Denver Herald Dispatch January 23, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

Broadway merchants look to establish business improvement district

Coverage area would span from 6th to Ohio avenues

BY ERIC HEINZ ERIC@COTLN.ORG

e area colloquially known as “South Broadway” has gone through many transformations over the years, yet it continues to be able to o er that speci c liveliness that Denver wouldn’t be the same without.

at’s where the Broadway Merchants Association (BMA) and its supporters come in.

People on behalf of the BMA recently led an application with the city of Denver to create a 1.7-mile corridor that would be a business improvement dis-

Only properties within the BID would be subjected to the costs.

More than 260 businesses and 176 commercial properties would be included in the BID, if it is approved by the city. e district would impose a mill, the amount of which will be determined later, among the businesses based on their assessed value and in return the businesses would get more security, money for maintenance, marketing and advertising, as well as operational funding. e mill submitted to the city was at 21, or $21 for every $1,000 of the assessed property value.

e next step, coming in the next couple months, is to petition the business-

es on whether they’d like to establish a BID, and then that would initiate the city council process on whether to approve the special district. e BID proposal would need majority support.

e BMA and proponents for the BID submitted a preliminary operating budget of just over $2 million to the council, but Luke Johnson, president of the BMA, said that number is expected to drop as the association continues to determine its needs.

“ e plan is to take this up again right after the rst of the year and try to deal with some di erent issues and resolve it,” said William Feinberg, vice president of the BMA. “We’re trying to be as transparent as possible and have as much input from the people that it a ects as possible.”

Answering questions about immigration status

Non-proﬁt hosted informational session to calm fears

As President Donald Trump takes o ce for the second time, the nonpro t organization United Community Action Network of Metro Denver hosted an informative session in Spanish where attendees could obtain more information about resources in healthcare, real estate and immigration.

e objective of the session was to help ease concerns about what the next presidential term may look like. About 20 guests took the chance to ask questions about their petitions and pending cases that would be a ected.

Arturo Jimenez, a Denver immigration lawyer of 25 years, was among the experts who addressed the group on Jan. 11 about the coming change in leadership at the White House.

“We are preparing for what is to come with the new president on the 20th of January, has said that they will be more strict, conduct more raids and they will do everything within the president’s executive power regarding immigration,” Jimenez said.

“We will perhaps be seeing more applications for residency, Temporary Protected Status, asylum, … for all the programs.”

Jimenez said that folks will often come with questions regarding asylum, TPS, or obtaining residency through a child who recently turned 21 years old, but they don’t request more information on other options that can help adjust their immigration status, depending on the eligibility.

Jimenez discussed several programs and petitions that can work toward adjusting status for people who are undocumented including the Petition U for Nonimmigrant status, which he called the “Visa U.” at petition is speci ed for victims of particular crimes, such as domestic violence, car accidents or armed robbery, to name some examples.

“Many times when I have time with someone in my o ce, I will ask if they or their spouse or children have been a victim of a crime in the United States,” Jimenez said.

People cross the street at Broadway between 1st Avenue and Irvington Place. The Broadway Merchants Association recently submitted an application with the city of Denver to establish a business improvement district, spanning from 6th Avenue to Ohio Avenue. PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

After years of drama, there’s a plan for Park Hill Golf Course

Advocates, voters kept development o the 155-acre site. Now, Westside Investments will trade for other land

BY KYLE HARRIS DENVERITE

Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said it couldn’t be done. e developer Westside Investment Partners said it couldn’t be done.

But it’s happening.

e deserted Park Hill Golf Course is on its way to becoming a major regional park in northeast Denver after a years-long battle over the land.

e city of Denver is acquiring the course’s 155 acres in a land-swap agreement with the owner, Westside Investment Partners, city o cials announced Wednesday morning.

“ is is an incredible opportunity to remake a space that has been neglected and unused for far too long,” Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement. “Together, we can make this the go-to destination for runners, readers, cyclists, picnickers, birdwatchers, and of course, children and families. is site will be all of Denver’s to cherish for generations to come.”

e future of the course has been in question for years. Westside’s e ort to develop the site was blocked by voters in the April 2023 election, and the site has sat unused behind fencing and No Trespassing signs.

In the new deal, the former private golf course will become city-owned public land. Meanwhile, Westside will get about 145 desolate acres of undeveloped industrial property in Adams County, at 56th Avenue and Valley Head Street, near the Denver International Airport.

e plan depends on approval from Denver City Council and the Adams County Board of Commissioners.

If the deal goes through, it would be the largest single city acquisition of private land for a public park in Denver history, according to the mayor’s o ce.

What will happen to Park Hill Golf Course?

e golf course site will open to the public as an open space by summer 2025. Before then, walkways will be repaired and brush and trees will be trimmed. e fencing around the site will stay up, but the city will build entranceways for public access. In the short term, Parks and Recreation will install low-cost features like dog runs, picnic tables, trails and possibly a disc golf course.

Meanwhile, the parks department will conduct a long-term planning process. e mayor’s o ce oated ideas including sports courts, exercise stations, shaded pavilions and performance stages. “ is is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a new regional park in the heart of the city,” said Jolon Clark, the city’s parks director, in a statement. “We look forward to engaging with the community to shape what park amenities will be built on this remarkable parcel of land.”

How did we get here?

After Westside rst acquired the land, the Hancock administration and the de-

veloper pledged to bring thousands of units of housing to the land, plus space for a large park, a potential grocery store, room for local businesses and other amenities.

But neighbors around the former golf course revolted, pointing to a conservation easement that legally protected the land as an 18-hole golf course, or as open space if golf wasn’t feasible.

On three separate ballot measures, voters weighed in directly and indirectly on the future of the land. Each time, the developers lost and found themselves facing new obstacles.

Battles played out at city council, at the ballot box, and even in court, and the Park Hill neighborhood was bitterly split over the land’s future.

e nal blow came in the 2023 municipal election. Westside’s proposal — supported by a Community Bene ts Agreement negotiated with neighborhood leaders in Northeast Park Hill — was defeated by voters citywide.

On Wednesday, at a gathering at the former golf course, Mayor Wellington Webb, Pen eld Tate and Park Hill resident Woody Garnsey, who had worked on turning the land into a park for eight years, sat alongside Johnston, Clark and District 8 Councilmember Shontel Lewis.

Johnston, who previously supported Westside’s development of the land, got credit from Webb, Tate and others for con-

ceding defeat and getting to work on acquiring the land even before the mayor’s race was won.

Clark, who also voted in favor of development, loudly celebrated the acquisition of the land for his parks department.

For both, creating the city’s fourth largest park will likely be a legacy de ning project — even if they didn’t initially support it.

What’s next?

What will the park be named? at hasn’t been decided yet.

How much will the project cost? e city doesn’t know.

How will it be funded? A mix of city and private dollars.

Lewis described the future park as “a place of unity” and spoke about how the preservation of the land as open space gives Denver “an opportunity to confront the climate crisis.”

“ e real winners are the people of Denver,” Webb said, characterizing the ght over the land as one between the people’s will against “historical greed” fueling development.

Tate described the win as “a celebration of what collective action can do.”

“Collectively, we’ve shown that energized citizens can make a di erence when mobilized together,” Garnsey said.

is story is from Denverite, a Denver news site. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.

Lawmaker sues Lyft to do more for passenger safety

Rep. Jenny Willford says she was assaulted by driver using someone else’s account

BY CAPITOL NEWS ALLIANCE

Editor’s note: is story contains details of sexual assault and might be difcult for some readers.

Democratic State Rep. Jenny Willford of Northglenn is suing the ride share company Lyft in an e ort to improve passenger safety after she said she was sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver last year.

Willford told the details of her story for the rst time publicly during a press conference announcing the suit in the Capitol’s west foyer on Jan. 14. She wants to force the company to enact new security measures to guard against counterfeit drivers in particular.

She said she ordered a Lyft to get back home to Northglenn after meeting up with some friends last February, and was attacked in front of her house.

“I don’t know how to put into words how excruciating it was to be so close to home, so close to my husband and our two kids, and so close to safety while being assaulted in view of my house,” she said.

She said something was o from the start of the ride when her driver started asking personal questions, such as whether she was married.

“ en it quickly escalated to inappropriate comments about what he wanted to do to me and how he felt that my husband wouldn’t mind if we had sex. He clearly had a plan for how he wanted his night to turn out.”

Willford said she was concerned during the ride, texting her husband and a neighbor about it, and even took o her high heels so she would be prepared to run out of the car when the driver dropped her o . But when she tried to get out of the car, the driver blocked her exit and forced her back inside.

She said she eventually pushed him away and escaped, running into her neighbor’s back yard to hide. e attack has fundamentally changed her life, Willford said.

“ e PTSD has been crippling, robbing me of time with friends and family, impacting how I do my job as a state legislator and changing the person I see when I look in the mirror.”

Willford reported the assault to the Northglenn Police Department, and to Lyft. She said the company promised to never match her with the driver again and returned her money, but she didn’t get con rmation on whether the pro le had been deactivated or whether he has been able to drive for any other ride sharing app.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and former mayor Wellington Webb shake hands while announcing the agreement to buy Park Hill Golf Course and turn it into a park. COURTESY OF CARA DEGETTE / GREATER PARK HILL NEWS

Expect a Lot of Talk About Making Homes Fire-Resistant. Here’s

The whole world has watched in horror as wind-driven fires have ravaged Southern California, According to available data, approximately one-third of the U.S. population lives within two miles of the WildlandUrban Interface (WUI), meaning roughly 100 million Americans are situated in areas at risk of wildfires due to their proximity to wildlands. That’s 45 million residences that could be destroyed quickly, given the “perfect storm” of high winds, low humidity and dry vegetation.

It was that combination that destroyed over 1,000 homes in Boulder County three years ago.

sealed is essential when fire breaks out. The windows should be closed, of course, but keep in mind that if the windows have vinyl framing, it could melt, allowing the window to fall out. Aluminum framing melts at 1100º F, so metal or fire-rated wood framing is best. You could even install fire shutters or roll-down steel shutters, allowing you to keep your current vinyl windows.

My Contribution.

My Previous Columns on This Topic (posted at www.JimSmithColumns.com

Sept. 14, 2023 — I Found Only One Marshall Fire Home Being Rebuilt With Fire Resistance in Mind

Jan. 5, 2023 — Revisiting Lessons Learned from the Marshall Fire a Year Later

Just like then, we are beginning to see pictures of homes that didn’t burn in the middle of neighborhoods where every other house was burned to the ground. Below is one such picture taken by the architect who built it, Greg Chasen. There was even a car parked on the property line that burned so hot that the aluminum from the car melted, flowing in a stream toward the sidewalk. A video link with this article on our blog, http://RealEstateToday.substack.com, includes Chasen explaining how he designed the home to survive just such a fire.

Embers will land on your roof, so a metal roof is best. There are some attractive stone-coated steel roofs that resemble wood shakes or composition shingles.

If you have a vented attic, you can install screens with 1/16-inch mesh that will keep 99% of embers out of your home.

The most important factor in keeping a fire out of a house is eliminating wind-driven embers from entering the attic. Most homes have ventilated attics, with soffit vents to let air in and roof vents to let the air out. In the above house, there is no attic and therefore no vents.

In my Oct. 13, 2022, column (see box above right), I wrote about two homes in Superior that didn’t burn because they had “conditioned” attics with no openings for ventilation. Instead of blown-in insulation resting on the attic floor, the ceilings of the attics (the underside of the roof) in both homes were insulated with closed-cell foam — in other words, attics were conditioned (heated and cooled) like the rest of the house. Because most fires spread through windblown embers, keeping a home completely

Some building codes now require fire sprinklers, but sprinklers probably wouldn’t be in your unconditioned attic. If a fire enters your attic, the PVC pipes in the attic for delivering water to your top floor sprinkler heads would likely melt before the sprinklers activate, which would be too late anyway.

If you have flammable roofing, you might install sprinkler heads on your roof ridges to keep the roof wet during an ember storm, but don’t bother doing that if you haven’t made your attic ember-proof!

Wood decks, wood fences and vegetation that touches your house will receive windblown embers and, after burning next to your house for a while, will ignite your home, so consider replacing or eliminating the deck, installing steel fencing, and eliminating all vegetation within five feet of your home, especially juniper bushes, which make great kindling for starting a house fire.

If you’ll be replacing your windows, having the outer pane be tempered glass makes it much more resistant to breakage from heat, and pay attention to the window frames, as I mentioned above.

If building a new home, adobe walls are best, because “dirt doesn’t burn.” In my Sept. 14, 2023, column I reported on a Marshall

Oct. 13, 2022 — Homes That Survived the Marshall Fire Were More Airtight and Had Conditioned Attics

Jan. 20, 2022 — Here Are More Examples of Concrete Construction and Fire-Resistant Roofing

Jan. 13, 2022 — Homes Built of Concrete Garner Increased Interest in Wake of Marshall Fire

Jan. 6, 2022 — Last Week’s Fire Disaster Is a Wake-up Call for Building More FireResistant Homes

Fire rebuild made from “Ecoblox,” a product of Lisa Morey’s startup, Colorado Earth

Here is a picture of homeowners Matteo Rebeschini and Melanie Glover at the factory where the Ecoblox for their home were being manufactured. Ecoblox also have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional bricks, because they are not fired, but merely compressed.

Building with dirt has a long and proven track record dating back 10,000 years, and is clearly the most proven material for building a fire-resistant home. Learn more at www.ColoradoEarth.com Their factory is near Brighton. Lisa built 25 homes in New Zealand before returning to the United States and co-authoring a book on the subject, Adobe Homes for All Climates

China and New Zealand are leaders, it appears, in the resurgence of this building technique. Read more at www.earthhomes.co.nz.

The reason for using bricks instead of its predecessor technology, rammed earth, is that it can be reinforced with steel rods and concrete to make the structure earthquake resistant, not just fireresistant.

Of necessity, this article only begins to deal with hardening an existing home or building a fire-resistant home. In researching this topic, I discovered a website www.WildfirePrepared.org, which has an amazingly thorough checklist of actions to take which result in the awarding of a “Wildfire Prepared Home” or “Wildfire Prepared Home Plus” certificate which is recognized by insurers in Oregon and California, but not yet in other states. Nevertheless, it is a terrific menu of actions you could take to make your Colorado home fire-resistant. I have put a link to it with this article at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com

PBS Show to Feature Local Net Zero Home

This coming Saturday, January 25th, Rocky Mountain PBS will broadcast another episode of “Heart of a Building,” this time featuring John Avenson’s amazing net zero home in Westminster. It will air at 5:00, between “This Old House” and “Weekend NewsHour.”

neer, has continued to enhance the home’s performance as each new technology, such as coldweather heat pumps, was introduced.

John’s home was built by SERI (Solar Energy Research Institute), the former name of NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) as a demonstration project of passive solar design, with the limited active solar technology available at that time.

Since, then, John, a re-tired Bell Labs engi-

You’ll be impressed at how far John has gone to have his home be an educational installation which he keeps open to the public. It has been on multiple green home tours. Look for the half-hour program at 5:00 pm this coming Saturday on both Channel 6 and Channel 12. The series is a production of Rocky Mountain PBS, but it will air nationally on all PBS stations at a later date.

IMMIGRATION

At the information session, attendees could submit questions regarding immigration and adjusting status and have them answered by di erent speakers. With UCAN’s approval, La Ciudad reprints them here for broader reach. is Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

Question: I entered through Eagle Pass, Texas, and surrendered to ICE. Upon crossing, once detained by ICE, they gave me a ticket and left me at a shelter in Eagle Pass. From the shelter I was sent to New York to another shelter, and in order to get rid of the ticket, I had to come to Denver. Here in Denver they removed the ticket, but they enrolled me in the Intensive Supervision Assistance program. I just received my work permit and Social Security Number. My court date is in a year, but here in Denver I have to work to support myself and my 5-year-old son, but it is di cult to work due to having to check in with ISAP several times a week or they come to my house without notice, and I have to be there at all times. What can I do to be free from ISAP since ICE will not give me an answer?

Jimenez: ISAP is an alternative to detention and has di erent options on how one can report to ICE. It can be every week or every month with an ICE o cial in person. ey also have the option to switch it over to a check-in via telephone so that the person does not lose their job and have to look for child care and to travel to the check-in.

ere’s also another option that is a bit more intense, but it’s a bracelet monitor to ensure that the person attends their immigration check-ins. Another extreme

option leads to a detention center in Aurora. Immigration o cials have several options for people to attend their checkins. It’s di cult to change the check-in process but it’s all up to the o cial. ere are people who come to lawyers asking for representation, and we speak on their behalf to negotiate with immigration. We explain that they have a home; they have a signed lease, that they are working and they have TPS or asylum. In that case, at a minimum, they should be allowed to check in by phone or simply allowed to check with their word that they will attend and not miss an interview. is could involve hiring an intermediary, an attorney to request these options on their behalf.

Question: Can resident or U.S. citizen children petition for their parents? If yes, what would the adjustment time be?

Jimenez: To become a resident inside the U.S., you had to enter legally in the rst place. For example, the people that entered with a tourist visa in 2001 and have stayed since then, they have a legal entry. Now that their child has turned 21, they are eligible. People who applied for residency for a parent before marrying before April 30, 2020, are eligible under 245(i) now that their child is 21 and with the previous petition, they can pay $1,000 and stay, even if they entered without permission. Or, people who have a child in the military, … can stay to adjust if everything else looks okay.

ese are three groups of people who are eligible to adjust their status inside the U.S. through their U.S. citizen children. Others have to leave the country and adjust at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country.

Question: Can a person who is undocumented and has a business adjust status for being a business owner? If yes, what income do they have to generate to apply to be legalized?

Jimenez: It’s not impossible, but it’s not probable in most cases. A person who is undocumented has to request forgiveness for their illegal entry and besides that, they have to meet the investment requirements, which is a lot. It’s a very complicated process and in general, it’s not available to undocumented individuals.

It’s not impossible because there are waivers upon waivers that can be requested from outside the country, but it’s not something that is typical for people.

Question: What are the latest changes to the Green Card for VAWA Self-Petitioner with respect to wait times?

(Note: e Violence Against Women Act o ers protected immigration status to a person who is a victim of battery or extreme cruelty.)

Jimenez: It’s important to talk a little about VAWA. It doesn’t require police involvement, but it requires a lot of evidence of abuse.

For example, I have clients who are fathers and their citizen children have pushed them or hit them, and people have told them that they are eligible to apply for the bene ts of VAWA for being a victim of their own children. ere are also children that were victims of abuse from their own parents. e most common case is abuse from spouses.

If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or resident and committed a violent domestic crime or mental abuse that can be accounted for by a psychologist or therapist, they can apply for the VAWA in less or more than six months. If this person has no other pending issues, they can receive a work permit and, in less than or more than 18 to 24 months, they can receive the interview for residency.

Now it’s di erent because the person has to retell the abuse in detail to an ofcial; this used to be all through paper and evidence submitted by a psychologist or therapist, but now they have begun interviewing and questioning the interview subject about the abuse.

Question: As a person who is undocumented, if I committed a minor o ense, could I be subject to deportation? Would the children, who are also undocumented, be held responsible as well?

Jimenez: Well, what is considered a serious o ense and what is not? I need to know what the o ense is. For example, shoplifting, whether it’s committed by an adult or a minor in their care, either way it’s considered a serious o ense. at can be a major obstacle to becoming a resident.

Question: Fifteen months have passed since I entered using CBP One but I am not eligible for asylum. What can I do?

Jimenez: e asylum law states that in order to maintain the right to apply for asylum, the person must submit the application … within one year of their entry. If they miss this one-year deadline, they can only apply for a di erent type of application that doesn’t o er as many bene ts. So this makes a big di erence for many people in terms of whether they are eligible or not for asylum protection. It’s not enough to just enter and talk to an ofcer. ey must complete this form, submit it correctly and have proof that it was received within one year.

Question: Last year someone crashed into my car. A lawyer said that I was eligible for the Visa U.

Jimenez: Yes, but you would need to bring the police report to your lawyer so that we can see if this person was under the in uence. If it was simply a car crash, it’s not enough for the Visa U. It all depends on what the police report says.

Question: Can I be eligible for a REAL ID if I have an asylum case pending, a social security number or work permit and TPS approved?

Gina Millan, a speaker at the UCAN event: Only people with a green card or citizenship can obtain the REAL ID, which has a star on the top right corner of a driver’s license.

One thing, the people that have a license with a line does not mean that we are undocumented. It could be that we have TPS, DACA or that we work for a consulate of another country here in the U.S. So, if you see someone with a license that does not have the REAL ID marking, don’t assume that they are undocumented.

If you have an immigration question that wasn’t addressed here, email hola@ coloradocommunitymedia.com, and we’ll work to get it answered.

Arturo Jimenez, an immigration lawyer of 25 years from Denver, speaks at a community informative session on Jan. 11, 2025 at the Johnson Recreation Center in Denver. JACKIE RAMIREZ

She’s since learned that the person who picked her up was not the authorized driver listed on the app, but was using that person’s account. e man who owned the Lyft account is also named in her lawsuit.

Willford’s attorney, former Democratic Senate President Morgan Carroll, said the company has failed to address a systemic problem of impostor and fake drivers’ accounts. She described a practice known as “account renting,” when one person goes through a background check to create a legitimate account that is then used by a di erent driver.

“It is usually exactly because a person cannot pass the background check that they’re using these impostor or rented accounts in order to pick people up for money,” said Carroll.

e suit also accuses Lyft of not doing enough to spot and disqualify drivers who create entirely fake accounts.

“ ese fraudsters used a variety of schemes around Social Security numbers, and Lyft failed to notice that some drivers were even signing up using stolen Social Security numbers of people less than 10 years old,” states the suit.

e suit alleges that Lyft has known of well over 6,000 incidents of sexual assault on their passengers and failed to take reasonable steps to improve safety.

In a statement to CPR News, a spokesperson from Lyft said, “Safety is fundamental.”

“ e behavior described in this incident has no place in our society. We take reports of sexual assault very seriously,

and when incidents such as these are reported to us, our trained team takes immediate action to investigate and works with local law enforcement so that appropriate actions can be taken,” the statement said. “In addition, our Terms of Service strictly prohibit the impersonation of another person or entity, and such behavior can and does lead to a permanent ban from the platform.”

Carroll points out that other companies use safety measures such as periodic background checks and video selfidenti cation, requiring drivers to stand in front of a camera and prove their identity while on duty.

During the legislative session, Willford also plans to run a bill aimed at improving safety for rideshare passengers.

e company has faced a slew of lawsuits in recent years alleging that it failed to adequately address passenger safety concerns, including sexual assaults.

In the nearly one year since her attack, Willford’s case has been in limbo, in part because the state has not yet processed the DNA evidence she submitted from her clothing. Public safety o cials recently revealed that the state has a year and a half backlog to process rape kits and other DNA, delaying the nalization of criminal investigations and potential criminal charges. Willford called the situation egregious and unacceptable. e driver in her case has not been arrested.

“A year of walking through a neverending nightmare, a year of waiting for answers, a year of wondering if the driver will ever be held accountable, or if I’ll run into him in the grocery store, a year of being haunted by his eyes in the rear view mirror and a year of not being able to move on with my life with no end in sight,” she said.

Lawmakers and the Department of Public Safety are trying to address the Colorado Bureau of Investigation backlog of rape kit tests. is story was produced by the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between

KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and e Colorado Sun, and shared with other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

State Rep. Jenny Willford hugs her attorney, Morgan Carroll, at a press conference discussing her assault by a Lyft driver and the suit she has ﬁled against the ride share company.

PHOTO BY LUCAS BRADY WOODS FOR KUNC

Winter chill without preparation can lead to serious damage

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With arctic cold moving into the Denver metro area, the bitter temperatures could cause more than just discomfort — they might wreak havoc on your home.

Frozen pipes and heating system failures are two of the most common winter issues, but with preparation, you can avoid costly repairs, stay warm and keep your heat running e ciently. A little preparation now could save you thousands of dollars in damage and the headache of emergency plumbing repairs.

Here’s how to protect your home and what to do if the worst happens.

Why frozen pipes are a big deal

A burst pipe can dump hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, damaging oors, furniture and even your home’s structure, according to Jaime Rodriguez, a master electrician with Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric.

“It’s like having your garden hose on full blast in your living room. at’s how much damage it can do in just an hour,” Rodriguez said.

Frozen pipes are more common than you might think, even in newer homes.

“People assume that if their house is new, they’re safe,’ Rodriguez said. “But sometimes, the insulation isn’t done right, or contractors leave areas unpro-

How to keep pipes from freezing

tected, allowing cold air to get in.”

Warning signs

Rodriguez advises homeowners to be on the lookout for:

• Frost or icy patches on exposed pipes.

• Weak or no water ow.

• Strange smells from drains or faucets.

• Unusual clanking noises from your pipes.

If a faucet isn’t running or you notice these signs, it’s likely frozen. He said it’s important to act quickly to keep it from

bursting by adding insulation or heat tape to warm the structure.

“Also, once the line has been compromised, your potential for future leaks is higher, so you’ll need to keep an eye on it,” Rodriguez said.

Tips to prevent frozen pipes Rodriguez shared these practical steps to keep your pipes safe during the cold snap:

1. Know where your main water shuto valve Is: If a pipe bursts, you’ll need

to shut o your water fast. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the valve is.

2. Let faucets drip: Keep a stream of water trickling out of vulnerable faucets like those that have been compromised in the past or that may be furthest from the water valve.

3. Open cabinet doors: Open cabinets under sinks to circulate warm air around the pipes.

Left, a burst pipe. Right, an open cabinet will increase heat around pipes along the outside walls.

Expert tips for Colorado winter driving

Preparation, driving techniques are key elements of staying safe

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With colder temperatures comes snow blanketing the streets, and roads can get slippery and dangerous for Colorado drivers — new and native to the state.

Experts say it’s important to be prepared for the di cult task of driving in the winter, and Colorado AAA o ers a few tips that can help keep drivers safe when traveling in the harsh winter climate.

“ e rst sustained major weather event is always a useful reminder to Coloradans — regardless of whether you grew up here or if you’re new to town — to brush up on winter driving fundamentals. Slow down, don’t tailgate and don’t slam on the gas or brakes,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public a airs.

Prepare the vehicle

Colorado AAA urges drivers to ensure their vehicles are ready for winter. is includes checking the battery and electrical systems, testing all uid levels — such as antifreeze, transmission uid, brake uid and engine oil — and making sure all lights are functioning properly.

Additionally, drivers should inspect their tires, brakes, windshields and windshield wipers and windshield wiper uid.

“Remember, too, that fourwheel drive does not mean fourwheel stop. We’ve had to winch out many top-of-the-line trucks and SUVs — many equipped with winter tires — simply because their drivers were going too fast for the conditions,” McKinley said. Mckinley continued to say most issues the Colorado AAA deals with are related to dead batteries, at tires and engine issues.

Keep an emergency kit

Ensuring the vehicle is prepared

4. Keep your home warm: Set your thermostat to at least 60 degrees, even if you’re leaving for the weekend. “It’s worth it to avoid a frozen pipe,” Rodriguez said. He also advises to keep your furnace or furnaces running and avoid allowing one area of the house to get cold.

5. Use heat or electrical tape: Consider heat tape, a pipe wrapping embedded with electrical coils, to provide an outside heat source to your exposed pipes. Be sure to use the kind with a built-in thermostat to keep them plugged in all winter. en, you won’t have to worry about power outages or forgetting to plug them in

is another way drivers who may end up stranded, whether by sliding o the road or getting stuck in tra c during a closure, can help themselves.

car with tire chains, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, a small shovel, ashlight with extra batteries, ice scraper, rags or paper towels, ares or other warning devices, booster cables and a rst aid kit,” Colorado AAA said on its website.

Additionally, drivers should bring items to help keep them warm, such as blankets, jackets, hats and gloves for themselves and passengers. People should also pack water and snacks, such as energy bars, and bring pet food if they’re traveling with their animals.

“Finally, remember that an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. Your battery likely tried to warn you it wasn’t up to the task of starting your engine in sub-zero temperatures, likely

during cold spells.

6. Detach outdoor hoses: Leaving hoses attached can cause outdoor faucets to freeze and crack.

Keep your heating system running smoothly

Heating failures during cold snaps can leave your home dangerously cold. Jesse White, service manager at Elkhorn Heating, emphasized the importance of maintaining your HVAC system: “A clean lter is crucial—check or replace yours before the cold hits.”

Other tips to keep your heating system running e ciently:

• Clear snow around vents: “Snow buildup on high-e ciency furnace exhaust pipes can block air ow and shut down your system. It can also create a dangerous system where carbon mon-

conditions and leave yourself ample room to stop. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you,” the company advises on its website.

Tailgating should be avoided, and drivers should remain alert to the tra c ahead of them. It’s also important to avoid unnecessary lane changes and be particularly cautious on bridges and overpasses.

“Black ice typically forms rst in shaded areas of the roadway and on bridges and overpasses that freeze rst and melt last,” McKinley

oxide is returning into the home,” White said.

• Avoid cranking down the heat: “If you set your programmable thermostat too low, it can overwork your furnace when bringing the temperature back up,” he explained.

• Watch for warning signs: If your furnace is short-cycling (turning on and o quickly) or struggling to maintain temperature, it’s time to call a professional.

What to do if the heat fails

If your heating system stops working, White advises:

• Don’t use a gas oven to heat your home: is can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

• Use space heaters safely: Keep them on at, level surfaces, clear of clutter and ensure your

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“Remember that an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure.”

Skyler McKinley, regional director of public a airs for Colorado AAA.

said. “Although the road leading up to a bridge may be ne, the bridge itself could be a sheet of ice.”

For more information and tips, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips.

electrical system can handle the load.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors: Place them near bedrooms and on each oor of your home.

What to do if a pipe freezes or bursts

Turn o your main water valve immediately if you suspect a frozen pipe. Open faucets to relieve pressure and call a plumber to assess and repair any damage.

“Once a pipe bursts, the damage can escalate quickly,” Rodriguez warned. “Don’t wait to get help.”

For those leaving town, Rodriguez advises turning o the main water valve and draining the lines by opening all the faucets. “ at way, your pipes won’t be pressurized while you’re away,” he said.

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Driving in the snow can be scary if drivers don’t take precautions.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

From an open records request with the city, Colorado Community Media obtained the application and complementary information about the Broadway BID.

“It is common for any entity submitting a BID application to further revise their submitted documents before they are presented to city council for its consideration as a part of the creation ordinance process,” stated Josh Rosenblum, the communications specialist for the Denver Department of Finance. “ at is likely to be the case in this instance as well.” Rosenblum said the petition, if all goes according to plan, is likely to be submitted in the spring. A city council committee meeting could then take place April 30 with a following public hearing on May 19. ese dates are very likely subject to change, depending on when the petition is submitted.

Why a BID?

e BMA is a Registered Neighborhood Organization that oversees the operations of the current district. But the leadership of the organization said they wanted something more robust.

“ is is something that’s been discussed and worked on over the years and it grew out of the BMA and it’s volunteer and has very limited capacity in terms of what it can really do, and a lot of the merchants who are members felt if we had something that was more structured and organized, and had more money, we could do more to promote the bars and di erent businesses and that was the motivation,” said William Feinberg, vice president of the BMA.

Public safety is one of the highest priorities for the Broadway Business Improvement Distict proposal, as it is slated to have the largest portion of the preliminary budget submitted by the BMA. Feinberg said there is a dearth of security in the corridor, except for businesses that pay for it on their own dime.

“Some property owners on individual properties have taken that step, but it’s not very e cient,” Feinberg said, adding that crime will just over ow to the next location if they don’t have congruent security.

“ e big thing really is that we want to create an environment,” Feinberg continued. “ We want an environment that is family-friendly and a place where they’ll come to participate in the unique and one-of-a-kind retail and food and entertainment establishments.”

Johnson echoed Feinberg’s sentiments by pointing to the expectations he has heard from his constituents.

“ e community is asking for aroundthe-clock security,” Johnson said. “ e community is asking for maintenance from 6th (Avenue) to I-25. e last thing we want is for this to be a burden on people, right? e whole goal is to make the street better and to make it more viable for, obviously, businesses but also the residents and the community.”

e nal cost to each of the businesses will be determined through the city council process.

“ e (Broadway Business Improvement District) represents a bold step toward revitalizing Broadway, creating a vibrant, safe, and prosperous district that serves both businesses and the surrounding community,” the BMA stated in its presentation materials. “ rough targeted initiatives in public safety, marketing, maintenance, and branding, the BBID is designed to foster economic sta-

bility, enhance the area’s visual appeal, and solidify Broadway’s identity as a destination for locals and visitors alike. Supported by a well-planned budget and the active engagement of local stakeholders, the BBID aims to meet current challenges head-on, while laying the groundwork for sustained growth.”

cluded in the BID can ask the city to exclude them. Johnson said he’s hopeful that doesn’t happen, as it could create spots in e BID would have its own board of directors, which is also to be determined at a later date.

Kirsten Coplans, owner of Sewn on Broadway, poses for a photo in her South Broadway shop on Dec. 30. PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

Thu 1/30

Antonia Bennett @ 6:30pm

Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver

Fri 1/31

Live @ The Rose - Forever Danger‐

ous: Tribute to Michael Jackson @ 7pm / $25

TWINSICK @ 10pm Temple Denver, 1136 Broadway, Denver

Sat 2/01

Duncan Coker: Moe's Original BBQSongwriter Showcase @ 1pm Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Giant Zero @ 5pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

Barbara @ 7pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver

Joe Teichman @ 7pm

Tiny Tomboy @ 7pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Av‐enue, Golden. information@buf falorose.net

Splintered Autumn + Twazz + cLub + This House Has Lions @ 7pm

Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Teacup Gorilla: Jane/Eyre: A queer rock gothic romance @ 7:30pm

Buntport Theater Company, 717 Lipan St, Den‐ver

Ninety Percent 90s @ 9pm

Charles D (US): The Dahlia w/ Charles D @ 10pm The Dahlia, 119 S Broadway, Denver

Sun 2/02

Casanova @ 2pm

Ellie Caulkins Opera House at Denver

Annika Wells @ 8pm

Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver Wunderhorse @ 8pm Bluebird Theatre, Denver

Wed 2/05

Friends of Chamber Music Denver: Dinner with the Danish String Quartetearly performance @ 6pm Nocturne, 1330 27th St, Denver

Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Den‐ver

Mon 2/03

Scruffy Murphy's, 2030 Larimer St, Denver

Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St, Denver

Replica City @ 5pm

Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

lou deezi @ 7pm The Roxy Theater, 2549 Walton St, Denver

Akira Galaxy @ 7pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Travis @ 7pm

Summit Denver, 1902 Blake Street, Denver

Steve Wozniak @ 7:30pm Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St, Denver

Small Houses @ 7pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Tue 2/04

Dave Hill @ 7pm

Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St, Den‐ver

Alt Bloom @ 8pm

Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Den‐ver

Friends of Chamber Music Denver: Dinner with the Danish String Quartet - late performance @ 8:15pm Nocturne, 1330 27th St, Denver

Casual Commander @ 9pm

Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St, Den‐ver

“Which Way”

Choose an S to start and navigate to the E and then the W to win without hitting a deadend.

Greater conﬁdence for the new year

As the calendar turns to a new year, many re ect on our personal and professional growth. What goals will we set? What dreams will we chase? And, more importantly, how will we muster the con dence to pursue them? After more than 25 years in personal and professional development, particularly in sales and sales management, I believe con dence is the cornerstone of success in nearly every endeavor.

I’m often asked, “What is the number one trait of a successful salesperson?” People expect me to say something like I have a knack for prospecting, asking insightful questions, or have a talent for closing deals with a killer instinct. While those skills are valuable, the real secret lies in communicating e ectively and having authentic, adult-to-adult, truth-based conversations. At the heart of that ability are the three C’s of con dence:

WINNING

pect them to believe it?

Con dence in Your Company. Knowing that your organization stands behind you and will deliver on promises with whiteglove service allows you to speak with assurance and credibil-

When you align these three types of con dence, your communication ability soars. You’re no longer just selling; you’re having meaningful, impactful conversations that build trust and inspire action. But let’s step away from sales for a moment. Con dence is critical in every aspect of our lives. ink about it: What are you most con dent in?

America needs a youth sports revival

AGUEST COLUMN

Con dence in Yourself. Believing in your abilities, knowledge, and potential is the foundation of con dence. A salesperson who trusts their judgment and skills can navigate challenging conversations and objections with poise.

Con dence in Your Products and Services. You must genuinely believe in the value of what you’re offering. If you don’t trust that your products or services can solve your client’s problems, how can you ex-

Maybe you’re a great parent, an exceptional spouse, a gifted teacher, or a leader with unwavering integrity. ose areas of con dence give you strength, purpose, and ful llment. ey remind you of your unique talents and values.

Now, consider the ip side: Where do you lack con dence? Perhaps it’s your fear of speaking in public, leading a newly promoted team, or learning a new skill. A lack of condence can feel like a wall between you and your goals, casting doubt on your ability to succeed. But here’s the thing: Con dence isn’t a xed trait;

it’s a muscle you can build.

So, how do we strengthen our condence in areas where we feel weak? Here are a few strategies to consider: Start small and build momentum. First, tackle smaller, manageable challenges. Each success, no matter how minor, adds to your reservoir of con dence and prepares you for bigger hurdles.

Surround yourself with the right people. Con dence doesn’t exist in a vacuum; who you choose to surround yourself with matters. Are you spending time with people who uplift and encourage you, or with those who chip away at your self-belief?

Build a circle of trusted coaches, mentors, and supporters. ese people will cheer you on when you’re hesitant and push you forward when self-doubt creeps in.

Embrace lifelong learning. Condence grows when you take the time to improve your skills and expand your knowledge. Learning bridges the gap between uncertainty and mastery, whether through formal education, reading, or hands-on experience. Practice self-compassion. We’re often our own harshest critics. When you stumble, remind yourself that failure is part of the process. Treat yourself with the same kindness and encouragement you’d o er a friend.

cross the country, young people are dropping out of organized sports. e share of kids ages 6 to 17 who participated in a team sport dropped by nearly 5 percentage points between 2017 and 2022. e decline isn’t primarily because kids are losing interest. Rather, what they’re losing is access — especially as the cost of participation continues to rise.

Reversing this trend is critically important for kids’ mental and physical health. So it’s worth looking at some of the barriers sports have faced, and how tennis is forward-thinking in this matter.

It’s no secret that learning and playing a sport at an early age can prove enormously valuable. Sports participation is associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in young people — as well as better selfesteem, improved cognition, and heightened physical literacy. Physical activity releases endorphins, feel-good hormones that put you in a better frame of mind and enhances brain connections. It helps kids maintain a healthy weight and sets young people on a path to a lifetime of healthy habits.

Barriers to sport involvement, especially nancial ones, have been growing ever more formidable. e average cost of playing youth basketball was over $1,000 a year in 2022. Soccer was almost 20% more expensive, at $1,188 a year on average. No wonder nearly two-thirds of families say the cost of youth sports is a nancial strain.

Tennis is one of the few sports to counter the trend of inaccessibility. Since 2019, the number of Americans ages 6 and older playing tennis has increased by 34 percent — and currently stands at 23.8 million.

Part of this success is tennis’s relatively low barriers to entry, especially compared to more equipment-heavy games like hockey, football, or skiing. All you need to get started is a racquet and a few balls — maybe $30 worth of equipment in total — and access to one of the nation’s roughly 270,000 tennis courts, which are typically free to use.

Modest equipment costs are only part of tennis’ growth. e game has found ways to adjust to people of all ages and abilities, including individuals who are too often told they cannot participate in sports because of physical, mental, or age-related challenges.

Tennis recognizes that not everyone needs to play on the same size court and by the same rules. All the way down to beginner youth (and all the way up to the elderly), adaptations are available, ranging from the speed and size of the ball, the size and weight of the racket, the size of the court, rules of service, scoring, and the length of a match. Importantly, wheelchair tennis has made a major breakthrough and is an exciting variant of the game that’s widely available.

Tennis is also a game young people can play into adulthood. ere are leagues and competitions across the country for players 18 and over, 40 and over, and even 95 and over.

Sports remain one of our best tools for combatting the crisis in youth health. All sports need to look for opportunities to expand their reach through custom tailoring to meet players where they are.

is guest column was written by Brian Hainline, MD, who is board chair and president of the United States Tennis Association and recently transitioned from the NCAA as their chief medical o cer. He cochaired the International Olympic Committee consensus meetings on both pain management in elite athletes and mental health in elite athletes. Hainline is clinical professor of neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. is piece rst appeared in the Boston Herald.

Brian Hainline

T‘The Last Gifts of the Universe’ by Riley August

hey say not to judge a book by its cover, but when I saw “ e Last Gifts of the Universe” by Riley August, I absolutely judged. When I see a book that has a cat in an astronaut suit on the cover, I’m going to pick it up. Luckily for me, this cozy science- ction novel was perfect reading for such a busy time of year. “ e Last Gifts of the Universe” follows the story of a pair of siblings, Scout and Kieran, and their adorable adventuring companion, Pumpkin the cat. Scout is a space archivist (my dream job if I lived 700 years in the future) traveling to di erent worlds searching for information about other alien races that have seemingly been destroyed by some mysterious creature. All life on these planets is gone—people, ora, fauna, even bacteria. Scout and Kieran (with Pumpkin always in tow!) are searching for data caches to gather information about what happened to send back to their home world.

ey aren’t the only ones looking for answers though, and soon readers are taken on a fast-paced, emotional jour-

NORTON

Whether you’re a salesperson striving for more meaningful conversations, a new leader nding your footing, or someone looking to grow personally, the path to greater con dence is within your reach. With the right mindset, people around you, and a commitment to growth, this

ney through space as Scout and Kieran race to nd the caches rst. ough this novel is short, it packs a punch.

e writing is sharp with great world-building. e characters are well-developed, full of life and emotion, and the story is fun!

It’s not all light-hearted though. e siblings are processing their own grief from the loss of their mother. e data caches they collect prove to be full of heartbreak as alien races confront the existential weight of their inevitable mortality. At one point I found myself overcome by the pangs of grief and the beauty of life and as Kieran and Scout uncovered another account of a lost alien species, blubbering for my partner to go get the tissues.

“ e Last Gifts of the Universe” felt like a warm hug, and it is a great option both for readers who already love science ction and for those who are interested

year can be your most con dent yet.

So, as you set your resolutions and envision the year ahead, ask yourself: What will I do today to strengthen my condence for tomorrow? e answer might transform your life. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we gain greater con dence each day, it will be a better-than-good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant,

but a little intimidated by the genre. e dynamics between characters and the mystery of what happened to the universe will grab readers’ attention from the start. If you’re looking for a cozy read this January, you might give this one a try!

“ e Last Gifts of the Universe” can be found at your closest Denver Public Library location or as an eBook at denverlibrary.org. Already read it? Check out these read-alikes: “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers, “A Half-built Garden” by Ruthanna Emrys or “Chilling E ect” by Valerie Valdes.

e 10th annual Winter of Reading has arrived at the Denver Public Library! Grab a game board at any of our locations and play along to win a prize, a mug or a tote, while supplies last. Find more information at denverlibrary.org/ winterofreading.

Ashley Love is a librarian at Denver Public Library’s Central branch. She spends her free time gardening, hiking, and reading long fantasy books.

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trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

PL8 POPULARITY

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If you feel like you’ve noticed more license plates with custom messages while driving on Colorado’s roads, you’re probably not alone. Numbers from state o cials reveal that those personalized plates are indeed becoming more popular.

Requests for custom plates in 2024 nearly tripled the number of requests from just six years earlier, with particu-

larly big gains in the past two years.

When asked whether the state Division of Motor Vehicles has any theories as to why personalized plates have become more common, spokesperson Jennifer Giambi said: “ e DMV cannot speculate why these have become more popular over the years.”

But while the reasons may not be clear, the trend appears strong. And the large jump in requests for custom plates since 2023 coincided with the introduction of Colorado’s retro black, blue and red

plates, three designs you’ve also probably seen out and about.

If you’re looking to customize your own plates with a word or message, it’s not necessarily as simple as walking into a county o ce and requesting the funny reference you joked about with your friends.

For one thing, the application is seven pages long. What’s more, messages that are deemed “o ensive to the general public” can be denied, according to Colorado’s application document.

You also must explain the meaning of the custom message you request — and if your explanation is too vague, the request will be rejected, the document says.

Here’s a look at the rise in popularity of custom plates, some messages that the state has rejected and how to apply if you’re thinking of personalizing your ride.

Personalized plate numbers up

Here’s the yearly number of personalized license plate requests — and how many o cials approved or rejected — in Colorado for each year going back to 2018, according to the state DMV.

( e state DMV was only able to provide information from 2018 onward because of a systems upgrade implemented that year, Giambi said.)

• 2018 — Approved requests: 25,818; rejected requests: 2,548; total: 28,366

• 2019 — Approved: 22,535; rejected: 437; total: 22,972

• 2020 — Approved: 19,291; rejected: 328; total: 19,619

• 2021 — Approved: 23,821; rejected: 419; total: 24,240

• 2022 — Approved: 38,054; rejected: 201; total: 38,255

• *2023 — Approved: 62,356; rejected 175; total: 62,531

• 2024 — Approved: 80,044; rejected 270; total: 80,314

What about that asterisk in 2023? It’s to point out that it was the rst year of Colorado o ering its retro black, blue and red plates, according to the state DMV. ose plates have roots in the past,

and the once-discontinued designs raise money for people with disabilities.

“ e rst blue-and-white plate was issued in 1914,” the state DMV said in a statement, adding: “ e rst year the allred background with white letters was issued was 1925.”

Colorado’s popular new black plate is modeled after a 1945 design, predating the state’s rst plate design with mountains by about 15 years, according to the state DMV.

For more information on the red, blue and black plates and the disability support funding, see Colorado Community Media’s previous story at tinyurl.com/ ColoradoPlates.

Rejected proposals

While many requests gain approval each year, plenty get rejected for being “foul, lewd or rude,” the state DMV said in a news release.

O cials may refuse to issue any combination of letters or numbers that “carry connotations o ensive to good taste and decency” or duplicate any other license plate, the application document says, citing state law.

“ e DMV also follows the guidance laid out by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which states that unacceptable license plates include: profanity, derogatory reference

to a group based on age, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or religion; reference to illegal substances or criminal acts; sexual terms, intimate body parts, and bodily functions or uids; and references to acts of violence,” Giambi said.

Some rejected requests for license plate con gurations include “GYATTT,” “GTJIGGY” and “OMGWTF,” which appear on the o ensive-omit list, which the DMV uses to automatically reject most “foul, lewd or rude” requests, the division said in the 2024 news release.

See that list at tinyurl.com/LicensePlateReject.

How to get personalized license plates

If you’re looking to get a personalized plate of your own, get ready to explain your choice.

“Every entry requires an explanation,” Giambi said. “An entry can be rejected if no meaning is supplied.”

Here’s a look at some other criteria for custom plates:

• Only seven characters are allowed — six for motorcycles — including blank spaces, dashes and periods.

• e minimum amounts of characters allowed are ve for plates with numbers only and two for any other plate (all letters or combinations of letters and numbers).

• Spaces, dashes and periods count as a character. However, they do not change the con guration. For example, if “ABC” is taken, then “A B C,” “A-B-C,” and “A.B.C.” are also taken.

• Special symbols like !, #, $, %, * and so on are not allowed.

To be approved, requested customizations in Colorado don’t necessarily have to be original, according to the state DMV.

“A con guration can generally be reissued to either the same or a di erent individual as long as it has expired for more than 13 months,” Giambi said. It usually takes three days or less for a request for custom license plates to be rejected or approved in Colorado, but on occasion, it can take up to a week, Giambi said. e state makes the calls on which requests get approved.

“Personalized plates are a state-run program, and other than processing the transaction itself, the counties are not involved in the decision-making process,” Giambi said.

Custom plates carry a one-time personalization fee of $60 upon their initial registration and are an additional $25 upon renewal each year after, and other taxes and fees may apply, Giambi said.

For more information on custom license plates, see dmv.colorado.gov/ license-plates or call 303-205-5600.

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Legal Notice No. DHD 3426

First Publication: January 23, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Joseph F. Natale, aka Joseph Frank Natale, aka Joseph Natale, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031401

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 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Todd A. Falbo, Personal Representative

c/o Pearman Law Firm

4195 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Legal Notice No. DHD 3417

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of GAIL ANN EMERSON, also known as GAIL A. EMERSON, and GAIL EMERSON, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 31498

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the PROBATE COURT OF CITY AND

COUNTY OF DENVER, COLORADO, on or before May 23, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

William Andrew Kenney Emerson, Jr.

Personal Representative 17 Whitney Road Stow, MA 01775

Legal Notice No. DHD 3425

First Publication: January 23, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Danelle Kuhn, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31351

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 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Auralea Carroll

Personal Representative for the Deceased 112 Park Place Salida, CO 81201

Legal Notice No. DHD 3418

First Publication: January 16, 2025 Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of NORMA J COFFELT, a/k/a NORMA JEAN COFFELT, a/k/a NORMA COFFELT, a/k/a NORMA J HOLMSTROM, a/k/a NORMA JEAN HOLMSTROM, a/k/a NORMA HOLMSTROM , Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31365

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before May 9, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Dalila Ponce Orozco

Personal Representative 101 E. 88th Ave. Apt. B111 Thornton, CO 80229

Legal Notice No. DHD 3411

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

DENVER PROBATE COURT, DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO 1437 Bannock Street, Room 230 Denver, CO 80202

In the Matter of the Estate of: WILLIAM PEAY, Deceased.

Attorneys for Carla Peay, Petitioner

Joseph M. Elio, #14066

Joel A. Miley, #59242

John W. Vissing, #60202

Law One: 1434 Blake Street, Ste. 200, Denver, CO 80202

p: (303) 831-8313 || f: (720) 500-0241 jelio@elawone.net || jmiley@elawone. net jvissing@elawone.net

Case Number: 2024PR31468

AFFIDAVIT REGARDING DUE DILIGENCE AND PROOF OF PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §§ 15-10-401(1)(c) AND 15-10-401(3), C.R.S.

Full Name: W. Perrin Peay

Last Known Address: 4394 South Genoa Ct, Centennial, CO 80015

Describe Effort to Identify and Locate: Family members and internet search

Publication of the Notice of Hearing by Publication was made on January 16, 23, 30, 2025 once a week for 3 consecutive weeks with the last date of the publication being at least 14 days before the date of the hearing.

[x] By checking this box, I am acknowledging I am filling in the blanks and not changing anything else on the form.

Legal Notice No. DHD 3421

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Beatrice A. Georgopulos, aka Beatrice Ann Georgopulos, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31374

All representative persons or having to 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 9,

2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kristi Radosevich, Attorney to the Personal Representative PO Box 2708 Elizabeth, CO 80107

Legal Notice No. DHD 3417

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Thomas Perry Jones, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 031441

Anna L. Burr, Esq. Attorney ot the Personal Representative 2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014

Legal Notice No. DHD 3419

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Edward J. Palent, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31370

Shelli Bischoff, Personal Representative

7752 E. 4th Ave Unit 3B Denver, CO 80230

Legal Notice No. DHD 3412

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of

Elbert County breeder trains service dogs

Kamo’s Working K-9 owner takes personalized approach

BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Kammie Weatherby, owner of Kamo’s Working K-9 in Elbert County, loves dogs and works tirelessly to turn even private pets into valuable, happy service dogs. She breeds dogs and o ers a ordable private training for dogs and their owners, depending on the dog’s natural instincts and the owner’s needs.

Weatherby is passionate about what she does and clearly enjoys helping those around her. “I want to help people that feel like they have no help, that feel like they’re not heard,” she said.

Weatherby didn’t set out to start a service dog business. rough her previous work as a dog groomer and at a veterinary clinic, people observed the skill of Weatherby’s own dogs and would ask her for help. One woman, Donna, had multiple sclerosis and struggled with mobility and maneuvering around her home.

She was unable to pick things up and couldn’t even put her socks on.

Service dogs from other providers typically cost around $40,000, Weatherby said, an amount that’s out of reach for many. Not only that, but as Weatherby described, the dog is not chosen with a speci c owner in mind, customers receive only one week with the dog in a training facility and, after the dog is placed, there’s not much support.

For those reasons and more, Weatherby suggested that she help train a dog for Donna. Weatherby prefers to use dogs that are already familiar with their owner or one of her own dogs, so she visited Donna’s home to see her environment and observe her dog.

By training Donna’s dog, Weatherby was able to help Donna better navigate and overcome the limitations of her MS. Weatherby even taught Donna’s granddaughter some obedience training too. “Kids do great with dogs connecting with animals. Little kids can train a dog better and faster than any owner,” Weatherby said.

Public Notices

MARGARET LUTZ STAVROS, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31469

Charles D. Lutz Ill

Personal Representative

200 Patterson Avenue, #202 San Antonio, TX 78209

Legal Notice No. DHD 3422

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Margaret Lucille St. Peter, a/k/a Margaret L. St. Peter, a/k/a Margaret St. Peter, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031474

Martin St. Peter

Personal Representative

3179 N. 150th Drive

Goodyear, AZ 85395

Legal Notice No. DHD 3416

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of LORETTA LAVERN KING, aka LORETTA L. KING, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30001

Tamra A. Palmer

Attorney to the Personal Representative c/o 6060 Greenwood Plaza Blvd #200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. DHD 3427

First Publication: January 23, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of YOULON DAVINCI SAVAGE, aka YOULON D. SAVAGE, aka YOULON SAVAGE, aka YOULON MORRIS SAVAGE, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31467

Daryl Savage, Personal Representative c/o Solem Woodward & McKinley P.C.

750 W. Hampden Ave, Suite 505

Englewood, Colorado 80110

Legal Notice No. DHD 3423

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Roberto Yslas, a/k/a Rob Ysla, Deceased Case Number: 24PR031385

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court, Denver County, Colorado on or before May 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Roberto Yslas, Jr.

Personal Representative c/o Douglas A. Turner, P.C. 602 Park Point Drive, Suite 240 Golden, CO 80401

Legal Notice No. DHD 3416

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of: Shizuko Susie Ohara, also known as Shizuko S. Ohara, also known as Shizuko Ohara, also known as Susie Ohara, also known as Shizoku Susie Ohara, Deceased Case Number 2024PR31499

Kathy Sue Ohara

Personal Representative 120 S Marion Parkway Denver, CO 80209

Legal Notice No. DHD 3415

First Publication: January 16, 2025 Last Publication: January 30, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Celestine Marie Blair, a/k/a Celestine M. Blair, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31133

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before March 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Carla M. Allen, Personal Representative 19921 E. Harvard Ave. Aurora, Colorado 80013

Legal Notice No. DHD 3420

First Publication: January 16, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch ###

From left: Kammie Weatherby, owner of Kamo’s Working K9, her dog Bane, Lisa Analetto and Ziggy. The group visited the ECCO Thrift Store in Kiowa to help socialize and train the dogs.

PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY

SERVICE DOGS

How it began

Weatherby didn’t start out with any formal training but has handled, trained and showed dogs since she was 8. Because her father was a hunter and the family owned Irish setters, it was necessary for Weatherby to learn how to train the dogs.

Weatherby is also a professional groomer. Her mom loved toy poodles, one of which was so nasty the groomer refused to deal with her. at’s how Weatherby became an apprentice groomer at age 8, scissors in hand, and a professional groomer by age 16.

For decades, Weatherby helped run a veterinary clinic and groomed dogs there. She’d bathe dogs, help with surgeries and groom at the same time. In 2012, Weatherby was in a severe car accident and broke her back and neck. As a result of this trauma, Weatherby developed an autoimmune disorder and ended up needing a service and mobility dog. She trained her own Doberman to assist her and, happily, Weatherby’s other dogs learned by that example.

After that, her business grew organically, one person at a time. She started helping anybody who had disabilities. By 2015, training service dogs became her focus. Most dogs Weatherby has trained belong to people she’s met locally or through local connections. She also travels nationally for dog shows and meets clients that way too.

Weatherby charges a at rate of $5,000 for a year of support and training. Clients come visit Weatherby’s home rst and then Weatherby spends a week at their home. She wants to evaluate their situation, hang out with family and go on outings to see how their dogs react to them. “It’s all about getting the owner to connect with the dog the right way and all I do is draw that out,” Weatherby explained. “Most people put their own emotions

onto their dog, people put the emotion onto their animals which can create negative behavior in their dogs.” Part of her fee includes ongoing feedback and support as clients work with their dogs.

Human-animal

bond

Weatherby relies on a dog’s own inclinations and learning styles. She also teaches owners how to work and communicate with their own dogs. “We draw those little signals out, that tell the owner to pay attention,” she said. “If you’re not paying attention to the dog, you don’t know how it learns.”

In contrast to typical service dog providers, Weatherby values letting a dog choose their person, so the right dog is matched to the right person. Part of the reason she invites people to come to her home is so she can get a feel for the person and the dog. Weatherby says she’s never had a dog she didn’t match correctly.

“It’s always surprising — whatever dog we think is gonna work, it always ends up being another dog,” Weatherby laughed.

“It’s fun to nd out which soul is gonna choose which person — it’s an amazing thing to do.”

Case in point, Weatherby’s own dog, Bane, was returned three times from other owners before nally ending up as Weatherby’s service dog. Bane, a Belgian Malinois, came from a breeder in Kansas and just couldn’t nd the right person until he met Weatherby. at breeder, Kenzie Croft, actually boarded one of Weatherby’s dogs to help acclimate him to children. Styles, a Skye terrier, was not supposed to stay permanently in Croft’s home but ended up sensing that something was wrong with Croft’s 3-year-old and wouldn’t leave her side.

classrooms where they can help as many students as possible. Skye terriers, which Kennels on Facebook at tinyurl.com/ bdeywtzp

In the end, it turned out that the little girl, Kashley, would be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and Styles became a permanent xture in the Croft home.

Weatherby breeds dogs to sell as service dogs, including Skye terriers, dachshunds, and Vizslas. Kamo’s Working K9 holds back two puppies from every litter