Castle Rock hasn’t raised its sales tax since 2011, but that could change. e town is considering going to voters with an increase this November to help fund police and re services.
Town sta said a .2% sales tax increase would raise an estimated $3.75 million per year to fund 22 new police employees and 18 additional re department sta , as well as pay for road maintenance, recreational amenities and arts and culture grants, according to the town.
Town council members seemed reluctantly in favor of putting the question on the ballot this fall, noting they generally oppose tax increases, but they agree on the need to expand services to meet demands as the town grows.
“I don’t want to ask anyone for taxes, but I also think we realize we want all of our services to do bet-
ter and better, not watch them slide o ,” Mayor Jason Gray said. “ is is the most palatable way to move forward.”
e council hasn’t voted on any proposal yet.
Castle Rock’s municipal services, including public safety, road maintenance and parks and recreation, are largely funded through sales tax, which has been slowing in recent years, Town Manager David Corliss said.
With the town’s rising population, both the police and re departments are seeing an increase in calls for service and in response times. However, the town’s current tax revenue can’t fund additional hires.
“As we see the dominance of online sales continue to increase, … I think we’re going to see sales tax not be as strong a horse for our town revenues going into the future,” Corliss said, noting sales tax revenue is still increasing, just less than in previous
years.
Between 2012 and 2023, the Castle Rock Fire Department saw a 61% increase in calls. e demand has led to an average of 16 minutes per day where all three of the town’s ambulances are responding to calls.
Fire Chief Norris Croom said ambulance depletion is one of the department’s biggest challenges that could be addressed through a sales tax increase. It would allow the department to add a fourth ambulance and sta .
“We’re seeing an increase in (the amount of time) the ambulances aren’t available because they’re on calls,” Croom said.
When Castle Rock’s ambulances aren’t available, calls for service go to surrounding agencies, like South Metro Fire or Franktown Fire.
Castle Rock Police Department had calls for service rise from around 11,900 in 2019 to more than 14,000 in 2023.
Police sta ng levels are at 1.1 per every 1,000 residents, which is a level Chief Jack Cauley would like to at least maintain, if not increase. Money raised by the proposed tax increase would go to adding school resource o cers, patrol o cers and dispatchers, among others, Cauley said.
“We do a lot with a very lean department,” Cauley said. “If we want to continue the level of service and level of safety and security and protecting our kids, seniors and the community, we need this increase.”
In addition to police and re, the town is planning to use around $700,000 on road maintenance, $186,000 for recreation and $200,000 for grants to arts and culture programs. Corliss said the grant funding would be a way to address recent requests for more arts and culture funding.
A group of residents advocated earlier this year for the town to join the Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District, a special district that collects a .1% sales tax from member entities and funds museums, arts, culture and science programs within the metro area.
“We see this as putting more local control and local emphasis on those funds,” Corliss said.
Polling, conducted by Magellan Strategies in April and May, found 57% of respondents who were educated about the sales tax increase proposal would vote for it and 53% of respondents who weren’t educated about the proposal still supported a modest tax increase for police and re.
Among those states which actually have four seasons, Colorado enjoys the best and longest season for outdoor living. When I lived here in my childhood, I recall that the Denver Post had “Climate Capital of the World” as its page one slogan. Denver’s climate was what drove me to return to Coloradoasanadult.Westillenjoy a year-round climate which is least impacted by climate change, with fewer or no hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, and other natural disasters.
home with a fully tricked-out backyard, and I know my buyers do too. It’s a definitesellingpointandsetsanyhome apart from its competition.
So, it makes sense that Coloradans want to do more outdoor living. I’m finding more and more homes with outdoor kitchens and living spaces, and these are big selling points for any single-family listing.
Above right is a graphic from a 2023 article by the International Casual Furnishings Association which carried the following headline: “In 2023, Americans Will Spend Their Money on Lighting, Rugs, Umbrellas and Other Accessories to Spruce Up Their Backyards, Decks and Patios.”
I must say that I light up when I see a
The article was based on a survey which showed increased interest in backyard amenities by American homeowners. The statistics are in the graphic. In the article reporting on the survey, it was stated that “After two years of pandemic living that motivated many residents to invest in improving the spaces around their homes, there is significant interest in continuing to upgrade their outdoor living setting.” Their website, icfanet.org/news/2023_trend_report, promotes various products to enhance outdoor living, including outdoor bars, a canopied daybed, umbrellas, rugs, swivel rockers, artwork, pottery, pillows and more.
As I write this, there are 67 active REcolorado listings within 20 miles of downtown Denver which include an outdoor kitchen in their public remarks. There are 35 more beyond that 20-mile radius. Send me an email at the address below if you’d like me to share those
The now-famous NAR Settlement of March 15th is now 2½ months in the past long enough for multiple people and “experts” to weigh in on how the practice of real estate will change.
I have attended several events which were touted as answering that question but literally did nothing of the kind. I believe that I have a better understanding of how it will all change as the implementation date of August 17th approaches.
Until then, nothing at all is changing. I just listed a couple homes which will advertise a co-op (buyer’s agent) commission of 2.5%, which is rather typical. There are still listings on the MLS showing 2.8% co-op commissions, and some showing 2.0% co-op, but all of us realize that it’s important to offer a coop if we want our listings to sell.
After Aug. 17th, it will be strictly forbidden for the MLS and websites which get their listings from the MLS Zillow, and every brokerage website, including our own to even hint at a co-op commission. The penalty for doing so is loss of MLS access, which is a career-ending penalty.
Most people think that buyers and agents will have to call each listing agent before showing a home to find out if a co-op is being offered and what the
listings with you, and I’d be happy to arrange a showing. Even if you don’t buy one of those listings, it could give you ideas as to how you might improve your own outdoor living space.
We live in the best place on planet Earth in my opinion, and we want to live life to the fullest, right? Why limit ourselves to wonderful indoor living spaces, when we can also enjoy the the great environment that is outside our walls?
My broker associates and I are here to help you in any way that suits you.
The research for the above chart was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and International Casual Furnishings Association among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 and older between January 27-31, 2023.
We are seeing a notable shift in the residential market, particularly within the attached property sector. This has been influenced by several key factors that have emerged in recent months.
:
¨ Active inventory has risen significantly, with a 31% increase in units for sale. New listings also saw a 14% uptick.
percentage or dollar amount will be. I watched one video presentation by a local brokerage which suggested that the amount of co-op could vary depending on the listing agent’s opinion of the professionalism of the buyer’s agent, offering 1% to one agent but 2% to another a terrible, likely illegal idea.
Not one person I read or listened to mentioned the printed brochure for a listing. It can easily state in print if a coop commission is offered and what the percentage or dollar amount is. This is no different than those for-sale-byowner listings which say “Co-op Paid.”
My practice will be to write listing agreements with 2.5 to 2.8 percent commissions, but with an additional provision authorizing me to promote on brochures, in this ad, and on listing websites (not connected to the MLS) a 2.0 to 2.8 percent co-op commission. I’m sure any seller will agree to that provision, because failure to do so would mean far fewer showings and offers.
Next Tuesday the Colorado Real Estate Commission will be presented by their Forms Committee with some minor changes to the purchase contract and listing contracts (for both buyers and sellers). I will attend that meeting and write about those changes the following week.
Underwriters are increasingly scrutinizing the financial health of Homeowners Associations (HOAs) due to new lending guidelines. This has led to a rise in HOA dues and special assessments, largely driven by significant increases in master insurance policy costs. For example, some sellers have experienced HOA dues rising from around $300 to over $800. In another instance, an HOA is planning a special assessment of $3,600 annually for the next five years to stabilize their finances. Additionally, many condo communities have let their FHA approvals lapse, complicating the purchase process for first-time and lower entry buyers.
Lenders are also wary of mixed-use commercial/condo communities, viewing the financial burden placed on commercial spaces as a riskier proposition. Consequently, we are seeing a marked shift from condos to single-family detached units. Buyers who might have considered a $500,000 condo with a $1,000 monthly HOA bill are finding better value in singlefamily homes priced around $700,000, offering a more sound investment.
¨ Demand, as measured by pending transactions, decreased by 6.6%, although closed transactions increased by 14% month-over-month.
¨ Months of inventory increased to 2.5 months, reflecting a lagging indicator based on March's contracts.
¨ Attached residential home prices have dropped from last month due to rising inventory and decreased demand. However, prices are still up 1.1% to 2.5% compared to last year.
¨ While multiple offers are less frequent and less intense compared to 20202022, March saw 28.8% of attached units selling over asking price, with an average overage of 2.0%. Many of these homes included concessions to buy down interest rates.
¨ The average days on market decreased to 35 days, with the median days on market dropping to 12 days.
¨ 41.9% of homes were under contract within 7 days, up 3.6% from last month. Homes under contract within this timeframe received an average of 100.5% of their original list price.
Colorado high school grads share wisdom, are cautious about the futureBY MCKENNA HARFORD, ELISABETH SLAY AND NINA JOSS COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Class of 2024 has seen its fair share of challenges. eir freshman year coincided with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. And, as they graduated, generative arti cial intelligence is all the rage, promising to disrupt and change many industries in ways not yet fully understood.
So, what’s on the minds of these students? e rising costs of living and navigating the transition into young adulthood, to name two.
Our newsroom collected grains of wisdom from graduating seniors in schools across the south metro area. We sent surveys to students in the Douglas County School District, Littleton Public Schools, Cherry Creek School District and Englewood Schools.
We got back more than 45 responses to our queries meant to gauge students’ thoughts as they nd their way, wanting to know about the challenges and opportunities that await them.
Overwhelmingly, graduates said they are thankful to their schools and teachers for helping them discover their passions and build futures around them. Some are bound for college, others military service or the pathway to training and certication in a trade.
A driving force in their decision making, students often cited the ever-escalating costs of paying for college, including student loans, weighing them against their potential earnings in career elds. ey also had a few words of parting advice for incoming freshman, which is the Class of 2028. For instance, Alice Hale, who is graduating from the Options Secondary Program in Littleton Public Schools, walks away with the kind of worldly advice it can take some folks a lifetime to learn.
“Be yourself,” she said. “No one can tell you who/what you are! When a bridge falls, we rebuild it.”
Here are the thoughts of the Class
of 2024 – graduates’ re ections on their high school experience and plans for the future.
One common theme that emerged from our surveys of seniors is how important dedicated and thoughtful teachers are to them. e students expressed gratitude and said teachers gave them the con dence in themselves and their abilities to learn new things and grow in the process.
Maanasi Gowda, of Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, said her teachers encouraged her dream of starting a nonpro t to provide legal assistance to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Before that, Gowda, a Boettcher scholar, is bound for the University of Denver, on the path to study law.
“I had lots of great teachers and counselors along the way that worked with me outside of school to foster and grow my interests in certain areas of my life that I am very thankful for,” Gowda said. “ ey
supported me when I needed it and provided every opportunity for me to grow and be who I am.”
More schools are moving away from overemphasizing college, and pointing students to other options. Students say the growing variety of classes, extracurricular activities and job programs helped them nd their interests and strengths.
Clara Gri th, of Ponderosa High School in Parker, said she always knew she wanted to be an engineer. So, she took classes that helped her get a jumpstart on her plan. Now, Gri th is headed to Montana State University to study mechanical engineering.
“I chose to be a mechanical engineer because I am very interested in machinery and, speci cally, motorized vehicles, and it is a very versatile degree to get, as well as my goal within my career is to bridge the communication gap between trade workers and engineers,” Gri th said. “I took a lot of shop classes, such as welding and woodshop, so that when I develop a design, I would know how to build it as well.”
certi cation to operate forklifts. ose opportunities and support led Davila to Arapahoe Community College, where, this fall, he will study biology with a goal of becoming a wildlife biologist or zoologist.
“I always knew I loved animals and plants and the study of life or how organisms could thrive,” Davila said.
“Tending to plants and manning the nursery has taught me well in the matters of how these di erent plants associate themselves with what kinds of soil, mulch, or substrate they grow in.”
Mady Newton, who attended Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, is planning to join the U.S. Air Force after graduation. She said the certi ed nurse aide program at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus helped her get her certi cation, leading her to a great medical
job in the military.
Some students, like Cade Kaminski from Arapahoe High School in Littleton, said advanced placement classes helped prepare them for college classes. Oswaldo Sanchez, from Options Secondary Program, said his education gave him “a foundation to start o with,” and made him more open-minded.
Luke Riegel, who is graduating from Heritage High School in Littleton, said his education gave him the valuable opportunity to learn from failure.
“Heritage gave me a place to learn from my mistakes, and be nurtured by fantastic teachers and peers so that I don’t make the same mistakes in the future, and so that I can be a better leader and learner in the future,” he said.
Cost of education
College tuition costs have been consistently rising for decades, with the Education Data Initiative nding that tuition for four-year universities has gone up 9% between 2010 and 2022.
While Colorado passed a law this session to help ease the costs of higher education for some families, students are still calculating the potential of being in debt into their decisionmaking.
Davila chose Arapahoe Community College in part because of its lower tuition, but said even though it is more a ordable that other colleges in universities, it will be di cult. Figuring in his concerns are other bills, like rent and car payments.
“A potential challenge I see for myself in the future is keeping up with tuition costs,” he said.
For Cody Craven, of underRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, enlisting in the U.S. Army was the best choice for him to continue school while reducing the nancial strains of college.
“I have taken into consideration expenses and schooling when considering what to do with my future,”
Craven said. “I believe that the military will teach me great life skills and they will pay for it.”
And, many others in the Class of 2024 are looking for every opportunity they can to reduce their higher education bills.
Stella Pasquale from Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice in Englewood plans to pursue the Ascent Program at the Metropolitan State University of Denver in criminal justice and criminology.
e Ascent Program, which is offered to juniors and seniors, is federal funding that provides students with the opportunity to either complete their rst year of college at no cost or complete a fth year of high school.
“I decided to do the Ascent Program because it’s the best option
for me nancially to be able to pursue the major I want at a four year school,” Pasquale said. “ is next step will grant me free tuition for my full rst year of college.” is program o ers Pasquale and other students the opportunity to pursue higher education without going into debt within their rst year out of high school, something Pasquale is thankful for.
Students at non-traditional schools, like local community colleges and Metro, are able to stay in the metro area, closer to family and support systems as they launch their futures to help further reduce costs.
Data from the Education Data Initiative shows that in 2023 the average
cost for students living on a public four-year campus at an in-state institution was about $26,027 per year. Out-of-state students paid $27,091 per year and private, nonpro t university students are paying $55,840 per year.
Fellow Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice-Ascent Program member Nazira Garrett is planning to attend Arapahoe Community College for her rst two years before transferring to Colorado State University, a strategy that will save money. Garrett will study psychology and neuroscience.
ough the senior is looking for-
13-16, 2024
• Enjoy your Favorite Festival Food
• Shopping Marketplace
• Music on Four Stages
• Carnival Rides for the Whole Family
• Free Kids Crafts
• Silent Disco – Dance, Dance, Dance!
• Bungy Jumping
• Jump and Slide on the In atables
AIR ACADEMY CREDIT UNION
EAST MUSIC Stage – Live Music ALL Day
Friday 8 pm – 10 pm Sisters of Rock
Saturday 8 pm – 10 pm
Shelvis and the Roustabouts
Sunday 6:30 pm – 8 pm
Lies or Lullabies
THURSDAY, JUNE 13 1 pm – 10:30 pm: Carnival Only
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Fri 1 pm – 10:30 pm: Carnival Fri 4 pm – 10:30 pm: Festival
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Sat 10 am – 10:30 pm
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Sun 10 am – 8:30 pm CORE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Community Stage – Entertainment ALL Day
MAIN STAGE – Live Music ALL Day HEADLINERS:
Friday, June 14 presented by
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm: Kory Brunson Band Saturday, June 15 presented by 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Wash Park Band Sunday, June 16 presented by 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm: That Eighties Band
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
CARNIVAL RIDES & GAMES: presented by
BUY DISCOUNTED UNLIMITED CARNIVAL RIDE WRISTBANDS ONLINE
Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides: $35 each
Good any one day during the festival
Sold online through 12 noon Wed. June 12
4-Day MEGA Unlimited Carnival Rides: $89 each
Good all 4 days of the festival
PURCHASE DURING THE FESTIVAL
Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides: $40 each
TICKETS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDES
Food, Beverage & Ride Tickets may be purchased at Festival Ticket Booths.
A publication of
Call first: 115 Wilcox St., Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Mailing Address:
750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: HighlandsRanchHerald.net
To subscribe call 303-566-4100
LINDA SHAPLEY
Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
MICHAEL DE YOANNA
Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com
HALEY LENA Community Editor hlena@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN ADDENBROOKE
Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com
AUDREY BROOKS
Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN FRANKS
Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
LINDSAY NICOLETTI
Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com
PAGE 6
ward to pursuing a degree and thankful to be in the program, Garrett said she is nervous about being nancially stable throughout college.
“I am currently thinking about how I will a ord my education and the move to Fort Collins,” Garrett said. “I also worry if I will have enough support to get through my college education.”
e average student borrower spends roughly 20 years paying o their loans, per the Education Data Initiative.
Vinny Anderson, who is graduating from Littleton High School, said nancial aid was a factor in his plans to major in psychology at Stanford University.
“It was important for me to decide on a school that was o ering me goodnancial aid, coming from a low-income background,” he said. “Additionally, I wanted to choose a school that would o er me strong connections and networking opportunities.
Other seniors, like Erin Altenhofen from Englewood High School, are taking advantage of scholarships to help them through their higher education journey. Altenhofen is a recipient of the Daniels Fund Scholarship, which covers full tuition to a four-year university in certain states, including Colorado.
Altenhofen plans to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder in the fall to study biomedical engineering.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Herald. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Highlands Ranch Herald
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 115 Wilcox St., Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
Send address change to: Highlands Ranch Herald, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
“I worked with my post secondary advisor and teachers and have always been interested in creating and assisting with curing medical diseases,” Altenhofen said. “I received the Daniels Fund Scholarship which is an amazing opportunity for me.”
As they pursue their passions and gure out their pathways to careers, many seniors had advice for the incoming freshman class.
Altenhofen believes freshmen should enjoy their moments in high school and in particular at Englewood High School, “ nd the good in being at a small school.”
“I spent a lot of time wishing I was at a bigger school, but only recently came to realize how much better it is to be in a smaller school,” Altenhofen said. “I would also tell them to join as many clubs and sports as you can, because though it may take a lot of time, it is such a great opportunity to make friends and nd spaces where you can thrive.”
Jayce Prante from EnglewoodHigh
School said freshmen should “challenge themselves and make the best of their high school career.”
“ ey should do their best to get good grades and put themselves out there,” Prante said.
Dashiell Fahnestock at Englewood High School, has plans to attend the University of Puget Sound. Fahnestock said freshmen should keep their options open.
“Experiment with several di erent options regardless of whether or not you think they will work out, and be nice to people,” Fahnestock said. “It’ll make your subsequent high school
years easier.”
For Kate Mullin, from Grandview High School, her biggest advice to early high school students is to savor the moment.
“ ere are a lot of times during high school where the homework is hard, classmates aren’t the best to be around, and you’re over everything,” she said. “But despite all of those negatives, there can be so many positives because high school is what you choose to make it. Find your people and nd what makes you happy … Make your memories count, because high school goes by in the blink of an eye.”
Chat eld Farms is a 700-acre working farm and activity space located at 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton. e farm recently broke ground for a new welcome center.
Here are six things to know about the new center and farm:
1. The farm’s buildings have been around since the Hildebrand Ranch. e ranch operated in the 1800s. Many of those buildings still stand today and are accessible to visitors. Today, Chat eld Farms is still a working farm, continuing the ranch’s legacy.
2. There are 2.5 miles of trails connected to the farm.
In addition to the farm experience, Chat eld Farms o ers 2.5 miles of trails and 15 curated gardens to explore.
3. The new center will be named for two of the farm’s donors. e new welcome center will be named after donors Judi and Robert Newman. e Newmans are Denver philanthropists, retired business-
FLASHTATTOOSWITHMR.ACE**
MAKECUSTOMHATSWITHPARKERTHOMAS** LEARNPOPULARLINEDANCESWITHLAURIEBURKHARDT
BODYART/FACEPAINTING&SPARKLEHAIRWITH LITTLEPEOPLEFACEPAINTING**
SCREENPRINTYOUROWNT-SHIRTANDLEARNHOWTOCREATIVECUT
YOURT-SHIRTSWITHINK&DRINK** FOODTRUCKS&DRINKS**
In a process that was more transparent than in the past, the South Suburban Board of Directors appointed Lone Tree resident Cathie Frazzini to its board. Frazzini, who was selected after public interviews, will serve the remainder of the term left vacant by Susan Pye, who recently resigned.
Frazzini was one of six candidates considered for the position at a special meeting on Wednesday night. During the meeting, the candidates answered questions from board members about equity, experience and handling disagreements.
“(South Suburban) is recognized, nancially and operationally, as one of the top parks and recreation districts for its size in the United
States,” board member Pete Barrett said to the candidates. “If you are appointed to this position, or even if you’re not, and you decide to run in a year, you would be joining one of the outstanding organizations in the country, and you should be proud of that.”
Frazzini recently completed eight years of service on the Lone Tree City Council. During her time there, she served four years as mayor pro tem and has already worked with South Suburban on a subcommittee. She also has experience on the executive boards of the Colorado Municipal League and the Lone Tree Arts Center Guild.
Frazzini works in the software industry, where she has held leadership roles. She has four children and captains a tennis team that plays at the Lone Tree tennis courts.
“I have spent a lot of time on other boards and commissions over time, so I think I can bring to bear some good team dynamics and the ability to assist in civil discourse as a group,” Frazzini said during her interview, which she attended via Zoom because she was in California for a business trip.
Frazzini said she is an advocate for youth recreation and has a deep understanding of scal responsibility, helping Lone Tree navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
e board interviewed several other candidates for the role, including former Littleton City Council member Amy Conklin, and former Centennial City Council members Mark Gotto and Kathy Turley.
Elizabeth Watson, who ran in the 2023 South Suburban board election, and Connor Gnazzo, a health care technology professional, were also interviewed. Centennial resident Claud Payne submitted an application, but did not attend the special meeting.
After the interviews, the board members discussed their priorities in choosing an appointee. ey highlighted nancial and prior board experience and a willingness to learn.
An initial round of voting, conducted on secret ballots, resulted in a tie, with two board members vot-
ing for Frazzini and two voting for Gotto.
“ ere’s kind of a dilemma that’s created when you have a bunch of quality applicants,” Barrett said. “ e decision is di cult, but you’re still forced to make it.”
After more discussion, Frazzini was declared the winner in a second vote.
Board member Keith Gardner thanked those who ran for the seat and said he was happy with how the appointment process has changed since his appointment last year.
“I, a year ago, went through the same process — albeit much di erent, which explains a lot of the ways we’re doing things tonight,” he said. Last year, the board did not publicly post candidate applications online ahead of the meeting and did not host public interviews, as reported by the Littleton Independent. is year, it added both of these steps to the process. Executive Director Rob Hanna said community feedback asking for more transparency led to the changes.
Board member Pam Eller said the board was grateful for the opportunity to improve the process.
Frazzini will be sworn in at the board’s June 12 meeting. She will serve in her interim role until 2025, at which point she will have the opportunity to run for a full term.
Sign up for Colorado Community Media’s bilingual newsletter, La Ciudad
Language should not be a barrier to trustworthy news about your community. Our La Ciudad staff offers news in both English and Spanish.
El idioma no debería ser un obstáculo para acceder a noticias confiables que te interesan. Nuestro equipo de La Ciudad ofrece noticias tanto en inglés como en español.
To sign up for La Ciudad newsletter: Scan this QR Code or go to coloradocommunitymedia.com/newsletters
If you are a senior or have a senior family member, this Douglas County “All ings Senior” event is for YOU!
Wednesday June 5th 2024 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Douglas County Events Center 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock
Lopez among four candidates seeking interim gig to fill former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s House seat
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COMGreg Lopez, a former mayor for the Town of Parker, is among four candidates running for the U.S. House District 4 Vacancy Election on June 25. He has just received an endorsement from close to home –Parker’s current mayor, Je Toborg. “It’s time to bring some of the Parker hometown common sense to Washington,” Toborg said in his endorsement. “Greg Lopez is the
right man to serve our community in Congress through the end of the year.”
e special election will appear on ballots alongside primaries for the District 4 seat. While candidates in the primaries, like Republicans Lauren Boebert and Deborah Flora, are seeking to take the seat after the November election, the special election covers the interim, a situation caused when former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck unexpectedly retired.
e other candidates on the ballot for the special election include Frank Atwood of the Approval Voting Party, Hannah Goodman of Libertarian Party and Trisha Eloise Calvarese of the Democratic Party. Of the candidates, only Calvarese is also on a primary ballot.
Lopez became Parker’s third mayor at the age of 27 during a
growth period in the 1990’s. In a statement, Toborg said he is honored to endorse Lopez as he helped create a successful path for the town.
Lopez, who describes himself as a “principal-holder GOP candidate,” said in a statement that he is looking forward to working closely with Toborg and wants to ensure that Parker “is a safe place to live, work, play and pray.”
Following Buck’s resignation in March, Lopez was selected by a Republican committee to run in the 4th District special election.
Other Republicans who sought out the nomination were state Sen. Ted Harvey, former congressional sta er Chris Phelen, Floyd Trujillo, state Reps. Richard Holtorf and Mike Lynch, former 2nd Congressional District nominee Peter Yu
and state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg. Democrats running in the primary include John Padora Jr., Isaac “Ike” McCorkle and Calvarese.
Since becoming a U.S. House District 4 Vacancy Election candidate, Lopez has also received endorsements from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Congressmen Doug Lamborn and Jim Jordan, Home Majority Leader Steve Scalise and the Colorado Republican Party.
Lopez is not running in the primary election which will be held in November.
Calvarese, who was selected as the Democratic candidate in the special election, has received endorsements from those such as state Rep. Leslie Herod, Former Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp, U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Attorney General Phil Weiser.
In every aspect of life, whether personal or professional, the ability to connect with others on their level is invaluable. It’s a simple concept, yet profoundly transformative: Meet people where they are. is approach not only fosters understanding and empathy but also builds the foundation for trust and cooperation. Consider the example of bringing a rescue puppy into a new home. Often, these animals are skittish or fearful, possibly due to past traumas or unfamiliarity with their new environment. When a puppy hides under a table, its behavior is a natural response to fear. e most e ective way to build trust with this new member of the family is to physically get down on their level. By lying on the ground and showing vulnerability, you communicate in a language that the puppy understands, that you are not a threat, but a protector. is simple act can make a signi cant di erence in how quickly the puppy adapts and begins to trust its new environment.
Similarly, when a young child, perhaps an infant, meets a relative like a grandfather for the rst time, there might be initial shyness or reluctance. If the grandfather sits on the oor and engages with the child using their toys, he demonstrates that he is willing to enter the child’s world. is approach breaks down barriers and creates a connection that respects the child’s current developmental stage. is principle is equally critical in the workplace, particularly in leadership roles. Consider a corporate executive who spends most of their time in a corner o ce, removed from the day-to-day operations of other departments. To
truly understand and lead e ectively, it’s crucial for this executive to occasionally leave the comfort of the executive suite and spend time in the warehouse, the lab, or the marketing department. Such actions show a commitment to understanding the challenges and successes of di erent parts of the organization from a ground-level perspective.
Perhaps nowhere is this approach more critical than in sales. Salespeople are the bridge between a company and its customers, and an executive can learn a great deal by joining them in the eld. Meeting with prospects and existing customers o ers rsthand insight into the market’s response to the company’s o erings, competitive challenges, and the e ectiveness of sales strategies. is direct feedback is invaluable for re ning approaches and staying aligned with market needs.
e philosophy of meeting people where they are extends beyond direct interactions. It in uences corporate culture and impacts customer relations. For instance, companies that design products or services with a keen understanding of their users’ needs are more likely to succeed.
e bene ts of this approach are manifold. In personal settings, it deepens relationships and creates a safe space for growth and acceptance. In professional environments, it enhances leadership e ectiveness, promotes a more engaged workforce, and leads to better business outcomes through a deeper understanding of operational realities and market dynamics.
Ultimately, whether it’s a scared puppy, a cautious child, or a diverse workforce, taking the time to understand and engage with others at their level not only enriches these interactions but also drives success across various aspects of
he performing arts often have a reputation as only taking place in rare ed spaces, where only certain people have access to them. e whole idea of the Denver Fringe Festival is to burst that bubble and show that creativity can happen anywhere.
“Our approach is arts for all,” said Ann Sabbah, executive director of the annual event. “We look for all types of performers in all kinds of genres to take part and we strive to keep the price point at a very a ordable level.”
e Denver Fringe Festival is back for its fth year, running from ursday, June 6, through Sunday, June 9, across 20 venues and locations, mostly concentrated in the RiNo and Five Points neighborhoods. is year’s event features more than 60 original shows, the bulk of which cost only $15. And 70 percent of all ticket sales go right back to the performers. Some of the shows audiences can
explore include: King Penny Radio: An Improvised 1940s Radio Show; Raw Groove, which features dance and live musical performances that take audiences on an Afrofuturistic journey through various movements and sounds of the Black diaspora; and Cirque du Cinéma, which combines burlesque, aerial, dance and camp nostalgia.
ere are also a couple of new features this year for attendees to check out.
e rst is the FringeART show, which is visual arts focused and will be on display through June 21 at Ironton Distillery, 3636 Chestnut Place. e other new feature is the Fringe Free-For-All, a locally-driven program bringing free performances to various streets and spaces in the neighborhoods. ese performances will include circus arts, magic and illusion, immersive experiences and more.
“One of the most fun parts of the festival is the variety of venues audiences will get to experience,” Sabbah said. “Some performances are in more traditional theaters and art
Radio: Show; dance that Afrofuturistic movements diaspora; comand feacheck show, and 21 Chestnut the locally-driven performances the performances iland the audiSabare art
galleries, but you’ll also be able to visit everywhere from comedy clubs to event rooms at a brewery and even a video studio. is all makes for a much more intimate and immersive experience.”
e festival is also family friendly, with the free KidsFringe event, which features two original shows for kids, various forms of puppetry, a puppet meet and greet, and more.
ere’s no right way to approach an event like the Fringe Festival. Sabbah recommends people do some exploring and maybe try something new and that way a person can see what catches their interest.
“ is is a true community event that allows people to participate in intimate and immediate performances that are very original and creative,” she said. “It’s a new take on what the performing arts can be and it can be really energizing.”
For full details and more, visit https://denverfringe.org/.
Get Your Summer on at Thorntonfest e City of ornton is welcoming summer with orntonfest, an event that brings together everything from music and entertainment to activities for pets and children as well. e event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 at Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Some of the live musicians slated to perform include the Guardians Band and Boogie Machine, and there will also be a car show, axe throwing and a 120-foot-long Ninja Warrior course. e festival also includes a Pet Fest and a Kid Zone. Full details are available at https://www.thorntonco.gov.
PACE Center Throws Prom for Adults
It’s prom season, but high schoolers don’t have to be the only ones
enjoying it. e Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., is giving adults a chance to have their own prom fun while raising money for a good cause.
e Neon Nights: Adult Prom Fundraiser will be held at the Center’s Event Room from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. According to provided information, the “ultra-illuminated dance party features wow-worthy décor, a glow-in-the-dark makeup station with tattoos and jewelry, photo op vignettes and a non-stop mix of your pop favorites.”
Tickets will get attendees an assortment of treats and two drink tickets, with all the funds supporting free community events. Visit https:// parkerarts.org/event/neon-nightsadult-prom-fundraiser/ for information and tickets.
Denver doesn’t really have a signature music festival, but that could be changing with the rst Outside Festival, which is taking over Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax Avenue in Denver, on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. e event is a celebration of all things outdoors and is driven by a partnership between Outside Interactive Inc, e State of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation O ce and Visit Denver.
e festival will feature a diverse group of musicians, like undercat, Lettuce, Say She She, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird and e Heavy Heavy, as well as Colorado bands that will perform throughout the weekend.
In addition to the music, attendees can check out lms, the latest in outdoor gear and a range of other outdoor-focused events like a climbing wall and more. All the details and tickets can be found at https://festival.outsideonline.com/.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
BARSNESS
life. By adopting this mindset, we can transform potential con icts into opportunities for collaboration and growth, making our worlds, both small and large, a little better for everyone involved.
How did this land with you? As always, I would love to hear your story
at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we can remember to meet people where they are to nd that common ground, regardless of our role or level, it really will be a better than good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
Michelle Renee Barsness
June 2, 1967 - May 11, 2024
Michelle Renee Barsness, age 56, passed away peacefully in her home in Highlands Ranch, CO on May 11, 2024 surrounded by her signi cant other, William Moore and family after ghting her 5-year cancer battle with grace, determination and courage. A memorial service will take place at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Glenwood, MN on Saturday, June 1st with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. and the service to commence at 2:00 p.m. followed immediately by refreshments in the church basement. Michelle was born on June 2, 1967 in Glenwood, MN. She attended Glenwood schools and upon graduation from high school attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1989. She moved to Colorado and spent the greater part of her career as a claims manager in the insurance industry eventually retiring in Denver, CO during the summer of 2023. Michelle loved riding her bike in the mountains and spending time with family and friends on Lake Minnewaska in MN. She was a talented designer: her home, her ower pots and her wardrobe were evidence of her talents. She enjoyed travelling: Mexico, Hawaii, Europe; and of course— back to Minnesota. She enjoyed live music and especially jazz. Special moments were spent attending Michael Franti concerts in the past few years. Her home was also a sanctuary for her and she was an avid gardener. She loved her nephew Jacob and her nieces Elizabeth and Emma and was an avid supporter and spectator of their many sports and events. Michelle is survived by her mother, Patty J. (Blair) Barsness, her brother, Chad J. Barsness and her sister-in-law Jennifer J. (Alby) Barsness. Michelle is also survived by her nephew, Jacob B. Barsness, nieces, Elizabeth J. Barsness and Emma K. Barsness, her signi cant other of 26 years, William Moore and many dear friends and family as well as her beloved dog, Barkley. She was preceded in death by her father, Everell J. Barsness.
Lauren Hance will perform her one-woman award-winning comedy show “Holy O” at the 2024 Denver Fringe Festival on June 6, 7 and 9.
“ e Denver Fringe Festival does a fantastic job,” Hance said. “I have a lot of family and friends who live in the Denver area. So, it was a nice combination to be able to take my show to a place where a lot of people that I know can come and see it.”
Director and developer Amelia Peterson described the show as a cross between “Fleabag” and “ e Vagina Monologues.”
“It’s for audiences who are up for something playful, heartwarming, and experimental,” Peterson said.
In “Holy O,” Hance plays Vera in a solo comedy performance in which the audience becomes part of the play directly from their seats. e main character, Vera, contemplates becoming a nun but can’t let go of her vibrators.
“ e onset of rapturous prayers complicates her situation, leading the audience to assume the role of an advice-giving saint,” Hance said.
“As Vera’s story unfolds, it intertwines with choose-your-ownadventure stories that explore the connection of body, spirit and sexuality,” Hance continued. “Along the way, the audience helps Vera make some of the biggest decisions of her life, starting with what shirt to wear.”
Hance was born and raised at the Air Force Academy in Colorado
Springs but now lives in Houston. As a little girl, Hance said she already had the personality to be an entertainer.
“When I was a little girl, my mom would put me in the grocery cart. She said I babbled before I even talked,” Hance said.
Hance said her mother decided she had to do something with her since she was very entertaining and thought she would put her play. So, in elementary school, she joined the school play and YMCA.
“It was the best thing ever. I love it. It was what I wanted to do since I was a little girl,” she said.
Hance studied theater at Abilene Christian University in West Texas and started as an actress. She graduated with a degree in Directing.
“Like many performers, you go out into the world and try to get into act-
ing. When I was in Texas, it was hard to make a complete living as an actor, no matter where you live,” Hance said.
“ ey have a great auxiliary campus in Houston with a good arts and culture program. I also liked many teachers who were interested in lm and all forms of art,” she continued.
Hance also has a master’s degree in theology, arts, and culture from Fuller eological Seminary. She said that “Holy O” was part of her thesis project.
“Now, I take it on the road to di erent festivals,” Hance said.
Hance travels coast to coast, producing, being a playwright and directing theater. She also hosts and produces a podcast, “What is Fringe?”
Hance said Peterson helped her develop and direct “Holy O.” She spent her career working with playwrights and presenting at festivals, such as the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival and the New York International Fringe Festival.
“I’m also working now with Cathy Lam-Patrie, a co-director. She is helping me with some more acting because Amelia has been a part of this show, but my show is self-producing, and she is taking a pause to work on some other projects in Knoxville,” Hance said.
Hance said Cathy Lam-Patrie is an internationally recognized producer from Hong Kong who is devoted to advancing justice-focused work. In 2023, she received the Edinburgh Fringe First Award for “A Funeral for My Friend Who Is Still Alive.”
“Amelia is all groovy about me getting assistance because we’re all in it for the betterment of the piece. We had long conversations about the development process,” Hance said. “We sent me o to do my work with festivals.”
In addition to several other awards, “Holy O” received a “Best of Fringe” award from DC eatre Arts and was described by reviewer Ari Rogers as “a deeply moving, uniquely intimate, and spiritual exploration of sexuality.”
“It was exciting to receive these awards. is is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done artistically because it’s self-produced, and I’m the writer and the performer,” Hance said.
Hance said that on the business side, she does all the work, sending out press releases and learning how to do that process, advertising and getting people to the show.
“It’s been one of the hardest things I’ve done but also one of the best things that I’ve ever done,” she said. “I’ve grown so much, and my ability to believe in myself, who I am and what I can do, and how I can impact the world.”
Hance said she is very relational, and her show is very relational. e audience gets very involved, which excites her.
“I love connecting with people and
creating space for them to feel the experience. It feels good when other people recognize my work and really believe what I’m doing. And it’s nice when other people say they believe in what I’m doing,” Hance said.
“Denver has a vibrant art scene. It’s inspiring to come to a city that supports the arts, and the Fringe Festival is received well. I’m particular about where I go because it costs a lot of time and money to take a show somewhere and the place that is going and want it to be successful within the art scene and the festival,” Hance continued.
Hance’s “Holy O” performances during the Denver Fringe Festival will be at Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St., Denver, CO 80205.
“Holy O” showtimes are at 8 p.m. ursday, June 6, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at https://denverfringe.org/ shows/holy-o/. For more information about the show, go to theholyoplay.com.
The Denver Fringe Festival
Now in its fth year running, this
year’s Denver Fringe Festival boasts more than 150 performances, including 60 original productions that include theater, dance, circus, comedy, cabaret and more. e four-day festival, which takes place June 6-9, will take place in roughly 20 venues, primarily located in Denver’s RiNo and Five Points, and a satellite location in Aurora.
In addition to “Holy O,” some other highlights include “King Penny Radio,” an improvised 1940’s radio show complete with costumes and old-timey piano music; “Disko Boy,” a family-friendly drag show featuring Hans L’Adida; and “Raw Groove: Life of the Party,” which will take audience members on an Afrofuturistic journey with dance and live musical performances.
“To be able to produce a show and have the right exposure is hard to come by,” said Constance Harris with Raw Groove. “With the network that Denver Fringe has in place with venues and audiences, it cuts out some of the obstacles and allows artists to produce what they want.”
Harris, who is also known by her stage name Connie Love, is partici-
pating in the festival for the rst time this year.
Even more to look forward to this year are additional experiences such as “On e Fringes,” which is a visual art exhibit that will be on display through June 21 at Ironton Distillery in Denver; and Fringe Free-For-All, which will consist of a variety of performances in free-entry venues and street performances.
“We’re really manifesting our goal of making the arts accessible to all,” said Ann Sabbah, executive director of the Denver Fringe Festival, in a press release. “ e elements we’re adding this year allow us to support more independent artists, collaborate within the community and share live performance art with more people. We’re ve years in and the re for Fringe is burning bright.”
e Denver Fringe Festival is known for providing “unjuried, uncensored and unconventional art” to all. ose wanting a more family-friendly experience can attend KidsFringe, which o ers two free shows catered for an audience of kids and families.
It’ll be a master-versus-apprentice situation for Littleton’s Jason Preeo and Englewood’s Jake Staiano; both are among ve Coloradans who advanced out of the U.S. Open local qualifying round at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins on April 30. Preeo has coached Staiano since Staiano was a golfer at Valor Christian High School, and both tied with 69 at Collindale to advance to thenal qualifying round. Aurora’s Derek Fribbs also scored 69 for a three-way tie for rst.
“We’ve battled it out in the past,” said Staiano, a 2015 Eagles alum. “Whenever I see [Preeo’s] name in local qualifying rounds, I always know there’s probably one less spot than you’re looking for. He’s gotten through so many years. It was kind of funny to talk to him after the round.”
After the rst-place tie between Preeo, Staiano and Fribbs, AJ Ott from Fort Collins and Connor Jones from Denver tied for fourth with 71 to round out the ve advancing.
“I’ve actually taught Jake for probably eight or nine years when he was in high school and college, so I’m super familiar with his game and
everything he’s doing,” Preeo said between lessons at Metagolf Learning Center in Englewood. “And I knew Derek from coaching kids on his team when he was at CU, and AJ as well. So, you can see the depth of the eld and it was one of the stronger ones that I’ve seen a while. It’s a matter of keeping your head down, keeping going and posting the best score you can.”
e ve Coloradans will have a chance to continue their path to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina from June 13-16. Final qualifying takes place at 13 sites throughout the U.S. on May 20 and June 3. e times and locations are still beingnalized.
Preeo said he isn’t so sure that his rivalry with Staiano can be described as “master versus apprentice” anymore.
for a reason and can give them trouble.
“I’ve had enough tournament experience over the years that you just kind of go into compete mode and make the right decisions. You get the savvy old vet version of me instead of these young guys that can just hit it miles and do everything else so great,” Preeo said.
It’s Staiano’s rst time breaking through, and he’s determined to replicate the recent success of great golfers in Colorado.
“It’s just kind of something that gives me that opportunity to get there. Jason’s got there (before) but I haven’t got there before. I missed by one two years ago. But I’m excited to get back at it and hopefully get through this year,” Staiano said.
• Part-time hours
• P
•Adaptable route sizes
• Adaptable
• No suit & tie required!
Previous carrier experience encouraged; reliable vehicle and email access, required.
no telephone inquiries - but email us at:
“No, he’s better,” Preeo said, laughing. “ ere was a time I would say I could still beat him, but he would have been a high school kid. But he’s better.”
Staiano would love to beat Preeo as much as Preeo would like to beat Staiano. But Preeo said he never expects to win against these guys now. But at the same time, he’s still there
“Obviously, with Wyndham Clark doing his thing and a couple of other guys, it kind of pushes you and gives you something to strive for,” Staiano added. “Hopefully, I’m kind of doing what Wyndham is doing here in the next couple of years. at’s the main goal. Colorado has produced some great athletes, it’s pretty fun to see.”
To stay updated on nal qualifying round locations and times, visit www.usopen.com/.
Thu 5/30
Free Youth Football Skills Camp
@ 4:30pm / Free
Valor Athletic Stadium, Fields, and Courts, 3775 Grace Blvd, Highlands Ranch. 303471-3000
Henry Cho
@ 6:30pm
Sat 6/01
Warbird Invasion @ 8am / $12.95
Jun 1st - Jun 22nd
Comedy Works South, 5345 Land‐mark Pl, Greenwood Village
Fri 5/31
Jordan Yewey
@ 5pm
2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial
Whitey Morgan
@ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Exploration Of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@ wingsmuseum.org
SCFD Free Day At Exploration Of Flight @ 8am
Jun 1st - Jun 21st
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport), 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@ wingsmuseum.org
Wake Up and Live - A Bob Marley
Tribute @ 3pm
Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton
Bad CO - Colorado's Tribute to Bad Company @ 4pm
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park (formerly Lakewood Heritage Center), 801 S Yarrow St, Lakewood
Sun 6/02
Havana Street Pride @ 11am / Free Stampede, Aurora
Mon 6/03
Soccer Camp K-2 @ 7:30am / $199
Jun 3rd - Jun 7th
Valor Athletic Stadium, Fields, and Courts, 3775 Grace Blvd, Highlands Ranch. 303471-3000
Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10
Stampede, Aurora
Explorer Camp K-1st #HR060324-1WDC
@ 8am / $699
Jun 3rd - Jun 7th
CO - Highlands Ranch, Connec‐tions Church, 2121 Dad Clark Drive, Littleton. 720-249-2412
Wed 6/05
After Midnight Jazz Band: Littleton Museum Summer Concert @ 5:30pm Littleton Museum, 6028 S Gallup St, Lit‐tleton
Allan Rayman: The All Allan Tour
@ 7pm
Thu 6/06
Crazy Dave, Bass Guitarist: Resonance | Tailgate Tavern @ 5pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Jubilingo Live at Clement Park @ 6pm
Clement Park, Littleton
Eric Golden @ 6pm
Discovery Park, 20115 Mainstreet, Parker
Mercy Music @ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Strung Out @ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Michael Palascak @ 7pm
Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver
Strung Out @ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Ignite @ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Demand for space at the Douglas County Fairgrounds — home of the annual county fair and other events — has exceeded capacity, county o cials say. e solution? A renovation that would take away some sports areas where youth teams can play.
At least that’s part of the proposal so far, a plan that has riled up the youth sports community in the Castle Rock area.
Mark Steinke, president of the local Raptors Athletics program, said he understands that the fairgrounds need to grow, but displacing kids out of the program “would decimate us.”
“Probably 60% of all of our stu that we do is in the fairgrounds,” Steinke said during a contentious town hall discussion in front of county leaders that included some interruptions from the audience.
At that gathering in Castle Rock, ofcials faced the question of whether there’s a plan to build other sports elds to ensure kids don’t lose space.
Tim Hallmark, the county’s director of facilities, said o cials don’t know how the plan will unfold until it’s nalized.
But Abe Laydon, one of the county’s three elected commissioners, appeared to give a commitment to youth athletes.
“I will never displace your kids on my watch,” Laydon said, adding: “I’m not going to vote to move one speck of dirt until we have sports facilities and elds that are as good or
better than what we currently have.”
At the end of the town hall, where many young people sat wearing youth sports uniforms, the question of how the county might preserve or acquire new sports elds remained unanswered.
But the commissioners appeared to suggest that the county’s parks funding might help solve the problem.
“We’re not going to ask Tim (Hallmark) to solve that problem — we are going to ask our parks director to solve that problem,” Commissioner George Teal said.
He also pointed to an upcoming town hall on June 27 as a discussion that could shed more light on the question of space for youth sports.
Ultimately, the fairgrounds planning process is ongoing, and changes won’t come fast.
“Very aggressively, that would honestly take probably the entire year of 2025 to where we were ready to start putting shovels in the dirt,” Hallmark said.
While many people are just now learning about the fairgrounds plan, discussion about the need for a plan began in the third quarter of 2022 with the county commissioners, Hallmark told the Douglas County News-Press.
e “fairgrounds master plan process over the last year and a half began with input from dozens of users
of the fairgrounds,” county sta said in a statement. at includes the county Fair Board — since the annual, 10-day county fair and rodeo is the longestduration event on the property — along with community partners and sta , the statement said.
Asked about growing demand for event space at the fairgrounds, Hallmark told the News-Press: “ e substantial, sustained demand for fairgrounds uses by organizations, as well as use by the public, has evolved over the past ve years.”
As it stands now, some sports elds
would remain based on the draft of the fairgrounds master plan.
But three ball elds near the eastern edge of the fairgrounds property could be converted to new uses. ose impacted couldinclude one baseball diamond, one football/lacrosse area and a multi-use area for soccer, Hallmark said.
ose would be removed to add new structures including buildings
people and avid patrons of the arts in Colorado.
A, B and Con the plan’s map, which would include new multipurpose barn space and 4-H meeting rooms, among other things.
“We did our best to have as minimal an impact as we could,” but the fairgrounds are “landlocked,” with limited options for change, Hallmark said.
at’s because the fairgrounds area — near Interstate 25 o Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock — is surrounded by other properties that are already developed and land that is not for sale, Hallmark said.
Looking at the proposed parking
4. The center is a part of a $40 million master plan for the farm. e welcome center is stage one of the Chat eld Farm master development plan and will be completed in January 2025, according to Erin Bird, communications director for the Denver Botanic Gardens. Stage two is a 13,000-square-foot education
areas, Laydon at theMay 16 town hall asked whether the county could build a parking garage to save space for a sports area.
But in the current market, building a parking garage would cost thousands of dollars per parking space, Hallmark said.
“In the past there was a conversation about moving the fairgrounds to a di erent location in the county altogether,” Commissioner Lora omas said in her email newsletter. “But after much research and searching, the decision was made to leave the fairgrounds where it is lo-
center with indoor classrooms and an education garden.
5. The farm is not owned by the City of Littleton.
Denver Botanic Gardens and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers comanage the property.
cated, in part, because of the excellent location just o I-25.”
Looking to parks funding
Teal pointed to voter-approved sales tax revenue for parks and open space in the county when talking about a solution for youth sports elds.
Laydon echoed that, saying the county will have $330 million over the next 15 years for parks and recreation purposes.
“No kids will be moved from this fairgrounds until we have a plan,” Laydon said.
6. There are big events hosted there every year.
Each year, Chat eld Farms puts on a Lavender Festival, Corn Maze, Pumpkin Festival and Trail of Lights for visitors.
For more information on Chat eld Farms, visit BotanicGardens.org/ Chat eld-Farms.
Between slews of di erent strokes, roughly 320,000 competitive swimmers across America come up for air unsure of their placings as they compete against other swimmers and themselves.
e athletes can only hope with bated breath that their score is Olympic-worthy when they breach for the nal time. Only about 800 will make it.
Just seven swimmers registered to Colorado clubs emerged victorious, o cially qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis on June 15-23. Two are high schoolers from the Denver metro area.
Douglas County High School’s
Mila Nikanorov and Cherry Creek High School’s Charlotte Wilson headline the group. Both (recently graduated) seniors are rst-team all-state Colorado swimmers and multiple Class 5A state champions. Both also swam club for Highlands Ranch Athletics.
“Ever since I was 13, it was something that I wanted to do. It was a big goal,” Nikanorov, an Ohio State commit, said. “I had smaller goals to keep track of the progress and not make it seem unreachable. I really pride myself in knowing that I stuck with something for at least four years. I got my rst trials cut when I was 17.”
To qualify for the trials, athletes must post a qualifying time standard. e necessary qualifying times to earn a
trip to Indianapolis are at www. usaswimming.org/.
Because of the registry process for the team trials, athletes may have been born in Colorado but are currently training elsewhere, so they won’t be on this list. Here is the list of registered Coloradans who quali ed, according to USA Swimming:
Mila Nikanorov (age 18 from Douglas County); Charlotte Wilkson (age 17 from Cherry Creek); Madi Mintenko (age 16 from Colorado Springs); Joshua Corn (age 19 from Morrison); Gavin Keogh (age 16 from Erie); Ben Sampson (age 21 from Arvada); Morgan Lukinac (age 20 from Boulder).
Nikanorov recently swam the second-fastest time in Colorado history in the 500-meter freestyle at the high school state competition (4:42.49), just missing Olympian
Missy Franklin’s record by 0.77 seconds. Her time is currently the fastest high school time in the 500-meter freestyle in the country this year, and the second-fastest time in state meet history in all classi cations.
Wilson led Cherry Creek to its fourth straight 5A title and is a twotime individual state champion. Her time of 52.90 in the 100-meter backstroke is the third-fastest time in state meet history among all classi cations.
“It was something I had on my goal list for this year,” Wilson, a University of Virginia commit, said. “I had been trying to qualify for a year and a half since the times came out for quali cations because I’ve been super close for a while.” e multi-year commitment to this goal doesn’t stop now.
Both Wilson and Nikanorov are determined to display their best showings in Indy this summer but are relishing the accomplishment of just getting there.
“I’m just going to have fun with it. I’m already there,” Nikanorov said. “I’m just going to enjoy myself with the experience of going to the biggest meet in the country. I’ve been working on mental skills, just keeping myself calm especially knowing I’m going to be competing at such a high level with very fantastic swimmers as well.”
Positive self-talk is a tool swimmers rely on in what is arguably the most mental sport of them all, Nikanorov said.
It can be easy to get into a negative mindset during di cult sets, so utilizing one or two positive afrmations is more powerful than one might think.
feel coming from Colorado helps
“You have to race fast people to go fast times,” she said. “Having that group of fast swimmers in Colorado, especially people doing distance, which is what I do, really helps me. e competitive aspect of racing people in the state has helped me improve. I’ve practiced with some people from other (Colorado) teams which has been challenging but helpful to see what I can do to improve my training.”
Of the 800 at the trials, a max of 52 (26 men and 26 women) can make the Olympic Team.
Even if Wilson and Nikanorov don’t continue their path to Paris this summer, the locals are excited about the learning opportunity, picking the brains of the best swimmers in the nation this summer.
“Swimming is a really big mental game,” Wilson said. “You can be perfectly physically ready to swim super fast, but any mental doubt or mental hiccup is probably the biggest aspect of not falling short of your goals. For me, the biggest thing is being mentally ready and prepared to swim as fast as I can.”
But mental fortitude can only take you so far, especially once you reach the “top of the top of the top”,
as Wilson put it. Team trials can be the best place to learn and soak up skills from the best in the country, whether you make the Olympic cut or not, Wilson said.
e two Division I swimmers both
“I’m just so excited to swim with the greatest ever,” Wilson said. “I think it’s every swimmer’s goal when they’re little: ‘Wow, I want to make the Olympics.’ I’m just so excited to start training in college and to try and push my limits of what I think is possible for myself.”
For more information, including purchasing tickets for the U.S. Team Trials in Indianapolis, visit www.usaswimming.org/.
Paraprofessional
Full-Time Special Education
Paraprofessional needed for 2024-25 School Year in our West Area Center-Based Learning Programs located in Strasburg
• Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance . $16-$19 per hour depending on experience
• Questions contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces.org
• To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the "Jobs" page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button "Apply Online" at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
Open Technology Solutions, LLC, seeks Senior RPA in Centennial CO to design, build and develop RPA solutions to create automations that integrate into existing OTS technology framework. Requires MS in comp sci. or rltd fld (will accpt foreign ed equiv) & 3 yrs RPA developing exp. Must also possess: Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server, Visual Krum, Agile Methodologies, Business Requirements design, Orchestrator Certification, UI Path Certification. This position is 100% telecommute and can be performed from anywhere in the U.S. $125,000/yr. Submit app to mnavarrete@open-techs.com and refer to this ad in cover letter.
50+ HOMES HIGHLANDS 460 NEIGHBORHOOD Fri & Sat, June 7 & 8 S Colorado Blvd & E County Line Rd Centennial 80122 SAVE THE DATE!!! Save the Date! Gigantic Garage Sale in the Pradera Golf Community Subdivision Friday & Saturday, June 7th and 8th 8am-4pm Numerous homeowners in the Pradera community will be participating in this event Major cross streets into Pradera are Bayou Gulch and Parker Road, Parker 80134 Call Dotson Skaggs, Kentwood Real Estate 303-909-9350 for more information.
Medical
or 720-323-2173
Lawn & Garden
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833606-6777
Health & Beauty
VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!
50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00
100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928
Hablamos Espanol
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936
Become a published author We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads
Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234
Miscellaneous
Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833399-3595
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-479-1516
Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091
Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day! 1-844-591-7951
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games!
Choice Package $89.99/ mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405
Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!
Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189
Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+?
You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877-707-5707
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a lim-ited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer.) Offer ends 6/30/24. Call 1-844-501-3208
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-9486176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888489-3936
Toplacea25-wordCOSCANNetworkadin91ColoradoNewspapersforonly $300,contactyourlocalNewspaperoremailrtoledo@colopress.net
DIRECTV
DIRECTV-ALLyourentertainment.Northingon yourroof!SignupforDirectandgetyourfirst freemonthsofMax,Paramount+,Showtime,
Starz,MGM+andCinemaxincluded. ChoicePackage$84.99/mo.Somerestrictions apply.
CallDIRECTV1-888-725-0897
INVESTMENTOPPORTUNITY
INVESTMENTOPPORTUNITYONLINEAUCTION: 5/1-5/31Bar&GrillwithBreweryEquipment.126N. 3rdStreetDouglas,Wyoming.10,900SFRetail TURN-KEYOPERATION!SaleInfo:800-536-1401,X 401.Auctionsinternational.com-PromoCode: WESTBID24
Whenveterinarycareisunavailableor unaffordable,askforHappyJack®animal healthcareproductsforcats,dogs,& horses.AtTractorSupply® www.happyjackinc.com
FREEHIGHSPEEDINTERNET
FreeHighSpeedInternetforthosethatqualify. Govermentprogramforrecipientsofselectprograms incl.Medicaid,SNAP,HousingAssistance,WIC,Veterans Pension,SurvivorBenefit,Lifeline,Tribal.15GBInternet service.Bonusoffer:AndroidtabletFREEwithone-time $20copay.FreeShipping&Handling CallMaxsipTelecomToday:1-866-654-9429
Doodle Puppies
Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles
Home-Raised
Heath Tested and Guaranteed
Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today! (970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com
Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398
of
