Site eyed for future town hall, police HQ, community use
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
In a memo dated Sept. 13, Elizabeth Town Administrator Patrick Davidson addressed citizen concerns about the town’s recent purchase of the property at 601 S. Pine Ridge St. Citizens expressed reservations on social media, particularly about the cost and rationale for the purchase. Purchased on Sept. 12 for $895,000, the town hopes to convert the property into a new town hall, police headquarters, and/or community and senior center.
In the Aug. 27 town board meeting agenda packet, Davidson described the property, saying it “encompasses approximately 5.481 acres, with two lots located in the town of Elizabeth, and two lots located within unincorporated Elbert County. e property currently includes a small home, a studio/o ce, a large metal storage shed, and a 2-car detached garage. Due to the size of the lots, taken together, the property would provide su cient space for the establishment of a Town Hall facility with ready access to Elizabeth Street … In the alternative, the property may be used for the establishment of the Town’s Community and Senior Center.”
Douglas County School District is asking for a $490M bond
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Campaign e orts are in full swing to encourage Douglas County voters to support a $490 million bond proposal for the school district to address building maintenance and build new schools.
Dozens of community members attended the Invest in DCSD campaign kicko at Timberline Park in Highlands Ranch, which launched volunteer e orts to inform voters about the bond proposal, ballot issue 5A.
Final plans for the property are still up in the air. e town hall and police headquarters are envisioned within the same building to consolidate maintenance, utilities, and other expenses. Based on potential designs approved by the board, the community and senior center would be a separate building. Both buildings could share a common parking
lot, and shared snow removal and maintenance. e proximity of municipal services would o er convenience as well, Davidson said.
When asked why the existing town hall is inadequate, Davidson shared that the current town hall building was formerly a chocolate factory and said, “ ere is insu cient space
“We want a community for our kids, and the simple fact is that communities are built by schools,” said Lynnea Dotseth, a Sterling Ranch resident and mother of four. e bond plan covers the construction of elementary schools in Sterling Ranch and Ridgegate, the expansion of Sierra Middle School and a majority of maintenance projects through 2026. It would also invest in building security improve-
The current Elizabeth Town Hall at 151 S. Banner St. This building was previously a chocolate factory and was formerly located at 228 S. Banner St.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
SEE TOWN HALL, P8
Anthony Hartsook, Alyssa Nilemo fight to represent House District 44
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Anthony Hartsook and Alyssa Nilemo will face-o in the November election in a race that will determine who represents Parker and its surrounding communities at the state Capitol.
Hartsook, the incumbent Republican representative for House District 44, points to his 26 years of military service, time as a teacher and in business development. Nilemo, the Democratic nominee, looks to her education and family background.
Hartsook became the district’s representative in 2022 and says legislation should be bipartisan.
“Whatever the legislation is, we need to have Republicans and Democrats at the table,” said Hartsook. “We need to work on what we have in common.”
With “people before politics” at the center of her campaign, Nilemo, a long-time una liated voter, agrees it’s important to have conversations with people across the aisle.
“It’s not about me,” said Nilemo. “You have been asked to represent the whole community, not just the folks that voted for you.”
Nilemo cites how a Republican governor during World War II changed her family’s lives. Living on the west coast at the time, her grandfather was a 13-year-old Japanese American whose family was threatened. e governor told the family that if they made it to Colorado, it would be their home. As they drove up to the Colorado border, they were met by the national guard and were welcomed into the state.
“ at was the principal politician that we were raised to respect in my family,” said Nilemo. “It’s the right thing before party.”
From business owners to ranchers to families, both candidates want all people in the district to be represented and heard at the state level.
What is House District 44?
Douglas County has multiple House districts and each district has an elected representative that serves a two-year term. With a total of 65 representatives at the state Capitol,
the current House is made up of 46 Democrats and 19 Republicans, according to the Colorado General Assembly.
Following a 2021 Colorado Supreme Court redistricting decision, House District 44 was shaped to include Parker, Stonegate, Sierra Ridge, Meridian Village and Stepping Stone.
Prior to Hartsook, Republican Kim Ransom served as the representative for three terms. In 2022, Hartsook defeated Democrat Bob Henry for the seat, continuing a decade-long trend of Republicans representing the district.
roughout his term, Hartsook sponsored numerous bipartisan bills that were signed into law – 11 of them in the 2024 regular session. One of the most predominant pieces of legislation was changing law to re-
sume Parker Wine Walks, the Chamber of Commerce Alcohol Special Event Permit.
“Whether you’re a Democrat district, a Republican district, unafliated district, it doesn’t matter – it helps everyone,” said Hartsook. “ at’s how you do legislation.”
Looking at primary concerns
As both candidates have a background in education, they both believe that a healthy school district and a good education is a catalyst for a vibrant economy and a successful life.
“ ere is not a one-size- ts-all answer,” said Nilemo.
As a product of Colorado public schools, Nilemo wants to invest in education by ensuring strong wages for teachers and comprehensive curriculums, which is why she said
school funding is a big priority. Having worked in early childhood education, an aide for the State of Colorado in higher education and is currently working for the Auraria Higher Education Center, Nilemo said if she is elected, she would advocate for state dollars to support students’ education.
Hartsook was a teacher as well as a tutor for students while serving overseas. During the previous regular session, he sponsored the Professional Development for Science Teachers, which aims to improve resources for science educators. Supporting the idea that parents know the best educational needs for their children, Hartsook said nancial literacy should be included in any curriculum to help youth com-
Republican incumbent Anthony Hartsook faces Democratic challenger Alyssa Nilemo in the race to represent the Town of Parker and its surrounding communities at the state Capitol. COURTESY PHOTOS
Visiting Other Countries This Year Gave Me New Insight on What’s Possible in Society
Tuesday evening Rita and I returned from completing our world tour. It took us from Los Angeles to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Senegal, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. From Montreal, we drove through northern New England at peak foliage, before flying home from Boston on Tuesday. In addition to daily lectures by distinguished diplomats and professors, we went on shore excursions in each port, learning how life differs from country to country.
Crime rates, especially gun violence, is so much lower everywhere we visited, because gun ownership is so rare compared to America, where there are more guns than people.
Don’t Miss Saturday’s Green Homes Tour!
In Copenhagen, over 50 percent of workers commute by bicycle, helped by winters which are milder than in Denver. Montreal, however, is recognized as the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, with more separated bike lanes than Amsterdam.
Being a Realtor, I naturally was interested in how people were housed, and, being committed as I am to sustainable living and saving the planet from the ravages of climate change, I paid attention to how sustainable their energy grid is, and how water and waste are handled. As a longtime owner of EVs, I also noted whether the places we visited were more or less on board with the shift to EVs than here at home.
Altogether, Rita and I were away for over five months, with a 3½-month break back in Colorado this summer. I posted my observations every day at http://wherearejimandrita.substack.com. We were most impressed with the Scandinavian countries — Sweden, Denmark and Norway. As I reported on my blog, every bus and truck in those countries is equipped with an breathalyzer interlock device. The vehicle will not start without the driver proving through that device that he has zero alcohol in his bloodstream. That’s right, not below a legal limit but zero. Passenger cars don’t have such a device, but the penalties for driving with even a low alcohol level are severe. The result is a huge decline in alcohol-related accidents and deaths over the past decades. Here in America we have photo radar units which generate speeding and red light tickets for drivers, but the tickets do not result in points against your license. In Sweden the secondary roads have photo radar units every few miles, and if you are captured on camera going more than 15 kilometers per hour over the speed limit, your driver’s license can be suspended. (Fortunately, even the rural highways have bus service.) On my blog you’ll find a video showing one of these roadside radar units. Here’s a screenshot from it:
As far as we could tell, homelessness was not a significant problem anywhere we visited, unlike in America. In Sweden and Norway, most middle-class people live in the city but have a summer cottage, so statistically there is more than one home per family overall.
Single-family homes are much rarer in these other countries. Most people either rent or own an apartment in a multi-family structure. In Montreal we were shown the six-family homes constructed following World War II to house returning soldiers. In America, the post-war pattern was set by Levittown: subdivisions of one-story homes, typically with a garage, made possible, of course, by all the empty land here.
Levittown is also famous for not selling to black soldiers, which brings up another observation. In one of the lectures we attended about why Scandinavians regularly ranked as the happiest people in the world, it was pointed out that those countries have no history of serfdom or indentured servants, as one of the reasons. There’s less ingrained fear among populations.
Regarding EVs, there was a vast disparity in the adoption rate of electric vehicles from country to country. In Norway, effective Jan. 1 of this year, every taxicab had to be an EV, and in Bergen all city buses and most tourist buses are electric. In Montreal, the EV adoption rate is similar to here, but the trucks and buses are all diesel and the street noise level is unpleasantly high.
I encourage you to check out my blog for other insights.
Now is the best time to create a more sustainable home. The benefits are huge, and the savings are tempting. But how do you start? The easy first step is to experience the annual Metro Denver Green Homes Tour, of which Golden Real Estate is a co-sponsor.
Join the self guided tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th for just $15 per adult or $25 per couple. Follow the maps in the guide book to see some fantastic homes, all at your own pace. Explore creative older home retrofits and exciting new homes. See how your neighbors are enjoying beautiful, comfortable and healthy homes that benefit their communities and take on the changing climate, all while saving significant money over time.
Get some great ideas for your home. The tour features post-Marshall-fire homes rebuilt with unique sustainable and energy efficient designs; a Washington Park 1920s Craftsman-style green remodel; a 1950s home with a ground-source heat pump, solar power, and xeriscaping; the latest energyefficient all-electric townhomes; an updated 1979 solar home; and more.
Learn about current government and utility incentives. Learn how to harness free energy with dependable solar power and battery systems that shield you from brownouts and blackouts while dodging expensive utility timeof-use rates. Discover the latest heat pump technology; passive solar strategies; induction cooking; effective insulation; electric lawncare equipment; accessory dwelling units; and state-of-the-art construction materials. After the tour, plan to attend the free Reception & Green Expo: 4:30 to 6:30pm at Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC), 14350 W. 32nd Ave., Golden Enjoy free appetizers, local beverages and live music. See renewable energy & sustainable living exhibits, a mobile container home unit, and electric bikes. From 3 to 5pm check out the electric cars in our annual EV roundup Bring your questions. Talk to homeowners and gain from their experiences and advice. Talk to builders and suppliers and learn about the latest techniques, technologies and money saving incentives. You can purchase a ticket at www.NewEnergyColorado.org
pete in the workforce upon entering it.
A safe environment will also help students succeed, said Hartsook. Having conversations with Gen Z students who have had to do active shooter drills their whole lives, Nilemo also understands the longlasting impacts a safe learning environment has.
Both candidates support law enforcement and will aim to provide tools to help them better serve the community.
A gun owner herself, Nilemo told the Parker Chronicle that common sense gun safety measures like the so-called “Red Flag Laws” help keep people safe. In Colorado, the Extreme Risk Protection Order law, allows police and others, like family members, to go to courts to potentially prevent someone deemed a safety risk from possessing firearms in certain situations.
“We ask law enforcement to solve so many problems,” said Nilemo. “To not give them a tool that keeps them safe and us safe – why?”
The candidates agree that supporting law enforcement is to also invest
in social services and mental healthcare.
In addition to passing legislation that supports victims residing in the 23rd Judicial District, which will go into effect in January, Hartsook supports finding a place for those awaiting a competency test, and truth and sentencing.
“You get convicted of whatever the crime is, you have to serve 85% of it,” said Hartsook.
Hartsook also supports law enforcement working with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he said it will aid in improving the states’ budget and resources as the healthcare and education systems have become overwhelmed.
He told the Chronicle that if people want to come to the country to work, they can, but they have to go through the federal and state processes and not put the pressure on local governments.
“Which is why you are seeing the lawsuits from multiple counties against the state,” said Hartsook.
Other areas of focus
While easing the cost of living and building prosperity for families and small businesses is critical for the candidates, each has a focus on a somewhat forgotten demographic: agriculture.
With two of the biggest industries in the state being oil and gas and agriculture, the eastern portion of District 44 includes ranchers and farmers, but Hartsook said they are becoming strangled by issues like the cost of their operations.
Nilemo understands first-hand the vital role of land conservation and water accessibility. When Nilemo’s family arrived in Colorado, they became farmers in the San Luis Valley and later lost their property because it was purchased, in part, for the water that could drain from it.
“As someone who deeply respects farmers and agriculture, they cannot be made the enemy in that conversation – they have to be an ally,” said Nilemo.
Acknowledging a mental health need in the agricultural community, Hartsook passed the Agricultural and Rural Behavioral Health Care bill to provide resources for the more rural areas. Hartsook supports the idea that mental health and physical health are connected, and people should be able to buy the coverage they need.
Along the lines of medical care, Hartsook said Colorado has made it unattractive for people to come here to do their medical residency because it’s expensive and highly regulated.
Nilemo also became frustrated with the medical system. Before returning to school in 2018 to pursue a degree in political science, Nilemo worked in hospice care and disability services.
“Unfortunately when you take care of people, it becomes very clear how often the system is not actually built to care for them,” said Nilemo.
Similar to Hartsook, Nilemo wants to ensure healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, is accessible and affordable.
Both candidates believe they can benefit the community if elected, and pointed to the importance of representation in the House.
“You need to have a balanced government,” said Hartsook. “I have consistently done legislation that benefits large groups of people.”
While Nilemo hasn’t served in a political role, she said she has conversations with community members about the importance of transparency, adding she would be present in conversations in the House.
“I want people to love the place I live as much as I love it,” said Nilemo. To learn more about their views on other topics, visit the candidates’ websites – Anthony Hartsook at anthonyhartsook.com and Alyssa Nilemo at alyssa4colorado.com.
GREEN HOMES TOUR
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Self-Guided Tour 9am–4pm • $15/adult $25/couple
Beautiful, Comfortable, Healthy Homes
Register online at: MetroDenverGreenHomesTour.org or register in person at Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) • 14350 W. 32nd Ave • Golden, CO 80401
Electric Vehicle Roundup
3pm–5pm
JUC Parking Lot: 14350 W. 32nd Ave • Golden, CO
Reception & Green Expo
4:30 – 6:30pm at JUC
FREE Appetizers & Local Beverages
Live Music! • Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Exhibits
“Real people telling real stories about their path to electrification.” – Mark N.
“There’s simply nothing more inspiring than seeing green homes features in person!” — Angela K.
“The tour gave me a lot of ideas for improving my older home.” — Kelsey Z.
Colorado violated EPA ozone limits 40 times in summer of 2024
More exceedances than in 8 of the past 10 years, regional air o cials say. They’re seeking more caps on oil and gas activity
BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
e northern Front Range counties violated EPA ozone standards on 40 days of the 2024 summer air pollution season, Colorado o cials said Monday, and their new action recommendations call for more restrictions on oil and gas activity.
Monitors watching the nine Front Range counties in Colorado’s “nonattainment” area for toxic ozone recorded violations of the EPA’s 2008 cap of 75 parts per billion on 22 summer days, according to the Regional Air Quality Council. e monitors showed exceedances of the tighter 2015 EPA standard of 70 parts per billion on 18 days.
Together, the 40 violation days were higher than totals in eight of the past 10 summer seasons, RAQC said.
mented. We need to be looking at other options as well,” Sabados said. e rst two recommendations from the RAQC’s season wrapup would demand new cuts from the Colorado oil and gas industry, one of the biggest in the nation. Ozone is created from a mix of volatile organic compounds from petroleum and other sources, nitrogen oxides from industrial and vehicle sources, and particulates like wild re smoke, all cooking under 90 degree-plus summer skies.
While the state oil and gas industry is subject to a number of new rules from recent years, more ozone could be taken out by requiring producers to recapture pollutants during so-called “blowdown” events where wellheads are cleared of methane and other residue, the RAQC report said.
e industry should also be required to overhaul “antiquated” pneumatic equipment that vents pollutants to the atmosphere from well sites and pipeline gathering sites. ose emissions can be recaptured, RAQC says.
For more information: support@NewEnergyColorado. com
Colorado must bring average ozone levels below both the 2008 and 2015 standards in the next few years, or face increasing restrictions from EPA sanctions. e northern Front Range counties have already been forced to use more expensive reformulated gasoline that has lower emissions, and Colorado Air Pollution Control o cials must now write permits for any business projected to exceed 25 tons of emissions a year, down from the previous threshold of 50 tons per year.
Some recent regulations have yet to fully impact high ozone levels and need a chance to work, said RAQC spokesperson David Sabados. But policymakers cannot rest on past actions, he added — new sets of rules are needed to reverse the rising ozone trend of the past few years.
“ ere’s more that needs to get done, and we can’t just rely on what’s already passed getting fully imple-
Another recommendation previously pushed by the EPA and which should be revisited by Colorado ofcials includes cutting “indirect sources” of emissions, such as vehicle tra c centered on growing warehouse operations, distribution centers and large entertainment or sports venues.
Smoke from wild res in Colorado and elsewhere in the West has also made the state problem worse in recent summers, Sabados said, but the monitors show that on most of the bad smoke days, ozone created by other controllable sources would still have put readings above the 70 or 75 ppb caps.
“Wild re smoke cannot be a scapegoat explanation,” the RAQC summary said.
Legislators are looking at new bills for the 2025 session to help cut ozone, and RAQC and the Air Quality Control Commission also have new potential policies and rules on their fall calendars, Sabados said.
“We thought it was important to send this out now,” he said.
OZONE
e violations are warnings of further crackdowns by the federal government, and of ongoing health problems in disproportionately impacted minority and lower-income communities, said Ean Tafoya, director of Colorado GreenLatinos. Tafoya is in Washington, D.C., this week, and in a meeting with Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra noted the high copays for asthma- ghting medicine in communities with high illness rates.
“It’s very challenging for our community,” Tafoya said.
A spokesperson for American Petroleum Institute-Colorado said they could not o er new comments about potential regulations, but pointed to past statements that the industry is complying
with a host of new emissions control rules imposed by the Air Quality Control Commission and the Energy and Carbon Management Commission. e trade group has also argued that because of recent regulation, the energy produced from Colorado comes with fewer emissions than that produced in other states.
e RAQC’s “candor” in illus-
One of the most prevalent causes of poor air quality in Colorado is groundlevel ozone.
trating a bad 2024 ozone season is “refreshing,” said Jeremy Nichols of the nonpro t Center for Biological Diversity, but also seems like state o cials “throwing up hands and saying they just can’t keep up.”
“From almost day one, Governor (Jared) Polis has urged swift and aggressive action to reduce ozone yet here we are still stuck in the same mess,” Nichols said. While air
pollution monitors show oil and gas activity contributing to spiking ozone, the state Air Pollution Control Division keeps permitting more and more drilling sites, he said.
e most high-pro le action in recent months was a ban on summer use of gas-powered lawn equipment by parks departments and other large institutions, including mowers and leaf blowers.
e small engines contribute a small but signi cant portion of the daily summer ozone mix.
“Unless and until we see legitimately bold action to reduce ozone, including at least a pause on oil and gas permitting, then I don’t think anyone living in the Denver Metro-North Front Range region can breathe easy,” Nichols said. e nine-county nonattainment area includes Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas, Boulder, Adams, Broomeld, Je erson and Weld counties, and part of Larimer County.
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TOWN HALL
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Davidson went on to say that the Elizabeth Police Department would also bene t from a new facility. “More importantly the police department is undersized for the size of the department, equipment storage, evidence storage, an updated armory, and clerical sta ,” he said. e development of a combined town hall and police department would allow the town to one day sell the existing buildings.
In the Sept. 13 memo, Davidson wrote: “ e Town of Elizabeth has previously sought a more central location in which to establish a Town Hall facility which would also include su cient space for the Elizabeth Police Department.”
“Until future plans are nalized, the property will remain as a single-family residence from which the Town will receive monthly rental payments. Additionally, the existing shop and garage spaces will provide immediate relief for storage concerns existing at current Town facilities,” the memo went on. “Contrary to the comments made on social media, the Town is not responsible for any property taxes on these tracts, and until annexation of County tracts, is not subject to the requirement of installation of Town water and waste services.”
In regards to scal management,
Davddson pointed out that 601 S. Pine Ridge St. was acquired at $163,291 per acre, which is less expensive than other options available. e town is also “anticipating the sale of the Gesin Lot through an RFP with an anticipated sale price of $645,000 as the minimum bid.”
e town has been working on this project and looking for an appropriate tract of land for a few years. “We have been working on this since early 2022,” said Davidson. “ e Town has taken public input, has had listening sessions, received updates from hundreds of individuals within the community. In addition, the Town received the assistance of DOLA and the University of Colorado-Denver in creating architectural designs that were selected by the Board in 2023.”
Initial DOLA funds were used not only for architectural design but public meetings and other design work associated with the project. In order to seek funding for the project going forward, a location needed to be selected for engineering plans to be completed. In early 2024, the town secured a second DOLA grant for $200,000 for the engineering work accompanying the architectural plans. e engineering process will take about a year.
A memo dated April 20, 2022 from Davidson to the board, included in the April 26, 2022 agenda packet, page 53, describes the need for a senior center as well as the formation of the town’s partnership with UC Denver’s University Technical Assistance Program.
e memo reads, in part, “the community has been engaged in general conversations as to the need for a Senior Center type facility in Elizabeth. e purpose of the building would be
to serve as a meeting location, a location to provide meals, and an activity center.”
e May 10, 2022 Town of Elizabeth Board meeting included “discussion and possible action on Resolution 22R23, a Resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Colorado Department of Local A airs - University of Colorado Denver, Colorado Center for Community Development” as well as the scope of services provided to the Town of Elizabeth by the UTA. e trustees present voted 6-0 to approve the memorandum.
“Ultimately, these plans and vision for the future have been discussed time and time again by the Town Board of Trustees, sta , and the public,” said Davidson. e town displayed the plans at six Summer Block Parties throughout June and July.
More recently, the Town of Elizabeth Vision Workshop on Feb 10, 2024 included an update on the Community and Senior Activity center. e March 12, 2024 Board Meeting Packet included information, beginning on page 47, on Resolution 24R13, which allowed the town to apply for the grant to help defray engineering costs associated with building a community and senior activity center. Included in the board packet are several letters of support for the project from various stakeholders. More information about the Town of Elizabeth Community Development and Comprehensive Plan is available at tinyurl.com/ms43ev2p.
e Town of Elizabeth calendar, which includes past board meeting information as well as upcoming, is available at townofelizabeth.org/ calendar.
The current Elizabeth Police Department at 425 Main St. The town is hoping to utilize recently purchased property to house the town hall and the police department together in one building.
PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY
The property recently purchased by the Town of Elizabeth at 601 S. Pine Ridge St. The town has plans to use the property one day for the town hall as well as the Elizabeth Police Department. A community and senior center could potentially be built in a separate building.
Elizabeth Fire earns high praise
District chosen to receive top honor out of 2,500 agencies
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Elizabeth Fire Protection District was recently awarded the J. Evan Goulding District of the Year Award by the Special District Association of Colorado at its annual conference. EFPD was chosen out of 2,500 eligible districts to receive the award.
Division Chief of Prevention and Administration Kara Gerczynski said the award “recognizes a District’s major accomplishments, series of outstanding e orts, and a steady determination to serve its constituency.”
EFPD Board President Rick Young, Board Secretary Wayne Austgen, Vice President Scott Christensen, Board Director Stacey Collis and chief sta of the re department were on hand to accept the award on Sept. 10.
e SDA explained why they felt that EFPD was deserving of the honor. “Elizabeth Fire’s innovative programs, like the Colorado Fire Leadership Series funded by Google, as well as their instrumental role in local government collaboration, highlight the district’s commitment to excellence and community wellbeing. Moreover, from the invaluable support they o er through their foundation to their values-driven approach to day-to-day operations, the Elizabeth Fire Protection District embodies a steadfast dedication to its citizens and an unwavering commitment to the best interest of their community.”
e SDA is referring to EFPD’s core
values, which include safety, customer service, professionalism, progressiveness and ownership.
“Whether it’s an interaction between a re ghter and a community member or performing simple daily tasks to maintain the professional upkeep of district apparatus and stations, these core standards are valued rst and foremost for every member of the District,” Gerczynski shared.
ese values inform everything they do. EFPD partnered with neighboring re districts to win a federal Assistance to Fire ghters grant for essential protective equipment. e district’s nonpro t organization, the Elizabeth Fire ghters Community Foundation, has fostered relationships with Google to bene t Elbert County re districts with critical call data and free virtual leadership sessions for aspiring leaders across Colorado. ey also provide numerous programs to the community like babysitting classes, cooking safety, elderly education and community CPR classes.
Gerczynski said, “ is award is a great honor among over 3,000 special districts in the State of Colorado. But more important, it is a testament to each employee’s dedication and commitment to the customers that they serve.”
e Special District Association of Colorado, formed in 1975, exists to “preserve and enhance the legal and political environment for the existence and successful operation of the special district form of government, and to assist special districts to operate e ciently and appropriately.”
Special districts ll a vital role in providing many of the basic services and public needs of the people of Colorado, including re and rescue services, water, sanitation, parks and recreation, hospitals, libraries and
cemeteries.
EFPD’s service area covers the Town of Elizabeth and 110 square miles surrounding the town.
According to its website, EFPD provides numerous services to the community including public education, re prevention, re suppression, hazardous materials mitiga-
tion, emergency medical services, and countless public assists. e department responds to 1,400 calls a year out of three re stations, with an average response time of approximately seven minutes.
To learn more about the Elizabeth Fire Protection District, visit elizabethfpd.colorado.gov.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
Pictured at the Special District Association Annual Conference in Keystone are, from left, Special District Association CEO Ann Terry, Elizabeth Fire Protection District Division Chief of Prevention and Administration Kara Gercynski, EFPD Board Director Rick Young, EFPD Board Director Stacey Collis and EFPD Fire Chief TJ Steck. COURTESY PHOTO
MEET YOUR NEW PERSIAN MOTHER — PLAYED BY HER OWN SON
Douglas County Superintendent Erin Kane speaks to the school district’s need for a $490 million bond to build new schools and address maintenance issues. Kane said providing a safe and updated learning environment is crucial for student success.
BOND
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ments, transportation needs – like buses – and expanding career and technical education.
e district has a growing backlog of around $300 million in building maintenance and hasn’t built a new school since 2010. Students in growing neighborhoods without schools are currently being bussed to overow schools.
Passing the bond would not increase taxes because of the way the district’s debt is structured — sunsetting debt can be replaced with new investments if voters approve the bond.
e school district has approached voters with similar funding packages three times before and failed. at includes last year, when the district asked voters for a $488 million bond to fund maintenance for three years, build three new elementary schools and expand two middle schools. at measure failed with 52% of voters opposing.
Douglas County Superintendent Erin Kane said the bond is crucial to the district’s ability to respond to student needs. She noted that without the bond, the district would need to cut its budget by one-third for ve years to fund its capital needs.
“We do not have the revenue to meet those needs without having debt in order to invest in our balance sheet,” Kane said.
According to the district, if the $490 million bond passes, it would not increase property taxes, but if it fails, homeowners will see a decrease in their taxes. e district estimates a decrease of about $73 for the average $780,000 home in Douglas County if the bond fails.
e district hasn’t passed a bond since 2018 and the money from it has since been spent.
A bond plan published by the district lays out how much funding would go to each school, including charters, and what upgrades are being prioritized. is is the last year the district can ask for a bond without raising taxes. Kane said future bonds, whether one passes this year or not, will require tax increases.
e bond proposal has been endorsed by the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Lone Tree City Council. It is opposed by the Douglas County GOP.
Denver Center Theatre Company presents the Olney Theatre Center production of
A campaign to support the Douglas County School District’s $490 million bond proposal is in full swing. Voters will decide this November on approving the funding to build new schools and address maintenance issues.
PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD
How school bond would be used
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education recently voted unanimously to place a $490 million bond question on the November 2024 ballot. is year the bond, as our only initiative, will appear on the ballot as “5A” (last year the bond was “5B”).
If approved by voters, Douglas County homeowners would not see an increase in current property taxes. e bond amount would allow our school district to restructure its debt in order to keep property taxes from increasing while allowing us to invest in our capital infrastructure (taxpayer assets) in a way that is scally responsible. e bond would help us care for our 112 facilities to ensure our sta and students have safe and comfortable learning environments, build schools in fastgrowing developments in Douglas County, upgrade safety and security in our schools, and o er additional Career and Technical Education programs.
GUEST COLUMN
Updating aging schools and facilities
tion during a nationwide bus driver shortage.
inthe sunwith approve approached packages at district bond years, schools schools. votbond it the funding including becan taxes. one require enMetCity Doug-
We are faced with growing challenges in our school district, including capital investment for the future and the need for new schools. And we must ensure that our future students have the same opportunities for success as past students have enjoyed. If approved by voters, here is how the bond would be used:
Upgrading school safety and security Safety and security priorities rate above all other items covered by taxpayer funding at DCSD. ey require constant vigilance, improvement and updates as the district adopts the latest recommendations in campus security and replaces older equipment. e 2024 bond plan, if approved by voters, calls for $10 million to be invested in safety and security upgrades at more than 90 DCSD sites. at includes:
• $3.1 million for new and upgraded security equipment,
• $3 million for radio-communication upgrades, and
• $3.9 million to harden building security at every school.
In addition to the upgrades planned for all schools, several individual schools have speci c line items for additional upgrades, including additional entrance security, replacing burglar alarm panels, upgrading interior door hardware and improving re alarm systems.
Creating optimal environments for learning requires keeping school buildings safe and comfortable for students and sta . DCSD’s 2023-2024
Erin Kane
Master Capital Plan estimated the district’s capital needs will be $800 million to $920 million over ve years. If approved by voters, the DCSD 2024 Bond would allow the district to address $179 million worth of these needs to renew and replace aging equipment such as boilers, air conditioning units, electrical panels, ooring, communication systems, rooftops and more.
Building additional career and technical education pathways
e 2024 bond would be an investment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for students, a demand from our community that is continuing to increase. After the 2023-2024 introduction of Legacy Campus and its learning environments for eight career pathways, DCSD intends to use $25.2 million in 2024 Bond funds to build Phase II of the Legacy Campus project and add six new CTE pathways that would be available to all high school students, if the measure is approved by voters. Four would be related to construction trades: carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing. e other two would focus on advanced manufacturing and electric vehicle/hybrid maintenance and repair.
Bond funds would also allow for the expansion of two existing programs:
• adding an automotive program at Highlands Ranch High School, with $9 million for expansion; and
• adding cosmetology at Douglas County High School, with $4 million for program growth.
Constructing and expanding neighborhood schools
Some areas of Douglas County are growing very quickly and many of these newer neighborhoods do not have a school nearby. is is creating challenges related to overcrowding at some of our existing schools, as well as a need for more transporta-
If approved by voters, the DCSD 2024 Bond would fund:
• a neighborhood elementary school for the Sterling Ranch/Solstice area ($60 million);
• a neighborhood elementary school for the RidgeGate area ($60 million); and
• an expansion for Sierra Middle School ($30 million).
It’s important to understand a couple of things about bonds.
In Colorado, school districts generally have to pass bond initiatives to build and invest in schools (the state provides no funding for capital
construction needs whether that be construction of new schools or capital investments in existing schools).
Population growth DOES NOT pay its own way when it comes to schools. In the state of Colorado, developers are required to provide the land for public schools. However, the construction of the schools is the responsibility of local taxpayers.
Our county supported seven bonds from 1984 to 2006 in order to build neighborhood schools, the last of which was built in 2010. Only one bond initiative has been passed by Douglas County voters over the past
And the winners of Parker’s Name A Snowplow contest are…
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While kids were running through a hay bale maze, stacking pumpkins and hula-hooping at O’Brien park during Parker’s Fall Fest kick-o , many got an up-close look at the unsung heroes of winter: snowplows. Kids had the opportunity to get in the driver’s seat and explore the inside of a snowplow. Four snowplows were parked along the sidewalk, each sporting a new name and design.
Earlier this summer, Parker residents were invited to submit their ideas to name the town’s lead snowplows – for the rst time. After receiving over 280 submissions, the Engineering and Public Works Department narrowed it down to 26nalists. About 750 votes determined the winners. e winning names are:
• Clearopathra – submitted by Bob Parish
• Han Snowlow – submitted by Mark Rosenthal
• CTRL-SALT-DELTE – submitted by Jan Sanko
The Public Works and Engineering Department of Parker held its first Name A Snowplow competition, in which four winners were chosen and given a design.
• Snowtorious B.I.G. – submitted by Wil Crossley
With snow already falling in the mountains, it’s only a matter of time before it’s hitting the metro area. Be on the lookout for these four snowplows as they will lead the way for each of the town’s four snowplow zones in the upcoming winter season.
Averaging about 56 inches of snow
per year in Parker, there are 13 snowplows in Parker’s eet that clear the roads during snow events. e town’s public works department has a plowing priority system in place to clear the nearly 500 miles of streets. Learn more about Parker’s snow removal operations at parkerco. gov/491/Snow-Operations.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Human tra cking bill focuses on massage parlors
Rep. Lauren Boebert bases measure on Douglas County ordinance
BY CAITLIN KYM COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert got the inspiration for her latest bill from the district she hopes to represent next term.
Boebert’s Human Tra cking Fingerprint Background Check Protection bill, introduced earlier this week, would require massage parlor owners and employees to undergo ngerprint background checks in an e ort to crack down on human tra cking.
“We’ve already introduced it at a state level and I think it’s time to bring it at a federal level. I think it’s a good piece of legislation,” Boebert told CPR News. “I was talking with the Douglas County commissioners about it and happy to get the ball rolling on it.”
It’s based on a 2023 ordinance enacted by Douglas County, in the 4th
Congressional District, and a Colorado bill passed and signed into law earlier this year.
e Douglas County ordinance sets license requirements for massage facilities and requires background checks for the people working in them. e state law requires all other communities with these businesses to ensure they’re background-checking employees and owners.
Boebert’s bill also has additional requirements, including having law enforcement agencies report any criminal activity found during a background check and requiring owners and employees to take training on how to recognize and report signs of human tra cking.
Douglas County Commissioners issued a joint statement saying the congressional push is “vital.”
“Human tra cking is an issue that touches every corner of the nation, and this legislation provides important tools to combat it, ensuring the safety of our citizens,” wrote Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal and Lora omas.
State Sen. Bob Gardner was one of the prime sponsors of the legislation
bill around background checks.
Conceptually, he thinks having the background check requirement is important, but the conservative from El Paso County added, “I have a little question in my mind about, ‘Well, does the federal government need to tell state and local governments that they need to do this?’”
He’s pleased that others see Colorado as a good model, but he’d prefer to convince other state legislatures to enact this type of legislation rather than have it come from Washington.
Boebert, however, said that the ght against human tra cking should be addressed at all levels of government.
e House will be out from ursday until November 12, so the bill, which currently has no other cosponsors, is unlikely to advance in the remaining ve legislative weeks of the 118th Congress.
Still, Boebert said if not this Congress, she hopes for it to gain traction in the next one.
is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
TREATS ON THE TARMAC TREATS ON THE TARMAC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH 10:00AM - 2:00PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Enjoy a Spooktacular day! Dress up in your costume, trick or treat with pilots and see their airplanes.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. COURTESY OF LAUREN BOEBERT
In a world teeming with the latest gadgets, workout routines, and self-help books, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant search for the next best thing. We’ve all been there: buying a treadmill or other home gym equipment with the best intentions, only to watch it gradually transform from a daily exercise tool into an oversized clothes hanger. e enthusiasm wanes, the routine fades, and soon enough, we nd ourselves considering a new piece of equipment or maybe even joining a gym. e thinking goes that perhaps a new environment, di erent equipment, or the presence of others working out will reignite that initial spark. But the problem isn’t the treadmill, the elliptical, or gym membership. We often overlook the resources we’ve already invested in, believing that a better solution exists. is mindset isn’t limited to tness; it permeates various aspects of our lives. Consider the countless workout routines, apps, and nutritional supplements ooding the internet, all vying for our attention and promising results. It’s no wonder we get caught up in pursuing the next big thing, thinking that the key to success lies in some undiscovered method or equipment.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
VOICES
We may have what we need for success
Yet, in the rush to nd something new, we often ignore what we already have at our disposal. e treadmill gathering dust in the corner of the room isn’t the problem; it’s the belief that something else will magically solve our issues without the need for sustained e ort. is pattern can be seen in other areas as well. Take, for example, the bookshelf lled with unread books. How many of us have a collection of books on personal and professional development, some half-read, others untouched, yet continue to buy more? Each new book is purchased with the hope that it will provide the breakthrough we’ve been searching for, but too often, they end up on the shelf, adding to the growing stack of unread material. is constant search for the new and shiny can distract us from leveraging our already invested resources. We convince ourselves that the next piece of gym equipment, book, or supplement will change everything. But the truth is, we often have
everything we need right before us. e solution doesn’t lie in the latest gadget or the next bestseller but in our willingness to fully engage with what we already have.
Consider the person who invested in a home gym, out tting a space with everything needed to stay t. Initially, they might have been consistent, motivated by the novelty of the new equipment. But as time passed, the routine became monotonous, and the equipment started to collect dust. Instead of pushing through the plateau, they look for other options, such as a gym membership, new equipment, or perhaps the latest online workout program. e cycle continues, driven by the belief that something new will break the stagnation. is principle applies beyond personal tness and development. In our professional lives, we often look for the following tool, strategy, or resource to give us an edge, forgetting that we’ve already invested in our skills, networks, and knowledge. Instead of chasing the next trend, what if we doubled down on honing the skills we’ve already acquired, deepening our understanding, and making the most of the resources at our disposal? Ultimately, the answer to achiev-
Why Parker is getting tra c lights
Having been a resident in Parker for close to six years now, I am quite familiar with the tra c ow in this town. I try to drive cautiously but I don’t mess around either. I want to get to my destination as quickly as the next guy (within the law).
e addition of the new major trafc lights to be installed, although expensive, is probably a good idea. e major problem, however, for accidents in these and other locations, in my opinion, is not the impatience of the drivers as stated in the article. It’s the use of cell phones while driving. e law calls it texting but it doesn’t matter what the actual usage is. Using a cell phone for any reason distracts from what a driver should be focused on — driving. Countless times I have observed people straying out of their lane or have been
stuck at a light changed to green behind a driver staring down at his/her phone.
As a side note, running lights that have turned red is another frequent occurrence. My solution is twofold. One, there needs to be more of a police presence around troublesome intersections, and two, put the cameras back in use monitoring at these high ow areas. So my message to Parker is this: Go ahead and install the LIGHTS, get people o their PHONES, and have the police take more ACTION.
Todd Scholes, Parker
Choose Angela Thomas for commissioner
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Angela omas in her candidacy for Douglas County commissioner. Having closely ob-
served omas’ work and her commitment to good governance, I am con dent that she will serve our community with the integrity, transparency, and dedication that we need.
As a social worker and small business owner, Angela learned to lead through service and hard work. She has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of what it means to advocate for and implement good governance. Her approach prioritizes the well-being of all constituents, ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. is dedication to inclusivity and fairness is precisely what our county needs to foster a thriving and equitable community.
One of Angela omas’s core principles is the belief that good governance involves accountability and openness. She has laid out a clear
ing our goals isn’t in the next purchase or the latest trend. It’s in recognizing the value of what we already have and committing to making the most of it. By shifting our focus from acquiring new resources to fully utilizing those we’ve already invested in, we can unlock the potential waiting right before us. e treadmill, bookshelf, and professional tools are all there, ready to be leveraged. e challenge is our willingness to use them consistently and deliberately to create the desired results. So, the next time you feel the urge to buy that new equipment, book, or supplement, pause for a moment. Ask yourself if you’ve maximized your use of what you already have. Chances are, the key to your success isn’t in something new but in fully committing to what’s already within reach. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. When we tap into what’s right in front of us to pursue success at any level, it really will be 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.
plan to improve our county’s processes, making them more transparent and accessible to the public. By promoting open dialogue and engaging with community members directly, Angela omas aims to build trust and ensure that decisions re ect the diverse needs of our population. Moreover, Angela omas’ focus on evidence-based policymaking shows a commitment to addressing issues with thoughtful, data-driven solutions. is approach not only enhances the e ectiveness of our local government but also ensures that resources are used e ciently and equitably. Her track record of working collaboratively with various stakeholders further underscores her ability to bring people together to achieve common goals.
LETTERS
In a time when effective governance is more crucial than ever, Angela Thomas offers a vision that is both progressive and pragmatic. Her dedication to serving all people, coupled with her proven leadership skills, makes her an exceptional candidate for county commissioner.
I wholeheartedly endorse Angela Thomas and urge my fellow community members to support her candidacy. With Angela Thomas in office, I am confident that our county will experience a new era of effective, transparent and inclusive governance.
Melissa Calkin, Castle Pines
Time to return to sanity
As we hover on the brink of cultural collapse and world war, I’m done with “niceness”; Bribed Biden and Constipated Congress have led us to the precipice. We ignore looming disaster as we argue whether or not Haitian immigrants eat pets and take offense over comments about childless cat ladies.
Perhaps we should listen to someone who pithily states that censorship is not for hate speech but for speech that is hated — so he bought a social media platform to stem the squelching of our First Amendment.
Maybe we should listen to someone who talks about environmental and nutritional poisoning of our children — so he left his valiant presidential run to make a difference in another candidate’s administration.
Perhaps we should listen to someone who believes that our military has been weakened and her movements have been monitored — so she ignored party pressure to fight for patriotism and America’s best interests.
Pay attention when these three former Democrats now join forces with a formerly sworn enemy to try to save our nation.
Believe Bernie when he believes Kamala’s values haven’t changed, but her pragmatic policy-switching drives her desire to be elected. Her vapid values are founded on the philosophy that government’s job is to ensure everyone receives “equity” — a naively noble but historically failed and ignorant idea that will suck us off the cliff into the black hole of economic collapse.
Focusing on flawed personalities and debate winners elevates style over substance. We are distracted by embellishments and misrepresented “stats” but don’t see the real propaganda when someone sidesteps and gaslights. We miss the irony of J6 being declared — on the eve of 9/11 — “the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War.” Or the emotive picture of women “bleeding out in the parking lot” while ignoring that the barbaric procedure itself might involve hemorrhaging.
As Kamala promises a “joyful future” and calls Trump a scary felon who will drag us back into the past, she doesn’t acknowledge that most people WANT to return to the past — of lower interest rates and cheaper fuel and affordable food.
We have an unfortunate choice between a changing chameleon who champions collectivism and an annoying ass who allocates altruism. We need to look past the people themselves to those policies that would define their administrations. It’s time to look at the bigger picture and return to sanity.
Linda Mazunik, Lone
Tree
Reasons to support 5A
I am writing to express my strong support for the upcoming bond measure, 5A, for school funding in the Douglas County School District (DCSD). This is a crucial opportunity for our community to invest in the future of our students and ensure the continued excellence of our schools.
This year marks a pivotal moment; it is the last chance for district voters to approve a substantial bond of $490 million without increasing the current 5.2 mill levy. The need for this funding is clear. Our district is facing pressing capital replacement needs, from installing new boilers and HVAC systems to updating roofs and windows. These are not just upgrades — they are essential repairs that cannot be postponed without incurring greater costs down the road.
As our community grows, particularly in high-demand areas like RidgeGate and Sterling Ranch, we must also expand our infrastructure to accommodate new students. This bond will fund new elementary schools and an expansion of Sierra Middle School, ensuring that all children have access to quality education within their neighborhoods.
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jace, a four-year-old terrier mix, could barely contain his excitement inside the shop of the Dumb Friends League shelter as his new family stocked up on supplies for him. Denver residents Eliorah Abramowitz and Azi Hanssen said they came to the shelter looking for an older, but still energetic dog that would be as happy chilling on the couch as playing fetch at the park.
After meeting with a few dogs, Abramowitz and Hanssen said they were drawn to Jace.
“It was just a perfect match,” Abramowitz said.
Similarly for Sandra Brande and her daughter Ashley, who live in Centennial, they quickly fell in love with the wiggly Husky puppy Laika. e Brande family knew they wanted to adopt because they found their Husky Daisy at the shelter two years ago and have loved her presence in the family ever since.
“ ere are so many animals who need loving homes,” Sandra said as Laike squirmed in Ashley’s arms. “It’s so nice to have the liveliness in the house that a pet brings.” at sentiment was echoed by many new pet parents and sta at the Dumb Friends League, an animal shelter with locations in Denver, Castle Rock and Alamosa.
“It’s always hard to say who rescued who,” said volunteer Michelle Schneider, of Highlands Ranch.
Jace and Laika are some of the hundreds of lucky pets to nd families through the Dumb Friends League during its month-long Clear the Shelter
campaign, which wrapped up on Sept. 10.
Alyssa Putzer, communications manager for the Dumb Friends League, said 1,161 animals were adopted during the Clear the Shelter count, surpassing the shelter’s original goal of adopting out 1,000 pets across its three locations.
Mary Sarah Fairweather, vice president of operations at the Dumb Friends League, said participating in the Clear the Shelter campaign helps the shelter not only nd homes for pets but also care for more animals.
“Clear the Shelters is an amazing opportunity to showcase the wonderful pets in our care,” she said. “With ongoing challenges like overcrowding in shelters, this event is an essential opportunity for our community to connect with animals that are ready to bring joy and companionship into their lives.”
Even with all of the adoptions in the last month, the Clear the Shelters campaign only accounts for a fraction of the adoptions that Dumb Friends League facilitates year-round. Last year, the shelters brought in over 20,500 animals and are on pace to serve a similar amount this year, Fairweather said.
Dogs, cats and small animals, like guinea pigs and bunnies, come to the shelter as surrenders or strays and 86% are rehomed.
“ ey come to us from the community, owners who can’t keep their pets, and as strays,” Fairweather said.
Most animals stay at the shelter for an average of 10-15 days, heading to new homes as soon as sta can help pair them with the right family. Fairweather said another bene t of the Clear the Shelters campaign is that it helps animals who have been at the shelter longer or require special care get adopted.
Fairweather said the adoption process is like dating with the goal being to nd the “perfect match.”
“It’s really a conversation-based process, so we want to get to know what the families are looking for and we share what each individual animal needs,” she said.
Richard Myers, of Denver, said he volunteers at the shelter because it’s like working in a “bubble of love.”
“ ere’s so much care for the patrons and for the animals,” Myers said. “One of the greatest joys of working here is having someone come in who looks sad, maybe they lost a pet a few months ago, and 45 minutes later, they’re going out the door with a pep in their step and the dog is looking like a newly caught marlin, jumping around so much.”
In order to encourage as many adoptions as possible, Fairweather said the shelter looks to reduce barriers to pet ownership like cost or lack of resources.
All of the dogs and cats that are adopted out are vaccinated and spayed or neutered. e Dumb Friends League also partners with some local veterinarians to waive the cost for the rst visit, as well as Fetch Pet Insurance to provide health care support for furry friends.
Another resource the shelter o ers is a free behavioral helpline to support pet parents through training or care adjustments.
“Our goal is to help pet owners keep their pets at home and out of the shelter,” Fairweather said. “We’re lucky to have such beautiful facilities with a team of volunteers and sta who take incredible care of (the animals), but it’s not a home.”
With the current overcrowding in shelters, Fairweather said it’s more important than ever to adopt animals instead of turning to a breeder.
“It gives pets in the shelter system a second chance,” she said. “Whether you’re looking for a little guinea pig or a giant couch potato dog, there’s somebody for everybody.”
Sandra and Ashley Brande, of Centennial, cuddle their new puppy Laika, which they adopted at the Dumb Friends League shelter. This is the second dog the Brande family has adopted from the shelter.
A mom and her son watch a litter of orange kittens up for adoption at the Dumb Friends League. The shelter served more than 20,500 animals last year. PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Denver residents Eliorah Abramowitz and Azi Hanssen love on Jace, their newly adopted dog. Abramowitz and Hanssen said shelter sta helped match them with the perfect pup.
Fall for these autumnal metro-area activities
If you’re not a fan of autumn in Colorado, you just may not be doing it right. With the explosion of colors, cooler weather and range of new avors, it’s di cult not to argue that it’s the best time of year in the Centennial State. And now that we’re properly in fall, we can really immerse ourselves in all the autumnal treats. I’ve picked ve events from around the metro area that highlight the joys of the season.
Foothills Art Center o ers range of exhibitions
Early October is a great time to satisfy your artistic appetite, with three shows on display at the Foothills Art Center’s Astor House, 822 12 St. in Golden: Ed Hansen, Joel Swanson: Orderings and Decomposing/Recomposing. Each show allows visitors to explore a di erent medium and thematic subject. e Hansen exhibit features realism in oil with western themes and runs through Sunday, Oct. 13. “Orderings” runs through Sunday, Nov. 3, and allows Swan-
COMING ATTRACTIONS
son to use a diverse range of works to challenge the way people order information and how it impacts their perception of reality. And “Decomposing/ Recomposing” opens on Saturday, Oct. 5 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 2. It’s an exhibition by Gayle Gerson, Jean Hultkrans, and Kirsty Saalfrank, all of whom use found and original photography to create original compositions exploring the themes of memory, value and time, according to provided information. Find all the details at https://foothillsartcenter.org/.
Denver Bake Fest returns with top-notch treats
Who can say no to freshly baked bread? You won’t have to at the second annual Denver Bake Fest, held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 5, at Rebel Bread, 675 S. Broadway in Denver.
Open to bakers of all backgrounds and ages, the festival and contest will feature a wide range of categories, including brownies, glutenfree cakes and whole grain savory treats. Competitors are aiming for awards like Best in Show and People’s Choice, but while they’re doing all the work, visitors can sample delicious baked goods of all kinds. ere will also be live music, co ee, baking demonstrations, games and kitchen tours.
Funds from this year’s event will go to Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness. For all the details, visit https://rebelbreadco.com/bakefest.
Learn about the Sand Creek Massacre from a di erent perspective
e Sand Creek Massacre is one of the darkest entries in Colorado’s long history, but one that is important to remember. To that end, the Tesoro Cultural Center is presenting “Mochi’s War: e Tragedy of Sand Creek,” at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Good Recreation Center, 8615 S. University Blvd. in Centennial, and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave. in Littleton.
e “Mochi’s War” presentation is a lecture led by author Chris Enss about his book of the same name. e book focuses on the repercussions of the Sand Creek Massacre from the perspective of a Cheyenne woman who survived the 1864 massacre.
Tickets can be purchased at www. tesoroculturalcenter.org/tesorohistoric-lecture-series/.
Go on a Día de Muertos adventure in Northglenn
Día de Muertos is one of the most eagerly anticipated days in the fall calendar, and Northglenn is cel-
ebrating early withMexico Beyond Mariachi’s Sugar Skull! Día de Muertos Adventure
Co-produced by Rhythm of the Arts with Mexico Beyond Mariachi, the bilingual/bicultural, familyfriendly musical uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores and Sugar Skull, and their adventure to learn the real meaning of Día de Muertos.
Performances are at 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. at the Parsons eatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway in Northglenn. Information and tickets can be found at NorthglennARTS.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Michael Kiwanuka & Brittany Howard at Mission Ballroom
Never let anyone tell you that soul and R&B music isn’t as vibrant and alive as it was in its 1960s and 70s golden era. Today there are more musicians than ever taking the genre and exploring its limitless potential, and two of the best are Michael Kiwanuka and Brittany Howard.
A British musician, Kiwanuka has made a name for himself over more than a decade of releases, which show a prodigious talent that can’t be con ned to traditional soul sounds. And Howard got her start in the great band Alabama Shakes, before moving on to solo releases that see her stretching her voice and pen.
e two are a truly inspired pairing and they’ll be coming to the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. ey’ll be joined by the luminous Yasmin Williams. For a night of masterful modern soul, get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Clarke Reader
Thu 10/03
Eric Golden
@ 5pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Fri 10/04
Blonde Redhead with Allison Lorenzen @ 5pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver
Sat 10/05
Breakfast Fly-In
@ 7:30am / $12.95
First Annual Pet Pawrade @ 2:30pm / $10
7301 S Santa Fe Dr, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. info@as pengrovecenter.com
Mon 10/07
Watercolor @ 12pm
Oct 7th - Dec 9th
Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora
Basketball: Youth-Boys-Ages 810-Beginner-Late Fall 2024 @ 3:30pm
Oct 7th - Dec 14th
Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Art: Painting Landscapes in Watercolor (18+yrs) @ 4pm
Bowling For Soup @ 6:30pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Luis Alfonso Contentos USA Tour 2024
@ 7:30pm / $55
Stampede, Aurora
12 leaf-peeping hikes to make the most of fall colors while you can
Where hikers find the best foliage in Colorado
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It is o cially fall, and in Colorado, that’s when the state truly shows o its full array of mountain beauty. Hikers, drivers and mountain bikers can enjoy eye-popping fall foliage without trekking too far from the metro area, but others travel deep into the Centennial State for those eeting red and golden leaves.
Many meteorologists feared recent cold and rainy weather would knock o most of the colors, but scores of them survived and are just waiting to be ogled if you know where to go. at’s why we at Colorado Community Media put together a list of some of the most rewarding hiking experiences for autumn sentimentalists.
As weekend adventurers hit the mountains after the work week, tra c is sure to pile up. So if you can, try one of these stunning hikes during the week, or at least get up early to beat the morning weekend crowd.
Here are 12 hikes to show o the state’s best autumn colors. Some may require a bit of a road trip, but most are easy day hikes not far from the metro area. Sometimes, you just have to get out there.
AllTrails.com provides all trail stats listed below. Remember that terms like “easy,” “moderate” and
“hard” are subjective and depend on your judgment, experience, stamina and more.
EASY
Raccoon Trail
Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Rollinsville
- Type: Loop
- Length: 2.6 miles
- Elevation: 462 feet
- Time to complete: 1:14
- Drive from Denver: 35 miles
Old Dillon Reservoir Trail
Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area near Silverthorne
- Type: Loop
- Length: 1.7 miles
- Elevation: 213 feet
- Time to complete: 0:40
- Drive from Denver: 72 miles
Kebler Pass/Irwin Lake
Gunnison National Forest near Somerset
- Type: Loop
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Elevation: 98 feet
- Time to complete: 0:44
- Drive from Denver: 196 miles
Lily Pad Lake Trail
Eagles Nest Wilderness near Frisco
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation: 403 feet
- Time to complete: 1:21
- Drive from Denver: 71 miles
MODERATE
Silver Dollar Lake and Murray Lake Trail
Arapahoe National Forest near Guanella Pass
- Type: Out-and-back
I am a Coloradan with a passion for exploration and over three decades of experience as a travel consultant. I’ve had the privilege of helping countless adventurers turn their dreams into reality. Call me, let’s talk about your travel dreams.
- Elevation: 1,085 feet
- Time to complete: 2:00
- Drive from Denver: 55 miles
Mason Creek Trail
Staunton State Park near Conifer
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 8.4 miles
- Elevation: 1,574 feet
- Time to complete: 4:00
- Drive from Denver: 39 miles
Chief Mountain Trail
Arapahoe National Forest near Idaho Springs
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 2.8 miles
- Elevation: 948 feet
- Time to complete: 1:47
- Drive from Denver: 37 miles
Grizzly Gulch Trail
Arapahoe National Forest near Silver Plume
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 5.2 miles
- Elevation: 1,131 feet
- Time to complete: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Drive from Denver: 50 miles
Flash of Gold Trail
Medicine Bow-Routt National Park near Steamboat Springs
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 10.5 miles
- Elevation: 1,250 feet
- Time to complete: 4:18
- Drive from Denver: 160 miles
HARD
Kenosha Pass North
Pike National Forest near Je erson
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 11.5 miles
- Elevation: 1,666 feet
- Time to complete: 5:00
- Drive from Denver: 66 miles
Oh-Be-Joyful Trail
Colorado provides endless beautiful areas for driving for those who don’t want to hike to get their fall colors. Here a road swerves through the Mount Evans Wilderness decorated with popping leaves.
Gunnison National Forest near Crested Butte
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 13 miles
- Elevation: 2,148 feet
- Time to complete: 6:00
- Drive from Denver: 195 miles
Abyss Lake via Abyss Lake Trail #602
Mount Evans Wilderness near Guanella Pass
- Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 16.7 miles
- Elevation: 3,379 feet
- Time to complete: 8:19
- Drive from Denver: 63 miles
Honorable Mention
Trail Ridge Road (to drive) Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park
- Type: Peak-to-peak drive
- Length: 39 miles
- Elevation: 3,891 feet
- Time to complete: Depends on tra c and speed
- Drive from Denver: 73 miles
Let’s be real; sometimes you don’t want to move. Take your rig out for a pilgrimage to Rocky Mountain National Park for a beautiful and scenic drive from one mountain peak to the next. e drive to Estes Park is breathtaking and if you’re willing to pay to get into the park, sit back and relax while you cruise through beautiful changing colors and snow-capped mountains.
But beware of tra c and make sure to check the weather, park information and more before making the trip.
Regardless of where you chase the changing leaves this fall, be safe and be on top of the latest forecasts. Get out there before it’s gone!
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Guanella Pass o ers spectacular fall colors
Aspen leaves turn brilliant shades as cool weather comes
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e changing temperatures and shorter days in the mountains create a once-a-year spectacular show of colors in the high country.
Colorful leaves of the mountain aspens draw thousands of people from around the world and across the country to Colorado to witness nature in its splendor, and Guanella Pass in Georgetown is its epitome, according to visitors.
“Growing up we spent a lot of time in the mountains. My grandparents lived in Evergreen so we were up here a lot, we used to sh the creek with my grandpa all the time and he passed away last year so it’s very special to be able to come up here still and have all of the memories,” Colorado native Dru Ogg said while walking with her 2-year-old son Hudson along the trails at Clear Lake o Guanella Pass.
According to the U.S. Forestry Service trees at altitude, especially the aspens, begin a natural cycle in which chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops. Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green color, so when it breaks down, the green color disap-
pears.
e technical de nition and explanation of what takes place every fall is one thing, the technicolor results of the phenomenon are what dazzles visitors every year.
“I love seeing the aspens changing colors like the yellow and the orange. It’s pretty cool mixed in with all the evergreen trees. It’s a pretty cool sight,” Courtney Montgomery of Denver said alongside her husband Alex.
e pair shared a day o from their vocation as youth ministers at the Denver Church of Christ to
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visit the 10,000 foot mountains in Georgetown.
“It’s just nice and peaceful out here,” Alex Montgomery said. “Yeah, it’s a gem.”
Visitors to the mountains of Guanella Pass witnessed the steady and constant rush of tra c heading into altitude to see the show “free of charge” provided by nature and available to all.
“No place else I’d want to be,” said Colorado native Maureen Blackford with her sister Carol Black.
“ is is a favorite playground, you can’t ask for better nature, wildlife, blue skies,” Black said. “You got such a beautiful palette of greens and yellows and oranges and reds. Not too many states have this array of colors.”
“You gotta get out and enjoy it while you can, you blink and you’ll miss it,” Blackford added.
According to Georgetown ocials, the economic impact of this yearly phenomenon is di cult to quantify but the tra c alone with license plates from California, Texas, New York, Oklahoma and overwhelming Colorado are evident of the tourist dollars owing into the town.
“I just think they’re just breathtaking every year,” Ogg said.
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Courtney Montgomery of Denver alongside her husband Alex at Clear Lake in Georgetown.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
King Soopers gunman gets 10 life sentences
Ahmad Alissa, 25, is found guilty on all 55 charges
BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN
A judge sentenced Ahmad Alissa to 10 consecutive life sentences plus more than 1,300 years in prison Monday after a jury found him guilty of 10 counts of rst-degree murder and 45 other felony counts in the March 2021 attack at a Boulder King Soopers where he killed 10 people, including a police o cer.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence, requesting the defendant be ordered to spend 1,334 years in state prison on top of the life sentences, after he was found guilty on all 55 felony counts he faced in the rampage, including 38 attempted murder charges.
“It’s just a number, but to me, that number means a lot about what he did and the violence and trauma he in icted upon so many people,” Dougherty said about the sentencing request.
Twentieth Judicial District Court Judge Ingrid Bakke imposed the sentence, capping a two-week trial. e jury deliberated for roughly six hours over two days.
As the judge read the guilty verdicts, Alissa, who was wearing a striped long-sleeve dress shirt and dark-framed glasses, talked with his
members stood behind him, resting their heads on each other’s shoulders.
After the verdicts were read, the judge stepped out of the courtroom to talk with the jury before moving to sentencing, which began around 2:15 p.m. with victim impact statements from the family and friends of those killed or impacted by the shooting. ose lasted for more than two and a half hours.
Alissa, who has schizophrenia, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and his defense attorneys argued his delusions, including loud voices telling him to kill, prevented him from distinguishing right from wrong.
striped jail jumpsuit, and he appeared to exchange notes with one of his attorneys, showing no emotion, as victims’ families and friends shared memories of those lost in the shooting.
Boulder police o cer Eric Talleywas among 10 people killed in the shooting. e others killed were Denny Stong, 20, Neven Stanisic, 23, Rikki Olds, 25, Tralona Bartkowiak, 49, Teri Leiker, 51, Suzanne Fountain, 59, Kevin Mahoney, 61, Lynn Murray, 62, and Jody Waters, 65 were also killed.
“My dad didn’t want to go. He had so much more life in him. I never could have imagined that he would have had to run for his life in the
Flowers surround a Boulder Police Department patrol car in memory of O cer Eric Talley, who was killed in the line of duty on March 22, 2021. Talley was one of the first to respond when a gunman opened fire inside a King Soopers in Boulder. Ten people in total were killed.
parking lot of King Soopers,” said Erika Mahoney, Kevin Mahoney’s daughter, who was six months pregnant when she learned her father was one of the 10 victims in the shooting.
She said she feared she would lose her baby amid her intense grief after learning her father was killed.
“Destroyed, gutted, heartbroken are words that don’t even begin to explain my emotions. I thought I was going to lose my baby,” Mahoney said.
She described the two-week trial as “brutal” but also “beautiful,” referring to the acts of heroism as people panicked and tried to help others escape the gun re.
PHOTO BY LUCY HAGGARD / COLORADO SUN FILE
SEE VERDICT, P23
VERDICT
“Those stories will stick with me for the rest of my life,” Mahoney said. “I think of the woman who made my dad laugh before his final moments on Earth. She is my angel.”
Teri Leiker, who was one of three King Soopers employees killed in the shooting, had worked at the store as a clerk for 32 years, said her mother, Margie Whittingon.
Leiker was born with mild brain damage, which made it difficult for her to comprehend abstract concepts like time and money, her mother said, but it never stopped her from having a smile on her face “most of the time.”
“Teri’s accomplishments, overcoming mild cognitive issues, did not stop her from being happy, becoming a model citizen, owning her own condo and having many friends. Her
issues certainly did not make her evil,” Whittington said. “The shooter has not won. We will not live the way we would have if Teri was still with us, but we will go forward with our love for her and cherish the great happy memories we have of being with her for 51 years.”
Eric Talley’s mother, Judy, remembered the last phone call with her only son, minutes before he rushed into the supermarket as one of the first police officers on the scene.
Talley told his mom how he was looking forward to spring and complained about the banning of Dr. Seuss books in a local school, before he told her he was being dispatched. She told her son to be careful and he responded, “always.”
Another call came from one of her son’s seven children screaming, “Nana, daddy’s dead.”
“I beg you, your honor, to lock Ahmad Alissa up in prison for the rest of his life with no possibility for parole. Send this message to all the wan-
nabe murderers out there that troll the internet to see the consequences for those that have committed the acts that they’re thinking about doing,” Judy Talley said.
“Let them see that justice can still be served.”
Alissa nor his attorney declined to address the judge ahead of sentencing.
The verdicts and sentencing came after nearly two weeks of testimony from survivors of the March 22, 2021, attack who described what they saw and heard as they hid for cover or tried to escape the supermarket as the horror unfolded. Among the people who testified was a pharmacist who recountedhearing the gunman repeat “This is fun, this is fun”as she hid from gunfire.
The first eight victims were killed within 69 seconds and all but one were shot multiple times, investigators found. Everyone who was shot died.
Testimony also came from Alissa’s
parents and siblings, who said they watched his mental health deteriorate in the months before the shooting.
Prosecutors argued his actions were intentional and well researched, citing the gunman’s phone records that showed searches for most lethal ammunition and public targets to carry out a mass shooting.
Alissa, then 21, surrendered after he was shot in the leg by a police officer.
He was charged with 10 counts of murder, 38 counts of attempted murder and other offenses in the shooting, including felony possession of six high-capacity ammunition magazines that are banned in Colorado. Neither Alissa’s attorneys nor anyone else has disputed that Alissa was the gunman.
This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.
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Winter Park Resort nears completion on its snowmaking upgrade
Winter Park Resort is completing the first major upgrade of its decades-old snowmaking system. The $37 million new system more than doubles the resort’s snowmaking capacity and creates broader early-season snow coverage. Recent upgrades and improvements in snowmaking technology help Winter Park have one of the longest winter seasons in Colorado. In addition to the snowmaking system, Winter Park continues to focus on infrastruc-
KANE NEWS BRIEFS
18 years, which has put us behind, not only in building new schools, but also in making the necessary investments in our aging buildings to ensure safe and e ective learning environments for our students and sta .
Investing in athletics and activities rough extracurricular activities, students develop skills and talents while learning teamwork
LETTERS
Additionally, the bond addresses the safety and technological needs of our athletic and extracurricular facilities, enhancing the overall student experience. It also supports Career and Technical Educa-
ture upgrades that improve the guest and employee experience.
Parker to host Bags, Beans & Brews
The Downtown Business Alliance, which is the association of downtown Parker businesses, is hosting its Bags, Beans & Brews cornhole tournament and chili cook-off from noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at O’Brien Park in downtown Parker. Attendees will enjoy a fall day filled with competitive cornhole games, a sizzling chili cookoff and refreshing craft beers.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Parker Hometown
and leadership. Sports and arts programs also help build community as they bolster students. roughout DCSD, athletic facilities and auditoriums require repairs and replacement of infrastructure in order to keep our students safe from injury, ensure they can continue to access these incredible programs, showcasing their talents to the entire community. e 2024 bond, if approved by voters, would address needs across the district including $10.4 million for athletic facility upgrades (including turf elds, running tracks and tennis courts) and $1.6 million for auditorium up-
tion opportunities, which are vital in preparing our students for the workforce with industry certi cations.
e urgency of this bond cannot be overstated. e backlog of $300 million in maintenance needs continues to grow by $35 million each year. If we delay these investments in our local assets, we only make future solutions more costly. It’s
Christmas Parade, which will take place on Dec. 7.
General admission tickets are available via Eventbrite. Visit https://downtownparker.com/ bags-beans-brews-landing-page/ or email events@downtownparker.com for information.
CheckOnHomes earns national accreditation
Castle Pines-based CheckOnHomes has earned national accreditation from the National Home Watch Association.
CheckOnHomes’ Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or
grades (including theater and stage equipment, auditorium seating, and sound systems).
Providing additional resources for special education DCSD will provide additional opportunities, specially tailored learning spaces and upgraded access to students with special needs if the 2024 bond is approved. is includes:
• $5 million for additional centerbased programming
• $4.7 million to replace specialeducation school buses
• $2.5 million in capital improvements to provide specialized Career
worth noting that DCSD is already the top-scoring school district in the Denver metro area, and this bond will help us maintain and build upon that success.
Let’s also remember the broader impact on our community. Strong schools bolster property values and are often cited as a top priority by homebuyers. By supporting this bond, we are not just invest-
PUBLIC NOTICES
property, which means it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence.
National Home Watch Association was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.
CheckOnHomes serves Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, Littleton, and Cherry Creek. To learn more about the business, visit www.checkonhomes.com.
and Technical Education opportunities
• $2.1 million for Phase III construction at the new Parker Student Support Center
• $1 million for special-education/ADA-related improvements at school- and center-based sites
To learn more about how additional funding would bene t our schools and our sta , including how each school would bene t, visit www.dcsdk12.org/funding. ank you for taking the time to learn more about this bond initiative! Erin Kane is the superintendent of the Douglas County School District.
ing in our schools; we are investing in the future prosperity of Douglas County.
I urge my fellow residents to vote in favor of this bond and our school district’s future. Together, we can ensure that our schools continue to thrive, providing a quality education for every student in our district.
