Seniors celebrate holiday season with catered lunch
Event
in Elizabeth
Town Hall
is part of series that aims to provide education, resources
BY NICKY QUINBY
A week before Christmas at the Eliza-
beth Town Hall, a group of local senior citizens met to celebrate the holidays and enjoy a catered spread from El Pinitos. Every attendee left with a Christmas gift — a poinsettia and a gift bag, plus the intangible boon of good company. e event, the December Senior Educational Luncheon, was a departure from the usual educational content and instead provided an opportunity for a fun holiday lunch.
e luncheons are a new event this year and take place once a month at the Elizabeth Town Hall. Each luncheon is focused on a di erent topic. Every month the Elizabedth Fire Protection District stops by to do free blood pressure checks and a hearing aid company does hearing tests. Past topics have included nutrition, Alzheimer’s and dementia, home care services, end-of-life services and nancial condence.
Marjorie Engle, a local real estate broker, originally started a senior resources group after hosting estate planning classes. e classes were an e ort to help educate people on simple things to do to ensure a smooth process after someone passes. She saw many people struggle with selling a home after a loved one died because their a airs weren’t quite in order.
Once she started hosting classes, Engle realized that attendees had questions above and beyond estate planning. She decided to start Elbert County Senior Resources.
“I realized that most of the people that were attending were seniors and that they needed more help than just the estate planning … I started reaching out to outside companies, seeing if they would service Elbert County,” Engle said.
She wanted to be the point person if
SEE SENIORS, P12
A look back at 2024: In photos
“That’s Why We’re Here” at the Elbert County
on Jan.
where the composition won first
on its
to being designated Elbert County’s o
A portion of the
goes:
when we go to Wal-Mart / we run into somebody we know / and folks around here are friendly / they are happy to say hello.”
BY COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA’S ELBERT AND DOUGLAS COUNTY REPORTERS
From cheering on a local Olympian to approving a school-construction bond in Douglas County and hearing Elbert County’s rst-ever o cial song, the news from 2024 is something to remember. With new elected o cials taking o ce and new land developments getting underway throughout the south metro area, here is a look back at some of Douglas and Elbert counties’ most memorable stories.
Highlands Ranch mom and sheri call for stricter laws, more tra c safety after funeral for Alex Mackiewicz
In March, Alexander Mackiewicz,13, was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing Highlands Ranch Parkway. Two weeks later, his mother Victoria Cegielski and stepfather, Owen Cegielski, were joined by Douglas County Sheri ’ Darren Weekly at the Highlands Ranch substation to talk about Alex’s character. In addition to establishing a permanent memorial at the intersection where Alex was killed, the family and Weekly called
for tougher tra c safety laws.
In Lone Tree, mayor’s race sparks excitement for first time in a generation For the rst time in 16 years, the City of Lone Tree had a contested mayoral race between two experienced city council members, Wynne Shaw and Marissa Harmon. With their campaigns revealing similar values, the candidates received varying levels of support from residents and other elected o cials,
Monty Gaddy performs his song
Song Contest
26,
place
way
cial song.
lyrics
“Usually
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Judge dismisses Douglas County’s lawsuit against state over immigration laws
Case centers on whether local governments can cooperate with federal o cials
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After several counties, including Douglas, pushed a lawsuit challenging two Colorado laws that prevent local governments from cooperating with the federal government on matters of immigration, a judge ruled that the counties do not have standing, or the legal basis to sue.
In his ruling, Judge David Goldberg of the Denver District Court wrote that the state legislature didn’t overstep in restricting how counties operate.
e counties argued that they have standing under the “Intergovernmental Relationships Provision” of the Colorado Constitution, the order dismissing the lawsuit says.
But the counties “exercise liberal license in their interpretation of the Intergovernmental Relationships Provision,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “An examination of the provision reveals no express or implied prohibition that would bar the (state legislature) from enacting legislation that restricts a political subdivision’s right to contract or cooperate with the federal government.”
“Political subdivision” is another term for counties, or governments under the state.
Douglas County plans to appeal the ruling, the county announced on Dec. 17.
“We are required by these state laws to conceal the identity of those who committed a crime and are here in our country illegally,” Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle said in the announcement.
e rst law at issue in the case, passed by state lawmakers in 2019, bars law enforcement from arresting or detaining people for civil immigration violations. It also prohibits the sharing of judicial information to federal authorities. e second law at issue, passed by state lawmakers in 2023, prevents local governments from making an agreement for federal immigration enforce-
ment.
Douglas County led the lawsuit with its neighbor to the south, El Paso County, and the lawsuit complaint was led April 15. Elbert and three other counties — Gar eld, Mesa and Rio Blanco — later joined the lawsuit.
Talking Constitution
e judge issued the dismissal order Dec. 16, focusing on part of the state Constitution.
Under the Intergovernmental Relationships Provision of the state Constitution, “Nothing in this constitution shall be construed to prohibit the state or any of its political subdivisions from cooperating or contracting with one another or with the government of the United States to provide any function, service, or facility lawfully authorized to each of the cooperating or contracting units,” the judge’s order cites.
And “nothing in this constitution shall be construed to prohibit any political subdivision of the state from contracting with private persons, associations, or corporations for the provision of any legally authorized functions, services, or facilities within or without its boundaries,” the order also cites.
But the Intergovernmental Relationships Provision merely establishes that “nothing in this constitution” shall prohibit a government entity from cooperating or contracting with another government entity, the judge’s order says.
“However, the (provision) is silent as to whether the (state legislature) may place any boundary on a political subdivision’s right to cooperate or contract with the federal government,” the order says.
‘We want to cooperate’
On the counties’ argument regarding the Douglas County sheri being unable to comply with a federal civil immigration detainer request, the Code of Federal Regulations does not mandate that political subdivisions comply with such requests, the judge wrote.
“A federal civil immigration detainer request is just that, a request,” the judge wrote. “A nding that the fed-
eral government may command the states to carry out federal initiatives, such as civil immigration detainer requests, would unquestionably run afoul of longstanding and established constitutional limitations, such as the anti-commandeering doctrine.”
Douglas o cials pushed back on the ruling.
“We want to cooperate with the federal government on matters of public safety and immigration,” Commissioner George Teal said in the announcement.
Castle Rock expresses desire to help with Trump’s mass deportations
All but one member of town council votes in support of resolution
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Castle Rock Town Council — with one abstention — declared unequivocal support for President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans in a resolution expressing willingness to cooperate in any future e orts.
At the Dec. 17 meeting, town council members voted nearly unanimously, with council member Ryan Hollingshead abstaining, to pass a resolution condemning unauthorized immigration and promising to work with federal and state agencies on deportation.
Councilmember Max Brooks, who proposed the resolution, said the resolution aims to uphold the “rule of law” and support the removal of immigrants who are in the country illegally.
“ ey’re not our friends, they’re not our neighbors, if they’re here illegally,” Brooks said.
e resolution received light pushback from Mayor Jason Gray, who said he felt the language was too partisan, but he voted in favor of the resolution, emphasizing that the intent is to focus on immigrants who are here illegally.
Hollingshead abstained from the vote, saying he felt the conversation was rushed and worried about unintended consequences, such as people losing trust in local police o cers.
“I don’t disagree with the spirit of the wording that we will continue to follow the laws that are put forth, but I do not believe it’s necessary for us to take action to-
night,” Hollingshead said. “I think this resolution puts an unwanted spotlight on our police department.”
While one public commenter spoke in favor of the resolution, a few others asked the council not to pass it, calling it divisive and unnecessary.
Sheri Rich said she opposed the resolution because it doesn’t acknowledge the contributions of immigrants or o er true solutions, such as increasing work visas and creating a path to citizenship for people brought to America as children. She added that she worried the resolution would hurt her fellow community members.
“I nd this resolution frightening,” Rich said. “ e thought of my local police being turned into immigration enforcement o cials harassing people in my town is horrifying to me.”
e resolution cites the cost of immigration, use of social services and concerns about “illegal immigration threaten[ing] the safety and well-being of American citizens.”
As an example, the resolution cites the $356 million Denver has spent on immigration services this year. e resolution does not cite any local costs or concerns.
Most council members wholeheartedly supported the resolution and echoed Brooks in their comments.
“ is is being proactive, I don’t want to be Denver,” Councilmember Tim Dietz said, adding that Castle Rock is one of the “last real conservative enclaves” in Colorado.
State law prohibits law enforcement from arresting or detaining people for civil immigration violations, as well as sharing judicial information with federal authorities. Local governments are prevented from making an agreement for federal immigration enforcement. Douglas County o cials sued in an e ort to repeal the state’s immigration laws that limit working with
Castle Rock Town Council approved a resolution to support and cooperate in future mass deportation plans under Presidentelect Donald Trump. The council voted nearly unanimously with one abstaining vote.
PHOTO BY ARIA MARIZZA
Douglas County’s building at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock, where o cials often hold public meetings, is pictured here in August 2023.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
Small Landlords: Looking to Cash Out Due to New Pro-Tenant Laws? Here’s
One
Option.
Under laws enacted by the 2024 General Assembly, Colorado tenants gained many protections, both from eviction and for “habitability,” but those protections for tenants have made being a landlord trickier, more expensive, and riskier, especially for the small landlord who manages his or her own rental units.
Last week, I helped one such small landlord dispose of his rental duplex and invest the proceeds in a way that deferred his capital gains but didn’t get him into yet a new investment that carried those problems and management.
you’re able to put the entire proceeds to work generating income. If you keep doing 1031 exchanges until you die, your heirs will inherit your final holding(s) with a stepped up value and no capital gains tax liability at all.
In his case, he had to deal with a squatter who knew his protections against eviction that already existed under Colorado law and refused to leave. That experience left such a bad taste in my client’s mouth that he chose to sell instead of finding a new tenant.
I was once a commercial landlord myself and earned some great passive income from it for several years, but I vowed never to be a residential landlord. Back then, the big concern was whether your tenant might be cooking meth — a nightmare situation requiring not only eviction but very expensive mitigation before the property could be put back on the rental market or sold. I preferred being a commercial landlord, because my tenants’ offices were always open and I knew they wouldn’t trash their office, because they had customers.
These new protections for residential tenants only add to the unattractiveness of being a small landlord of residential properties.
Other changes in landlord-tenant law include the banning of occupancy limits based on familial relationships by local governments and prohibiting rent increases in excess of 10% over the prior year’s rent (defined as “rent gouging”). Local governments may still implement residential occupancy limits based on demonstrated health and safety standards, such as international building codes, fire codes, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wastewater and water quality standards, or affordable housing program guidelines.
College towns, including Boulder and Golden, have in the past implemented occupancy limits to prevent the use of singlefamily homes by large numbers of unrelated college students. Those laws are now invalidated by state law.
In the posting of this article on my blog, http://RealEstateToday.substack.com, I’ve included a link to an article with a fuller description of those 2024 landlord-tenant laws. Meanwhile, selling a long-held investment property can subject the seller to capital gains tax and depreciation recapture that can wipe out much of the profit from selling. A common tax strategy for deferring those taxes is to do a “like kind” exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
By purchasing a replacement investment property (not a primary residence) with the proceeds from your relinquished property,
You may be saying, “I don’t want to own any new investment property, especially a residential rental property,” given these new laws, but I have good news for you.
“Like kind” properties are broadly interpreted by the IRS to include any real estate (except a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT). This allows you to reinvest your funds as a passive investor in what’s known as a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST). However, a DST investment is only for accredited investors. Individual accredited investors come under two categories:
They have an individual net worth, or joint net worth with their spouse, excluding primary residence, but including home furnishings and personal automobiles, of more than $1,000,000, or
They have an individual income in excess of $200,000 or joint income with their spouse in excess of $300,000, in each of the two most recent years and have a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.
DSTs are exploding in popularity, and with good reason. A Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) is an ownership structure that allows an investor to purchase a fractional interest in a large property or portfolio of properties. The DST is a legal entity (formed as a trust under the laws of Delaware) which holds legal title to property(ies) held in the trust.
For Federal income tax purposes, each DST investor owns a “beneficial interest” in the trust and is treated as owning an undivided fractional interest in the real estate being held by the trust. A real estate company, known as the sponsor, purchases the real estate for the DST and sells “beneficial interests” to 1031 exchange investors through broker/dealers.
The investors, as beneficiaries of the trust, receive their prorated share of the income, tax benefits, and any capital appreciation produced by the real estate. The real estate company, the sponsor of the DST, serves as the trust manager and is responsible for making the major management decisions of the trust. Some examples of the type of real estate that a DST may invest in are: Industrial, MultiFamily, Medical Office, Student Housing, Senior Housing, Retail, Storage, etc. The sponsor purchases the real estate for the DST and sells "beneficial interests" to 1031 exchange investors through broker/dealers. If you list your investment property for sale and your listing agent doesn’t tell you about DSTs, it could be because it’s an investment of your proceeds that doesn’t allow your agent to earn a commission. It could also, however, be because he or she is not familiar with DSTs. Show him or her this article!
We learned more about DSTs when Wayne Bernardo of Bernardo Asset Management, a boutique real estate securities firm in Evergreen, spoke to our broker associates and me at a recent office meeting.
One problem with doing a traditional 1031 exchange is that you must identify your replacement property within 45 days of closing on the relinquished property, and close on the replacement property within 180 days. It’s not uncommon for a 1031 exchange to fail due to missing these deadlines, leaving the seller of the relinquished property to owe the capital gains tax which he or she was intending to defer. The good news in that situation is that it takes almost no time to switch to a DST. If it’s day 45 and you know you’ll miss the deadline, there’s still time to invest in a DST. But you must identify the DST by day 45 with your Qualified Intermediary (QI).
That’s because there are always some DSTs being offered, and Wayne Bernardo can assist you in finding a DST option to complete your 1031 exchange. He proved that last week when he spoke to us on Monday, and I told him I had a closing that Friday in which the seller was facing over $500,000 in taxable capital gains which he was willing to pay to get out of his rental investment. “Can you help him,” I asked.
The answer was clearly “yes,” because at the closing on Friday, the settlement statement showed $500,000 of the sellers’ proceeds going to my client's Qualified Intermediary for a DST purchase. Wayne was able to find a few DST options for my client and my client decided to purchase one of Wayne's DST recommendations.
Instead of paying capital gains tax (and depreciation recapture) on his sale and wondering how to invest what was left, my client is investing $500,000 in a DST that will earn him an expected monthly income stream over the life of the DST. (Note: Distributions are not guaranteed.)
One of the “negatives” about DSTs is that it is not a liquid investment. You can’t pull your money out of the DST for at least 5 to 10 years, but if that is not problematic, it’s a great solution for the seller who wants to get out of an investment property without paying capital gains tax but having no further management concerns or liabilities. Wayne refers to it as “mailbox money,” because you get a
check in the mail without the headaches of being a landlord.
Note: You don’t have to invest your entire proceeds in a 1031 exchange. My client who invested $500,000 in the DST also received $153,000 in proceeds on which he will pay capital gains tax but still providing him over $100,000 in net proceeds for other purposes, such as travel. I did the same thing when I sold an office building in 2004 and didn’t reinvest the entire amount using a 1031 exchange.
For more information about DSTs, check out Wayne's website BernardoAsset.com, or call Wayne at 303-981-1387, or email him at Wayne@BernardoAsset.com Let Wayne know you saw this article, which he factchecked for accuracy prior to publication.
Of course, my broker associates and I are ready and able to help you sell your investment property. Our contact info is below. As with any real estate investment, there are risks with investing in DSTs. Here’s how they are spelled out on Wayne’s website: Investors Do Not Hold Title: 1031 Exchange DST investors do not hold title of the property but rather own beneficial interests in the trust and the sponsor controls the management and selling of the property.
Illiquidity: A Delaware Statutory Trust interest is an illiquid alternative investment and there is no current active secondary market for selling your interest, which creates the inability to access immediate liquidity.
Potential for Property Value Loss: All real estate investments have the potential to lose value during the life of the investment.
Reduction or Elimination of Monthly Cas Flow Distributions: Like any investment in real estate, if a property unexpectedly loses tenants or sustains substantial damage, there is a potential for suspension of cash flow distributions.
No Performance Guarantee: General real estate market risks also apply to DSTs. There can be no assurance that a property will perform as projected. DSTs are subject to economic volatility, tenants not paying their rent on time, and other traditional risks of owning, operating and selling real estate.
Potential Change in Tax Law: Tax laws are subject to change, which may have a negative impact on a DST investment.
Why Are HOA Dues Being Raised So Much?
This is a question which I have been asked by readers, so I reached out to Stan Hrincevich, president of Colorado HOA Forum, who suggested some possible causes.
Many HOAs are discovering that their reserve accounts are underfunded and are increasing monthly dues in lieu of a one-time special assessment.
Insurance costs have skyrocketed, and if the HOA is responsible for more than just common elements, this could be a reason for increased dues. If the dues weren’t raised in a timely manner, the eventual increase could be even bigger.
Insurance deductibles have increased significantly, too, and if, for example, the HOA insures the community’s roofs and there’s a hail storm, your individual share of the deductible for replacing the roofs could result in
a special assessment in the tens of thousands of dollars. Ask the provider of your individual insurance policy about a rider to cover such an assessment.
Fees charged by HOA management companies and the contractors hired by them, such as for grounds maintenance and snow removal, have increased substantially.
Water charges have skyrocketed, and if the HOA provides irrigation, that could cause dues to increase.
If the HOA embarks on lawsuits and loses, this can result in a financial impact that could raise monthly dues or result in a special assessment.
If you are worried about misappropriation, ask to see the check register and bank statements of your HOA and see where the money is going.
NOTE: All prior “Real Estate Today” columns are archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com
Mom, sexual assault survivor aims to educate on safety of dating
Highlands Ranch woman focuses on healing, prevention
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Editor’s note: is article discusses sexual assault. e content may be sensitive to some readers. For those in need of support services, e Blue Bench, a Denver-based nonpro t, o ers a 24/7 sexual assault crisis hotline at 303-322-7273 in English and 303-329-0031 in Spanish.
It was 2020 and the mask mandate had just gone into e ect when Emily Sanders wrapped a bandana over her nose and mouth, tying it tightly behind her head. She stepped into a local grocery store, observing the other shoppers with homemade masks and cautious expressions when she felt a sudden wave of faintness come over her.
“I struggled to breathe,” said Sanders of Highlands Ranch.
In the blink of an eye, she was back 30 years ago to her 16-year-old self, in a random bedroom in Greeley, with a boy who had a pillow pushed against her mouth. Avocados fell o the shelf in the produce section of the store as Sanders reached for something to catch herself from falling. Sanders removed her mask and began to cry. en a woman, breaking the social distancing rules, came to her aide and assisted Sanders back to her car.
As Sanders drove home, she was confused by what had just happened. She thought she had dealt with the triggers that stemmed from that day in 1991 when she was raped.
The DeAngelis Center Foundation offers a variety of trainings and services supporting school and community safety. Our mission is to teach proper response and past lessons learned to help prevent and avoid traumas. Helping to create more beautiful futures for our children and every person living in our community.
in their health and wellness classes.
She states in the book, “I am to challenge the paradigm surrounding the discussion of sexual assault.”
While holding the title as Miss Colorado for America Strong 2021 as Miss Highlands Ranch, Sanders collaborated with a nonpro t organization called e Blue Bench to advocate for ongoing rape prevention education to be part of the curriculum in schools.
e Blue Bench is an organization based in Denver that works to provide accessible, survivor-centered support services and education. Part of its outreach is a community education program that is customized to educate youth and teens about sexual assault, prevention and intervention. Learn more about e Blue Bench by visiting https://thebluebench. org.
“By facilitating an age-appropriate curriculum, e Blue Bench supports the healthy emotional development and critical thinking skills of the youth today to prevent violence tomorrow,” the organization’s community education team wrote in an email to the Highlands Ranch Herald.
e email continued to say that this form of prevention education is important to young teens and teenagers as it provides them with resources, vocabu-
lary and tangible skills to recognize, intervene and respond to sexual assault.
“Sometimes parents will nix the idea of having something like that because they don’t like the content,” Sanders said.
But Sanders understands the sensitivity of the subject and she envisions classes that are focused around safe dating, having con dence in dating and understanding what is involved with dating and/or even learning self defense in physical education.
She also believes there could be classes available for parents to help them understand that this is an issue that young teens face and how to have conversations with them.
She said classes could provide guidance to those who have been or knows someone who has experienced sexual assault or harassment at school or in the workplace.
Sanders wants young people to know there are resources available, and going into the new year, Sanders is aiming to take action and reach out to school districts.
“I am hoping that they’re very receptive to the proposal and they see the need for the education and new curriculum, subsequently wanting to schedule ongoing meetings and discussions,” said Sanders.
Highlands Ranch mom Emily Sanders promoted the book “Women Thrive Volume III – The True Stories of Women Overcoming Adversity” in London earlier this year, in which she shared her story of being sexually assaulted as a teenager and how she aims to raise prevention awareness.
COURTESY PHOTO
That’s why we’ve committed to match up to $100,000 raised by the Colorado FFA Foundation this holiday season.
Helping families focus on preserving meaningful items
Local couple brings compassion to estate sales in Douglas County
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
From antique items to o ce supplies to clothing, estate sales can be seen as a one-of-a-kind pop-up retail shop in the community.
While it may be fun for shoppers to walk through someone’s home and discover unique treasures for sale, for the families putting on the estate sale, it can be di cult as many of these items have sentimental value.
Marc and Jelena Agins of Grasons Estate Sales, a nationwide service, understand the emotional toll that accompanies an estate sale.
“Often, it’s a once or twice in a lifetime experience,” said Marc Agins. “Many families feel lost and are dealing with the emotional weight of letting go of items that hold sentimental value.”
e couple has had a long-time love for antiques and estate sales, so when Marc Agins was searching for a new job and the opportunity to work for the Grasons Estate Sales franchise came up, they knew it would be the perfect business for them.
Together, Marc and Jelena Agins operate Grasons of Southwest Denver, which serves Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Centennial and other surrounding communities.
O ering a compassionate approach to estate sales, the two work with families to ease the process and help them preserve meaningful memories while optimizing the nancial outcome of their estate sale.
“We aim to make the process as smooth as possible for each family and maximize the sale’s success without disturbing the keepsakes they cherish,” Marc Agins said, adding that they want to respect family heirlooms.
An estate sale di ers from a garage sale. Estate sales are common for families who have just lost a loved one and are looking to part with some of their items, but they can also take place for other reasons such as downsizing. An estate sale is larger and usually includes a wider range of items which are often of higher quality or value, whereas a garage sale tends to have a limited number of items with low price tags to help the seller declutter a home.
To help prep a family for an estate sale, Marc and Jelena Agins help pull items out of boxes, drawers and closets. ose items are then appraised and priced before they are staged to look like a retail store. Additionally, surveillance cameras are set up around the home to prevent theft.
“ e family members will go through the home and select items and memories that they would like to keep, but then what do you do with the rest of that stu ,” Jelena Agins said.
She added that while families can hire a junk company to dump the items — which is not environmentally friendly —
instead, families can liquidate the items through an estate sale.
Although estate sales are commonly held after someone passes, Marc and Jelena Agins also assist people who are looking to downsize because they’re either moving into a smaller home, assisted living or they’re moving out of the state.
ey also o er educational workshops during which they include real estate professionals, senior transportation professionals, donation centers, trash companies and others to speak with older adults on the reasons why they may want to downsize.
One of the bene ts is that it can be a proactive step that alleviates the burden on family members later on, said Marc
Agins, so families can focus on the more meaningful items such as photobooks and diplomas.
He added that they often tell people to not hold onto material items just for the sake of holding onto them — rather, keep only the items that keep the family alive.
“It means nothing if it doesn’t really have memories that bring that person closer to you,” said Marc Agins. “It’s just an object that has served its purpose.”
For Marc and Jelena Agins, being a part of Grasons Estate Sales means helping serve the community.
“It’s our job to help families transition from one phase or one part of their life to the next,” said Marc Agins. “ at’s a feeling that you can’t get by selling groceries or picking up trash.”
Trail closes due to reconstruction at Blu s Regional Park in Lone Tree area
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Reconstruction of the Bluffs Regional Park Trail in the Lone Tree area will begin Dec. 20 and will result in a closure of the path. The reconstruction project is estimated to last about six months.
With about 500 people visiting the park on a daily basis and taking Colorado’s wild weather into consideration, the trail has become eroded and now requires reconstruction, according to Douglas County.
The Bluffs Regional Park Trail loop will be closed, however, hikers can still access the Bluff’s Regional Trail “out and back” by starting at the trailhead, which is located at 10099 Crooked Strick Trail, and using the north portion of the 2.5 mile loop.
The loop will come to a close and hikers will
have to return to the trailhead.
Nearly 0.65 miles of the trail will be rebuilt, said Caroline Frizell, communications assistant director. The work includes adding material to redefine and level the trail surface, re-establishing drainage, replacing failing retaining walls and seeding trail shoulders.
Intermittent safety closures are also expected to be on the East/West Regional Trail.
During the reconstruction, Douglas County encourages hikers to explore other parks across the county. For example, the Bluff’s Regional Park Trail provides connections to Highlands Ranch trails, the East/West Regional Trail and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s trail system.
Hikers can stay up to date on the impacts by visiting tinyurl.com/256xjwvh, or sign up for the Douglas County Outdoors email list at tinyurl. com/yeys8v53.
A member of the Grasons Southwest Denver Estate Sales business talks with customers about items they found during an estate sale in Highlands Ranch on Dec. 12.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
A map of the anticipated closure on the Blu s Regional Park Trail in the Lone Tree area. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY
Kevin Van Winkle sworn in as Douglas County commissioner
Republican takes o ce a month early after Lora Thomas resigns
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After former Douglas County Commissioner Lora omas’ resignation roughly a month before her term was set to end, Gov. Jared Polis appointed a replacement on Dec. 17 — e ectively putting Commissioner-elect Kevin Van Winkle in o ce about a month early.
Van Winkle, a Republican state senator who has represented the Highlands Ranch area at the state Capitol, won election in November to be a new Douglas County commissioner, starting in January.
However, in light of omas’ vacant seat, he took the oath of o ce on Dec. 17 at a ceremony attended by local o cials at the Douglas County headquarters in Castle Rock.
“I love Douglas County — that’s where I was born and raised,” Van Winkle said after the ceremony, adding that Douglas County is also where he started his family. “I want Douglas County to be even more healthy, prosperous and free as we continue to grow.”
omas stepped down Dec. 6 after alleging her colleagues were pushing her out of her o ce space at the county headquarters several weeks before her term would have ended.
omas’ resignation came after years of bitter public feuding among Douglas
County’s elected leaders, a rift that involved a legal battle and investigations of omas, among other points of contention. omas and the other current commissioners — Abe Laydon and George Teal — are all Republicans.
e board of commissioners is the county’s policy-making body, approving Douglas’ annual budget and passing local laws that govern unincorporated areas, or
those outside of city and town limits. at includes Highlands Ranch and many other parts of the county.
Laydon framed Van Winkle’s eventual arrival as a change that would bring “peace” to the board of commissioners.
Speaking at the new commissioner’s ceremony, Laydon said, “It is a new era of peace and prosperity.”
Looking ahead to serving as a commis-
sioner, Van Winkle said his priorities include public safety and other issues, including “safe roads to drive on,” he said. He wants “a county free from over-taxation and over-regulation,” Van Winkle added.
A commissioner’s resignation could have kicked o a process with the local Republican Party to ll the vacancy. But the governor had already said he would appoint Van Winkle, Van Winkle said. at saves Douglas County Republicans “from having to drive all across the county and give up their” time, Van Winkle said. “So thanks to Gov. Polis for making that o er.”
e governor’s executive order appointing Van Winkle shed light on the process.
“Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 9 of the Colorado Constitution and C.R.S. § 1-12206(1), if the vacancy committee fails to ll the vacancy within 10 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, the governor shall ll the vacancy by appointment within 15 days after the occurrence of the vacancy,” the executive order states.
Polis’ o ce told Colorado Community Media in a statement: “If a vacancy committee fails to make an appointment in the allotted timeline, the governor would appoint Sen. Van Winkle to begin work as a commissioner a month early considering that he was just duly elected.”
Van Winkle’s appointment took e ect immediately, and he will hold the o ce for the remainder of omas’ term and will be sworn in to begin his term on Jan. 14, according to the order.
For more on the transition from omas to Van Winkle as commissioner, see Colorado Community Media’s coverage at tinyurl.com/VanWinkleCommissioner.
New Douglas County Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle stands at the county headquarters after being sworn into o ce Dec. 17.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
LOOK BACK
which led to an overwhelming number of letters to the editor sent to the Lone Tree Voice. Harmon won the seat in the May 7 election.
Merchants throughout downtown Parker see benefits to Wine Walk
About a year after Parker’s Wine Walks were shut down by the state following complaints, Gov. Jared Polis came to downtown Parker to sign House Bill 241156 , which allowed Parker’s chamber — and chambers of commerce throughout the state — to obtain special event liquor permits. Businesses that have participated in the wine walks celebrated its return and re ected on how the event has bene ted them in years past. Photo by Haley Lena
Breaking stereotypes at Convict Co ee Company in Parker
Describing himself as “rough around the edges” and “an old-school metalhead who is a co ee and soda connoisseur,” Dan Klehm opened his passion project, Convict Co ee Company, on Parker Road in April. After years of being in the correctional system, Klehm believes incarceration is not an e ective way to change someone, unless rehabilitation is included. His hope is that Convict Co ee can provide youth a safe place to hang out and keep them out of trouble. Photo by Haley Lena
An honor for Christopher M. Falkel, Highlands Ranch’s first fallen soldier
On the same date that Je Falkel’s son, Christopher M. Falkel, was killed in combat in Afghanistan 19 years prior, Falkel watched as the Highlands Ranch American Legion post changed its name to honor his son, who was the rst fallen soldier in the community. Falkel spoke about why he believed his son was a natural born soldier.
Highlands Ranch’s Theonnes nearly medals in Olympic rowing
ough many Coloradans go on to have remarkably successful athletic careers, not many can call themselves Olympians. But for Jessica oenes from Highlands Ranch, the self-described “late bloomer” surprised herself when she got into rowing in college. But she was scrappy, clawing herself to the top, from college to competing in the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024.
Mountain Vista defeats Arvada West in 5A flag football title game
As if Mountain Vista High School needed any more accolades, in the rst year that the Colorado High School Activities Association fully sanctioned girls ag football,
the Golden Eagles dominated to the top. Mountain Vista beat Arvada West in the rst Class 5A ag football state championship game, winning 32-21 at Trailblazer Stadium in November.
Elbert County rolls out o cial song
Monty Gaddy performed his song “ at’s Why We’re Here” at the Elbert County Song Contest on Jan. 26, where the composition won rst place on its way to being designated Elbert County’s o cial song. A portion of the lyrics goes: “Usually when we go to Wal-Mart / we run into somebody we know / and folks around here are friendly / they are happy to say hello.” Photo by Nicky Quinby
Elbert County deputies vote to unionize e Elbert County Sheri ’s O ce, headquartered in Kiowa, saw its deputies vote to unionize in April, citing issues of pay and bene ts. Photo by Nicky Quinby
Kiowa-area voters turn down school bond
Residents gather in the Kiowa High School cafeteria for a community meeting about a ballot question that could have resulted in a new school with the support of $56 million in state funding. However, voters narrowly rejected a $13 million bond, so the Kiowa School District will not receive the state grant. Photo by Nicky Quinby
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert elected to 4th Congressional District, representing Douglas County
A photo shows U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert speaking at an event for the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation. After starting her congressional career representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District on the Western Slope, Boebert moved across the state to run to represent Douglas County and the Eastern Plains in the 4th Congressional District. Boebert successfully beat ve other Republican candidates in the primary and won the seat in November. Photo by Haley Lena
Contentious Pine Canyon development takes a step forward in Douglas County
Douglas County community members dealt wide backlash against a potentially massive property development in the Castle Rock area, known as the Pine Canyon plan. e project heard outcry from water o cials and experts in the region who expressed concerns with Pine Canyon’s plan to pull water from the area’s nonrenewable groundwater supply. After county o cials delayed their decision on whether to OK the development,the town and Pine Canyon’s team came to an agreement to begin annexing Pine Canyon into the town boundaries, bringing the project under Castle Rock’s authority rather than the county’s.
complaints, Gov. Jared Polis came to downtown Parker to sign House Bill 24-1156 , which allowed Parker’s chamber – and chambers of commerce throughout the state – to obtain special event liquor permits. Businesses that
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Residents gather in the Kiowa High School cafeteria for a community meeting about a ballot question that could have resulted in a new school with the support of $56 million in state funding. However, voters narrowly rejected a $13 million bond, so the Kiowa School District will not receive the state grant.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
Monty Gaddy performs his song “That’s Why We’re Here” at the Elbert County Song Contest on Jan. 26, where the composition won first place on its way to being designated Elbert County’s o cial song. A portion of the lyrics goes: “Usually when we go to Wal-Mart / we run into somebody we know / and folks around here are friendly / they are happy to say hello.”
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
LOOK BACK
Castle Rock purchases Lost Canyon Ranch open space
Castle Rock purchased the 680-acre Lost Canyon Ranch open space for $15 million in April with a plan to preserve the land in perpetuity through a conservation easement. Since then, the town started planning to build trails and recreational amenities on the land. e town is
accepting community feedback on plans for the land and o cials hope to present the draft master plan in early 2025.
School district passes $490 million bond to build new schools
Superintendent Erin Kane speaks about the importance of passing the $490 million bond to address the district’s capital maintenance. Voters this year approved the bond to build two new elementary schools and address a backlog of maintenance issues. It was the third attempt from the district to get taxpayer approval
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks at an event for the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation. After starting her congressional career representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District on the Western Slope, Boebert moved across the state to run to represent Douglas County and the Eastern Plains in the 4th Congressional District. Boebert successfully beat five other Republican candidates in the primary and won the seat in November.
for capital improvements. e bond also designates funding for school consolidations planned in Highlands Ranch.
State rules that sheri , commissioners broke labor law in push against unionization
After the Douglas County sheri sent a stream of anti-union emails to employees and held mandatory “captive audience” meetings — and the county commissioners released a YouTube video using public funds to oppose the e ort to form a union at the sheri ’s o ce — the state Labor Department found that county of-
cials illegally committed unfair labor practices. For months, county o cials have been ghting a proposal to unionize the sheri ’s o ce, a change that would enable employees to negotiate salaries, bene ts and other aspects of their jobs through collective bargaining.
Colorado Community Media’s Elbert and Douglas County team consists of reporters Haley Lena, Ellis Arnold, McKenna Harford, freelancer Nicky Quinby, sports reporter John Renfrow, and editors Scott Gilbert and Christy Steadman.
The Elbert County Sheri ’s O ce, headquartered in Kiowa, saw its deputies vote to unionize in April, citing issues of pay and benefits.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Generations@Work helps older job seekers
Many older adults want or need paid employment.
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! — A Workforce Center o ers free assistance to job seekers over 50 years old, through the Generations@ Work program.
Lori Brown, career services adviser, will share information on how the Generations@Work program assists older adults during the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC)
LIVING & AGING WELL
monthly meeting on ursday, Jan. 2 scheduled from 1011:30 a.m. e meeting is free and open to the public.
According to Brown, “I’ll be focusing on how to connect, explore, and utilize resources and services. e
As the year draws to a close, I often re ect on themes that carry us into the future with purpose and positivity. Gratitude, imagination, nishing strong and, most profoundly, hope are the cornerstones of these re ections. Gratitude and hope stand at the pinnacle of all the emotions that enrich our lives.
ey are intertwined, like two sides of the same coin, each fueling and strengthening the other. Hope, as I see it, is never truly lost, it may be buried, misplaced or dimmed, but it endures, like a ickering pilot light waiting to be reignited. It’s not uncommon for someone to ask, “How can I nd hope when it feels like all is lost?” My response is always the same: Hope is never gone. It may feel distant or faint, but it is there, quietly waiting for you to reconnect with it. Often, the key to nding that spark of hope lies in gratitude. When we pause to identify what we are truly thankful for, we uncover the wellsprings of hope that fuel our lives. Hope can be elusive in di cult times, but it is far closer than it may seem.
Generations@Work program is dedicated to empowering individuals aged 50-plus as they navigate life transitions, whether it’s stepping into new careers or exploring fresh job opportunities. ere are free dynamic workshops, interactive skill building labs, and personalized individual sessions. is program is in addition to services provided across age groups.”
Lora Thomas muddies legacy with resignation
TGUEST COLUMN
ink of those moments that warm your heart: the cooing of a newborn baby, the laughter of a child, the enduring love of a couple married for 50 years, a breathtaking sunrise or the quiet beauty of a sunset. ese moments remind us of life’s simple, profound beauty and reconnect us to the hope we might have forgotten. For me, hope comes from my faith, the belief that the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, is with me in all things. is is where I draw my strength and nd the wellspring of my hope. I recognize that not everyone shares this perspective, and that’s OK. Hope is deeply personal, and its sources are as varied as the people who carry it in their hearts. What matters most is nding your own connection to hope and nurturing it.
Hope is not merely a feeling but the foundation of a purposeful life. Hope fu-
C.J. Garbo
he resignation of Commissioner Lora omas, e ective immediately on Dec. 6, marks a disappointing and frustrating end to a career de ned by dedication, service and conviction. Her tenure as a Douglas County commissioner was fraught with personal and political con ict, but through it all, she delivered on her promises to the voters. is makes her decision to resign just weeks before the end of her term all the more disheartening. Let me be clear: is is not a partisan critique. e issues at hand transcend party a liation. For years, I have observed the dysfunction on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners with growing frustration. e tension between Lora omas and her fellow commissioners, George Teal and Abe Laydon, often seemed more personal than professional. While it’s true that better choices could have been made on all sides to de-escalate the constant turmoil, the fact remains that the work of Douglas County got done — and often done well. at is no small accomplishment in such a combative environment.
I have long respected Lora omas for her leadership, her convictions and her relentless advocacy for responsible government. She has been a bastion of conservative principles, often ghting to keep taxes low, limit government overreach and ensure accountability to the taxpayers. ese are values worthy of respect and gratitude. Yet, it is precisely because of her reputation as a ghter that her decision to resign now, in the face of challenges that she has endured for years, is so disappointing.
omas’ resignation raises serious questions that deserve scrutiny. One of her main reasons for stepping down is her eviction from her o ce
The beauty of living with hope WINNING
els purpose, and purpose drives passion. Passion, in turn, primes the pump of performance. When we act with purpose and passion, we achieve results. And when those results align with our values and goals, they bring us joy. is progression, from hope to joy, forms a beautiful cycle, a virtuous loop that carries us forward even in challenging times. e power of hope lies in its ability to inspire us to dream and strive, even when the odds seem stacked against us. Hope allows us to see beyond today’s struggles and envision a brighter tomorrow. It gives us the courage to take that rst step, keep going, and believe in the possibilities that lie ahead. So, as we approach the end of this year and look forward to the next, I encourage you to take a moment to re ect. Ask yourself: Where does your hope come from? What are you grateful for? What sparks joy in your life? ese questions may seem simple, but their answers hold the power to transform how we face each day. Hope is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the seed from which resilience grows
and the light that guides us through the darkness. Whether in a quiet moment of prayer, the embrace of a loved one, or the beauty of the natural world, hope is always there, waiting to be rediscovered. Let this season of gratitude also be a season of hope. Let it be a time to reconnect with what truly matters, celebrate life’s joys and blessings and step into the future with a heart full of possibility. Hope is the beginning, and joy is the result. May you nd both, and may they sustain you in all the seasons to come. What is your hope story? I would love to hear about it, especially as we enter another new year at gotonorton@gmail. com. And when whether we are trying to reignite the pilot light of hope or fan the burning ames of our existing hope, it really will lead to 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.
by Commissioners Teal and Laydon to make way for state Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, who was elected to take her seat and normally would have done so in January. is raises the question: Why was it necessary to evict her from her o ce now, rather than waiting for her term to o cially conclude? Van Winkle has not yet been sworn in and does not have the legal authority to conduct county business. Was it truly impossible for him to use one of the other executive o ce spaces available in the county building?
At the same time, Lora omas’ rationale that she could not adequately serve her constituents without her o ce also deserves scrutiny. In today’s world, countless professionals manage complex responsibilities remotely, many in roles more demanding than that of a county commissioner (though the commissioner role is certainly demanding). Could omas not have completed her term working from home or another temporary location?
ese questions underscore the pettiness that has unfortunately de ned this Board of Commissioners at times for far too long. is situation is not just an indictment of the toxic environment that Lora omas endured — it is also a reection of the failures of collaboration and compromise by all involved. What compounds the disappointment is the timing of her resignation. On the same day that Douglas County and state leaders gathered to honor Kendrick Castillo, a young hero who sacri ced his life to save others during the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting, Lora omas chose to make her resignation public. is was a solemn occasion meant to unify the community and focus on the memory of a true hero. Instead, Lora omas’ resignation drew attention away from that moment of collective reection and mourning. I believe wholeheartedly that this was not her intent, but optics matter. is timing risks creating the impression that her decision was more about drawing attention to her own grievances than serving the people of Douglas County.
For someone as committed to public service as Lora omas, this unintended consequence is a tragedy of its own. Her critics will undoubtedly use it to diminish her legacy, and her supporters are
left grappling with the frustration of seeing such a dedicated leader step away under these circumstances.
Lora omas has spent decades building a legacy as a public servant. From her trailblazing career with the Colorado State Patrol to her tenure as Douglas County coroner and commissioner, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency, scal responsibility, and the well-being of her constituents. Her achievements, including the creation of the new 23rd Judicial District and the establishment of the Douglas County Health Department, are signi cant and deserving of praise.
Yet, her resignation risks overshadowing those accomplishments. By leaving in this manner, she hands her critics ammunition to question her resilience and commitment. Worse, she leaves her supporters with an unshakable sense of frustration, wondering why she couldn’t stick it out for just six more weeks.
Despite my frustration, I must acknowledge and respect the years of service Lora omas has given to Douglas County. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on this community, and for that, we owe her our gratitude.
But I cannot help but feel deeply disappointed by how her tenure has ended. I hope that history will remember Lora omas for her many accomplishments and not for the way her time as commissioner came to a premature and avoidable conclusion.
ank you, Lora, for your service. While your resignation is a bitter pill to swallow, your dedication to the principles of responsible government and your tireless advocacy for the people of Douglas County are appreciated. I sincerely hope that I am wrong about the potential negative impact of this decision and that your legacy will endure as one of strength, integrity, and service to the community.
is guest column was written by C.J. Garbo of Castle Rock, a political strategist and public servant with a career spanning governance, public policy, campaign management and community engagement. He is vice chairman of the Douglas County Planning Commission and a community safety volunteer with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce. He has been chairman of the Castle Rock Election Commission, chairman of the Douglas County Young Republicans and district captain of the Douglas County GOP.
KERNS
e meeting location is at Douglas County Human Services, Conference Room, 4400 Castleton Court in Castle Rock. Older adults as well as those who serve and support older adults are invited. After the presentation, the meeting will conclude with community conversation.
e Seniors’ Council is conducting a medical access survey. Input from older adults and service providers is important to determine the ease or di culty in seeing medical providers. Call Douglas County Community Services at 303-6637681 for directions on how to access the survey or search for Seniors’ Council at douglas.co.us/community-services.
e Feb. 6 SCDC meeting will address modi able risk factors to stave o dementia. Details will be posted on the
SCDC website at douglas.co.us/community-services — seaarch for Seniors’ Council.
e volunteer SCDC leadership team invites older adults and service providers to attend monthly meetings covering a wide range of subjects pertaining to aging e ectively. Our mission is Living Well/Aging Well in Douglas County. Our motto: Be Heard! Keep Learning! Make a Di erence! For those who are interested, there are one-time volunteer roles as well as ongoing volunteer roles. SCDC is supported by Douglas County and partners with Douglas County Libraries, as well as a variety of service providers and senior groups. Questions or comments? Email DCSeniorLife@douglas.co.us. Like Seniors’ Council of Douglas County on Facebook for updates and information. Join us!
is guest column was written by Jean Spahr, the publicity chair of Seniors’ Council of Douglas County.
Cynthia Kay (Chappelle) Kerns November 2, 1955 - December 12, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Cynthia Kay Kerns. Cindy lived in the Elbert community for 34 years with her soulmate and husband, Rocky Kerns. ey raised their children, Jeremy, Justin, Joey, and
LORI
Jamie, at their ranch in Elbert. In lieu of owers, we ask that you consider supporting the family with the service costs by donating at the following:
https://gofund.me/33ce91b8
Michael Joseph Lori
October 16, 1947 - September 30, 2024
Michael Joseph Lori departed from this world on September 30th, 2024 at age 76. Michael was born October 16th, 1947 to Angelo and Rose Lori in the Bronx, N.Y. He attended high school and technical college in Connecticut. He worked at Pitney Bowes as a computer engineer. He married Lois Austin in 1971 and had two children, Ellen Francis Lori and David Nelson Lori. Tragically, he lost Ellen to a heart defect in 1991. Michael would never recover
emotionally from this loss.
Michael retired in 2010 to St. Augustine, Florida. In 2020, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, he moved to Parker, CO where he could be closer to his family. Michael lived at Pine Grove Crossing in Parker from March 2023 until September 2024. Michael was a man of faith, who loved his family and friends. He leaves behind a son David Lori, daughter-in-law Janet, and 3 grandchildren Emily, Jacob and Joseph.
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ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110.
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Boebert bill tackles ZIP code issues
Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, other communities could benefit
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It’s a familiar scene: You type your address online, and it comes up as “Englewood” or “Littleton” or “Castle Rock” — even though you live in a di erent city with its own name and boundaries.
at discrepancy amounts to more than a minor annoyance. It can put cities at risk of losing out on sales tax revenue that funds their governments, and it can even cause problems for a city’s sense of identity.
Now, a x might be on the way. On a stage in Douglas County on Dec. 12, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert touted the passing of a bill that, if it advances past the Senate, could direct the U.S. Postal Service to designate unique ZIP codes for dozens of communities around the country, including many in Colorado.
“ is is a big deal,” Boebert, a Republican, said about the e ort to get communities “to not be called Littleton or Englewood or anything else anymore. ey get to have their identity — they get to have their sales tax revenue.”
Boebert won the race for Congress this November to represent the district that generally includes Douglas County and a large swath of eastern Colorado. Before, she had been elected to the district that covers much of western Colorado.
e Colorado communities that could bene t from Boebert’s bill include Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Severance, Silver Cli , Sterling Ranch and Superior, according to a news release.
Highlands Ranch and Sterling Ranch aren’t municipalities but rather are unincorporated areas, meaning they sit outside of city and
town boundaries.
e ZIP — or Zone Improvement Plan — code system was introduced in 1963 as part of a plan to improve the speed of mail delivery, according to the Library of Congress. But since then, the use of ZIP codes has expanded into areas far beyond mail delivery, and that can cause confusion for retail businesses.
“When someone wants to buy from Amazon and they type their address in for their mailing address and it comes up and says ‘Castle Rock,’ not ‘Castle Pines,’ you immediately have that confusion of where that sales tax needs to be remitted to,” Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman has said.
Engerman said ZIP codes have also caused issues for business licensing. For example, she said a retailer wanted to open a store in Castle Pines, but an online address search indicated the property was in Castle Rock. As a result, the retailer applied for a business license in Castle Rock instead of Castle Pines.
had major delays because they didn’t le the appropriate paperwork in order to get the Castle Pines business license,” Engerman said. “And it all stemmed from the fact that the building’s retail address came up as Castle Rock because it was at 80108.”
Conversations about ZIP codes have also come up among o cials in Centennial, a relatively new city in Arapahoe County that has seen conversations about community identity over the years.
“We are working on our identity,” Marlo Alston, a Centennial city councilmember, has said. “And we deserve to have someone pull up our ZIP code and say, ‘Oh, Centennial’ — not Aurora. And that happens quite often.”
Boebert introduced the bill, H.R. 8753, on ZIP codes, according to a news release. e bill passed through the House of Representatives Dec. 11, the release said.
Follow updates on the bill at congress.gov/ bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8753/all-ac-
seniors needed help and couldn’t nd resources, which ended up being a bigger job than expected. Soon, Jennifer Maxwell and the Town of Elizabeth came on board to partner with Engle.
e monthly senior luncheons grew organically out of this partnership. “Together, we set up the Senior Educational Luncheons and have been working to bring more services to Elbert County and to also provide seniors with the services that already exist in Elbert County,” said Engle.
CORRECTIONS
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Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
Jennifer Maxwell, an end of life doula, says she and Engle both recognized a need in the community for senior resources. “She had just created Senior Resources of Elbert County. Once we met we clicked and all the ideas just started owing. She asked me to join her in Senior Resources of Elbert County and you could say the rest is history. ere are very few resources out here for seniors. We met with re chiefs, police chiefs, sheri ’s department, health department and various members in the community and the consensus was all the same, our seniors need some help out here.”
Maxwell said they’ve been holding the monthly luncheons since late spring and have had great feedback. She also shared that the Town of Elizabeth volunteers space to host the luncheons and that Michelle Oeser, the town clerk, has been a huge supporter.
“My biggest goal,” Maxwell added, “is to let seniors in our community know that there are resources out here for them, and in a lot of cases is it possible for them to age in place in their own home and bring trusted resources in to help.”
e luncheons are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. e Town of Elizabeth posts upcoming Senior Lunches on social media at facebook.com/townofeliza-
bethcolorado and on Instagram. Engle’s Senior Resources page is available at marjorieengle.com/seniors_resources. To RSVP to a luncheon, reach out to Engle at 303-881-2707.
Note: e senior luncheons o ered on Wednesdays and Fridays at the American Legion Hall are part of a separate program. For more information on Project Smile, visit tinyurl.com/elbertsenior.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who won the race for Congress this November to represent the district that generally includes Douglas County and a large swath of eastern Colorado, stands Dec. 12 at Douglas’ 2024 State of the County event, an annual gathering where o cials highlight the county’s actions.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
Town of Elizabeth Town Clerk Michelle Oeser speaks to the seniors who attended the luncheon.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Every artist, crafter or hobbyist needs a collection of supplies, materials and equipment to accompany their creative passion.
A few stores around Denver seek to help creatives both build their collection and rehome it, if necessary. e Craft Box in Wheat Ridge, and ReCreative in downtown Denver, are both dedicated used art supplies stores that accept donations for resale – essentially thrift stores for artists.
“We’ve had kilns, massive oor looms, pottery wheels, everything down to the individual buttons,” ReCreative Programs Director Kelly Eigenberger said about the store’s inventory.
Eigenberger, who is also a clay artist, said her main goal at ReCreative is to help make art more accessible, especially when it comes to cost. Eigenberger said she knows and relates to the nancial squeeze working artists face, between studio rentals, equipment and marketing their creations.
“I love getting to hook it up for people who I see working really hard and creating access on the retail side of art,” she said. “I mean, the cost of rubber stamps is criminal.”
In addition to the reuse store, ReCreative is a nonpro t that houses artist studios, a membership-based woodshop and an art gallery. e store also o ers classes, ranging from watercolor painting to sewing to kintsugi, a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with gold.
Eigenberger said a community has built up around ReCreative, with a loop of customers becoming featured artists in the gallery or instructors of classes, creating loyal shoppers and connections for donations.
“It means a lot to have friendly neighbors and the support that comes from our people,” Eigenberger said.
Another of ReCreative’s missions is to throw away as little as possible. As of December, the store had diverted 28,000 pounds of supplies from land lls in 2024. Donations are accepted by appointment, which can be made online.
Eigenberger said donating supplies has the dual bene ts of being more environmentally friendly and helping other artists.
“I think that we’re all inclined to collect in one way or another,” Eigenberger said. “But as we collect and lose interest, there’s a lot of guilt about it, so being able to con rm for people that what I’m taking will be used by someone is important.”
Similar to ReCreative, e Craft Box is part used sup-
ply store and part haven for artists, providing space for a variety of art groups and clubs, like Quilts of Valor and the Aspen Leaf Button Collectors.
Liz Boxler, the owner of e Craft Box, said her goal is to create a community space through thrifty crafting.
“Our purpose is twofold, of course, to nd homes for all this crafty stu , but also to work with local charities that need or want things that are handmade,” Boxler said.
When donated supplies aren’t t for resale, Boxler, who is also a quilter, will sometimes use them to create goods for people in need. For example, Boxler has made dget quilts for people with Alzheimer’s, crochet pouches for catheter bags and reusable grocery bags for the food pantry.
Boxler has found that there are more supplies that could be reused than she will ever be able to manage, but she tries to do what she can. is year, the store has diverted 1.4 tons of fabric, books, rubber stamps and other craft supplies from land lls.
Boxler estimates that since she opened the store in 2012, that amount is more than 9 tons and 260,000 items. Most of her donations come from estates and
people who are moving, Boxler said. e store accepts donations by appointment, which can be made online.
“ ey’re de-stashing, is what we call it when people are moving, or they’re downsizing, or they just realize they’re gonna have to live to be 150 years old to do all these projects,” she said.
Luckily, there are also plenty of people eager to nd new purposes for the various beads, frames, yarn, fabric, paints and endless other materials stocked at e Craft Box.
Not only is it a cheaper way to maintain a collection of supplies, Boxler said used supplies are also popular with people wanting to test a new hobby.
“People can try out new crafts much easier,” Boxler said. “If somebody wanted to try quilting but fabric is so expensive, this is a way they can do that without investing a lot upfront. And then if they like it, they can expand on that.”
Boxler said one of the best things about the store is that there’s something for everyone and every skill level.
SEE ART SUPPLIES STORES PHOTOS, P15
Kelly Eigenberger, the programs director at ReCreative, said the store’s mission is twofold: to help divert supplies from landfills and to make art more financially accessible. ReCreative also houses an art gallery, studio space and a membershipbased woodshop.
ReCreative is fueled by donations, which Eigenberger said mostly come from estate sales and people who are moving or downsizing. In 2024, the store accepted more than 28,000 pounds of materials.
PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Incoming DA George Brauchler says ‘expectation should be incarceration’
Upcoming first-ever
district attorney of new judicial district addresses the public
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e man who will be the rst-ever district attorney of Colorado’s rst new judicial district in decades — George Brauchler, a Republican and former DA — stood in Douglas County and delivered what he called a “public service announcement.”
“If you want to come down here and make your home here, you want to come down and get an education for your kids, start a business, you want to shop here, you want to be entertained here, we welcome you, and we promise you that we will keep you safe while you’re down here,” Brauchler said on Dec. 18 at the county headquarters in Castle Rock.
“But if you come down here with the intent to victimize us or to steal from us, your expectation should be incarceration,” Brauchler said. “And that is the approach that this district attorney’s o ce is going to take to crime.”
Brauchler, the former 18th Judicial District attorney, won election by a large margin for the new 23rd Judicial District in November. e race encompassed a set of counties that made for a deep-red electorate.
Colorado’s court system is made up of 22 judicial districts, and a new district is on the way. Currently, the 18th district
includes Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
But the state legislature — at least partly driven by a political split in the 18th district — decided to break it up, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into the new 23rd district.
e 23rd district is set to launch in January. e 18th district will then only include Arapahoe County. Residents of Arapahoe County voted in a separate race to select a new district attorney in the November election as well.
A district attorney serves as the head prosecutor for a region of Colorado’s
courts, also leading the prosecutors who work in that DA’s o ce. e o ce is responsible for prosecuting crimes that allegedly occur in the area.
Brauchler, a longtime politician who has appeared on ballots in several elections, served eight years as DA for the 18th district, wrapping up his term in 2021. He lives in Douglas County.
He spoke at a news conference anked by a large group that included local policymakers and law enforcement.
“We will go out of our way to track you down and to hold you accountable,” Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly
said. “If you run from us, you will go to jail tired and with additional charges.”
Elbert County Sheri Tim Norton said his county has a “high rise of fentanyl deals right now, and thefts come along with that and so does other crime.”
“We are looking to put the bad guys in jail,” Norton said.
Brauchler said he has been reading “a bunch of studies, social studies, that say that the length of a sentence is not as important as the certainty of being caught.”
“But the follow on to that is: ‘and being held accountable,’” Brauchler added. “And so I think to some extent, what you’ll see us doing is trying to get to sooner, more predictable consequences.”
On the topic of undocumented immigrants, Brauchler spoke about the local nature of his jurisdiction.
“I am not an arm of the federal government,” Brauchler said, adding: “However, in keeping this community safe, if there are federal partners of ours that we can work with … if we can do things to rid ourselves of the criminal element — and I don’t care where they come from, I don’t care if they’re a citizen or noncitizen — you’re going to get my attention and my support.”
He added: “If you are here and you are undocumented, the law enforcement guy’s best advice is: Get documented. If it’s not going to be to follow that law, my next best advice is: Be on your (best) behavior.”
“I will not treat people here di erently based on their country of origin or their citizenship status. Not going to do it,” Brauchler said. “We are about the equal application of the law. We are about the rule of law.”
Pathways aim to reduce dementia risk in Colorado
Research shows small changes can reduce risk
BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE
Dementia, a disease with profound effects on families, loved ones and caregivers, a ects more than 55 million people globally, including 6 million in the United States.
New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small chang-
es in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.
Sarah Lock, senior vice president for policy at AARP, said there are also important steps policymakers can take to make it easier for people to maintain healthy behaviors.
“When we do that, we can disrupt dementia,” Lock asserted. “ at’s a really exciting possibility, given that so many of us — as our nation is aging — are facing that risk.”
Dementia is the third-largest cause of death in the nation for people age 70 and
New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small changes in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.
older, and two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor. People who smoke ve cigarettes per day have a 16% higher dementia risk than nonsmokers. People with prediabetes face a 25% increased risk, which rises to 50% with full-blown diabetes. Prolonged exposure to air pollution is also a major dementia risk factor.
Other risk factors include alcohol use, depression, high body mass index, hearing loss, hypertension, low education, physical inactivity, social isolation and traumatic brain injury. Lock pointed out policies to reduce these risks can vary by state. For example, in Colorado, physical inactivity may not be as big of a problem as in other states, but hearing loss is relatively high.
“We can suggest to policymakers that they focus on ways to help people screen and correct for hearing loss,” Lock noted.
“In Colorado, that might be a wiser use of public dollars, to go after the problem that seems to be biggest in your state.” Lock added the goal of the research is to o er people pathways to better brain health and to give older Americans more quality time with their loved ones. e ndings were released by the new Dementia Risk Reduction Project, a collaboration between AARP, the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative and the University of Washington.
Reprinted with permission from Public News Service, an independent, membersupported news organization providing news in the public interest.
George Brauchler, incoming district attorney for the new 23rd Judicial District, speaks Dec. 18 at the Douglas County headquarters in Castle Rock. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
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High Plains Singers delight holiday crowd
Local vocal ensemble has performed around area since founding in 1995
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e High Plains Singers, a local singing group formed in 1995, held their annual Christmas Concert the evening of Dec. 14 at Elizabeth Middle School. e community came out in force and parking spots were di cult to nd that night. Poinsettias, anked by Christmas trees, lined the stage.
For the concert, entitled “A Portrait of Christmas,” the group sang everything from classical works to gospel to jazz, said member Laurie Wasmund. For some songs, the audience was even invited to sing along.
“Our director, Sheresa Wilbanks, is so, so talented,” Wasmund shared. “She stretches our musicality and vocal abilities with every concert. It makes rehearsals and performances both a challenge and a joy. We are singing popular songs like “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey and re-envisioned versions of “Joy to the World” and “ e First Noel.” What can I say — I’m super excited for this concert.”
e group has about 30 members now and performs two concerts a year — a Christmas concert in December and a spring concert in May. ey sing every year at the Memorial Service at the Elizabeth Cemetery on Memorial Day. In the past, Wasmund said, they’ve also performed at the Fourth of July breakfast at Evans Park, the Elizabeth Town Tree Lighting, church picnics, local baseball games and more.
e group’s composition is diverse. Members come from all walks of life and range from 20 years old up to 80. ey include engineers, federal employees, teachers and school sta , a ight attendant, a pilot and three published authors.
e High Plains Singers are also very much involved in the community. ey frequently invite guest musicians and local students to participate in their concerts and volunteer their time for a variety of community events, like the Fourth of July Celebration at Evans Park, the Elizabeth Stampede Parade, the Elizabeth Winter Parade Celebration and more.
No audition is required to join, all the group asks is that potential members love to sing. For more information visit thehighplainssingers.com or contact Sheresa Wilbanks at 720-280-0787 or SheresaWilbanks@ gmail.com. Interested parties may also contact Mike Diess at 720-427-7954 or mike.diess@gmail.com.
Elbert Legals
Director Sheresa Wilbanks discusses how she met cellist Matthew Kingham and thanked him for accompanying The High Plains Singers. PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY
The seats were full at Elizabeth Middle School as The High Plains Singers performed a selection of Christmas songs. Pianist Tia Bowen, at right, has been with the group for 26 years.
Director Sheresa Wilbanks addresses the crowd before the performance. The High Plains Singers Christmas Concert, A Portrait of Christmas, took place Dec. 14 at Elizabeth Middle School.
Sheresa Wilbanks directs the first song of the evening at the High Plains Singers performance at Elizabeth Middle School.
The seats were full at Elizabeth Middle School as The High Plains Singers performed a selection of Christmas songs. Pianist Tia Bowen, at right, has been with the group for 26 years.
