It was just a simple popup message on a computer.
It led the 79-year-old Highlands Ranch woman who got it to call an 888 phone number.
A man convinced the woman to buy two gold bars. It was part of a scam, in which she would be bilked out of roughly $120,000.
Along the way, the woman was told to meet someone at a convenience store in the Littleton area. She was told she’d be reimbursed by check. Finally, her bank told her she had been caught up in a scam. at’s according to Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly, who gathered with police chiefs from Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock to call attention to the many scams hitting
older residents — with the hope of providing a few tips to help people avoid falling prey to the tricks.
Asked about when scamming people out of money online and/ or over the phone became a trend in Douglas County, Weekly said: “Honestly, it’s been decades.”
In Parker, residents have been scammed out of more than $800,000 in the last six months in cryptocurrency-related schemes, according to Parker police Chief Jim Tsurapas.
Scammers are “targeting our elderly population by fabricating emergencies” and requesting payment via cryptocurrency systems, Tsurapas said.
While the scams can happen to anyone, older adults can often be more vulnerable, Lone Tree police Chief Kirk Wilson said.
“ ink about it: Our grandpar-
Thursday
ents, our parents, have worked their entire lives,” and someone comes along and decides they’re going to take away their earnings, Castle Rock police Chief Jack Cauley said.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he added.
Another common tactic of the con artists is to send a text message that attempts to initiate a scam through a technique called phishing that attempts to get a person to share personal information. Another common ploy used by the crooks is to send an email that says you owe a bill, Wilson said.
“I personally almost (fell victim) to that until I realized, ‘What am I doing?’” Wilson said.
When in doubt, people should call authorities, o cials said at a Feb. 29 news conference to bring attention to the issue at the sheri ’s o ce.
“If you suspect that you are a victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement immediately. Do not wait until the next day. Time is of the essence,” Weekly said, adding that authorities may be able to get
your money back if you reach out soon enough.
“Scammers often use social engineering tactics to gain information and manipulate their victims,” Parker’s chief, Tsurapas, said.
Older scam methods involved gift cards, but now cryptocurrency is often used, according to Parker police.
And, many scammers impersonate law enforcement personnel, Weekly said, adding that his o ce has received many calls about it.
Sometimes, the money is never retrieved.
None of the $800,000 lost by Parker residents was recovered, according to the Parker Police Department.
But, in the gold bar scam, authorities arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Sagar Patel, of New Jersey, according to Weekly.
“ ese cases are complex,” and it’s often di cult to nd the criminals, Weekly said, urging people to remember not to give out their information to strangers.
An oft-mentioned priority of Gov. Polis and others has been to increase the housing supply throughout Colorado. One of the most successful programs has been the promotion of “Transit Oriented Development,” which has manifested itself in the construction of medium-rise and high-rise apartment buildings near light-rail stations.
Another strategy has been to promote and facilitate the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in areas zoned for single-family homes.
and Sen. Tony Exum (D-El Paso County).
The title of the bill is “Concerning increasing the number of accessory dwelling units.” A link to the full text of the bill is at RealEstateToday.substack.com
The ADU movement has met some resistance in certain circles, and would be impractical in many subdivisions with small lot sizes and no alleys. Because most local jurisdictions have required ADUs to have separate access and one designated parking space, it hasn’t been a viable option for most single-family homes in newer subdivisions — if the HOA would allow it.
Now there’s a bill (HB24-1152) that just passed the House Committee on Transportation, Housing and Local Government, which would require HOAs (and developers of new subdivisions) to allow ADUs without undue restrictions. The bi-partisan vote was 9-2, and the bill is now going to the House Appropriations Committee for approval before going to the floor of the House and then the Senate.
The prime sponsors in the House are Rep. Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer County) and Judy Amabile (D-Boulder, et al.). The prime sponsors in the Senate are Sen. Kyle Mullica (D-Adams County),
The bill specifically applies to Colorado’s metro areas, specifically to areas with a minimum 1,000 population served by a “Metropolitan Planning Organization.” There are only five MPOs in Colorado. The one serving the Denver metro counties (plus Clear Clerk and Gilpin) is the Denver Regional Council of Governments, or DRCOG.
Section 1 of the bill, as introduced, requires subject jurisdictions to allow one ADU, where practical, for any home zoned single-family detached, and it prohibits a jurisdiction from enacting or enforcing laws that restrict the construction or conversion of ADUs.
My home city of Golden allows ADUs, and I have seen them permitted above detached garages (a great application of the concept), and in walk-out basements. The required parking space could be a separate driveway or one
March 7th is being promoted by the Social Security Administration as a day to recognize and fight scams which can deplete the resources of senior citizens. At http://RealEstateToday.substack.com I have posted a link to their “Scam Alert” fact sheet and another link for reporting a scam to Social Security.
space in a multi-car garage. It would be hard to create an ADU in a single family home on a small lot without a walk-out basement or room for a separate structure.
Every jurisdiction subject to the law, if passed, would be required to report to the Division of Local Government that it has met the law’s requirements and developed one or more strategies to “encourage and facilitate” the construction of ADUs.
The bill also establishes a grant program within the Division to help local jurisdictions create their plans and strategies, reduce permitting fees, and provide technical assistance to builders and owners.
It also empowers the Colorado Economic Development Commission to expend $8 million on a contract with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to provide affordable loans, interest rate buy-downs, and down payment assistance plus direct loans related to the construction and conversion of ADUs.
Accessory dwelling units facilitated by the proposed law won’t make a huge dent in the housing crisis, but they have
other benefits. For starters, it will help homeowners create a revenue stream that could help them keep their home.
One of the rules for allowing ADUs in Golden and elsewhere is that the owner of the property must live on the premises — either in the main house or in the ADU. In other words, an owner or investor couldn’t add an ADU and have two rentals units. HB24-1152 disallows that requirement.
My thanks to reader John Phillips, who alerted me to this bill and attended the committee hearing at which it was debated and approved. John’s business builds ADUs under the name Verdant Living. You can reach him at 303-7171962. He is happy to answer any questions you might have about ADUs.
His website is www.VerdantLiving.us.
Last week I had a link to an article promoting the use of propane as a backup, even for an all-electric home. Reader Phil Cox pointed out to me that it wouldn’t work in Denver (and possible other cities) because its building code prohibits the installation of a propane tank anywhere that is within 300 feet of a natural gas (methane) supply line. Thanks, Phil!
$345,000
This 4-bedroom home at 14997 W. 32nd Place backs to the largest of the Coors ponds, which is a birder's dream hosting many rare specious of migratory fowl! There are numerous hiking and biking trails less than a mile away on South Table Mountain, and Rolling Hills Country Club and Applewood Golf Course are each a few blocks aways. Vibrant downtown Golden is 3 miles to the west, and I70 is 2 miles to the east. The front door opens to a 1900-sq.-ft. main level overlooking the Coors pond. The primary suite has high ceilings and also overlooks the pond. A guest bedroom is at the front of the home with an ensuite bathroom. The lower-level walkout basement features 2 more bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a large rec room with built-in bar. The lower level could function as a space to house a caregiver. Enjoy the large main-level deck with it great views of the pond and mountains. It has plenty of room for a table, chairs and grill. The attached garage holds two cars with room to park more in the driveway. The owner says the HOA is well run, and the $360 monthly dues pay for front/back yard maintenance, irrigation maintenance and fences, snow removal up to the porch and garage, trash and recycling collection, street maintenance and common area maintenance. It has been four years since a home was listed for sale in this neighborhood, which tell you how much people like living here. View a narrated video walk-through plus drone video at ApplewoodHome.online, then call Chuck Brown at 303-885-7855 to request a showing. Or come to the open house Saturday, 11 to 1.
This is a rare opportunity to own a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, garden-level condo at 7700 Depew Street #1501 in the well-maintained Wood Creek community that includes a pool and ample parking for you and your guests. Step inside to an open living room with a wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelves, dining area with patio doors and an all-white kitchen with tile floors. There is a bar-height counter between the living room and kitchen, providing an additional seating option. The living and dining rooms are carpeted and freshly painted in a soft neutral color. The two bedrooms are at opposite ends of the condo, separated by the living area. Both bedrooms have extensive closet space. The primary bedroom has two bi-fold doors accessing one closet plus a linen closet. Your private covered patio off of the dining room has a secure storage closet with plenty of room for bikes and additional items on the built in shelves. There is also a full-size laundry room in the unit with three overhead cabinets and a hanging rod. The washer and dryer are included. Wood Creek is located within minutes of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. Little Dry Creek trail is right outside your door. Walk to parks, shops, restaurants and transit. View a narrated video tour plus magazine-quality still photos at www.ArvadaCondo.online, then call listing agent Kathy Jonke at 303-990-7428 to request a showing. If you prefer, you can come to the open house she will be holding this Saturday, Mar. 9th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Concentrate
DAVID
GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922
AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071
KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428
Wynne Shaw, mayor pro tem of Lone Tree, has been chosen to serve a one-year term as the new chair of the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
DRCOG has 58 participating member governments with elected ofcials representative on the board. e planning organization was created so that local governments can collaborate to set policy, establish guidelines and allocate funding for growth and development, transportation as well as aging and disability resources.
Shaw, along with Je Baker from Arapahoe County, Colleen Whitlow from the Town of Mead, and Richard
Kondo from the City of Northglenn, were elected as o cers during a February board meeting.
Shaw has represented Lone Tree in various capacities. She is the vice chair of the Douglas County Subregional Transportation Forum and past board chair and treasurer for the Douglas County Housing Partnership.
Having been a board member and member of the DRCOG’s executive committee, Shaw is looking forward to taking on the role of chair.
“Collaborating with other dedicated DRCOG board members, we will continue to address the critical challenges our region faces,” Shaw said in a press statement.
Shaw added that they anticipate a busy and productive year looking for innovative approaches to transportation, environmental issues and housing while seeking solutions to meet the needs of the metro area’s aging population.
Years ago, when he lived in Denver, Parker Town Council member Joshua Rivero would park in a parking lot that is now the home of the Colorado Municipal League. Nearly two decades later, he is a member of CML’s Executive Board.
“I wouldn’t have imagined 20 years ago when I was living on 10th and Sherman, I’d be down the street talking to a U.S. senator one day,” said Rivero.
Rivero was recently appointed to ll one of the vacancies on the CML Executive Board and will advocate on behalf of cities and towns at the state Capitol.
e league is a nonpro t, nonpartisan organization that represents about 270 cities and towns across the state, including the Town of Parker. It lobbies at the Capitol for the interests of municipalities and works to develop and improve municipal governance. Its members establish policy directions at an annual business meeting and the executive board plays an important role in that.
Fellow council members, such as Laura Hefta have also been part of the organization and have testied on bills at the legislature in the past. Rivero said having someone from Parker on the executive board is bene cial.
Rivero said it’s important to have a Parker viewpoint, but also ensure that every municipality gets heard and that CML is doing what’s best for all communities.
“CML will be active and voice our opinion about these fronts on local control,” said Rivero.
Some bills in recent years have caught CML’s attention and were seen as challenging local control. One was Gov. Jared Polis’ push last year for municipalities to create more housing density in an e ort to alleviate the high costs that are hitting many Coloradans. CML was one of the major groups opposing the legislation, which ultimately was killed. Rivero said it was one of the bills that led to an awakening in
Parker. He said Parker needs to be more vocal about how bills will a ect the town as it’s on the town to implement any laws and to grapple with any shortcomings.
“When you’re dealing with taxpayer dollars, you are dealing with the investment of your community into itself,” said Rivero. “And those are not dollars you want to make a mistake with.”
e CML is also a proponent for educated leadership. rough legislator and policy discussions and seminars, representatives can learn more about areas such as public works, policing, education and compare notes with other municipalities to see what works and look for solutions.
“I believe it’s my duty to learn as much as I can about how a municipality runs,” said Rivero. “It’s much more a ordable for my community if we make the best decision the rst time, than trying to go back and x something.”
Some of the top municipal decisions are around housing issues such as construction defect laws and residential occupancy limits.
Rivero said Parker should be concerned about the bills that a ect the town’s zoning, speci cally accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
ADUs, sometimes called “granny ats,” are smaller, independent residential dwelling units on the same property as a single-family home. Allowing accessory dwelling units could split up single family houses into apartments, said Rivero, which the community, infrastructure and education system is not built for.
“We have laws, we have rules about where things go and to just take that away because the majority of state representatives and senators think that’s the right thing to do is scary to me,” said Rivero. “Everything that we have built in Parker’s short history could go by the wayside if they get rid of some of our zoning laws.”
Rivero’s temporary appointment to CML ends in June. After that, he plans to run for a full executive board position.
Douglas County celebrates the diverse contributions, capacity and value of our residents with developmental disabilities. Thank you for what you bring to our community. This month, the Board of County Commissioners is formally recognizing these residents’ contributions and commending the community organizations, agencies and programs that support them throughout the year. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Developmental Disabilities
Learn more about history, spend time appreciating abstract or contemporary art or get in touch with nature. SCFD organizations have your entrance fee and cultural passions covered. For more information visit https://scfd.org/find-culture/free-days/
Around-the-clock work and an interchange closure will take place from 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7 until 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13. There will be no C-470 access to or from US 85, and through traffic on C-470 will be delayed as crews safely demolish the old US 85 bridge over C-470. To learn more and sign up for notifications visit douglas.co.us and search for US 85 Widening.
Amid ongoing concerns about supplies of water across Douglas County, elected leaders recently created an advisory board to help them tackle the problem. And the county decided those advisers will need their own advisers.
Now, a third layer of adviser — a consultant — could be in the mix.
e water advisory board has asked the county to hire that consultant to help produce a long-term plan.
A chief concern that o cials want to understand is the county’s evolving demand for water and the costs of providing it in the years ahead.
So, what would the consultant do? ey could help create a plan that says “this is where you’re at, this is what the future shows you’ve got, these are your possibilities and opportunities, and here’s the summary,” said Jack Hilbert, one of Douglas County’s former elected leaders and a member of the advisory board, called the countyWater Commission.
But Hilbert’s board doesn’t have authority to spend money on that consultant. Instead, the group is looking to the elected county com-
missioners — George Teal, Lora omas and Abe Laydon — to decide whether there’s money for the consultant. At a late February meeting, the Water Commission voted to ask for that consultant.
Meanwhile, a di erent question — who will be appointed to the second layer of advisers — remains unclear. ose advisers would be appointees and they are envisioned as a group of water experts called the “technical advisory committee,” or TAC.
Water commission members didn’t say much about the technical advisory committee at the meeting, amid the push for a paid consultant, but members recently expressed confusion about the role of the TAC.
e Water Commission doesn’t have the nal say on who joins the TAC. It can only make recommendations.
Ultimately, the elected county commissioners will make TAC appointment decisions, too, according to county sta .
Regarding the idea of hiring a consultant, water commissioners had little opposition.
Member Clark Hammelman initially voted against asking for a consultant and said he wanted to see more speci cs, but he later withdrew his “No” vote.
Hilbert envisioned seeking a consultant who has experience with water plans. He said he struggled to see “how in the heck we’re going to pull this together,” saying he doesn’t have the time and that most water commission members are working or busy.
“We’ve got to have an entity or a person or a group or somebody gathering (information) and helping us put it together who’s got some knowledge,” Hilbert said.
Continuing a theme surrounding the Water Commission, members stressed the importance of planning for the needs of rural residents, many of whom depend on wells for their water supply.
Lisa Darling, director of the South Metro Water Supply Authority, a partnership that works with water districts in the area on regional water planning, acknowledged challenges that come with gathering data about rural water needs.
“What I have seen is a number of studies that have existed for di erent homeowners association groups and di erent smaller districts,” said Darling, who said there’s “patchy information” available.
While some in Douglas Coun-
ty are served by small rural districts like underbird Water and Sanitation District, there are “also 8,000-some residences that are not involved in any district, that have individual wells and use groundwater in southern Douglas County mostly — some northern but mostly southern,” Tricia Bernhardt, another water commission member, said. “So, can’t forget the 8,000,” Bernhardt added.
Despite the possible layers of more advising, the Water Commission, whichheld its rst meeting in December, already has some members with a deep background in water.
Water lawyers, current and former elected o cials, and people who serve on local districts that supply water to many county homes and businesses sit on the commission.
e body is expected to help create a long-term plan regarding water supply and improving conservation.
e water commission typically meets at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the county government building at 100 ird St. in Castle Rock. Its next meeting is set for March 25.
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750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: ElbertCountyNews.net
To subscribe call 303-566-4100
e Elizabeth Police Department recently introduced a Citizen Welfare Program to support the Elizabeth community and help share the responsibility of looking out for vulnerable residents. While the program is aimed at providing elderly citizens with additional resources, any citizen of the town is eligible for free enrollment.
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing o ces.
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change to: Elbert County News, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Community members who sign up for the program will receive a phone call checking in with them as often as they like — weekly, biweekly, monthly, or a frequency of their own choosing. If an o cer cannot reach them by phone, the o cer will call an emergency contact, and might eventually conduct an in-person visit — only with prior consent — if there’s concern. e program is completely voluntary and town residents can tailor the program to their needs. For example, clients can arrange only phone calls and decline in-person check-ins.
O cer Steven Herbel is the main point of contact and has been ne-
resources.
e concept of community policing is what drew Herbel to working in a more rural area. e International Association of Chiefs of Police de nes this concept as policing that “encourages interactive partnerships between law enforcement agencies, their o cers, and the people they serve.”
Herbel believes this philosophy is bene cial to the police as well as the community itself. He is “interested in better serving this community by engaging with the citizens and gaining a better understanding of what our citizens face.”
“Community policing is about not just responding to community problems,” he said. “It’s about being able to actually know the community instead of just responding and going from call to call.”
tuning the program for the last three or four years. Many agencies have similar programs but usually contract the work out to volunteers.
It was important to Herbel to keep the program in-house to encourage more interaction with the community. With direct involvement, the Elizabeth Police Department can build trusting relationships within the community and provide individuals with any necessary
Herbel is originally from Aurora and has his associate’s degree in criminal justice. He is working toward his bachelor’s degree and also works as a school resource o cer at Elizabeth High School.
To sign up for the Citizen Welfare Program or to nd out more information, contact O cer Steven Herbel at sherbel@townofelizabeth.org or call 303-646-4664. Interested parties can also call dispatch at 303-660-7500.
Chris Endo, a sixth-grade geography teacher at Elizabeth Middle School who was the focus of complaints that led to three other educators losing their jobs for alleged failure to report suspected child abuse, reached a separation agreement with the Elizabeth School District in February after ve months of paid leave.
Endo faces no criminal charges — unlike the other three educators — and the agreement explicitly denies any admission of wrongdoing.
e Elbert County News was unable to nd contact information for Endo to seek comment.
Endo’s separation agreement, effective Feb. 14, was unanimously approved as part of the school board’s consent agenda at the Feb. 26 meeting.
Endo was hired by ESD in August 2022 and was the subject of student complaints in spring 2023. He was suspended last Sept. 27 and was on paid leave until the separation agreement.
e 18th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce, which conducted an investigation into the allegations, did not press criminal charges against Endo. According to a previous Elbert County News article, the DA’s o ce wrote on Dec. 12: “At this time, we do not have enough probable cause to prove a criminal case in court beyond a reasonable doubt against the teacher at the center of the accusations.”
ree other Elizabeth Middle School sta members have been charged with one count of Failure to Report Suspected Child Abuse. e Elizabeth School District separated from Principal Brett Michel, Assistant Principal Je ery Sparrow and school guidance counselor Shannon Paxton after an internal investigation determined that the student complaints did not result in reports to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services under Colorado’s mandatory reporting law, C.R.S. 193-304, according to a statement released by the school.
Interim Principal Kimberly Runyan, Interim Administrator Mark
Carara and Interim Athletic Director Jim McCoin were asked to ll vacancies at EMS. Runyan has since accepted a permanent position as principal.
A statement from the district to the Elbert County News on the afternoon of March 1 said:
Earlier this week, the Elizabeth School District Board of Education formally approved a separation agreement between the district and Elizabeth Middle School teacher Chris Endo.
Mr. Endo’s employment with the district o cially ended Feb. 14. He has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing during his time working at EMS, and the agreement expressly denies admission by either party of any violation of any law, rule, regulation, order or contract.
In observance of the separation agreement’s non-disparagement and nondisclosure sections, the school district cannot make any further comment about the factors or negotiations leading to the end of Mr. Endo’s employment with the district.
Superintendent Dan Snowberger also released a statement to district parents, saying:
Dear Elizabeth Middle School parents and guardians,
As promised at our open forum late last year, following the suspensions of Elizabeth Middle School’s
previous administrators and counselor due to district policy violations regarding Colorado’s mandatory reporting law, I am providing an update on that situation. is will be the nal such update.
Earlier this week, the Elizabeth School District Board of Education formally approved a separation agreement between the district and Elizabeth Middle School teacher Chris Endo.
Mr. Endo’s employment with the district o cially ended Feb. 14. It is important to note that Mr. Endo has not been formally charged with any legal wrongdoing during his time working at EMS.
While I understand many parents will nd this frustrating because not all of the details can be shared, I hope you will join me in looking for-
ward to the bright future ahead of the students, sta and entire school. Saying that does not minimize the diculties faced by people whose lives were a ected over the last several months, but with regard to the previous makeup of the school’s sta , this chapter is closed.
We have an excellent new principal at EMS, Kimberly Runyan, and she will soon be hiring a new assistant principal and a permanent sixthgrade social studies teacher. We also have a stellar new counselor, Connie Hines, in place to help any students who feel the need to reach out to her. ank you for your patience and understanding as we have all walked through this di cult time.
Sincerely,
Dan
Not a single elected Colorado Republican appeared at presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s rally in Centennial on Feb. 27.
Several hundred people came to cheer Haley on as she swung through the metro area as part of a national whirlwind presidential primaries tour, and very few of them were notable Republicans. e notables included former Arapahoe County GOP Chair Suzanne Taheri, political strategist and former GOP State Party Chair Dick Wadhams and former Secretary of State Wayne Williams.
Taheri introduced Haley, saying it’s the rst time in a while that she is excited about a presidential candidate.
“ e last eight years have been bleak,” Taheri said. “We’ve lost membership from the Republican Party. We’ve lost races up and down the ticket. I am just so excited to have a candidate that’s going to concentrate on actual issues instead of settling personal scores.”
Haley spoke at length about how Donald Trump, the former president who is the frontrunner for the GOP’s presidential nomination in 2024, has damaged the party, causing division and consistent losses.
“I’m looking at the fact that no Republican has gotten over 45% statewide since Donald Trump was president,” Haley said of Colorado.
e state party leadership, including its chair, Dave Williams, has moved away from moderate positions and recently broke party bylaws to endorse Trump before the primary began.
Haley said many in the Republican
Party idolize Trump and that has caused “the party to move in a direction that’s not us.” She said the party has lost focus on scal responsibility, abandoned foreign allies and dismissed down ballot races.
“When you’re running for president of the United States, your job is to bring people into the fold, not push them out of the club,” Haley said.
Haley argued that she could also remove the “tent of anger, division and hatred” over America. She said she would focus on lowering government spending, improving relationships with allies, investing
in veterans’ services and reducing taxes on the middle class and small businesses.
“Imagine a country where you can sit at the dinner table with your family and not have a political ght,” Haley said. “Imagine a country where you can go to work and say what you need without fear of being demoted. Imagine a country where we can strongly disagree but we don’t have to hate each other.”
But Haley’s vision isn’t resonating with many Republicans. e former governor of South Carolina even lost her own state primary by 20 percentage points on Saturday.
A Global Strategies Group poll of Colorado Republicans found 76% viewed Trump favorably, while twothirds of una liated voters view Trump unfavorably. Una liated voters are 48% of Colorado’s registered voters and are able to vote in the Republican primary.
In an interview with 9News after the rally, Haley said she wasn’t concerned about the lack of support from Colorado elected o cials.
“We don’t try and get the political class, that’s never been anything I’ve done in my entire career,” she said. “I’ve always focused on real people, regular people.”
Colorado’s primary was March 5, after press time. For results, go to coloradocommunitymedia.com.
Alexander Reighart was not in restraints when found
and the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, Reighart, 29, was taken into custody without incident.
Alexander Reighart, the man who was handcu ed by Douglas County deputies, put in the back of a patrol vehicle and escaped on Feb. 20, has been arrested and is in the county jail. He was tracked down at a 7-Eleven on Pecos Street in Denver late last night and, with the assistance of Denver police
Detectives had been working on the case since Reighart escaped after Douglas County deputies detained him at a 7-Eleven near Town Center Drive and U.S. Highway 85.
When located in Denver before 11 p.m., he was not in handcu s.
“Although we know this manhunt should not have been necessary, we applaud the perseverance of our detectives and our partners,” said Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly
in a social media post.
Douglas County deputies initially stopped Reighart while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle. e found two individuals, including Reighart, and eventually detained him, alleging he had outstanding felony warrants for nancial crimes and drug violations.
He is now facing charges of escape and unlawful possession of a controlled substance and is also being held on several felony warrants, according to jail records.
His bond is set at more than $1 million, according to jail records.
Alexander Reighart, a 29-year-old, has been arrested and is in the Douglas County jail after running from custody on Feb. 20 near Town Center Drive and U.S. Highway 85.
Citing the rising age of residents in Highlands Ranch, and declining birth rates, o cials with the Douglas County School District have begun the process to combine schools in the area as student enrollments decline in the years to come.
e district created an advisory
team, consisting of district administration, principals and board committee members, to oversee the process of consolidating some schools by 2026.
ere are 18 elementary schools in Highlands Ranch. Superintendent Erin Kane said that as fewer students enroll, schools will be unable to maintain electives, like art and music, or extracurriculars.
“Many of (the schools) are getting smaller and smaller which means that our students are losing out on opportunities,” Kane said.
A presentation from the North Plan-
ning Area Enrollment Advisory Team laid out a timeline where recommendations for school pairings would be made in the spring of 2025 after extensive community engagement.
e team will start identifying criteria for school pairings this fall.
“Feedback is really going to be important to this process,” Assistant Superintendent Danny Winsor said.
After recommendations have been made, Windsor said fall of 2024 talks will focus on the logistics of combining schools and developing a new school community.
A survey of district sta and mem-
bers of school accountability committees showed 89% of respondents supported the timeline as proposed. e district has committed to sta that no jobs will be lost in the pairing of schools. Schools that are closed will be repurposed for other district needs, Kane said.
Kane and Winsor emphasized the importance of communicating with sta and the community throughout the process.
“We know there is a lot of emotion in this process,” Winsor said. “ ese are some of the hardest decisions we have to make.”
Last week I shared thoughts on what happens when we postpone decisions. Many of you asked how to make good and better decisions. So here are some ideas I hope that you will nd useful.
Decisions permeate every aspect of our lives; from the mundane choices we make at home to the high-stakes decisions we face in the workplace. e quality of these decisions directly impacts our personal satisfaction, professional success, and overall well-being. While decision-making can be challeng-
ing, mastering this skill is essential for navigating life’s complexities e ectively. In this article, we’ll explore strategies for making better decisions both at home and at work.
Before diving into speci c strategies, it’s essential to understand the underlying dynamics of decision-making. Decisions are in uenced by a variety of factors,
including emotions, biases, cognitive limitations and environmental context. Recognizing these in uences is the rst step toward making more conscious and deliberate choices. By fostering self-awareness and understanding our decision-making tendencies, we can begin to overcome inherent biases and make decisions that align with our values and goals.
Whether at home or in the workplace, e ective decision-making begins with clarity around goals and priorities. Take the time to articulate what you hope to achieve
Iand identify the factors that are most important to you. By establishing clear objectives, you provide a framework for evaluating options and making decisions that are aligned with your overarching goals. is clarity also helps in distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, enabling you to prioritize your e orts accordingly.
Informed decisions are often better decisions. Take the time to gather relevant information and consider a range of options before
n January, Douglas County School District’s educators and sta received their much anticipated and well deserved pay increases. is was made possible by you — the citizens of our community who voted yes on 5A (mill levy override) this past November.
Pay raises from the MLO were paid retroactively back to the start of the school year. We were so happy to see this come to fruition and our employees have shared with us some incredible stories about what this additional pay has meant to them. As a result of the pay increases, some of our teachers have been able to quit their second (in some cases third) jobs and spend more time with their families. Others have been able to put a down payment on a much needed second vehicle for their household or use the money to help pay for their own children’s college education.
We have even received inquiries from teachers and sta that left us for other districts, because they can now a ord to come home. Due to 5A, our starting teacher salary moved from $45K to about $51K for next school year, allowing us to at least have the opportunity to compete with our neighbors (who have starting salaries from $50K to about $65K) as we recruit new teachers. While we have not fully addressed our salary chal-
lenges, the passage of 5A has been a huge step in the right direction. It goes a long way towards reinforcing our appreciation and support for our teachers and sta and encouraging them to stay here in DCSD where they belong.
Beyond compensation increases, funding from the MLO (as outlined in the ballot language) is enabling us to further increase safety and security in our schools via additional personnel such as school resource o cers and campus security specialists. Hiring is in the works for these positions and many campus security specialists are already in place at elementary schools. e rest will be in place for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to our law enforcement partners — Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, Castle Rock Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department and Parker Police Department — for their support of additional school resource o cers (SROs). e Douglas County commissioners recently voted 3-0 to contribute additional funds to maximize the SROs we are able to
hire with the passage of 5A. We are so grateful for our community’s dedication to the safety of our schools, students and sta .
Being able to take better care of our teachers and sta so that they can continue to care for our students is a huge relief and we truly cannot thank our community enough. Of course, we still have work to do, especially in this environment of everincreasing costs. We are currently working to tackle the challenge of how to invest in our buildings and make sure we are able to provide safe, adequate and comfortable learning environments for our students and sta . With 111 buildings across our large school district there is always something needing repair or replacement — especially in the winter months we face heating and cooling issues, frozen pipes, roof leaks (and resulting water damage), and more. We accumulate $35M in capital maintenance with each passing year and continuing to defer this maintenance only costs our taxpayers more in the long run. Additionally, we are temporarily supporting growth with over ow schools and mobile classrooms — without the ability to place schools in our school voids, we will eventually have to reboundary existing neighborhoods away from their closest school in order to accommodate the over ow
from communities with no schools. We will be reaching out in the coming months to work together in nding solutions to ensure that all of our students and communities have access to thriving school buildings and learning environments.
In the meantime, I hope you take a moment (using the QR code or by going to tinyurl.com/dcsdthanks) to hear directly from our teachers and sta . ere were many tears of joy and gratitude on Nov. 8 throughout our district. ank you again from the bottom of our hearts for saying yes to 5A and making it a priority to care for our teachers and sta here in DCSD.
Flawed analysis
“If we don’t defeat the communists in South Vietnam, they will be emboldened to forcibly take over all of Southeast Asia.”
“If we don’t defeat the Russians in Ukraine, they will be emboldened to forcibly take over the Bal-
tic States.”
e same awed analysis used by the U.S. to justify participation in two hopeless and disastrous military adventures.
Raoul De Chant Parker
FROM PAGE 14
making a choice. is may involve conducting research, seeking advice from experts or colleagues, or simply brainstorming alternative solutions. By exploring di erent perspectives and considering various possibilities, you expand your decision-making toolkit and increase the likelihood of making a well-informed choice.
Every decision involves a degree of uncertainty and risk. Before committing to a course of action, carefully evaluate the potential risks and bene ts associated with each option. Consider both short-term and long-term consequences, as well as the likelihood of success or failure. While it’s essential to be mindful of risks, don’t let fear of failure paralyze you. Instead, focus on mitigating risks where possible and embracing calculated risks when necessary to achieve your goals.
Intuition can be a valuable guide in decision-making, particularly in situations where time is limited, or information is incomplete. And as we all know, sometimes our gut knows before our head knows. However, it’s essential to balance intuition with rational analysis and verication. Trust your instincts, but also take the time to validate your assumptions and intuition with evidence and logic. is approach helps in avoiding impulsive decisions driven solely by emotions or gut feelings, ensuring greater clarity and con dence in your choices.
E ective decision-making often bene ts from input and collaboration from others. Whether at home or in the workplace, don’t hesitate to seek feedback from trusted advisers, colleagues or family members.
Di erent perspectives can o er valuable insights and challenge as-
sumptions, leading to more robust decision-making outcomes. Additionally, involving others in the decision-making process fosters buyin and commitment, enhancing the likelihood of successful implementation.
Finally, remember that decisionmaking is a skill that improves with practice and re ection. Take the time to re ect on past decisions, both successes, and failures, and identify lessons learned. What worked well? What could have been done di erently? By embracing a growth mindset and continually seeking to improve your decision-making abilities, you position yourself for greater success and ful llment both at home and in the workplace.
Making better decisions is a skill that can be cultivated and re ned over time. By understanding decision-making dynamics, clarifying goals, gathering information, evaluating risks, trusting intuition, seeking input and re ecting on experience, you can become a more e ective decision-maker both at home and at work. Ultimately, mastering the art of decision-making empowers you to navigate life’s complexities with con dence and clarity, enabling you to achieve your goals and aspirations with greater ease and satisfaction.
Hopefully this was helpful. Since life is full of decision-making points, we must couple that with a solid decision-making process. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can embrace a process that helps us make good and better decisions, it really will be a good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
Ice fishing creates and continues bonds between friends and families in ColoradoBY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife estimates shing in Colorado generates $2.4 billion in economic output each year, and ice shing is quickly becoming a major source of that revenue, according to CPW.
If you don’t know how or are intimidated by trekking out on the ice for the rst time, CPW has everything you need.
“We provide the gear, we provide the demonstrations, and those that are our experts just love to o er up their opinions and their services to show o the fun things that you get to do outside of work and getting into Colorado,” Staunton Park Manager Zach Taylor said.
CPW constantly updates where and when shing clinics are held across the state, including one held recently at Staunton Park in Pine.
Promoting ice shing serves several roles.
“We as a community and a culture don’t talk much as a community anymore when we can get people outside, maybe outside their comfort zone, but (we want to) show them how easy it is and how fun it can be,” Taylor said.
Volunteers are a critical part of CPW’s goal and mission to get people outdoors in Colorado around the year and their contributions and considerable.
Each year 4,000-6,000 volunteers engage with CPW — some who connect for one day, and some who engage daily. Volunteers contribute over 320,000 hours per year with an annual economic impact of $9.4 million, according to CPW.
“I was brought up in a culture with my mom and dad that man is put on this earth to serve other men, and so how we make other people better is how we relate with them,”
Longtime CPW volunteer Michael Hedgpeth from Elizabeth said. “ is gives me the opportunity to relate to people every time I come out here.”
Hedgpeth said he’d been coming out to Staunton Park for so long CPW asked if he would want to volunteer and share his knowledge of ice shing with others. He quickly accepted the unpaid position.
“I feel like I’m honestly serving a greater purpose from helping to give back to mankind to help us be better people, better at what we do,” Hedgpeth said as he reeled in a nice trout from his small hole in the ice during the Staunton Park clinic.
Strong friendship bonds solidified on the ice
Al Jaramillo and Archie Garcia consider themselves brothers, not by birth, but from more than 40 years of friendship.
e pair shed through several feet of ice at Georgetown Lake in early February.
“We’re ice shing today and it’s going to be a nice day,” Jaramillo said. “You know, you can’t beat it with the sun shining down on us, the sh are biting… it beats going to work every day.”
ese guys have the modern technology and tools of the sport, including a power auger to dig through the ice and several sonar “ sh- nders.”
e sport can be as basic or as high-tech as you want to make it, the two men said. It also means you can spend as little or as much as you want to get into the sport.
“It depends how you want to out t yourself, but you can spend a lot of money,” Garcia said. “ ese are $100 boots, a $75 jacket $75, the sleds are another $50, the reels are $100, the sh nders are around $300. It’s not a cheap sport, but you could come out here with a stick with a string tied to it and might get lucky.”
eir drill-powered auger was equipped with a frisbee near the drill, “If augur falls into the hole it won’t sink oating on top of the hole,” Garcia said. So, even with their high-tech gear, simple solutions can be the best.
Pop-up tents with propane heaters are also popular to stay warm and out of the wind. According to one angler on the ice at Georgetown Lake, you’re also looking at between $400 and $1000 to buy the comfortable set-up. However, it still doesn’t guarantee more sh.
“It’s a little luck and a little skill,” Drew from Longmont said.
On the opposite end of the lake, two ice shers cut through the solid frozen lake with a hand-operated auger.
Rik Ramunno from Lakewood and his good friend Kyle, of Denver, twisted their way into the ice an inch at a time.
Ramunno, who grew up in Eagle, has been ice shing his entire life, but this was the rst outing for Kyle.
“You can’t learn how to do something new unless you do it. I think ice shing is something that people look at and say ‘that’s kind of cool’ but I have no idea how to go about it,” Ramunno said. “Doing it with Kyle, now he can do this whenever he wants.”
e pair also enjoyed the connection between ice shing and history, when the “sport” was a necessity.
“You know a man used to have to come to the ice to get food, I think it’s important to remember where we come from,” Kyle said.
Guided ice fishing tours: leave the work to the pros
Sport Fish Colorado based in Lake City is one of dozens of guide services across the state that o ers to “take care of everything,” according to coowner Aimee Withrow.
A mix of shing areas in Antero Reservoir, Tarryall Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Reservoir draw clients from Denver and Colorado Springs for ice shing, Withrow said.
If you’re 16 or older, all you need is a state shing license, warm clothes and a desire for the experience.
“ e guides would have all the gear they would set everything up for you.
ey know the spots they like to sh so generally they’re getting on sh right away,” Withrow said.
Sport Fish Colorado o ers three and six-hour guided experiences at any of the lakes they cover.
e cost for a three-hour excursion for two is about $400, Withrow said.
e guides will do as much or as little as the customer wants, including taking the sh o the hook or cleaning, appropriate sh, to take home for dinner, Withrow added.
When the ird Annual Uni ed Basketball Games event was about to get underway at Elizabeth Middle School, emcee and teacher Curtis Kaumeyer’s voice boomed through the gym as he announced players by name. e Elizabeth High School Poms team anked each player as they exited the locker room, welcomed by cheers from the crowd.
Elementary school students played the rst game of the evening on Feb. 23, followed by “halftime” fundraisers. e second game goodnaturedly pitted high school and middle school students against one another.
Students and sta from all over the district volunteered to referee, assist players and help manage the games. Physical-education teachers TJ Schmitt, Madison Wages, Ra-
chel Rucker and Aaron Stone were coaches. EMS teachers Josie Brush and Lincoln Jones refereed both games.
e gym roared with excitement each and every time a player made a basket. Players exchanged highves and celebrated with each other
as well as with family members and friends on the sidelines.
Mike Hamner, an Elizabeth Middle School coach and teacher, is the main point of contact and current coordinator for the uni ed basketball program. One of Hamner’s favorite student success stories from
the EMS Uni ed Basketball Game comes from last year. A student had a rough year and experienced some things that no child should go through.
“We asked him to participate in the program and he agreed with reluctance,” Hamner said. “ is student struggled to smile or show very much joy daily. e night of the game this kid came to life! He ran up and down the court with a smile from ear to ear. He was in his happy place. At this moment, I truly understood how much this program positively impacted these kids.”
Hamner wanted to create an opportunity for kids with special needs in all grades to have a platform to compete in athletics. is is the rst time that the game has included students of all ages — from Singing Hills Elementary School, Running Creek Elementary and Elizabeth High School, in addition to EMS. rough the Uni ed Sports Program, Hamner was also able to start a mentor program at the middle
Thu 3/07
Soccer: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2024 @ 12:30am
Mar 7th - May 4th
AH - Kinder Field 3, 11682 Bradbury Ranch Rd., Parker
Ryan Beatty @ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Eric Golden @ 7:30pm
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Ryan Beatty @ 8pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood
Fri 3/08
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Chain Reaction Brewing Company, 902 S Lipan St, Denver
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MG3: Montréal Guitare Trio @ 8pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver
snarls @ 9pm
Luke Bulla @ 7pm
Five Strings Barn Concert, Castle Rock
Twin Temple GOD IS DEAD TOUR @ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Mon 3/11
Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10
Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora
Flag Football: Youth - Ages 8 to 10 - Spring 2024
@ 10pm
Mar 11th - May 11th
Salisbury Sports Complex, 11920 Motsen‐bocker Road, Parker
Basketball: Youth - Boys Ages 12 to 14 - Spring 2024
@ 11pm
Mar 11th - May 11th
Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Briston Maroney @ 8:30pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Sun 3/10
Tue 3/12
Ricky Montgomery @ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Fat Bottom Boys - Premier QUEEN tribute band: Fat Bottom Boys presents music of QUEEN @ 9:30pm
The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Circle, Littleton
Sat 3/09
Ari Mannis: Nick Swardson @ 7:15pm
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village
Twin Temple @ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Nick Jarry: Resolute @ 7pm
Resolute Brewing Company, 7286 S Yosemite St #110, Centennial
Basketball: Youth - Boys Ages 10 to 12 Upper - Spring 2024 @ 9:30pm
Mar 12th - May 10th
Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Wed 3/13
DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Wednesdays - 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm
Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan
Josiah and the Bonnevilles @ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Thu 3/14
Eric Golden @ 6:30pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia
Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion. This publication is not responsible for the ac‐curacy of the information contained in this calendar.
After struggling with her own mental health, Erin House, a 17-yearold from Parker stood among more than 140 clinical experts and mental health advocates at the state Capitol. She came to share her journey and to encourage others to use their voices to advocate for more and better mental health services for young people like her.
“We need to make being more vulnerable a more normal conversation,” House told Colorado Community Media.
In partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter, the Colorado Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society and Children’s Hospital Colorado, House’s remarks were part of the second annual Youth Mental Health Action Day at the state Capitol.
Advocates and clinicians spent the day in late February meeting with government o cials to talk about prevention, expanding access to services, fortifying the mental health workforce and ensuring a coordinated child-serving system.
House, a senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, was inspired to become an advocate after realizing how severe her own mental health issues had become.
She has always been an academi-
cally focused and driven person, but it was during her freshman and sophomore years that she became severely depressed.
Between school and the COVID-19 pandemic, House said she didn’t have much of a social life. She was
also a competitive dancer, but felt it was a toxic environment.
“I didn’t understand why I felt so depressed,” said House. “I was like, I have such a beautiful life.”
During her junior year, House began isolating herself and made a
plan to commit suicide, alarming those around her.
House went to a psychiatric facility for a week, followed by 20 weeks of intensive outpatient therapy. is in-
cluded dialectical behavioral therapy, a form of therapy that helps people accept the reality of their lives, behaviors and helps them learn to change their lives in a healthy way.
“Being depressed should not be the normal,” said House. “Unfortunately, it is for a lot of people, especially people my age.”
Dr. Sandra Fritsch, youth psychiatrist and medical director of all clinical activities at Children’s Hospital Colorado, mentioned a recent report in which 40% of teens were reporting persistent sadness every day.
Additionally, adolescents ages 11-18 reporting poor mental health has more than doubled from 8.8% in 2018 to 18.5% in 2021.
Fritsch said many people may
think mental health needs increased because of the pandemic, but said there was a “pediatric mental health pandemic” before COVID-19. e pandemic only made it worse.
House hopes that society and older generations come to understand that the latest generation now entering adulthood, known as Generation Z, and teens today face vastly di erent issues than older Americans.
“Social media and the impact of COVID and all these external factors are really impacting us internally,” said House. “I understand that older generations de nitely face trauma and they de nitely had a hard life. We have a di erent kind of trauma.”
House said much awareness is needed. at’s why she joined the Children’s Hospital Youth Council on Mental Health, leading her to speak at the Capitol.
“My goal was to encourage them to really be an advocate and to show them that from a youth, we need
help and that we can’t do it without them.”
The politics of mental health
e action day at the Capitol helped demonstrate to legislators that the developmental, behavioral and mental health needs of youth and families are met.
“Whether it’s an inpatient setting or other levels of care, it’s always a challenge to be able to nd enough resources to help our youth get their behavioral health and mental health needs met,” said Fritsch.
Clinical experts advocated for some of the bills that will be voted on this legislative session.
One of those is SB24-001, Continue Youth Mental Health Service Program. is bill continues the “I Matter” program, which helps provide youth with access to up to six free mental health therapy visits.
More than 9,000 young people have used the program and more
than 13,000 Colorado could be reached annually through the program.
Another bill advocates spoke for is one that supports the needs of children with complex mental conditions. House Bill 1038 would implement a standardized assessment, expand access to residential treatment services, provide intensive care coordination, therapeutic foster care and more.
“All politics is persistence,” said Fritsch. “You can’t give up with the rst ‘No.’ You’ve got to keep going and as a child/adolescent psychiatrist, I can give facts and that makes me credible, but it’s those stories that make it memorable.” at’s another reason young people like House came to the Capitol.
“Life should be more ful lling,” said House. “Anxiety and depression should only be temporary, they shouldn’t be a permanent part of your life.”
school. “ is has allowed students to support our special education students by helping them in their journey and building friendships,” he said.
EMS student mentor Brooke Schaben explained why she wanted to be involved in the Uni ed Program. She said she loves seeing the smiling faces of the kids playing basketball. Schaben believes it’s a great program and that “kids who sometimes have a hard time tting in, get to experience joy with this activity.”
Former PE teacher Susan Jones pioneered the Uni ed Basketball Game at EMS. Hamner had the opportunity to help Jones and he “immediately fell in love” with the program. Jones left after that rst year and Hamner stepped up to take over the program with the intention to expand it.
e rst year Hamner was in charge, his goal was to make the basketball game a larger event to raise money and bring more attention to the program. To that end, EHS student and videographer Cash Randle lmed the game and created a video to present to the school district. is year, the intention was to expand the program beyond the middle school.
Hamner said the “next goal will be to expand the program to di erent athletic events.” ough Hamner is leaving Elizabeth School District at the end of this school year, fellow
sta member Jim Carriker will be taking over the program.
Uni ed ports were pioneered by the Special Olympics and now more than 1.2 million people worldwide participate, breaking down stereotypes and changing perceptions. Uni ed Sports promote inclusion and o er special education students a chance to participate in sports they might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience.
e Uni ed Program bene ts from donations and the generosity of sponsors. e rst two years the program received a donation from one sponsor. is year, Hamner said, the program had multiple sponsors.
e Uni ed Sports Program received a $1,000 check from the Rocky Mountain Research and Prevention Institute, which administers the Colorado Kids First specialty license plate program. Car owners can choose Elizabeth Middle School as the recipient for their donation to Colorado Kids First. ARC and Vicki Wemberly from Coldwell Banker Realty also sponsored this year’s program. Funds went toward purchasing new jerseys and adaptive basketball hoops for each school.
Hamner would like to thank the following people for their help and support in building the Uni ed program: Brooks Eddy, Susan Jones, Gwenda Alltop, Brett Michel, Je Sparrow, Cash Randle and Jim
riker.
To learn more about the Uni ed Program or to become a sponsor, contact Jim Carriker at jcarriker@ esdk12.org.
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We have a rare property with a fully permitted Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) near the west highlands (one of Denver's best places to live). The property is 90% completed to allow for customization.
The property is 1,531 square feet with a 560 sq. foot ADU with 2 car garage and space for RV parking--the unit has solar.
The property is best as an investment property with the main unit renting out as a Short Term Rental for around $5000/month. The ADU will rent out $4000/month for a total of $9K/month. There are so many individuals and families that want to come to Colorado for an adventure and see Red Rocks Parks, Garden of the Gods, The Air Force Academy and of course check out our great skiing and beer. We will list the property on Air BNB and or VRBO for no charge and run the rental for 90 days at no charge and hand over to you turnkey.
The property has an amazing open space kitchen with a large master bed room, large walk in closet and wow en-suite. bathroom. The property is superb for entertaining with a large deck and breakfast nook.
The 2nd buyer is a young couple that would live in one unit and rent out the other to cover their payment. We are offering a 2-1 buydown for a full price offer. The interest rate will be around 5% in year one and 6% in year 2.
The 3rd buyer is a family care situation where one will support the other but do not want to be too close.
The last buyer would be a mid to older age couple who would like to have additional space for guest and for them to have private space. The home is all on one level.
Any buyer who does not take the 2-1 buydown and does give a full price offer will get a custom package for $20,000.00. The upgrades could include and of these: Private garden, custom front porch, hottub, man cave in the garage or custom tile and paint throughout the home, RV parking or off street parking for the ADU.
Please call Alan Davis at 303-378-7537 or alandavis@levelengineering.com
Public Trustees
PUBLIC NOTICE
To Whom It May Concern: On 12/19/2023 8:39:00
AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: Brent Hines and Amy Hines
Original Beneficiary:
Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Commerce Home Mortgage, a California Corporation
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:
Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 1/25/2016
Recording Date of DOT: 2/5/2016
Reception No. of DOT: 2016007004
DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $356,125.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $331,833.92
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property:
LOT 41, STONEGATE FILING NO. 21A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of:
17545 Celestine Court , Parker, CO 80134
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 2/22/2024
Last Publication: 3/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 12/19/2023
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
ARICYN J. DALL
Colorado Registration #: 51467 216 16TH STREET SUITE 1210, DENVER, COLORADO 80202
Phone #: (720) 259-6714
Fax #: (720) 259-6709
Attorney File #: 20CO00068-12
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2023-0208
First Publication: 2/22/2024
Last Publication: 3/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Parker NOTICE OF SALE
Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0201
To Whom It May Concern: On 12/7/2023 8:17:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: CHRIS JON HAMMERBERG
Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/1/2018
Recording Date of DOT: 6/5/2018
Reception No. of DOT: 2018033623
DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $314,204.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $291,384.25
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 100, COTTONWOOD SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 17605 Ponderosa Ave, Parker, CO 80134
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 2/8/2024
Last Publication: 3/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 12/7/2023
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
DAVID R DOUGHTY
Colorado Registration #: 40042 9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
Phone #: (303) 706-9990
Fax #: (303) 706-9994
Attorney File #: 20-024128
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2023-0201
First Publication: 2/8/2024
Last Publication: 3/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Summons and Sheriff Sale
Public Notice
PROBATE CITATION SUPPLEMENTAL CITATION File #2021-722/A
SURROGATE’S COURTSARATOGA COUNTY, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
By the Grace of God Free and Independent
TO: Christopher Shambo, Esq., and to Jason Breeden and Joseph Breeden, grandchildren, (who are the issue of Jeffrey Breeden, predeceased son) of the decedent, Beverly J. Hagadorn, who died on October 8, 2021 a resident of the town of Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York, the residences and/or post office addresses of said Jason Breeden and Joseph Breeden are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained; and if any of the said above be dead, then to all of the distributees, heirs-at-law and next-of-kin of such deceased distributees; A petition having been duly filed by Lorrie Hagadorn, who is domiciled at 106 Brickhouse Road, Stillwater, NY 12170;
YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE
before the Surrogate’s Court, Saratoga County, 30 McMaster Street, Building 3, Ballston Spa, NY, on April 10, 2024, at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Beverly J. Hagadorn, lately domiciled at 115 Brickhouse Road, Stillwater, NY 12170, admitting to probate a Will dated April 27, 2016, a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Beverly J. Hagadorn, deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that Letters Testamentary issue to: Lorrie Hagadorn. Attested and Sealed, Hon. Jonathan G. Schopf Surrogate
Dated, February 15, 2024
/s/ Lisa M. Hastings, Chief Clerk. Attorney for Petition: Margaret E. Gilmartin T Telephone #: 518-888-6750
Address of Attorney: 29 Spa Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear.
If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.
Legal Notice No. 205114
First Publication: March 7, 2024
Last Publication: March 28, 2024
Publisher: Elbert County News ###
When government takes action, it uses local newspapers to notify you. Reading your public notices is the best way to find out what is happeninginyour community and how it affects you. If you don’t read public notices, you never know what you might miss. Noticesare meant to be noticed.
