Civic Center Park improvements scheduled for fall 2025
Projects focus on attracting more activity, pedestrian accessibility
BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Civic Center Conservancy, the nonpro t maintaining Civic Center Park in the Golden Triangle, recently announced its plans to begin park revitalization e orts in 2025.
e projects will include enhancements to pedestrian access, community events and attractive greenspace to make the area feel more welcoming for daily use.
“ e community wants it
to stay a place where they can continue to make their memories, to have their stories be told,” conservancy executive director Eric Lazzari said. “ at’s ultimately what we hope the community gets out of it, that it is something that they can be proud of, that they want to come and visit, that they want to show visitors, that they can come and nd.”
Construction is planned for fall 2025 through spring 2027 to remodel the Greek eater, replace stairs with accessible walkways, add several gardens and shaded courtyards and create a monument honoring the Gang of 19 event of 1978, which helped promote the Disability Rights Movement in Denver.
A central goal of the improvement plans is to en-
courage more casual, daily gatherings in the park for dog walking, community events in the Greek eater or simply enjoying the sunshine and the amenities in the park, Lazzari said.
Currently, the park feels too formal, said Juliane Wolf, principal designer on the project during an implementation meeting on Oct. 29. Although the park is well-suited for large-scale events, like the annual Christkindl Market or concerts, individuals are turned o by the concreteheavy, grand spaces of the park. Wolf said because of that, it feels like a disruption to the surrounding Golden Triangle neighborhood, rather than something that connects the community. at problem is exacerbated by dead-end sidewalks,
A ordable housing coming to Baker employment nonprofit Bayaud Enterprises
Bayaud Enterprises is set to tear down its longtime 333 W. Bayaud Ave. location, repurposing the site into Henninger Legacy Homes, a four-story, 60unit supportive housing building available for individuals making less than 30% of the area’s median income. e employment-support organization has partnered with the nonpro t Atlantis Community Foundation to complete the project, securing funding for the venture through the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
Both organizations have a shared mission to serve people who are disabled or experiencing homelessness with the new housing project honoring the legacy of David Henninger who founded Bayaud Enterprises in 1969. Retiring last month from the nonpro t’s board, Henninger’s legacy for providing community services to atrisk populations will be living on in the permanent building in Denver’s Baker neighborhood.
stairs and congestion on the central promenade, said Trevor Lee, the landscape designer on the project. e new vision of the park will create a park path network that ows from the gateways into the park along a garden walk that provides access to shaded seating, a cafe and food truck court, the Great Lawn and the performance stage.
Some of the biggest upgrades will be at the Greek eater itself, which is challenged by a lack of performance infrastructure like lights or speakers, a scale that is too big for the kind of events often hosted on the stage, and there are disruptions to the audience’s view of the stage from building elements or sun glare.
Having provided services to the neighborhood for 50 years, Bayaud will continue providing housing counseling and employment services out of the new building following construction. During construction, their administrative o ces have relocated to Lakewood.
“ e project will be an e cient way to deliver supportive services to the people who live there,” said Patrick Coyle, executive director of the Atlantis Community Foundation.
Another property Atlantis previously completed was a 144-unit building about a block from Bayaud’s current property.
Coyle said construction on the supportive housing initiative would begin in December, and a groundbreaking event is scheduled to take place in January. With an estimated build time of about 14 months, the units are slated to open in the spring of 2026. About 20% of the current building will remain and the rest will be torn down.
The proposed remodeling of the Greek Theater would move the stage from the south end of the promenade to the north and add a sculptural canopy overhead. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF DENVER
BY MERYL PHAIR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Denver Urban Gardens is getting ready for next spring
BY MERYL PHAIR
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
From Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) Seed Distribution program to initiatives by Denver Water, community members have numerous resources to plan for creating a sustainable water-wise garden for the next planting season.
Seed distribution
e largest distribution of free seed packets in Colorado gets underway every year at DUG headquarters in Curtis Park, with this year’s volunteers expected to sort and bundle around 150,000 seed packets, an equivalent of 40 million seeds.
Seeds from the Community Seed Distribution program are available for DUG’s community garden network along with families, community partners and non-pro ts, ending up in food pantries, libraries and the Denver Housing Authority.
Over 100,000 pounds of organic food is produced through the program a year, and along with reducing nancial barriers involved in growing food at home or in a community garden, the program also diverts waste. Working with several seed retailers, the program is distributing seeds that would otherwise be thrown away as big seed brands can’t sell their products a year after they’re packaged.
“ e program is the rst lifeline for jump-starting food production across metro Denver,” said Shay Moon, senior manager of food access programs for DUG. “ e collection has a focus on food production, so there’s a lot of vegetables and annuals but we also get seeds for perennials, herbs, we get seeds for a little bit of everything.”
DUG also recently launched a Culturally Inclusive Seeds Program, which Moon described as a more intentional and smaller-scale seed distribution initiative. Currently only available for DUG gardeners, the organization developed a catalog of seeds through a community feedback process to provide greater access to specialty plant varieties that community members may nd challenging to acquire in Colorado.
“Food access is only meaningful if the supplies you’re getting, the varieties you’re able to grow, are also familiar and desirable,” Moon said. “ is is our program’s way to broaden and diversify the scope of foods accessible through our resources and to o er a connection point for gardeners from di erent backgrounds to still share in growing and cooking in community spaces across the city.”
For many across the metro Denver area who are starting to think about next year’s gardens, the Community Seed Distribution program along with various other community initiatives reduces barriers to getting plants in the soil. Addressing a range of challenges such as cost, land success and education, DUG o ers a host of resources to get Denver growing.
In addition to the seed distribution programs, DUG has various food access initiatives across the city, distributing around 30,000 seedlings every year through its Grower Garden Program, which has beginner-friendly themed kits for starting gardens including a bilingual educational guide.
e organization also holds plant sales around the year, distributing seeds and seedlings for free to families that re- ongoing food forest program.
water use are two ways to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly garden this year.
Denver Water uses the term “xeriscaping” meaning landscape design requiring little maintenance or irrigation and has embraced these low-water principles in its ColoradoScaping programing. “ ese landscapes are more diverse, they attract pollinators, they’re colorful, textural and vibrant,” said Bea Stratton, water conservation planner at Denver Water. “We want to emphasize the diversity of the landscapes that we’re talking about putting in and illustrate that we’re not talking about a rock lawn.”
Denver Water has completed a series of landscape transformations on its properties, including working with Denver Parks and Recreation to complete a 10-acre Quebec Street median, and the organization has begun to partner with other projects throughout the metro area experiencing funding gaps. ese projects replace “non-functional turf,” essentially grass that serves no purpose beyond aesthetics, into a ColoradoScape that reduces water use along with providing native habitat for birds, pollinators and wildlife by planting native grasses and trees for shade.
For people who are thinking of starting or already have a garden in the works, integrating native plants and reducing
Partnering with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Resource Central, a nonpro t based in Boulder that provides programs for utilities across the front range, the water agency plans to release a residential how-to-guide for landscape transformation in 2025. rough Resource Central, Denver Water o ers Garden in a Box, a native and climate-adaptive plant garden that residential customers can customize based on their property needs along with turf removal. ey also o er Slow the Flow, a free irrigation system audit that nds ways for existing water systems to be more e cient. Denver Water also o ers rebates on sprinkler heads and smart irrigation controllers and will cover up to $750 toward turf removal.
Denver Water also partnered with Plant Select, an organization that works with CSU Extension and Denver Botanic Gardens, to provide customers with native and climate-adapted plants such as rabbitbrush, yarrow and penstemons. ey also o er free native grass seed to Denver Water customers.
“We don’t want to tell our customers whether their personal property is functional or non-functional,” she said. “ at’s up to each individual to decide how they want their landscape to work for them. We’re providing a suite of options to help achieve water e ciency, depending on what each customer’s needs are.”
Denver Water is also working with grassroots organizations to identify landscape projects in disproportionately impacted communities. ose projects are not solely focused on water savings but might address climate-resilient landscaping.
For more information about Denver Urban Graden’s programing and volunteer opportunities reach out to dirt@dug. org or check out their website at Dug.org. Information on Slow the Flow irrigation audits, turf removal, and Garden in a Box can be found at resourcecentral. org. Denver Water customers can also request free native grass seed by emailing nativegrass@denverwater.org. For more information about landscape transformations, check out Denver Water’s ColoradoScaping website.
DUG’s Grow a Garden program which hands out beginner-friendly themed kits for starting gardens typically sells out fast every year. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DUG
In addition to volunteering with the Community Seed Distribution program, volunteers also work in DUG community gardens and assist with other programming throughout the year.
NAR’s 2024 Survey of Buyers and Sellers Provides Some Interesting Insights on the Market
Every year the National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes a “Profile of Buyers and Sellers” which contains some useful data and insights on the real estate market.
The 2024 survey was just released and contains some interesting trends which I’ll summarize here.
The image at right is an example. In the posting of this week’s ad at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com you’ll find the full highlights of the report on the following topics:
Characteristics of home buyers
Breakdown of homes purchased
Use of real estate professionals
The home search process
How homes are being financed
The experience of home sellers
Use of listing agents by sellers
For Sale by Owner statistics and trends
Here’s just one of those highlight pages, to give you an idea the detail provided. This is the one about FSBOs (for sale by owner):
Here are some of the key take-aways from the other chapters;
Characteristics of Home Buyers: The median age of home buyers surged in 2024 over the prior year — 56 vs. 49. The median age for first-time buyers jumped from 35 to 38, and for repeat buyers jumped from 58 to 61. 73% of buyers had no children under 18 in the home, and 17% bought a multi-generational home. First-time home buyers constituted 24% of home sales, down from 32% in 2023. This was the lowest percentage since NAR started doing these surveys in 1981.
Characteristics of Homes Purchased: 15% of buyers purchased new homes from a builder. Among those who purchased existing
homes, the typical home was built in 1994, compared to homes built in the 1980s in two prior surveys. The typical home was 1,900 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The median distance of the new home from the previous home was 20 miles, compared to 50 miles in 2022. (That was the height of Covid, spurred by remote work.) PreCovid, the median distance was typically 15 miles. 16% of 2024 buyers purchased in an urban area or central city, the highest such percentage since 2014, spurred perhaps by the end of some work-at-home arrangements. Proximity to the home buyer’s job was important to 34% of buyers, down from 52% in 2014. The top consideration this year was the quality of the neighborhood (59%), followed by proximity to friends and family (45%).
Home Buyers & Real Estate Professionals:
88% of home buyers used the services of a real estate agent. Looking at buyers of existing homes, that percentage rose to 92%. Only 63% of new home buyers were represented by an agent. 80% of first-time buyers said that their agent’s assistance in understanding the home buying process was “invaluable.”
40% of all buyers and 51% of first-time buyers found their agent through a referral from their friends, family or personal network. Most buyers only interviewed one agent — it was 71% for repeat buyers.
Although 88% of buyers said they would use their agent again or recommend him/her to others, only 21% of buyers actually used the same agent they had used before. Of those who purchased in 2024, 61% have already recommended their agent to others.
The Home Search Process: 43% of buyers said they started the process by looking at homes on the internet, with 21% first contacting an agent. 69% of buyers searched for homes on their mobile or tablet devices.
Open houses were deemed “very useful” by 23% of buyers. About 40% said they valued photos and detailed listing information, while 31% appreciated floor plans. The typical buyer spent 10 weeks house hunting and saw a median of 7 homes, 2 of them online only. 51% found the home they bought through their own online searching. 55% said that finding the right home was the most difficult part of the process.
59% of buyers said they were “very satisfied” with their home buying experience, and another 33% were “somewhat satisfied.”
Financing the Home Purchase: 91% of first-time buyers and 69% of repeat buyers financed their home purchase with a loan. These percentages were down from 92% and 81% respectively from last year. The overall percentage was 74%, meaning that 26% of all home buyers paid cash — an all-time high.
The median down payment was 9% for first-time buyers and 23% for repeat buyers, That’s the highest down payment percentage for first-time buyers since 1997 and the highest for repeat buyers since 2003. 25% of the first-time buyers used a gift or loan from a
relative to finance their down payment, but savings was the biggest source at 69%.
In 2009, 55% of first-time buyers used an FHA loan, but that has dropped to 29% now that there are many conventional loan offerings requiring minimal down payments and no mortgage insurance premium. In 2024, 52% of first-time buyers took out a conventional loan.
Home Sellers and Their Selling Experience:
The median age of home sellers in 2024 was 63 — the highest ever recorded. 69% of the sellers were married couples, the first increase in this statistic in four years. Of all the homes sold in 2024, 77% did not have any children
under 18 living in the house -- empty nesters! 66% moved within the same state, 16% within the same region. (Note: These are national statistics.) Roughly one-third bought a bigger house, one-third bought the same size house and one-third bought a smaller house. 52% bought a newer home, with the rest split equally between the same age or older home.
The single most common reason for moving (23%) was to be closer to friends and family. The median number of years that a seller owned their home was 10 years, a big drop from 6 years in 2000 to 2008.
Median time on market in 2024 was three weeks, up from two weeks in 2023.
68% of sellers were “very satisfied” with the selling process. 22% were “somewhat satisfied.”
Home Selling & Real Estate Professionals: 90% of sellers hired a listing agent, up from 89% in 2023. Only 6% were FSBO (for sale by owner), a record low percentage. Of those sellers who did not know the buyer, 95% used a real estate agent. Two-thirds of sellers used an agent who was referred to them or that they had used before. 81% interviewed only the one agent they hired. 71% of sellers who bought within 10 miles of their home used the same agent for both transactions. The most important criteria in selecting the listing agent were the agent’s reputation (35%) and the agent’s honesty (21%). 58% of sellers offered open houses.
Again, the full reports of each of the above sections can be found on our blog, http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com
Is a Reverse Mortgage the Best Option for You?
If the idea of not paying principal and interest for the rest of your life and possibly drawing a lump sum from your home’s equity to help you with taxes and insurance, sounds like something you’d like to explore, let me tell you about “reverse mortgages.” They are officially known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM). They can be used to purchase a home or to refinance your current home.
Many seniors are in a situation where they have substantial equity in their home but don’t have quite the amount of income they need to live on day-to-day or month-tomonth. If you are still paying on your mortgage, a HECM allows you to reduce that monthly expense by the amount of your principal and interest payment. That alone may be enough to improve your monthly cash flow, but you can also draw on your surplus equity to have additional money for living expenses or discretionary expenditures such as travel.
If downsizing is in your plans, the HECM can also be used to purchase a home that better fits your senior lifestyle.
Here’s the nitty gritty. You have to be 62 or older to qualify for a HECM. The amount of down payment or equity you need to have is based on your age and life expectancy, because the lender wants to know that you’ll outlive the equity which is going to be used up by not paying principal and interest until you die.
That down payment requirement (or equity requirement if you are refinancing into a HECM) ranges from 45% to 70%. A HECM
loan is FHA insured, which covers the possibility that you live longer than expected and drain all your equity by not paying those monthly principal and interest payments. When you die or move out, the home can be sold, and the FHA insurance means that the proceeds of the sale don’t need to cover the mortgage payoff.
If you’re married, only one of you needs to be over 62, and if the qualifying senior dies, the surviving spouse can remain in the house until he or she dies, even if that means the equity is exhausted.
You retain title to the house, just like with a conventional mortgage. You can sell at any time and pay off the loan balance with your proceeds at closing.
Because it’s an FHA loan, the closing costs of the HECM loan are greater than for a conventional loan, but, depending on your cash flow situation, it may be worth it.
Eligible property types include 1-4 unit properties, so long as you live in one of the units. It can include FHA-approved condos and townhomes, and properties that are titled in a living trust.
If you’re purchasing a home with a HECM, the seller can provide a concession for up to 6% of the purchase price to cover those higher closing costs.
If you’re not a senior but have parents who own their own home but are struggling with monthly expenses, you might want to explore with them the benefits of a reverse mortgage.
Our in-house lender, Wendy Renee, is an expert on this product. Give her a call at 303868-1903 to get your questions answered.
BY ERIC HEINZ ERIC@COTLN.ORG
Denver North High School cheer team to perform at MCA
Choreography and sports will come together at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in January.
Denver North High School’s junior varsity cheerleading team is set to perform at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at the museum, 1485 Delgany St., which will include a rendering of a basketball oor where the cheer team will perform.
e performance is part of the “Movements Toward Freedom” program, which began in September at the MCA and runs through Feb. 2.
Alyssa Page, the North High cheerleading director and head coach, said the performance will be slightly di erent from the group’s normal competitions.
“Instead of a competition routine, we whittled it down to like half the amount of time,” Page said. “It will (include) tumbling and stunting and dancing. ey’ve been kind of working on a variety of routines throughout the season for halftime performances, whether it’s football and basketball. We’re just excited to get into the space and do something di erent because we’ve not done anything like this before.”
e oor, created by artist Ronny Quevedo, was made with reclaimed wood and vinyl taken from a professional basketball court, and the vinyl has been rearranged from its familiar form to a more abstract setting, according to MCA.
e court is xed with imitation hoops made with milk crates, which are meant to invoke the appearance of pre-Columbian Mesomerican pitz courts. Pitz is a ball game invented in pre-
HOUSING
of a larger theme.
“It is a multimedia exhibition that explores movement, physical movement, movement towards social change, movement that brings communities together,” Martinez said. “It has a wide array of di erent pieces. A lot of the pieces are interactive themselves.”
United will begin nonstop flight to Rome from DIA
Seasonal flights will be o ered daily from May to September
BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN
United Airlines will launch a seasonal, nonstop ight from Denver to Rome, expanding the list of international destinations travelers can reach from the Mile High City.
e Italy ight will be o ered daily from May 1 to Sept. 25, according to the airline, which also announced seven other new routes from Denver, including ones to Regina, Saskatchewan; Bu alo, New York; and Redding, California.
With the addition of the Rome and Saskatchewan ights, United says it will operate ights to 22 international destinations from Denver — “more than any airline in the city’s history.”
Martinez said this is the rst time MCA has done a live performance with North High.
“We’ve partnered a lot with North High School for di erent events in the past,” she said. “When thinking about how to connect our current exhibition to our youth, we
“It will be an essential service to the city and Denver’s homeless population,” Coyle said. “We emphasize our resident’s independence, both in living on their own in these units and their ability to thrive and regain a purpose in life. e connection to vocational, employment and volunteer opportunities through Bayaud is critical.”
In addition to supporting the people living in the housing from o ces on the second oor, Bayaud has plans of growing its food bank which will be located in Henninger Legacy Homes and serve residents
Performers from the group HOLDTIGHT line the artistic basketball court at the MCA Denver. The group performed in September and December. The Denver North High School junior varsity cheer team is scheduled to perform on the same installation Jan. 14.
thought it’d be wonderful to connect with the cheer team, and knowing that they have such a phenomenal reputation and students and dancers … we thought that
in addition to the wider community, said Tammy Bellofatto, executive director of Bayaud Enterprises.
e nonpro t director said they serve about 100 families a week out of the current food bank, which will be operating out of DocuVault Secure Shredding CO at the Bayaud location during construction.
DocuVault recently took over Bayaud Enterprises’s document shredding business, one of several small businesses the nonpro t has launched to create work opportunities for community members and provide a funding outlet for programming. As part of their partnership, DocuVault will continue to employ people with disabilities while giving 3% of their gross Colorado revenue back to Bayaud Enterprises.
would be a really nice connection.”
More information on the “Movements Toward Freedom” series can be found at mcadenver.org.
Seeking referrals from numerous sources such as the Department of Veterans A airs and Denver’s homeless programs, the housing on Bayaud will support individuals without homes including disabled veterans, people who can live independently but have formerly lived in nursing homes or rehab centers due to a disability, and people who are dual-diagnosed, either physically or developmentally disabled.
Designed by Shopworks Architecture, the rm will be adding unique elements into the construction of the building to make it accessible to people with disabilities along with incorporating trauma-informed design. Some examples include having two exits in common spaces, subtle colors and taking measures to reduce
“United’s continued commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience in Denver is underscored by these new routes and the nearly $1 billion in investments we have made to enhance the customer experience and bring greater convenience,” Jonna McGrath, vice president of United’s Denver hub, said in a written statement. “As Denver’s hometown airline, we’re proud to o er more destinations than any other carrier, giving Colorado residents and travelers passing through Denver unmatched exibility and options to explore the destinations they want to visit most.”
Other international destinations recently added from Denver International Airport include Istanbul, Turkey, on Turkish Airlines and Dublin, Ireland, on Aer Lingus. United says its ight from Denver to Rome will be operated on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which seats about 260 passengers.
Norwegian Air Shuttle planned to launch a Denver-Rome ight in March 2020, but it never materialized because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Norwegian ultimately halted its long-haul network to focus on its intra-European routes. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
noise. e building will also have aroundthe-clock security by unarmed guards, said Bellofatto.
e location of the supportive housing is ideal for several reasons, said Coyle who emphasized its proximity to public transportation, Dailey Park and a retail center, all within walking distance.
While providing a ordable housing, both nonpro t directors emphasized employment as the number one goal for those living in the units.
“Our mission is to create hope, opportunity and choice for people with disabilities and those who face other hurdles to employment. at’s going to continue to be our main focus,” Bellofatto said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to be good neighbors.”
A performer from the group HOLDTIGHT makes a leap toward a milk carton basketball hoop as part of MCA Denver’s series of live art. The group performed in September and December. The Denver North High School junior varsity cheer team is scheduled to perform Jan. 14 at MCA. PHOTOS BY NIKKI A. RAE PHOTOGRAPHY
CIVIC CENTER
e solution: Flip the theater around. Moving the stage from the south side of the promenade to the north side facilitates ow in and out the park during shows, makes the space more intimate, adds more exible seating options and ensures that the audience isn’t staring into the sun during performances, Wolf said.
Civic Center Park is the only accessible greenspace for many nearby residents, but if it doesn’t feel inviting, it can’t fulll its purpose of connecting community members, promoting access to nature and bene ting community mental health, Lazzari said.
“When I get up in the morning and go for a run, go for a walk, I’m walking my dog, or just on a lunch break from my ofce, that there is something for me to do there, and it feels like I belong there as opposed feeling like it’s an intrusion on something else,” Lazzari said.
For Capitol Hill resident April Getz, the park is somewhere she passes through on her bike on the way to work or visits when city events are happening, but she said she would never choose Civic Center Park for a picnic with a friend or a casual walk. Part of that stems from the busy car tra c on Colfax Avenue and Broadway that make getting into the park feel dangerous, Getz said.
e rst two phases are speci cally focused on the internal elements of the park, said Downtown Parks Program Manager Jenna Harris, but getting to the park is an element of the improvement plan that will be addressed in the future with better signage and changes to make downtown Denver safer overall.
e East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit system, which will add and improve transit stations and make bike travel safer along Colfax, is scheduled to open in 2027 as well, which will help ease tra c congestion near the park, Harris said.
Many of the changes they are making
to the park feel necessary, Getz said.
“You’ve had your day in the library, you’ve had your day in the art museum, now you go and play outside in this area, I think a zone like that sounds like it would be great,” Getz said. “Even to have a playground in Civic Center Park, I don’t
think that’s outside of the realm of possibility, right? It is a very formal park right now, and I think it would bene t from a more casual, inviting vibe.”
Inviting more activity in the park also aims to reduce crime, which is of top concern for Capitol Hill resident Collins omas-Buckner. He often walks blocks out of his way to avoid the park, particularly at night, because of fears of witnessing or being involved in violence.
“ e entire park, as it is during the daytime, is ne, right?” omas-Buckner said. “At night, it is an absolute night-
Increased lighting and security, or even closing the park at night would make him feel more comfortable, he said.
Vibrant and consistent lighting will be added to the park during construction, Harris said, and the end result of hosting more programs in the park will mean more people, maintenance sta and security on site which should reduce crime
e construction at the park will be signi cant, but DPR will work with contractors to leave as much of the park open as possible by phasing construction and only fencing o areas actively being worked on, Harris said. Progress updates and frequently asked questions can be found on the City of Denver website.
In the end, the bene ts to cultural and civic life, open public space and economic activity in downtown will be well worth it, Harris said.
“It’s been so exciting to get to work on a project of this scale and caliber and impact for our city,” Harris said. “Civic Center is Denver’s rst National Historic Landmark, and it’s not every day that you get to update a 100 year old park to host contemporary life and really be a place where we can see cultural and civic life return to our downtown.”
The Voorhies Memorial at Civic Center Park.
PHOTO BY NATALIE KERR
Cold weather brings heart risks
Winter can play havoc with health
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When snow blankets the streets around the Denver metro area, it’s not just roads that become treacherous — your heart might be at risk too. e combination of cold temperatures, reduced physical activity and sudden strenuous tasks can create a “perfect recipe” for heart attacks, according to Dr. Akhil Reddy, an interventional and structural cardiologist with HCA HealthONE in Denver.
Many might assume the cold itself is the problem, but Reddy clari ed that it’s not so much the temperature as it is the activity people undertake in the cold.
“ e more common scenario is people shoveling snow and exerting themselves and having an active myocardial infarction, or heart attack,” he explained.
According to the AHA, intense physical e ort combined with cold temperatures forces the heart to work overtime. Blood vessels constrict in the cold, causing blood pressure to rise.
When paired with the sudden cardiovascular demand of activities like shoveling snow, this can trigger heart attacks, especially in people with pre-existing risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
Physical exertion in cold weather can be deceptively dangerous
Shoveling snow may look like a mundane household task, but research shows it’s a workout that rivals intense cardio.
“Shoveling a little snow o your sidewalk may not seem like hard work,” said Barry Franklin, the lead author of the American Heart Association’s 2020 scienti c statement regarding exercise-related acute cardiovascular events.
“However, the strain of heavy snow shoveling may be as or even more demanding on the heart than taking a treadmill stress test, according to research we’ve conducted.”
“ e movements of snow shoveling are very taxing and demanding on your body and can cause signi cant increases in your heart rate and blood pressure,” Franklin told the AHA. “Combined with the fact that the exposure to cold air can constrict blood vessels throughout the body, you’re asking your heart to do a lot more work in conditions that are diminishing the heart’s ability to function at its best.”
According to Reddy, the danger lies in the sudden increase in demand on the cardiovascular system, particularly for people who are not regularly active. e heart, especially one that hasn’t been consistently active, is not ready for sudden, intense exertion.
“When it’s cold outside, you’re more sedentary,” Reddy said. “You just don’t have the ability to understand your own limitations. It’s like asking a Toyota Camry to race
on a NASCAR track. You’re not going to do well,” he said.
Reddy emphasized that even those who don’t have symptoms of heart disease should consider getting a stress test before starting new, intense physical activities.
“If you haven’t exercised in a while, that’s a reason to see a doctor and ask, ‘Is my heart OK to do this?’” he said.
The role of hypothermia in heart health
While heart attacks from exertion are the most common winter concern, Reddy also discussed the dangers of hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops.
He explained that prolonged exposure to cold weather, particularly if someone is wet or underdressed, can lead to dangerous changes in heart rhythm.
“Hypothermia can lead to bradyarrhythmias, a condition where the heart beats too slowly,” he said. “You can end up passing out or having a cardiac arrest.”
How to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack
Recognizing heart attack symptoms early can mean the di erence between life and death. Reddy noted that while most people know to watch for chest pain or tingling in the left arm, symptoms for women and people with diabetes can be more subtle.
Reddy stressed that symptoms that appear during physical exertion — rather than at rest — should not be ignored.
“Peak exercise bringing about any sort of symptom, to me, is an ominous sign,” he said. “ is can include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain. If you’re noticing activities you normally do without symptoms are now causing shortness of breath or other symptoms, that’s your red ag to seek care.”
e AHA agrees, noting that women often experience heart attack symptoms di erently than men. Instead of classic chest pain, women may feel fatigue, nausea, or back and jaw pain. People with diabetes may also have “silent” heart attacks without obvious chest pain.
Reddy highlighted the importance of listening to your body during exercise.
“If you’re shoveling snow and you feel o , that’s not the time to push through,” he said.
6 ways to protect your heart this winter
With cold weather here for the next few months, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your heart health. Here’s advice from Reddy and the AHA on how to stay safe:
1. Stay active year-round: e best way to avoid cold-weather heart strain is to maintain regular physical activity throughout the year. “Try to be active at home, like going up and down stairs, doing jumping jacks or using an indoor bike,” Reddy suggested. Keeping the heart conditioned prevents it
from being “shocked” by sudden, intense activity like snow shoveling.
2. Get a stress test before new exercise: If you plan to start a new activity like running, CrossFit or even shoveling snow, consider a stress test. is step is particularly important for people with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of heart disease.
3. Dress warmly to avoid hypothermia: Protect yourself from extreme cold by wearing layered clothing, gloves and hats. e AHA emphasizes that keeping your head and extremities covered prevents heat loss. Stay dry if you’re planning outdoor activities since wet clothing increases the risk of hypothermia.
4. Know your limits when shoveling snow: Break up snow shoveling into smaller sessions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. e
AHA recommends using a smaller shovel to avoid lifting heavy loads of snow, which reduces strain on the heart. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
5. Schedule annual health checkups: “If you’re over 40, you should be getting yearly checkups,” Reddy advised. A physical exam can detect heart murmurs, a potential sign of valve disease and identify other cardiac risk factors. If a doctor hears a murmur, they may recommend an echocardiogram or further testing.
6. Recognize heart attack symptoms: Watch for classic heart attack signs, but don’t overlook subtle symptoms like nausea, lightheadedness or back pain. Women may experience heart attacks di erently from men. If symptoms occur during physical exertion — even if they seem mild — seek medical attention immediately.
lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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Shoveling snow can be demanding on the body and blood pressure. FILE PHOTOS
A Golden resident clears their front walkway during a recent snowstorm.
Why does theater matter today? Denver theater community weighs in
BY JACQUI SOMEN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Jennifer McCray Rincón’s father once told her, “We need doctors to heal our bodies. We need artists to heal our souls.”
Recently, Rincón, the founding artistic director of Visionbox Studio eatre in Denver, moderated a star-studded panel featuring Emmy Award-winner David Hyde Pierce, Alexander Watson and Dwayne Carrington at Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC). e compelling conversation spanned everything from training theory to the study of the human condition to the headlining topic—why does theater matter today?
Each of the actors pointed to theater as a path to self-expression and sometimes safety. Watson called theater “a refuge and a safe place”—in school, he felt that he had to hide who he was, but in the theater, he could blossom.
Carrington told stories of how long days at the theater as a young person kept him engaged, and Pierce said that for some, theater is the “one place you can be outgoing.”
Pierce also referred to acting as a “journey into nding yourself,” an experience that is not exclusive to professional actors or even serious students.
Berkeley-based mother Helen Bornstein has placed both of her elementary-aged daughters in theater classes for years. Partly because they weren’t getting access to theater at school up until this year and partly because of the classes’ transformative impacts. She noted that both her daughters have developed con dence and public speaking skills.
“ ey are able to make eye contact with adults and articulate their message” as a result of their acting classes,” she said. eater isn’t just transformative for actors and acting students. It also provides audiences and communities with lifechanging bene ts.
During the panel discussion, Watson said, “It’s about having a shared experi-
ence,” or experiencing something you can “take home and talk about.”
Many people walk out of a great show having expanded their perspectives. In fact, research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology provides evidence that attending the theater can increase empathy, alter socio-political beliefs, and increase charitable giving.
e panel members also agreed that what makes theater so special is that it’s in “the moment.” You could see the same show every night for a year and each experience would be unique. eater is also a re ection of what is happening in society.
As Tim Campbell, program director of Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the JCC
said, “Like theater has done for centuries, it acts as a record and cultural preserver for society. It continues to connect audiences with storytellers in a way that no other media can. It educates, it fosters belonging and community; it heals, and it can expose audiences to diverse voices
Personal and community betterment as a result of theater can extend beyond the con nes of a playhouse, too.
Joe Iannuzzi, a ordable housing developer at Denver Housing Authority, has been involved in improv classes and performances for years. He described how improv can make people better listeners
“Improv is about being present and helping resolve con icts. e yes endings help people uplift each other,” Ian-
He has also hosted improv workshops in a corporate setting, and has seen how improv workshops can “foster teamwork, facilitate con ict resolution, and encoure theater also nurtures a sense of community and belonging.
“People are really gravitating towards smaller improv theaters because they need community, and they need likeminded people to be around and to express themselves,” said Amy Goerlich, co-owner and training center director at
is sense of belonging is crucial for personal and community health and is becoming harder to come by as society becomes more reliant on technology for connection, according to research published in the Australian Journal of Psychology.
While theater might not be the most popular form of entertainment today, it’s possibly the most important. As Campbell said, “With so many stressors and distractions in our every day, theater allows a way to escape while also a chance to inspire, challenge, mirror, and change society in ways that other media cannot.” To learn more about the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s programming, visit jccdenver.org/arts-culture/.
Safe parking e ort runs out of money
CSPI worked to let homeless shelter in their vehicles overnight
A program that drew volunteers, local faith communities and governments into an e ort to o er safe places for people sheltering in their vehicles is shutting down.
Despite its closure after COVID-19-related funding dried up, the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative helped bring to light the struggles of metro-area residents who lived in their cars, trucks and vans after they were forced out of their homes, a cofounder of the initiative said.
“I would say, in general, the experience and needs of unhoused people have been more prioritized since the pandemic,”
CSPI Executive Director Terrell Curtis said via email.
“More speci cally, in the nearly ve
years CSPI has operated, we have elevated the experience and needs of people relegated to sheltering in their vehicle because existing resources don’t meet their specific needs. In our experience, communities across metro Denver have embraced and adopted a safe parking model and realized the success that brings to people who can stabilize and move on to appropriate housing solutions,” Curtis said.
“Safe parking is recognized across the Front Range, and elsewhere in the state, as a safe, simple, e cient and cost-e ective intervention for this unique population,” added Curtis.
CSPI will cease operations on Dec. 31.
CSPI was formed ve years ago after a group of volunteers and local faith communities came together to gure out how to provide safe places for people sheltering in their vehicles to park overnight, according to a CSPI news release.
Relying on funding related to COVID-19 recovery — including the American Rescue Plan Act — CSPI grew to o er “safe lots” in ve counties: Je erson, Denver, Broom eld, Adams, Arapahoe/Aurora.
More than 100 people slept safely every
night, formed communities, and found their way into stable living situations and the organization’s central operations were supported by government funds, according to the news release.
But available government funding is no longer su cient to support operations of the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative, and CSPI o cials do not expect that situation to improve in the coming years.
“ e federal government considers people living in their vehicles to be unhoused. As a result, many city and county governments have diverted funding from safe parking to programs that immediately move people into housing or indoor shelter,” the news release states.
CSPI’s many partners will continue to operate in partnership with nonpro t and government partners in their communities. In this way, the work of safe parking continues in Metro Denver, and we are working with them so they can be set up for success, according to the CSPI news release.
e lots that have been part of the CSPI program that are expectec to continue offering services include 11 churches, e
Salvation Army (which hosts one lot in Adams County), and a lot on a private commercial parking lot that will be supported by Almost Home in Adams County, Curtis said.
e need for some form of stable housing is still there, Curtis said.
CSPI received more than 1,700 calls for help last year and at least 799 people in the Denver Metro area have been identi ed as living in vehicles, Curtis said in the email.
“In the four short years since our founding, CSPI is proud to have demonstrated the e exctiveness of safe parking as a community-based intervention for those experiencing homelessness and living in their vehicles,” Curtis said.
“We are so grateful to all of our government, nonpro t, and faith community partners, and especially to the generous donors who supported this vital work,” the news release states.
“Together, genuine change came for hundreds of families,” according to CSPI.
“Additionally, CSPI could not have even been created without the support and generosity of our scal sponsor, e Barton Institute for Community Action.”
Actor David Hyde Pierce, right, known for his role on the TV show “Frasier,” listens to a discussion about acting with Jennifer McCray Rincón, the founder of Visionbox Studio Theatre in Denver, at a November event at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center.
PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ
We need interstate highways for electricity
Interstate highways have transformed Colorado and America altogether. People growing up in the 1950s rarely had fresh fruit or vegetables in winter. Now, broccoli beheaded yesterday in a eld near Yuma, Ariz., can be on a store shelf in metro Denver within a day or two. Much of that journey will be on an interstate highway.
High-voltage transmission lines are our four-lane highways of electricity. ey worked well enough when giant coal plants provided most of our electricity. Now, as Colorado and other states strive to replace fossil fuels with renewables, new connections must be built to knit us together across broader areas.
A federal agency this week delivered cause for cautious optimism. e Department of Energy has picked three transmission corridors among 10 national candidates for advanced work. One of them, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, would begin in southeast Colorado near Lamar, and work south into New Mexico and then somewhat west.
e 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the Secretary of Energy to designate any geographic area as a national interest electric transmission corridor. e energy department has found that the absence of transmission harms consumers. With more transmission, we can share low-cost renewable generation across broader areas. We need an electric grid larger than one weather sys-
tem and covering more than one-time zone. e existing transmission network is akin to our highways of 50 to 60 years ago. We have transmission, but it’s as if Interstate 70 stopped at the state line. In fact, transmission lines do. Colorado is in the Western electrical grid of 10 states and some adjoining areas. is grid, however, is better understood as a collection of 34 di erent islands connected by narrow causeways.
“A cautious hurrah,” said Mark Gabriel, the CEO of United Power when I asked his reaction. e Brighton-based electrical cooperative supplies 113,000 members from the foothills to Weld County’s oil and gas elds, including many new industrial centers along I-76.
“Anything that promotes additional transmission is a good thing,” said Gabriel. “However, the challenge remains in actually getting something constructed in a reasonable period of time to make a di erence.”
Gabriel pointed out that more than $40 billion in transmission projects have been announced. “Only a fraction are actually being built.”
Permitting has been the bane of many transmission projects. For example, it
TikTok and timeouts: How I
“Hold up! You’ve been scrolling for way too long now. Maybe get some food, get some water, and then come back later.”
Annoyed, I rolled my eyes at the TikTok Man and kept scrolling. TikTok’s algorithm will occasionally interject one of these “time to take a break” videos into your feed, supposedly when you’ve been on the app for over an hour. But I thought the algorithm to be a bunch of baloney. I hadn’t even been scrolling for that long! Or… had I? I closed the app to check my “screen time,” a feature on the iPhone that monitors your usage of di erent kinds of apps. e apps are grouped into categories such as “social media,” “productivity” and “navigation.” Feeling smug, I was certain the majority of my screen time that week was spent on something worthwhile. Something in the “productivity” category, surely.
“TikTok: 3 hours 53 minutes,” my phone read. I had been scrolling on that darn app for almost four hours. Four hours! My most used category? Social media. e Information and Reading category came next. Navigation was third. (I am 100% dependent on Google Maps so this came as no surprise.) e Productivity category didn’t even make my top ve. My average daily screen time was 8 hours, 27 minutes, over an hour longer than the average Gen Z-er, and I already knew my generation spends an absurd amount of time on screens. We’re not quite iPad kids (that’s Gen Alpha) but we are absolutely “chronically online.” I was stunned. Was it true? Was I doomscrolling my life away?
took 18 years before the TransWest Express Transmission project that will ferry wind-generated electricity from southern Wyoming to Utah and West Coast markets nally broke ground in 2023. It nicks the corner of northwest Colorado.
A bill being negotiated in Congress would ease federal permitting requirements to allow more rapid creation of transmission lines. Other provisions of the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 would also bene t oil and gas extraction.
Tri-State Generation and Transmission, the wholesale provider for 17 of Colorado’s 22 electrical cooperatives, pointed to the need for streamlined permitting in its reaction to the transmission line in southeastern Colorado.
Transmission doesn’t come cheap. And just as interstate highways have their unsavory aspects — my companion and I can routinely hear I-70 roaring a mile away — transmission lines have their downsides. Who wants one in their backyard?
Some want to believe nuclear energy will solve all of our problems. e Pueblo City Council, while saying nice things about nuclear, intends to scrap a goal of 100% renewables by 2035. Maybe nuclear will be an answer, but recent projects have had eye-bulging costs. Natural gas has problems, too, as was evident in Winter Storm Uri of February 2021 when costs soared.
took my
Desperate, I quickly devised a plan. In my Notes app. Hopefully doing so would raise my daily average in the “productivity” category. at felt important. To be frank, the amount of time I was still spending on X (formerly Twitter) despite it being a terrible app ever since Elon Musk bought it, was downright embarrassing.
I decided to name my plan “No More Brain Rot”. “Brain rot,” ironically, is a term I learned on Xitter. Urban Dictionary denes brain rot content as “the various ‘short’ type-videos (typically a YouTube short, a TikTok, an Instagram reel etc.) that swarm social media feeds. It’s very easy to get sucked in and watch one short after another without even noticing. is lack of stimulation (or more correctly, empty stimulation) ‘rots’ the brain because of its self-repetition and low quality.”
As I began to draft my plan, I was reminded of something my dad used to tell my brother and me when we were kids. He told us that watching too much TV can turn your brain into soup. I fear he was on to something. While Urban Dictionary and dad jokes are great in their own right, they’re not exactly reputable sources. So I did a little bit more research. I could spend hours on TikTok or Instagram without even noticing, let alone remembering any of the content I took in. When I watched a mov-
Chris Hansen, as a state legislator from Denver, sponsored key legislation to push transmission planning in Colorado. Now in Durango as CEO of La Plata Electric, he has started working on guiding his electrical cooperative to 97% emission-free electricity in the next decade. Transmission, he says, will be crucial. e capacity of existing transmission lines can be expanded by reconductoring and other technology. But we all together need to be better connected east and west, north and south.
One crucial question, says Hansen, is whether Denver-based Chris Wright, the choice of Donald Trump to be secretary of energy, will support continued transmission planning. His Colorado-based career has been in oil and gas. Wright sees renewables as a distant solution.
Southeastern Colorado brims with renewable energy potential. Baca County has Colorado’s best wind, according to a 2017 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It also has strong solar. at’s why corn grows so well there — assuming it has water. e water of the Ogallala Aquifer won’t last, but the solar and wind almost certainly will. What it lacks now is a farm-to-market transmission highway.
Allen Best publishes Big Pivots. If you’re interested in the transitions in energy and water provoked by climate change, check it out at bigpivots.com.
life back from social media
ie, however, or read a long-form article, I retained virtually all of it. Why is that? wondered.
It turns out that short-form content like TikToks or reels on Instagram and Facebook give us an instant dopamine release in the brain’s reward pathways. Scientists say this makes dopamine levels spike to way above baseline. When you watch a movie or read a book, the dopamine release is a slow burn. You have to practice delayed grati cation to get the most out of the experience.
We live in an attention economy, meaning human attention has been commodied. Modern marketing tactics aim to “buy” your attention. Social media companies know this, and have designed their algorithms in a way that keeps you scrolling. And scrolling. And scrolling.
As a result, young Americans’ attention spans have gotten shorter over time. ere is a growing amount of popular books, documentaries and TedX Talks on the subject, such as Atomic Habits, Scroll Zombies, e Social Dilemma, Dopamine Nation and more.
Not to be dramatic, but my reliance on those little dopamine hits throughout the day felt a little bit like an addiction in its own right. I was worried about what my “withdrawals” might look like. So as I put together my plan, I knew I needed to nd other things to do when I craved these digital drugs.
I thought back to what I used to do before social media. Tapped into my inner child. I used to spend more time outside. I used to read more books. I used to call my grandparents more often.
My average daily screen time was 8 hours, 27 minutes, over an hour longer than the average Gen Z-er, and I already knew my generation spends an absurd amount of time on screens. We’re not quite iPad kids (that’s Gen Alpha) but we are absolutely “chronically online.”
Suddenly, the prospect of a digital detox seemed a little less scary.
No More Brain Rot was a minimalistic program. It only had three steps.
Step one: Delete, Delete, Delete e rst step was deleting all of my social media apps. Not my accounts, just deleting the apps o of my phone. While I had worries about missing the next “demure” joke, “Moo Deng” video, and other viral moments, I put my pride aside.
PIVOTS
Allen Best
GUEST COLUMN
London Lyle
Gift of encouragement is timeless treasure
During the special season of appreciation and gratitude marked by anksgiving’s thankfulness and Christmas’s hope, peace, love and joy, many of us re ect on the gifts we exchange with loved ones. But what if we embraced a di erent gift that costs nothing but holds immeasurable value?
What if we gave the gift of encouragement?
Imagine receiving a call from someone you trust, love, and respect. ey call to tell you how much you mean to them, to express their admiration and appreciation for your presence in their lives, and to thank you for your love, advice, and support. Picture how that would feel. Even now, just reading these words, you may feel a warm glow, joy and a rmation.
WINNING
power to choose. In this season that emphasizes love and joy, what if we all consciously choose to be builders, using our words to encourage and uplift those around us?
Now ip the scenario. Imagine being the one to make that call, to reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague with a heartfelt message of encouragement. Envision their reaction and the connection that becomes strengthened. at same warm glow you imagined feeling. You might experience it intensely when encouraging when receiving it.
Our world has experienced division fueled by contentious debates and heated arguments for years. Families and friendships have been strained, sometimes broken, over di erences of opinion or perspective. In such an environment, words can become weapons used to criticize, dismiss, or tear down.
But words can also build. ey can inspire, uplift and heal. ey are the tools of either demolition or construction. We have the
TIMEOUTS
What’s more important, being up-to-date on all the latest lingo and online trends, or improving my mental health and quality of life? If I had to be out of the loop for a beat, so be it.
Step two: Timeout Timeline
e next step was to come up with a timeline. I had no idea how long a digital detox should last. I decided to shoot for 70 days because that’s how long Amy Winehouse said rehab takes, and this is basically the same thing. (Also, fortunately, I do have 70 days to work on this!) I also decided to make a goal of cutting my screen time in half. at meant I would allow myself 4½ hours of screen time a day. is step was important because without setting goals related to my screen time, I risked replacing my social media usage with Reddit or Candy Crush. Sticking to it for 70 days
Giving the gift of encouragement is not always easy. It requires courage, sincerity and a foundation of kindness and grace. It asks us to set aside ego, bitterness or judgment and o er words a rming and strengthening others. Encouragement is powerful because it meets people where they are. It acknowledges their struggles, celebrates their victories, and reassures them of their value. Whether someone is pursuing a dream, overcoming a challenge or simply navigating the complexities of daily life, encouragement can provide the boost they need to keep going. It’s easy to criticize or dismiss others. But o ering genuine encouragement takes e ort and a sincere heart. It requires us to step into a construction zone, rolling our sleeves to build others up rather than tearing them down. Encouraging doesn’t have to be complicated or grand. Small, thoughtful gestures can have a profound impact. Here are a few ideas:
Reach out to someone and express gratitude for their presence in your life. Tell them how much they mean to you and why you admire them for their creativity or courage. A handwritten letter or card can be a treasure
ensured I had enough time to form new, healthier habits.
Step three: Touching Grass
Once I had a clean (app-free) slate and a rough timeline to work with, I was ready for step three, which I called “touching grass.” I thought of things I’d like to do more in my day-to-day life, and then when I wanted to go on my phone, I did one of those things instead. Reading, calling a friend, working out, meditating, journaling, pondering over the meaning of life … there are endless possibilities. I didn’t do all of these things every day, but it helped to have a lot of options.
My Takeaway
One of my goals for 2024 was to read ve books. It might sound like a low bar to clear, but up until I began this challenge in late September, my 2024 book count was a whopping two. And one was an audiobook, so does that really count? Determined to avoid yet another failed New
“Get
it in Gear” Choose an S to start and navigate to the E and then the W to win without hitting a deadend.
someone has kept for years. Take the time to articulate your appreciation and encouragement. If someone is pursuing a goal or facing a challenge, acknowledge their e ort and cheer them on. Sometimes, simply listening and being there for someone is the most tremendous encouragement you can o er.
Encouragement is not a onetime gift; it has a ripple e ect. When we lift others, they are often inspired to do the same for someone else. A single word of encouragement can create a chain reaction, spreading posi-
Year’s resolution, I picked out a stack of books and got to work. I couldn’t believe I had abandoned my love for reading for hours of doomscrolling on social media. And while I still have one to go, I can con dently say it was a success.
One of the interesting things about giving up social media is you remember who your reallife friends are. My real friends and I still texted and hung out like normal. Sure, they couldn’t send me funny TikToks or memes for 10 weeks, but we still communicated. is made me examine the people on my social media. I realized I was following so many people I don’t talk to anymore, which made my social media experience all the more overwhelming at times.
Whether it was a classmate from high school, or someone I met at a party during undergrad, it all felt like unnecessary clutter. It’s nothing personal; it’s just that I don’t need to know Chad from eta Xi’s thoughts
tivity far beyond its initial source.
As we re ect on the spirit of this season, let us remember that encouragement embodies the essence of hope, peace, love and joy. It strengthens relationships, heals wounds and brings light into the darkest corners of our lives.
So, this year, alongside the physical gifts we may exchange, let’s give the gift of encouragement. It costs nothing but can change everything. Let’s use our words to build, lift and inspire. As we o er this gift to others, we may nd that it is also the greatest gift we give ourselves.
on cryptocurrency. I vowed to unfollow quite a few of these folks once my digital detox ended.
I wasn’t perfect every day, but I was reminded of one of my former editor’s favorite quotes, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” Focusing on the good, the results of my 70-day digital detox are pretty rad. I got back into reading, learned how to do a pulI-up, spent more time outside, and felt more present in my day-to-day life. I even inspired my stepdad to join in on the challenge with me. It was helpful to have someone else to go through the process with. And he’s actually still going! So, what now?
While part of me thought I could keep going forever, it didn’t feel realistic for me to never return to social media, both as a young reporter and an Enjoyer of Memes. But the process has changed my approach to social media. I don’t use it as a distraction from real life anymore. Instead, I try to use other
May this season be one of connection, kindness and encouragement. I would love to hear your encourager story at gotonorton@gmail.com. Remember that we all have something to give one another, the gift of our true feelings, making it a betterthan-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.
habits for escapism, like listening to podcasts, going out for a walk or getting lost in a book. Since I’ve unfollowed a lot of people, I notice that spending time on social media doesn’t make me feel bad about myself the way it used to. Comparison is the thief of joy, and comparing myself to in uencers was not serving me in any way. rough my research while on the break, I learned about a lot of tools people use to limit their social media usage. Once I returned, I set up controls on my phone that “time me out” of social media usage. It’s like using parental controls on a kid’s iPad, except I’m doing it for myself. ere are tons of apps out there that can help you limit your social media use. I’m proud to say that if you look at my screen time report today, the ‘productivity’ category has taken rst place.
London Lyle is a freelance reporter for the Denver North Star and La Ciudad newsletter.
Experts give insight on how to stick to your New Year’s resolutions
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Afew years ago, Randi Smith received an Italian accordion as a gift from her husband.
For years, it had been her goal to learn how to play the instrument. She planned to start learning once she retired, but her husband encouraged her to start before that.
But, despite resolving each new year to become an accordion player, Smith still hasn’t learned to play.
“I set myself up, because my goal to learn to play the accordion — it wasn’t speci c enough, and it certainly wasn’t attainable enough,” she said. “Whatever I did have in my mind was a fantasy rather than an achievable, measurable, stepwise map towards progress. It was just like, ‘I’m gonna learn how to play the accordion this year!’”
Smith, a professor of psychological sciences at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, said her story is a common one. Research shows that people tend not to stick to
their New Year’s resolutions beyond a few weeks, with some articles stating the failure rate is as high as 80% by February. rough her research and her work as a licensed psychologist and a licensed clinical social worker, Smith has seen that many people do not achieve their goals for a variety of common reasons. Whether people are making New Year’s resolutions or setting goals at another time of year, there are tips everyone can keep in mind when aiming to build new habits.
One strategy, Smith said, is to set realistic and measurable goals. Unlike her goal to learn to play the accordion, she said good goals should be speci c, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Many experts refer to these goals by the acronym “SMART.”
For learning to play the accordion, a smart goal could be to play 20 minutes per day, ve days per week and master the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” by February, Smith said.
A man scrolls on his phone in his bed at night. SHUTTERSTOCK
BOTTOM LEFT: Exercise groups can be one way to find social support to help you toward your goals. SHUTTERSTOCK
TOP LEFT: An accordion gifted to Randi Smith by her husband. COURTESY OF RANDI SMITH
RESOLUTIONS
“It’s speci c,” she said. “I think it’s achievable. It’s time-bound because it just gives me one month to get that far. And, I can certainly measure it and see whether I’ve been able to do that.”
Smith said it can also be helpful to write goals down. Putting goals on paper encourages the goal-setter to think about how to make the objective more structured, and also helps a person track their progress.
It’s critical, however, to make sure that you aren’t too hard on yourself if you falter, Smith said. She said one roadblock to reaching a goal is “developing this all-ornothing thinking around it.”
“As soon as there’s something that is not counted as success toward the goal, the person feels like, ‘I’m a failure, I blew it — better try again next year,’” she said. “Obviously, that’s not good, and that’s why so many resolutions fail within the rst couple weeks or couple months.”
Smith said many people think they need to be hard on themselves in order to keep themselves accountable, but that strategy can actually back re.
“Sadly, the inner-drill-sergeant approach doesn’t really work, because then failure seems so total,” she said. “ e truth of the matter is — and it’s born out in the research, and I certainly see it in my own psychotherapy practice — that you’re actually creating more space for success if (you choose) to be more exible and kind to yourself.”
Cindy Morris, a clinical psychologist, said there are also things to keep in mind when deciding which habits to build for yourself. She is the clinical director of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’ Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, where her team trains organizations around the country to help them
help patients and clients change their behaviors.
Speci cally, her program trains healthcare organizations, mental health organizations and community and public health groups to help their clients live nicotinefree, practice self-care and improve sleep habits, nutrition, physical activity and more.
Morris said self-awareness is the most important step to changing behavior. First, she said it’s important to reect on your emotions, especially when you feel guilty or bad about something you have done or continue to do.
“It’s important to listen to it and see what the emotion is telling you,” she said. “Is it,‘I feel bad because I have a rule in my mind, a thought, a belief that tells me this is bad to do?’ or is it that it actually isn’t right for me? Once you get a sense of what’s going on — what is it that you want or don’t want — then you can focus more on the behavior.”
When a person decides they want to change a behavior or build a healthy habit, Morris said, it’s helpful to re ect on the triggers or cues that lead to the behavior they’re trying to change, what their current routine is and what the reward is.
“As people are aware of this kind of habit loop, then they can choose a new, di erent behavior, or di erent habit that they want to practice, and then they can replace the routine,” she said.
For example, if a person nds themself going to sleep late because they always stay up scrolling on their phone, they might recognize that this happens in the lull in the evening after they nish cleaning up from dinner, Morris said. ey might try to replace their mindless phone use at that time of night with reading a novel or taking a relaxing bath — something that can still let them get the reward of turning their brain o for a little bit before they go to sleep, without keeping them awake all night.
Morris said practice is an important part of habitbuilding.
“It’s not like anyone does anything like, say, plays a
“It just feels good to not only be thinking about yourself but to have other people in mind and wonder how they’re doing on what they wanted to be accountable towards.”
Ty
sport or something (and) the rst time you do it, you’re incredible and you’re going to the Olympics,” she said. “It’s incremental. And so, we want to be gentle with ourselves.”
Morris and Smith both said having social support is a helpful environment when you are practicing new habits.
“( ere’s) good empirical support for having social support when we’re working on a new goal,” Smith said. “If my goal is to lose 30 pounds in 2025, having a partner who is engaging with me — maybe somebody I meet with to have some regular exercise, or joining a support group to improve my nutrition and master my overeating... We know those things are helpful.”
For Lakewood resident Ty Preizler, having social support is helpful when working towards goals. at’s why he started the Denver Healthy Habits Accountability Group, a community for people to come together to support each other in building new habits.
“I nd that I’m I’m way more motivated when I know that there’s going to be a group of people in a few weeks that I’m going to sit there and talk with about this,” he said. “Just having that companionship makes it a lot easier to stick to to the habits that we want.”
His group, which he launched in October, generally meets once a month. ey discuss their goals and sometimes do guided meditations or journaling sessions to re ect. With a variety of ages and backgrounds, the group members are working towards goals related to tness, nutrition and nding purpose in life.
Learn more about the group at https://www.meetup. com/denver-healthy-habits-accountability-group/.
So far, Preizler said his favorite part of the group has been getting the chance to help people, hearing their challenges and nding a community of people who understand and encourage self-improvement.
“It just feels good to not only be thinking about yourself but to have other people in mind and wonder how they’re doing on what they wanted to be accountable towards,” he said. “It just feels good.”
Psychology professor Randi Smith says it can be helpful to write down your goals.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Preizler, Lakewood resident
Music in 2024 reflected a challenging year
To say 2024 was a year with a lot of ups and downs would be an understatement. A constant slew of unprecedented events kept everyone feeling on edge and I have a feeling that this unsettled sense is going to continue for a while.
It was di cult to keep up with the music world while so much was going on (unless you’re one of the pop stars who ruled the year). To help with that, I gathered ve of my favorite releases that may have slipped by you. I hope you nd something to excite you and comfort you as we head into a new year.
Blackstarkids — ‘Saturn Dayz/Heaven on Urf’
Describing a group like Blackstarkids is a tricky proposition. eir list of in uences is so wide-ranging that naming everything doesn’t do the project justice, but su ce to say they take elements of soul, funk and hip-hop and mash it together with synth pop, indie rock and pop-punk. It’s a heady brew, but the group make music that is often so beautiful, it takes your breath away.
For their last release as a band, Blackstarkids created a two-part concept album about a young woman making her way through the afterlife. Whether or not you want to invest in that side of the storytelling is up to you, but the songs they make are undeniable. Utterly gorgeous, infec-
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tious and full of the kind of pure joy we could use more of. It’s a shame it’s their nal release, but the group goes out on the highest of notes.
Bonny Light Horseman — ‘Keep Me on Your Mind/ See You Free’ Bonny Light Horseman is a collaboration between Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman, all three of whom have deep experience blending folk sensibilities with pop, rock and any other number of genres. eir third album might be their strongest yet, a sprawling sonic exploration of the many directions and subjects modern folk can encapsulate. e album’s 20-track total may seem excessive, but the cumulative e ect is one of pure pleasure, as the trio of Mitchell, Johnson and Kaufman discover new and catchy ways to tell their stories. ere’s something for almost everyone to dig into — more traditional numbers and others that get under your skin and stay there. “Keep Me…” is an album to immersive yourself in — you won’t regret it.
Liana Flores — ‘Flower of the soul’ “Flower of the soul,’ the debut full-length from British-Brazilian singer/songwriter
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Liana Flores, may well be the prettiest album of the year. It brings to mind the work of legendary jazz vocalist Astrud Gilberto, but while there certainly is a jazz element to the music, Flores leans more on the acoustic side of things, creating a sound that is both lush and slightly minimalist. Flores’ music is so lovely you’d be forgiven for slotting it in as background music, but that would do a disservice to her songwriting ability. Songs like “I Wish for the Rain” sound like they were transported out of the 1960’s, but still manage to feel fresh, instead of just a rip-o . e resulting album transports the listener to warmer climes and times — it’s a free plane ticket to a place where you can just relax and vibe.
Japandroids – ‘Fate & Alcohol’
Sometimes, a band just knows when it’s time to go. As a fan, I’d rather see a group go out on their own terms than dissolve into ghting and bitterness. So even though I’ll miss them, “Fate & Alcohol” is a tting send o to Japandroids, the Vancouver duo of Brian King and David Prowse.
e band’s fourth and nal album is particularly special because it completes the arc the group have been on since their debut. Japandroids has always tra cked in anthemic, sing-along style guitar rock (hitting the zenith on their immortal second album, “Celebration Rock”), and that
remains present here. But the lyrics are no longer driven by an unquenchable urge to spend the whole night drinking with friends. It’s more about nding peace and moving forward into whatever comes next. Heading into a new year, that’s a lesson we could all do well to learn.
Soccer Mommy — ‘Evergreen’
Over the course of her career, Sophie Allison (who records under the name Soccer Mommy) has perfected a blend of 90s grunge and indie rock with an appreciation of generational pop gures, like Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift. On her fourth album, “Evergreen,” she digs even deeper, coming up with an album that is stunning in its beauty and lyricism.
Written after what Allison said was a period of “profound and personal loss,” the album feels richer and more sonically exploratory than anything she’s done before. “Evergreen’s” musical palatte features more acoustic and string elements, which she uses to paint pictures of vulnerability and hope. Songs like “Some Sunny Day” and “Dreaming of Falling” just wrap you up and stick with you longer after they’re done. e whole album is a testament to the challenges we all face and inner strength to move forward.
Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
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Thu 1/09
The Temptations & The Four Tops
@ 7:30pm / $49.95-$109.95
Fri 1/10
Paramount Theatre, Denver
John Brennan @ 7:30pm
Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St, Denver
Ravenscoon @ 8pm The Black Box, 314 E 13th Ave, Denver
Back When
@ 8:30pm
Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver
Julius Rodriguez @ 9pm
Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver
Badklaat, DubLoadz
@ 9pm / $14.95
The Church Nightclub, Denver
American Aquarium @ 6pm
Lies or Lullabies (featuring the mu‐sic of Bryan Adams and John Mel‐lencamp): Lies Or Lullabies at The Buffalo Rose with Still The Same @ 7pm Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden
Hog Mob Ministries: Hog Mob & Kingdom Muzic LIVE @ 7pm Church in the City - Denver, Co, 1580 N Gaylord St, Denver
Highland Electric Co.: An Electric Friday - Highland Electric Company Light up Lot 46! @ 8pm Lot 46 Music Bar, 5302 W 25th Ave, Edgewater
Richard Bona presents Asante Trio @ 8:30pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver
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Sat 1/11
Hog Mob Ministries: Hog Mob & Kingdom Muzic LIVE! @ 12pm Church in the City, 1580 N Gaylord St, Denver
Pattyo - Tour Opener for Mark Battles @ 7pm The Roxy Theater, 2549 Welton St, Denver
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Den‐ver
Glass Human @ 7:30pm
Joe Anderies: Anderies Generations Quintet @ 6pm
Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver
Paramount Theatre Club Seating: Nurse John @ 7pm / $45 Paramount Theatre, Denver
Anna Clyne: Colorado Symphony: Mozart & Now with Peter Oundjian @ 7:30pm
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St, Denver
Fan Halen/ Cryptic Writings @ 8pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Mon 1/13
Lil Poppa @ 7pm Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Cir, Denver
Tue 1/14
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Colorado cyclist returns from 5-year trip around the globe
Ted Eliason details circumnavigating the
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMNMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After over ve years pedaling across 56 countries spanning ve continents, Ted Eliason is back in time for the holidays and enjoying the creature comforts of his Westminster home.
On Dec. 14, Eliason, 57, turned the nal corner of his neighborhood bordering Westminster and Arvada on his Surly bike to return at last to his wife, Kendra, and the welcome sight of his friends, family and food he’d missed for a half-decade.
It only took 51,164 miles and 1,379 days.
Eliason had always planned to climb the Himalayas. To prepare for this bucket-list goal, he moved to Colorado in 1999 with the idea of using the Front Range as a training ground for tackling the tallest peaks in the world. He and Kendra had lived a life together of rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing and all sorts of mountaineering adventures (including summiting all of Colorado’s 14ers), from the Rockies to the Alps to the Andes and in Canada.
But one day a mountaineering accident broke Eliason’s foot. To help in his recovery, he took up cycling, but could never have guessed the places it would take him.
“I had started watching people on Instagram doing this kind of cycling, and realized the money that I would spend on one guided peak in the Himalayas was enough to fund me for about three years on a bicycle instead,” Eliason said. “And so I sort of changed my lifetime goal at the last minute. Instead of taking three months with a 50% chance of success at one mountain, how about we take three years and try to go through 50 countries around the world in one trip? And so I was at a point in my life where I decided, if I’m ever going to take a shot at this, this is when I need to do it.”
Part I: Hitting the open road … and quick roadblocks
After weeks of planning and plotting, he set out on his expedition in 2019, pulling his loaded-up bike out of his garage to trek across the country to Newfoundland, stopping during nights to set up camp and nd at ground for his tent. In the beginning, it was easy to overthink, and to overdo just about everything, he said.
“Absolutely there were a lot of doubts,” Eliason said. “I started by over-planning, over-gearing, over-spending. And it’s funny. e longer that I’ve been doing this, the more my executive
world on his bicycle
thinking about, ‘OK, where do I have to be tomorrow? Where am I going to eat, sleep, you know, what can I a ord?’ And over time, I just got better at it.”
He rode his momentum down to Providence, Rhode Island, where he’d y across the pond to start his European stint. After landing in Dublin, Eliason powered up to Scotland before turning south for Brindisi, Italy, to wind around the Alps to the east.
A ferry took him to Greece, where he biked east through Croatia to the Danube River.
Following the ancient waterway from Serbia to Bulgaria, Eliason quickly learned that this trip wouldn’t be possible in just three years. e COVID-19 pandemic would halt his journey and the world over.
for the Turkish border to open, which it never did.”
Discouraged and antsy, Eliason reluctantly made for the So a International Airport, ashing his passport to guards through highway checkpoints and nally being let through.
Getting home was an expensive roadblock in his journey, costing him both his nances and his time.
Upon his return, Eliason quickly discovered (unsurprisingly) that he wasn’t satis ed sitting around waiting for the Earth to reopen. Before he knew it, he was back on the bike.
function has shrunk to where I only think like one or two days ahead at most. So the learning
process has really been how to go with the ow. Every evening I wrap up my miles, but then I’m
“I missed the Turkish border from Bulgaria by a day,” Eliason said. “ I got to Bulgaria, and then basically the whole country just locked down. Which, you know, if you’re going to get stuck, Bulgaria is a good place. It’s the least expensive country in the EU. I had a very comfortable one-bedroom apartment on the Black Sea. I wound up staying there for three months waiting
“When I got home, I wasn’t ready to stop,” he said. “My wife suggested I bike out to Oregon and see my brother, and I had always wanted to do the West Coast bicycle route down Highway 1. My COVID loop was up to Glacier, over to the U.S.-Canada border, down the West Coast to Tijuana. And back at that point, I was in California spending $8 on a box of Triscuits, and just was like, this is not the priority for spending. So I went home, and I kind of rotted for a year and a half and waited.”
Ted Eliason poses in front of a sign depicting the longest road through Australia. He biked from Perth to Sydney on his journey.
COURTESY PHOTOS
The map above details Ted Eliason’s final stretch from South America back to Colorado. It also details his trip during COVID-19 to Oregon and down the West Coast.
Part II: Getting back in the saddle
By April of 2022, Eliason nally felt borders had opened enough to pick back up where he left o . But this time, Kendra was coming along, if only for a bit.
e adventurers went back to Greece for Round Two. ey enjoyed parts of Greece and Turkey together for two weeks before Kendra returned to the U.S. and sent him o for Central Asia. A bus took her to the airport in Istanbul.
As for Eliason, he made it into Turkey this time and followed a path across Georgia and Central Asia to the Chinese border.
Rather than go through China, which was still closed due to the pandemic, he traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to y rst to Dehli, India, before connecting to Leh, one of the northernmost points of India and a key historical trade point also known for stunning views and cultural signi cance.
After enjoying a week of backpacking in the area, Eliason continued his journey down the west coast of India around the peninsula to Chennai on the eastern side. Kendra ew to meet him again in Bangkok in January 2023.
All the way from Bangkok to Nha Trang, Vietnam, the two cycled across Cambodia together for ve weeks. It was an experience the two will relish forever and was the favorite stint of the long journey for both riders.
“South Asia was freaking amazing. I would go back,” Kendra said. “ ere’s not many places I would say I would go back. e riding was so amazing. ere’s always a huge shoulder (to bike on), and they’re all on two wheels. You’d see families of six on one motorcycle. It was so crazy exhilarating to go through South Vietnam. e tra c was just insane. We had kids chasing us and cheering us on (and) little kids racing us on bicycles. It was like a bicycle culture.”
From there, Kendra went home while Eliason looped up through Vietnam solo to the Chinese border before wrapping around Laos to get to ailand. He moved south through Malaysia before hopping over to Indonesia to bike from Java to Bali, concluding the Asian stint of his journey.
Another ight took him to Australia, where he’d trek across the outback from Perth all the way to Sydney before taking to New Zealand. While this portion of his trip was undoubtedly beautiful, Eliason said Australia and New Zealand, much like the U.S., can be di cult to navigate. “ e U.S. and Canada together, as well as Australia and New Zealand, are geared around cars, and how you travel through them is just very di erent from how you travel in the rest of the world,” Eliason said. “ e rest of the world is, in general, much easier. I mean, there are towns everywhere, there’s food everywhere (and) it’s more a ordable.” ere would be long stretches of highway between cities or towns that would make him push harder to reach a food source, or often camp for the night and survive on what he already had on his person.
After ve weeks in New Zealand, it was time to go back to the Americas.
Part III: Back to the Americas
Landing in Santiago, Chile, the nal stretch up South America back to Colorado was underway. But rst, he’d loop down the Carretera Austral highway to Ushuaia, Argentina, dubbed the “end of
the world” at the southernmost point of South America on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.
Most of 2023 had passed since Eliason had seen Kendra. But she decided to y south for the winter in December to explore ve South American countries with him.
ey met in Calafate to cycle through Argentina, Uruguay, Rio Grande Do Sol Brazil, Paraguay and nally Bolivia to La Paz where she ew home again ve months after she’d arrived.
us began the last leg of his transcontinental journey. It began with Peru, which Eliason said was the beginning of his travel burnout.
“Peru was absolutely the most di cult for me,” Eliason said. “ e Himalayas are easier because the roads are like the Front Range — like (here). In Peru, they are not. ey are up and over repeatedly. So you’re doing 3,000-meter climbs, which can take two days, and then going down and doing it again. It’s very safe.
e people are very nice. e dogs are a bit aggressive. But getting through the Peruvian Andes for me was just really, really grueling.”
He continued up through Ecuador and Colombia before taking a sailboat to Panama. Central America took him through Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala before he broke through to Mexico.
e American Southwest was beckoning, and Eliason was anxious to chase it. He longed for his wife, his bed and some Taco Bell.
He nally broke through to Arizona, riding the desert up to Utah and cutting across to Colorado. Just a week from home, a snowstorm would hit Colorado, delaying his nal homecoming. He camped in Parker before making his way to Denver, stopping at the REI at Con uence Park downtown.
Local cyclists and friends joined him there to make the nal stretch back to his Westminster garage. Eliason was welcomed home with a party, a makeshift “ nish line” to break through, and lots of food he’d been missing.
After six sets of tires, countless ats, seven broken chains, eight sets of brake pads, over 20 spokes, four rim/wheel repairs, ve pairs of pedals, 3½ saddles and over 10 ights, he pulled into the garage he’d embarked from ve years ago.
Dismounting from his trusty Surly Disc Trucker, he fell into the arms of his wife while friends and family cheered, ready to celebrate his return. It was sunny and 50 degrees, and for the rst time, Eliason didn’t have to set up camp or worry about what tomorrow’s road would bring.
“ ere’s far, far less to fear about most countries in the world than I ever expected,” Eliason said, re ecting on a lifechanging journey. “ e vast majority of countries will greet a foreign traveler on a bicycle, even an American traveler, like a long-lost relative. I mean, people are just generally good, curious, kind, hospitable people.”
For more photos and to experience Eliason’s journey mile by mile, visit @ bikingthebluemarble on Instagram, and stay tuned for his experience in his own words in a forthcoming book he plans to begin soon.
THERE’S MORE ONLINE!
See more photos at https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2024/12/17/ colorado-cyclist-returns-from-5-year-triparound-the-globe/ and read answers to four more questions we asked Ted Eliason.
Pictured is a campsite Ted Eliason from Colorado set up along Peru’s grueling highway through the Andes mountains.
Ted and Kendra Eliason pose for a photo as they cross into Brazil.
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Plaintiff(s)/Petitioner(s): CONSUMERS CREDIT UNION
Defendant(s)/Respondent(s):
SEDRA NICHOL FREDRICK
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Case Number: 24CV32503: Div. 280
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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
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.
sponde 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 number 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
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.
Notice to Creditors
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jon A. Bell, a/k/a Jon Andrew Bell, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31134
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 May 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Public Notices
Baysore & Christian Fiduciary Services, LLC -- Karen Miller
7000 E. Belleview Ave-STE 150 Greenwood Village. CO 80111
Legal Notice No. DHD 3407
First Publication: January 2, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 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
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of JONATHAN MICHAEL ELLIS, Deceased
Case Number: 2024PR31413
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Anthony Caselli, Personal Representative 2237 West 30th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
Legal Notice No. DHD 3409
First Publication: January 2, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 2025
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
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 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 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 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 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 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
Last Publication: January 2, 2025 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 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 Robert James Perri, a/k/a Robert J. Perri, a/k/a Robert Perri, a/k/a Bob Perri, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31391
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 May 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Whitney Shea Bakarich, Personal Representative c/o Joe D. Kinlaw, II, Esq. Folkestad Fazekas Barrick & Patoile, P.C. 18 South Wilcox Street, Suite 200 Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Legal Notice No. DHD 3408
First Publication: January 2, 2025 Last Publication: January 16, 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
Public Notices
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 William Henry Johnson, Jr., aka William H. Johnson, Jr., aka William Johnson, Jr. Deceased
Case Number: 2024PR31132
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 May 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Gretchen Denise Graves
Personal Representative
Ashlee E. Dunham (54798) FRIE, ARNDT, DANBORN & THIESSEN P.C.
7400 Wadsworth Blvd, Ste. 201 Arvada, CO 80003
Phone Number: 303-420-1234
Attorney for Gretchen Denise Graves Personal Representative
Legal Notice No. DHD 3406
First Publication: December 26, 2024
Last Publication: January 9, 2025
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 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 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
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
Public Notice
NOTICE TO·CREDITORS
Estate of Ann Scherschel, a/k/a Ann Grepo Scherschel, Deceased
Case Number: 2024 PR 31505
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.
Pamela A. Kaufman Personal Representative 3576 Peruvian Torch Drive Loveland, CO 80 537
Legal Notice No. DHD 3397
First Publication: January 2, 2025 Last Publication: January 16, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch ###
