Peer visits at Parker hospital bring hope to patients recovering from stroke
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Something as simple as a touch of a hand and some comforting words brought Julie Pfankuch from hopelessness to being hopeful. at’s what helped Pfankuch on her long path to recovery from a stroke and now, years later, Pfankuch is spreading that hope at AdventHealth Parker Hospital with their new Stroke Peer Visitation Program.
“Not knowing what’s coming down the road for you and the struggles… just sharing that with someone can make a big di erence,” said Pfankuch.
One of the most common post-stroke complications is depression. A 2023 study published in the federal National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine found that the prevalence of post-stroke depression is high, is often underestimated and tends to occur months after stroke.
Recently retired from the hospital, Kimberly Roth was the stroke coordinator at AdventHealth Parker. roughout her nearly two decades at the hospital, she saw the number of stroke patients at the hospital increasing.
to people who have had a stroke, the program was created by Kimberly Roth, who saw a need for ongoing support for stroke survivors.
Wine Walk returns to Parker after successful lobbying e ort at state Capitol
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For nearly 15 years, Parker’s Wine Walk events lit a spark in the community, bringing people into Mainstreet shops. But when the state shut down the walks last year, that spark zzled.
Yet the cancellation lit another spark – a lobbying e ort that would culminate almost a year later at the state Capitol in the form of House Bill 24-1156. e bill, signed by Gov. Jared Polis, will bring back Wine Walk events.
“Wine walks are one of the oldest [events] that’s still around,” said Mayor Pro Tem John Diak. “It was great that we got support at the state level to gure out how we can continue our tradition.”
Polis swung through downtown Parker in early June to sign the bill, which is named the Chamber of Commerce Alcohol Special Event Permit. It makes Parker’s chamber, and chambers of commerce throughout
Julie Pfankuch, who had an ischemic stroke in 2016, is now one of the first peer visitors with AdventHealth Parker Hospital’s Stroke Peer Visitation Program. With the premises of giving hope
COURTESY OF JULIE PFANKUCH
Renaissance Festival brings medieval fun and annual road closure
Bear Dance Drive south of Castle Rock to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays as needed
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A road that parallels Interstate 25 will close to southbound tra c going toward Larkspur during the Colorado Renaissance Festival on an as-needed basis, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce says. is marks the second year in a row that the tra c plan for the Renaissance Festival will close the back road some have used during the festival in the past. Other routes
to the festival will still be open.
A widely known event, the festival has caused concerns among nearby residents about tra c linked to the gathering.
ere’s also a public-safety concern about access for emergency vehicles, said Deputy Cocha Heyden, spokesperson for the sheri ’s o ce.
“Only residents and con rmed golf course attendees will be allowed past the closure. Others will be turned away,” the sheri ’s o ce said on the social media platform X. e Renaissance Festival — which the Town of Larkspur’s website describes as Colorado’s “premier summertime event” — is a thematic recreation of a 16th century village and marketplace set in a “picturesque mountain venue,” the website says. e road closure spot is south of Castle Rock. e sheri ’s o ce
may close Bear Dance Drive south of Tomah Road on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at about 9:30 a.m. until roughly 1:30 p.m.
e closure period started on June 15 and lasts until Aug. 4, but it will only be implemented as needed, Heyden said.
“If it appears that tra c through that area is getting bad, they will close it southbound,” Heyden said.
At the closure, golfers headed to a nearby golf course will be allowed through with a con rmed tee time. Residents living in the area will also be allowed through.
“We will trust that if they say they
Tra c signals illuminated at the intersection of Tomah Road and an Interstate 25 frontage road in the Castle Rock area, pictured here in March 2023. The Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce plans to close nearby Bear Dance Drive south of Tomah Road on Saturdays and Sundays as needed amid tra c during the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
live there, they do. If it appears they may not, they may be asked for proof,” Heyden said. “We would like to trust people to be honest.” e closure does not a ect anyone going northbound, Heyden said.
Access to the festival runs via Spruce Mountain Road to Perry Park Avenue, according to the sheri ’s o ce. e festival’s address is 650 Perry Park Ave. in Larkspur. For more information on the festival and routes to get there, visit its website at coloradorenaissance. com.
Douglas County High School teacher arrested for alleged child sexual assault
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A teacher at Douglas County High School has been arrested on allegations of sexual assault against a child.
e Douglas County Sheri ’s Ofce arrested James omure, 55 of Centennial, on June 18 and faces one charge of sexual assault on a child by a trusted person. omure is being held in the Douglas County jail on a $20,000 bond.
Cocha Heyden, a spokesperson for the sheri ’s o ce, said the investigation is ongoing and she can’t release further details.
A statement from the Doug-
las County School District says omure has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway. omure is a social studies teacher who has worked in the district since 1999.
“I know it is concerning to receive news of this nature,” Douglas County High School Principal Tony Kappas said in an email to the community. “Please know the safety and well-being of every student is of primary importance to Douglas County High School and the Douglas County School District.” e sheri ’s o ce is asking anyone who believes they or someone they know might also be a victim of omure to email sclay@dcsheri . net.
It’s Time for Listing Agents to Get on the Narrated Video Walk-Through Bandwagon
For 15 years Golden Real Estate has been almost the only brokerage which does live-action video tours of its listings. Other brokerages make use of the “virtual tour” field in the MLS for videos that are nothing more than slideshows with music or Matterport tours which are interactive but miss the vital ingredient of a live action video tour — narration such as you’d get if you were walking through the house with the listing agent.
points of each room. To get a feel for this kind of video tour, go online to www.GRElistings.com and click on any one of our listings to watch the narrated video tour.
Our video tours are designed to simulate a live showing. As such, the video starts on the street, with me (or a broker associate) introducing the listing and perhaps showing the street scene. “Now let’s go inside and check out this home.”
Cut to the foyer and a walk through of the home, speaking as we go. “Notice the hardwood floors…. That’s a woodburning fireplace…. See the skylight in the vaulted ceiling…. These are Corian countertops…. The high efficiency washer and dryer are included…. Notice the mountain view out the kitchen window….” You get the idea.
No slideshow with music can compete with a narrated walk-through with the listing agent pointing out the selling
What makes this the right time for listing agents from other brokerages begin producing narrated video tours is the NAR settlement, which is likely to reduce the number of in-person showings at listed properties. If every listing had a narrated video tour, the number of showings would be reduced, because only those who watched the video tour and knew this listing might be a contender for them would go to the trouble of calling the listing agent or engaging a buyer agent to show them the listing.
By the way, narrated video tours are essential for attracting out-of-town buyers. More than once, an out-of-town buyer has gone under contract for one of our listings based solely on the narrated video tour, because they feel as if they have toured the home. The buyers still have the opportunity to terminate when they fly in for the inspection. None of those buyers terminated, however.
So, in this video age, what is keeping the majority — the vast majority — of
I Foresee a Surge in Buyer Activity This Summer
The primary outcome of the muchdiscussed NAR settlement announced in March is that buyers will now have to compensate agents representing them in the purchase of homes.
That change is scheduled to take effect on August 17th, so it makes sense that home buyers who have been “on the fence” are getting serious now about buying a home while they can still count on the seller, not them, paying their agent’s commission.
It doesn’t matter that their fear is unfounded. I fully expect sellers to keep offering to pay a “co-op” commission to the agents who bring them a buyer, even though that commission cannot be mentioned anywhere on the MLS.
Just this month, REcolorado, the Denver MLS, quietly introduced a new field for all listings. It’s a field to list another website, such as the websites we already create for every listing, and that website is allowed to mention the co-op commission for buyer agents since it does not derive its data from the MLS. If you want to see what that looks like, simply go to the website for my latest listing, www.ArvadaHome.info There on the home page of the website you will see the 2.8% co-op commission my seller is offering to buyer agents
under the headline, “Buyer Agent Commission Details.”
Nevertheless, the fear is very real among buyers that they will have to pony some serious money on top of their purchase price and loan expenses to pay for professional representation. Another development in this regard is the introduction of new mobile software called LivePad, which facilitates the process of showing homes to buyers when the showing agent doesn’t yet have a signed compensation agreement. In addition to some fine features for setting up a tour of listings, the tabletbased software allows the showing agent to create that requisite agreement on the tablet where the buyer can sign it digitally before entering the first listing. If the compensation agreement is for just that one day, the buyer can avoid paying the specified fee to their showing agent by waiting until the next day to make an offer under a new agreement. There may also be a surge in sellers putting their homes on the market prior to the August 17 deadline. Broker associate Chuck Brown had a seller get “off the fence” this month and sell his home, because he feared reduced buyer interest once buyers face the prospect of paying for their own agents.
listing agents from creating narrated video tours of their listings? I can only speculate, but here is my speculation. Listing agents like to farm out as many tasks as they can. They hire photographers (as we do) to shoot magazine quality photographs of their listings. Those vendors offer “videos” of the interior and drone videos of the exterior, and the listing agents think that’s sufficient. But there’s no narration of those videos, because the videographer would not know what to say. He only knows how to press “record” and “stop.”
The Matterport interactive tours are
very popular, and we include those on our listings too, but only because they are included in the enhanced package which we purchase that includes floor plans, which are done by the Matterport software. The Matterport tours are cool because they are shot with 360-degree lenses, allowing the viewer to rotate the view and even look up at the ceiling, then click on the next marker to go from room to room. But, again, no narration about what you are seeing. To call it a “video” is deceptive. It’s just a link that is inserted in one of the three “virtual tour” fields.
Reader Suggests the Pooling of Insured Homes as a Way to Reduce the Risks Causing Higher Insurance Premiums
One reader, Andrew Burt, recently responded to my request for creative solutions to the home insurance crisis caused primarily by the multiple natural and man-made disasters resulting in profit-crushing insurance claims.
His suggestion: the pooling of multiple homes so that the loss sustained by any one home is spread across the pool.
My first reaction was that this is how insurance works already. Insurance companies have thousands or millions of insured properties in the expectation that only a small percentage will file catastrophic claims.
Nevertheless, here is Andrew’s proposal, which he supported with some serious mathematical formulae not for publication in this lay publication.
“If I'm in a pool with, say, nine other properties, and one of them gets damaged, the insurer pays a claim but then distributes the cost of that claim over all 10 properties in next year's premium calculation — instead of raising just mine to cover all of it. (Or I cover all of it over an amortized number of years, which is what they seem to do rather than lumping their cost all into year one. It doesn't change the math of the idea. Spread the new premium costs over multiple people instead of just me.)”
Andrew compared his proposal to the Affordable Care Act, which insures everyone without regard to pre-existing
conditions, but requires everyone to be insured. (Wildfire risk is a “pre-existing condition.”) He suggested that widely separated properties within the state could be pooled to further spread the risk of multiple claims within the pool.
‘Summer Solstice’ Fundraiser
Mike Nelson was one of six featured speakers at the annual fundraiser for New Energy Colorado, held on June 20th at The Retreat at Solterra in Lakewood.
Viewers of Mike’s weather forecasts on Channel 7 know that he is passionate about climate change. In addition to addressing the topic, he gave away free copies of his 2020 booklet, “The World’s Littlest Book on Climate: 10 Facts in 10 Minutes About CO2.”
Also speaking at the well-attended event was U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, State Sen. Lisa Cutter, Jeffco Commissioner Andy Kerr, State Rep. Brianna Titone, and Will Toor, director of the Colorado Energy Office. New Energy Colorado is best known for its annual Metro Denver Green Homes Tour on the first Saturday in October. This year it is on Oct. 5. Golden Real Estate is one of its sponsors.
Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727
CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855
DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835
GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922
AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071
KATHY JONKE,
Channel 7’s Mike Nelson Speaks at
Carmen
BY NICKY QUINBY
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Local children’s author Carmen Swick lives in Elbert County on ve rolling acres with her husband, dogs and a small brood of chickens. Swick has lived in Colorado since she was a child and in Elbert County for nine years. Swick is warm, personable and generous with her time. It’s clear she loves writing and connecting with children through her work.
“I enjoy writing for children and watching their expressions on their faces as I read to them,” she shared. “I hope I am making an impact with my writing.”
Her latest book, “Lattie’s Unexpected Friend,” is set in Fondis, Colorado in the 1800s. Fondis is an unincorporated area in Elbert County southeast of Kiowa and due east of
Children’s author loves her work
Elbert. Swick owns property in Fondis and hopes to move there herself. is is Swick’s rst historical ction title and she delighted in researching the time period and working with the Elbert County Historical Society to ensure accuracy.
J.C. Martell, president of the historical society, has personally endorsed the book.
Swick includes a learning opportunity in each of her books along with a comprehension or study guide. She likes to include educational aspects without readers even noticing.
Swick has been an author since 2008 and was initially inspired to write children’s books because of her son Preston. Her rst series, “ e Patch Land Adventures,” features Preston as the main character. Preston was born legally blind in one eye and was diagnosed with amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. Amblyopia is characterized by the shutdown of pathways between the eye and brain. Swick wanted to bring awareness to her son’s condition and use her books to normalize seeing a child wearing an eye patch.
Swick’s overarching message to children was simply: “You can do anything you want to do, it just might look a little di erent.”
She’s since introduced many of her family members into her books, sometimes as animals. For example, her mother Paqui and her granddaughter Palmer were included in the book “Paqui.”
e name “Lattie” actually comes from Swick’s favorite chicken, a beautiful crossbreed with a spate of coal black feathers. Swick is already busy dreaming up her next book, which will feature her chickens.
Perhaps that’s one reason why it’s di cult for Swick to pinpoint which character is her favorite. “With each book that I authored and created new characters,” she explained, “that’s my favorite one at the time.”
Swick also uses her books to give back to the community around her. She was president of the Denver chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness for the past 11 years and was the chair for e Blind Taste of the Rockies. She has also collaborated with Love-Smiles, a nonpro t that brings awareness to pediatric
cancer.
“Lattie’s Unexpected Friend” will be in print at the end of June or early July, certainly in time for the Elbert County sesquicentennial celebration. Versions of the book bought directly from Swick will include a special surprise envelope and letter from Lattie sealed with red wax.
Swick’s books can be purchased from her website at carmenswick. com as well as from Amazon. Swick will be at the Local Author Showcase on Aug. 17 at the Parker branch of Douglas County Libraries. Other upcoming events can be found on her website or social media. Swick also expects to visit Elbert County’s Pines & Plains Library District in the near future.
For more information on partnering with Swick to donate books or book bundles (a book bundled with a stu ed animal and other toys) to Children’s Hospital Colorado, email Swick at carmens222@gmail.com. Read more about Preston and Foundation Fighting Blindness online at www. ghtingblindness.org/ resources/a-mother-s-perseverance-for-her-son-161.
Carmen Swick stands in her home o ce next to a poster featuring her books. Swick is holding a photo of her and her granddaughter Palmer. Palmer was the inspiration for the little girl in the book “Paqui.”
PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY
Carmen Swick with her favorite chicken, Lattie, who inspired the name for the main character in her newest book, “Lattie’s Unexpected Friend.”
Swick connects with world from her home in Elbert County
Carmen Swick at her Elbert County home with one of her chickens, Olivia.
Carmen Swick works on “Lattie’s Unexpected Friend” in her home o ce, making final edits and preparing it for publication.
An illustration created by Gaspar Sabater in Carmen Swick’s new book, “Lattie’s Unexpected Friend,” a historical fiction book for children set in the unincorporated Elbert County community of Fondis. COURTESY OF CARMEN SWICK
RECOVERING
In recent years, AdventHealth Parker has treated upwards of 350 to 400 stroke patients a year.
“We were really good at taking care of the acute phase of stroke, but then I knew we needed a stroke support group,” Roth said.
Roth began the process of establishing a stroke support program six years ago. She said it didn’t matter where the patients were being treated, but if they were a member of the community and could bene t from the service, they were welcome.
Monthly support group meetings started, introducing Roth to Pfankuch. Around the same time, the hospital’s stroke program had been named one of the best in the state.
“One of the things we felt like we still could do is use our stroke survivors in some capacity,” said Roth.
As doors continued to close on the idea, Roth began her masters where she studied literature and saw the overwhelming need for this kind of support. Finally, a door opened. Not knowing Pfankuch’s
story of hope, Roth wanted her to be a part of the program.
A story of hope
In 2016 Pfankuch was a picture of health. She had a full-time job and was planning to run a triathlon with her daughter. en, days before Christmas, her life forever changed. She remembers looking at the clock. It was 7:05 a.m. She reached for the door, but her left leg failed and she noticed she felt “fuzzy.”
One of her son’s friends was staying with her. She called for him. Pfankuch was initially reluctant, but her son’s friend called an ambulance after noticing the left side of her face drooping and her inability to raise her left arm.
Pfankuch had su ered an ischemic stroke, which accounts for about 87% of all strokes, according to the American Stroke Association. An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to brain tissue is blocked by a blood clot.
Pfankuch was administered tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, which is a clot-busting drug that is used to help treat ischemic strokes when given within a few hours of the rst symptoms.
“You only get about four and a half
hours to get it,” said Roth. “ at’s why Julie looking at that clock was important.”
Although Pfankuch didn’t lose any cognitive abilities, she became paralyzed on the left side of her body – and still is to this day. She also learned that she is among the 25% of cases where doctors don’t know what caused the stroke.
Pfankuch was in the ICU for a week and all she could think about was what was going to happen next.
“ at was probably the worst week of my life,” said Pfankuch. “Trying to gure things out and I was just in despair.”
While in the ICU, Pfankuch was visited by many people, but one in particular changed her way of thinking. Her daughter had asked Pfankuch if her friend’s father could come by.
“He came in and sat down and he held my hand,” Pfankuch said. e man, a pilot, had a stroke ve years prior while ying an F-16 for the U.S. Air Force. As he told her his story of having a stroke while ying and being guided to ground by fellow pilots and then recovering, were words of encouragement to know that life is not over. Pfankuch found comfort in him.
Hope after stroke
Pfankuch – along with her service dog, Ollie – is now one of three peer visitors at the hospital. Nurses look to see if the program would bene t stroke patients as they arrive and the peer visitors meet them before they are discharged.
In April, Pfankuch met with a man in his 50’s who had a stroke while at the gym. She told him about her journey and how valuable stroke groups were to her.
“It’s like every stroke survivor has a before and an after,” said Pfankuch. “You just don’t know what life’s gonna be like after. And just helping them in the very beginning part is so important because that was the hardest part for me.”
e man had missed a round of pet therapy at the hospital, so he was thrilled to learn that Ollie accompanied Pfankuch. Within 10 minutes, Roth received a text of Ollie sound asleep on the patients’ feet.
In that moment, Roth saw her dreams coming true. ey were using the community to help make a di erence in stroke patients’ lives.
“I said this is the best day of my work life ever,” Roth said.
Douglas County School Board delays action on protections for trans students
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Following backlash from a group of parents, elected officials and others opposed to updating discrimination policies to include transgender students, the board for the Douglas County School District has indefinitely delayed a vote on the matter.
Proposed changes to the policies would have explicitly prohibited discrimination and harassment against transgender and nonbinary students, mirroring new language in the federal Title IX law as well as a 2023 Colorado law.
Board president Christy Williams
said the board received over 100 emails about the proposed changes prior to a meeting on June 18 and that she wanted to delay action on the matter to give the board more time to get information about the impacts of the changes.
“I continue to stand against racism or discrimination of any kind,” Williams said. “However, I need to fully understand the impact these policy changes will have on our students involved in sports and those who utilize our locker rooms.”
The board voted 4-3 to table the changes without setting a timeline for future discussion on the policies. Williams was joined by board members Tim Moore, Becky Myers
and Kaylee Winegar to table the changes.
The new language in Title IX, which was first passed in 1972 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, protects students against discrimination based on sex stereotypes, pregnancy (or related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. The federal changes take effect on Aug. 1 and the school board’s discussion of changes was set to align with that deadline.
The updates to Title IX mean trans and non-binary students are protected when using bathrooms and locker rooms that match their identity. The federal government is
still in the process of updating Title IX regulations regarding participation in athletics.
Schools that don’t abide by the changes risk being sued for violating federal law.
Additionally, the Colorado legislature passed a law in 2023, Senate Bill 23-296, which requires school districts to implement a discrimination and harassment policy separate from Title IX policies by July 1. District staff said it’s unclear what the consequences are for not meeting the deadline.
Douglas County School District attorney Mary Klimesh previously
REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY
told the board that the updates would not constitute much change from existing policies.
“Colorado law and our policy have included a prohibition on harassment or discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation for some time,” Klimesh said.
Paula Hans, a spokesperson for the district, said the district would continue to enforce its current discrimination and harassment policies while the proposed changes are tabled.
Several public commenters at the meeting thanked the board for tabling the changes and some pushed the district to go further.
Martha Carver, a representative for Grandparents for Kids, urged the school district to give up federal funding so the district could ignore federal education regulations.
“We recommend that the school district reject federal money, thus avoid having to comply with federal changes,” Carver said.
Former school board member Jason Page said he would rather the district get rid of all sports than for it to allow trans students to play on the team that matches their gender identity.
“If push comes to shove, a great way to not deal with Title IX is to just remove athletics from the district so if that’s where we need to go, respectfully, I say let’s just remove sports,” Page said.
A few commenters shared disappointment with the board’s decision to delay the changes.
“Trans people are not inherently dangerous, but they are in danger,” Kathleen Boyer said. “They are in danger because of words spoken at meetings like this, in public and on social media. The permission given by adults in this community and around the country to target and dehumanize them and delegitimize their experiences leads to direct bullying and harassment.”
Before the meeting, a barrage of comments opposed to the policy changes flooded social media and led to a petition calling on the board to delay the vote.
Rep. Brandi Bradley, a Republican representing part of Douglas County at the state Capitol, called on her supporters to speak against a proposal on the school board’s agenda tonight. In a post on X, Bradley said the school board should “be scared of the parents
who will burn them at the stakes,” if the board approves changes.
The Colorado chapter of Gays Against Groomers, an organization criticized by the Southern Poverty Law Center for amplifying antitrans rhetoric, called the proposed changes “dangerous” and said they would hurt girls in schools.
The Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, a nonprofit that supports parents rights and school choice, started a petition to urge the county school board to delay voting on changing the policy while legal challenges are being worked out.
The Douglas County GOP shared the petition and echoed the request to pause the vote. At the meeting, a representative for the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network said more than 300 Douglas County residents had signed the petition.
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WINE WALK
the state, eligible to obtain special event liquor permits.
A special event liquor permit allows certain organizations to sell liquor, wine and beer during an event that they host.
e new law comes after the Wine Walk last June was canceled after a complaint was led with the state’s Liquor Enforcement Division. Its investigation later determined the chamber of commerce’s event did not comply with licensing laws a ecting alcohol in retail locations.
Now, a year later, the chamber is starting the process of planning its next Wine Walk.
“It’s huge for the downtown businesses, it’s huge for the chamber just from a fundraising standpoint, so it’s a big win,” said T.J. Sullivan, president and CEO of the Parker Chamber of Commerce.
The aftermath of the shut down
Sullivan was among many in Parker shocked last year by the state’s decision, saying it was a disappointment as the event was an economic driver with hundreds of people participating.
Republican state Rep. Anthony Hartsook, whose District 44 includes Parker, took that sentiment of disappointment and turned it into action at the state level.
Liquor Enforcement Division told us that our events were not legal because of certain reasons, we were able to work and change state law to eliminate those reasons,” Sullivan said.
Behind the legislation
Hartsook said that liquor laws were lacking clear guidance to chambers and businesses when holding events like these.
side to consume drinks and every business location involved in the event has to provide some kind of food.
Convenience stores and businesses that sell cars, marijuana, gas or rearms may not participate. Teachers and childcare providers are also excluded.
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“ e community was visibly upset over this,” Hartsook said. “I’m going to do everything I can to help these small businesses.”
He and town Councilmember Joshua Rivero walked around Mainstreet shortly after the cancellation to hear from businesses why the walks were important to them.
ey found the cancellation cost businesses tens of thousands of dollars.
In October, a spokesperson for the Department of Revenue said the Liquor Enforcement Division claimed to have worked “directly” and “amiably” with the town’s chamber to nd a solution. However, Sullivan said there was no direct communication.
An email sent to the Chronicle last year by the Liquor Enforcement Division listed several issues with the wine walks. ese included that sidewalks are a public right of way and drinks cannot leave a public business and that the events were not private functions as they took place in public retail businesses. e state said the chamber did not have the authority to create new types of liquor permits.
“I am proud of the fact that when the
“What we wanted to do is update a lot of regulations to kind of come in line with supporting businesses, making sure they’re adhering to good, safe laws, so there’s no walking around in public carrying wine,” Hartsook said.
Wanting chambers across the state to have the opportunity to hold events like Wine Walk without additional costs, Hartsook spoke with a variety of people, including state o cials. He said he received support from chambers in city’s like Gunnison, Fort Collins and in the metro area.
Looking from multiple viewpoints, Hartsook said they ended up with simple legislation, changing one main paragraph and two sub-paragraphs.
“But it was a huge, huge change,” said Hartsook. “And to do that we had to coordinate and make sure that there were no unintended other consequences that would impact other liquor bills.”
Sullivan and Rivero testi ed at the state Capitol in favor of the bill. Even though it wasn’t his rst time testifying on a bill, Sullivan said he felt “ownership” of this bill.
Hartsook added it was a “process bill” that details what is required of chambers to host these events, such as security plans, businesses involved and time and place.
Additionally, people have to stay in-
The future of Parker Wine Walk e Parker Chamber of Commerce is in the process of submitting permits to hold Wine Walk events in the fall, said Sullivan. However, that depends on the permitting process after the law goes into e ect in August.
“If we can milk out some bene ts for the downtown merchants this year, we’re going to try to do it because the losing wine walks hurt those businesses,” said Sullivan.
Several new policies to increase security and volunteers to ensure people don’t leave businesses with alcohol and make the event as safe as possible will also be implemented by the chamber.
Brandi Wilks, town councilmember, went to the bill signing ceremony in place of Rivero.
“Seeing a Republican House representative and a Democrat governor come together to work on what’s best for our community, it made me very grateful and excited to see what we can do in the future,” said Wilks.
For Rivero, the win was not just for the community, but for the state. When he was part of the group that started the Wine Walk events, the idea was to get people to see businesses they’ve never seen before.
“When we started it, it was successful for us,” said Rivero. “It’s still that 15 years later, it still brings people to new doors. at kind of marketing is, I think, what Parker thrives on.”
Republican state Rep. Anthony Hartsook, whose District 44 includes Parker, spoke to the businesses that attended the bill signing ceremony.
COURTESY OF AMANDA MAUGHMER OF PINK POPPY MEDIA
Sun Jr., a ‘psych mountain rock’ experience at the Mile High Hoedown
BY JO ANN M. COLTON
If you yearn to fly back to the sounds of yesteryear, you will love soaring to new heights with Boulder’s own Sun Jr, appearing at the MILE HIGH HOEDOWN later this month! The band’s sound is a blend of psychedelia, cosmic cowboy and Americana with indie-folk influences.
Friends Nod Norkus (drums), Jim Heekin (guitar/singer), Matt Kubis (banjo/singer), Jon Schimek (pedal steel guitar), and Jeremiah Streets (keys/ bass/organ) launched the band in 2013. They practiced in the evenings in Jim’s basement (“The Bottoms”), where they have become a “band of brothers.”
Sun Jr. hit the stage with a style all their own and immediately made an impression. From a spot on the “Gentleman of the Road” tour in Salida with Mumford & Sons, Dawes and the Flaming Lips in 2015, they’ve grinded their way into a stellar act that you cannot miss.
During the 2020 COVID pandemic, the band leaned heavily into long basement jams, taking notes from the likes of Pink Floyd and late ’60s bands that played for art’s sake. They branched into livestreaming to reach out to more folks and have continued to do so.
“In February 2024, (Heekin) posted a TikTok video of our song ‘Buttercorn’ from a live performance at Dharma Farm
— and it went viral,” Norkus said. “The post garnered 2.3 million views and about 40,000 new fans.”
The post was the mega break that has opened more doors to some of Colorado’s best venues and a “second media wave” of the post expanded their reach even farther, he said.
“We started receiving invitations to play in California, Texas, and points beyond the U.S.,” Norkus said.
The band’s current goal is
mostly to ignore national invites and build an ardent local fan base. To stay connected, they are partnering with Chris Wright of Violet Recording to capture their Colorado live shows to share more broadly. Wright will also engineer a series of in-studio live recordings, possibly capturing two albums from this dual recording process.
Visit sunjrband.com for the latest band information (recordings, play dates — and more)! Then, “go down” to the MILE HIGH HOEDOWN and enjoy Sun Jr.’s “Psych Mountain Rock” ex-
perience LIVE at the Stampede, 2431 S. Havana Street, in Aurora.
MILE HIGH HOEDOWN attendees can enjoy food truck food and beverages, learn new line dances with instructor/choreographer Laurie Burkardt, “creative cut” or screen print their own T-shirt with Ink & Drink, purchase a custom hat from hat shaper Parker Thomas, get a “flash” tattoo from Ace of MR. ACE Art & Tattoos; and visit Little People Face Painting for cool, but not permanent, body/ face/hair art — you’ll be sure to sparkle during Sun Jr.’s LIVE, never-to-be-duplicated hoedown performance!
Get the “low down” on the MILE HIGH HOEDOWN, which is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 29, by heading to coloradocommunitymedia.com/ mile-high-hoedown. And GET A MOVE ON, partners! We’re running a limited-time buy-oneget-one promotion. Entry ONLY tickets are $20/each ($25 at the door). Don’t miss out and BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Tips to help keep your pets safe during Fourth of July celebrations
Plan ahead to create a calm space for pets as fireworks begin across Colorado
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While there’s a lot of Fourth of July food and festivities to be enjoyed, the day can be stressful, or even scary, for our furry friends. e sounds of reworks exploding, summer heat and hazardous materials are among concerns and why local veterinarians agree that it’s a good time to keep your pets safe at home. e Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous days for pets, especially dogs. Shelters and veterinary clinics across the Denver area, including VRCC Veterinary Speciality and Emergency Hospital in Englewood, tend to take in more animals than usual during the week of the holiday.
“We do get a lot of toxicity ingestion,” said Lexy Santos, veterinarian technician. “Heat exhaustion, that’s a really big one.”
Extreme heat and hazardous materials
Although it’s fun and entertaining
to have your pet join the celebrations, veterinarians encourage owners to watch their pets breathing and never leave them unattended in a car.
“Animals feel twice, if not three times the amount of heat that we do,” said Santos. “So, if we’re hot, they’re de nitely exhausted from the heat.”
Dogs that have thick coats, such as Saint Bernards and Chow Chows are even more susceptible to hot weather, as are dogs with shorter snouts like Boston Terriers, Bulldogs and Pugs, to name a few.
Whether it’s a dog sneaking around and picking up food scraps or deciding to give them a fun treat, festive foods can be hazardous.
It’s well known to experienced dog owners that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, is one of the most toxic foods for dogs to ingest as it attacks their hearts and nervous systems. Other foods that might be at Fourth of July picnics that are harmful are raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, walnuts and fatty foods such as french fries.
While it is okay for dogs to eat some plain, cooked meat, the seasoning and marinating of onions, garlic and mushrooms are toxic for them, leading to possible anemia and damage to their nervous systems. It’s also important to not leave alcoholic beverages, ca eine, soft
drinks and milk unattended.
If owners have more questions about what their pets can eat and cannot eat, the ASPCA, a national animal rescue and protection organization, has a list of foods that are toxic to pets. It can be found at tinyurl.com/yee46bjn.
Dogs are naturally curious, which means they aren’t just putting food in their mouths. Loose or used reworks should be closely monitored so pets don’t accidentally ingest the reworks or hurt themselves or others with them.
If you think your pet ingested a potential toxic food or plant, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or take them to the nearest vet.
Keeping your pets calm amid fireworks
As loud sounds can trigger pets to run away from home or wiggle out of their collars, there’s a danger of them getting lost or run into tra c. at’s why the Missing Mutt Detectives, a volunteer group in Parker, say microchipping their pets increases the chance of reuniting with owners.
Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association encourages owners to take current photos of their pets and ensure that they have identi cation tags with up to date information in the instance they do run away.
e loud noises can also cause both dogs and cats to have anxiety,
however, cats tend to hide better when frightened. is is why it’s important to keep them in an interior room, preferably with no windows, to give them a space where they can feel comfortable.
Turning on soft music and giving them a chew toy to help them keep busy is also recommended. ere are anti-anxiety medications available, however, it’s important to speak with your pets primary veterinarian about the possibility of medications. If medication is not available or a possibility, another way to help keep your pets calm are anti-anxiety vests and shirts. ese can be purchased at places like PetSmart and Amazon.
“ ey feel like that secure hug makes them feel a little bit more comfortable,” said Santos.
Other safety concerns to consider
• If putting sunscreen on your dog, there are pet friendly sunscreen options as well as insect repellent. Do not apply ordinary sunscreen or insect repellent on your pets as they contain harmful chemicals.
• When cooking – inside or outside – keep the matches and lighter uid out of reach. ese could cause physical injury but also lead to respiratory issues.
• Citronella candles and insect coils should also be kept out of reach.
• Avoid putting glow sticks on pets.
Veterinarians encourage pet owners to create a safe space for their pets on the Fourth of July to help keep them safe and calm during fireworks. PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Living and telling our story
Each of us is the author of our own story, a narrative that unfolds with each passing day. Our lives are composed of a series of chapters, each lled with unique experiences, lessons and aspirations. To truly live our story means embracing our past, fully engaging in the present and envisioning a future that re ects our highest potential. It is about living in such a way that our story inspires others and recognizing that the most powerful story we will ever tell and hear is the one we tell ourselves.
Our past is a rich tapestry of experiences, both good and bad. Re ecting on these stories from our past is not merely an exercise in nostalgia, but an opportunity to learn and grow. Our past shapes who we are today, o ering valuable lessons that can guide our future decisions. By acknowledging our past without being con ned by it, we can extract wisdom and strength from our experiences. Each mistake, triumph, and moment of struggle contributes to the person we have become, and understanding this helps us appreciate our journey and prepare for the road ahead.
However, the true power of our story lies in the present. e stories we are living now have the most immediate impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Living our story means being fully present, embracing each moment with intention and purpose. It means acting with integrity, kindness and authenticity. When we live our story authentically, we become a beacon of inspiration for others. Our actions speak louder than words, and the way we live our lives can motivate others to pursue their own paths with courage and conviction.
Sun safety for Coloradans
As we approach summer, people need to remember that too much UV exposure puts them at greater risk for skin cancer. Coloradans are at an even greater risk — because of our higher altitude, we are closer to the sun. Colorado has the nation’s highest per-capita rate of skin cancer, according to CU Anschutz Medical Campus.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. One type of skin cancer is melanoma and according to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 100,000 new diagnoses in the U.S. in 2024. More than 8,000 people are expected to die of melanoma this year, with nearly 3,000 being women.
eryone, 6 months and older, should apply sun protection every day, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. e foundation’s studies have shown that regular use of SPF 15 or higher reduces your chance of developing melanoma by 50% and premature skin aging by 24%.
• 125+: Too high
Besides getting vitamin D safely, other sun safety tips include:
• Avoid sunbathing
• Wear protective clothing
• Wear a hat
• Use eyewear with UV protection
• Seek shade
Make sure to check the UV level and be extra cautious when the UV level is 7 or higher. Avoid tanning beds due to their high UV intensity.
Sunlight produces vitamin D, which is essential for bone growth and our immune system. So, how much sunlight is too much? Even a few minutes of unprotected sunlight can cause DNA damage, which adds up over time, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Ev-
Besides protected sun exposure, your diet and supplements can be great sources of vitamin D. Start incorporating salmon, tuna, egg yolks or vitamin D supplements to achieve a healthy vitamin D level.
Bloodwork can help identify appropriate levels. Here are ranges to evaluate your vitamin D level:
• Below 30: De cient
• 30 to 50: Generally inadequate
• 50+: Adequate
Foothills Urogynecology recommends annual dermatology appointments to address your skin issues or damage. You don’t need to risk skin cancer by not wearing sunscreen to get su cient vitamin D scores. Wear sunscreen, add vitamin D dense food and consider taking a supplement.
Dr. Terry Dunn is the owner of Foothills Urogynecology, a Denver-based practice specializing in women’s health. To learn more, visit www.urogyns.com.
GUEST COLUMN
NORTON
e story we tell ourselves about our present is crucial. It shapes our self-image and in uences our actions. If we see ourselves as capable, resilient and worthy, we are more likely to take on challenges and seize opportunities. Conversely, if we tell ourselves a story of inadequacy and fear, we may hold ourselves back. us, cultivating a positive and empowering internal narrative is essential for living our best life. By a rming our strengths and acknowledging our worth, we can approach life with con dence and grace.
As we live our present story, we must also be mindful of the impact we have on others. Our actions and attitudes in uence those around us, often in ways we may not immediately recognize. By living with compassion, empathy and generosity, we can create a ripple e ect of positivity and kindness. Our story becomes a source of inspiration and hope, encouraging others to live with greater purpose and integrity. In this way, our story transcends our individual experience and contributes to the collective narrative of our community.
“We all have a story. e di erence is: do you use the story to em-
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power yourself? Or do you use your story to keep yourself a victim? e question itself empowers you to change your life.” — Sunny Dawn Johnston
In telling and living our story, we create a powerful narrative that resonates with others. Our story becomes a testament to our resilience, our growth and our capacity to overcome challenges. It becomes a source of inspiration, encouraging others to live their own stories with authenticity and courage. And ultimately, it becomes a re ection of our highest potential, a vision of who we are and who we aspire to be.
Let us embrace our past, live fully in the present, and envision a future that re ects our deepest values and aspirations. Let us tell our story with honesty and passion and live our story with integrity and purpose. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we remember that in doing so, we not only transform our own lives but also inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and impact, we make this a better than good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.
• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.
• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.
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SUMMER SPLASH
Waters to chill in across the Denver metro area
BY HALEY LENA
Whether it’s dipping your toes in at the local pool or swimming at an open lake, a good way to beat the heat is getting in the water, and there are many water activities to choose from in the Denver metro area.
For some, summertime is a time to relax, but for others, it’s a time to be adventurous and create memories with family.
Here is a guide to some of the best places to swim in the metro area as well as enjoy fresh water.
The Splash at Fossil Trace
Enjoy the twists and turns of the water slides at e Splash Aquatic Park while taking in the green scenery of the Front Range.
“It de nitely has the more foothills-feel as opposed to the urban feel of Elitches or Water World,” said Betsy Sweet, aquatic supervisor for the city. “It’s less crowded.”
Across the park, guests have views of Lookout Mountain and Mount Zion, which is the mountain decorated with the “M” for the Colorado School of Mines.
As part of Golden’s Parks and Recreation Department, e
3051 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401 | 303-277-8700 | splash@ cityofgolden.net | splashingolden. com/ | Park Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Pool Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Splash goes beyond the standard recreational swimming pool. From those learning how to walk to the community’s seniors, the waterpark has amenities for all ages and swimming abilities.
“Not only is it fun for kids, but the adults in the world have fun as well,” Sweet said.
Popular among children is the leisure beach-entry pool that includes a large play structure, small water slides, spray fountains and “Tipper,” the 500-gallon dump bucket. But for the little ones who want to be in the water but aren’t con dent in swimming just yet, there is a gentle splash pad.
One of the most popular attractions for those 48 inches and taller are the two water slides, the green
body slide and the blue tube slide. If those under the height requirement want to ride the blue slide, they must ride with an adult. e park also has a 25-meter lap pool with eight lanes for the more experienced swimmers as well as an open swim area and diving boards.
With interactive structures around the park, Sweet said e Splash is home to the biggest sandbox in Je erson County, which also has dinosaur fossils to dig up.
Admission fees for Golden residents range from $8-11 based on age, $9-12 for Je erson County residents and $10-13 for non-residents.
SPLASH
Paradice Island Pool
5951 Monaco St., Commerce City, Colorado 80022 | 303-289-3769 | c3gov.com/paradice | facebook.com/ paradiceisland/ | Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Aug.11
Commerce City is a fast-growing and diverse community with over 1,000 businesses, a golf course and soccer complex, 25 miles of trials and a swimming pool.
Opened in 2015 on the east end of Pioneer Park, Paradice Island Pool was a rst-of-its-kind in Commerce City.
e park ranges from a toddler pool with interactive water features for young ones to a leisure pool to a lap pool for the more advanced swimmers. Guests can have a relaxing time on the lazy river or feel the adrenaline when going down one of three slides.
Other non-water features at the park include play structures, volleyball, shaded areas and cabanas for rent. It’s a place to gather with friends and family. Coolers, chairs, pop-up tents, party decorations and food are allowed, but not alcohol and glass.
Admission rates for residents with a valid city recreation play pass range from free to $4 based on age. For nonresidents who don’t have a play pass, the fee ranges from free to $10.
Adventure West
423 10th St. (rear), Golden, Colorado 80401 | 720-722-1645 | adventurewestco@gmail.com|adventurewestco. com/ 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton, Colorado, 80120
One of the most popular and thrilling activities in the City of Golden is Whitewater River Tubing on Clear Creek. Daily tube rentals are open every day and include commercialgrade river tubes with complimentary life jackets and helmets. Shoes, not ip- ops, are required.
Adventure West owner Beth Battilla said when the Golden location rst opens for the season, it’s for adults and strong swimmers only. It is then gradually opened to others as the ow rate drops.
“Golden is best for most people mid-to-late July onwards,” Battilla said. “Unless you are really comfortable swimming in swift water, then by all means, come earlier.”
Although online reservations aren’t required at this location, reservations guarantee a tube and speed up the check-in process. Battilla added that reservations are highly recommended on weekends as tubes tend to sell out.
ose under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
While the location in Golden is an “exciting” oat, Adventure West’s location in Littleton is more of a “mellow” and “picturesque” oat, and online reservations are required.
Here, guests can drift along the South Platte River for upwards of two hours and take in the sights of the Carson Nature Center.
Children must be ve years of age or older and parking is available at Breckenridge Brewery.
“( ey) are out tted with a commercial grade river tube, life jacket, given our tubing tips and a safety talk,” Battilla said.
Cherry Creek and Chatfield Reservoirs
4201 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80014 | 303.690.1166 | cpw. state.co.us
11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado 80125 | 303.791.7275 | cpw.state.co.us
From swimming to jet skiing, local reservoirs o er a variety of water activities and programs.
Colorado is known for its mountain range, but there are sandy beaches families and friends can visit as well.
Cherry Creek Reservoir has a ropedo swimming area for people to cool o . It’s important to note that Colorado State Park swim beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, so children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
In addition to sailboarding and boating, the reservoir also o ers a youth rowing program called Mile High Rowing Club and an adaptive sailing program called Community Sailing of Colorado.
Another sandy beach sits on the west side of the Chat eld Reservoir and is open from sunrise to sunset through Sept. 2. e beach is complete with showers, restrooms and picnic areas with small grills.
e reservoir is divided into multiple zones. One is the main body of the reservoir, known as the “Power Zone” and is for general boating, water skiing and sailing and moves in a counterclockwise direction.
ere are two large “No Wake
Zones” at the southwest and southeast ends of the reservoir, which are more ideal for shing and canoeing. Paddle Boarding is allowed in all bodies of water except for the swim area.
River Run Park
2101 W Oxford Ave., Englewood, CO, 80110 | endlesswaveco@gmail. com|endlesswaves.net/waves/riverrun-park/
It may not be a common sight in Colorado, but there are places to surf. River Run Park on the South Platte River is one of many and has been expanding over the years to allow transplanted surfers from the ocean to hit the waves.
“ e waves get sort of more powerful and more challenging to ride as you go upstream,” said Jacob Vos, a director of the Colorado River Sur ng Association.
e most beginner-friendly wave in the park is “Chiclets” while the other two waves, “Benihanas” and “Six” are more high-speed and dynamic as they have hydraulic plates that are in the river to help shape the waves and attune them to the ow of the river.
“ at adjustability doesn’t mean the waves work for all conditions all the time, but it certainly widens the range of ows,” Vos said.
Since river sur ng di ers from ocean sur ng, Vos stresses that ankle leashes can be deadly in an “insidious” way because the force of the river makes it challenging to reach the ankle to release the leash.
Other features in the park are conducive for whitewater kayaking and
tubing, but Vos encourages users to check the South Platte River Union water gauges — which show how much water is in the river — and recommends wearing a helmet.
If the gauges show 100 CFS cubic feet per square, it’s more mellow, Vos said, but when it gets up to 1,000 cubic feet per square, the water is more violent.
“If people are just oating or just hanging out, they can have rude surprises if they don’t pay attention to those ows,” Vos said.
Parking is available at the Broken Tree Golf Course, however, the gates close in the evening. Parking is also available on the west side of the river. If there are additional questions, like where to get equipment, the Colorado Rivers Facebook group serves as a message board for the river sur ng community.
Honorable mentions
• South Suburban Holly Pool, 6651 S. Krameria Way, Centennial, CO 80111
• Snorkeling lessons at Eastridge Recreation Center, 9568 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
• Rocky Mountain Beach, 3301 W 46th Ave., Denver, CO 80211
• Rocky Mountain Paddleboard at Big Soda Beach, 15600 Morrison Road, Lakewood, CO 80465
• Bow Mar Beach, 5395 Lakeshore Drive, Littleton, CO 80123
• Rueter-Hess Recreation, 9343 Double Angel Road, Parker, CO 80134
• e Bay Aquatic Park, 250 Spader Way, Broom eld, CO 80020
Tubers relax in the middle of Clear Creek.
FILE PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Cardinal Club race returning July 4 in Elizabeth
Independence Day event will also feature free pancake breakfast
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Elizabeth High School Cardinal Club is partnering with the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District for their Cardinal Club Independence Day 5K on July 4. e annual run is a great way to work up an appetite for a Fourth of July barbecue or for the pancake breakfast after the race.
e Community Pancake Breakfast, provided by the nearby Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is free.
Jamie Lindsay, current Cardinal Club president, said the 5K has been a fundraising event for a few years but was originally held on Super Bowl Sunday. “ e weather was always a factor and the trail sometimes icy or snow covered,” she shared.
Since the rst year the race was moved to Independence Day, it has continued to grow.
“We compete with other local 5k races that are also held on the same day so we are really pleased that we are continuing to see more people
every year,” she went on. “ e route is always the same, through Casey Jones Park.”
She went on to say that “Elizabeth Parks and Rec donated their time to prepare the race course throughout the park and rodeo grounds. It is a great course with lots of climbs and down hills.”
Fran Johnson, last school year’s Cardinal Club representative for the boys soccer team, said that the “annual 5K race is the biggest fundraiser for the Cardinal Club. It’s been challenging to resurrect the event after COVID but volunteers, sponsors,
and participants have started returning last year in greater numbers and we hope to get an even better turnout this year.”
Johnson added: “Being able to award more than just a few scholarships to deserving EHS athletes and supporting them throughout the year is what the Cardinal Club is all about and I hope it will continue to grow.”
Lindsay echoed that sentiment and said that for years it was a big deal to be a representative. “People would jump in to volunteer,” she shared, but “since the COVID pan-
demic, we have really struggled to have volunteers.”
e EHS Cardinal Club, created about 30 years ago, is a parent volunteer group made up of individuals representing each sports booster club at the high school. e nonprofit organization is focused on raising funds to support scholarship opportunities for student athletes continuing their education beyond high school. e scholarships are funded by fundraisers throughout the year, including the 5K.
Online registration for the race runs through July 1, and in-person registration will be available on race day. Check-in will be bright and early from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. at Evans Park, on Elbert County Road 17 north of Highway 86. A registration link is available at elizabethpr.com on the home page.
e Independence Day 5K has three sponsors this year — Circle K, Renee Burton from American Family insurance and e GAC crew. Donations to the EHS Cardinal Club are tax deductible and can be sent to their Venmo account at @ EHS-CardinalClub.
To contact or join the Elizabeth Cardinal Club, email elizabethhscardinalclub@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/ pro le.php?id=100064219963801.
The 2022 Cardinal Club Independence Day 5K begins at Evans Park. FILE PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Thu 6/27
Keith Nieto
@ 7pm
Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora
Fri 6/28
Fishbone at Levitt Pavilion Denver
@ 6pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver
Hostage Situation
@ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Sat 6/29
Caffeine and Chrome – Classic
Cars and Coffee at Gateway Classic Cars of Denver
@ 8am
Gateway Classic Cars of Denver, 14150 Grasslands Drive, Englewood. marketing @gatewayclassiccars.com, 618-271-3000
Mile High Hoedown
@ 10am / $20
I Love The 90's Tour @ 6:30pm
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350
Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Vil‐lage
Smash Mouth @ 6:30pm
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350
Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Vil‐lage
Royal Bliss @ 7pm
Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver
Neon Trees @ 7:30pm
Pixies
@ 5pm
Stampede, Aurora
Jordan Yewey
@ 5pm
2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briar‐wood Ave, Centennial
The Mike G Band @ 5pm
Brothers Bar & Grill, 7407 Park Meadows Dr, Lone Tree
Collective Groove: Debut at Wide Open Saloon
@ 6pm
Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia
Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
Sun 6/30
Sean Rodriguez: Preaching at Praise Center Church @ 8am
Praise Center Church, 3105 W Florida Ave, Denver
Sarah Adams: Unity Spiritual Center (solo) @ 9am
Unity Spiritual Center Denver, 3021 S Uni‐versity Blvd, Denver
GRIZZLY GOPHER AT THE OUTLETS IN CASTLE ROCK @ 2pm
Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd #437, Castle Rock
Tue 7/02
MYD: LEGO Robotics @ College View Recreation Center @ 5pm Jul 2nd - Jul 23rd
Denver Parks and Recreation (CGV), 2525 S. Decatur St., Denver. 720-913-0654
Wed 7/03
Amaryllis The Band @ 6pm
Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver
Ikigai @ 7pm
Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village
Pixies @ 5:30pm
Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, Englewood
Modest Mouse @ 6pm
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350
Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Vil‐lage
Mon 7/01
4 Pack - Junior Beach TrainingJune
@ 8am / $160
Jul 1st - Jul 31st
Dove Valley Regional Park (pending), 7900 S Potomac St Rd, Centennial. 720524-4136
Drop In (1 Day) - Junior Beach Training - July
@ 8am / $50
Jul 1st - Jul 31st
Dove Valley Regional Park (pending), 7900 S Potomac St Rd, Centennial. 720524-4136
MYD: Summer Rec Kidz @ College View: Tabletop Games @ 2pm Jul 1st - Jul 3rd
Denver Parks and Recreation (CGV), 2525 S. Decatur St., Denver. 720-913-0654
Amaryllis @ 7pm
Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver
Thu 7/04
Columbine Valley 4th of July Race @ 6am / $20
2 Middle�eld, Littleton
Parker Hometown 4th of July 5K @ 7am / $25-$30
PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
Prophets and Outlaws @ 7pm
Private Event, Castle Rock
Fewer Colorado youth feel sad, hopeless, suicidal, health survey finds
BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT COLORADO
Fewer Colorado youth felt consistently sad or hopeless and fewer considered suicide last year compared with 2021, a large statewide health survey found.
e results from the Healthy Kids Colorado survey represent a bright spot after unprecedented levels of teen anxiety and depression surfaced during the pandemic. e situation was dire enough that state lawmakers took swift action, creating a program in 2021 to provide free counseling sessions to children and youth. Many school districts also launched free counseling programs and hired additional social workers, counselors, and psychologists.
Leaders at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which publishes the survey results, were pleased with the survey ndings released Wednesday.
“ ere have been dramatic changes in the right direction around indicators of mental health, suicide risk, and substance use,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the department’s executive director, in a press release. “We’re hopeful this is an indication of state and community investments in prevention programming and protective factors paying o .”
e 2023 Healthy Kids ndings on youth mental health are among the most notable of the survey results. In some cases they improved to well beyond pre-pandemic levels.
For example, 26% of high-schoolers reported persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness in the 2023
survey, down from 40% in 2021 and 35% in 2019. In addition, 11% of high schoolers seriously considered suicide, down from 17% in 2021. Middle schoolers also saw drops in both categories.
Among both middle and high school students, 58% reported their stress level was manageable most days — an improvement for high school students compared with 2021, but the same for middle schoolers.
Alcohol use, vaping fell for high schoolers
In addition to positive trends on youth mental health for both middle and high school students, the survey revealed that fewer high school students are vaping, drinking alcohol, or using prescription pain medication without a prescription or di erently than prescribed compared with 2021. Marijuana use held steady.
For middle schoolers, alcohol use was up in 2023, with many more reporting that they had ever taken a drink — 24% compared with 11% in 2021 — and more reporting they’d consumed alcohol in the previous month — 7% compared with 4% in 2021.
Middle school rates of vaping and using marijuana didn’t change in 2023 compared to 2021, but the survey found that more students in that age group had tried cigarettes — 7% compared to 4% in 2021.
While bullying overall didn’t increase in 2023 compared with 2021, LGBTQ students reported signicantly higher rates of bullying than
other students. For example, 29% of gay and lesbian high school students reported being bullied during the previous year, compared with 12% of students generally. Gay and lesbian students also reported higher rates of sadness and hopelessness, and that they’d seriously considered suicide.
More e orts to improve youth mental health are on the way in Colorado.
In May, the state announced a program that will train young adults ages 18 to 24 to connect youth with mental health support. is month, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a new youth mental health grant program funded with millions from a lawsuit settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs Inc.
e Healthy Kids survey has been given under various names since 1991. It has occasionally sparked backlash over concerns about data privacy or because some critics say the questions are too explicit.
Public health o cials emphasize the survey is voluntary for students
State leaders say a recent survey shows mental health is improving among Colorado youth.
and provides key information about how pre-teens and teens are faring when it comes to physical, sexual, and mental health.
More than 120,000 students completed the survey in 2023 — the most ever.
State o cials added several new questions to the 2023 survey, including about feeling safe at school, nightly sleep hours, use of psychedelic drugs, body image, and eating disorders.
One of the new questions revealed that nearly a quarter of high-schoolers and middle schoolers reported trying to lose weight or maintain their weight in unhealthy ways during the previous month — for example, by using diet pills, skipping meals, or vomiting.
Another new question revealed that large proportions of students worry about their physical appearance all or most of the time — 39% for high schoolers and 32% for middle schoolers.
Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.
High school grads receive health care scholarships from Sky Ridge
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With dreams of careers in health care, four recent Douglas County and Cherry Creek high school graduates have been honored with Future Careers Student Scholarships from Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree.
For ve years, Sky Ridge has provided students hands-on opportunities in departments throughout the hospital.
“ e rsthand experience of watching skilled doctors and nurses work together to save lives has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Nandhana Vivek, a Legend High School graduate.
is year, $5,000 in scholarships were awarded to graduates from Legend, Rock Canyon and Cherry Creek high schools. All are currently assigned to the Emergency Department and donated more than 2,000 service hours to Sky Ridge. With plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, Vivek wants to go into either neuroscience or personalized medicine. She is also a hospice volunteer and a certied nursing assistant at Stonegate.
Re ecting on experiences at Sky Ridge, she said she exceeded what she would have learned in a traditional classroom.
“It’s in these moments, amid the controlled chaos, that I’ve learned the most about the resilience of the human body and the impact of quick, decisive action,” said Vivek.
Another Legend graduate, Melanie Angelo experienced just how much the emergency room connects to the community. Although she volunteered in ve di erent departments, volunteering in the emergency room opened her eyes, saying that she never realized how sheltered she had been from her community’s needs and issues.
Interested in emergency medicine, Angelo will be attending Arizona State University.
e direct connections with patients and families in the emergency department also caught the attention of Rock Canyon graduate, Sydney Geary. She has been enamored by the versatility of what comes into the department and its unlimited learning opportunities such as admitting patients and the process of patient care.
Hoping to pursue a career in neu-
rology, pediatrics or emergency medicine, Geary will be staying in state as she plans to attend Colorado School of Mines.
Another recipient is Paige Scully, who recently graduated from Cherry Creek High School. She plans on attending the University of Tennessee where she is interested in studying marketing, hospital administration and emergency medicine.
“I am impressed with how the team handles life-threatening events with composure and professionalism,” Scully said.
e student volunteer program is led by Volunteer Director John
Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree provided four recent graduates from Legend, Rock Canyon and Cherry Creek high schools with Future Careers Student Scholarships for their work and dedication volunteering in di erent departments throughout the hospital.
Penn. As his father and brother were doctors. Penn wanted a way to give back to the next generation and encourage their academic pursuits.
Wes Ayres, chief operating ocer at Sky Ridge also wants to help young adults pursue their dreams to become medical professionals, which is why he believes these awards are important.
“Helping students see the rewards of working in medicine and caring for their community is a gift,” said Ayres. “I am excited we can help our young students pursue further education.”
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
3 Coloradans to represent the U.S. at the Underwater Hockey World Championships in Malaysia
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado is a huge hub for hockey players and fans, whether on ice, on the eld or even underwater. And why not? If it’s a sport, we have it here.
Ten women under age 24 are set to represent the U.S. at the Underwater Hockey Age Group World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this July and of course, three are Coloradans.
Elsa Debrunner, Lillianna Brooks and Aria Paul will compete in the event between July 16 and July 27 against about a dozen teams from
around the globe. e U.S. is sending three teams spanning three divisions to the upcoming world championship: U24 men, U24 women and U19 men. Debrunner, Brooks and Paul are on the USA U24 Women’s Team.
“Training for worlds is a big commitment, but training with Lillianna and Aria is super encouraging and makes me super excited to play more hockey,” said Debrunner, a Conifer High School alum and club athlete at the Colorado School of Mines.
What is underwater hockey?
It’s a non-contact snorkeling sport with two teams of six facing o at the
bottom of the pool. A weighted puck can be pushed, slid or icked with a short stick into the goal. Equipment includes a mask, ns, a snorkel with a mouthguard, a glove, a water polo cap and a stick.
Teammates rotate dives for roughly ve-to-20 seconds in a fast-paced, three-dimensional sport that combines the back-and-forth motion of regular hockey with up-and-down movements to return up for air between dives.
“It’s physically di erent than any other sport,” Debrunner said. “But once you learn that, the communication with your team is probably the hardest part. You have to have a strategy really dialed in ahead of time because it’s di cult to communicate during the match.”
It requires elite breath control, tness and strong cooperation between coaches and teammates, Debrunner said. But the coaches be-
lieve the team is ready for a strong showing in Malaysia.
“We’re really impressed with the progress made since the team candidates rst got together. e commitment towards training and implementation of the game plan started at a high level and has seemed to grow,” Coach Kendall Banks said in a release. “ rough their support of each other combined with healthy competition, there seems to be a synergy or ‘magic’ here. We’re excited to see where it takes the team.”
Colorado connections
Debrunner and Brooks are from Colorado originally, and Paul is from San Francisco but attends Colorado State University with Brooks. Brooks got into underwater hockey about three years ago, she said.
As a former swimmer for St. Mary’s
Elsa Debrunner, the team captain of the U24 Women’s underwater hockey team, is a Conifer High School alum. Above, she’s pictured diving with her hockey stick after coming up for air in the Pacific Coast Championships tournament in Orange County, California in October 2023.
PHOTO BY YORI HUYNH
HOCKEY
Academy in Cherry Hills Village, she had the tools to be a strong underwater hockey player. But she didn’t know what to make of the sport at rst.
“I saw a poster one day for a pool in ornton and it was like, ‘underwater hockey,’ and I was really committed to swimming at that point so I was like, ‘ at’s weird. I don’t know,’” Brooks said.
But later as a student at Colorado State, Brooks was strolling the quad and saw booths for clubs. One was serendipitously for underwater hockey.
“ is girl, who was actually Elsa’s older sister (Ianna Debrunner), was like, ‘Hey! Do you want to play underwater hockey?’” Brooks said. “You know what? Maybe I do.” Since plunging into underwater hockey, Brooks has had tunnel vision for a spot on the U.S. team. But it’s a stop on her way to a bigger goal: being chosen on the USA Women’s Elite Team, which is a collection of the best players regardless of age.
Still, representing her country competitively is a dream come true. e team will battle against “10 to 12” other national teams, including Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and others.
A collection of women from all over the country, the national team met in January at a tournament in Colorado for the rst time. ey also had a training camp in Lake Tahoe in California earlier this year.
But Brooks, Debrunner and Paul have an advantage being able to train together at Carmody Recreation Center in Lakewood and Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in ornton. ey’ll stay on their grind until it’s time to travel overseas for global glory.
How to follow the team
e championships in Malaysia will be livestreamed with commentators on YouTube. To follow the team on social media, visit the following links:
Instagram: @usa.u24w.uwh
Facebook: USAU24Women’s UnderwaterHockey
Team website: https://www. underwater-society.org/page/ show/8276732-u24-women
For more information visit the tournament website at www.6thuwhagworlds.com.
Lillianna Brooks swam at St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood before attending Colorado State University, where she found underwater hockey.
Aria Paul is originally from San Francisco but attends Colorado State with Lillianna Brooks. Paul has found a home with her Colorado underwater hockey players. COURTESY PHOTOS
Arapahoe County plagued by dozens of storage unit thefts each year
BY ISABEL GUZMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Deborah Bauman has lost a little faith in humanity.
“I feel like now I am so suspicious of people,” Bauman said.
About three months ago, her ebike, electric tools and family collectibles were stolen from her storage unit in Centennial. She had rented the double-size space because she was moving. e thieves stole a football signed by former Denver Broncos Super Bowl stars John Elway and Terrell Davis and her son’s items from England that his grandparents gifted him.
Arapahoe County and surrounding areas have been hit with hundreds of storage unit thefts in recent years.
In January, a painting of George Washington from the early 1800s was stolen from a storage space in Englewood, prompting an investigation involving local police and the FBI. e value of the portrait was di cult to estimate given its historic nature.
In a tally by the Arapahoe County
A storage unit.
COURTESY OF JOSHUA COLEMAN VIA UNSPLASH SEE THEFT, P25
Sheri ’s O ce, in 2020, there were 115 storage space thefts. In 2021, the number jumped to 150. efts declined only slightly in 2022 (144) and 2023 (138). With 60 thefts already reported as of early June, the trend shows no signs of changing.
Sgt. Brett Cohn, of the sheri ’s o ce investigations unit, said the cases are frustrating for victims.
“ e big problem is a lot of these storage facilities have no video surveillance, and we’re getting no active leads,” Cohn said. “And they don’t burglarize one unit, they’ll come in and they hit four, ve, six or eight units in one shot.”
Marcel Kooyenga ran into thieves, a man and a woman, as they were raiding his storage unit. He had left it unlocked overnight on April 19
by accident. When he arrived, the woman walked away, but the man claimed that the unit had already been opened. e man even helped Kooyenga return mattresses he had taken out back into the unit, Kooyenga said.
But, after the man left, Kooyenga noticed other items were missing from the unit.
“I didn’t put two and two together until it was too late,” he said. “So, it was when I started to think clearly...”
Among the missing items was his Apple computer.
“It was not there,” he claimed.
After he had the realization, Kooyenga said management at the unit’s location reviewed video footage with him and identi ed the people who took his computer.
Video footage captured the woman, and the man who helped return the mattresses, allegedly taking the computer.
ey then allegedly stored it in a
unit that they allegedly rented using a stolen driver’s license. e computer sat there until thieves returned to collect it on May 14, video footage shows. Unfortunately for Kooyenga, the couple was not caught and the computer remains missing.
Such incidents leave storage space renters questioning some policies. For instance, Bauman, who rented at a di erent facility, said one problem is that some facilities encourage renters to register online.
“ ese people use a fake or stolen credit card and false identity,” Bauman said.
e thieves that broke into Bauman’s unit used bolt cutters on the lock’s latch to get in. en, they transported the stolen goods into another unit at the same site.
At the same time her unit was burglarized, Bauman said another nearby storage unit was also broken into.
Bauman said she chose her stor-
age provider because of reviews and features such as security cameras, but the cameras weren’t working the night her belongings were stolen.
e string of thefts leaves Cohn with the sheri ’s o ce with several recommendations. In addition to refraining from keeping nancial information and valuables in storage units, Cohn recommends renters put a motion sensor on their unit doors that delivers a noti cation that there’s motion at the door and to call management to notify them. Or, Cohn advises to call 911 if there’s an alert overnight.
“Another option is you can have a motion sensor camera inside the unit,” Cohn said. “ e door opens, the motion sensor comes on and you have a live feed that’s going directly to your phone and you’re sitting there literally on your phone, wherever you are, watching these people in your unit, burglarizing it.”
Colorado Community Media to Hold its First 5K Run
BY JO ANN M. COLTON
There is no better way to appreciate the beauty of Colorado than by witnessing all the sights and sounds of the great outdoors.
from walking and/or running along our state’s many wonderful paths and scenic nature trails.
Join Colorado Community Media as we host our first-ever 5K run on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in Littleton.
And, before the run, we want you to submit your own “Trail Tales,” including photos, to your local newspaper (events@coloradocommunitymedia. com). Tell us where you most enjoy going for a walk or a run in your commuor elsewhere in Colorado.
In turn, we will share many of those adventurous tales with the readers of our two dozen community newspapers in the weeks ahead of the run. About the 5k: It is scheduled to loop around Johnston Reservoir from 9:30 a.m. to noon. It will start and end on the bike path near Shelter P. The event is different from most 5k runs in many ways. For starters, the sole purpose of this event is to simply provide an opportunity for people across Colorado to come together, interact, and share their personal experiences gained
There are no prizes associated with the event and participants will not receive a “standard” T-shirt. Instead, registered participants will receive a pair of custom running socks. The Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run is open to people of all ages. Participants have the option of making it a fun-filled day for the entire family. Registration fees are $35 for adults (ages 17 & up), $15 (ages 5 to 16), and free for children (ages 4 and under ). Parking for run participants and event attendees is available in the west parking lot, which can be reached as you enter Clement Park through the Library entrance on W. Bowles Avenue.
Park is currently being firmed up to feature other activities throughout the day including food and beverage purchase options offered by local food trucks, vendor booths, and live music entertainment.
“Your support of this event as a race participant and/or as an attendee is paramount to the success of our first Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run and it will help us sustain our ability to support local news,” Scott said. “We encourage the engagement of our readers and future readers to be part of this and future events at Colorado Community Media.”
Colorado Community Media publications span eight counties along Colorado’s majestic Front Range — Weld, Adams, Jeffco, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe and Denver. As a nonprofit organization, community is important to us and we are eager to reach out and meet members of the communities our news organization serves.
Carlie Scott, Colorado Community Media’s events director, stated that the program for the Aug. 24 run in Clement
Colorado Community Media could not put on events like this 5k run without the help of its dedicated supporters and sponsors. Sponsorship provides an ideal marketing prospect for your business and positive brand recognition. The organization offers many levels of sponsorship and opportunities for involvement. As a sponsor, you can be part of a fun community event that promotes health and wellness.
To register for the Share Your Trail Tales 5k please visit our website www.coloradocommunitymedia.com and click on EVENTS/CONTEST tab.
Immersive Cinderella City display launches museum
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Englewood Historic Preservation Society hosted the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Historic Englewood Museum on June 22.
e museum’s rst exhibit, produced by e Cinderella City Project, is located in the new facility on the second oor of the Englewood Civic Center at 1000 Englewood Pkwy.
e immersive exhibit highlights the history of Cinderella City, the large shopping mall built along the north side of Hampden Avenue between Broadway and Santa Fe Drive in 1968. e mall lasted for three decades, struggling in its nal years, until it was demolished.
“As some may remember, the (Englewood Civic Center) building is the last remaining structure from the original mall,” said Lindsey Runyan, Historic Englewood communications director and museum coordinator.
In its heyday, the building that houses the civic center was a department store. e mall was completely demolished in 1998.
Historic Englewood is attempting “to bring Cinderella City mall back to life,” Runyan said.
Runyan said Josh Goldstein, creator of e Cinderella City Project and Historic Englewood Board secretary, worked to recreate the mall in a simulation “allowing for spectators to virtually walk through the mall and travel back in time to both eras
of its design, 1960s and 1980s.”
“We are fortunate to have a theater space within the museum that will be ideal for showcasing the simulation,” Runyan said.
Other exhibits feature Englewood Schools, Cherrelyn Horse Car, Alexander Industries, General Iron Works, Arapahoe Acres and more.
“We believe that Englewood has a unique story to tell and having a museum space to bring that history to the community is essential,” Runyan said.
e city council approved the museum last year. However, Runyan said the Englewood Historic Pres-
ervation Society has worked on the project for much longer. e society was formed 12 years ago amid e orts to secure the Sante Fe Railway depot for use as a museum, Runyan said.
“Although the group was not awarded the depot after going through the proposal process, they still continued to expand and grow the society with the hopes that someday they could form a museum,” Runyan said.
When the Museum of Outdoor Arts vacated its space in the civic center almost two years ago, that opened the door for conversations with city
o cials and the society, she said. e city and the society have an agreement for a year-long lease and the society also received some startup funding.
“We hope that there is enough interest in the museum to support it going forward,” Runyan said. “If the city and the community sees its value that will hopefully lead to a contract renewal and perhaps a later expansion should redevelopment occur in that area down the line.”
For more information people can email contact@historicenglewood. com.
A simulation from the three-dimensional program in the history of Cinderella City mall exhibit in the new Historic Englewood Museum. The museum opened on June 22. COURTESY OF LINDSEY RUNYAN
CELL exhibit opens in Denver
The Counterterrorism
Education Learning Lab
o ers knowledge, training
BY BRUCE GOLDBERG
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
anks to Denver’s CELL (Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab), 16,000 people in Minneapolis took training to recognize and possibly prevent attacks at the Super Bowl about 10 years ago.
And they weren’t alone.
“CELL has done similar training in Arizona when it hosted the Super Bowl two years ago, as well as many other events and venues nationwide,” said Tom Ruppel, chief operating o cer for CELL.
Other municipalities and sporting events have had CELL customize their training to match a speci c event, venue or place.
“What’s tremendous about these events is that there are 2,000 to 3,000 people each time – the public, students, community leaders, business leaders under one roof, listening to those experts debate the issues of the day,” said Melanie Pearlman, president and CEO of CELL.
CELL is a nonpro t, non-partisan institute and o ers a speaker series and training programs.
It reopened in early May, following a four-year pause to renovate its home at 99 W. 12th Ave. in Denver.
CELL updated its displays and o erings during the four-year hiatus in order to provide an interactive experience to block security threats.
Among the exhibits is a large, attention-grabbing, badly damaged piece of metal recovered from the south tower of the World Trade Center.
“ e CELL is a place to stay on top of an evolving landscape of the threats we continue to face,” said Pearlman.
Titled exhibits with names such as “Vitriol & Violence,” “What is Terrorism,” “Rooted in Extremism,” “Countering Today’s reats” and “Civil Liberties & National Security” grab visitors’ attention.
“ e impetus for the CELL was brought by the unfortunate attack of Sept. 11,” Pearlman said. “We wanted to form a (way) to educate people about issues that a ect our national security and our global security.
We brought together an array of thought leaders and subject matter experts for everything you can imagine, people from all di erent religious and political persuasions, that really helped us for an understanding for visitors.”
CELL does more than just share the knowledge.
“We want to help prevent crime and possible acts of terrorism to help prevent radicalization, and to teach enrollees how to do so,” Ruppel said.
Weekly Carrier Routes Available
For example, its Community Awareness Program works with local, state and federal safety o cials to help train people on how to recognize and report suspicious activity, as well as “discover how hatred can lead to violence, learn how terrorism in uences global security, and engage ... to make our community safer.”
Part-time hours Adaptable route sizes • No suit & tie required! revious carrier experience encouraged; reliable vehicle and email access, required.
“ is past year, we developed a new education series all about how we can address the rising threat of
domestic, violent extremism here in Colorado,” Ruppel said. “We brought in experts from across the country to address and really speak to the community members about how to recognize (terrorist threats) and what concrete steps you can take to help prevent radical (behavior).”
To learn more about CELL, visit www.thecell.org.
A steel beam from the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Center
exhibits on display at the Counterterrorism
ver.
Meet third-generation hat shaper Parker Thomas at the Mile High Hoedown
BY JO ANN M. COLTON
Colorado-born Parker Thomas Orms always envisioned himself growing up and tackling life head-on as an athlete on a sports field. So, how did he wind up being a hat shaper and owner of Hats By Parker Thomas? The answer is… fate! Parker’s father Glenn has been a hat shaper all his life following the tradition set by his own father. Parker’s grandpa Dewey started shaping hats 65 years ago in Texas —and did so until his death in 2022.
Parker inherited his passion for playing sports from his mom and her family. His mother Katherine lettered in softball at Northern Colorado in the 1970s.
Parker Thomas Orms attended Colorado University Boulder (2010-2013) on a football scholarship and played defensive back for the Colorado Buffaloes football team. He was an engaging presence on the field and a fan favorite. Parker was on the path to joining the NFL although football-related injuries (shoulder and hamstring injuries and a torn ACL for which he had to undergo surgery) likely ended that pursuit.
In 2015, Parker traveled to Milan to play semi-pro football as a Free Safety Punt Return Man for the Milano Rhinos, Italy’s professional league. But after playing his last football season in Europe, Parker Thomas came home to his family and the family traditions that are tightly woven into the fabric of his being. So, it wasn’t just a “hat” trick that led him to become a hat shaper and Parker’s success is proving to be far more rewarding than he could ever have imagined.
“I worked with my father and grandfather for eight years. Traveling around different rodeos and western-themed events, I shaped and designed cowboy and fedora hats,” said Parker who
has been adding his own sense of style and creativity to traditional hats while shaping his own destiny in the process.
Then he opened Hats By Parker Thomas (https://www.hatsbyparkerthomas.com/) two years ago at 257 Fillmore St., Unit 110, in the Cherry Creek area of Denver where he meets with his clientele by appointment. Parker and his small team of hat craftsmen also shape and sell his hats nationwide at private home parties (with 5-25 people), weddings, corporate gatherings, and community events. Likewise, sports figures and celebrities like Reba McEntire are now a part of his overall customer base. Most of Parker’s bookings are
made through his business location or through Instagram and TikTok.
The store and private events keep Parker busy these days but he still enjoys opportunities to be part of community events like the June 29 Mile High Hoedown at the Stampede in Aurora.
“I am really looking forward to meeting people at the Mile High Hoedown,” said Parker who explained that he welcomes every opportunity to support Colorado’s lifestyles and interact with athletes/artists, and all others within its many communities.
“Each hat and design depends on the needs of the customer and the customizations they choose,” said Parker. He stated that although he
can shape any type hat he especially enjoys creating cowboy style hats, which are so very popular throughout Colorado.
“Most hats can be done in around 30 minutes and I will make your hat to order right there at the Mile High Hoedown,” said Parker who mentioned that his custom wool or beaver-blend hats range from $200 to $450. For additional fees he also offers cleaning, reshaping and branding services.
Music lovers won’t want to miss a beat when Boulder’s very own Sun Jr. brings their “Psych Mountain Rock” sounds to the stage. Dancers will love learning the latest line dances taught throughout the day by dance instructor/choreographer Laurie Burkardt. Attendees can visit vendor booths and print their own shirt or tank top with Ink and Drink, obtain a flash tattoo from Ace of MR. ACE Art & Tattoos, and get interactive with some “not permanent but cool” body art/face painting and/or hair sparkle accents from Little People Face Painting. Enjoy food truck food/beverages, and stop by and meet with hat shaper Parker Thomas to purchase your custom hat!
Get the “low down” on the Hoedown (tickets and more) at coloradocommunitymedia.com.
Mark your calendars for CCM’s Mile High Hoedown on Saturday/June 29 (11:00am-5:00pm) at the Stampede, 2431 S. Havana Street in Aurora. Socialize with friends and/or family, eat/ drink/kick up your heels—and just have a rip-roaring good time! Tickets are $20/per ticket; $25.00 at the door and includes the entry fee only. For a limited time, CCM is running a BOGO promotion on its website; don’t miss out BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
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CAREERS
Help Wanted
Empower Retirement, LLC is seeking the following pos's in Greenwood Village, CO (may work remote from anywhere in the US):
Developer Java: Assist in the dsgn, build, implem, troubleshooting & tstng of highly scalable s/w prdcts aligned w/ Empower Retirement’s Biz, Tech & Architecture strats. Reqs: Bach's deg (or frgn equiv) in CS, IT or rltd; 3 yrs of exp as a Java Dvlpr, S/w Dvlpr or a rltd pos. Ref 1245. Salary $115k & Std Benefits.
Lead Developer Mobile: Respsbl for serving as a lead in dvlpng fin svcs mobile apps. Reqs: Mstr’s deg* (or frgn equiv) in CS, Info Sys or rltd; 3 yrs of exp as a Sr Dvlpr or a rltd pos. Will accept a Bach’s + 5 yrs exp in lieu of Mstr’s deg + 3 yrs exp. Ref 1280. Salary: $165k & Std Benefits.
Senior Software Engineer: Work on many initiatives, integrations, innovations, while always trying to scale it more, improve perfrmnc & keep the sys secure. Reqs: Mstr’s deg* (or frgn equiv) in CS, Mgmt Info Sys or rltd; 3 yrs of exp as a S/w Engineer or a rltd pos. Will accept a Bach’s + 5 yrs exp in lieu of Mstr’s deg + 3 yrs exp. Ref 1248. Salary: $175K & Std Benefits.
Senior Developer: Dsgn, implmnt, & test highly scalable s/w prdcts aligned w/ Empower Retirement's Biz, Tech & Architecture strategies. Reqs: Mstr’s deg* (or frgn equiv) in CS, Elctrncs Engg or rltd; 3 yrs of exp as a Dvlpr or a rltd pos. Will accept a Bach’s + 5 yrs exp in lieu of Mstr’s deg + 3 yrs exp. Ref 1250. Salary: $152,069 & Std Benefits.
Principal Software Engineer: Dsgn, implmnt, deploy, & spprt new web-based microservices using server techs stacks that incl Java, MySQL, & AWS svcs. Reqs: Mstr’s deg* (or frgn equiv) in CS, S/w Engg or rltd; 3 yrs of exp as a Sr S/w Engineer or a rltd pos. Will accept a Bach’s + 5 yrs exp in lieu of Mstr’s deg + 3 yrs exp. Ref 1234. Salary: $186k & Std Benefits.
To apply, email res w/ ref# to Tony Medaris, tony.medaris@empower.com
Help Wanted
Special Education Paraprofessional
Full-Time Special Education Paraprofessional needed for 2024-25 School Year in our West Area Center-Based Learning Programs located in Strasburg
• Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance . $16-$19 per hour depending on experience
• Questions contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces.org
• To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the "Jobs" page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button "Apply Online" at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
Software Development Engineer, Sr
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Software Development Engineer, Sr. in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company headquarters in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field. $119,667.41 to $129,667.41 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.70.3.
Operational Engineer Senior
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Operational Engineer Senior in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer software. Position allows for 100% telecommuting. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Information Technology, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.68.2
Help Wanted
Sr. Software Engineer
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Sr. Software Engineer to design, develop, test, implement, and support scalable software solutions. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. $126,181.44 to $136,181.44 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.66.2.
Software Development Engineer Senior
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Software Development Engineer Senior to research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Position is fully remote and reports to company headquarters in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. $118,628.00 to $128,628.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.61.4
Test Engr Sr.
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Test Engr Sr in Englewood, CO to develop and maintain automated tests. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology and Computing, or a related field. $128,398.00 to $138,398.00 per year, including standard company benefits. To apply, send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.75.3.
Help Wanted
Operational Engineer II
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Operational Engineer II in Englewood, CO to participate on DevOps Engineering team within Scrum environment. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports directly to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or related field. $130,520.00 to $140,520.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.8.1
Senior Software
Development Engineer
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Senior Software Development Engineer in Englewood, CO to lead the design, analysis, creation, and debugging of CSG's customer facing applications. Position allows for remote work and reports to company headquarters in Englewood, CO. Requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.15.3
Architect
Intec Billing Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Architect in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop software. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer information systems, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.39.5.
Help Wanted
Software Dev. Engr II
CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Software Dev Engr II in Englewood, CO to research and develop computer software. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field. $108,992.00 to $118,992.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.11.1
Senior RPA Developer
Open Technology Solutions, LLC, seeks Senior RPA Developer in Englewood, CO to design, build & develop RPA solutions to create automations that integrate into existing OTS tech framework. Req. MS in comp sci. or rltd fld (will accpt foreign ed equiv) & 3 yrs RPA developing exp. Must also possess: Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server, Visual Krum, Agile Methodologies, Business Requirements design, Orchestrator Certification, UI Path Certification. This position is 100% telecommute and can be performed from anywhere in the U.S. $125,000/yr. Submit app to mnavarrete@open-techs.com and refer to this ad in cover letter.
DevOps Engineer
Open Technology Solutions, LLC seeks a DevOps Engineer in Englewood, CO to ensure adherence to the organization's SDLC development process & assist Devlpmnt teams with source code mngmnt. Requires: B.S. in eng., com. sci., or related field (will accept foreign ed equiv) & 5 yrs DevOps Eng. exp. Must also possess: Azure DevOps; Team Foundation Server; Octopus Deploy; Kubernetes Admin; Powershell; Server Configuration Management –Puppet Enterprise; IIS (Internet Information Services); Security TestingVeracode; Azure Cloud. Salary: $139,838/yr. This position is 40% telecommute and employee must live within commuting distance to company headquarters. Submit app to mnavarrete@open-techs.com and refer to this ad in cover letter.
Software Development Engineer Senior CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Software Development Engineer Senior in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer software. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job 21890.9.1. Need to get the word out?
SPRING VALLEY MD NO 1 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report Covering Data For Calendar Year 2023
Public Water System ID: CO0120717
Esta es información importante. Si no la pueden leer, necesitan que alguien se la traduzca.
We are pleased to present to you this year’s water quality report. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. Please contact AJ BECKMAN at 303-877-6284 with any questions or for public participation opportunities that may affect water quality.
General Information
All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or by visiting epa. gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV-AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk of infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, or to receive a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and microbiological contaminants call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791).
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
• Microbial contaminants: viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants: salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides: may come from a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
• Radioactive contaminants: can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
• Organic chemical contaminants: including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also may come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact AJ BECKMAN at 303-877-6284. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP)
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment may have provided us with a Source Water Assessment Report for our water supply. For general information or to obtain a copy of the report please visit wqcdcompliance.com/ccr. The report is located under “Guidance: Source Water Assessment Reports”. Search the table using our system name or ID, or by contacting AJ BECKMAN at 303-877-6284. The Source Water Assessment Report provides a screening-level evaluation of potential contamination that could occur. It does not mean that the contamination has or will occur. We can use this information to evaluate the need to improve our current water treatment capabilities and prepare for future contamination threats. This can help us ensure that quality finished water is delivered to your homes. In addition, the source water assessment results provide a starting point for developing a source water protection plan. Potential sources of contamination in our source water area are listed on the next page.
Please contact us to learn more about what you can do to help protect your drinking water sources, any questions about the Drinking Water Quality Report, to learn more about our system, or to attend scheduled public meetings. We want you, our valued customers, to be informed about the services we provide and the quality water we deliver to you every day.
Our Water Sources
Sources (Water Type - Source Type) Potential Source(s) of Contamination
WELL D2 (Groundwater-Well)
WELL D1 (Groundwater-Well)
WELL A1 (Groundwater-Well)
WELL L1 (Groundwater-Well)
WELL A2 (Groundwater-Well)
There is no SWAP report, please contact AJ BECKMAN at 303-877-6284 with questions regarding potential sources of contamination.
Terms and Abbreviations
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) − The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water.
• Treatment Technique (TT) − A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
• Health-Based − A violation of either a MCL or TT.
• Non-Health-Based − A violation that is not a MCL or TT.
• Action Level (AL) − The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment and other regulatory requirements.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) − The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) − The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) − The level of a drinking water disinfectant, below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
• Violation (No Abbreviation) − Failure to meet a Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulation.
• Formal Enforcement Action (No Abbreviation) − Escalated action taken by the State (due to the risk to public health, or number or severity of violations) to bring a non-compliant water system back into compliance.
• Variance and Exemptions (V/E) − Department permission not to meet a MCL or treatment technique under certain conditions.
• Gross Alpha (No Abbreviation) − Gross alpha particle activity compliance value. It includes radium-226, but excludes radon 222, and uranium.
• Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) − Measure of the radioactivity in water.
• Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) − Measure of the clarity or cloudiness of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the typical person.
• Compliance Value (No Abbreviation) – Single or calculated value used to determine if regulatory contaminant level (e.g. MCL) is met. Examples of calculated values are the 90th Percentile, Running Annual Average (RAA) and Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA).
• Average (x-bar) − Typical value.
• Range (R) − Lowest value to the highest value.
• Sample Size (n) − Number or count of values (i.e. number of water samples collected).
• Parts per million = Milligrams per liter (ppm = mg/L) − One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
•Parts per billion = Micrograms per liter (ppb = ug/L) − One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.
• Not Applicable (N/A) – Does not apply or not available.
• Level 1 Assessment – A study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
• Level 2 Assessment – A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
Detected Contaminants
SPRING VALLEY MD NO 1 routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The following table(s) show all detections found in the period of January 1 to December 31, 2023 unless otherwise noted. The State of Colorado requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year, or the system is not considered vulnerable to this type of contamination. Therefore, some of our data, though representative, may be more than one-year-old. Violations and Formal Enforcement Actions, if any, are reported in the next section of this report.
Note: Only detected contaminants sampled within the last 5 years appear in this report. If no tables appear in this section, then no contaminants were detected in the last round of monitoring.
SPRING VALLEY MD NO 1 routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The following table(s) show all detections found in the period of January 1 to December 31, 2023 unless otherwise noted. The State of Colorado requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year, or the system is not considered vulnerable to this type of contamination Therefore, some of our data, though representative, may be more than one-year-old. Violations and Formal Enforcement Actions, if any, are reported in the next section of this report.
Note: Only detected contaminants sampled within the last 5 years appear in this report. If no tables appear in this section, then no contaminants were detected in the last round of monitoring.
Disinfectants Sampled in the Distribution System
OR If sample size is less than 40 no more than 1 sample is below 0.2 ppm
Typical Sources: Water additive used to control microbes
Lead and Copper Sampled in the Distribution System
Public Notices
Legals
City and County
Public Notice
ESTRAY: #1584 One Black Steer. Livestock
Case Number: 2024DR030018 SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:
SPRING VALLEY MD NO 1 routinelymonitorsforcontaminantsinyourdrinkingwateraccordingtoFederalandState laws.The followingtable(s)showalldetectionsfoundin the periodofJanuary1toDecember31,2023unlessotherwise noted.The State of Colorado requiresusto monitorforcertain contaminantslessthan once peryearbecause the concentrationsofthese contaminants are notexpected to vary significantly fromyearto year,orthe systemisnotconsidered vulnerable to thistype ofcontamination Therefore,some ofourdata,thoughrepresentative,maybe morethanone-year-old. Violations and Formal Enforcement Actions, if any,are reported in the nextsection ofthisreport.
must be claimed by legal owner within 10 days or will be sold by Colorado Brand Board. For information call 719-924-3548 or 303-869-9160.
Legal Notice No. ECN 1525
First Publication: June 27, 2024
Last Publication: June 27, 2024
Publisher: Elbert County News
You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the petition filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the petition may be obtained from the clerk of the court.
Note: Onlydetectedcontaminants sampledwithinthelast 5years appear inthis report.If no tablesappearin thissection,then no contaminants were detected in the lastround ofmonitoring.
Disinfectants SampledintheDistributionSystem TTRequirement:Atleast95%ofsamplesperperiod (month orquarter) mustbe atleast0.2 ppm OR Ifsample size isless than 40 no more than 1 sample is below0.2 ppm TypicalSources: Water additiveused to controlmicrobes
Custody
Public Notice
District Court, Elbert County, Colorado Court Address: 751 Ute Avenue, Kiowa, CO 80117
Plaintiff: Lois Ariel Lo v. Defendant: Oscar Daniel Brand
Party Without Attorney:
Name: Lois Ariel Lo
Phone Number: 323-548-9153
E-mail: loisbustamante@yahoo.com
If you fail to file your answer or other response to the petition in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the petition without further notice.
This is an action for legal custody of a child.
Dated: May 31st, 2024 By: /s/ Lois Ariel Lo
Legal Notice No. ECN 1517
First Publication: June 13, 2024
Last Publication: July 11, 2024
Published in Elbert County News
BE Informed! Informed!
Read the Legal Notices!
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