Elbert County News 120612 by Colorado Community Media

Elbert County

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December 6, 2012

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Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 45

Oil-gas drilling gets go-ahead County OKs first permit in more than decade By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Elbert County commissioners approved a special use well permit for Houston-based Southwestern Energy to begin exploratory oil and gas drilling, the county’s first permit issued in more than 12 years. The unanimous decision was handed down before more than 150 residents at the Nov. 28 BOCC meeting at the county fairgrounds in Kiowa. Named after surface landowner William Sylvester, chief judge for the 18th Judicial District, the proposed Sylvester Well is located on approximately 2,000 acres near Agate, about two miles east of Interstate 70 and 15 miles north of Limon.

The actual drilling area is restricted to five acres. Because of its remote location, the county and the applicant anticipate minimal impact to local residents. “Access to the proposed site is from County Road 162,” said Elbert County planner Carolyn Parkinson. “There are no residences on the parcel, and only one within a mile of the well head.” Although approved for drilling, Southwestern Energy must still meet at least 16 conditions set forth by the commissioners and Planning Committee before construction begins, including stipulations on inspections, road operations and maintenance, as well as housekeeping and chemical storage. John Campbell, director of new venture operations for Southwestern Energy, confirmed the use of hydraulic fracturing, sometimes called fracking, a process that creates fractures in rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks, forcing them open to allow more oil and gas to flow out of the Drilling continues on Page 9

Norm Happel of Elizabeth supports the county’s decision to approve a single exploratory drilling permit for Southwestern Energy. Happel suggested the move is beneficial and provides an excellent opportunity to learn before more oil and gas exploration arrives. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

Brauchler taps veteran DA as assistant Hurlbert spent decade leading Fifth District By Rhonda Moore

rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com

Elbert County author and historian Sandy Whelchel autographs a copy of her latest book at the Elizabeth Branch Library. The library hosted a meet and greet for local authors on Dec. 1. Close to a dozen writers and novelists showed up to share their publications and meet new readers.

Authors show off the write stuff

Library showcases local wordsmiths, tellers of tall tales

By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

The Elbert County Library District hosted a Meet the Authors event at the Elizabeth Branch Library, where close to a dozen local authors and other tellers of tall tales gathered to discuss and sign copies of their

books. History, tarot card art, a faith-based philosophy of food and tales from a fictitious Elbert County town were among the selections available at the Dec. 1 event, all written and published by local authors. “Local authors bring diversity to the community,” said William Thomas, co-author of “Catching My Breath,” a collection of three stories of three strong women who overcome challenges of domestic violence. “They bring to life different points of view that may differ from those of the community; their stories provide an opportunity to grow — for both the author and the reader.”

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Fran Cibro, author of “Working the Land: Building a Life,” a book that details the journey of European farmers to Colorado, suggests local writers also serve as guardians of hometown and family history. “I originally wrote this book as a project for my kids,” said Cibro, who admits she never intended to become an author. “I just wanted to document the memories I had as a child for my kids and grandkids, but some any people encouraged me to make this into a book.” But in an Internet age, do authors struggle? “No,” said Karen Kendig. “As a matter of fact, it’s helped.” Kendig points out that prior to the move to digital self-publishing, many authors found significant barriers to market entry. “Costs have come down and now virtually anyone can get a book out and published with very little out-of-pocket expense,” she said. “Also, things like social media have also helped writers, who are not always good marketers, get the word out about their books.”

The district attorney-elect for the 18th Judicial District compares his choice for assistant district attorney to something like drafting a Super Bowl-quality player. George Brauchler, who in January will take the helm of the state’s largest judicial district, named Mark Hurlbert, the sitting district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District, as second in command in the 18th. Hurlbert’s name was at the top of the list for Brauchler, who made his decision final after the November election. “It’s almost like going after Peyton Manning,” Brauchler said. “He has veteran experience and he’s also a change agent.” Hurlbert has served as DA since 2002 in the Fifth District, which encompasses Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit counties. Among the high-profile cases that have crossed Hurlbert’s desk were the Kobe Bryant rape accusation. Hurlbert is a native of Dillon who graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Colorado law school in Boulder. He will finish his final term in the Fifth District on Jan. 7 and begin his service in the 18th the following day. Among the strengths Hurlbert brings to the office is his experience in a multi-county district, he said. From managing people to balancing a budget to working with elected officials from multiple jurisdictions, Hurlbert’s years in the Fifth District will prove invaluable to Brauchler, he said. “They call me the steel in the velvet,” Hurlbert said. “Sometimes you have to be hard, sometimes you have to be easy.” For Hurlbert and his family, the biggest change will be moving from a home that sits five minutes from the base of the Breckenridge ski area to a district that serves nearly 900,000 people, he said. For residents of the 18th District, which covers Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties, the changes could be greater. Brauchler, who ran on a platform of change in the judicial district, said Hurlbert symbolizes the start of those changes. Brauchler has called for a “cultural change” in the office.

2 Elbert County News

December 6, 2012

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Elbert County News 3

December 6, 2012

Clean-tech energy firm turning heads Parker company pioneers cost-efficient, low-emission process for extraction By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Whether for economic or environmental reasons, efforts to extract the nation’s abundant mineral resources have been met by roadblocks. A little-known energy technology company in Parker is breaking down those barriers and stands at the forefront of a new era in domestic energy production. Independent Energy Partners Inc. is in the early stages of rolling out an innovative industry game-changer, a device that holds tremendous promise in helping the United States harvest energy in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way. The seven-employee firm with offices on Pine Drive is about to turn the oil shale industry upside down with its in-situ Geothermic Fuel Cell, a solid oxide fuel cell unit that heats subterranean rock formations to remove three “unconventional hydrocarbons” that are vital to energy production, said Al Forbes, chief executive officer of IEP. The first, accounting for roughly twothirds of the minerals drawn to the surface, is a high quality oil known as kerogen shale. The second is natural gas. The third is “baseload green electricity,” a by-product of the “waste heat” that’s generated during the fuel oxidization process, Forbes said. Captured via an “electrochemical process,” the electricity is captured and sold to utility companies, offsetting some of the costs associated with the process and the manufacturing of the high-tech Geothermic Fuel Cells. Perhaps the most exciting aspect is that the unit is designed to operate on a portion of the gases produced during the process, resulting in a low carbon footprint, especially when compared to antiquated methods that are still being used. The GFC becomes a self-sustaining device that requires only a small amount of natural gas

Alan Forbes is CEO of Parker-based Independent Energy Partners Inc. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen to initially heat to the correct temperature. Independent Energy Partners has spent the last nine years quietly forging partnerships with major players, including Delphi Corp., which already manufactures solid oxide fuel cells for the commercial market. “We’ve kept a fairly low profile until recently for a variety of reasons,” Forbes said. After getting patents, IEP worked closely with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Labs on design and engineering to confirm the “technical feasibility” of the Geothermic Fuel Cell. IEP has also entered into agreements with Total Petroleum and the Colorado School of Mines, which has conducted research-and-development field testing with great success. The partners have a lease or option on oil shale resources in the United States that contain an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil; IEP owns mineral rights in the Piceance Creek Basin on the Western Slope that contain roughly 2 billion barrels of oil. The low-emission process was developed by Marshall Savage, who approached Forbes with his idea in 2003. The founder

Fix the Debt turns up heat on Washington Citizens want overhaul while keeping safety net By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Business guru John Brackney says when it comes to long-term federal debt and the impending fiscal cliff, the key to change starts right here in Colorado. Along with a distinguished list of nonpartisan business leaders, community leaders, elected officials and individual citizens who have banded together as the Colorado Fix the Debt Campaign, Brackney plans to call on lawmakers to address the ballooning Brackney national debt. “We, as citizens, should have an appropriate disdain for Congress based on their marginal performance,” said Brackney, Colorado Fix the Debt steering committee member and CEO of the South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “And the only way things are going to change is if people like you and me make ourselves heard.” Brackney, a former Arapahoe County commissioner, said the nation’s debt problems stem from uncertainty and years of “just kicking the can down the road.” “The problem is the federal budgeting system is set up to be adversarial, and to make the other side look bad,” he said. “That kind of thinking gets us nowhere and is what’s put us in the position we’re in now.” According to a press release, the national Fix the Debt Campaign advocates for elect-

ed leaders to avert the “fiscal cliff,” which happens at the end of this year, when terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 go into effect. And the way to do that, said Brackney, is by making smart, gradual spending cuts while increasing revenue streams such as eliminating wasteful government spending, and changing the tax code while preserving safety-net programs like Social Security. “It’s essentially the same budget principles many small businesses, as well as families, use every day,” he said. “We simply can’t keep spending what we don’t have and that’s what Fix the Debt is about, being able to effectively manage the debt we have while still sustaining the programs we need.” The U.S. Treasury Department reports the current national debt at approximately $16 trillion. The national Fix the Debt Campaign reports the publicly held portion now equals somewhere near 73 percent of the U.S. economy. On Jan. 1, a series of tax increases and spending cuts, totaling more than $600 billion, are set to take effect unless Congress can agree on a budget deal. “We shouldn’t play politics with the future of our nation,” said Brackney. “The American dollar means something, and what Congress is doing is the equivalent of an employer telling employees their paychecks may or may not cash.” Brackney said the movement is more cultural than political, and that if enough people rattle the chains in Washington, Congress will listen. “This only works if people participate,” he said. “Get online, sign up for Fix the Debt and call your elected officials. Call them often.” For more information, visit www.fixthedebt.org.

of IEP was so convinced that the “revolutionary” product would succeed, that he dropped all other business ventures, including renewable energy, to strictly focus on the GFCs. “My sensitivities to environmental issues, along with the amount of oil our coun-

try relies on and the domestic resources we have to develop, when I reviewed it, it rang all of the bells,” he said. The company, alongside the Colorado School of Mines, is preparing for an 18-month prototype study, and Delphi has reconfigured some of its products to adapt to IEP’s application. Forbes expects that GFCs will be widely available by 2015. Meanwhile, he and the big-name partners are keeping close tabs on the construction of its $1.2 billion refinery known as the Uintah Gateway Project in eastern Utah, just 50 miles from IEP’s oil shale resources, that will enable them to create a top-to-bottom oil and gas production company. With all of the cost efficiencies, the conglomerate will be able to produce oil for less than $40 per barrel, and that figure does not factor in the sale of by-product electricity, Forbes said. Discussions about the technology in Washington, D.C., have had lawmakers on the “edge of their chairs,” largely because of the high thermal efficiency that will make environmental concerns all but vanish, Forbes said. Because Colorado has a large portion of the nation’s oil shale, it is expected to be a boon for the state’s economy. IEP, which holds the patents to the technology, could soon become a well-known name. “No one is pursuing what we’re doing,” Forbes said.

4 Elbert County News

December 6, 2012

Drones may gain under FAA rules Robotic craft could create employment, test privacy laws By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com The Federal Aviation Administration will soon finalize rules for the commercialization of small unmanned aircraft systems, and that has some people excited and others worried. Once primarily used by the military to track and destroy terrorist strongholds in Afghanistan, drones, as they are more commonly known, may fill the skies by 2015, the FAA’s deadline to integrate unmanned aircraft into the nation’s airspace as required by the 2012 FAA reauthorization. “They’re smaller, cheaper and the technology is amazing,” said Harley Rinerson, a senior advisor to the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership and subjectmatter expert. “This move by the FAA will certainly create jobs on multiple ends of the spectrum — everything from sales, to repairs, to drone operators and observers.” Rinerson points out that drones are already employed by some law enforcement agencies. According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s

Widespread civilian use of drones like this one may hit the skies as soon as 2015. The FAA is working to complete its integration plan of the small robotic aircraft into the national airspace system. Courtesy photo by Draganfly Innovati Office website, the agency experimented with drones as far back as 2009 and now has flown more than 35 missions totaling 160 flight hours. “I’m excited if this thing does fly,” said Jason Millsap of Denver, a former airman

who once maintained drones for the Air Force. “I might actually be able to find a job other than something retail.” But in light of creating much-needed jobs, some individuals remain skeptical and worry about privacy.

“I’m not liking the idea of something with a camera flying over my house taking pictures of me or my kids,” said Linda Ellison, a single mom from Littleton. “I’m not sure of what the legal aspects of this may be, but it certainly can’t be good. I don’t like the idea at all.” Rinerson agrees privacy issues will indeed be put to the test. “Right now, the FAA’s rule-making body is concerned with airspace safety, not with privacy; that’s not in their lane,” he said. “And there are no really solid test cases out there to help define it, so it will be interesting. I seriously doubt cases involving drones will be treated any differently than those using a helicopter or someone using binoculars.” Currently anyone with a camera and a handful of cash can buy a small drone and operate it as long as they abide by FAA rules, said Rinerson. “That pretty much means keeping it below 400 feet and away from airport traffic, and again, not using it for commercial gain. That has yet to be defined,” he said. There are many commercial applications for the use of small drones, including search and rescue, utility line maintenance and observation, land-use management, real estate development, tourism and event photography.

Take holiday classics home from the library Last week, I listened to the sweet strains of music drifting back to my office from a guest musician at our weekly story time in Elizabeth. She had 25 kids creating music and singing along. It reminded me of the gifts that each of us has to offer this holiday season, and what it means to give a gift from the heart. This musician volunteered her time to share something she loves with other people. As you enter into the hectic holiday season, I hope you are able to take some time to enjoy the simple gifts of friends and family around you, including treasured family traditions.

Lender’s Panel The South Metro Denver SBDC and SCORE are hosting a panel of experts to discuss various lending options available for small businesses

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 6:00 pm– 8:30 pm $10 per person

2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 342 Centennial, CO 80122 Don’t miss out on this chance to get all the information you need about funding your business! To register: go to www.SmallBusinessDenver.com and click on “Workshops.” www.SmallBusinessDenver.com South Metro Denver SBDC 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342 Centennial, CO 80122

(303) 795-0142

Office: 303-795-0142 Fax: 303-795-7520 info@SmallBusinessDenver.com

It is the holiday season, and the flurry of activities that always accompanies December is already well upon us. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? One of mine is gathering with the family to do a Christmasthemed puzzle. When my brother and I were growing up, we always got a new puzzle on the day after Thanksgiving. It wasn’t until well into my adult life that I figured out that my parents probably did it so that they could have some peace and quiet and get other things done. As we grew older, we would try to see how many of the previous years’ puzzles we could put together again. One year, I remember our whole pingpong table was covered in puzzles! Another favorite tradition is reading holiday stories and watching holiday movies. I like a mix of the old classics — “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss (the book and the Boris Karloff classic, but not so much the Jim Carrey version); Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”; “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote — as well as discovering new gems. This year I watched the newest “Home Alone” movie, “Holiday Heist.” New characters, new kids, same pranks and antics

against the villains. Destined to become a classic? Probably not, but enjoyable nonetheless. A couple years ago, a new story about Christmas came out, and once I finished it I immediately made everyone in my family read it - they were all visiting for the holidays, so I think with one check-out from the library, six people read the story. The book is “A Dog Named Christmas” by Greg Kincaid. Hallmark made it into a Hall of Fame movie the following year. The story is about a developmentally challenged young man who volunteers at his local animal shelter. They have a program to adopt a dog for the holidays, and he convinces his family to house one of the dogs and also makes phone calls to their neighbors to get all the dogs placed. The dog he brings home is a lab he names Christmas. Kincaid has followed the success of this story with two more, “Christmas with Tucker” and “A Christmas Home.” Now, these ones might be destined to become classics. Where can you find these holiday classics and discover new ones? At the library, of course. Stop by the library for family holiday movies, books for all ages, an audiobook to listen to on your trip over the river and through the woods, or an ebook to download to the new tablet or e-reader that might be waiting for you, if you’ve been good this year. Kari May lives in Elizabeth and is the director of the Elbert County Library District. She can be contacted through the library at director@elbertcountylibrary.org. Visit the library at www.elbertcountylibrary.org.

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ELBERT COUNTY NEWS

(USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES:

The South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions products or services. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado's institutions of higher education, and local development organizations.

Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.

Elbert County News 5

December 6, 2012

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

Fake trees put ewww in Yule

I hope you didn’t take your Christmas ytree out of a box like we used to back there on the callous plains of Ohio. I hope your Christmas tree is a tree and not something -made out of polyvinyl chloride or aluminum. There may be a few good reasons for hhaving an artificial tree instead of a real .tree. Maybe you are allergic to pine needles or aesthetics. Who knows? If you go artificial you don’t have to water it or vacuum around it. Heck, you don’t even have to light it. There are pre-lit artificial trees. g There are people who will come to your home and decorate your tree, whether it acame in a box or came from out in front of your grocery store. I still see trees tied down on cars, on the way home, but they could be fake trees anyhow. Let’s say you don’t want your neighbors to know you are going fake. Put your tree together and drive it around on the roof of your car. That will fool them. There are more different kinds of artifigcial trees than you might think. There are

the standard cheesy ones that come from China. There are feather trees and brush bristle trees. There are fiber optic trees and something called “holographic mylar” trees in many hues. There are even upside-down artificial trees. And then there are trees. Before the plastic surgery. Before Botox and lip augmentation. Do you get my point? One Diane Arbus Christmas I came home from school and saw something in our living room that was deeply disturbing. Decades later it still swells my mind with

Spector was a divine music writer and producer, and then the roof fell in on him. He caused it. He affected my life before the roof fell in on him. Artists can do that. Advertisements show us how it might be if our lives had production people instead of moms and dads. The holidays are never holidays, for many of us. They are times of differences that are more scrutinized than the other eleven months. Aluminum trees don’t help. It is best not to have great expectations. Life isn’t the last chapter of a Dickens novel. I don’t have a tree in or out of the box. I miss a few moments, that’s about all. I have heard of great Christmases. But most of ours were tinged by something. Sometimes the tinge was me. All I know is that it’s a weird time of the year, and weird times are OK. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast. net

Less can definitely be more

Don’t let the locals fall off the cliff

There is little time left before the nation hits the so-called “fiscal cliff.” President Obama and the lame-duck Congress have an unprecedented number of issues to address — including some that directly affect every city, town, special district, county and yschool district in Colorado — and every oColorado taxpayer. When they met right after the election, tObama and bipartisan congressional leaders agreed to a framework for deficit reduction that includes both revenue increases and spending cuts. They will continue to flesh out this agreement over the next few weeks — but no state or local elected leaders will be at the table. Their decisions to cut federal funds for education, highways, clean water, safe drinking water, housing and community development leave us only to ponder by how much. And even more important to the longterm fiscal future of state and local governments, these federal decisions could also sharply increase the costs for vital public improvements such as schools, roads, sewer systems, bridges and fire stations. Here’s how that could happen. Obama and the leaders of Congress seem to agree that additional federal revenues must be part of any agreement to avert the cliff and to put the U.S. on a more sustainable budget path. It appears certain that Congress will go after what are called federal tax expenditures — the largest and fastest growing part of the federal government’s budget. This could cover income tax deductions like mortgage interest, employer-sponsored health insurance, and charitable contributions. Also, according to various congressional study groups, it might also include municipal bonds. Under current law, Colorado does not tax the interest earned by any family or corporation in Colorado from U.S. Treasury bonds. Similarly, since 1913, when the income tax code was first adopted, the federal government has never taxed the interest earned on a bond issued by a state, a university or by any local government; hence

concern. Things make us shake our head. Buskers make me shake my head. Anyone who practices with a baton makes me shake my head. The thing in my living room was Arbus and David Lynch. It was Arbus and Lynch and Phil Spector all in a Salvador Dali jumble. “Dad!” I yelled. He assured me that it was the latest Christmas thing. Why do we mess with things that work? It was an aluminum tree. In front of it was a rotating color wheel. The wheel had four colors, red, blue, green, and yellow. It rotated very slowly. A long time ago a convicted murderer wrote a Christmas song. Phil Spector shared composition rights with the great Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich on a song titled, “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home).” It’s a cinch. Every near-Christmas, David Letterman has Darlene Love on to sing it and I bawl. And then I put away Christmas until the next year.

the term “tax exempt bond.” If Congress suddenly changes this equation and eliminates the municipal bond interest exemption, the borrowing costs of local governments will go up, thereby placing more of a burden onto local taxpayers. On Nov. 6, the overwhelming number of debt questions put forward by local officials to build new schools, repair city streets and build new water treatment plants received approval by voters throughout Colorado’s communities. According to national statistics, state and local governments now shoulder over 75 percent of the costs of financing the nation’s public infrastructure. Last year, the country’s state and local governments issued nearly $300 billion in long-term bonds to finance essential capital investment — 47 percent alone went for public education and 21 percent for transportation. We respectfully urge Colorado’s congressional delegation, individuals we know to have the very best interests of our state and nation at heart, to remember that their decisions and those of their colleagues over the weeks ahead could have profound impacts on state and local leaders here at home in Colorado. Don’t let the locals fall off this cliff. From Bruce Caughey, executive director, Colorado Association of School Executives; Ken DeLay, executive director, Colorado Association of School Boards; Sam Mamet, executive director, Colorado Municipal League; Chip Taylor, executive director, Colorado Counties Inc.; and Ann Terry, executive director, Special District Association of Colorado

The other day as I was creating my to-do list I was surprised to find myself staring at 34 items on that list. My belief was that all of these were things that I felt needed my attention or they were actual tasks that had to be completed. I am a huge believer in lists. They keep me focused and absolutely help me when it comes to my forgetful nature. And as I looked at my daunting list of 34 to-do’s, I wondered at what point did I allow myself to even think that I could manage such a long list, let alone successfully accomplish half the things on the list in just one day. Now I literally create such a list every day and do so on the evening before the following day. And I keep my ‘to-do’ list in a notebook so I can carry forward tasks that were left uncompleted as well as look back with a sense of accomplishment at everything that I had actually fulfilled. So as I looked back through my notebook, I noticed that several weeks ago my lists started getting bigger. I also noticed that I had gotten away from a disciplined approach that I use to prioritize my lists each day. I use the A, B, C system to prioritize my list. The “A” list includes the things I absolutely must tackle before the end of the day. The “B” list items are those things that are very important and if I have time after I have completed my “A” list, I start to get after the “B” list. And anything that receives a “C” on the priority scale is something I know I can schedule for a later date and actually place those items on a future list. Since my out-of-control list of 34 to-do’s seemed so high, I decided to also look at each task and tried to determine how much time each one would actually take me to complete. Now I am not the world’s great-

Elbert County News 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

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est mathematician, but I do know there are only 24 hours in a day and when I added up all of the hours on my list, they equaled 54.5 hours. So I went back through all of the tasks and projects that were in front of me. I went through my A, B, C prioritization system, and through a “less is more” approach I was able to get my actionable items for the next day down to 11 things. There have certainly been days where I was able to check off 15 or more to-do’s in a single day. And I also know that there were days when I had to focus on just one thing in order to finish a project on time. The point is that sometimes in life, not just with our to-do lists, that we can be more resourceful, increasingly successful, and add deeper meaning when it comes to our families, our friends and our workers when we can take a “less is more” approach to life. I would love to hear all about your to-do’s and how you manage them as well as your thoughts about a “less is more” approach to life at gotonorton@gmail.com. Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com

Colorado Community Media Phone 303-566-4100 • Fax 303-566-4098

Columnists and guest commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. After all, the News is your paper.

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can’t do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries... If it happens, it’s news to us. Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews.com, and we will take it from there.

6 Elbert County News

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Elizabeth Middle School and Elizabeth High School host several holiday music events scheduled this month. The schools’ combined choirs combined concert will be from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the EHS cafetorium, 34500 County Road 13. Contact Melanie Kaumeyer, mkaumeyer@esdk12. org, 303-646-4987. The Elizabeth Middle School Orchestra concert will be from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the school, 34427 County Road 13. The EMS band concert will be from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the school. For more information, contact Robert Barbre, rbarbre@esdk12.org,

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SERVICE PROJECTS. Frontier High School students plan community service projects. For the toy drive, bring a new, unwrapped toy for the holiday toy drive sponsored by the Elizabeth Fire Department. For the food drive, bring any non-perishable food items for distribution by the American Legion Post 82. Collection boxes will be located at the Frontier campus. Call the school at 303-646-1798 or email its director, Rob McMullen, at rmcmullen@esdk12.org to make a donation. Frontier High School is at 589 S. Banner St., Elizabeth. THROUGH DEC. 7 SILENT AUCTION. Friends of the Kiowa Library silent auction items will be on display starting Nov. 16. The theme-based gift baskets were donated by businesses and individuals in the area. Bidding ends at 2 p.m. Dec. 7, following the Kiowa Library’s holiday party at 10:30 a.m. The baskets will be on display during library hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Call 303-621-2111. HOLIDAY PROGRAM. Home Instead Senior Care has

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Wounded vet to get keys to home

Homes for Our Troops will present Staff Sgt. Brian Schar with the keys to his new home at 11 a.m. on Dec. 15. Based in Taunton, Mass., Homes for Our Troops provides speciallyadapted homes for severely wounded service members across the country at no cost to them. Schar lost both legs above the knees and suffered nerve damage to his left arm in September 2007 when an explosive device was fired at his vehicle as it traveled through Baghdad, Iraq. The ceremony will be at 33350 Vantage Circle in Wild Pointe subdivision in Elizabeth. For more

information, visit www.homesforourtroops.org.

American Girls Christmas event set

The Elizabeth Branch Library will celebrate the holidays on Dec. 12 with an American Girls Christmas event focused on the American Girl “Samantha.” The program explores the details of a Victorian-era Christmas and includes refreshments and a craft activity. Dolls are welcome to attend, but are not necessary to enjoy the fun and learning experience. The program is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Call the library at 303-646-3416 for times and to reserve a space.

THINGS TO DO

THROUGH DEC. 15 partnered with retailers and community organizations to make sure isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program, running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Christmas trees will go up in Walgreens stores at 355 S. Wilcox St. and 14 E. Allen St. in Castle Rock and at 3510 Evergreen Parkway in Evergreen. Holiday shoppers are asked to pick up an ornament off special Be a Santa to a Senior Christmas trees, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament

attached. The Home Instead Senior Care office will then enlist the volunteer help of its staff, senior-care business associates, nonprofit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts. Home Instead serves Douglas and Elbert counties, and portions of Clear Creek, Summit, Jefferson and Gilpin counties. For information, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or call 303-688-7852.

DEC. 11, DEC. 13, DEC. 18 MUSIC IN the Air. Elizabeth Middle School and Elizabeth High School have several upcoming musical programs. The schools’ choirs will perform a combined concert from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the high school cafetorium. Contact Melanie Kaumeyer, mkaumeyer@ esdk12.org or 303-646-4987. The middle school will have a band concert from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the middle school. Contact Robert Barbre, rbarbre@esdk12. org or 303-646-4986. An orchestra concert is from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the middle school. Contact Melanie Kaumeyer, mkaumeyer@esdk12.org, 303-646-4987. DEC. 11 LAWYERS AT the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be featured from 6-9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every other month in Elizabeth. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. Upcoming dates are Nov. 13, and Dec. 11.

DEC. 12

AMERICAN GIRL Christmas. The Elizabeth Library will host an American Girls Christmas, which will focus on the American Girl Samantha, on Dec. 12. The program is limited to 12 participants; call the libraray at 303-6463416 to reserve a space. DEC. 13 ANNUAL MEETING. The Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce plans its annual meeting and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Spring Valley Golf Club. Special presentations on chamber member of the year, board of directors for 2013, and the year in review. Cost is $15 payable at the door by cash, check or credit card. Reservations are required. Call Beverly at 303-646-4287 or email at director@elizabethchamber.org. DEC. 19 BLOOD DRIVE Walmart Community Blood Drive is from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 19 inside Bonfils’ mobile bus located at 2100 Legacy Cir., Elizabeth. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils.org. DEC. 21 DIVORCE AND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-520-6088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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tourists each year. The tradition began when construction workers hard at work on building Rockefeller Center decorated a roughly 20-foot tall balsam fir tree on Christmas Eve in 1931. Strings of cranberries and tin cans were among the items used to decorate the tree. While there was no tree in 1932, the first official tree was unveiled in 1933 in Rockefeller Plaza, and the lighting ceremony was broadcast over NBC Radio. The 1933 tree, at 50 feet tall, dwarfed the 1931 tree. However, the 1933 tree paled in comparison to the 10-ton

Norway Spruce erected in 1999, which measured 100feet tall and remains the tallest tree ever erected at Rockefeller Center. The tradition of the Rockefeller Center tree continues to evolve to this day, but the evergreen it is no longer lit with incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs that consume a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs are the bulbs of choice now. In addition, in 2007 Rockefeller Center partnered with Habitat for Humanity, who used the tree after it was taken down to furnish lumber for home construction.

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Elbert County News 7

December 6, 2012

Mother convicted of killing children Murphy sentenced to life without parole By Rhonda Moore

rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Prosecutors were persuasive in their argument against Kelli Murphy, who was found guilty of killing her two children over a bitter custody battle. A jury on Nov. 27 found Murphy guilty of two counts of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the first degree by a person in a position of trust. She was immediately sentenced to life without parole, the only punishment for first-degree murder under Colorado law. Murphy was convicted in the May 22, 2011, deaths of her children, Liam and Madigan Murphy. The children were 9 and 6, respectively, when they were found smothered in their beds after Murphy called Castle Rock police to report she had tried to kill herself and her children were “in heaven.” The jury reached its verdict on what would have been Liam Murphy’s 11th birthday. In his closing arguments, deputy district attorney

Christopher Gallo painted a picture of a woman driven by power and frustrated by the thought of Murphy having to share custody of her children with her estranged husband, Eric Murphy. “The woman was bent on control of her children, her husband, her divorce,” Gallo said. “It was Kelli’s way or no way. (Eric Murphy) was about to take that control away; he was about to divest her of the meaning of her life.” According to court records, the couple was going through a divorce at the time of the children’s deaths. Court testimony and evidence showed that Kelli Murphy was demanding “100 percent custody of the children and 100 percent of his salary,” Gallo said. The investigation into the children’s deaths showed Kelli Murphy waited 12 hours after her children were dead before calling police. In their closing arguments, prosecutors pointed out that in the hours surrounding the murder of her children, she avoided contact with

her estranged husband and barricaded the house. In his closing arguments, public defender Ara Ohanian acknowledged that, based on testimony and evidence heard in trial, Kelli Murphy was mentally unstable, confused and paranoid. The defense had entered a not-guilty plea, with the argument that Kelli Murphy was intoxicated at the time of the murders and killed her children during a drunken blackout. “Her act in taking these drugs and this alcohol was extreme recklessness,” Oha-

nian said. “That’s what you should convict her on. This is not about justice for those children. There are no winners in this. It is an extreme tragedy.” Based on the evidence at the scene and the sequence of events that surrounded the children’s deaths, the blackout theory was “patently absurd,” Gallo said. Pivotal in the case was Kelli’s Murphy’s obsession with control, said Jay Williford, senior deputy district attorney. “She would take nothing less than what she wanted,” he said. “This is poetic jus-

tice for us. Moms don’t kill their kids. This is a great tragedy for us and for the citizens in that neighborhood. We felt their grief. We heard their outcry.” Eric Murphy was not in the courtroom when Kelli Murphy was sentenced. The

family members who were present declined to comment during Kelli Murphy’s sentencing, which commenced immediately upon her conviction. “Their level of grief is so high, they have nothing to say,” Williford said.

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South MetroLIFE

Hudson Gardens gets happy glow for holiday time

“A Hudson Christmas” brings lighting to trees and fountains across Hudson Gardens’ 30 acres at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Horse-drawn wagon rides around the gardens and steaming cocoa and wassail are available. Open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on selected evenings: Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 8 and nightly from Dec. 14 through Jan. 1, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Tickets: $9 adult; $7 member; $6 child 4-12; free 3 and under. Horse-drawn wagons: $6 per person. Tickethorse.com or at the door.

Andrews Sisters’ holiday

“Home Front Holiday Radio Show” will revisit the 1940s holiday airwaves from 2-3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. The Reville 3 singing group will appear with songs, stories and fashion tips. Free. 303-795-3961.

Food for Fines

In cooperation with Inter-Faith Community Services, Bemis Library will sponsor its annual Food for Fines program through Dec. 24. Bring in a non-perishable food item and have a late book fine erased from your record. While at Bemis, visit the Gift Book Table to find like-new used books and other items, such as CDs.

ACC concerts slated A horse-drawn carriage glides down Mainstreet Nov. 23. The streets of downtown Parker are all dressed up for the holidays, with wreaths, garlands, bows and lights. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

Carriage rides stir holiday spirit Weekly event lures families to Parker By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com To some, the clip-clop of a horse’s hoofs and dampened hush of a snowy night sky signify the arrival of the holiday season. Downtown Parker contains the quintessential elements of an enchanting Colorado Christmas. Big-city outsiders can only dream of its small-town bliss, complete with extravagant light displays, garlandwrapped street posts and what has become an annual tradition in Parker: horse-drawn carriage rides.

The Old Town Parker Holiday Carriage Rides, which are being billed as a “Norman Rockwell-like holiday experience,” began Nov. 23 during the mayor’s holiday lighting ceremony. From 4-7 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 22, the carriage will shuttle families, couples and friends through the streets of downtown, stopping by places like Vines Wine Bar, Parker Station and the Victorian Peaks building on Pikes Peak Drive. Council member-elect Joshua Rivero, who owns Fika Coffeehouse on Mainstreet, was among the leaders of the now-disbanded Downtown Development Council, which created the carriage rides in winter 2009. His shop also hosts Douglas County Libraries’ holiday storytelling sessions in conjunction with the rides. The idea of the weekly festivities is to “get people out and about” and inspire holiday spirit, he said.

“The malls are great, but people are also looking for Christmas how it used it be,” Rivero said. And in a day and age when it seems like everything has a price tag, the carriage rides are free, courtesy of the Parker Chamber of Commerce and a handful of sponsors. The event has attracted thousands of people with not only the carriage rides, but with story readings, live entertainment and seasonal refreshments. Rivero said other Front Range towns, like Littleton and Arvada, have central downtown cores that are conducive to events like carriage rides. Parker is among communities building the rides into a signature event as the downtown district takes shape. For more information on the Old Town Parker Holiday Carriage Rides, visit www. parkerchamber.com or call 303-841-4268.

Library becomes FamilySearch affiliate By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com Genealogy buffs will go to great lengths for research, so a little drive to Littleton shouldn’t faze them. Littleton’s Bemis Public Library has the second-largest collection of genealogy research books in the metro area and it’s heavily used year-round, according to Deputy Director Phyllis Larison, who recently announced that “Bemis is the newest FamilySearch affiliate library and the first in the metro area.” This addition to the resources is a plus to the FamilySearch free material already

available on the website FamilySearch.org. Tracing family history and lineages grows more popular every year. FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organization from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the world’s largest collection of genealogical records. First name, last name, location, country, birth, marriage, death, census records and just about any other way one wants to search for an ancestor can be accommodated, and Larison said the organization has “more than 200 camera teams filming historic records in 45 countries on any given day,” constantly enlarging the information base.

The new affiliation lets Bemis patrons order a microfiche of family records from FamilySearch at a cost of $7.50, which they can read on a new microfiche reader at Bemis. This fee allows one to keep the microfiche for 90 days. For $19.75, one can have unlimited use. The Bemis staff is trained to assist patrons in searching the catalog to see what records are available. Larison said less than 5 percent of the available records are online at this point. She also said Bemis started a new subscription on Nov. 19 to “America’s Obituaries,” a database that includes information from our local newspapers and should be of interest to area researchers.

Two free concerts are scheduled by the music department at Arapahoe Community College, in the Houstoun Waring Theater. The Ailshie/Nelson Jazz Duo will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and the ACC Chorus, directed by Ron Kientz, will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 10. 303-797-5867.

‘Granny Dances’ returns

Cleo Parker Robinson presents the annual “Granny Dances to the Holiday Drum,” which celebrates holidays around the world and is a great program for children to enjoy. It will run through Dec. 23 at the Newman Center, University and Iliff, University of Denver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets: newmantix.com, 303-8717720.

Park district seeks volunteers

South Suburban Park and Recreation’s Public Arts Committee seeks two volunteers to fill seats vacated early. They will continue with the next two-year terms. It meets once a month, from 8-10 a.m. on the second Tuesday, and advises the board on public art selection and exhibits. Send letter of interest to SSPAC, c/o Theresa Cope, 6631 S. University Blvd., Centennial 80121. For questions, Vicki Willis, 303-483-7072, Vickiew@sspr.org.

Jewelry, art exhibited

Theresa Lugo of Parker and her Minnesota sister, Ilona Iloven, will hold a joint exhibit of fine art and fine jewelry at the CORE New Art Space, 900 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, through Dec. 23. Open First Friday Art Walk, Dec. 7, and Thursday through Sunday afternoons.

McAllister works displayed

Artists on Santa Fe, 747 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, features art by painter Deborah McAllister in the gallery’s 25th Holiday Exhibit in December. Included in First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 7. 303-573-5903. The gallery and studios are owned by Macy Dorf of Littleton, a well-known potter.

Elbert County News 9

December 6, 2012

Drilling: Millions of gallons of water needed Drilling continues from Page 1

DRILLING FACTS

formation and into the wellbore, where it is then extracted. Contrary to popular belief, Campbell said the Sylvester Well is not the first well to be fracked in Elbert County. “Since 1990, nine wells have been fracked in Elbert County,” he said. “So by no means is fracking new to the area.” While some remain skeptical, others say the Sylvester site is an appropriate opportunity for the county to prepare for future exploration. “For the first well to be drilled in more than 12 years, this is the absolute perfect location,” said Grant Thayer, a retired petroleum engineer and rancher. “It’s remote, there’s very little groundwater to worry about, very little reservoir water — in fact it’s well past any surface to ground water.” According to the application, the town of Limon will provide water for the operation — about 100,000 gallons in 2012, and about 3.8 million gallons in 2013. A handful of residents asked the current commissioners to delay the vote until new commissioners Robert Rowland and Larry Ross could be sworn in early next year. The board declined. “This board is more than qualified to make this decision,” said Del Schwab, the outgoing commissioner for District 1. “The one thing I will not do is give a new

Castle Rock

Elbert County residents listen to a presentation by John Campbell, a representative of Southwestern Energy, the Houston-based oil and gas company that received approval for an 8,500-foot exploratory well near Agate. The Elbert County commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 28 to approve the permit. board of county commissioners something to vote on that they are not prepared to vote on.” “We feel this applicant has addressed all of our concerns,” said Richard Miller, direc-

Greenwood Village

Highlands Ranch

tor for Elbert County Community and Development Services. “They’ve been great to work with and we believe they will follow up with what we’ve discussed.”

Highlands Ranch

Abiding Word Lutheran Church Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Open and Welcoming

Sunday Worship 8:00 am Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 am

Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING Affiliated with United Church of Religious Science

Sunday Services 10 a.m.

Castle Rock Recreation Center 2301 Woodlands Blvd, Castle Rock www.OurCenterforSpiritualLiving.org 720-851-0265

Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am

Sunday Worship 8:30 am |10:45 am Adult and youth education 9:40 am



CHRISTMAS AT CANYON’S December 9th 6:30pm Christmas Eve Service 6:30pm

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”

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9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126

9300 E. Belleview Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.770.9300

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Worship Services Sundays at 9:00am

303-791-3315

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Littleton

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton

Parker

Where people are excited about God’s Word.

Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults 4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836

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You are invited to worship with us:

1609 W. Littleton Blvd. (303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

at the Parker Mainstreet Center

Visit our website for details of classes & upcoming events.

303.805.9890

www.P a r k er C C R S.org P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945

Looking For a N ew Beginning ?

Sundays at 9:00 & 10:45 am Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy. (Across from Murdochs)

303-798-8485

Join Us A Friendly Place to Worship

New Beginning Community Church

10550 S. Progress Way & Longs Way Parker, CO 80134

Sunday School for All Ages Coffee and Fellowship Praise and Worship Service Wed Evening Youth Fellowship

Lone Tree

Horizon Community Church

A Christian Reformed Ministry

Sunday Worship 10am

Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

www.horizoncommunity.org

303-791-2143

www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org

Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel

& Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

5755 Valley Hi Drive Parker, CO 303-941-0668

Parker

...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138

Sunday

Pastor David Fisher Fellowship & Worship: 9:00 am Sunday School: 10:45 am

Community Church of Religious Science

Sunday Service

2121 E. Dad Clark Drive Highlands Ranch, 80126

 303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org

8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch

Rob McCallum, spokesman for the Colorado Judicial System, said Judge Sylvester owns the surface rights to the property, but not the mineral rights.

New Thought...Ancient Wisdom

www.gracecolorado.com

The Bahá’í Faith

 children’s classes, devotions and study Weekly ColoradoBahais.org • 303 947 7540

303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510

Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey

 



www.st-andrew-umc.com

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN

An Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Sunday Worship 10:30 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd. Castle Rock • canyonscc.org 303-663-5751

• First Colorado well drilled in 1862 • 65,000 wells have been drilled in the state • 42 of 63 counties currently have oil and gas development • First well drilled in Elbert County in 1935 • More than 700 wells drilled in Elbert, but only about 90 remain active or otherwise not abandoned • At its peak in 1980s, 250 wells were drilled within the county • Last well drilled in county was in 2000 • Since 1990, nine wells in Elbert County have used hydraulic fracturing Sylvester well facts • Applicant approved for single exploratory well • Well head located near town of Agate • 2,000-acre lease, area of disturbance limited to 5 acres • Surface owned by William Sylvester, chief judge of the 18th Judicial District • Will commence 24/7 operation, lasting 30 to 120 days • Currently zoned for agriculture, no change anticipated • Applicant plans use of hydraulic fracturing • Applicant originally proposed use of well water, but revised request to purchase of municipal water • Limon to provide about 3.9 million gallons of water • Operation to be a closed loop system that keeps hydraulic fracturing fluids contained • Applicant must meet 16 additional conditions prior to drilling activities • If well is productive, county is eligible to receive up to 9 percent in severance tax

9:00AM 10:00AM 10:30AM 7:00PM

Joy LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

SERVICES:

SATURDAY 5:30pm

SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:3Oam

Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve – Love

New Sunday Worship Services

8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 MILLER ROAD PARKER, CO 80138 3038412125 www.pepc.org Orthodox Mission Church 11550 Club Dr Parker Co Divine Liturgy December 9, 9:30am Luncheon after services More info call: Don: 720-851-5212 Mark: 720-870-5210

EDUCATION Sunday 9:15am

Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org

Affordable Advertising Options Call Today 303-566-4091

10 Elbert County News December 6, 2012

Elbert CountySPORTS

Wrestling preview 2012-13

Elizabeth hoping to return to 2011 form

By Scott Stocker

sports@ourcoloradonews. com

It was like night and day for the Elizabeth wrestling team last season. The Cardinals had qualified nine wrestlers for the state tournament in 2011, but could only count two on the mats in downtown Denver last season. Gavril Houston and Dylan Bergett were able to make the trip back to the 4A championships, but there might have been three had Josh Lee overcome his injuries. Houston, a junior, won one match at 120, but was eliminated shortly after losing two. Bergett lost both his matches at 138. Elizabeth coach Gary Martin is optimistic about this season, but still has a fairly young team under his tutelage. And, he’s looking forward to Houston and Bergett helping to supply the leadership on the mat the Cardinals need. “Our two captains are Gav and Dylan and they bring a lot to the team,” Martin said. “Gav is one of the smartest kids that I’ve ever coached. He’s driven. His top choice for college right now is the Air Force Academy. Dylan is just an out and out hard worker. He’s a bear and likes to mix it up and his weight gain should certainly help.” Martin welcomed 35 wrestlers this season, but even with that number, do not have the necessary youngsters to fill all the weight classes. “We lack the bigger weights this season,” Martin said. “I’ve got a bunch at 126-138-pounds. Still, I feel that we could have a good season. There is a lot of enthusiasm and it’s a season the kids are looking forward to. Houston compiled a 4931 record over the past two years. It’s a mark he definitely wants to see grow in the win column. “To me, making state is a source of motivation as I haven’t accomplished what I’ve wanted,” Houston said. “I haven’t been at the top of my game where I feel I can reach and I want my body ready. The key is a lot of good things are happening in practice, just go-go-go. “I’m a defensive wrestler,” said Houston who may drop to 120 after Christmas.

Elizabeth’s Dylan Bergett. Photos by Kevan Sheppard

Gavril Houston of Elizabeth.

“I’m OK on my feet, but I feel I have a lot of strength when it comes to getting off the bottom. My mom always tells me there is no time like the present and this is the present.” Bergett carried an impressive 28-4 mark into last years state meet, but he admits it didn’t help him. “I’d never wrestled before a crowd that large before,” said Bergett, a senior who plans to open the season at 145-pounds. “I was really nervous and unsettled by it, just a nervous wreck. I know how to face that type of a situation now. “I think I’ve got a good chance to get back again,” Bergett said. “My key has been the training and working a lot harder than I have in the past.” Lee qualified at 103 when he was a freshman, but was out in two matches. “Josh is getting bigger and getting back where he wants to be,” Martin said. “I’m looking forward to his contributions this season and he’s ready.” Elizabeth also has a competitive set of brothers that Martin feels will also make valuable contributions this season. Both the Leonard brothers, junior John and sophomore Rob, came close in their efforts to make the trip to Denver. “Our hopes are certainly high for both,” Martin said. “They have a lot of determination and they push each

cially when two, Aidan Osborn and Jesse Evans, are returning state qualifiers. Osborn begins the season at 170 while Evans opened the year at 182. And, it was a pretty good opening for both as they both picked up championships in the Peyton tournament. “Aidan is solid, a good quality young man who should make it back,” Witzel said. “He is team leader, very focused in what he wants to accomplish. Jesse also has the talent and willingness to put out for the team and is a fine leader, as well. Both came away with a win at state last season, but this year, we’re looking for more from them.” And more is what Osborn want’s to deliver. “I’m confident and excited about the season,” Osborn said. “I worked hard over the summer with Greco and freestyle and that’s certainly going to help me. I want to stay focused and work hard, but I’m not about to overlook any of my opponents.” Two juniors, Connor Wills (145) and Joey Thomas (152, sophomores Bryce Wasson (132) and Andrew Ban (138) and freshman A.J. Smith (106) round out the Kiowa lineup. “Connor also won at Peyton,” Witzel said. “He is just a talent wrestler, scrappy, a go-getter, motivated and focused. He placed sixth in the region last year, but we

other hard. That’s what we like to see from all the kids.” Martin is also expecting good things from juniors Kevin Parades and Tyler Green. “Kevin was a standout on the football team this season and we hope he continues his trend,” Martin said. “Tyler’s got the potential, too. But for all the guys, it’s going to be interesting to see how they progress.” KIOWA There appears to be some fine talent available for Kiowa and coach Ryan Witzel, but like many of the smaller programs this season high numbers are not available. The Indians only have eight wrestlers in the program this season and will only compete in tournaments. That number took a hit this past weekend when Kiowa lost one of its three seniors, Tyler Daughenbaugh, to and injury. The Indian’s 160-pounder will be out of the lineup until after the Christmas break. “Tyler suffered a dislocated elbow in the Peyton tournament,” Witzel said. “He was also one of our best football players, just a fine overall athlete, and we’ll be looking for his return. He has all the qualities to qualify for state.” While losing Daughenbaugh comes as a shock for Witzel and his squad, the remaining seven could fair quite well for Kiowa. Espe-

feel he has an excellent opportunity to reach state this season.” Ban placed third at Peyton and Witzel feels he is going to be a fine asset for the team this season. “Andrew is a talent athlete with a lot of ups,” Witzel said. “He is also a very fine cross country runner and that facet of being in shape over the long distance is sure to help him even more. “A.J. just started wrestling in middle school last year and found he really likes the sport,” said Witzel, who is also the Kiowa athletic director. Witzel also feels that Thomas and Wasson could be headed for a fine season. “They have progressed will since the opening of practice,” Witzel said. “We’re hoping that they will surprise a lot of guys this season and I think they can do it.” SIMLA Tournaments, always tournaments. That’s the situation faced by Simla coach Daren Teller and his Cubs and it’s not a situation he would like to have on the wrestling calendar this season. But with only six boys on the team that’s just about the way it has to be. “We will not have any dual meets, but we will try and be at a tournament each weekend,” Teller said. “With a team this small, that’s probably not that bad.

The key, of course, is to stay healthy and that’s not how things went last year. We want the kids to get good mat time. Andy Duffy will be my assistant and his help with the boys is essential.” Three of the wrestlers, Damian Bell, Logan Potter and Michael Otterman, had to deal with injuries last season. Bell is a junior 170-pounder and he missed all of last year. He’s one of those the Cubs will certainly have to rely on. But for that matter, all six will have to be relied on. Otterman had a concussion that took him out for a while. Potter was a transfer from Iowa last season, but he also faced injuries. Certainly, the key for the Cubs is for this half dozen to just stay healthy. Senior Dustin Campbell, a state qualifier last year at 160, and Bell have the most overall experience on the squad. Campbell will be up a couple of weight classes going at 182 this time around. Bell is slated for 170-pounds. Otterman, who will begin the season at 160, and Aaron VanZoeren at 152, are only in their second year of competition. Adding to the youth angle is junior Alberto Deolevria, an exchange student from Brazil, who is only in his very first year of wrestling and ticketed to go at either 138 or 145. “I feel that Dustin has a good opportunity to finish among the top two in the region and go back to state,” Teller said. “He was fourth in the region a year ago and lost both his matches at state. But he has much more speed and quickness and strength overall and that experience will certainly be a key.” Teller said that VanZoeren got off to a slow start last year, but was able to finish strong. Otterman is looking strong, as well. The question mark this season is how Deolevria will take to the mat once the season gets underway. “Alberto just seems to get better each time he has stepped out on the mat in practice,” Teller said. “He has fallen in love with the sport. He’s very coach able and I think we can expect a lot of good things from him this season. “Logan was a transfer from Iowa last year and I think has some excellent potential, too,” Teller said. “He’s also in his second year of wrestling, but he did fine in the Arkansas Valley duals, too. He’s up a weight from last season and I think ready to go.”

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Irv Brown and Joe Williams are the longest-running sports talk tandem in the history of Denver radio. For more than 28 years, Irv Brown and Joe Williams have teamed to bring sports talk to fans in Denver. That tradition continues on Mile High Sports Radio.

Elbert County News 11

December 6, 2012

Pet salon fire caused by fan wiring

Community comes out to support Gigi’s Groom & Board By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com It’s difficult to find a silver lining in a story marked by smoke and fire and loss. But somehow, Gigi Allen has. The owner of Gigi’s Groom & Board in Franktown is counting her blessings, and trying to keep count of the numerous friends and customers who have come out to support her in a time of need. The canine-centric business was heavily damaged by a fire Nov. 14 that investigators from the Franktown Fire Protection District say was caused by faulty wiring in an exhaust fan. The flames were contained to her shop in a strip mall on the northeast corner of Colorado 83 and Colorado 86, however, the heavy smoke “damaged everything,” Allen said. Her insurance covered people and pets — all of whom got out safely when

the fire broke out around 2 p.m. — but did not adequately cover the inventory and supplies inside the store. For some entrepreneurs, the fire might be a lifechanging event that sets them and their business back, possibly for good. Not Allen and her team. Within a few days, she was finding random locations to rent so she could perform her grooming duties (the boarding component of the business is on hold). “We took the equipment over and got them groomed for people before the holiday,” she said. “ No stinky dogs for Thanksgiving.” After finding out that clean-up costs alone would run more than $20,000, a group of friends came together and pitched in. Some

people donated their time; other stopped by with food and gifts. By Nov. 27, less than two weeks after the fire, Gigi’s Groom & Board was officially back in business in its former location just four doors down from the space it moved into just over a year ago. It will take about four to six months before she can move back in. Aside from the donations and words of encouragement, customer Nila Roberts established a Wells Fargo account (No. 127-33796-83) under the name Jeanette “Gigi” Allen to help cover the financial loss. Roberts, who brings in her three schnauzers twice a week for daycare and gets them groomed, said her “heart skipped a beat” when she pulled up to the shop around 4 p.m. the day

of the blaze and saw fire trucks sitting out front. After finding out that everyone got out alive, Roberts was one of the first to extend a helping hand to Allen. Allen used several words to describe her reaction to the support from Franktown area residents: “grateful,” “speechless” and “overwhelmed.” “It’s amazing what a small town does for you,” she said. “People trickle through your life every day, but when something like this happens, you don’t realize how many people are a part of your life.” Allen also expressed her gratitude to the 30-plus firefighters who helped extinguish the flames and those in surrounding businesses who helped during the evacuation.

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Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name Public notice is given on November 16, 2012 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court. The Petition requests that the name of Linda Boyle be changed to Linda Chynoweth. Case No.: 2012 C 49 Cheryl A. Layne Clerk of Court By: Jafeen Jenkins Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No: 927828 First Publication: December 6, 2012 Last Publication: December 20, 2012 Publisher: Elbert County News

Government Legals Public Notice NOTICE OF BUDGET Pursuant to 29-1-106, C.R.S.

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Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT for the 2013 fiscal year. A copy of the proposed budget has been filed in the office of the ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, where same is open for public inspection. The proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT to be held at Station #1, 155 W. Kiowa Ave., Elizabeth, Colorado at 7:00 P.M. on December 11, 2012. Any interested elector of the ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT may inspect the proposed budget for 2013 and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget. Dated this 8th day of November, 2012. ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BY: /s/ Wayne Austgen, Secretary Legal Notice No.: 927827 First Publication: December 6, 2012 Last Publication: December 6, 2012 Publisher: The Elbert County News

10 locatio locations ons in the south metro area • Insurance accepted

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CLASSIFIEDS BIG R STORE IN Elizabeth IS SEEKING AN ASSISTANT MANAGER FULL TIME – APPROX 45 HRS PER WEEK A associates degree or higher is preferred but not required Must have 2 years of Retail Experience Must be Self Motivated & Detail Oriented Good people skills Farm & Ranch or Ag Background Very Helpful Basic Computer Skills, Microsoft Word, Excel Merchandising, Salesmanship, & Leadership Skills a Must Must work well with Others & Public Good Driving Record Be able to type 20-30 WPM If you are this person we offer: Above average wages 401k/Employee Discounts Paid Vacation/Insurance Programs You may pick up an application at Big R Store of Elizabeth 650 Beverly St. Elizabeth Co Or online at bigronline.com Please return your Application to billbriggs@mybigr.com or Mail to Big R Holdings Attn Bill Briggs 350 Keeler Parkway Pueblo Co. 81001

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12 Elbert County News

December 6, 2012

Twenty of

THE DOCTORS ARE IN nation’s leading

from University of Colorado Hospital

excited to now be

your backyard

University of Colorado Hospital is excited to announce the opening of the new Lone Tree Health Center – the newest academic specialty and primary care center in the south metro area. Receive the highest quality medical care from CU School of Medicine physicians, now available close to home.

Services and specialties offered: » Ear, nose, throat » Urologic gynecology » Gynecologic oncology » Hand care » Joint care » Foot and Ankle » Spine

» Gastroenterology, including screening colonoscopy » Urology » Internal medicine/Primary care » Radiology » Medical oncology » Cardiology » Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 720-848-2200 or visit www.lonetreehealth.org

LONE TREE HEALTH CENTER