Some frustrated over Parker’s handling of county PrideFest
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For a second meeting in a row, a small group of people voiced their concerns and discontent with Parker’s handling of the Douglas County PrideFest.
“I’ve never seen such division and discord as I saw culminating in the events of the PrideFest weekend,” Holly, who did not provide her last name, told members of the town council on Aug. 19.
PrideFest was held on Aug. 4 at Salisbury Park and its organizers de-
scribed it as a successful a rming celebration of diversity for several hundred people, despite demonstrators who said they came to pray for event-goers as part of an e ort led by a group called Stand in the
Douglas County ‘e ectively’ ends homelessness, but the data is nuanced
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For nearly two years, an outreach team has traveled around Douglas County, contacting unhoused people — often more than once — to build trust and o er them help. Now, the county says it has “effectively ended homelessness,” attributing its success to the outreach program and other e orts.
O cials are “pleased to announce that we have functionally ended homelessness in Douglas County,” said county Commissioner Abe Laydon, noting that o cials counted just six people sleeping outside in the county on one night this summer. “ at is about as close to functional zero as we’re going to get.”
Earlier this year, a count had found 80 homeless people — sheltered and unsheltered — in Douglas County.
A group of around 20 people who came to oppose PrideFest stood outside the event in the parking lot, wearing white shirts that said, “You are loved.” PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Residents urged to conserve water amid drought
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e recent record-breaking heat has taken its toll. Highlands Ranch is in a moderate drought. And, with more high temperatures forecasted, the Centennial Water and Sanitation District is encouraging residents to be mindful of their water usage.
e water district, which serves the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Mirabelle Metropolitan District, determines water use decisions based on data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. According to the monitor, the region is experiencing moderate drought conditions.
“Some of the considerations that play into the report include precipitation, stream ow, reservoir levels, temperature and evaporative demand, solid moisture and vegetation health,” said Kari Larese, water district communications manager.
In addition to the drought monitor, the water district also takes into account daily demand for water and storage levels.
e community’s water supply comes from a combination of groundwater from three aquifers beneath Highlands Ranch and water from the South Platte River. e water is then stored in the South Platte, McLellan and Chat eld Reservoirs, allowing the district to pace out water throughout the summer.
As of Aug. 15, the water district’s reservoirs were 79% full, according to
Larese and their demand from customers for August is an average of 24 million gallons per day.
Strict water restrictions are not in place at this time, but conservation is being emphasized.
“We’re in a strong position to meet customer demand, but the moderate drought conditions signal that we’re in a hot, dry period,” said Larese. “ is serves as a reminder for both us
and our customers that conserving water is always crucial.”
Ways to conserve water include limiting outdoor watering of gardens and lawns to two days per week, avoiding using irrigation systems between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and hand watering trees and shrubs. Also, it helps to x leaks and avoid situations where excess water ows into street gutters.
e district also says keeping the community’s water clean is important.
People can help by cleaning up pet waste left on the ground so that it doesn’t get washed into storm drains. e use of phosphorus-free fertilizers helps prevent algae blooms (which impacts water taste). Professional car washes ensure toxic chemicals are kept out of storm drains.
EchoStar in ‘constructive’ financial talks as it reports more losses
BY NINA JOSS
EchoStar Corp., which merged with DISH Network earlier this year, reported an 8.8% year-over-year loss in revenue in its mid-year 2024nancial results.
e company reported a total revenue of $7.97 billion for the six months ending June 30, compared to $8.74 billion in the same period a year ago.
e loss continues a trend for the company, which reported year-overyear losses at the end of 2023 and
in its rst quarter 2024 nancial reports. e company, which is headquartered in unincorporated Douglas County, also has an o ce near downtown Littleton.
DISH Network, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corp., has laid o more than 700 Colorado employees since November.
In its second quarter, net Pay-TV subscribers decreased by approximately 104,000, compared to 294,000 in the year-ago quarter. e company closed the quarter with 8.07 million Pay-TV subscribers, including about 6 million DISH TV subscribers and
2 million SLING TV subscribers, according to the recent nancial report.
e quarter showed a decrease in net DISH TV subscriber losses due to a lower DISH TV churn rate, o set by lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, Echostar stated in the report.
e company reported a loss in its broadband net subscribers.
In the report, EchoStar president and CEO Hamid Akhavan said the company focused this quarter on “making improvements in our go-tomarket approach for retail wireless.”
e company saw a small loss in its
retail wireless subscribers this quarter, but noted that many of these were losses of government-subsidized subscribers, including A ordable Connectivity Program subscribers.
“Excluding the impact of net losses of government-subsidized subscribers, EchoStar added approximately 32,000 retail wireless subscribers in the second quarter,” the report states. Some economic analysts are predicting bankruptcy for the company, potentially by the end of the year.
In the report, Akhavan said the company is “in constructive discussions to address necessary nancing.”
The Centennial Water and Sanitation District urges Highlands Ranch residents to conserve water because of moderate drought conditions.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Here Are the Work-Arounds That Will Keep Sellers Paying Buyer Agents’ Commission
The biggest work-around is Section 29 of the state-approved (and mandated) Contract to Buy & Sell, shown at right.
As shown below in this week’s (and last week’s) featured new listing, many ads, brochures and websites for listings will now contain the notice that “Seller offers __% compensation to buyer brokers.”
Absent that offer, however, the buyer can use Sec. 29.1 of their purchase contract to specify the compensation paid by the seller to their agent. This is where the offered compensation, such as for the listing below, is to be inserted — or, if none is offered, the buyer’s demand for compensation is inserted.
amendment to their buyer agency agreement setting the commission rate at 2% and writing that amount in Sec. 29.1 of the purchase contract. Or, they could decide to write 2.5% in Sec. 29.1 anyway and see if the seller will sign it. If the seller counters the offer, changing it to 2.0%, if the seller wants to accept the counterproposal, they can still amend the buyer agency agreement before signing the counterproposal.
Of course, the buyer might like his broker so much, that he or she will offer to pay the extra 0.5%, although that would be unusual. As I wrote last week, I’ll be surprised if many (or any) buyers end up paying anything to their broker.
The opposite scenario could be true.
wants to sell her or his home is going to deny any compensation to buyer brokers and that you can defer the conversation about adjusting the buyer compensation until the buyer is ready to make an offer of a house they want.
One complication of this strategy is that the buyer will have already signed a buyer agency agreement with his or her broker, stating the commission amount, if any, that the buyer is willing to pay, and if the seller falls short of that percentage or dollar amount, the buyer must make up the difference.
But, not to worry — there’s a simple workaround for that. At any time during the term of the buyer agent agreement (called the “Exclusive Right-to-Buy Listing Contract”), it can be amended by mutual agreement of the buyer and his or her broker.
Let’s say, for example, that the buyer has signed a buyer agency agreement with 2.5% as the promised compensation to their broker. A seller has offered 2.0%. In discussion prior to writing the offer, the buyer might negotiate an
3-BR
$695,000
The buyer may have signed a buyer agency agreement in which the rate is 2.5%, but the seller has advertised that they will pay 2.8%. The rule is that the buyer’s broker can’t accept more than is specified in their signed agreement with their buyer. No problem — amend the buyer agency agreement to 2.8% before writing the offer. However, if there’s a bidding war, the buyer and broker might decide to write 2.5% into their offer, hoping that competing offers will include 2.8% for their buyers’ brokers.
Buyers will likely say upfront that they don’t want to pay a dime (or more than a nominal amount) to the broker representing them in their home search.
The smart broker (which, of course, includes all Golden Real Estate brokers) will point out Sec. 29.1 and quote this article saying that it has become a “buyer’s market” and that no seller who
Home in Lone Tree Golf Community
Meanwhile, a broker wanting to represent a buyer needs to be confident enough of the value he or she provides to the buyer to say that they won’t work with that buyer unless they agree to some minimum compensation for that value. For me personally, I would put that minimum at a minimum of 2.0%, given the value every buyer gets from
me — knowledgeable, experienced representation and negotiating skill, use of our free moving truck, free moving boxes and packing materials, and team members at their disposal from our inhouse handyman, cleaning personnel, loan officers, inspectors and more. All of us at Golden Real Estate are aware of the value we provide to our clients, both buyers and sellers, and we look forward to serving both with the skill that we know we have. If you want proof, click on the “Testimonials” tab at www.GoldenRealEstate.com. We look forward to earning your good review!
Broker Associate Austin Pottorff Specializes in Land
Personally, I prefer to work one-onone with buyers and sellers, as do most of my broker associates. But Austin Pottorff is different. He loves to find owners of larger parcels of land and help them sell to one of his many buyers, some of whom are developers looking for sites to build multi-family neighborhoods.
Earlier this year, with a little help from me, Austin sold a commercial property in Golden (Mountain Muffler, at 2200 Ford Street) to a developer. He currently has three land parcels under contract, one in Pleasant View, and two in Arvada, and he has three
active listings, including a veterinary hospital on three acres at 9251 N. Wadsworth Ave. for $2,490,000, an 8acre parcel on the I-70 south frontage road in Wheat Ridge for $6,000,000, and another land parcel elsewhere in Jefferson County.
If you have land you’d like to sell or are looking to buy land, give Austin a call at 970-281-9071, or email him at Austin@GoldenRealEstate.com. Austin’s fellow associates and I are impressed at the quality of his work identifying such land opportunities and even creating aerial videos of them as part of his marketing strategy.
This Column Is Now Published on Substack
Everything you read in this ad each week is published in blog form (with extra content and active hyperlinks) at http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com and comes to you by email automatically each Wednesday.
I’m also publishing a political column you might like. Find it, too, in blog form at http://TalkingTurkey.Substack.com
Rita and I are on a transatlantic cruise during August and September. Read my continuing travelogue at http://WhereAreJimandRita.Substack.com.
I have free cell and email throughout, so feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Enjoy maintenance-free living in the quiet community called Masters Park. This townhome at 9444 Southern Hills Circle is being sold by its original owners, who purchased the home 25 years ago. You’ll like the updated kitchen and primary suite with its updated 5-piece bathroom and its spacious deck overlooking the green space behind. As you will see on its website, this home has been tastefully decorated including, for example, the walls of the powder room painted by a local artist in a bamboo theme! It’s a friendly community too, with get-togethers Monday evenings in the gazebo next to this home. The golf course is behind the homes across the street! Some furniture is available for purchase outside of closing. Look for the list with prices on the coffee table. Visit www.LoneTreeHome.info for interior and exterior photos, floor plans, a narrated video walk-through and an aerial video. Greg Kraft will be holding it open on Saturday, Aug. 31st, 11 to 1, or call 720-353-1922 to request a showing. Note: Seller offers 2.8% commission to buyer’s broker.
303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401
Patio
HOMELESSNESS
A fuller picture of homelessness data tells a more complicated story for a variety of reasons. e data cited by the commissioner comes from a point-in-time snapshot, a measure that can vary signi cantly year after year. In Douglas, where homeless numbers are often much lower than in other counties, the traditional metro-area tally and Douglas’ own summer data tell di erent stories. So, too, does the county’s broader number of people who access services related to homelessness.
Across the Denver area, homelessness doesn’t show clear signs of going down, and, by one indicator, it increased. is year’s one-day count across seven counties showed homelessness rising by 10% compared to last year — from about 9,100 to nearly 10,000 — driven pri-
marily by a 12% rise in shelter usage.
While that’s only a snapshot, a broader count of people accessing services or housing related to homelessness suggests that the region’s homeless population could be closer to 30,000 over the course of the year, according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.
“Behind every data point lies the reality of individuals and families facing the hardship of homelessness,” Rebecca Mayer, interim director at MDHI, said in a statement.
“It’s crucial to remember that our unhoused neighbors deserve the stability and security of a safe place to call home.”
Here’s a closer look at the picture of homelessness in Douglas County and regional trends.
Data Douglas touts
Each year, the Denver area, including Douglas County, participates in the “Point in Time” count of people experiencing homelessness, an ef-
fort that helps garner housing funds.
e Metro Denver initiative is mandated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, often called HUD, to organize the count in January, the initiative’s website says.
On the other hand, the data that Douglas County o cials announced at an Aug. 16 news conference, where Laydon spoke, comes from a summer snapshot — from July 29 — that the county chose to carry out.
Among the highlights in the county’s summer data:
• e number of people sleeping outside fell from 43 in 2022 to six in 2024
• Counts showed a 50% reduction in those living in vehicles — 43 down to 21 — and sleeping outside, 11 down to six, since summer 2023.
takes place on a single night and can be a ected by weather or other variables,the Metro Denver organization has discouraged looking at data trends year over year, although the count remains an often-cited statistic. is year’s count took place across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomeld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties from sundown Jan. 22 to sundown Jan. 23. e count showed just under 10,000 people experiencing homelessness, with about 6,500 in Denver and 80 in Douglas County. at’s up from about 9,100 overall, with about 5,800 in Denver and 72 in Douglas, in 2023.
( e newcomer population that stayed at temporary migrant-only shelters are not included in the Metro Denver Point in Time report, according to the organization.
“Newcomers” is a term that refers to migrant people.)
A broader count
People listed as unhoused but sheltered — including those who spent the night in a motel paid by a nonpro t, a transitional housing unit or domestic-violence shelter — ticked up from 33 in the summer of 2022 to 42 this summer.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Overall, this summer’s total number of people counted was 69, down from 96 in summer 2022.
Join us for our 3rd annual 5K trail run/walk focused on physical and mental wellness along with family fun and our furry friends.
• K-9 training demonstrations
• Vendor Market Place
• Food trucks
• Live and silent auction
• Kids zone with family fun events
• Pet costume contest
Because the raw number of unhoused people counted in the county is so low, large percentage changes can be common. And unhoused people in some situations are known to move around.
“Many of the folks we’re encountering are transient — they’re moving through Douglas County,” Sheri Darren Weekly said at the news conference.
Rand Clark, Douglas’ community services manager, said that the county’s homelessness numbers can shift heavily.
“One family of four uctuates our numbers,” Clark said.
Regional picture
Typically in January, teams from sources such as nonpro ts and local governments in communities around the Denver area, and areas around the nation, conduct the Point in Time count.
“While the Point-in-Time count is valuable for assessing the scope of homelessness, raising public awareness, fostering regional collaboration, and informing data-driven strategies, it’s essential to note that it’s not the sole determinant of federal funding,” said Kyla Moe, deputy director of the Metro Denver initiative.
Because the count generally
Aside from the Point in Time, a broader count of homelessness comes from organizations that partner in what’s called the Homeless Management Information System.
About 80% of the homelessness service providers, such as nonprofits and other organizations that help the unhoused, in the seven-county metro area use the system, Moe said. Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, more than 32,000 people accessed services or housing support related to homelessness in the metro region, according to the Metro Denver organization. at number sat at about 28,000 people between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. e number was about 30,400 between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Within that number, 182 people accessed services in Douglas County in that same period.
Clark, the community services manager, said Douglas worked with 215 people through the HMIS in the rst six months of this year.
Not all people with housing needs stay in Douglas for long, Clark said. Some “want to get through town, get a car xed,” Clark said.
What drives homelessness?
e State of Homelessness 2023-24 report from the Metro Denver organization, a document that lists Point in Time numbers, says there are many causes of homelessness.
HOMELESSNESS
“Sometimes there is no singular cause, but rather several contributing factors,” the report says.
“Our largest data source shows that the leading cause or contributing factor of homelessness is relationship problems or family breakups. When coupled with rising rents and low wages, it becomes increasingly dicult for people to secure stable housing in one of the most expensive metro areas in the country,” the report says. “Lack of support, domestic violence, employment challenges, and issues with mental health or substance use also contribute.”
Getting personal
Douglas County’s Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, the outreach group Laydon lauded at the news conference, often gets personal with unhoused people.
“ e really exciting news is that the HEART team knows them by name. ese are not just numbers. ey really make a point to get to know these individuals,” Laydon said.
And despite the unclear trends in homelessness data in Douglas County, HEART has racked up success stories.
“If we encounter someone who is not interested in receiving services, we’ll continue to (engage). A lot of these individuals have trauma in their past history — it could be with law enforcement,” Ti any Marsitto, who has
served as a supervisor with HEART, said, explaining the team’s interactions.
“Even if it’s something little, (like) helping an individual get an ID. ey feel empowered,” she added.
In the past, Marsitto shared a HEART success story of a man who was panhandling — he said he had been homeless for more than 40 years.
e man said he had some belongings stolen from him, Marsitto said.
e team “was able to help him apply for food stamps (assistance) and health insurance right where he was,” Marisitto has said.
During a follow-up meeting, the man said he had a potential job opportunity out of state.
Greg Matthews, a HEART sta er, reached out to one of the team’s faithbased partners, which purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to get the man to his destination.
“ e faith-based partner also put him up in a hotel the night before he departed so he could have a warm place to stay and a shower so he could … start his employment,” Marsitto has said.
A veteran whom HEART worked with got housed within the last month or so, Clark said.
HEART team members work with
law enforcement, and the team began operations in mid-September 2022.
To contact a member of HEART, the public can call 303-660-7301.
Funding for Aurora homeless campus Conversations about shelter in the countyhave been controversial.
No dedicated shelters for the unhoused exist in Douglas County, aside from shelter space for domestic-violence survivors, a county spokesperson has said.
But the county works to provide shelter through partnerships with churches and municipalities — including Aurora and Colorado Springs — and by providing motel or hotel vouchers, the spokesperson said.
Laydon pointed to the county’s effort to fund help in Aurora.
Douglas has contributed about $1.1 million to the upcomingAurora regional navigation campus — a place that will serve the homeless — that will guarantee Douglas ve beds with which to shelter unhoused people the county encounters.
Along with shelter, the campus will o er “wraparound services” such as mental health counseling, help nding jobs and help for those with substance use disorders, according to the county.
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BY COURTNEY BAKOS SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth is set to come alive with the inaugural ElizaPalooza, a new event designed to bring the community together in a celebration of family, pets and the joy of discovery.
Running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, the event promises to be a day packed with entertainment, food and opportunities for fun and learning.
ElizaPalooze, hosted by the Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, aims to shine a light on animal rescue organizations, particularly those focusing on dog rescues. “I’m a dog lover, and I am thrilled
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that we can use this event to bring attention to the wonderful work these organizations do,” said Mary Martin, the chamber’s president and CEO. es event will feature rescues up for adoption, groomers and other animal service organizations. “We hope to play a role, even if small, in saving the lives of our animal friends and supporting those who care for them,” Martin said.
A highlight of the event will be a dog parade, set to begin at 1 p.m., where pet owners can show o their furry companions in a community-centered atmosphere.
In addition to the focus on animal rescues, the event will also o er a variety of food, beverages and vendors catering to all ages. Live music will keep the energy high, ensuring there is something for everyone throughout the day.
A particularly exciting feature of the event is the Curiosity Cruiser, brought
in by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. is mobile museum, open from 12:30-4:30 p.m., is packed with multisensory experiences that will engage audiences of all ages. From playing with avors and scents to exploring the science behind food preferences, the Curiosity Cruiser o ers a unique experience for hands-on learning. “We’re thrilled to have the Curiosity Cruiser join us,” said Martin. “It’s going to be a super cool addition to the event, bringing some on-the-go wonder to Casey Jones Park.”
As the community gathers for this exciting new event, the chamber hopes that ElizaPalooza will become a cherished tradition, growing in size and impact in the years to come. “ is community is such a great place to work, play, and live,” said Martin. “Neighbors and business owners here always look out for one another, and events like this really showcase that spirit.”
The inside of the Curiosity Cruiser from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is packed with multisensory experiences. It will be at ElizaPalooza, with plans to be open from 12:304:30 p.m.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELIZABETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PRIDEFEST
Gap Initiative.
Several people who tried to enter the festival were not allowed into the event or asked to leave when organizers cited their event’s code of conduct prohibiting demonstrations. Parker police escorted four people out of the event in handcu s and issued them summonses for trespassing.
ose actions have left demonstrators accusing the city and its police force of clamping down on their freedom of speech. Many of those expressing frustrations say they were a group of Christians that were targeted and their constitutional rights were violated.
Town o cials have not directly responded to the questions the group has directed at them during the meetings about the event, which was put on by Douglas County
Pride, a nonpro t organization.
e group is calling for a special meeting with Parker Town Council, Town Manager Michelle Kivela, Parker Police Chief Jim Tsurapsus and Mayor Je Torborg. ey want to know whether the event was considered public or private, what the security arrangements were, what the grounds for the trespassing citations were and what led to what some characterize as a large police presence.
Since the comments were made during the public comment portion of a town council meeting, councilmembers and mayor did not respond, as is the council’s practice during the meeting. But during the council updates portion of the meeting Councilmember Joshua Rivero took a moment to read a statement about PrideFest into the record.
“As you may be aware, during the PrideFest event, four individuals were arrested by citation,” said Rivero. “ e criminal proceedings
will be held in the Town of Parker Municipal Court due to the fact that the town’s prosecutors will be handling these pending criminal cases. It is unethical for the town, either through elected representatives or sta , to comment regarding the event and pending charges.”
Regarding how resources were determined for the event, Andy Anderson, communications manager, told the Parker Chronicle that there are standard objective metrics the town uses with respect to community events. e town determines what resources and sta are necessary –which are reimbursed by the event organizers – based on the information provided by the event organizers during the application process.
“Every large-scale community event has numerous town resources and sta involved, including law enforcement sta ,” said Anderson, “Depending on the location of the event, those resources may be more or less apparent.”
In response to last year’s protests
at PrideFest, which was held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, organizers added to their code of conduct that said those taking stances against the LGBTQ+ community, protesting and proselytizing would be refused entry or asked to leave. e day of the event, Josh Hans, with the Parker Police Department, told the Douglas County NewsPress that four people were escorted out of the event in handcu s and issued summonses for trespassing.
One public commenter questioned the size of the police presence, claiming to have spotted K-9s and drones. Other commenters claimed the police acted unlawfully and unconstitutional orders and they did not show neutrality.
O cials take exception with such claims and characterizations, according to Anderson with the town.
“ e town disputes the allegations that any unlawful actions were taken by any town sta with respect to the event held on Aug. 4,” said Anderson.
Bootlegging, cattle rustlin’ side of county history on display
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A young woman’s life saved by the steel of her corset, bootleggers caught in underground tunnels and livestock thefts. ose were the headlines that ooded newspapers in Douglas County generations ago.
It’s hard to imagine that infamous gangsters and elaborate escapes once took place where suburban homes now spread across the hills amid the interstate, business parks and restaurants. ose historical events are what archivists at the Douglas County Libraries are bringing to life through a “Murder, Mayhem and Moonshine” exhibit.
“It’s been great just seeing how positive the residents have been about it,” said Susan O’Brien, visual design, arts and archives manager. “Our goal is just to continue to educate the public of what happened in the county.”
On display through Sept. 8 at libraries in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker, guests can take a closer look at the scandal-
ous side of local history.
Countless letters, manuscripts, artifacts, photos and more date back to the 1800s and are preserved at the Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History section. ere is a lot to choose from for an exhibit.
After considering di erent concepts, O’Brien and her team thought it would be fun for locals to learn about the turbulent era of Prohibition, which included bootlegging, crimes of passion, cattle rustling, murder, jailbreaks and local lawmen who sought to bring perpetrators to justice.
“ ere’s a lot of popularity around true crime,” said Cierra Kelley, design and production specialist. ree archivists conducted research, pulled news articles and photos for the exhibit. e team collaborated with other archives along the Front Range and with the Douglas County History Repository for the artifacts that are on display. From police hats to vintage Coors items, each library location has di erent
Community Resource Fair
F Old Adults
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER
Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History have a 3D exhibit called “Murder, Mayhem and Moonshine” that looks at the more scandalous side of local history. The archives partnered with the Douglas County History Repository for the artifacts that are on display in the Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker and Highlands Ranch. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
HISTORY
artifacts on display.
To have the exhibit up at multiple locations at once, a 3D, and 100% recyclable, element is packed with vintage graphics and nearly a dozen stories.
e stories include the kidnapping and murder of Adolph Coors III, a murder at the Brown Palace in Denver, hitchhiking gone wrong, an infamous Chicago gangster who vacationed in the county and more.
“It’s interesting,” said Kelley. “ I know it’s crime, but the ingenuity and the creativity some of these people had to have, especially with the gambling and the Prohibition. In Highlands Ranch, there’s a place where they had an underground tunnel.”
During the Prohibition era, bootleggers and gangsters used the then-unpopulated and rural areas to their advantage, leading to the creation of speakeasies and social clubs. One of the most promi-
nent was Ova “Smiling Charlie” Stephen’s Blakeland Inn at Wolhurst. Gamblers would use underground escape tunnels to elude deputies, but were often caught.
“But there’s just funny stories,” said Kelley. “Like the guy trying to get out of the jail cell. He was using hair grease.”
Whether it was through the air vents or showers, planned escape attempts were common at the Castle Rock jail. One man, Isaac DeBacca attempted to break free from his cell by using hair oil to make himself slippery. DeBacca was stuck at the hips when Jailer Ralph Wolfe returned to check on the inmates.
But the stories are not all doom and gloom. e exhibit highlights the story of John Hammond, who helped construct U.S. Highway 85. Without experience, he was appointed a volunteer deputy under county Sheri Bert Lowell and later became sheri in 1946, serving for two decades.
“We’re gonna continue to do more exhibits in the future,” said O’Brien.
More: Browse some of the archives at https://archives.dcl.org/.
REVERSE MORTGAGES
Elbert commissioners catch flak over transparency
New contracts for county manager, attorney at core of ongoing conflict
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Denver law rm Zansberg Beylkin recently wrote to the Elbert County Board of Commissioners on behalf of a group of “Concerned Citizens,” consisting of Kenneth Cardwell, Jill Duvall, Jim Duvall, Chris Hatton, Nic Meyer, Robert Rowland and Bob Ware.
e letter, received on Aug. 14, requested that the BOCC formally acknowledge that the recent contracts for employment with County Manager Shawn Fletcher and County Attorney Bart Greer are legally invalid, rescind the contracts, and thereby avoid bringing the matter to court. e contracts, which increased pay and bene ts for both positions, have been a source of contention within the community. Elbert County News previously wrote about the contract changes at tinyurl.com/elbpayhikes, and covered a July 17 town hall where citizens expressed anger about the pay increases at tinyurl. com/elbtownhall.
Hatton said the nonpartisan group
“Concerned Citizens” represents a broad cross-section of Elbert County citizens who are committed to protecting the county from the actions of the current three-member BOCC, in which District 1 Commissioner Chris Richardson and District 3 Commissioner Grant ayer will be stepping down at the beginning of next year.
Hatton feels the Republican primary election results were unfavorable to the current board and the group was concerned the current BOCC would “intentionally constrain and impair the incoming board members by enacting contracts and other legal proceedings.”
Mike Buck won in District 1 and Byron McDaniel won in District 3, and both are unopposed in the November election.
Hatton continued: “We were concerned this BOCC would e ectively go scorched earth by robustly rewarding supporters and exacting retribution against perceived enemies before their departure. Our group has many years of experience dealing with this BOCC and our concerns appear to be playing out as expected.”
e letter reads, in part: “ is dispute is not about the substance of those contracts but about the process by which the BOCC entered into them. e process taken by the
BOCC violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law. at renders those decisions - regardless of their substance - legally invalid ...”
Colorado Revised Statute 24-6402(2b) reads “Local public bodies must open meetings of a quorum or three or more members, whichever is fewer, at which public business is discussed or formal action may be taken.” e Concerned Citizens believe that either two or all three members of the BOCC made the decision to enter into new contracts with the county manager and attorney outside of any noticed public meeting.
“ e BOCC has a rich and welldocumented history of not listening to the citizens and not following established rules and decorum,” Hatton added. “ e only voice they will listen to is that brought on by an attorney. e Elbert County citizens are tired of the BOCC antics. e latest salary increases are, in part, a violation of Colorado state statute. We have every intent to hold the BOCC accountable with established laws.”
e BOCC maintains that any discussion concerning the employment contracts falls under “day-to-day supervision” of county employees and, as such, does not legally have to be open to the public.
e letter also addressed a July 24 BOCC meeting, at which the board discussed their decision to amend the contracts. e Concerned Citizens posit that people were not given advance notice that the agenda
item would be included.
e Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition website explains that the “open meetings law does not provide for nes or penalties, but state courts are authorized to issue injunctions if violations are found. A court may invalidate any decisions made during an illegally held meeting. However, an entity’s unintentional failure to provide advance notice to people on a “sunshine list” will not nullify actions taken at an otherwise properly noticed meeting.”
Commissioner Richardson responded, “After the town hall when citizens expressed concerns, we added rati cation of the contracts to our public BOCC meeting held the following week. e contracts were discussed, public comment was invited (though after all the public concern shown at the town hall the previous week, no one attended to speak to those issues) and we took a publicly recorded roll call vote on the contracts.”
Richardson acknowledged the Sept. 4 deadline for a response to the letter and said the BOCC is consulting with the county attorney to determine if any further action is required.
Controversies around sheri vendor
e letter comes in the midst of existing tension about pay and bene ts within the county, particularly
involving the Elbert County Sheri ’s O ce. e sheri ’s o ce recently unionized after failed e orts to agree on a compensation plan for deputies.
Most recently, the BOCC noti ed the sheri ’s o ce that the vendor Bullseye Supply and its owner Kenneth Cardwell have been removed from the list of eligible county vendors. Bullseye Supply is an ammunition vendor used by the sheri ’s ofce. Cardwell is listed as one of the Concerned Citizens who retained the services of Zansberg Beylkin.
e BOCC wrote an Aug. 5 letter addressing this change to Cardwell as well as the sheri ’s o ce.
“ e purpose of this letter is to place you on notice that Elbert County has permanently revoked
your status,” the letter to Cardwell reads, “and that of Bullseye Supply, LLC … as an eligible vendor or contractor for Elbert County due to violation of the county’s anti-harassment, and anti-racial discrimination policies — which are applicable to county vendors and contractors.
“After review, it has been determined that your social media posting on or around the approximate timeframe of June 15, 2024 … not only constitutes falsehoods of the posting’s substantive content, but your post is a disgusting display of racism which employs overt racially o ensive content by utilizing a racially o ensive trope while directly referencing Elbert County’s sole African American employee.”
County Manager Fletcher is Black.
e BOCC referenced the county’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies to explain the termination of the vendor status. e policies apply to “all employees, in-
cluding managers, supervisors, coworkers, and non-employees such as customers, clients, vendors, or consultants.”
e letter also addressed other concerns brought forward by the BOCC, such as an alleged con ict of interest connected to Cardwell’s contributions to Sheri Tim Norton’s campaign and concerns regarding the sheri ’s o ce’s compliance with the County Finance Policy.
Reached for comment, Cardwell wrote: “ e commissioners’ retribution towards myself is because I was one of the rst ones to post the contracts publicly of the county manager and county attorney, as well as publicly promoting the town hall for citizens to stand up. My business only supplied the sheri ’s department their needs during the critical time of COVID when prices were all over the board, but nobody had large quantities at one time as I did and was able to supply them imme-
diately for their training as well as duty ammunition without having to wait 12 months or better to receive an order.”
He continued: “Additionally, my company or myself have never signed any county policy or agreement of any kind that they make many references to as to the reason for suspending a vendor to the county government. Again, this is retribution and harassment on their behalf and will possibly be dealt with further legal action.”
e letters and other documentation related to the Removal of Vendor Status are available at tinyurl. com/elbvendor, under Aug. 14 agenda item 4 “Ratify notice of removal of vendor status” and item 5 “Ratify notice of termination of vendor status.”
To nd more information about upcoming BOCC meetings, go online to elbertcounty-co.gov/129/ Agendas-Minutes.
Young residents making an impact in Parker
Do you know a local student who has an interest in pursuing a career in public service or perhaps one who is just looking for a new and interesting volunteer role to serve their community? A seat on the Parker Youth Commission might be the right opportunity for them!
The Town of Parker is searching for the next generation of residents who will make an impact on our community. Officially formed in May 2022, the Parker Youth Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the town council on matters that are important to our youngest citizens. The commission consists of nine members in grades 9 through 12 serving two-year terms who either reside
PARKER TOWN TALK
within the Town of Parker or have strong ties to the Parker community, such as attending school, work, etc.
The town is now accepting applications to fill five openings for twoyear terms beginning in October.
Among the Parker Youth Commission’s major assignments is making recommendations to the mayor and town council on issues affecting Parker youth, as well as identifying opportunities to increase youth participation and involve-
School safety has always been a top priority, but recent years have underscored the urgency of protecting our children from the increasing threat of gun violence. As school gun incidents have climbed in Colorado, it is time for decisive action. I presented “Funding for School Safety Firearm Detection Systems” (HB24-1123) to address this issue head-on. Unfortunately, Democrats failed to recognize the critical need to protect our children in schools, allowing misguided priorities to stall progress.
HB24-1123 aimed to establish a school safety rearm detection funding program. is program would allocate funds to local education providers to purchase, install, and operate rearm detection software in schools. Schools would be able to detect and alert personnel and rst responders to the presence of rearms on school property, thereby enhancing security and potentially saving lives.
e data speaks volumes. An analysis aired in March 2023 by KDVR Fox 31 revealed that school gun incidents in Colorado (any time a gun was red or brandished on school property, or a bullet hit a school)
ment in local government. The commission also works to plan and implement social, educational, public safety, cultural and recreational activities for the youth community.
In just its first two years of existence, the Parker Youth Commission has already accomplished a lot, including:
• Contributed to the creation of a new mural in the tunnel undercrossing for the East-West Regional Trail beneath Chambers Road
• Awarded two rounds of youth scholarships — the Spirit of Parker and Pride of Parker Awards — to deserving middle school and high school students
• Published an online list of resources for teens featuring volun-
School safety gets short shrift GUEST COLUMN
teer opportunities and other topics of interest
• Consulted with town staff about outreach and programming for Parker’s teen population
As you can see, our Youth Commission has hit the ground running since its creation. We hope the next generation of commissioners who will be installed later this fall continue to build off this hard work in making a profound impact on Parker’s youngest citizens.
Applications for the Parker Youth Commission can be submitted online through Sept. 15. To learn more, visit ParkerCO.gov/ YouthCommission.
Jeff Toborg is the mayor of Parker.
had increased from 2000 through 2021, reaching ve in 2019 and 2021. e tragic Columbine High School Massacre in 1999, which resulted in 13 deaths and 24 injuries, should have been a wake-up call. Yet, Colorado has not implemented the drastic measures necessary to prevent such horrors from recurring. is bill represented one of the rst signi cant attempts to secure our schools since Columbine.
It was my hope that in presenting this bill that Colorado could follow the lead of other states that recognize the importance of rearm detection in schools. ZeroEyes, an AI gun detection program, exemplies how advanced technology can enhance school safety. Founded in 2018 by Navy SEALs and technology developers, ZeroEyes integrates with existing digital security cameras to proactively detect rearms and provide real-time alerts. is allows for a more rapid law enforcement
response, potentially preventing tragedies before they unfold.
I am hopeful that the progressive left will realize the value of this system and stop stalling progress for the safety of our children. Another example of how the left has failed to care for kids in schools is in their choices for how we allocate the Colorado budget. I presented an amendment to the $40 billion state budget, proposing a modest $2 million allocation for school safety. is amendment did not dictate speci c uses, giving schools the exibility to determine what best suits their needs. However, progressive left members misinterpreted the amendment, erroneously claiming it mandated the hiring of school resource o cers (SROs).
is misconception led to a reversal of support among House Democrats, demonstrating a concerning prioritization of ideology over the genuine safety of our children. While my amendment was ultimately rejected, the Senate managed to secure a paltry $200,000 for school safety — far short of the $2 million needed. is amount represents a mere 0.0005%, (and just a mere 10% of the original request) of
the state’s budget, a glaring indicator of the progressive left’s unwillingness to invest in the security of our schools.
e refusal to adequately fund school safety measures is both bafing and dangerous. e progressive left’s agenda, which often downplays the importance of practical safety measures, is putting our children at great risk. e Democrats’ opposition to comprehensive school safety initiatives highlights a disconnect between their rhetoric and their actions. ey claim to prioritize student safety, yet their resistance to pragmatic solutions tells a di erent story. Implementing rearm detection systems like ZeroEyes is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a necessary evolution in school security. e program’s ability to provide humanveri ed, proactive visual gun detection can drastically reduce response times, potentially saving lives. By alerting authorities to the presence of rearms in real time, ZeroEyes enhances the e ectiveness of existing security protocols and provides a robust defense against potential threats.
Brandi Bradley
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Trump unfit to serve
Simply stated, Donald Trump’s abhorrent blurts of anti-military, anti-vet tropes shouldn’t be pushed aside.
Like many, I served in the military, and my father and grandfather were Purple Heart recipients battling fascism in the world wars. BTW, they are now rolling in their graves.
Trump, August 2024: Trump insisted the presidential Medal of Freedom was better than the Congressional Medal of Honor — the highest military award given for heroism in battle — because “everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. ey’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead.” e VFW publicly condemned Trump’s comments.
Trump, 2023: Trump trashed military o cials as “some of the dumbest people” he’s ever met. When Trump mocked General Mark Milley, Trump’s supporters broke out in applause.
Trump, 2020: Trump greatly downplayed injuries sustained by U.S. military in a missile attack. VFW publicly condemned Trump’s brush-o .
Trump, 2018: At a White House planning meeting for a medal bestowing event, Trump asked his sta not to include wounded veterans, on grounds that spectators would feel uncomfortable in the presence of amputees. “Nobody wants to see that,” he said.
commander-in-chief.
Closer to home, we haven’t heard a peep of concern or criticism from a couple of local Trump-supporting MAGA candidates …
Is commissioner candidate George Teal, an Army veteran, taking Trump’s insult lying down?
Since HD43 candidate Matt Burcham is an election denier/conspiracist, we already know his thoughts about some of Trump’s behaviors.
Which bring a nal point — when will Douglas County conservatives demand honorable candidates who will stand-up for our military and veterans?
Lloyd Guthrie, Roxborough Park
Angela Thomas earns support
Trump, 2018: Referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood, France as “suckers” for getting killed. “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s lled with losers.”
Trump, 2017: Standing by Robert Kelly’s grave, turned directly to General Kelly and said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”
Trump, 2015: “[John McCain’s] not a war hero. I like people who weren’t captured. We’re not going to support that loser’s funeral.”
In fact, Trump received ve draft deferments, including the infamous medical exception for bone spurs. Now, Trump speaks openly about domestic use of the military, should he win the presidency … against protesters, against political opponents.
I am writing to endorse Angela omas for Douglas County commissioner, District 2, in the upcoming at-large election. Having researched the issues and candidates, I believe that Angela omas embodies the values of transparency, accountability and environmental stewardship that are crucial for our community’s future.
In today’s political climate, it is all too common to see leaders who prioritize personal gain over the public good. Angela omas stands out for her unwavering commitment to transparent governance. She has consistently advocated for clear, open communication with constituents and a transparent decisionmaking process. is commitment builds trust but ensures that the community’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed.
Angela omas is committed to accountability; she has a proven track record of holding herself and others to high standards, ensuring that public funds are used e ciently and e ectively. Her approach to governance involves regular audits and public reports, which are essential for maintaining integrity and public con dence.
So, come November, voting Americans can reasonably conclude Donald Trump is un t to serve as
Furthermore, Angela omas has demonstrated a profound dedication to environmental stewardship. Her platform re ects a genuine concern for our natural resources and a commitment to sustainable practices. By supporting initiatives that protect our environment, Angela omas will help ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our community.
HIGH STAKES
What it takes to perform a mountain rescue
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado’s mountains are nature’s playgrounds. Tourists from all over the world and Colorado residents alike escape to the extreme terrain for skiing, hiking, climbing, biking and more — but what happens when something goes wrong?
Several specialized and highly trained mountain emergency response teams — many of them volunteers — constantly work and train together to be ready to perform a mountain rescue.
Alpine Rescue, Central City Fire, Clear Creek EMS, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Flight for Life and Evergreen Fire/Rescue are a few of the agencies that respond when the worst happens in the unforgiving terrain west of Denver.
As a group they must be ready for anything, anywhere, anytime. And they are, according to Field Director for the Alpine Rescue Team Herb Dorn.
Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Silver Plume and the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek County.
“We love what we do. It’s crazy. Almost half our members are probably tenured for over 20 years. So there’s a deep love for what we do and the mission that we try to accomplish and we’re all volunteers,” Dorn said during a recent multi-jurisdictional exercise in Idaho Springs.
Based in Evergreen, Alpine Rescue has been providing search and rescue to Gilpin, Je erson and Clear Creek County since 1959.
“Search and rescue” is a very simpli ed term for what Alpine’s 50-70 highly trained mountain rescuer volunteers are capable of accomplishing, according to its mission statement.
In a vehicle crash, re or rollover, CCFA members are rst responders and assist EMS with preserving and saving lives.
It has been providing swift water rescue for 51 years and was one of the rst of its kind in Colorado, according to Jones.
“Life safety is our rst priority; victim life safety and your own,” Clear Creek Training Captain Don Koogle told a training crew in Dumont recently.
CCFA covers the municipalities of Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Silver Plume and the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek County.
Helicopters play crucial role
According to the national Mountain Rescue Association, Alpine is one of 13 state agencies accredited in several rescue types including technical rock, avalanche, technical rope, helicopter and wilderness search.
“We do everything; we do avalanches, we do ski … 14ers, we help with swift water, search and rescue, a little bit of everything,” 15-year veteran/volunteer Dawn Wilson said after assisting in pulling a crash cart and live “victim” from a 500-foot ravine o Center City Parkway during training in Idaho Springs.
At Wilson’s side were several members of the Clear Creek Fire Authority and EMS who routinely train with Alpine and other agencies to draw on each other’s specialties, capabilities and equipment. In the moment, a cohesive response saves seconds and lives, according to CCFA assistant chief Jeremy Jones.
“We gure out what works and what doesn’t in training so we can x it so we don’t experience those hiccups or delays when it’s time critical,” Jones said.
On average, CCFA responds to more than 1,400 emergency calls from eight re stations throughout 347.5 square miles of Clear Creek County every year with 55 volunteers,16 full-time re ghters and at least four seasonal wildland re ghters, according to department statistics.
It serves the municipalities of Empire,
Bright orange and yellow Flight for Life helicopters are often seen at some of the most critical scenes where the helicopter, its onboard paramedic and ight nurse can bring life-saving equipment and supplies to the backcountry or at altitude to e ect rapid extrication, according to parent company Air Methods.
e air crews often work and train side-byside with other mountain rescue teams like CCFA and Alpine, according to Flight Nurse Libby Brewster.
“We participate in the trajectory of care in a di erent way. EMS or Alpine makes contact with the person initially, they call us, we participate in the transport, then they get to the hospital,” Brewster said during a recent training exercise in Clear Creek County.
“We bring critical care to the patient. ere’s a lot of stu we can do that maybe the ambulance can’t, and we’re also able to y in a bunch of stu (equipment) so these guys don’t have to hike in as much stu , I mean they’re still going to because they like it,” Flight for Life Paramedic Jace Mullen said, laughing.
Mullen and Brewster were standing sideby-side with at least four other rescue crews during a recent training exercise. No matter the agency, no matter the speci c skill sets, everyone has a common goal to protect life, Brewster said.
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
RESCUE
“When we have really, really sick patients and we’re all able to take really great care of them and bring them an advanced level of care to the scene and start doing the things a hospital would do in the rst two minutes and the patient has a really good outcome, it’s impactful,” Brewster said.
Relatively new to the “combined e ort approach to recovery/rescue,” the Clear Creek Sheri ’s Department said new agreements with other agencies will change the way the department trains and it expects to be working closely with Alpine Rescue.
“Recently we’ve rewritten our policies and agreements with Alpine, EMS and the re authority. Before they didn’t really work all that well together and weren’t on the same agreement, but now EMS has trained backcountry personnel that they can send in and so we’re all working a lot more cohesive than we did prior,” Special Services Commander Seth Marquardt said.
e sheri ’s department is in charge of overseeing all backcountry rescue operations, including avalanche, search and rescue or injured hikers in the county, according to Seth Marquardt.
“ e sooner we can get on scene and get a team into the eld the better because these rescues can last hours. Time is of the
essence when they’re in the backcountry whether it’s an avalanche or an injured hiker whatever the case is,” Marquardt said.
e changes in attitude toward multi-jurisdictional assistance and cooperation between agencies started when incoming Clear Creek County Sheri Matt Harris took ofce in January, according to Marquardt.
Volunteers are the critical key to success
Nearly every area emergency service relies heavily on trained volunteers, as most are manned with signi cantly more volunteers than paid sta , and Evergreen Fire/Rescue is no exception, according to Evergreen Risk Reduction Coordinator Einar Jensen.
“Our volunteer re ghters live in Evergreen,” Einar said.
Evergreen Fire/Rescue covers both Je erson and Clear Creek counties and currently has only 75 of the 100 volunteers needed to run operations e ciently, according to Einar.
“When we talk about wanting more volunteer re ghters we also need to make sure the people that are applying know that they will be trained and equipped at a professional level, they just won’t be getting paid for it. at’s the di erence,” Einar said.
Volunteers in Evergreen receive 10 months of training and classroom work, largely on Mondays and Saturdays. After the successful end of training and state testing, the volunteer candidate will be certi ed as a
Level 1 re ghter in Colorado.
“We’re asking you to put yourself at some risk to serve your community, and if that appeals to you, it’s probably one of the most rewarding activities that you’ll ever encounter,” Einar said.
“We are always ready,” Wilson said about volunteering, and “after a while it becomes like a family, you just depend on each other.”
It’s a di cult job to do and see. Rescuers say they see the worst of bad, but at times some good can make it worthwhile.
“It becomes taxing sometimes, (but) the worst of the worst which is o set a little bit by seeing the good things in life,” Jones said.
Relying on and communicating with teammates or other rescue crews who experience and witness the same tragedies is critical for your own mental health, Jones said.
“ ere is a lot of e ort on the part of responders to properly manage those images and experiences to avoid long-term PTSD issues,” Jones said.
Most rescuers said there’s an important reason to do this taxing, dangerous and sometimes ugly job. ey are there to help the injured, the same way they hope someone will be there for the people they love.
“Everybody goes into this eld to help people you’ve never met in your entire life and may never see again because we always hope if it’s someone we love who is in danger or at risk, somebody will come help them,” Jones concluded.
Alpine Rescue’s Dawn Wilson assists in a rescue training exercise in Clear Creek County.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
A gurney waits as rescuers pull a “victim” in a crash cart up the side of a mountain during multi-jurisdictional training in Idaho Springs.
PHOTO
FROM PAGE 16
The story of the “Discovering Teen Rex” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is in many ways a dream come true for many young dinosaur fans all over the world.
‘Discovering Teen Rex’ shows power of exploration COMING
ree such young fans — eightyear-old Liam and 11-year-old Jessin, and their 10-year-old cousin Kaiden Madsen — were fossil-hunting in the Badlands near Marmarth, North Dakota, when they found some large bones in a sedimentary rock formation, according to provided information. ey then reached out to their father’s highschool classmate, DMNS paleontologist Dr. Tyler Lyson, who had grown up in the same area.
Lyson and a team from the museum came out in the summer of 2023 and discovered the bones were from a juvenile Tyrannosaurs Rex. After a long and careful excavation process, the bones were removed from the rock and brought to the museum at 2001 Colorado Blvd., and became the focus of the “Discovering Teen Rex” exhibit, which runs through Jan. 31, 2025.
“ e museum has collected a
ATTRACTIONS
handful of miscellaneous T. rex fossils over the years, but this will be the most complete fossil in the collection,” said Natalie Toth, chief fossil preparator at DMNS and part of the excavation team. “It’s so special that these almost teenaged boys found this teenage rex.”
e story was captured on lm and featured in the new 40-minute documentary “T. REX,” showing on the Museum’s giant-screen In nity eater.
For the exhibit, visitors will get a look at the fossil prep lab, where they can watch as a team of paleontologists clean, preserve and study the T. rex fossil. ey’ll see discoveries being made as more and more of the remains are unearthed and studied.
“I love paleontology so much, so to be able to share it with kids and see it through their eyes is just
great,” Toth said. “ at enthusiasm the kids have is shared with everyone on our team as we work on this. Any time we can pull back the curtain and show how we work on fossils is a great opportunity.”
In addition to the fossil prep lab, the exhibit features a wide array of dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, from the Museum’s collection that add some context to the work going on and to the animal the paleontologists are studying.
What makes the nd particularly exciting is that so few adolescent T. rex fossils have ever been discovered. By studying the young T. Rex, scientists have the opportunity to learn how the animals grew and developed.
While there’s still a lot of learning ahead, the aim of “Discovering Teen Rex” is to get people of all ages, but especially children, interested in exploring the landscape around them. You never know what you might stumble upon.
“We hope it inspires kids to put down cell phones and dig around,” Toth said. “Denver and the Ameri-
can West provide access to such amazing landscapes that are worth exploring.”
For more information, visit https://www.dmns.org/visit/exhibitions/discovering-teen-rex/.
Children dive deep with ‘The Little Mermaid’
With all the great adult theater offered in the Denver area, it’s easy to forget that children also have a bevy of options where they can learn a love of the stage. One of the best places to go is Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse, 1100 Miners Alley, which is currently showing “ e Little Mermaid.”
Running through Saturday, Sept. 14, with performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays, the show is written and directed by Rory Pierce. It’s an original adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale and was created to delight children of all ages.
Buy tickets for the production at www.minersalley.com.
Clarke Reader
Thu 8/29
Renaissance Beginning Band
@ 3pm / $486
Aug 29th - May 22nd
Renaissance Elementary Magnet, 3960
TRAIL BOSS LANE, Castle Rock. 303912-0701
Crashing Wayward
@ 6pm
Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
Corridor
@ 6pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver
Kurt Vile w/ The Violators @ 6pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, Denver
Carin Leon: Carin León en Greenwood Village @ 7pm
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350
Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Vil‐lage
Fri 8/30
Phat Daddy
@ 7pm
�'s Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Littleton
Eric Golden @ 7pm
Sheabeens Irish Pub, 2300 S Chambers Rd #A, Aurora
Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Darrell Scott @ 6pm
Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver
Eric Golden @ 6:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion.
Schools eyed for closure in 2026
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County School District is rming up its timeline to consolidate elementary schools in Highlands Ranch as part of an e ort to better serve both communities that are aging and those experiencing or expecting baby booms.
No speci c schools have been named for closure, but declining enrollment in the Highlands Ranch area has prompted the district to plan to merge elementary schools for the 2026-27 school year. In 2012, elementary schools in Highlands Ranch had almost 10,500 students enrolled. In 2023, that number dropped to 7,409 students enrolled.
Superintendent Erin Kane laid out a timeline to close schools, with decisions about which ones to consolidate coming next spring. She said she expects that six schools will be merged into three.
“ e discussions around school pairings are all about opportunities for our kids and making sure that their opportunities are not de ned by the communities in which they live, whether they’re growing or declining,” she said.
e timeline includes the creation of a policy that will guide the consolidation process and set a rubric for closures. e policy is expected to be nalized next January and then recommendations for consolidation will be made a few months later, in April.
ere will be a gap year between
when consolidations are announced and schools close to help families and sta navigate the transitions.
“We’ll maintain a laser-like focus on our families and our sta and on taking care of them, but it will still be hard for a community to do consolidations,” Kane said.
e district has promised that schools won’t be split up and no impacted sta will lose jobs. It also plans to repurpose school buildings.
Kane said declining enrollment at schools leads to a loss of opportunities for students, larger class sizes and a less ideal learning environment.
Large schools can provide students with more classes and extracurricular activities, o er teachers more collaboration and support, and expand programming for pre-K and special education students.
“Larger schools can easily hire more sta and they have a lot more exibility in terms of programming that they o er for kids,” Kane said.
Small schools are also not nancially sustainable for the district. Kane said it costs around $2,500 more per student to nance a small school of fewer than 400 students compared to a larger school.
“We really don’t have other longterm workable solutions,” Kane said.
“If those buildings continue to get smaller and smaller, the loss of opportunity across the district will get larger and larger.”
e school board has been supportive of moving forward with Kane’s plan.
Douglas County School District is firming up its timeline to consolidate elementary schools in Highlands Ranch, an area that is seeing a decline in enrollment. The consolidations are planned for the 2026-27 school year.
PHOTO BY ARIA MARIZZA
Douglas County chips in for Parker improvements
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When investing in the Town of Parker, Douglas County plays a role, whether it’s through traffic lights or assigning another law enforcement officer. And the county recently did both.
“I appreciate again, the cooperation with Douglas County and recognizing the ability to give us the money,” said Councilmember Laura Hefta at a mid-August meeting.
The traffic improvements stem from studies conducted over the last few years, said Chris Hudson, Parker’s deputy director of engineering. Hudson said the town has been tracking traffic and its impacts at multiple intersections.
Due to increased traffic, signals at the intersections of Hess Road and Tammy Lane, and, Parker Road and Parkglenn Way, were approved.
Another area of interest is the Lincoln Avenue and Village Creek Parkway intersection.
“For several years, the town has been receiving comments about the need for a traffic signal,” said Hudson.
A proposed traffic light there was also approved by Parker Town Council as it has reached the minimum federal requirements for a traffic light to be installed.
Douglas County received funding from the residential developer adjacent to the south side of Lincoln Avenue about 20 years ago, said Hudson, and will help pay for
it. With a total cost of construction around $800,000 for the signal, the county is in the process of budgeting $600,000 in their 2025 budget as their contribution. However, the signal will be maintained and operated by the town. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
Douglas County is also committing $9 million in funding for the construction of the Lincoln Avenue Widening and Improvements Project, which is estimated to cost over $24 million.
The county is giving an additional $4,000 to the town to expand its Community Response Team effort, bringing the total to $171,880. The Community Response Team was established by the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative. It pairs a law enforcement officer
with a mental health professional who responds to people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Last year, the county provided the town $167,880 for the salary of a second officer to be assigned as a Community Response Team officer and related equipment and operating expenses. These funds come from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Public Safety’s Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention Grant Program.
A couple of councilmembers wondered what caused the county to provide these extra funds and if the town had asked for it.
“It was a recognized increase in cost and I think they came into some more grant funds,” said Commander Joe Degenhart.
The City of Greenwood Village’s Curtis Center for the Arts invites you to take
lush grass in Curtis Park
take in the talented works of over 90 Colorado artists.
Angela Thomas represents the kind of leader we need: one who is transparent, accountable, and deeply committed to protecting our environment. I encourage all voters to support Angela Thomas in the upcoming election for Douglas County Commissioner. Her leadership will undoubtedly contribute to a more responsible, responsive, and resilient community.
Constance Ingra, Highlands Ranch
Just say it, Laydon
C’mon, Commissioner Laydon. Whatever happened to a simple apology to the voters of Douglas County for having your law license suspended due to your neglect. For starters, a simple “I blew it and it will never happen again” would satisfy a wide swath of the county. I did a little research and it seems attorneys must show proof
BRADLEY
Our children deserve better than the hollow promises and empty gestures o ered by the progressive left. ey deserve concrete actions that ensure their safety and security while they pursue their education. HB241123 is a step in the right direction, but we must also push for adequate funding to support its implementa-
of their continued legal education every three years by Dec. 31 of the year following their admittance to the bar. If my fourth-grade math is correct this could be a few days short of every four years if admitted in early January. It took you half of page two of the Highlands Ranch Herald to alibi your excuse and call it a “nothing burger.”
The phrase “I blew it” seems a lot more sincere.
Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch
Doubting Thomases
Saying goodbye to term-limited Lora Thomas as our Douglas County commissioner in District 3 will be a welcome change, unless we replace her with the Democrat Angela Thomas who’s running against George Teal in District 2. We’ve got too many Thomases!
A vote for Angela Thomas is a choice to continue the combative confrontation between commissioners. Combative Lora Thomas never agreed with commissioners George and Abe on anything, and Angela Thomas is proclaiming to do the same. Read Katie Barrett’s 8
tion.
e failure to pass my budget amendment reveals a disturbing trend: the progressive left’s prioritization of political correctness over practical solutions. eir reluctance to allocate even a fraction of the state budget to school safety is unacceptable. It’s time for Democrats to put aside their ideological biases and join us in making the safety of our children a genuine priority.
We cannot a ord to wait for another tragedy to spur us into action. e
August letter-to-the-editor where, for example, Angela’s campaign is based on disagreeing with issues such as a study for a large recreational complex and, just like Lora, she has her own way of doing things. It’s her way or the highway, and instead of being part of the solution she’ll always be part of the problem. A vote for Angela would be a vote opposing cooperation. That’s consistently been Angela’s message. So, if you like the turmoil created by Lora Thomas, you’ll love switching one Thomas for another.
Although Katie Barrett’s claim is that her candidate will “assure” … blah, blah, blah; Angela would have only 1 of 3 commissioner votes so she can’t assure anything, but that’s Democrat arithmetic for you. In my opinion, another Democrat characteristic is dependency on the media and making accusations without knowing or caring about the facts. According to Katie’s letter Angela is now accusing the commissioners of giving “money ($200K) to the Douglas County Community Foundation
lives of our children are too precious to be jeopardized by political rhetoric and gamesmanship. As representatives, it is our duty to ensure that schools are safe havens for learning and growth, free from the fear of violence.
In conclusion, the passage of HB241123 and the implementation of advanced rearm detection systems are critical steps toward securing our schools. It’s time for the progressive left to stop hindering progress and start prioritizing the safety of our
without a plan for its use.” But IRS nonprofit regulations prohibit a donor from managing or in any way directing the use of their donation. If elected, God forbid, our county attorney and staff would be continually busy counseling (babysitting) Angela about what she can and can’t do.
What can be said of George Teal? As a previous Castle Rock town councilman and now the incumbent for District 2, George was unopposed in the Republican primary. The reason he was unopposed is because he’s been such a rock solid and consistent elected official who knows what he’s talking about and will find out the facts before presenting his opinion. Running against George, Angela on the other hand, is demonstrating how she finds opportunity by exploiting issues for her own selfaggrandizement.
So, as one of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States let’s keep George Teal and keep Douglas County great.
Smith Young Parker
students. Our children deserve nothing less than our full commitment to their protection.
State Rep. Brandi Bradley is a Republican from northwestern Douglas County who serves House District 39. We want to hear from you. Colorado Community runs opinions and letters from people in the two dozen Denver-area suburbs, towns, cities and counties we cover as a way to further conversation about important community issues.
READER
Get your brain working at TEDxCherryCreekHS event
Over the years, millions of people been encouraged to embrace new ways of thinking by TED Talks on YouTube. Now, people can get inspired in person by new and exciting ideas at TEDxCherryCreekHS’ second annual TEDx event, “ e Digital
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Age.” Held at e Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet in Parker, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, the TED-like experience features 10 original thinkers, including high school students, authors and engineers.
e event is an exciting opportunity to be challenged and energized. Details and tickets are available at www.parkerarts.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Hozier
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at Fiddler’s Green
Ireland’s Hozier is a rare thing in the modern pop landscape—a singer/songwriter who connects with audiences because of his simplicity. Ever since his breakthrough single, “Take Me to Church,” he’s placed a premium on songwriting and connecting with listeners, rather than reworks and spectacle. Recently, he’s had another huge moment with 2023’s, “Unreal Unearth,” and the new single “Too Sweet.”
In support of the album, Hozier
will be performing at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Englewood, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30. He’ll be joined by Allison Russell, a fantastic musician in her own right, who blends folk, blues and spirituals to stunning e ect. Get tickets for what should be a great show at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.
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New girls flag football program arrives for Denver-area youth league
Elementary-8th grade girls can participate in startup e ort
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fresh o its recognition as an ofcial sport for high school girls in Colorado, ag football is now on its way to girls in the elementary and middle school age groups in the Denver metro area through a youth sports league.
“ is initiative aims to empower girls through sports, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment that will prepare them to play in high school now that girls ag football is a CHSAA sport,” Mark Steinke, president of the Castle Rock-area Raptors Athletics, said in a statement.
CHSAA is the Colorado High School Activities Association.
Years ago, Je co Public Schools, Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District started work to o er a pair of girls ag football “pilot” — or startup — seasons in 2022 and 2023 with the hope that
the game would become an ocially recognized sport, according to CHSAA.
at goal became a reality after the CHSAA Legislative Council voted 57-9 in April to make girls ag football a sanctioned sport starting with the 2024-25 school year.
Now, the sport is ltering down
to a program for younger girls. e Arapahoe Youth League — an organization that covers students in Denver, many parts of Arapahoe and Douglas counties, south Je erson County suburbs, and Elbert County — is o ering a free “learn to play” program for girls who want to participate in ag football.
Despite the league’s regular boundaries, ag football is open to girls from around the metro area.
“For this program, we will take everyone regardless of the location,” said Craig Randall, president of Arapahoe Youth League. If sign-up numbers grow large, the organization will seek more eld space. e program will run for three Sundays in September “with the ultimate goal of starting a recreational/competitive league in fall 2025,” Randall said.
e learn-to-play days will be open to girls from elementary through eighth grade, according to the youth league website.
“ e three days will be skills and drills, kind of like a football combine,” and they could also include practice games, Steinke said.
e program’s location was still to be determined but could take place in Highlands Ranch, Randall said. It’s slated to run from 8-10 a.m. Sept. 15, 22 and 29.
Regular registration is open until Sept. 10, according to the website.
More: See the registration page at tinyurl.com/AYLFlagFootballSignup.
Elbert Legals
Arvada West junior Sara Walker makes some downfield moves after matching a catch during the girls flag football state championship game against Cherry Creek on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
