BRIGHTON STUDENT’S IMPRESSIVE EYE
Xcel Energy wants to charge more for electricity later in the evening
BY SAM BRASCH CPR NEWS
Millions of Colorado residents could soon pay more to use electricity later in the evening under a proposal from provider Xcel Energy.
e state’s largest utility led to change time-of-use rates in early September. If state regulators approve the proposal, customers will pay the most for power from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on nonholiday weekdays during the summer and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the winter.
e current “on-peak” hours currently stretch from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. year-round. e company also charges
slightly higher rates during “mid-peak” hours from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., which would be eliminated under the new proposal.
State utility regulators expect to reach a nal decision in February 2025, and the company could begin implementing the updated rate schedule as soon as May 2025.
e Colorado Public Utilities Commission recently encouraged residents to participate in a public hearing on the proposal on December 17. Xcel Energy customers can also provide written feedback to the commission through an online form.
Xcel Energy started moving its Colorado customers to time-of-use rates in
2022. e pricing plans are meant to nudge customers to use energy during periods of lower demand and higher renewable energy production. Wind energy, for example, often goes to waste at night, so a utility can operate more e ciently by encouraging customers to run dishwashers or charge electric cars later in the evening.
e company says the latest proposal isn’t only easier to understand. By setting higher rates for customers in the evening, the utility hopes to discourage energy usage at a time of day when solar energy production tends to drop — along with the sun.
Nursing home industry wants Trump to rescind sta ng mandate
BY JORDAN RAU KFF HEALTH NEWS
Covid’s rampage through the country’s nursing homes killed more than 172,000 residents and spurred the biggest industry reform in decades: a mandate that homes employ a minimum number of nurses. But with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the industry is ramping up pressure to kill that requirement before it takes e ect, leaving thousands of residents in homes too shortsta ed to provide proper care.
e nursing home industry has been marshaling opposition for months among congressional Republicans — and some Democrats — to overrule the Biden administration’s mandate. Two industry groups, the American Health Care Association and LeadingAge, have sued to overturn the regulation, and 20 Republican state attorneys general have led their own challenge.
BY GABE ALLEN KUNC
A team of Front Range chemists have made a breakthrough that could have global implications.
e scientists, led by Colorado State University postdoctoral scholar Xin Liu, detailed a new technique for breaking down poly uoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” in a paper published in Nature.
Previously, known methods for decomposing PFAS required large amounts of energy via UV radiation or heat. In con-
For the second time, Greyson Carvalho won Honorable Mention in the annual Audubon Community Nature Center nature photography contest. See the story on page 4.
GREYSON CARVALHO
CCM owner starts printing press operations in Colorado
National Trust for Local News facility hopes to o er a ordable option for newspapers
Colorado Community Media’s 25 weekly and monthly newspapers are now being printed at e Trust Press, a commercial printing facility in northeast Denver launched by the National Trust for Local News to address the skyrocketing costs of producing local news in Colorado. Printing costs for CCM’s newspapers have risen more than 60% in the past two years. After the Gannettowned printer in Pueblo closed in the summer of 2023, the nonpro t National Trust for Local News –which owns Colorado Community Media – began looking for more long-term and a ordable solutions.
e project to stand up a new printing facility, named e Trust Press, spanned nearly a year.
“We’re excited that this pathbreaking idea is nally a reality in Colorado,” said Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of the National Trust. “Print newspapers are still valued, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities. We are proud to launch this a ordable and sustainable printing solution that will strengthen local and ethnic news organizations across Colorado.”
Oil & gas companies submitted false data
e new press plans to begin printing dozens of other local and ethnic newspapers in the new year. e Trust Press is estimated to save local publishers at least $500,000 in 2025 compared to existing printing options, according to the National Trust.
e Trust Press was made possible by philanthropic support from the Colorado Media Project, Bohemian Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, and e Colorado Trust. e National Trust is continuing to fundraise to support the Trust Press, with roughly $700,000 remaining to reach the project’s overall goal of $1.7 million.
“Gates Family Foundation is grateful for the partners that rallied to make this new printing solution possible,” said omas A. Gougeon, president of Gates Family Foundation. “While the future of news is
digital, a local and a ordable way to support print publications is an essential bridge to that future. We hope that this press will support smaller, local publishers on the Front Range in a way that is more affordable, more mission aligned, and more supportive of the local news ecosystem in Colorado.”
e centerpiece of the Trust Press is a four-tower DGM 430 Press purpose-built for the smaller print runs that most local independent publishers now demand. e printing facility has already created ve full-time jobs, with more expected in 2025.
“We have heard from so many local publishers here in Colorado who are struggling to nd an a ordable printing solution, and I am excited to serve them at the Trust Press,” said Kevin Smalley, director of the Trust Press. “We have a great team and rst-rate facility in place. We’re already printing 100,000 copies per
week and will soon o er a ordable printing services that support a wide range of publications and the communities they serve.”
Smalley, previously vice president of operations for e Daily Gazette in Schenectady, NY, joined CCM earlier this year to oversee the stand-up of the new press facility. Publishers or commercial printing customers interested in the Trust Press are encouraged to email printing@coloradocommunitymedia.com for more information.
Colorado Community Media, the nonpro t a liate of the National Trust for Local News, operates two dozen weekly and monthly publications in and around the Denver metro area. e National Trust, founded in 2021 in Colorado, owns and operates more than 60 newspapers across Maine, Colorado and Georgia – critical sources of community news that serve nearly 40 counties and some ve million people.
Regulators first became aware of potential data manipulation in July
BY CHASE WOODRUFF COLORADO NEWSLINE
Two consulting rms working for a trio of Colorado oil and gas giants submitted falsi ed data about the environmental conditions at hundreds of locations in Weld County, regulators alleged in a public hearing Nov. 26. Julie Murphy, director of the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, told the agency’s vemember board of commissioners that employees of two rms, Eagle Environmental and Tasman Geosciences, “created false laboratory data and reports” relating to soil and groundwater contamination, which were submitted to the ECMC as part of spill cleanup and site remediation procedures between 2021 and summer 2024.
Murphy said regulators rst became aware of potential falsi cation in July, and the ECMC is investigating the data submitted for approximately 350 sites, all of which are located in Weld County. In an emailed statement, the ECMC said that its “awareness of the scale of the issue grew over time.” e agency “determined that urgent notication was not warranted,” Murphy told commissioners. “ e falsi ed data does not present a new or increased risk to public welfare, safety or the environment,” she said. “It does mean, in some instances, that the duration a spill will impact the environment may be extended.” e ECMC, formerly known as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, regulates all oil and gas operations within the state. Its health, safety and environmental rules have undergone a comprehensive update in the wake of a 2019 reform lawpassed by Colorado lawmakers.
“I am disappointed in the actions of a few consultants to oil and gas operators who have undermined the industry’s ability to meet their regulatory obligations,” Dan Gibbs, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the ECMC, said in a statement.
Chevron and Civitas Resources hired Eagle Environmental and Occidental Petroleum hired Tasman Geosciences to perform sampling and analysis work at the sites in question, Murphy said. e three companies are far and away Colorado’s largest oil and gas producers, and together accounted for roughly 90% of all oil produced in the state in 2023.
While the investigation is ongoing, Murphy said that “numerous provisions of ECMC rules” and state laws appear to have been violated, which could result in regulatory enforcement actions by the agency, in addition to possible criminal proceedings.
“I do believe that the degree of alleged fraud warrants some criminal investigation, but that is beyond our regulatory authority,” Murphy said. “Of course, our folks will cooperate with law enforcement.”
“I have complete con dence in the leadership and sta at the Energy and Carbon Management Commission to investigate this falsi cation and take appropriate enforcement action as well as work with appropriate law enforcement,” said Gibbs. is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
The centerpiece of the Trust Press is a four-tower DGM 430 Press purpose-built for smaller print runs.
LINDA SHAPLEY
Media Coverage of Denver’s Real Estate Market Can Be Confusing
or Even Misleading
About this time each month, the media updates readers and viewers on Denver’s real estate market, based on the “market trends” report released by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR), based on data from REcolorado, our local MLS.
The headline last Friday in the Denver Post was, “Metro Denver home sales tumble in November, taking prices down with them.”
When I worked for daily newspapers, the reporters did not write their own headlines. That was left to the copy desk, which I also worked on for awhile. So, remember to read the whole article and not just the headline!
below. Second, the statistics are based on month-to-month movement, which is not seasonally adjusted like other statistics. So, look at the two charts I printed at right to correct for those two flaws in the coverage.
However, headlines are what most people rely on, leading to a “conventional wisdom” about any given topic.
There are two problems with that headline. First, you need to know that the statistical report for “metro Denver” is based on statistics for an area that is more rural than urban or metropolitan, as I explain
Year-over-year, the number of sales is way up, and although the median closed price for detached single-family homes is down a little from October, it’s actually up fractionally from the prior November. The median closed price for the attached homes is actually up significantly from a year ago and up slightly from October.
DMAR’s statistics for condos and townhomes in its 11-county area were way off from the statistics based on a 25mile radius of downtown Denver. DMAR reported that the median price of attached listings was down 1.2% from November 2023, but you can see that it’s actually up quite a bit — 15.4%. The number of closings was up 51.4%.
According to DMAR, the number of
What’s the Statistical Definition of ‘Metro Denver’?
People often want to know, “How’s the real estate market?” That question is answered each month by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors using data from the Denver MLS, which is REcolorado. But they define “metro Denver” as the 11 counties that touch on the metro area. That map is at left. It would be just as easy to gather statistics (as I do) based on a 25-mile radius of downtown Denver, shown at right. The yellow circle on the left map approximates the 25-mile radius that I use.
active listings was up 39.3% from October 2023. In the 25-mile radius, they were up only 30%. These are just some exam-
Last week’s newsletter from our friends at Alpine Building Performance was on this topic, and some of the descriptions below are from them, but I have added my own content and edited theirs.
Brick or Stone Veneer - It has been decades since builders actually built brick or stone structural walls. Nowadays, homes are almost always wood frame with only a veneer of brick or stone. And that “stone” is usually “cultured stone” (example at right), which is made from concrete with additives to create the look of real stone and molded into different shapes. It’s fun to look at a wall and see if you can find where different shapes are repeated.
ples
Composite Decking - Trex was probably the original brand name for this product, which is a mostly petroleum product. Its first version over 25 years ago was gray and not very wood-like in appearance. It also was prone to sagging if your joists were more than 12 inches apart. Now Trex and its several competitors make versions which look quite wood-like. I like TimberTech’s line.
Balcony vs. Deck - A balcony is technically a structure that does not have exterior stairs to the ground level and can only be accessed from the interior.
Fiber Cement Siding - If you own a tract home built since, say, 1990, and you think you have wood siding, you quite likely have fiber cement siding that looks like wood.
James Hardie® dominates this product line with their “HardieBoard.” This exterior cladding is made from a mixture of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. In addition to wood, it often mimics stucco or masonry, offering superior resistance to moisture, pests, fire, and weather. Fiber cement is a popular siding choice due to its affordability and benefits.
Flatwork - Refers to horizontal surfaces made from materials like concrete or pavers, including sidewalks, driveways, patios, and slabs, providing functional and decorative flat surfaces in outdoor spaces. It is not structural! It is slab-on-gravel, and if the earth under it is not properly prepared, it is prone to settling, which is fixed by “mudjacking,” a process in which a concrete slurry is pumped through 4-inch holes in the concrete to raise it. Your basement and garage floors are probably slabs on gravel. I am particularly fond of “stamped concrete,” which is typically colored and can resemble flagstone.
EIFS - (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is also know as “artificial stucco.” It’s a multi-layered exterior wall cladding that provides insulation, waterproofing, and a customizable finish. It typically consists of an insulation board, base coat with fiberglass mesh, and a decorative finish coat often referred to as synthetic stucco. While EIFS has a bad reputation for moisture issues, it can be a great product IF it is installed properly.
be
of how much stats can vary based on the urban/rural mix of DMAR versus looking at a 25-mile radius of Denver.
An award-winning photographer’s eye
Brighton’s Greyson Carvalho wins Audubon nature contest for second time
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Greyson Carvalho, an 11-year-old photographer from Brighton, won Honorable Mention in the annual Audubon Community Nature Center nature photography contest for a photo of a daisy he took while camping.
“I like taking photos of owers and plants because it is cool,” Carvalho said
Carvalho, a student at ornton’s Brantner Elementary, started photography at nine and enjoys capturing plants and owers. His mother, Jessica Carvalho, said Grayson’s creativity and artistic eye have been evident since he got his rst cell phone last year, which he uses to take pictures. at’s when he entered the rst contest.
“He carries his phone around everywhere, so he’s always taking pictures of things. He likes to try to zoom in and take close-ups to get the best shot. He’s looking for the best lighting and what he thinks will be cool. He is always looking for the perfect picture,” she said.
Greyson won Honorable Mention for his istle ower in 2023. He entered the Audubon nature photography contest for 2024 with another ower, this time a daisy. e contest is open to photographers of all ages. Youths aged eight to 18 and 19 and over can enter photography in three categories: wildlife, landscapes, and unique close-ups. e photos are judged by a panel of two judg-
es and by an online community, which donates $1 per vote for the best photo, according to o cials.
e eight photographs with the most votes in the youth and adult categories are awarded $200. e photographer could also win community choice and another category.
New Weld County Building to house landscape equipment
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Weld County is building a new 4,800-square-foot facility for electric lawn and garden equipment to comply with state regulations to reduce air pollution, according to a news release on November 27.
“Air quality is an important component of health, safety, and welfare, and this conversion to electric equipment is expected to reduce the negative impact on ozone,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner Chairman. “However, the new facility required to house this equipment is an added expense, so we’re pleased that DOLA is o setting a portion of the cost to taxpayers with this grant.”
According to the agreement the Weld County Board of Commissioners made with the Colorado Department of Local A airs, the county will accept a $200,000 Energy and Mineral Impact grant to construct the new ground facility in 2025, with a budget of $1.25 million.
e Air Quality Control Commission passed Regulation 29 earlier this year, a rule that bans local, state, and federal government employees from using smaller, push and handheld-powered gasoline lawn and garden equipment June
1 through August 31. e rule applies within the Denver Metro North Front Range ozone nonattainment area, according to ocials.
Dr. Annareli Morales, Air Quality Policy Analyst for the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, said the regulation follows computer modeling by the Regional Air Quality Council in 2021 that showed the emissions bene t of converting from gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
“Regulation 29 is good for air quality because gas-powered lawn and garden equipment is a major contributor to ozone, with commercial equipment emitting more than residential,” Morales said. “Switching to small, electric equipment would reduce ozone precursor emissions and eliminate the direct exposure of people using the equipment to gasoline vapors, air toxics, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.”
e new storage facility will be built to charge battery-powered lawn and garden equipment, which would be the rst of its kind of design, according to o cials.
Once the design concept is complete, construction will start and be completed in 2025, and an outside contractor will be chosen to build the facility.
Greyson Carvalho won Honorable Mention for the daisy photo. LESLIE DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
ENERGY
“We found that we use the most fossilfuel generation after the sun sets when solar generation is low, but customer usage remains relatively high,” said Tyler Bryant, an Xcel Energy spokesperson. Customers, however, are already blasting the proposal. In written comments submitted to regulators, residents and business owners say it’s inconvenient to cook or run a dishwasher after 9 p.m. If using energy during cheaper periods doesn’t make practical sense, multiple
CHEMICALS
trast, the new technique leverages what one editorial calls “clever chemistry” to break down PFAS with visible light. In fact, they used a purple LED that wouldn’t be out of place on a string of Christmas lights.
Garret Miyake, a professor of chemistry at CSU and the leader of the research group that spearheaded the project, said that the new study solves a longstanding problem in the eld.
“ e carbon- uorine bond is one of the strongest bonds that is made in chemistry. at’s what gives PFAS such interesting properties,” he said. “ is is the rst example of an organic catalyzed system that uses visible light to activate carbon uorine bonds and decompose PFAStype molecules. It’s the mildest way to do it.” e new nding comes just months
customers said the proposed time-of-use rates amount to a “money grab” amid rising energy prices.
Bryant told CPR News the proposed changes would not allow the company to collect more revenue from energy users. It would, however, cut the cost of operating the electricity grid.
Meanwhile, ratepayer advocates agree Xcel’s proposal doesn’t o er residents a reasonable way to save money.
“You can’t expect a customer to hold o cooking on their electric stove until after 9 p.m. Maybe dishes or laundry, but it all becomes highly inconvenient,” said Joe Pereira, the deputy director for the O ce of the Utility Consumer Advocate.
after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tightened up regulations for PFAS in drinking water. In April, the agency set maximum allowable levels of six common PFAS. e new regulation estimated that between six and ten percent of public water systems in America would be in violation of the rule on day one.
In the 21st century, practically everyone has been exposed to these chemicals at some level. PFAS are used in everything from non-stick cookware to re retardant.
Exposure has been linked to developmental issues in children, increased cancer risk and a weakened immune system. us far, no one has discovered a broadly-applicable method for removing the chemicals from the environment. e new research from Liu, Miyake and their collaborators doesn’t change that fact. At least not yet. For now, the technique has only been tested in a highly-controlled laboratory environment. Getting it to work in drinking water, wastewater or soil will take more work.
“ e major challenges are in the future,”
Pereira’s o ce has also proposed an alternative rate plan. To incentivize customers to use surplus renewable energy, the plan would maintain the current time-ofuse schedule, but add a “super o -peak” period with discounted electricity rates from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the summer and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the rest of the year.
“Customers prefer cheap energy over expensive sticks,” Pereira said. Western Resource Advocates, a climate advocacy group, submitted a similar alternative schedule to regulators. While the nonpro t agrees with the company about shifting the on-peak period from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., it would add a “super o -peak” period from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Liu said. “How to make our reaction work in environmental conditions is the hardest part.”
Jinyong Liu, a peer-reviewer for the ture paper, has been working on methods to break down PFAS for nearly a decade. He says that, although the new low-energy method developed by the Miyake group is undeniably a breakthrough, effective treatment of PFAS will require more than one approach. He sees each new insight as a net gain for the eld.
“ ey have one theory, we have another theory,” Liu said. “We all bene t from that understanding and can start designing or adding something new to achieve the ultimate goal, which is the complete destruction of all PFAS.”
In written testimony submitted to regulators, Clare Valentine, a senior policy advisor for WRA, said the proposal would help cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions. An Xcel Energy study found the utility will generate the most excess energy in the morning and early afternoon by 2031. e “super o -peak” period would align around the same time of day.
“ is period would indicate the preferred time for customers to use energy — when it is cheapest and cleanest,” Valentine said.
is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
For now, these chemicals will remain ubiquitous in our water, soil and bodies. But, as research attention and funding increases, scientists remain optimistic that PFAS will one day lose the “forever chemical” moniker.
is article comes from a sharing agreement with AP StoryShare.
In this 2022 file photo, PFAS foam washes up on the shoreline of Van Etten Lake in Oscoda Township, Michigan near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Now researchers at Colorado State University say they may have found a way to help the chemicals breakdowns and degrade.
FILE PHOTO
Finishing strong and starting stronger
As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to re ect on how we’ve spent the past months and prepare for what lies ahead. is time of year holds a unique rhythm, one that challenges us to nish strong while simultaneously setting the stage to start the new year even stronger. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside individuals who exemplify an unwavering work ethic. eir example serves as a reminder that the choices we make in these critical weeks can set the tone for short- and long-term success.
When it comes to year-end productivity, people tend to fall into three categories. First are the “hibernating bears,” who mentally check out, believing the end of the year is a time to coast. ey avoid new challenges, choosing to “wake up” in January, often starting from scratch.
At the other end of the spectrum are the “eager beavers” who work tirelessly, maximizing every moment. ese individuals are determined to squeeze every bit of opportunity out of the year while positioning themselves for a solid start to the next.
Somewhere in between are those who nd balance, resting and recharging while also seizing pockets of productivity. ey understand the value of entering the new year refreshed yet prepared, blending thoughtful re ection with strategic action.
How often do we set resolutions in January, particularly around tness, only to face the harsh reality of starting cold? Imagine if we began today, taking small steps toward our goals and gradually building strength and endurance. By January’s arrival, the initial hurdles are behind us, and we’re miles ahead of where we would have been. is principle applies equally to professional endeavors. For those in sales, the last month of the year is a critical period, yet it’s often underestimated. e hibernating salesperson may believe their prospects are too busy or disinterested during the holidays. But this mindset ignores a key truth: when we snooze, we lose.
On the other hand, the eager beaver salesperson sees the holiday season as
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
an opportunity. ey know that creativity and persistence can turn December into a month of signi cant wins. Whether it’s closing deals, setting up January meetings, or identifying personal and professional growth areas, they stay proactive while others are idle.
Here are some practical strategies to nish strong:
Focus on Follow-Up: Revisit leads and opportunities that may have gone quiet earlier in the year. e end of the year often brings a sense of urgency for decision-makers trying to nalize budgets or achieve annual goals.
Get Creative with Outreach: Use the holiday season to connect personally. Sending thoughtful messages or small tokens of appreciation can keep you top of mind and build goodwill.
Join the Movement to Improve Weld Re-8 Schools
Set the Table for January: Book meetings now for the start of the new year. Prospects and clients often plan ahead, and securing time on their calendars ensures you hit the ground running.
Re ect and Plan: Take stock of your wins and lessons from the past year. Identify areas for growth and create a roadmap for development in 2025.
Maintain Balance: Rest and recharge when needed. Burnout won’t serve you well in the long term, so nd moments to relax and refocus while staying productive.
e way you nish this year directly impacts how you begin the next. Just as athletes maintain conditioning during the o -season, professionals who stay engaged in December enter January with momentum. ey’ve already overcome
the inertia that plagues those who wait until the clock strikes midnight to get started.
Let’s commit to nishing this year with intention and enthusiasm. Let’s maximize every opportunity, nurture every relationship, and embrace the chance to improve. And when the new year arrives, let’s start stronger. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we nish strong and start even stronger, 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.
Last Monday, our community gathered in an extraordinary display of unity, passion, and concern for the future of our schools and children. In a room lled with energy, we came together to discuss the pressing challenges facing our district, concerns about education quality, and questions surrounding district leadership. It was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we, as a community, refuse to settle for anything less than the best for our students and educators.
Parents, educators, former school board members, and community members shared their stories, frustrations, and hopes for change. emes of accountability, transparency, and the urgent need for a student-centered approach echoed throughout the evening. e meeting wasn’t just about airing grievances—it was about nding solutions and rallying for a brighter future.
But this e ort cannot succeed without the involvement of every voice in our district. Change begins with individuals like you stepping up to join the conversation, o ering ideas, and working toward solutions. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, or concerned resident, your voice matters now more than ever.
If you share our passion for improving the educational experience in our district and believe that we can—and must—do better, we need your help. Let’s turn last night’s momentum into action. To get involved, share your ideas, or lend your expertise, please email Weld8@CBStrategicConsulting.com.
Together, we can ensure that every child in our district has access to the education they deserve and that our leadership re ects the values and priorities of our community. e time to act is now.
Jessica Holbrook, Fort Lupton
The Colorado Supreme Court is examining whether a newspaper is considered a “citizen” and therefore entitled to attorney fees when prevailing in open meetings lawsuits.
A year ago, in a victory for the Aurora Sentinel, the Court of Appeals ordered Aurora to publicly release the recording of an executive session in which city council members ended censure proceedings against a fellow councilor.
But the three-judge appellate panel decided not to award reasonable attorney fees to the Sentinel, even though the Colorado Open Meetings Law (COML) requires it when citizens successfully challenge violations in court. e Sentinel doesn’t meet the Merriam-Webster dictionary de nition of a citizen as “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it,” Judge David Furman wrote for the court. at opinion was “erroneous as a matter of law and must be reversed to avoid undermining the General Assembly’s intent to encourage — not only individual litigants but any and all members of the press and public — to challenge clear violations of the COML,” argues a Supreme Court brief submitted for the Sentinel by attorneys Rachael Johnson of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Steve Zansberg, president of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.
“News organizations regularly stand in the shoes of the public and provide a
Our Family Helping Your Family
GUEST COLUMN Je rey A. Roberts
check on government institutions; Colorado sunshine laws are crucial to this e ort,” the brief says. “With local news organizations across Colorado and the country facing ever-increasing nancial barriers to taking on public records and open meetings litigation, news organizations like e Sentinel must be able to rely on the availability of fee recovery when deciding to pursue an open meetings violation in court.”
If it’s not reversed, the Court of Appeals ruling “will make fee recovery unavailable to news organizations even in cases involving the most agrant violations of the COML, leading to less news reporting and a lesser-informed public — a result that would directly contravene the purpose of the COML,” it adds.
meetings law, to indicate state lawmakers “intended to permit only natural persons (not corporate persons or entities) from recovering fees,” the Sentinel’s brief says. To the contrary, legislators during a 1991 Senate committee hearing noted that “quite often, it is the press who takes the lead” on open meetings issues.
e Court of Appeals’ ruling is inconsistent with prior legal interpretations of the open meetings law and the Colorado Open Records Act, it adds, citing several instances in which Colorado courts have awarded fees to corporate entities in those types of cases.
A brief submitted by Aurora earlier this week argues against the Sentinel’s sta-
citizen who was entitled to an award of fees and costs.”
In the Sentinel case, the Court of Appeals concluded that Aurora council members violated the open meetings law by inadequately announcing a Mar. 14, 2022, closed-door meeting and improperly deciding in secret to halt a censure action against Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky for comments she made about Aurora’s then-police chief and deputy chief.
Under the open meetings law, the courts have jurisdiction to enforce violations “upon application by any citizen of this state.” In “any action in which the court nds a violation of this section, the court shall award the citizen prevailing in such action costs and reasonable attorney fees.”
If the Sentinel is a “citizen” for purposes of bringing litigation to enforce the law, “it should also be a ‘citizen’ for purposes of fee recovery provided for in the very same section of the Law,” Johnson and Zansberg argue.
ere is nothing in the legislative history of Senate Bill 91-033, which added the attorney fee provision to the open
Colorado Municipal League also asks for a reversal of the appellate ruling. e statute, the city’s brief says, “grants any person standing to challenge an OML violation, but only allows a citizen of this state to be awarded its attorney fees.” If the General Assembly “meant to award attorney fees to any ‘person’ or the ‘prevailing party’ under the statute, it would have simply done so, and used a di erent term” other than citizen, it adds.
Prepared by attorney Corey Ho mann, Aurora’s brief also says that each case cited by the Sentinel in which prevailing corporate entities were awarded attorney fees “had, as plainti , at least one
Aurora claimed the executive session recording shouldn’t be released to the newspaper because it contains privileged attorney-client communications. But the city council waived any privilege “by describing everything that occurred” during the executive session in a letter included in a public meeting packet two week later, according to the appellate judges.
In its Supreme Court brief, the city argues that the Court of Appeals’ holding “erodes the protections of the attorneyclient privilege and destroys the very basis of convening an executive session for purposes of receiving legal advice if the client cannot direct its attorney to prepare a document for Council consideration based on the legal advice it received from its counsel.”
Je rey A. Roberts is executive director for the CFOIC, the voice for open government in Colorado. Find more information, or donate to the nonpro t group, at coloradofoic.org.
Anthony Dominguez and Nate Harner have worked plenty of jobs and some have been ful lling. Dominguez was a medical caregiver and Harner is a musician in Fort Collins.
But both men were caught a little o guard by the accolades heaped on them after they started installing Christmas lights this fall for Humbug Holiday Lighting. e north metro company’s motto is “All e Magic Without e Hassle” and people are more than joyful to let Humbug take the complicated and sometimes dangerous task of hanging Christmas lights out of their hands.
“People are just so happy to see us,” said Dominguez, who recently carefully lined up a string of colorful lights outside a home in north Broom eld. “ ey are so grateful ... it just seems what we do makes people smile.”
“One customer was so happy for what we did for them, she baked us a plate of cookies,” Harner said. “I have never seen that before.” is is Humbug’s rst year in the Christmas lighting business, and owner Brad Goins said he is still dealing with the joy he is spreading.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would,” Goins said. “ ey are all just so incredibly excited to see us. It’s just something super special for them.”
As of late November, Humbug had serviced 60 homes. Most are in the north Denver metro area, but Goins thinks the company’s reach will soon stretch further south and beyond.
“ is business is going to grow. ere is such a demand,” he said.
Natalie — the Broom eld homeowner — said she and her family have hung Christmas lights for the past 15 years. is year, her husband announced he no longer wanted to take the risk.
“He’s afraid of heights, and he didn’t want to do it anymore,” she said.
Natalie, who asked that her last name not be used, contacted Humbug, which relies on online marketing as well as signs planted on the side of roadways to advertise their services. “ is is so great. You guys are great,” Natalie told the Humbug crew. “... e best part is that no one has to be hurt.”
Goins said worries over safety usually prompt people to call for his company’s services. It has led to the overall growth of the Christmas light industry in Colorado and elsewhere, Goins said.
“People call and say, ‘You really do this?’” Goins said. “A lot of people still don’t realize we’re out there.”
A typical installation may take up to four hours and the price tag to let professionals handle the work also widely varies, according to Goins and other light installers contacted by Colorado Community Media.
A two-story home may cost about $500 to decorate, especially if it has been tted for lights before. Some larger and more elaborate homes may cost a few thousand to t.
But many homeowners and businesses are more willing to pay for the installation just so they can forgo the hassles of hanging their own lights.
“When we do it, that means for homeowners there is no more climbing ladders or untangling lights. Who wants to do that during the holidays?” Goins said.
Most of the people who call for professional light installers are wives who no longer want their husbands climbing ladders and potentially hurting themselves, said Chris Rhodes, co-owner of Window Genie, which hangs Christmas lights in Arvada, Brighton, Denver, Eastlake and Wheat Ridge.
Brad Goins of Humbug Christmas Lights uses a pole to decorate a tree with Christmas lights. PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY
LIGHTS
e company just nished decorating a home in Greenwood Village for “a few thousand dollars,” Rhodes said.
“A lot of guys say ‘Oh no, I can do it. I can do it,’” Rhodes said. “ e wives are saying ‘Well, let’s get someone else to do it.’”
A generational shift is also fueling the growth of professional Christmas cheer installers, Goins said.
Baby boomers are aging out of stringing lights, especially for homes that are more than one story, he said.
“ e generations after baby boomers are more than willing to let someone else do it for them,” Goins said. “Plus, they want to do something elaborate, something they can be proud of.”
Humbug professionals consult with homeowners before they start work on a home, Goins said.
“Professionals create a stunning and customized lighting design tailored to your home’s unique architecture,” states the Humbug website.
Humbug workers do the installation, takedown and storage.
“Licensed, insured, and OSHA-certied technicians ensure the job is done safely, reducing the risk of accidents,” according to the Humbug website.
“ e company uses commercialgrade lights and materials that are more durable and brighter than standard store-bought lights,” Goins said.
Some homeowners bring out their own lights and o er to let Humbug use those instead, Goins said.
“We always say no,” he said. “ ey almost always have some lights that are broken and need to be replaced.”
Humbug will also adjust or repair their display as needed to keep their house displays looking ideal, he said.
“We take a lot of pride in what we do and we want to make our customers happy,” Goins said.
Many of Window Genie’s 100 or so Christmas light customers are those who already use the company’s window cleaning services, Rhodes said.
Christmas light installation is the second most lucrative part of the business, said Rhodes, adding that by anksgiving the company is done with Yuletide services.
“It’s become a big part of our business,” Rhodes said. “We get customers coming back every year, wanting the whole Christmas treatment.”
Window Genie — based out of ornton — installs LED lights, programmable RGB lights and remote-controlled lights, Rhodes said. e company also o ers a three-year, no-worries warranty on all maintenance and storage of customer lights. Window Genie’s methods are more meticulous than the typical “Uncle Bob” approach of just wrapping up lights in a haphazard manner and tossing them into a corner of the basement or work shed, Rhodes said.
Each customer’s strand is carefully wrapped up and includes a small map that informs installers where each light goes next year, Rhodes said.
Window Genie also carefully screens employees for their ladder skills, he said.
“If we see someone white knuckle a ladder, we won’t use them,” Rhodes said. FROM PAGE 8
The Humbug Holiday Lighting crew of Nate Harner, owner Brad Goins and Anthony Dominguez pose before starting work on a house in Broomfield.
PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY
Anthony Dominguez of Humbug Christmas Lighting helps put up a string of holiday lights.
PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY
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BRIEFS
Chamber lighting contest judging Dec. 19
Get ready to light up the holiday season with the Fort Lupton Holiday Lighting Contest, proudly sponsored by United Power.
Show o your festive spirit and creativity by decorating your home or business with dazzling lights. City residents and those who live within ve miles of the Fort Lupton City limits can register with the Chamber of Commerce to have their home holiday displays reviewed and judged.
Judging will take place in person by the Chamber Board at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 19 so make sure your display is sparkling bright. Winners will be announced on Dec. 20, so stay tuned to see who takes home the holiday lighting honors! Don’t miss out on the chance to bring extra cheer to our community this season!
Contact Allison Johnson at executivedirector@fortluptonchamber.org for more information visit the chamber online at www.fortluptonchamber.org.
Library seeking trustees
e Fort Lupton Public and School Library is accepting applications for a Board Trustee member vacancy. e position begins on Jan. 1.
Visit the library’s website at https://www. fortluptonco.gov/1179/Board-Application to download an application in English or in Spanish.
Completed applications can be emailed to kmerrell@highplains.us at the library. Applications can also be obtained and submitted in person at the Fort Lupton Public & School Library, 370 S. Rollie Ave.
school district and a seventh member. Meetings are scheduled for the third ursday of each month in the Multi-purpose room at the library. e next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16.
To watch the trustee meetings, use the link https://meet.goto.com/481492221 online.
Copper Kettle Family Christmas
Fort Lupton’s Copper Kettle restaurant is o ering free meals to anyone hungry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. ey will be serving ham, turkey, stu ng, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, a roll with butter, and a slice of pie. e restaurant is also o ering co ee, iced tea, or water with each meal.
e Copper Kettle is asking businesses and individuals in the community to help make this day successful and is collecting donations for gifts for each person who attends the meal. ey are asking for donations of new socks, beanies, and gloves. ey are also looking for volunteers and anyone interested in donating or volunteering is asked to stop by the restaurant at 737 N. Denver Ave. or call at (303) 857-3981.
e library’s board of trustees includes seven members, three appointed to represent the city, three appointed to represent the
Weld County expands landfill vouchers
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment expanded its land ll voucher program to dispose of large items free of charge. e vouchers can be used at North Weld Land ll, 40000 Weld County Road 25, Ault, Colorado 80610. According to o cials in a Dec. 2 news release, Weld residents can use the land ll voucher to drop o mattresses, couches and tables at no cost.
e voucher covers one truckload level with the bed rails or one trailer weighing up to one ton. If your items exceed voucher limits, you will be charged at the time of deposal.
e vouchers are limited per household in Weld County and can be used at the North Weld Land ll in Ault or the Front Range Land ll in Erie.
To receive a voucher, visit the Weld County Household Hazardous Waste webpage at weld.gov/go/hhw. Once registered, vouchers can be picked up at either of Weld County’s Household Hazardous Waste locations during operating hours.
For details about acceptable items, drop-o hours, and other land ll questions, please visit North Weld - www. wmdisposal.com or call 970-686-2800 or Front Range - www.frontrangelandll.com or call 303-637-9431.
Fort Lupton replacing water meters
e City of Fort Lupton has hired Northern Colorado Contractors to replace the water meters in town.
Over time, meters age and require replacement to ensure accurate measurement and e ciency of water use. e majority of the meters in the City are reaching their useful life prompting this program. e replacement of the meters is entirely free of charge to residents.
According to the city, the current meters
continue to work properly, however, some meters do not transmit the data from the meter to the system. e meter must then be read manually.
Accounts with meters that can’t be manually read, will be estimated. If the actual amount consumed is lower than the estimated amount previously billed, then the bill will be adjusted to re ect the higher usage. When the new meter is connected, it will re ect the correct usage moving forward.
Contractors will notify residents when they will replace meters in their vicinity. For houses with meters that are outside and accessible, the contractors will let residents know when they plan to replace the meter. For houses that have inaccessible meters that are inside, in a basement or a crawl space, residents should contact Public Works to schedule an appointment.
More information can be found herehttps://www.fortluptonco.gov/1240/WaterMeter-Replacement-Program.
Chamber banquet is Jan. 17
e Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual banquet at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.
e evening includes a silent auction and performances by Liza Jo and a BBQ dinner catered by Halliburton. A cocktail hour is sponsored by Bank of Colorado.
e chamber is currently accepting donations for the silent auction and looking for event sponsors. If you or your business would like to contribute, please contact Allison Johnson at executivedirector@fortluptonchamber. org for more information or visit the chamber online at www.fortluptonchamber.org.
New roundabout slated to go in south of Dacono
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With safety and tra c concerns in mind, Weld County has approved a new roundabout at an intersection south of Dacono and east of Erie.
Work on a new roundabout at the intersection of Weld County roads 6 and 13 is meant to improve safety and e ciency in the area, according to news release on December 2.
Work is scheduled to begin next month and wrap in the summer of 2025.
“For the past several years, we’ve constructed more roundabouts to increase safety and eciency at various intersections throughout the county, and we’re pleased with the results,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner Chairman. “We expect a similar positive impact from this roundabout not only now but years from now as Weld County continues to grow.”
e Weld County Commissioners awarded WW Clyde a contract for construction at a cost not exceeding $13.3 million. e project would start on Jan. 9, 2025, and be completed by Aug. 19, 2025.
Contractor WW Clyde, formerly IHC Scott, has built three other Weld County roundabouts, at the intersection of Weld County roads 54 and 17 in Firestone in 2020 and at the intersection of 35th Avenue and O Street in Greeley in 2022, according to o cials.
In addition, WW Clyde completed work on the roundabout at Weld County roads 74 and 33 last year in February, 13 days ahead of schedule. e contractor took over the project from Lawson Construction in October of 2023, according to o cials. According to o cials, WW Clyde was named one of the top county road projects for excellence in design and e ciency.
According to o cials, a capital improvement project study by the Weld County Department of Public Works tracked approximately 7,340 vehicles passing through the intersection daily, nding that the majority of accidents were broadside collisions.
Roundabouts could reduce injuries and fatalities by approximately 80% compared to a twoway stop and by 40% compared to a stoplight, according to the Federal Highway Administration studies
According to o cials, the Dacono/Erie roundabout would be built similarly to others in the county for urban and rural tra c. e lanes will be wide enough for large agricultural equipment and semi-trucks. e roads will also built with concrete for a longer lifecycle of 30 years before major repairs are needed. According to o cials, most of the funding would come from the Public Works budget, which includes a $1 million grant from the Colorado Department of Local A airs to cover construction costs that the Weld County Board of Commissioners accepted in June.
The intersection south of Dacono and East of Erie will get a roundabout at Weld County Road 6 and Weld County 13 to increase safety and e ciency. COURTESY OF WELD COUNTY
Starting the season
A listing of holiday events in the Northern Metro area
STAFF REPORTS
Thursday, Dec. 12
Westminster Holiday Luncheon at the Mac: Westminster hosts a traditional holiday feast from noon to 1:45 p.m. at the MAC at 3295 W. 72nd Ave. e menu will be brisket plus three side dishes, rolls, dessert and choice of punch or coffee with a live musical performance by Robert G. Tickets are $25 per person, registration must be made by Nov. 21.
Friday, Dec. 13
ornton Winterfest: Come celebrate the season with the city’s annual holiday celebration through Dec. 15 at the Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. e festival opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday and runs until 9 p.m. nightly. e festival features Santa’s Village, with ice skating, ice carving, food vendors, a tree decorating contest, a beer garden and visits from Santa Claus himself. A holiday drone show featuring aerial lights set to holiday music is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday and a holiday reworks show is set for 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
ornton Sensory-friendly Santa Claus: ose who nd the holiday crowds a bit much can come to the ornton Active Adult Center, 11181 Colorado Blvd., from 5-7:30 p.m. is event is intended for families who have di culty visiting Santa due to a disability or diverse sensory, physical or behavioral needs. Space is limited. Make your reservation online at goCOT.net/AIR and select Sensory Friendly Santa Reservations. Questions? Call 720-977-5702.
Saturday, Dec. 14
ornton Breakfast with Santa: Start the day with a hearty breakfast and visit with St. Nick from 7:30-10:30 a.m at the ornton Active Adult Center, 11181 Colorado Blvd. Bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, ham, eggs, orange juice and co ee. Cost is $6 for ages 13-61 and $4 for ages 0-12 and 62+. Photos with Santa taken with your personal device are encouraged. Questions? Call 303-255-7850. Sponsored by the 55+ Organization. ornton WinterFest 5K and Fun Run: e city’s signature winter run returns to Carpenter Park with a chiptimed 5K or the untimed Fun Run/Walk. e Fun Run/Walk steps o at 10:10 a.m. followed by the 5K at 10:15 a.m. Collectible nisher mug with each registration.
Visit winter5k.com for event details or call 720-977-5853 for more information.
Build a Bird Wreath at Standley Lake: Create beautiful works of art for birds and humans alike to enjoy during the holiday season, while learning more about the birds that call Standley Lake home. Meets at 10 a.m. the Standley Lake Regional Park, 11610 W 100th Ave, Westminster. e cost is $5 per person. Limited to 20 participants, register online at westminsterco.gov.
Motones & Jerseys: Holiday Hi-Fi
Back by popular demand, Motones & Jerseys: Holiday Hi-Fi features a stellar lineup of nine singers, backed by an incredible band, performing your favorite holiday classics alongside some of the greatest songs of the 20th century. While paying homage to the iconic vocal groups and holiday shows of the midcentury, the groups engage in a friendly and spirited sing-o that engages each audience member with the power to vote for their favorite group each and every performance via their smartphones.
Featuring songs from beloved artists like Marvin Gaye, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, e Temptations, e Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, e Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, and many more. Join the Motones and the Jerseys for an evening of song, dance, and holiday fun!
Tickets range from $24-$32at the Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15. Visit https://northglennarts.org/ for more information or to purchase tickets.
Tiny Tots Celebrate the Holidays, a Family Orchestra Concert: Brighton celebrates the holidays with two favorite things: families and music! is program will feature singalongs, fun holiday guests and traditional favorites with an Inside the Orchestra twist.
ere are two performances, at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:45 a.m. Tiny Tots programs are 45-minute immersive, interactive concerts for kids 7 and under (and their adults). Attendees are seated on the ground and encircled by our 30+ piece orchestra. Tickets are $17.50 per person for those over 12 months old.
Milk and Cookies with Santa: Sponsored and hosted by Brighton’s Alli Event Center, 100. S. 3rd St., this free event brings Santa and some treats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a chance to visit with Santa. Parents should be prepared to take pictures, so bring a camera.
Brighton Festival of Lights Parade: e City of Brighton will host the 29th Annual Festival of Lights Parade starting at 5 p.m.
downtown. e nighttime light parade is a hometown tradition and will feature up to 65 parade entries. e parade steps o at 5 p.m. on Denver Street, heading south along Main Street, turns east on Bridge Street and continues to 10th Avenue
Sunday, Dec. 15
BrightonMusic Christmas Festival Concert: e BrightonMusic Orchestra has brought live music to Brighton from its home in the First Presbyterian Church of Brighton for more than two decades. is year, the group hosts its 29th annual Christmas Festival concert at the First Presbyterian Church, 510 S. 27th Ave. All shows are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Go to https://brightonmusic.org/calendar/ for more information.
Advent Radio Players: Once again, the Advent Lutheran Church in Westminster will present a live reproduction of two old time radio programs at 1 p.m in Westminster’s Advent Lutheran Church, 7979 Meade St. is year, the players tackle the adventures of “Archie Andrews,” a radio program based on the comic book characters of Archie, Jughead and Veronica. Advent players will re-enact the episode “Christmas Shopping” that originally aired Dec. 13, 1947. at will be followed by Blondie and Dagwood’s “A Christmas Carol”, which provides a very unique take on the Scrooge story. It originally aired on Christmas Day 1939.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Get ready to light up the holiday season with the Fort Lupton Holiday Lighting Contest, proudly sponsored by United Power.
Show o your festive spirit and creativity by decorating your home or business with dazzling lights. City residents and those who live within ve miles of the Fort Lupton City limits can register with the Chamber of Commerce to have their home holiday displays reviewed and judged.
Judging will take place in person by the Chamber Board at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 19 so make sure your display is sparkling bright. Winners will be announced on Dec. 20, so stay tuned to see who takes home the holiday lighting honors! Don’t miss out on the chance to bring extra cheer to our community this season! Contact Allison Johnson at executivedirector@fortluptonchamber.org for more information visit the chamber online at www.fortluptonchamber.org.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Original scripts are used as these are performed like a live radio show using several microphones, lighted applause and on the air signs and sounds from the original broadcasts in 1947 and 1939. Donations are appreciated. e play will also be live streamed on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/adventwestminsterco
e Second City: e Good, e Bad and the Ugly Sweater: e Second City improvisational group continues its 65year tradition of delivering innovative, fast-paced satirical comedy with a fresh take on festive fun and presents an evening stu ed with seasonal songs, sketches and a generous helping of Second City’s world-famous improv comedy. Festive family gatherings, o ce parties, classic holiday movies… nothing is o limits!
Tickets range from $36-$40 at the Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15. Visit https://northglennarts. org/ for more information or to purchase tickets.
Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann helps Santa light the Christmas tree at Winterfest in 2021. FILE PHOTO
Thu 12/12
Monthly Birthday Celebration BR (12/12)
@ 1pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Holiday Lights Tour (12/12)
@ 4pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Tony Medina Music: Thursday Nights at The Bluegrass-Old Town Arvada
@ 6pm
The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge, 7415 grandview ave, Arvada
Colorado Avalanche vs. Utah Hockey Club
@ 7pm / $42-$999
Ball Arena, Denver
Tenia Nelson
@ 7pm
Dickens Opera House, 300 Main St, Longmont
Dank Frank
@ 8pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Franz Ferdinand
@ 8pm
Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Denver
Fri 12/13
Crafty Corner Holiday Ornaments (12/13)
@ 9am
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Holiday Social Potluck
@ 11am
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Holiday Wine Tasting-FRIDAY TASTING
@ 6pm
Ninety Percent 90s
@ 8pm
@ Cheers, 11964 Washington St, North‐glenn
Sat 12/14
Cereal with Santa 9:00am @ 9am
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Brunch with Father Christmas @ 10am / $35-$45
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 South Forest Street, Denver. events@fourmilepark.org, 720865-0800
Family Sleigh Ride & Dinner
@ 3pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Sun 12/15
Thu 12/19
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts @ 2:25pm / $69-$998 Empower Field At Mile High, Denver
Mon 12/16
100 Things to Do Before You're 12
@ 10am
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Female Self Defense - Dec @ 5:30pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Tue 12/17
Spill the Tea (12/17) @ 2pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Family Christmas Bird Count @ 9am / Free Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 53
Holiday Tea @ Colorado History @ 9:30am Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
December Birthday Celebration EP (12/19) @ 1pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Dave Mensch - Floodstage Ale Works - Brighton, CO @ 7pm
Commerce City
�unior �am - Snow�akes & Snowballs
@ 6pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Brett Hendrix: The StilleryWestminster @ 6pm
Flood Stage Ale Works, 170 S Main St, Brighton
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
@ 7pm / $63-$999 Ball Arena, Denver
Teen Zines: Unleashing Your Creative Power @ 5pm
The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd #900, Westminster
Wed 12/18
Funny Girl (Touring) @ 7:30pm Buell Theatre, Denver
Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Cir‐cle, Denver. amartinez@anythinkli braries.org, 303-428-3576
Let's Get Messy @ 6pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Tony Medina Music: Thursday Nights at The Bluegrass-Old Town Arvada @ 6pm The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge, 7415 grandview ave, Arvada
Colorado Ballet w/ The Nutcracker @ 7:30pm Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver
Eastern Plains can provide Christmas trees, too
The Southern Plains Land Trust has junipers to give away
BY ANDREA CHALFIN CPR NEWS
It’s Colorado tradition for folks to head to mountains and national forests for their Christmas trees around this time of year.
But for some others? Well, they look no further than their own backyard for a tree that — though not a r tree or even a Charlie Brown tree — is su cient for hanging ornaments: junipers.
And now, they’re o ering one to you, too. e little junipers are cut like a traditional Christmas tree and don’t come with any roots.
Judith Westveer is the assistant director of the Southern Plains Land Trust and a resident steward of the organization’s Heartland Preserve in Bent County. It’s 43,000 acres of shortgrass prairie — home to prairie dogs, bison and other critters.
It’s also home to a phenomenon known as “woody encroachment.”
On the Heartland Preserve, it refers to the junipers that naturally occur on mesas, but are now making their way into the grasslands.
” e grassland is, by nature, an open area without many trees,” Westveer said. “But because we don’t have any natural res going on anymore, these juniper trees are slowly encroaching, turning grasslands into shrubland.”
Westveer said their goal is to keep the land open as a prairie so that grassland
birds and other mammals “have space to roam.”
As a result, they work to remove the invading junipers and, due to the success of last year’s inaugural program, they’re once again o ering them as holiday trees.
”Last year we were kind of amazed by the success of it,” Westveer said. “We didn’t expect many people to respond, but we ended up driving multiple times to the Front Range.”
Most people were happy with their junipers, she said, even if they’re not the same as a classic Christmas tree.
“One person called it her Frankenpine,” she said.
Last year, they delivered them to people’s homes. is year, to save time and cut down on expenses, you’ll have to meet them. Westveer said they have two locations — one in Colorado Springs and one in Centennial — where people will be able to go pick up their pre-ordered juniper tree.
Westveer recommends putting it in a bucket of water and hanging your favorite ornaments on it.
ey’re free — “we cut these juniper trees from the prairie anyway” — but the Southern Plains Land Trust does ask for a donation to help with expenses. Last year, Westveer said they received around $3,500 in donations.
Visit the website for the Southern Plains Land Trust to pre-order your tree, or email them at info@SPLT.org for more information.
is story is from CPR News, a nonprofit public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
HOLIDAY
Judith Westveer’s juniper Christmas tree in 2023. Westveer is the assistant director of the Southern Plains Land Trust. COURTESY OF JUDITH WESTVEER SOUTHERN PLAINS LAND TRUST
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COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT ADAMS, MORGAN AND WELD COUNTIES, COLORADO
Please take notice that application for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Groundwater Management Subdistrict, and the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District from Weld County will be received until January 5, 2025. To be considered, you must have resided within the District for at least one year, must be the owner of real property within the District in Adams, Morgan or Weld Counties, and must be knowledgeable in water matters. A request for appointment and a resume setting forth your qualifications to serve should be sent to the Courts and Central addressed to the following:
Honorable Carl S. McGuire III Chief Judge, 13th Judicial District 110 N. Riverview Rd Room #205 Sterling CO 80751
Honorable Kyle Seedorf
Chief Judge, 17th Judicial District 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton CO 80601
Honorable Julie Hoskins
Chief Judge, 19th Judicial District Weld County District Courthouse PO Box 2038 Greeley, CO 80632
Randy Ray, Executive Director, Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Groundwater Management Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District 3209 W. 28th Street Greeley, CO 80634 Phone: (970) 330-4540
Legal Notice No. BSB3522
First Publication: December 12, 2024
Last Publication: December 12, 2024 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Summons and Sheriff Sale
Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO CIVIL ACTION NO. 2024CV030379, Division/Courtroom C
COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY (Publication Notice)
NORFOLK PLACE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, v. SOPHIA H YESIKI; WELLS FARGO BANK, NA; and ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE, Defendant(s).
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:
You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff’s Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Division of the Sheriff’s Department of Adams County, Colorado at 9:00 O’clock A.M., on the 16th day of January 2025, at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601, phone number 303-655-3272. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.
BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THEIR HIGHEST BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Judgment is in the amount of $18,959.28.
First Publication: November 21, 2024 Last Publication: December 19, 2024 Published In: Brighton Standard Blade
This
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of Norfolk Place Owners Association recorded on 04/10/1984 at Reception Number: 496753 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Adams, State of Colorado. The Declaration establishes a lien for the benefit of Norfolk Place Owners Association against real property legally described as follows: Lot 58, Block 1, Norfolk Place Subdivision Filing No. 1, County of Adams, State of Colorado.;
And also known as: 16353 E. 17th Pl., #C, Aurora, CO 80011
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.
The attorney representing the legal owner of the above described lien is: Kate M. Leason, Reg No. 41025, Altitude Community Law P.C., 555 Zang Street, Suite 100, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-1011, 303.432.9999
Legal Notice No. BSB3479
First Publication: November 21, 2024
Last Publication: December 19, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, Adams COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO
CIVIL ACTION NO. 2024CV030194 DIVISION NO. W
INITIAL COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AND RIGHT TO CURE AND REDEEM
Plaintiff, Riverdale Farm Homeowners’ Association v. Defendants, FRANSISCO ANTONIO ESPINOZA
CHAVERO et al
Regarding: Lot 5, Block 5, Riverdale Farm Residential 2nd Filing, County of Adams, State of Colorado.
Also known as: 8430 Madison Way, Thornton, CO 80229
TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:
You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff’s Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Division of the Sheriff’s Office of Adams County, Colorado at 9:00 A.M., on the 30th day of January 2025, at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601: phone number 303-655-3272. At which sale, the above-described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.
**BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THEIR HIGHEST BID AT TIME OF SALE. **
Further, for the purpose of paying off, curing default or redemption, as provided by statute, intent must be directed to or conducted at the above address of the Civil Division of the Sheriff’s Department of Adams County, Colorado.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
First Publication: December 5, 2024
Last Publication: January 2, 2025
Published In: Brighton Standard Blade
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CURE AND RIGHT TO REDEEM
RE: Sheriff’s Sale of Real Property pursuant to Order and Decree of Foreclosure and C.R.S. 38-38-101 et seq.
This is to advise you that a Sheriff sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to a Court Order and Decree dated August 15, 2024, and C.R.S. 3838-101 et seq., by Riverdale Farm Homeowners’ Association, the current holder of a lien recorded on July 31, 2023 at Rec. No. 2023000043594, in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Adams, State of Colorado. The judicial foreclosure is based on a default under the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of Riverdale Farms Subdivision, recorded on August 12, 2010 at Reception No. B592466 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Adams, State of Colorado. The Declaration and notices, as recorded, establish a lien for the benefit of Riverdale Farm Homeowners’ Association, WHICH LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS.
You may have an interest in the real property being affected or have certain rights or suffer certain liabil
calendar days prior to the first scheduled sale date or any date to which the sale is continued.
If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended. A notice of intent to redeem filed pursuant to section 38-38-302 shall be filed with the officer no later than eight (8) business days after the sale.
In this regard, you may desire and are advised to consult with your own private attorney.
IF THE BORROWER BELIEVES THAT A LENDER OR SERVICER HAS VIOLATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN SECTION 38-38-103.1 OR THE PROHIBITION ON DUAL TRACKING IN SECTION 38-38-103.2, THE BORROWER MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE FEDERAL CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BURAU (CFBP), OR BOTH. THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WILL NOT STOP THE FORECLOSUE PROCESS.
Colorado Attorney General 1300 Broadway, 10th Floor Denver, Colorado 80203 (800) 222-4444
www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov
Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
P.O. Box 4503 Iowa City, Iowa 52244 (855) 411-2372
www.consumerfinance.gov
Further, you are advised that the parties liable thereon, the owner of the property described above, or those with an interest in the subject property, may take appropriate and timely action under Colorado statutes, certain sections of which are attached hereto.
In order to be entitled to take advantage of any rights provided for under Colorado law, you must strictly comply and adhere to the provisions of the law. Further, you are advised that the attached Colorado statutes merely set forth the applicable portions of Colorado statutory law relating to curative and redemption rights; therefore, you should read and review all the applicable statutes and laws in order to determine the requisite procedures and provisions which control your rights in the subject property.
DATED in Colorado this 7th day of November 2024.
Sheriff of Adams County, Colorado
By: Kathy Grosshans
Deputy Sheriff
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF: ORTEN CAVANAGH HOLMES & HUNT, LLC 1445 Market Street, Suite 350 Denver, CO 80202
Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 3838-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended.
Legal Notice No. BSB3519
First Publication: December 5, 2024
Last Publication:
Notice to Creditors
Consumer advocates, industry o cials and independent researchers agree that the incoming administration is likely to rescind the rule, given the rst Trump administration’s “patients over paperwork” campaign to remove “unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome health regulations on hospitals and other healthcare providers.” Among other things, Trump aided the industry by easing nes against homes that had been cited for poor care.
“ e Trump administration has proven itself really eager to reverse overreaching regulations,” said Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy and advocacy at LeadingAge, which represents nonpro t elder care providers. “We think it’s got a pretty good chance of being repealed, and hope so.”
Issued in April, the sta ng regulation requires nursing homes to have registered nurses on-site around the clock — something that the industry has endorsed — and to maintain minimum numbers of nurses and aides. Four in 5 homes would have to increase sta ng. e requirements would be phased in, starting in May 2026.
Even before the election, many experts and activists had doubts that the rule would be e ectively enforced, given the poor results in states that have imposed their own minimums. In New York, California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts — states with the most robust requirements — many homes remain below the legal sta ng levels. Governors have given many homes reprieves, and other homes have found that paying penalties costs less than the
increase in payroll for additional sta . e federal government estimates the average annual cost over a decade to meet the Biden mandate would be $4.3 billion a year, a 2% increase in expenses, though the changes do not include increases in federal Medicare or Medicaid payments.
“Sta ng is everything in terms of nursing-home quality,” said R. Tamara Konetzka, a professor of public health sciences at the University of Chicago.
While the rule’s e ectiveness was uncertain, she worried that repealing it would send the wrong message. “We would be losing that signal that nursing homes should try really hard to improve their sta ng,” she said.
Advocate groups for nursing home residents, who had criticized the Biden administration rule for not requiring even higher sta ng levels, have since pivoted and are trying to protect it.
“We’re hoping the president-elect will come in and take a look at the science and data behind it and see this really is a modest reform,” said Sam Brooks, the director for public policy for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpro t. “We’d be devastated to see it fall.”
e Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. e Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment, but in a court ling it argued that nursing homes should be able to reach the required sta ng levels.
“ ere is more than enough time to identify, train and hire additional sta ,” the Biden administration wrote.
e quality of care in the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes and the lack of adequate sta ng for their 1.2 million residents has been a concern for decades. Inspection reports continue to nd homes leaving residents lying in their own feces, su er-
ing severe bedsores and falls, contracting infections, choking on food while unattended, or ending up back in a hospital for preventable reasons. Some nursing homes overuse psychotropic medications to pacify residents because they do not have enough workers to attend to them.
Leslie Frane, executive vice president of the SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which represents health care workers, said in a statement that “far too many nursing home owners will not do the right thing and invest in workers without oversight and binding regulation.”
e nursing home industry says many homes cannot a ord to increase their workforces, and that, even if they could, there is a scarcity of trained nurses, and not enough people willing to work as aides for an average $19 an hour. A registered nurse earns $40 an hour on average in a nursing home, less than what they could make at a hospital, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
e Biden administration noted in its court ling it was planning to spend $75 million to recruit and train more workers, and that there were more than 100,000 workers who left nursing homes during the pandemic and could be lured back if salaries and working conditions were better.
How many nursing homes could a ord the increased cost remains a mystery because of weaknesses in the government’s requirements for nancial transparency. About half of homes lose money, according to their reports to Medicare, but some nursing home owners grow rich through clandestine maneuvers to siphon pro ts into their own pockets.
Last month, owners of Centers Health Care, one of New York state’s largest nursing home chains, agreed topay $45 millionto settle allegations by Attorney
General Letitia James that they diverted $83 million intended for resident care to themselves during the pandemic.
Maryellen Mooney, a spokesperson for the Centers Health Care chain, which denied the allegations, said in a statement that Centers was “committed to fully implementing the settlement terms, including a signi cant investment in resident care.”
About three-quarters of nursing homes are for-pro t. e industry, though, highlights the most sympathetic examples: rural nonpro t nursing homes like Kimball County Manor & Assisted Living in Kimball, Nebraska. Its sta ng levels for registered nurses are 40% below what the new rule would require, federal data shows.
Sarah Stull, Kimball’s administrator, said recruitment had always been challenging and that temporary nursing staing agencies charged more than double what she paid her own sta .
“We had to pay $65 for a nurse aide during covid, and that’s insane,” she said. e government estimated that about a fourth of the nation’s nursing homes would be eligible to apply for hardship exemptions if there were a documented shortage of nurses and aides in their communities compared with the national average.
But Nate Schema, the chief executive of the Good Samaritan Society, which runs 133 nonpro t homes mainly in the rural Midwest, estimated that only seven would be likely to qualify for a hardship waiver.
“Philosophically, they sound great,” he said. “But in practicality and how they’re put together, they won’t do much for us.” KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
