Highlands Ranch Herald March 7, 2024

Memorial in works for student who tried to stop STEM shooting

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

John Castillo doesn’t want to forget.

Sometimes the pain he feels today is greater than the anguish he felt the day that a shooter at STEM School Highlands Ranch took his son’s life.

Kendrick was “an innocent young man who had everything to live for,” John Castillo said.

He wants people to remember his son and to never forget the tragedy that befell students nearly ve years ago.

And local leaders, too, want the community to know about 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo who die of the sho helpin him.

Now, Douglas County and Highlands Ranch o cials say they will build a monument to the hero at Civic Green Park, less than a mile away from the school.

And, o cials plan to change the name of Lucent Boulevard to Kendrick Castillo Way.

“ ere’s a bit of a double entendre there: Kendrick Castillo Way is a way of life,” said county Commissioner Abe Laydon, noting that Kendrick Castillo went toward the con ict, not away from it.

e memorial in the park — not far from the soon-to-berenamed street — will sit near a veterans monument and a Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce building. Kendrick Castillo was a “big fan” of the military and law

Kendrick Castillo’s parents, John and Maria, unveil a sign on Feb. 26 that marks the future spot of a memorial to honor their son in Civic Green Park. Kendrick Castillo is remembered as a hero for confronting a shooter at STEM School Highlands Ranch in May 2019.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Sheri Weekly warns of scams on older adults

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It was just a simple popup message on a computer.

It led the 79-year-old Highlands Ranch woman who got it to call an 888 phone number.

A man convinced the woman to buy two gold bars. It was part of a scam, in which she would be bilked out of roughly $120,000.

Along the way, the woman was told to meet someone at a convenience store in the Littleton area. She was told she’d be reimbursed by check. Finally, her bank told her she had been caught up in a scam. at’s according to Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly, who gathered with police chiefs from Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock to call attention to the many scams hitting

older residents — with the hope of providing a few tips to help people avoid falling prey to the tricks.

Asked about when scamming people out of money online and/ or over the phone became a trend in Douglas County, Weekly said: “Honestly, it’s been decades.”

In Parker, residents have been scammed out of more than $800,000 in the last six months in cryptocurrency-related schemes, according to Parker police Chief Jim Tsurapas.

Scammers are “targeting our elderly population by fabricating emergencies” and requesting payment via cryptocurrency systems, Tsurapas said.

While the scams can happen to anyone, older adults can often be more vulnerable, Lone Tree police Chief Kirk Wilson said.

“ ink about it: Our grandpar-

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Thursday

ents, our parents, have worked their entire lives,” and someone comes along and decides they’re going to take away their earnings, Castle Rock police Chief Jack Cauley said.

“It’s heartbreaking,” he added.

Another common tactic of the con artists is to send a text message that attempts to initiate a scam through a technique called phishing that attempts to get a person to share personal information. Another common ploy used by the crooks is to send an email that says you owe a bill, Wilson said.

“I personally almost (fell victim) to that until I realized, ‘What am I doing?’” Wilson said.

When in doubt, people should call authorities, o cials said at a Feb. 29 news conference to bring attention to the issue at the sheri ’s o ce.

“If you suspect that you are a victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement immediately. Do not wait until the next day. Time is of the essence,” Weekly said, adding that authorities may be able to get

your money back if you reach out soon enough.

“Scammers often use social engineering tactics to gain information and manipulate their victims,” Parker’s chief, Tsurapas, said.

Older scam methods involved gift cards, but now cryptocurrency is often used, according to Parker police.

And, many scammers impersonate law enforcement personnel, Weekly said, adding that his o ce has received many calls about it.

Sometimes, the money is never retrieved.

None of the $800,000 lost by Parker residents was recovered, according to the Parker Police Department.

But, in the gold bar scam, authorities arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Sagar Patel, of New Jersey, according to Weekly.

“ ese cases are complex,” and it’s often di cult to nd the criminals, Weekly said, urging people to remember not to give out their information to strangers.

As technology continues to advance, authorities warn that scams are getting more sophisticated. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

State Legislation Promoting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Passes Its First Hurdle

An oft-mentioned priority of Gov. Polis and others has been to increase the housing supply throughout Colorado. One of the most successful programs has been the promotion of “Transit Oriented Development,” which has manifested itself in the construction of medium-rise and high-rise apartment buildings near light-rail stations.

Another strategy has been to promote and facilitate the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in areas zoned for single-family homes.

and Sen. Tony Exum (D-El Paso County).

The title of the bill is “Concerning increasing the number of accessory dwelling units.” A link to the full text of the bill is at RealEstateToday.substack.com

The ADU movement has met some resistance in certain circles, and would be impractical in many subdivisions with small lot sizes and no alleys. Because most local jurisdictions have required ADUs to have separate access and one designated parking space, it hasn’t been a viable option for most single-family homes in newer subdivisions — if the HOA would allow it.

Now there’s a bill (HB24-1152) that just passed the House Committee on Transportation, Housing and Local Government, which would require HOAs (and developers of new subdivisions) to allow ADUs without undue restrictions. The bi-partisan vote was 9-2, and the bill is now going to the House Appropriations Committee for approval before going to the floor of the House and then the Senate.

The prime sponsors in the House are Rep. Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer County) and Judy Amabile (D-Boulder, et al.). The prime sponsors in the Senate are Sen. Kyle Mullica (D-Adams County),

The bill specifically applies to Colorado’s metro areas, specifically to areas with a minimum 1,000 population served by a “Metropolitan Planning Organization.” There are only five MPOs in Colorado. The one serving the Denver metro counties (plus Clear Clerk and Gilpin) is the Denver Regional Council of Governments, or DRCOG.

Section 1 of the bill, as introduced, requires subject jurisdictions to allow one ADU, where practical, for any home zoned single-family detached, and it prohibits a jurisdiction from enacting or enforcing laws that restrict the construction or conversion of ADUs.

My home city of Golden allows ADUs, and I have seen them permitted above detached garages (a great application of the concept), and in walk-out basements. The required parking space could be a separate driveway or one

Today Is ‘Slam the Scam’ Day

March 7th is being promoted by the Social Security Administration as a day to recognize and fight scams which can deplete the resources of senior citizens. At http://RealEstateToday.substack.com I have posted a link to their “Scam Alert” fact sheet and another link for reporting a scam to Social Security.

Applewood Patio Home Listed by Chuck Brown

space in a multi-car garage. It would be hard to create an ADU in a single family home on a small lot without a walk-out basement or room for a separate structure.

Every jurisdiction subject to the law, if passed, would be required to report to the Division of Local Government that it has met the law’s requirements and developed one or more strategies to “encourage and facilitate” the construction of ADUs.

The bill also establishes a grant program within the Division to help local jurisdictions create their plans and strategies, reduce permitting fees, and provide technical assistance to builders and owners.

It also empowers the Colorado Economic Development Commission to expend $8 million on a contract with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to provide affordable loans, interest rate buy-downs, and down payment assistance plus direct loans related to the construction and conversion of ADUs.

Accessory dwelling units facilitated by the proposed law won’t make a huge dent in the housing crisis, but they have

other benefits. For starters, it will help homeowners create a revenue stream that could help them keep their home.

One of the rules for allowing ADUs in Golden and elsewhere is that the owner of the property must live on the premises — either in the main house or in the ADU. In other words, an owner or investor couldn’t add an ADU and have two rentals units. HB24-1152 disallows that requirement.

My thanks to reader John Phillips, who alerted me to this bill and attended the committee hearing at which it was debated and approved. John’s business builds ADUs under the name Verdant Living. You can reach him at 303-7171962. He is happy to answer any questions you might have about ADUs.

His website is www.VerdantLiving.us.

Follow-up on Propane Article

Last week I had a link to an article promoting the use of propane as a backup, even for an all-electric home. Reader Phil Cox pointed out to me that it wouldn’t work in Denver (and possible other cities) because its building code prohibits the installation of a propane tank anywhere that is within 300 feet of a natural gas (methane) supply line. Thanks, Phil!

2-BR Arvada Condo Just Listed by Kathy Jonke

$345,000

This 4-bedroom home at 14997 W. 32nd Place backs to the largest of the Coors ponds, which is a birder's dream hosting many rare specious of migratory fowl! There are numerous hiking and biking trails less than a mile away on South Table Mountain, and Rolling Hills Country Club and Applewood Golf Course are each a few blocks aways. Vibrant downtown Golden is 3 miles to the west, and I70 is 2 miles to the east. The front door opens to a 1900-sq.-ft. main level overlooking the Coors pond. The primary suite has high ceilings and also overlooks the pond. A guest bedroom is at the front of the home with an ensuite bathroom. The lower-level walkout basement features 2 more bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a large rec room with built-in bar. The lower level could function as a space to house a caregiver. Enjoy the large main-level deck with it great views of the pond and mountains. It has plenty of room for a table, chairs and grill. The attached garage holds two cars with room to park more in the driveway. The owner says the HOA is well run, and the $360 monthly dues pay for front/back yard maintenance, irrigation maintenance and fences, snow removal up to the porch and garage, trash and recycling collection, street maintenance and common area maintenance. It has been four years since a home was listed for sale in this neighborhood, which tell you how much people like living here. View a narrated video walk-through plus drone video at ApplewoodHome.online, then call Chuck Brown at 303-885-7855 to request a showing. Or come to the open house Saturday, 11 to 1.

This is a rare opportunity to own a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, garden-level condo at 7700 Depew Street #1501 in the well-maintained Wood Creek community that includes a pool and ample parking for you and your guests. Step inside to an open living room with a wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelves, dining area with patio doors and an all-white kitchen with tile floors. There is a bar-height counter between the living room and kitchen, providing an additional seating option. The living and dining rooms are carpeted and freshly painted in a soft neutral color. The two bedrooms are at opposite ends of the condo, separated by the living area. Both bedrooms have extensive closet space. The primary bedroom has two bi-fold doors accessing one closet plus a linen closet. Your private covered patio off of the dining room has a secure storage closet with plenty of room for bikes and additional items on the built in shelves. There is also a full-size laundry room in the unit with three overhead cabinets and a hanging rod. The washer and dryer are included. Wood Creek is located within minutes of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. Little Dry Creek trail is right outside your door. Walk to parks, shops, restaurants and transit. View a narrated video tour plus magazine-quality still photos at www.ArvadaCondo.online, then call listing agent Kathy Jonke at 303-990-7428 to request a showing. If you prefer, you can come to the open house she will be holding this Saturday, Mar. 9th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Concentrate

DAVID

GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922

AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071

KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428

Lone Tree’s Shaw to chair DRCOG

Mayor pro tem will serve one-year term

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Wynne Shaw, mayor pro tem of Lone Tree, has been chosen to serve a one-year term as the new chair of the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

DRCOG has 58 participating member governments with elected o cials representative on the board. e planning organization was created so that local governments can collaborate to set policy, establish guidelines and allocate funding for growth and development, transportation as well as aging and disability resources.

Shaw, along with Je Baker from Arapahoe County, Colleen Whitlow from the Town of Mead, and Richard

Kondo from the City of Northglenn, were elected as o cers during a February board meeting.

Shaw has represented Lone Tree in various capacities. She is the vice chair of the Douglas County Subregional Transportation Forum and past board chair and treasurer for the Douglas County Housing Partnership.

Having been a board member and member of the DRCOG’s executive committee, Shaw is looking forward to taking on the role of chair.

“Collaborating with other dedicated DRCOG board members, we will continue to address the critical challenges our region faces,” Shaw said in a press statement.

Shaw added that they anticipate a busy and productive year looking for innovative approaches to transportation, environmental issues and housing while seeking solutions to meet the needs of the metro area’s aging population.

Pictured from left: Richard Kondo, Je Baker, Colleen Whitlow, Wynne Shaw and Steve Conkin. The Denver Regional Council of Governments elected new board officers for 2024-2025. COURTESY OF THE DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Parker o cial joins group board

Joshua Rivero named to seat on Colorado Municipal League

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Years ago, when he lived in Denver, Parker Town Council member Joshua Rivero would park in a parking lot that is now the home of the Colorado Municipal League. Nearly two decades later, he is a member of CML’s Executive Board.

“I wouldn’t have imagined 20 years ago when I was living on 10th and Sherman, I’d be down the street talking to a U.S. senator one day,” said Rivero.

Rivero was recently appointed to ll one of the vacancies on the CML Executive Board and will advocate on behalf of cities and towns at the state Capitol.

e league is a nonpro t, nonpartisan organization that represents about 270 cities and towns across the state, including the Town of Parker. It lobbies at the Capitol for the interests of municipalities and works to develop and improve municipal governance. Its members establish policy directions at an annual business meeting and the executive board plays an important role in that.

Fellow council members, such as Laura Hefta have also been part of the organization and have testied on bills at the legislature in the past. Rivero said having someone from Parker on the executive board is bene cial.

Rivero said it’s important to have a Parker viewpoint, but also ensure that every municipality gets heard and that CML is doing what’s best for all communities.

“CML will be active and voice our opinion about these fronts on local control,” said Rivero.

Some bills in recent years have caught CML’s attention and were seen as challenging local control. One was Gov. Jared Polis’ push last year for municipalities to create more housing density in an e ort to alleviate the high costs that are hitting many Coloradans. CML was one of the major groups opposing the legislation, which ultimately was

killed. Rivero said it was one of the bills that led to an awakening in Parker.

He said Parker needs to be more vocal about how bills will a ect the town as it’s on the town to implement any laws and to grapple with any shortcomings.

“When you’re dealing with taxpayer dollars, you are dealing with the investment of your community into itself,” said Rivero. “And those are not dollars you want to make a mistake with.”

e CML is also a proponent for educated leadership. rough legislator and policy discussions and seminars, representatives can learn more about areas such as public works, policing, education and compare notes with other municipalities to see what works and look for solutions.

“I believe it’s my duty to learn as much as I can about how a municipality runs,” said Rivero. “It’s much more a ordable for my community if we make the best decision the rst time, than trying to go back and x something.”

Some of the top municipal decisions are around housing issues such as construction defect laws and residential occupancy limits.

Rivero said Parker should be concerned about the bills that a ect the town’s zoning, speci cally accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

ADUs, sometimes called “granny ats,” are smaller, independent residential dwelling units on the same property as a single-family home. Allowing accessory dwelling units could split up single family houses into apartments, said Rivero, which the community, infrastructure and education system is not built for.

“We have laws, we have rules about where things go and to just take that away because the majority of state representatives and senators think that’s the right thing to do is scary to me,” said Rivero. “Everything that we have built in Parker’s short history could go by the wayside if they get rid of some of our zoning laws.”

Rivero’s temporary appointment to CML ends in June. After that, he plans to run for a full executive board position.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Douglas County celebrates the diverse contributions, capacity and value of our residents with developmental disabilities. Thank you for what you bring to our community. This month, the Board of County Commissioners is formally recognizing these residents’ contributions and commending the community organizations, agencies and programs that support them throughout the year. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Developmental Disabilities

SCFD Free Days

Learn more about history, spend time appreciating abstract or contemporary art or get in touch with nature. SCFD organizations have your entrance fee and cultural passions covered. For more information visit https://scfd.org/find-culture/free-days/

Drive US 85?

Around-the-clock work and an interchange closure will take place from 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7 until 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13. There will be no C-470 access to or from US 85, and through traffic on C-470 will be delayed as crews safely demolish the old US 85 bridge over C-470. To learn more and sign up for notifications visit douglas.co.us and search for US 85 Widening.

Rivero

Mental health advocate shares journey

Colorado Capitol is site of gathering

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After struggling with her own mental health, Erin House, a 17-yearold from Parker stood among more than 140 clinical experts and mental health advocates at the state Capitol. She came to share her journey and to encourage others to use their voices to advocate for more and better mental health services for young people like her.

“We need to make being more vulnerable a more normal conversation,” House told Colorado Community Media.

In partnership with the Ameri-

can Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter, the Colorado Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society and Children’s Hospital Colorado, House’s remarks were part of the second annual Youth Mental Health Action Day at the state Capitol.

Advocates and clinicians spent the day in late February meeting with government o cials to talk about prevention, expanding access to services, fortifying the mental health workforce and ensuring a coordinated child-serving system.

House, a senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, was inspired to become an advocate after realizing how severe her own mental health issues had become.

She has always been an academically focused and driven person, but it was during her freshman and sophomore years that she became

When should you take Social Security?

One of your important sources of retirement income will likely be Social Security — but when should you start taking it?

You can collect Social Security bene ts at 62, but your monthly checks may be up to 30% greater if you wait until your full retirement age, between 66 and 67.

Of course, if you need the money, you may not be able to wait. But if you have enough resources through earned income and your investments, you may have exibility in deciding when to take Social Security. In this case, you’ll need to look at these issues:

First, think about your life expectancy. If you’re healthy and have a family history of longevity, you may conclude you can afford to wait.

Also, consider your employment. If you’re still working and start taking Social Security before your full retirement age, your bene ts may be reduced based on your earned income.

Finally, think about your spouse. Their survivor’s bene ts could be permanently reduced if you take your bene ts early and accept lower payments.

When to take Social Security is an important — and irrevocable — decision. So, consider all the factors before making your choice.

Erik Niemeier, AAMS™

Edward Jones Investments

4185 E Wildcat Reserve Parkway. Suite 301 Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Phone: (303) 683-2038

Email: Erik.Niemeier@edwardjones.com

severely depressed.

Between school and the COVID-19 pandemic, House said she didn’t have much of a social life. She was also a competitive dancer, but felt it was a toxic environment.

“I didn’t understand why I felt so depressed,” said House. “I was like, I have such a beautiful life.”

During her junior year, House began isolating herself and made a plan to commit suicide, alarming those around her.

House went to a psychiatric facility for a week, followed by 20 weeks of intensive outpatient therapy. is

included dialectical behavioral therapy, a form of therapy that helps people accept the reality of their lives, behaviors and helps them learn to change their lives in a healthy way.

“Being depressed should not be the normal,” said House. “Unfortunately, it is for a lot of people, especially people my age.”

Dr. Sandra Fritsch, youth psychiatrist and medical director of all clinical activities at Children’s Hospital Colorado, mentioned a recent report in which 40% of teens were reporting

Erin House, left, a 17-year-old from Parker, spoke at the Colorado Capitol for Children’s Hospital Colorado’s second annual Youth Mental Health Action Day on Feb. 21. She stood among other youths, clinical experts, and mental health advocates to share her journey and encourage others to advocate for youth mental health services.

COURTESY OF SARAH BONAR OF CHILDRENÂS HOSPITAL COLORADO

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enforcement, his father said.

And, Kendrick Castillo knew the park. His local robotics team would do outreach and show a robot at the park, hoping to get kids to join a team, his father said.

The father also had this message for the public: “Love your parents. Parents, love your kids.”

He hopes the memorial will give parents an opportunity to teach their kids about Kendrick and what it means to be kind.

After the shooting, some said it was a reason to support laws to change gun policy. But John Castillo pushed back against that viewpoint.

“We need to protect our kids like we protect our sporting events and our financial institutions,” he said.

He said he wants to see legislation that would require more transparency about incidents in schools that lead to discipline, such as assaults

or threats, so that parents can make educated decisions as to whether to keep their child in a given school. He also wants law enforcement officers to be apprised of those situations.

“We feel that if that had been done, Kendrick would still be with us today,” John Castillo said.

The plans for the memorial from John Castillo and officials isn’t a done deal. Donations are needed.

“Many families are indebted to Kendrick for what he did that day,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly, adding: “I am hopeful that people will give generously.”

The money raised will help support the Kendrick Castillo memorial, the renaming of Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch and a scholarship fund in Kendrick Castillo’s name, according to the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Fund webpage at dccf. org/kendrick-castillo-fund.html.

Contributions beyond the first $30,000 will be used to pursue the renaming of Lucent Boulevard and the scholarship fund, a county news

release says.

The memorial could be complete in several months, according to county staff.

Full approval on the county renaming Lucent Boulevard — from County Line Road curving southeast to Broadway — could occur in two to three months, according to county staff.

Officials will send notices to adjacent landowners and people whose addresses would be affected by the name change. Three office buildings and their tenants on Plaza Drive near Lucent Boulevard would be affected, according to the county.

The Kendrick Castillo Memorial Fund and Oversight Committee formed in May 2022 to explore ways to memorialize Kendrick. The committee includes family and friends of Kendrick, along with officials from Douglas County and the local school district, sheriff’s office, and library board, Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District, and Seven Stones Cemetery.

Highlands Ranch Herald

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124.

Send address change to: Highlands Ranch Herald, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Republican o ceholders skip Haley rally

Candidate makes campaign appearance in Centennial

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Not a single elected Colorado Republican appeared at presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s rally in Centennial on Feb. 27.

Several hundred people came to cheer Haley on as she swung through the metro area as part of a national whirlwind presidential primaries tour, and very few of them were notable Republicans. The notables included former Arapahoe County GOP Chair Suzanne Taheri, political strategist and former GOP State Party Chair Dick Wadhams and former Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

Taheri introduced Haley, saying it’s the first time in a while that she is excited about a presidential candidate.

“The last eight years have been bleak,” Taheri said. “We’ve lost membership from the Republican Party. We’ve lost races up and down the ticket. I am just so excited to have a candidate that’s go-

ing to concentrate on actual issues instead of settling personal scores.”

Haley spoke at length about how Donald Trump, the former president who is the frontrunner for the GOP’s presidential nomination in 2024, has damaged the party, causing division and consistent losses.

“I’m looking at the fact that no Republican has gotten over 45% statewide since Donald Trump was president,” Haley said of Colorado.

The state party leadership, including its chair, Dave Williams, has moved away from moderate positions and recently broke party bylaws to endorse Trump before the primary began.

Haley said many in the Republican Party idolize Trump and that has caused “the party to move in a direction that’s not us.” She said the party has lost focus on fiscal responsibility, abandoned foreign allies and dismissed down ballot races.

“When you’re running for president of the United States, your job is to bring people into the fold, not push them out of the club,” Haley said.

Haley argued that she could also remove the “tent of anger, division and hatred” over America. She said she would focus on lowering

government spending, improving relationships with allies, investing in veterans’ services and reducing taxes on the middle class and small businesses.

“Imagine a country where you can sit at the dinner table with your family and not have a political fight,” Haley said. “Imagine a country where you can go to work and say what you need without fear of being demoted. Imagine a country where we can strongly disagree but we don’t have to hate each other.”

But Haley’s vision isn’t resonating with many Republicans. The former governor of South Carolina even lost her own state primary by 20 percentage points on Saturday.

A Global Strategies Group poll of

Colorado Republicans found 76% viewed Trump favorably, while two-thirds of unaffiliated voters view Trump unfavorably. Unaffiliated voters are 48% of Colorado’s registered voters and are able to vote in the Republican primary.

In an interview with 9News after the rally, Haley said she wasn’t concerned about the lack of support from Colorado elected officials.

“We don’t try and get the political class, that’s never been anything I’ve done in my entire career,” she said. “I’ve always focused on real people, regular people.”

Colorado’s primary was March 5, after press time. For results, go to coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Presidential candidate Nikki Haley addresses a crowd at a rally in Centennial on Feb. 27. Though the crowd was passionate, it was notably absent of Colorado Republicans who hold elected o ce. COURTESY NIKKI HALEY FOR PRESIDENT

Feds challenge grocery merger

FTC says plan by Albertsons, Kroger would spur price hikes

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Federal Trade Commission is challenging Kroger Co.’s $24.6-billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. Inc. in what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history.

e FTC says the proposed deal would eliminate competition between stores, including King Soopers and Safeway locations in Colorado, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items. e FTC added that a loss of existing competition would lead to lower quality products and services.

e FTC also alleges that the merger would harm grocery workers and unions.

“Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons would immediately erase aggressive competition for workers, threatening the ability of employees to secure higher wages, better bene ts and improved working conditions.”

Kroger operates thousands of stores across 36 states, including

King Soopers stores in Colorado. Albertsons also operates thousands of stores, across 35 states, including many Safeways.  ere are a few Albertsons locations left in Colorado, but more than 100 Safeways across Colorado, many of them in the Denver area, including Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Castle Rock, Conifer, Denver, Elizabeth, Englewood, Evergreen, Federal Heights, Fort Lupton, Golden, Highlands Ranch, Idaho Springs, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Northglenn, Parker, ornton and Wheat Ridge.

erybody else,” said Young.  e FTC has issued an administrative complaint and authorized a lawsuit in federal court to block the proposed acquisition.

“ is supermarket megamerger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years,” said Henry Lui, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition in a press release.

Lui added that the acquisition would also lead to additional grocery price hikes of everyday goods.

If the two merged, they would operate more than 5,000 stores, about 4,000 retail pharmacies and employ nearly 700,000 employees across 48 states, according to the FTC.

Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young lauded the FTC’s action.

“ e risks posed by this merger far outweighed the bene t to the shareholders of Kroger and Albertsons,” said Young in a press release.  e merger poses “a signi cant threat to the well-being of Colorado residents,” Young had said in a letter to the FTC.

“When consolidation harms workers, lowers accessibility of food and medicine, and results in detrimental impacts to local and state economies, it’s clear the deal is good for c-suite executives and bad for ev-

Kroger, in a statement reacting to the FTC’s announcement, said the merging parties “look forward to litigating this action in court.”

“Customers will bene t from lower prices and more choices following the merger close. e company committed to investing $500 million to begin lowering prices day one post-close, and an additional $1.3 billion to improve Albertsons Cos.’ stores,” Kroger said in the statement issued on Feb. 26.

e FTC complaint and request for preliminary relief will be led jointly with the FTC and state attorney general in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a court complaint in a bid to stop the merger of Kroger and Albertsons.

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HEALTH

persistent sadness every day.

Additionally, adolescents ages 1118 reporting poor mental health has more than doubled from 8.8% in 2018 to 18.5% in 2021.

Fritsch said many people may think mental health needs increased because of the pandemic, but said there was a “pediatric mental health pandemic” before COVID-19. e pandemic only made it worse.

House hopes that society and older generations come to understand that the latest generation now entering adulthood, known as Generation Z, and teens today face vastly di erent issues than older Americans.

“Social media and the impact of COVID and all these external factors are really impacting us internally,” said House. “I understand that older generations de nitely face trauma and they de nitely had a hard life. We have a di erent kind of trauma.”

House said much awareness is needed. at’s why she joined the Children’s Hospital Youth Council on Mental Health, leading her to speak at the Capitol.

“My goal was to encourage them to really be an advocate and to show them that from a youth, we need help and that we can’t do it without them.”

The politics of mental health e action day at the Capitol helped demonstrate to legislators that the developmental, behavioral

and mental health needs of youth and families are met.

“Whether it’s an inpatient setting or other levels of care, it’s always a challenge to be able to nd enough resources to help our youth get their behavioral health and mental health needs met,” said Fritsch.

Clinical experts advocated for some of the bills that will be voted on this legislative session.

One of those is SB24-001, Continue Youth Mental Health Service Program. is bill continues the “I Matter” program, which helps provide youth with access to up to six free mental health therapy visits.

More than 9,000 young people have used the program and more than 13,000 Colorado could be reached annually through the program.

Another bill advocates spoke for is

one that supports the needs of children with complex mental conditions. House Bill 1038 would implement a standardized assessment, expand access to residential treatment services, provide intensive care coordination, therapeutic foster care and more.

“All politics is persistence,” said Fritsch. “You can’t give up with the rst ‘No.’ You’ve got to keep going and as a child/adolescent psychiatrist, I can give facts and that makes me credible, but it’s those stories that make it memorable.”

at’s another reason young people like House came to the Capitol.

“Life should be more ful lling,” said House. “Anxiety and depression should only be temporary, they shouldn’t be a permanent part of your life.”

Presentation eyes school closures

Residents hear details of changing demographics

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Citing the rising age of residents in Highlands Ranch, and declining birth rates, officials with the Douglas County School District have begun the process to combine schools in the area as student enrollments decline in the years to come.

The district created an advisory

team, consisting of district administration, principals and board committee members, to oversee the process of consolidating some schools by 2026.

There are 18 elementary schools in Highlands Ranch. Superintendent Erin Kane said that as fewer students enroll, schools will be unable to maintain electives, like art and music, or extracurriculars.

“Many of (the schools) are getting smaller and smaller which means that our students are losing out on opportunities,” Kane said.

A presentation from the North Planning Area Enrollment Adviso-

ry Team laid out a timeline where recommendations for school pairings would be made in the spring of 2025 after extensive community engagement.

The team will start identifying criteria for school pairings this fall.

“Feedback is really going to be important to this process,” Assistant Superintendent Danny Winsor said.

After recommendations have been made, Windsor said fall of 2024 talks will focus on the logistics of combining schools and developing a new school community.

A survey of district staff and

members of school accountability committees showed 89% of respondents supported the timeline as proposed.

The district has committed to staff that no jobs will be lost in the pairing of schools. Schools that are closed will be repurposed for other district needs, Kane said.

Kane and Winsor emphasized the importance of communicating with staff and the community throughout the process.

“We know there is a lot of emotion in this process,” Winsor said. “These are some of the hardest decisions we have to make.”

Handcu ed escapee caught in Denver

La Ciudad ¡Hola!

Alexander Reighart was not in restraints when found at store

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Alexander Reighart, the man who was handcu ed by Douglas County deputies, put in the back of a patrol vehicle and escaped on Feb. 20, has been arrested and is in the county jail.

He was tracked down at a 7-Eleven on Pecos Street in Denver late last night and, with the assistance of Denver police and the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, Reighart, 29, was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives had been working on the case since Reighart escaped after Douglas County deputies detained him at a 7-Eleven near Town Center Drive and U.S. Highway 85.

When located in Denver before 11 p.m., he was not in handcu s.

“Although we know this manhunt should not have been necessary, we applaud the perseverance of our detectives and our partners,” said Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly in a social media post.

Douglas County deputies initially stopped Reighart while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle.

e found two individuals, including

Reighart, and eventually detained him, alleging he had outstanding felony warrants for nancial crimes and drug violations.

He is now facing charges of escape and unlawful possession of a controlled substance and is also being held on several felony warrants, according to jail records.

His bond is set at more than $1 million, according to jail records.

Alexander Reighart, a 29-year-old, has been arrested and is in the Douglas County jail after running from custody on Feb. 20 near Town Center Drive and U.S. Highway 85.

COURTESY OF THE DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFFÂS OFFICE

“My

A guide to making better choices

Last week I shared thoughts on what happens when we postpone decisions. Many of you asked how to make good and better decisions. So here are some ideas I hope that you will nd useful.

Decisions permeate every aspect of our lives; from the mundane choices we make at home to the high-stakes decisions we face in the workplace. e quality of these decisions directly impacts our personal satisfaction, professional success, and overall well-being. While decision-making can be challeng-

ing, mastering this skill is essential for navigating life’s complexities e ectively. In this article, we’ll explore strategies for making better decisions both at home and at work.

Before diving into speci c strategies, it’s essential to understand the underlying dynamics of decision-making. Decisions are in uenced by a variety of factors,

including emotions, biases, cognitive limitations and environmental context. Recognizing these in uences is the rst step toward making more conscious and deliberate choices. By fostering self-awareness and understanding our decision-making tendencies, we can begin to overcome inherent biases and make decisions that align with our values and goals.

Whether at home or in the workplace, e ective decision-making begins with clarity around goals and priorities. Take the time to articulate what you hope to achieve

Iand identify the factors that are most important to you. By establishing clear objectives, you provide a framework for evaluating options and making decisions that are aligned with your overarching goals. is clarity also helps in distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, enabling you to prioritize your e orts accordingly.

Informed decisions are often better decisions. Take the time to gather relevant information and consider a range of options before

Raises at schools are courtesy of voters

n January, Douglas County School District’s educators and sta received their much anticipated and well deserved pay increases. is was made possible by you — the citizens of our community who voted yes on 5A (mill levy override) this past November.

Pay raises from the MLO were paid retroactively back to the start of the school year. We were so happy to see this come to fruition and our employees have shared with us some incredible stories about what this additional pay has meant to them. As a result of the pay increases, some of our teachers have been able to quit their second (in some cases third) jobs and spend more time with their families. Others have been able to put a down payment on a much needed second vehicle for their household or use the money to help pay for their own children’s college education.

We have even received inquiries from teachers and sta that left us for other districts, because they can now a ord to come home. Due to 5A, our starting teacher salary moved from $45K to about $51K for next school year, allowing us to at least have the opportunity to compete with our neighbors (who have starting salaries from $50K to about $65K) as we recruit new teachers. While we have not fully addressed our salary chal-

GUEST COLUMN

lenges, the passage of 5A has been a huge step in the right direction. It goes a long way towards reinforcing our appreciation and support for our teachers and sta and encouraging them to stay here in DCSD where they belong.

Beyond compensation increases, funding from the MLO (as outlined in the ballot language) is enabling us to further increase safety and security in our schools via additional personnel such as school resource o cers and campus security specialists. Hiring is in the works for these positions and many campus security specialists are already in place at elementary schools. e rest will be in place for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to our law enforcement partners — Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, Castle Rock Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department and Parker Police Department — for their support of additional school resource o cers (SROs). e Douglas County commissioners recently voted 3-0 to contribute additional funds to maximize the SROs we are able to

hire with the passage of 5A. We are so grateful for our community’s dedication to the safety of our schools, students and sta .

Being able to take better care of our teachers and sta so that they can continue to care for our students is a huge relief and we truly cannot thank our community enough. Of course, we still have work to do, especially in this environment of everincreasing costs. We are currently working to tackle the challenge of how to invest in our buildings and make sure we are able to provide safe, adequate and comfortable learning environments for our students and sta . With 111 buildings across our large school district there is always something needing repair or replacement — especially in the winter months we face heating and cooling issues, frozen pipes, roof leaks (and resulting water damage), and more. We accumulate $35M in capital maintenance with each passing year and continuing to defer this maintenance only costs our taxpayers more in the long run. Additionally, we are temporarily supporting growth with over ow schools and mobile classrooms — without the ability to place schools in our school voids, we will eventually have to reboundary existing neighborhoods away from their closest school in order to accommodate the over ow

from communities with no schools. We will be reaching out in the coming months to work together in nding solutions to ensure that all of our students and communities have access to thriving school buildings and learning environments.

In the meantime, I hope you take a moment (using the QR code or by going to tinyurl.com/dcsdthanks) to hear directly from our teachers and sta . ere were many tears of joy and gratitude on Nov. 8 throughout our district. ank you again from the bottom of our hearts for saying yes to 5A and making it a priority to care for our teachers and sta here in DCSD.

Erin Kane is the superintendent of the Douglas County School District.

Erin Kane

SEE NORTON, P22

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Flawed analysis

“If we don’t defeat the communists in South Vietnam, they will be emboldened to forcibly take over all of Southeast Asia.”

“If we don’t defeat the Russians in Ukraine, they will be emboldened to forcibly take over the Baltic States.”

e same awed analysis used by the U.S. to justify participation in two hopeless and disastrous military adventures.

Raoul De Chant Parker

Support Shaw for mayor

I met and began working with Wynne Shaw nearly 15 years ago, in a south metro area service organization known for community service, preserving history, and honoring and supporting those who serve our nation. As the elected organization leader, Wynne impressed us all with her ability to nd consensus, build rapport, move projects ahead, and serve residents of all ages and abilities within our community. Wynne’s leadership skills were so impressive that in 2016 when my husband Harold was termlimited after serving eight years on the Lone Tree City Council, we both heavily encouraged Wynne to run for Harold’s seat. Having widespread community support, Wynne ran unopposed, and in May 2016 she became a District 1 Lone Tree City Council member.

Over the past eight years, Wynne has arguably become the most active member of the four-member Lone Tree City Council, representing Lone Tree on numerous boards and commissions throughout the Denver metro area. She currently serves as Lone Tree’s mayor pro tem, and in late February she was elected as the chair of DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments), where she continues to lead and work collaboratively with many Denver metro area leaders and to champion south metro area projects that bene t the health and vitality of our city and all our residents.

Wynne is a person of high moral integrity, a proven leader who always does her homework, elevates the discussion and the process, and listens carefully to oth-

ers to build consensus wherever she serves. ese words: knowledgeable, experienced, honest, ethical, compassionate, steady, thoughtful and passionately dedicated to serving others are just a few that come to mind when I think of Wynne.

Wynne has the experience, knowledge, leadership skills, and — as importantly — the necessary time to e ectively lead Lone Tree in the years ahead. Please vote for Wynne Shaw to become Lone Tree’s next mayor when your ballot arrives in your mailbox in midApril.

Unhappy with Biden

Ada Anderson Lone Tree

President Biden announced a loan forgiveness program recently. is comes even though the Supreme Court indicated he doesn’t have the authority. It is so apparent his e orts are only to curry favor with young voters.

I drove a 1988 Ford Festiva for nearly 20 years so I could save in a 529 for my two daughters’ college education. I don’t really want to pay for someone else’s loan, which will happen via some tax, cut in service or other transfer of wealth. is reminds me the scene in “On the Waterfront” where the union bosses bused their members to the polls and after they voted they were rewarded with a pint of liquor. e only good thing about that scene was voting was in person and an ID was required, which should be done nationally.

I also saw that President Biden may make some executive orders with regard to the border. at con rms he could have done this years ago, instead of asking for money from Congress. It also indicates he lied when he said he needs Congress to address the issue and he couldn’t do anything. If he would have just left it the way it was when he took o ce we would not have this national security issue, and cities like Denver being would not be overrun with immigrants who entered the country illegally, requiring taxpayers to have their services cut.

All I can say is “ anks Joe.”

John Salanitro

Highlands Ranch

Ice fishing creates and continues bonds between friends and families in Colorado

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife estimates shing in Colorado generates $2.4 billion in economic output each year, and ice shing is quickly becoming a major source of that revenue, according to CPW.

If you don’t know how or are intimidated by trekking out on the ice for the rst time, CPW has everything you need.

“We provide the gear, we provide the demonstrations, and those that are our experts just love to o er up their opinions and their services to show o the fun things that you get to do outside of work and getting into Colorado,” Staunton Park Manager Zach Taylor said.

CPW constantly updates where and when shing clinics are held across the state, including one held recently at Staunton Park in Pine.

Promoting ice shing serves several roles.

“We as a community and a culture don’t talk much as a community anymore when we can get people outside, maybe outside their comfort zone, but (we want to) show them how easy it is and how fun it can be,” Taylor said.

Volunteers are a critical part of CPW’s goal and mission to get people outdoors in Colorado around the year and their contributions and considerable.

Each year 4,000-6,000 volunteers engage with CPW — some who connect for one day, and some who engage daily. Volunteers contribute over 320,000 hours per year with an annual economic impact of $9.4 million, according to CPW.

REELING

“I was brought up in a culture with my mom and dad that man is put on this earth to serve other men, and so how we make other people better is how we relate with them,”

Longtime CPW volunteer Michael Hedgpeth from Elizabeth said. “ is gives me the opportunity to relate to people every time I come out here.”

Hedgpeth said he’d been coming out to Staunton Park for so long CPW asked if he would want to volunteer and share his knowledge of ice shing with others. He quickly accepted the unpaid position.

“I feel like I’m honestly serving a greater purpose from helping to give back to mankind to help us be better people, better at what we do,” Hedgpeth said as he reeled in a nice trout from his small hole in the ice during the Staunton Park clinic.

Strong friendship bonds solidified on the ice

Al Jaramillo and Archie Garcia consider themselves brothers, not by birth, but from more than 40 years of friendship.

e pair shed through several feet of ice at Georgetown Lake in early February.

“We’re ice shing today and it’s going to be a nice day,” Jaramillo said. “You know, you can’t beat it with the sun shining down on us, the sh are biting… it beats going to work every day.”

ese guys have the modern technology and tools of the sport, including a power auger to dig through the ice and several sonar “ sh- nders.”

e sport can be as basic or as high-tech as you want to make it, the two men said. It also means you can spend as little or as much as you want to get into the sport.

“It depends how you want to out t yourself, but you can spend a lot of money,” Garcia said. “ ese are $100 boots, a $75 jacket $75, the sleds are another $50, the reels are $100, the sh nders are around $300. It’s not a cheap sport, but you could come out here with a stick with a string tied to it and might get lucky.”

eir drill-powered auger was equipped with a frisbee near the drill, “If augur falls into the hole it won’t sink oating on top of the hole,” Garcia said. So, even with their high-tech gear, simple solutions can be the best.

Pop-up tents with propane heaters are also popular to stay warm and out of the wind. According to one angler on the ice at Georgetown Lake, you’re also looking at between $400 and $1000 to buy the comfortable set-up. However, it still doesn’t guarantee more sh.

“It’s a little luck and a little skill,” Drew from Longmont said.

On the opposite end of the lake, two ice shers cut through the solid frozen lake with a hand-operated auger.

Rik Ramunno from Lakewood and his good friend Kyle, of Denver, twisted their way into the ice an inch at a time.

Ramunno, who grew up in Eagle, has been ice shing his entire life, but this was the rst outing for Kyle.

“You can’t learn how to do something new unless you do it. I think ice shing is something that people look at and say ‘that’s kind of cool’ but I have no idea how to go about it,” Ramunno said. “Doing it with Kyle, now he can do this whenever he wants.”

e pair also enjoyed the connection between ice shing and history, when the “sport” was a necessity.

“You know a man used to have to come to the ice to get food, I think it’s important to remember where we come from,” Kyle said.

Guided ice fishing tours: leave the work to the pros

Sport Fish Colorado based in Lake City is one of dozens of guide services across the state that o ers to “take care of everything,” according to coowner Aimee Withrow.

A mix of shing areas in Antero Reservoir, Tarryall Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Reservoir draw clients from Denver and Colorado Springs for ice shing, Withrow said.

If you’re 16 or older, all you need is a state shing license, warm clothes and a desire for the experience.

“ e guides would have all the gear they would set everything up for you.

ey know the spots they like to sh so generally they’re getting on sh right away,” Withrow said.

Sport Fish Colorado o ers three and six-hour guided experiences at any of the lakes they cover.

e cost for a three-hour excursion for two is about $400, Withrow said.

e guides will do as much or as little as the customer wants, including taking the sh o the hook or cleaning, appropriate sh, to take home for dinner, Withrow added.

Rik Ramunno from Lakewood and his good friend Kyle, of Denver, twisted their way into the ice an inch at a time at Georgetown Lake. PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Longtime Colorado Parks and Wildlife volunteer Michael Hedgpeth from Elizabeth lands a trout while showing others the basics of ice fishing in Stanunton Park in Pine.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife held an ice fishing introduction session at Staunton Park in Pine in February.

Public defenders say state needs 230 more attorneys

BY BRIAN EASON THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado needs three times the number of public defenders it employs today to meet new workload standards for criminal defense, according to a national study backed by the American Bar Association.

For next budget year, which starts July 1, Colorado’s O ce of the State Public Defender is asking for 70 more attorneys and 58 new support sta , including paralegals and investigators, at a total cost of $14.7 million.

at’s still far less than 230 new attorneys the o ce says it needs — let alone the 700-plus hires it would take to triple current sta ng levels to meet the study’s recommendations.

But even the partial request was enough to shock members of Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee.

“It’s breathtaking,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat who chairs the JBC.

e biggest factor driving the need for attorneys is a massive in-

crease in the volume of evidence they must scrutinize in the digital age, a list that includes police dashboard and body camera footage as well as text messages and other electronic media.

All told, attorneys now have 45 times more discovery material to review than they did in 2016, said Megan Ring, the state public defender. at’s left public defense attorneys regularly working 60 to 80 hours a week.

O cials fear the rising workload could raise concerns about whether the state is consistently meeting its constitutional obligations to provide e ective legal representation to defendants at trial.

“We are getting overwhelmed with work,” Ring told the JBC in a December hearing. “ is is an absolute, absolute need.”

During last year’s legislative session, lawmakers approved pay raises for public defenders that agency leaders say has helped make the job more attractive. But raises alone aren’t enough, Ring said.

e national ndings, released

in September 2023 by the national bar and the RAND Corporation, underscore the dire state of public defense in Colorado at a time when the state’s Democratic majority is pushing to reduce mass incarceration.

“Excessive caseloads violate ethics rules and inevitably cause harm,” concluded the study.

Not only do attorneys have to review more evidence than they used to, they also have to sta new courtrooms that have opened in recent years.

Additionally, they work closely with those deemed incompetent to stand trial. But while lawmakers and the Polis administration have pushed to increase funding for psychiatric beds to help the state work through its competency waitlist, public defenders say their role in the process has not received enough attention.

“ e state of a airs is that our clients’ constitutional rights are being consistently violated,” said Lucienne Ohanian, Colorado’s chief deputy public defender.

e sheer size of the request may be too much for lawmakers to swallow — particularly without an updated state-level study to back up the national recommendations.

e budget committee this month put o a decision until after the state’s next revenue forecasts in March, amid misgivings from some budget writers.

Colorado’s public defender staing levels may fall short of the resources criminal prosecutors bring to trial, JBC documents suggest.

While district attorneys’ o ces along the Front Range employ more than 580 lawyers, the state had just 380 public defenders working in the region as of November 2022. e public defender’s o ce has around 65% as many attorneys as Colorado prosecutor ofces, even as they defend 70% of all criminal cases and upward of 80% of serious crimes.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Thu 3/07

Soccer: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2024 @ 12:30am

Mar 7th - May 4th

AH - Kinder Field 3, 11682 Bradbury Ranch Rd., Parker

Ryan Beatty @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Eric Golden @ 7:30pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Ryan Beatty @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Fri 3/08

Jay_Martin @ 7:30pm

Rocker Spirits, 5587 S Hill St, Littleton

Rotating Tap Comedy: Comedy Night @ Chain Reaction Brewing Company @ 8pm

Chain Reaction Brewing Company, 902 S Lipan St, Denver

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas: Fraser & Haas in Concert @ 8pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

MG3: Montréal Guitare Trio @ 8pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

snarls @ 9pm

Luke Bulla @ 7pm

Five Strings Barn Concert, Castle Rock

Twin Temple GOD IS DEAD TOUR @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Mon 3/11

Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Flag Football: Youth - Ages 8 to 10 - Spring 2024

@ 10pm

Mar 11th - May 11th

Salisbury Sports Complex, 11920 Motsen‐bocker Road, Parker

Basketball: Youth - Boys Ages 12 to 14 - Spring 2024

@ 11pm

Mar 11th - May 11th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Briston Maroney @ 8:30pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Sun 3/10

Tue 3/12

Ricky Montgomery @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Fat Bottom Boys - Premier QUEEN tribute band: Fat Bottom Boys presents music of QUEEN @ 9:30pm

The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Circle, Littleton

Sat 3/09

Ari Mannis: Nick Swardson @ 7:15pm

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village

Twin Temple @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Nick Jarry: Resolute @ 7pm

Resolute Brewing Company, 7286 S Yosemite St #110, Centennial

Basketball: Youth - Boys Ages 10 to 12 Upper - Spring 2024 @ 9:30pm

Mar 12th - May 10th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Wed 3/13

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Wednesdays - 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm

Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Josiah and the Bonnevilles @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Thu 3/14

Eric Golden @ 6:30pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion. This publication is not responsible for the ac‐curacy of the information contained in this calendar.

Colorado Universal Preschool is an obstacle course for many

BY ABIGAIL WIEGMANN AND JONATHAN PETER UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO NEWS CORPS

With the school year in full swing, 4-year-old preschool students and their families have had to jump through the hoops of getting their kids into a good Kindergarten. It is a world where it can be confusing for families to nd quality providers for their children. e state is now involved in helping open doors, giving access to more families, but its quality tracking system, called Colorado Shines, isn’t necessarily as helpful as it promises.

Mindy Tipton, director of Treasureland Preschool in Denver, opted into the state’s program, Colorado Universal Pre-K program, commonly called UPK, because it helps alleviate costs for some families at her school. At Treasureland, a preschool student who attends 20 hours per week is considered full-time and the UPK program subsidizes 15 of those hours, meaning families are responsible for a quarter of what they would be without the program.

“We felt like that was a real value for a signi cant number of our families; to be able to serve them nancially and partner with them,” Tipton said. “We wanted to be able to do that, we wanted to be able to help our families.”

According to 2022-2023 data from the Colorado Preschool Program, 18,902 children received state funding before attending Kindergarten. An additional 28,000 children were assisted last school year. Going forward, the state hopes to reach even greater numbers.

National Institute of Early Educa-

tion Research statistics from 2021 show that only 20% of 4 year olds in Colorado were enrolled in a pre-Kindergarten program in the 2020-2021 year, ranking 26th in the country.

Gov. Jared Polis signed the new program into existence for the 2023-2024 academic school year with the intention to provide quality, which is measured and reported through a continuous evaluation process of preschool providers.

e state’s Department of Early Childhood is tasked with tracking quality and uses a website called Colorado Shines. is website functions as a ltering system, based on home or community location, that families can use to select the best high-quality provider for their child. e website then lters all licensed preschool providers by area and ranks providers on a 1-5 scale, with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 5 being highest.

But some providers say the ranking system isn’t fair and can leave parents with the wrong impressions. A more in-depth look at how Colorado Shines represents providers shows that some schools on the lower end of the scale might be quality programs as worthy of consideration as higher-ranked ones.

ere are roughly 4,680 licensed Colorado child care providers, with about 530 in Denver and another 1,500 in the metro area. is includes Aurora, Broom eld, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Northglenn, Parker, ornton, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.

e Colorado Shines’ rating system

is intended to indicate the quality standards that the state assesses to be adequate for early childhood learning environments. e entire Colorado Shines program guide is available here, but here is a brief description of how programs can follow the system.

Programs gain Level 1 status automatically if they are licensed. To reach Level 2, programs apply and complete assigned learnings. Advancement to Levels 3-5 depend on a point system across categories like workplace development and child health.

Grants for program improvement are available at Levels 2-5. Evaluation shifts from state-contracted specialists for Level 1-2 to Colorado Shines administrators for Level 3-5.

e programs that attempt to raise their rating have to go through a speci c process to be considered for reevaluation. For instance, in the case of a Level 2 program, Ian McKenzie, public information o cer for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, said programs have to complete a quality self-assessment and develop a quality improvement plan. In addition, their sta must complete a minimum requirement of 10 hours of training based on Colorado Shines distributed material. is is an area where a quality program can earn a rating which is lower than hoped due to a lack of of resources to advance through the system.

Although this rating is intended to highlight the top-tier care for preschool students, it neglects that providers can become stuck. For instance, one in Longmont looked at by the University of Colorado-Boulder’s News Corps did not apply for

advancement because the timeline and e ort required to move through the rankings was not, at the moment, worth the anticipated bump in enrollment numbers.

And, while programs are told how they can advance levels, there is little detailed description about how they might lose their status when climbing the ladder. e Colorado Shines Point Structure Guide explains that if a provider drops to a lower rating they can le a plan detailing their e orts to resolve the issue in order to improve their level status again. And some programs with a Level 5 status hold it despite child neglect complaints and/ or other allegations.

It is unclear how the complaints were resolved and even if the claims were found to be true, but indicates that a program can have a high ranking while contending with allegations that others with lower rankings may not. Such apparently troubled programs can keep their Level 5 status and continue to receive funding. rough the program, providers are compensated for their participation based on hourly enrollment, therefore the more students in seats, the more monthly funding the provider will receive.

In Denver, Laura Patterson is the parent of a student at Treasureland. She did not base her decision to send her child to the school on ratings. She relied on word of mouth – fellow parents’ recommendations. Patterson placed importance on location, too, and the school’s overall enrollment.  “ ere were a few important factors,

SEE PRESCHOOL, P21

PRESCHOOL

one was proximity to where we live. … So I always looked at how schools performed and what their ratings are, but I have not always looked at Colorado Shines for that to be fully transparent,” said Patterson.

Patterson also mentioned that with a child previously attending Treasureland, it was an easy process to continue to send them there for preschool. However, if she had to nd a new school, she might turn to rankings as part of the decision making process.

“I would be much more extensive on researching how these inspections played out. … I would pay attention to see if there is a drop in enrollment and as to why there was a drop,” stated Patterson.

She believes drops in enrollment equate to parents’ discoveries that programs aren’t the best for children.

It should be noted the Shines system does not account for a program’s enrollment as part of their level rankings.

Even for Level 5 providers such as Treasureland Preschool, funding through the state’s UPK program can be a mixed situation.

“I think we lose about $16,000 in income when we participate with UPK compared to if we were simply private pay,” said Tipton, adding that the school accepts the funding to help bring a broader range of children to classes.

e program has had a less than smooth transition for families. A Treasureland student, for instance, was bumped o the enrollment through poor communication and enrolled in a di erent program. It wasn’t anything the school did, but rather issues with the state.

Looking through the providers listed on the Colorado Shines website, numerous providers are ranked as Level 1. Even Ian McKenzie from the

PRECISE REPAIR, GENUINE CARE

CDEC, said that the ranking system is not necessarily and not representative of the quality of programs.

“Level 1 programs does not mean that a program isn’t high quality, it means the state does not have data in order to determine higher rating levels. … Rating levels beyond Level 1 are optional; therefore some programs do not want to participate in ratings.”

McKenzie explained that some reasons programs do not increase their rating is because they already have a waitlist of families trying to attend their school and they do not need to attract more. e additional learning and sta requirements can be taxing to programs that are already stretched thin. Newer programs can just start their process with Colorado Shines and are in the process of applying to increase their rating.

ere is an advantage for programs that are properly sta ed or have the available resources to progress more easily through the Colorado Shines rating process.

Treasureland’s director, Tipton, understands the challenges small programs can face based on her previous experiences as a teaching director. At her previous preschool program, Tipton spent half of her time in the classroom while also having to complete all of the required administrative tasks. She hopes the rating system can become more equitable for less fortunate programs that provide quality learning for children.

“It’s really challenging to become a Level 4 or 5 because you simply don’t have hours to devote to that work,” Tipton expressed. “It doesn’t mean your school’s not amazing, it doesn’t mean that the quality interaction and interactions happening there aren’t fantastic.”

is story is a capstone project from journalism students Abigail Wiegmann and Jonathan Peter with the University of Colorado-Boulder’s CU News Corps. Colorado Community Media advises News Corps students.

making a choice. is may involve conducting research, seeking advice from experts or colleagues, or simply brainstorming alternative solutions. By exploring di erent perspectives and considering various possibilities, you expand your decision-making toolkit and increase the likelihood of making a well-informed choice.

Every decision involves a degree of uncertainty and risk. Before committing to a course of action, carefully evaluate the potential risks and bene ts associated with each option. Consider both short-term and long-term consequences, as well as the likelihood of success or failure. While it’s essential to be mindful of risks, don’t let fear of failure paralyze you. Instead, focus on mitigating

risks where possible and embracing calculated risks when necessary to achieve your goals.

Intuition can be a valuable guide in decision-making, particularly in situations where time is limited, or information is incomplete. And as we all know, sometimes our gut knows before our head knows. However, it’s essential to balance intuition with rational analysis and veri cation. Trust your instincts, but also take the time to validate your assumptions and intuition with evidence and logic. is approach helps in avoiding impulsive decisions driven solely by emotions or gut feelings, ensuring greater clarity and con dence in your choices.

E ective decision-making often bene ts from input and collaboration from others. Whether at home or in the workplace, don’t hesitate to seek feedback from trusted advisers, colleagues or family members.

Di erent perspectives can o er

valuable insights and challenge assumptions, leading to more robust decision-making outcomes. Additionally, involving others in the decision-making process fosters buyin and commitment, enhancing the likelihood of successful implementation.

Finally, remember that decisionmaking is a skill that improves with practice and re ection. Take the time to re ect on past decisions, both successes, and failures, and identify lessons learned. What worked well? What could have been done di erently? By embracing a growth mindset and continually seeking to improve your decision-making abilities, you position yourself for greater success and ful llment both at home and in the workplace.

Making better decisions is a skill that can be cultivated and re ned over time. By understanding decision-making dynamics, clarifying goals, gathering information,

LETTERS

FROM PAGE 15

Reasons to support Harmon

Have you met Marissa Harmon yet?

You’re probably reading this because you care about Lone Tree. Marissa Harmon is passionate about our city and wants to be our mayor.

Marissa’s devotion to her family is admirable and, as she began this mayoral pursuit, her incredible family backed her decision wholeheartedly. For the past 12 years, she has been a proud Lone Tree resident calling this wonderful city home, and she has owned a local small business here for six years.

She enters this endeavor with incredible energy and experience. Marissa has served in a leadership role on the Lone Tree Planning Commission and currently serves on the Lone Tree City Council.

Marissa’s experience and ability to get things done was demonstrated when Mayor Jackie Millet asked her to co-lead the Lone Tree 2E Proposal. She was successful in getting the measure approved by a large majority of Lone Tree residents on the rst ballot — quite an accomplishment!

In my neighborhood, Carriage Club, homeowners bene ted from Marissa’s ability to understand issues and nd solutions. e HOA board reached out to Councilmem-

evaluating risks, trusting intuition, seeking input and re ecting on experience, you can become a more effective decision-maker both at home and at work. Ultimately, mastering the art of decision-making empowers you to navigate life’s complexities with con dence and clarity, enabling you to achieve your goals and aspirations with greater ease and satisfaction.

Hopefully this was helpful. Since life is full of decision-making points, we must couple that with a solid decision-making process. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can embrace a process that helps us make good and better decisions, it really will be a 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.

ber Harmon to assist with the shortterm rental issue the neighborhood faced.

Marissa attended a neighborhood meeting to introduce herself to residents and said, “You have a direct link to me if you need anything.” She assisted our HOA board with the issue in a professional and relational way.

Patrick Lencioni, in his book, “ e Ideal Team Player,” says successful leaders are “hungry, humble, and smart.” To me, those are just some of Marissa’s leadership traits. She is servant-hearted, genuinely caring about people and the opportunities in our beautiful city. She is smart and accessible. Her ability to listen and respond in practical ways is refreshing. She is focused on the issues which make Lone Tree an amazing place to live or visit. When challenges arise, she rolls up her sleeves to nd the best path forward.

As we know, Lone Tree is expanding and Marissa’s experience in Lone Tree governance, and skills as a business owner, will serve us well as mayor of Lone Tree.

Learn about Marissa. Visit her webpage. Evaluate her plans. marissaforlonetree.com

Why Marissa for Mayor? Meet her personally and then you’ll know! Vote by May 7. Find out why she’s the positive choice for mayor. Mail or drop your ballot at the Lone Tree Municipal Building, 9220 Kimmer Drive.

Diana Guetig, Lone Tree

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To Whom It May Concern: On 12/19/2023 8:33:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: NANG LONG AND HA NGUYEN

Original Beneficiary:

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 11/9/2017

Recording Date of DOT: 12/1/2017

Reception No. of DOT: 2017081305

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $364,265.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $329,640.78

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 177, HIGHLANDS RANCH 122-G, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 4575 Hunterwood Drive , Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/19/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ALISON L. BERRY

Colorado Registration #: 34531

9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-030934

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0206

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0204

To Whom It May Concern: On 12/7/2023 8:16:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: WILLIAM LESLIE IV

Original Beneficiary: ZIONS BANCORPORATION, N.A., dba VECTRA BANK COLORADO

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: ZIONS BANCORPORATION, N.A., dba VECTRA BANK COLORADO

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/27/2022

Recording Date of DOT: 10/11/2022

Reception No. of DOT: 2022066559

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $160,000.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $160,074.12

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay installments of principal and interest, together with other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 82, HIGHLANDS RANCH – FILING NO. 150, 4TH AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 9600 Firenze Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction

to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 2/8/2024

Last Publication: 3/7/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/7/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

DOUGLAS W. BROWN

Colorado Registration #: 10429 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 101E , GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO 80111

Phone #: (303) 329-3363

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 3230-157

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0204

First Publication: 2/8/2024

Last Publication: 3/7/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0210

To Whom It May Concern: On 12/28/2023 8:25:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: TYLER WEAVER AND STEPHANIE WEAVER

Original Beneficiary: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/26/2012

Recording Date of DOT: 11/13/2012

Reception No. of DOT: 2012086645

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $211,127.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $129,695.47

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 17, BLOCK 4, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 17, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

1744 E Brookside Dr, Littleton, CO 80126

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/28/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

CARLY IMBROGNO

Colorado Registration #: 59553 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009738550

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0210

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0209

To Whom It May Concern:On 12/28/2023 8:22:00

AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: LEE ANN KNUTSON

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION

SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR NATIONAL MORTGAGE CENTER DBA PRICELINEMORTGAGE, A FLORIDA CORPORATION

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NEWREZ LLC

D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/30/2000

Recording Date of DOT: 6/7/2000

Reception No. of DOT: 00039182

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $163,500.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $91,876.64

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed

of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 22, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 101-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

9778 S. Bucknell Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/28/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

CARLY IMBROGNO

Colorado Registration #: 59553 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009983420

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0209

First Publication: 2/22/2024

Last Publication: 3/21/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0205

To Whom It May Concern: On 12/19/2023 8:32:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: SEUL KI CHOI

The dinosaurs are coming to Denver, here’s what you need to know

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Jurassic Quest, a traveling dinosaur experience, is coming to the Colorado Convention Center March 8-10. It’s more than just a walk past a pile of dinosaur bones. According to one of the “dino trainers” Martin Ho man, who goes by Park Ranger Marty during the Quest, the experience is one you have to see for yourself.

“We have 160 million years’ worth of dinosaurs that move and make dinosaur sounds,” Ho man said. “We even have a 50-foot-long Spinosaurus, which is something you denitely want to see in person.”

According to the Jurassic Quest announcement, the event includes exhibits, activities, displays and more.

In addition to life-like dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest’s classic experiences for the whole family include:

• some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America,

• live dinosaur shows,

• interactive science and art activities

• a fossil dig with real fossils like TRex teeth,

• a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull,

• a “Triceratots” soft play area for kids,

• bounce houses and in atable attractions,

• photo opportunities and more.

Ho man said kids under age 10 can actually ride on some of the dinosaurs, but only in designated areas of the Quest.

“ e very large rideable dinosaurs, they kind of rock back and forth,” Ho man said.

He said that the rideable dinosaurs are clearly indicated. Some trainers walk around with smaller animatronic dinos that kids can ride on as well.

Ho man wants readers to know that Jurassic Quest is in no way afliated with Jurassic Park or Jurassic World movie franchises. “Jurassic” is just the coolest of the era names.

Ho man suggests that families order advance tickets now, as the shows sell out quickly. As of press

time, there were still tickets left. Jurassic Quest runs:

• noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8

• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 9

• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 10

Tickets are available at JurassicQuest.com. General admission includes live shows, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur exhibits. Tickets for individual activities are available on-site. Entry is free for

children under age 2.

Ho man wants to warn parents about the show’s subject matter.

“One of the things that I always like to mention is the fact that dinosaurs are a gateway science,” he said. “So if your kids are into dinosaurs, all of a sudden, you’ll nd out that they’re learning about biology, they’re learning about geology, they’re learning about astronomy, all of these different things. It’s just because they think dinosaurs are cool.”

Expect to see trainers roaming the Colorado Convention Center with baby dinos that kids can touch. PHOTO COURTESY OF JURASSIC QUEST