. When we pause to identify what we are truly thankful for, we uncover the wellsprings of hope that fuel our lives.

Hope can be elusive in difcult times, but it is far closer than it may seem. ink of those moments that warm your heart: the cooing of a

newborn baby, the laughter of a child, the enduring love of a couple married for 50 years, a breathtaking sunrise or the quiet beauty of a sunset. ese moments remind us of life’s simple, profound beauty and reconnect us to the hope we might have forgotten.

For me, hope comes from my faith, the belief that the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, is with me in all things. is is where I draw my strength and nd the wellspring of my hope. I recognize that not everyone shares this perspective, and that’s OK. Hope is deeply personal, and its sources are as varied as the people who carry it in their hearts. What matters most is nding your own connection to hope and nurturing it. Hope is not merely a feeling but the foundation of a purposeful life. Hope fuels purpose, and purpose drives passion. Passion, in turn, primes the pump of performance.

Columnist Jim Roome’s mother always brightened when she talked about dancing. What makes you feel brighter? COURTESY OF JIM ROOME

Jim Roome

Snowy books to look for this season

TWINTER OF READING

he Denver Public Library’s adult Winter of Reading program begins Jan. 2. To help get you started on your reading journey, here are some snowy books to check out for yourself or to read to a young one.

man. e overall message of the book will resonate with adults: joy can still be found in imperfection.

“I’m Going to Build a Snowman” by Jashar Awan

A young boy wakes up ready to build the best snowman ever. Although he knows all the steps to making the perfect snowman, the snowman he builds seems to be a little o . Undiscouraged, the boy realizes what’s wrong just in time for his mom to take a picture of him and the best snowman ever.

“I’m Going to Build a Snowman” by Jashar Awan is an energetic and charming story. Awan perfectly captures the excitement and determination of a young child with a plan. e text is simple, with bold words and larger text emphasizing the energy of the young boy as he builds his snowman.

Awan’s illustrations are bright and bold, using simple shapes, all of which complement the text.

Children will get excited as the boy builds his snowman and giggle as he tries to gure out what’s wrong with the snow-

“I’m Going to Build a Snowman” is best for children ages 3 to 7.

“ e Girl Who Speaks Bear” by Sophie Anderson

Found near a bear cave as a baby, Yanka was adopted by Mamochka and raised in the village. Although Mamochka and her friends are loving, Yanka often feels alone.

about found families and identity.

On the day of the village’s winter festival, Yanka nds she is suddenly able to talk to animals and has grown bear legs. Sensing that she will nd answers in the forest, Yanka heads out on her own, ignoring the advice of her Mamochka and friends.

Heavily inspired by Russian fairy tales, “ e Girl Who Speaks Bear” by Sophie Anderson is a whimsical, action-packed adventure. Anderson does a fantastic job with her world building, naturally incorporating and explaining the Russian fairy tales she is taking inspiration from. Bear Tsars, Baba Yagas and dragons all make an appearance in this fantastical tale

M“ e Girl Who Speaks Bear” is a great book for parents to read at bedtime to younger children who are interested in fairy tales and adventures. Adolescent readers will sympathize with Yanka’s fears of being an outsider and her desire to belong.

“ e Girl Who Speaks Bear” is best for children ages 9 to 12.

To sign up for Winter of Reading, stop by your local library branch and ask the front desk to participate. Learn more about the Winter of Reading programs at Decker branch at denlib.org/decker.

‘Anyone But Her’ throws reader into suspense

ystery, suspense and Denver landmarks abound in the latest novel by local author Cynthia Swanson.

“Anyone But Her” follows Suzanne, whose mother was murdered in 1979 and who is uncovering the truth behind the murder 25 years later. e story is told in alternating timelines with a web of interweaving subplots, making it a complex puzzle to be solved. Add to that a dash of the paranormal, and it is a multilayered and compelling read.

It’s 1979 and Alexandra “Alex” Parry owns Zoe’s, an independent record store on East Colfax. Alex is shot and killed during a robbery at the store, leaving behind her 15-year-old daughter Suzanne, 6-year-old son Chris and husband, James.

Less than a year later, James’s high school girlfriend, Peggy, takes a special interest in Chris and insinuates herself into their lives in a way Suzanne nds sinister. Alex’s spirit appears and warns Suzanne that Peggy can’t be trusted and her impending marriage to James should be stopped.

CHECK IT OUT

When we act with purpose and passion, we achieve results. And when those results align with our values and goals, they bring us joy. is progression, from hope to joy, forms a beautiful cycle, a virtuous loop that carries us forward even in challenging times. e power of hope lies in its ability to inspire us to dream and strive, even when

Park and East High School.

Wendy Thomas

Jump to 2004 when Suzanne moves her family back to Denver from California and nds the city plastered with posters of a missing woman. Eerily, the young woman was last seen with the son of Alex’s killer.

With the oodgates of memory open, Suzanne is drawn to the site of the former Zoe’s Records and decides to open a new iteration of the store. At the same time, she is navigating her teen daughter’s hostile rebellion, trying to nd answers to her son’s challenging behaviors and desperately searching for her missing dog.

All of this is set against the backdrop of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, with the Northside making a brief cameo. e Bluebird eater makes an appearance (in its previous iteration as an adult entertainment venue) as does the Rainbow Music Hall, Wax Trax, Cheesman

the odds seem stacked against us. Hope allows us to see beyond today’s struggles and envision a brighter tomorrow. It gives us the courage to take that rst step, keep going, and believe in the possibilities that lie ahead. So, as we approach the end of this year and look forward to the next, I encourage you to take a moment to re ect. Ask yourself: Where does your hope come from? What are you grateful for? What sparks joy in your life? ese questions may seem simple, but their answers hold the power to transform how we face each day. Hope is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It

Longtime Denverites will appreciate the walk down memory lane and can nd a similar history of the University Hills neighborhood in Swanson’s 2015 debut, “ e Bookseller.”

An engaging read for history and mystery fans, check out “Anyone But Her” at a Denver Public Library branch near you.

Winter of Reading

Winter of Reading is nearly upon us! is adult reading challenge runs from Jan. 2-Feb. 28 and encourages you to nd your next favorite book, explore the library’s o erings and connect with other readers around Denver. Pick up a game board at any Denver Public Library branch after Jan. 2, complete ve activities and bring the complete game board back to receive a mug or tote bag (while supplies last).

Wendy omas is a librarian at the Smiley Branch Library. When not reading or recommending books, you can nd her hiking with her dogs.

is the seed from which resilience grows and the light that guides us through the darkness. Whether in a quiet moment of prayer, the embrace of a loved one, or the beauty of the natural world, hope is always there, waiting to be rediscovered. Let this season of gratitude also be a season of hope. Let it be a time to reconnect with what truly matters, celebrate life’s joys and blessings and step into the future with a heart full of possibility. Hope is the beginning, and joy is the result. May you nd both, and may they sustain you in all the seasons to come.

What is your hope story? I would love to hear about it, especially as we enter another new year at gotonorton@gmail. com. And when whether we are trying to reignite the pilot light of hope or fan the burning ames of our existing hope, it really will lead to 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.

Quetzalli Cortez is a librarian at the Decker Branch Library. She loves reading, cooking and exploring parks with her dog.

Quetzalli Cortez

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Every artist, crafter or hobbyist needs a collection of supplies, materials and equipment to accompany their creative passion.

A few stores around Denver seek to help creatives both build their collection and rehome it, if necessary. e Craft Box in Wheat Ridge, and ReCreative in downtown Denver, are both dedicated used art supplies stores that accept donations for resale – essentially thrift stores for artists.

“We’ve had kilns, massive oor looms, pottery wheels, everything down to the individual buttons,” ReCreative Programs Director Kelly Eigenberger said about the store’s inventory.

Eigenberger, who is also a clay artist, said her main goal at ReCreative is to help make art more accessible, especially when it comes to cost. Eigenberger said she knows and relates to the nancial squeeze working artists face, between studio rentals, equipment and marketing their creations.

“I love getting to hook it up for people who I see working really hard and creating access on the retail side of art,” she said. “I mean, the cost of rubber stamps is criminal.”

In addition to the reuse store, ReCreative is a nonpro t that houses artist studios, a membership-based woodshop and an art gallery. e store also o ers classes, ranging from watercolor painting to sewing to kintsugi, a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with gold.

Eigenberger said a community has built up around ReCreative, with a loop of customers becoming featured artists in the gallery or instructors of classes, creating loyal shoppers and connections for donations.

“It means a lot to have friendly neighbors and the support that comes from our people,” Eigenberger said.

Another of ReCreative’s missions is to throw away as little as possible. As of December, the store had diverted 28,000 pounds of supplies from land lls in 2024. Donations are accepted by appointment, which can be made online.

Eigenberger said donating supplies has the dual bene ts of being more environmentally friendly and helping other artists.

“I think that we’re all inclined to collect in one way or another,” Eigenberger said. “But as we collect and lose interest, there’s a lot of guilt about it, so being able to con rm for people that what I’m taking will be used by someone is important.”

Similar to ReCreative, e Craft Box is part used sup-

ply store and part haven for artists, providing space for a variety of art groups and clubs, like Quilts of Valor and the Aspen Leaf Button Collectors.

Liz Boxler, the owner of e Craft Box, said her goal is to create a community space through thrifty crafting.

“Our purpose is twofold, of course, to nd homes for all this crafty stu , but also to work with local charities that need or want things that are handmade,” Boxler said.

When donated supplies aren’t t for resale, Boxler, who is also a quilter, will sometimes use them to create goods for people in need. For example, Boxler has made dget quilts for people with Alzheimer’s, crochet pouches for catheter bags and reusable grocery bags for the food pantry.

Boxler has found that there are more supplies that could be reused than she will ever be able to manage, but she tries to do what she can. is year, the store has diverted 1.4 tons of fabric, books, rubber stamps and other craft supplies from land lls.

Boxler estimates that since she opened the store in 2012, that amount is more than 9 tons and 260,000 items. Most of her donations come from estates and

people who are moving, Boxler said. e store accepts donations by appointment, which can be made online.

“ ey’re de-stashing, is what we call it when people are moving, or they’re downsizing, or they just realize they’re gonna have to live to be 150 years old to do all these projects,” she said.

Luckily, there are also plenty of people eager to nd new purposes for the various beads, frames, yarn, fabric, paints and endless other materials stocked at e Craft Box.

Not only is it a cheaper way to maintain a collection of supplies, Boxler said used supplies are also popular with people wanting to test a new hobby.

“People can try out new crafts much easier,” Boxler said. “If somebody wanted to try quilting but fabric is so expensive, this is a way they can do that without investing a lot upfront. And then if they like it, they can expand on that.”

Boxler said one of the best things about the store is that there’s something for everyone and every skill level.

Kelly Eigenberger, the programs director at ReCreative, said the store’s mission is twofold: to help divert supplies from landfills and to make art more financially accessible. ReCreative also houses an art gallery, studio space and a membershipbased woodshop.

ReCreative is fueled by donations, which Eigenberger said mostly come from estate sales and people who are moving or downsizing. In 2024, the store accepted more than 28,000 pounds of materials.

PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD

Welcome 2025 with a range of celebrations

Idon’t know about you, but I’m ready to bid bon voyage to 2024. is has been a challenging year for many people and who knows when things will get easier.

But as the saying goes, where there’s life, there’s hope, so I wanted to gather some options to ring in the new year for every kind of celebrant. I trust you’ll nd something that appeals, and here’s to 2025 — may it be a bright year for everyone.

For children

WHAT: Cosmic Countdown: A Stellar New Years Celebration

WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver

WHEN: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. is event is just the thing for space lovers of all ages, but particularly those who don’t want to stay up until midnight. Attendees will dress up like scientists and trip the light fantastic down the Milk Way rouge carpet before blasting o in mini rockets, dancing to cosmic beats and even making their own space-themed drink. ere will also be demonstrations that provide a look at the science of space and interstellar travel.

Attend this child-friendly event by getting tickets at https://www.dmns.org/ programs-and-events/.

For adults

WHAT: Midnight at Miracle Bar, Great Hall Sparkling Stations and Champagne Soirée in Cooper Lounge

WHERE: Union Station

1701 Wynkoop St. in Denver

WHEN: 9 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Adults looking for a grown-up way to ring in the new year won’t want to miss

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Union Station’s three celebratory o erings, each with its own attractions. e Miracle Bar event will be hosted by Buddy the Elf and feature the creative cocktails that have made the pop-up bar such a delight all season. Meanwhile, the Great Hall Sparkling Stations allows guests to explore the newly renovated Great Hall, dance to music from a live DJ and raise a toast to 2025 at the Sparkling Station. Finally, the Champagne Soirée in Cooper Lounge is all about elegance, including an exclusive dessert add-on that pairs perfectly with the toasting champagne.

Select your option at www.denverunionstation.com/events/new-years-eve/.

For dancers

WHAT: New Years Eve with e Jacob Larson Band

WHERE: Dazzle Jazz 1080 14th St. in Denver

WHEN: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

ose in search of a decidedly groovy way to celebrate the end of 2024 will be hardpressed to do better than live jazz from  e Jacob Larson Band at Dazzle. ere are two choices for those interested in attending: a concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and a New Year’s Eve Gala beginning at 10 p.m. e Gala will include a three-course meal (with options ranging from prime rib and tamales to spinach lasagna and salmon piccata), party favors, a champagne or non-alcoholic cocktail for a mid-

night toast and access to a dance oor to boogie the night away.

Secure tickets to the event at www.dazzledenver.com/#/events.

For partygoers

WHAT: A Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve WHERE: Pindustry

7939 E. Arapahoe Road in Greenwood Village

WHEN: 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “ e Great Gatsby” is, in my opinion, one of the few books that lives up to the hype. And not only is it an astoundingly told story, it also serves as a great party inspiration.

Guests at Pindustry’s soirée will take a trip back to the roaring 1920s, with mountains of fun and glamor. e Wash Park Band will be performing from 9 p.m. until the end of the night and there’s even a VIP experience available to those looking for a little something extra. is option includes tables in the Beer Hall and a threecourse meal.

All the details are available at www. thepindustry.com/events/a-great-gatsby-new-years-eve-at-pindustry.

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in

For music lovers

WHAT: Band of Horses concert

WHERE: Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson St. in Denver

WHEN: 7 p.m.

Seattle’s Band of Horses are one of the great indie rock bands of the 2000s, thanks to their blend of folk and country rock vocals and alt-rock musical approach. ey’ve released six studio albums, each with its own charms, but their rst three releases “Everything All the Time,” “Cease to Begin” and “In nite Arms” are all classics, showcasing lead singer/songwriter Ben Bridwell’s ear for hooks and clever wordplay.

e band is heading to the Fillmore to o er the perfect New Year’s Eve concert for music fans. e group’s repertoire includes both upbeat rockers and bittersweet ballads, so no matter what your mood is, they’ve got you covered.

Purchase tickets at www.livenation. com.

Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke. Reader@hotmail.com.

the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

Clarke Reader

Thu 1/02

Beyond Laser Light Experience @ 4pm Denver

Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche Parking @ 7:01pm Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Sundance Head @ 9pm

The Black Buzzard, 1624 Market St, Denver

Fri 1/03

The Regular @ 7pm

Bluebird Theater, 3317 E Colfax Av, Denver

The Pretty Shabbies @ 8pm

Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Den‐ver

Angie Stevens @ 7pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Wed 1/08

Clay Rose of Gasoline Lollipops, Songs and Stories at Buffalo Rose @ 6:30pm Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden

Eddie Roberts @ 8pm

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Chozen @ 8pm

Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Rotating Tap Comedy @ River North Brewery @ 8pm River North Brewery - Blake Street Taproom, 3400 Blake St, Denver

John Caparulo @ 9pm

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Den‐ver

Papa Jay @ 8pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Sat 1/04

KB ANGEL: Duke & Duchess @ 3pm #VYBE, 1027 N Broadway,, Denver

Jay_Martin @ 5:30pm

Barrels & Bottles Brewery at Camp George West, 1055 Orchard St, Golden

John Caparulo @ 6pm

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Den‐ver

Dave Devine @ 6:30pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

The 4411 @ 7pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

6 Million Dollar Band @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver

Hope MacGregor @ Mercury Cafe @ 7:30pm Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Denver

Weathered Statues @ 9pm Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St, Denver

Sun 1/05

Friends of Chamber Music Denver: Tony Siqi Yun, piano @ 4pm

Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver this broken beat @ 5pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Killakoi @ 6pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver

Chris Beck @ 6:30pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver

Douglas Murray @ 7:30pm Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Den‐ver

information kit. 1-866-4779045

Miscellaneous

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855417-1306

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-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.

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 prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189

Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!

Portable Oxygen Concentrator may be covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobil-ity with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 877-305-1535

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

Miscellaneous

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris -blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833610-1936 Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091

The GES Coalition will submit an application to the Colorado Division of Housing (DOH). The purpose of this application is to request $462,000 (2 applications for: 154,000 and 308,000) to develop 2 affordable homes in globeville and 4 affordable homes in Swansea for purchase in 80216. The request of funding from DOH is to benefit persons with low and moderate incomes by increasing the availability of for sale affordable housing in Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods. All interested persons are encouraged to contact the applicant for further information. Written comments should be sent to: 4700 Claude Ct., Denver, CO 80216 or info@ges-coalition.org and will be forwarded to DOH for consideration during the application process. Members of the public may request a public meeting and should arrange a request with the Applicant. Applicant shall post notice of meeting (Date, Time, and Location) to ensure other members of the public are aware of meeting. If reasonable accommodations are needed for persons attending the public meeting, please contact the Applicant.

Legal Notice No. DHD 3402

First Publication: December 26, 2024

Last Publication: December 26, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Court Denver County, Colorado 1437 Bannock Street, Room 256

Denver, CO 80202

Telephone: (303) 606-2300

Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner(s):

v. Defendant(s)/Respondent(s): SEDRA NICHOL FREDRICK

Attorney: Deanne R. Stodden, Messner Reeves, LLP

1550 Wewatta St., Suite 710

Denver, CO 80202

Phone Number: (303) 623-1800

FAX Number: (303) 623-0552

E-mail: dstodden@messner.com

Atty. Reg. #: 33214

Case Number: 24CV32503: Div. 280

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):

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 [petition] without further notice.

This is an action: to obtain an Order of Possession and Writ of Assistance directing the Denver County Sheriff' to take possession of the 2017 Infinity Q50 identified as VIN Number JN1EV7AR2HM832721a.

Dated: November 26, 2024

/s/ Deanne R. Stodden

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner(s)

Legal Notice No. DHD 3378

First Publication: December 12, 2024

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Misc. Private Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE

Date: December 26, 2024

Holders of first mortgages (as shown on the recorded deeds of trust or assignments in the Denver County records) on Units in the Trieste Condominium Association, Inc. community are hereby advised of a proposed Limited Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions for Trieste (a Condominium Community) recorded at Reception No. 9900086828 in the Office of the Clerk and Recorder of Denver County, Colorado, on April 13, 1999. This notice has been sent by certified mail to first mortgagees along with a consent form and a copy of the proposed Limited Amendment to The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Trieste. A copy of the Limited Amendment to The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Trieste and the consent form can be obtained by contacting attorney Selina

N. Baschiera, 1445 Market Street, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80202, (720) 880-5507.

Legal Notice No. DHD 3399

First Publication: December 26, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Published in: Denver Herald-Dispatch.

Public Notice

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

VIN SOCIAL CORPORATION, a Denver company; SARA MOLL, an individual, and DOES 1-50, inclusive.

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): FOUNDERS FIRST CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ se/fhe/p), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/se/fhe/p), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

iA VISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la carte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDAR/O despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles lega/es para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta carte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en Formato legal coffecto si desea que procesen su caso en la carte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la carte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de /eyes de su condado o en la carte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la carte que le de un formulario de exenci6n de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sue/do, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posib/e que cumpla con /os requisitos para obtener servicios /ega/ es gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la carte o el co/egio de abogados locales. A VISO: Por fey, la carte tiene derecho a rec/amar las cuotas y /os costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sabre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 omas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la carte antes de que la carte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is:

(El nombre y direccion de la corte es): Superior Court of California for the County of San Diego, Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

CASE NUMBER: (Numero de/ Caso): 24CU010319C

The name, address, and telephone num-

Public Notices

ber of plaintiffs attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono def abogado def demandante, o def demandante que no tiene abogado , es):

Hillery M. Stones, Trails Law Group, 2870 5th Ave., Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92103. 619.738.4441

Date: (Fecha) 10/04/2024

Clerk of the Superior Court

By B. Ramierez , Deputy Clerk (Secretario)

Legal Notice No. DHD 3393

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Colorado Community Media Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Marilyn Rose Lenherr, aka Marilyn R. Lenherr, aka Marilyn Lenherr, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31293

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Denver County, Colorado on or before April 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

/s/ Stacey B. Carpenter

Stacey B. Carpenter, #42180

Attorney for Personal Representative, Zalessky Law Group, LLC

Timothy L. Wright

9725 E. Hampden Ave., Suite 305 Denver, CO 80231

Legal Notice No. DHD 3389

First Publication: December 19, 2024 Last Publication: January 2, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Steven Able Musman, also known as Steven Abel Musman, Steven A. Musman, Steven Musman, and Steve Musman, Deceased Case Number 2024PR031151

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to Scott Abram Musman c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC, 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80127; or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before April 25, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.

Scott Abram Musman, Personal Representative c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC

Brian Hedberg

Attorney for Scott Abram Musman 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200 Littleton, CO 80127

Legal Notice No. DHD 3400

First Publication: December 26, 2024

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Genevieve A. Houlihan, aka Genevieve Anne Houlihan, aka Genevieve Anne Houlihan-Sherry, aka Genevieve A. Houlihan-Sherry, Deceased

Case Number: 2024PR031364

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 April 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Greg A. Sherry, Personal Representative

c/o Pearman Law Firm 4195 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Legal Notice No. DHD 3392

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JOHN J. CANINO, aka JOHN JOSEPH CANINO, aka JOHN CANINO, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31388

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court, Jefferson County, Colorado on or before April 21, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

/s/ NADYA VECCHIET-LAMBERT, ESQ.

Attorney for Kristin Wilson, Personal Representative 6855 South Havana Street Suite 370 Centennial, CO 80112

Legal Notice No. DHD 3391

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of L. Ann Scheer, also known as Lilian Ann Scheer, also known as L.A. Scheer, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031353

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 April 21, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Fredrick C. G. Scheer

Personal Representative 500 Old Orchard Circle Millersville, MD 21108

Legal Notice No. DHD 3394

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of David Lewis Pincus, a.k.a. David L. Pincus, a.k.a. David Pincus, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30953

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

Pamela Jane Beck

Personal Representative 6715 Forbes ave Van Nuys, California, 91406

Legal Notice No. DHD 3380

First Publication: December 12, 2024

Last Publication: December 26, 2024

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Marvin E. Heath, a/k/a Marvin Eugene Heath, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31390

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 Monday, April 21, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Adam D. Kyle, Personal Representative c/o Colton D. Craft, Esq. Davis Schilken, PC 4582 S. Ulster St. Ste. #103 Denver, CO 80237

Legal Notice No. DHD 3387

First Publication: December 19, 2024 Last Publication: January 2, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of James R. Jackman, a/k/a James Robert Jackman, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31317

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, located at 1437 Bannock Street, #230, Denver, Colorado 80202, on or before April 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Beth Harmon-Jackman, Personal Representative c/o Kathryn T. James, Esq. Folkestad Fazekas Barrick & Patoile, P.C.

18 South Wilcox Street, Suite 200 Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Legal Notice No. DHD 3381

First Publication: December 12, 2024 Last Publication: December 26, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Christine A. Hoyt, also known as Christine Ann Hoyt, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31356

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 Monday, April 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

David A. Hoyt, Personal Representative 214 Mohawk Drive Boulder CO 80303

Legal Notice No. DHD 3376

First Publication: December 12, 2024 Last Publication: December 26, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Bessie G. Nasious, aka Bessie Nasious, Deceased Case Number: 24PR31111

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 April 26, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Sue A. Kokinos

Attorney to the Personal Representative 6834 S. University Blvd, #510 Centennial, CO 80122

Legal Notice No. DHD 3401

First Publication: December 26, 2024 Last Publication: January 9, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of SHIRLEY BECK NOSLER, a/k/a SHIRLEY B. NOSLER, a/k/a SHIRLEY NOSLER, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31383

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 April 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael D. Nosler

Personal Representative 1731 So. Ogden St. Denver, CO 80210

Legal Notice No. DHD 3386 First Publication: December 19, 2024

Public Notices

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Margaret Mabel Rudolph, aka Mabel M. Rudolph, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31285

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 Monday, April 21, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Dated December 6, 2024

CURTIS LAW FIRM, LLC

/s/ Cory M. Curtis

Cory M. Curtis, #40549

Attorney to the Personal Representative

10333 E Dry Creek Rd, Suite 210 Englewood, CO 80112

Legal Notice No. DHD 3385

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Eileen Marilyn Forkner, a/k/a Eileen M. Forkner, a/k/a Eileen Forkner, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31344

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 April 28, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Stuart S. Sargent, Esq.

Attorney to the Personal Representative Hinds and Hinds 8490 E. Crescent Pkwy., Ste. 395

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. DHD 3396

First Publication: December 26, 2024

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Lawrence Joseph Gomez, a/k/a Larry Gomez, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 031350

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 April 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anna L. Burr, Esq.

Attorney to the Personal Representative

2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014

Legal Notice No. DHD 3388

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Joanne Marie Edwards, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31348

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 Monday April 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Terry Lee Edwards

Personal Representative 19720 E. Flora Place Aurora, CO 80013

Legal Notice No. DHD 3377

First Publication: December 12, 2024

Last Publication: December 26, 2024

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of RUDY J. ROMERO, also known as RUDY JOSE ROMERO, and as RUDY ROMERO, Deceased. Case Number: 2024PR31329

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 April 25, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Sherry P. Romero, Personal Representative 3159 W. 36th Ave. Denver, CO 80211

Legal Notice No. DHD 3390

First Publication: December 19, 2024

Last Publication: January 2, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Louise Ray Myers, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031379

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or tothe Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before April 26, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anne Blevins Mazza Personal Representative 875 West End Ave, Apt 6E New York, NY 10025

Legal Notice No. DHD 3403

First Publication: December 26, 2024

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

DENVER PROBATE COURT, STATE OF COLORADO 1437 Bannock Street, Room 230 Denver, Colorado 80202

In the Matter of the Estate of: LEONARD EARL BROOKS JR. Deceased.

Attorney for Donna Brooks: R. Eric Solem, Atty Reg.# 6464 SOLEM, WOODWARD AND McKINLEY, P.C.

750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 505 Englewood, Colorado 80110

Phone Number: 303-761-4900

FAX Number: 303-761-2989

E-mail: eric@solemlaw.com Case Number: 2024PR031510

NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-10-401, C.R.S.

To: Derek Brooks Last Known Address, if any: Denver, Colorado

A hearing on the Petition For Adjudication Of Intestacy And Formal Appointment Of Personal Representative (title of pleading) for (brief description of relief requested) the appointment of Catherine Colombo as Personal Representative of Arelene Padilla’s Estate.

will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:

Date: January 23, 2025 Time: 8:00AM Address: 1437 Bannock Street, Room 230, Denver, Colorado 80202

The hearing will take approximately 30 minutes.

Legal Notice No. DHD 3398

First Publication: December 26, 2024 Last Publication: January 9, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

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