George Brauchler faces Karen Breslin in DA race for new 23rd Judicial District
Republican George Brauchler, a former district attorney, faces Democrat Karen Breslin in the race that will determine the rst-ever district attorney of Colorado’s rst new judicial district in decades.
Colorado’s court system is made up of 22 judicial
trict is on the way. Today, the 18th Judicial District includes Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
But state lawmakers — driven by population growth and a political split in the region — decided to break it up, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into a new district.
State Rep. Brandi Bradley faces challenger Eric Brody in House District 39
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Republican state Rep. Brandi Bradley, an incumbent, faces Democratic challenger Eric Brody in the state House district that covers most of the Douglas County map, including much of Douglas’ rural areas.
It’s a rematch. Bradley was rst elected in 2022, beating Brody with 58% of the vote.
District 39 includes Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Larkspur, the Roxborough Park area and part of the south Highlands Ranch area, among others.
Both candidates spoke to Colorado Community Media ahead of the election, laying out their stances and what they want to focus on if elected.
Here’s what the candidates had to say on democracy and good government, the area’s high cost of living and other issues.
On democracy and good governance
In Colorado Community Media’s recent survey sent to readers, many
Recycling
George Brauchler
COURTESY PHOTO
Karen Breslin
PHOTO VIA CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
Douglas County voter information guide: resources, locations and more
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With the Nov. 5 election approaching quickly, ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Oct. 11. Here is some voter information, resources and drop box locations across Douglas County.
Twenty-one ballot drop boxes will open Oct. 11 at various locations in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree and Parker. e locations will close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. e drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day leading up to Nov. 5, and according to the county, the boxes have lighting and 24/7 video surveillance. Additionally, cameras record all areas where election management software is used, according to the Colorado County Clerks Association.
Residents can register to vote, update their information or check their registration at GoVoteColorado.gov.
ose who register to vote must a rm they are a U.S. citizen, have been a Colorado resident for at least 22 days before the election, are at least 18 years of age and the residence address provided is your legal place of residence.
For those who are away from home – in the military or at college, for example – to ensure you receive a ballot, you must update the address for where the ballot should be sent. Detailed information can be found on the county website at douglas.co.us/ elections/election-information/. e last day that voters may request a ballot to be sent by mail is Oct. 28. If residents have not received a ballot, they are encouraged to contact the Douglas County Elections O ce at 303-660-7444, or visit a Voter Service and Polling Center.
Voter services and polling centers
ese centers are intended to assist Douglas County residents in registering to vote, update their information, replace a ballot, drop o a lled-out ballot and vote in person. e locations are equipped with ADA accessible voting machines. ey will open in three phases
across Douglas County. All locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Phase one opens at 8 a.m. on Oct. 21 in Highlands Ranch, Parker and Castle Rock:
• Northridge Recreation Center, 8800 S. Broadway
• Douglas County Parks and Trails Division, 9651 S. Quebec St.
• Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet
• Douglas County Krik Hall, 500 Fairgrounds Road
Phase two opens at 8 a.m. on Nov. 1 in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Louviers, Littleton and Parker:
• Castle Pines Library, 360 Village Square Lane
• Crystal Valley Ranch Recreation Center, 2160 Fox Haven Dr.
• Douglas County Human Services, 4400 Castleton Court
• e Ridge House, 4501 Enderud Blvd.
• Larkspur Fire Department, 9414 Spruce Mountain Road
• Roxborough Library, 8357 N. Rampart Range Road #200
• Louviers Village Clubhouse, 7885 Louviers Blvd.
• Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 Plaza Dr.
• South Metro Fire Station 46, 19310 Stroh Road
Phase three opens at 8 a.m. on Nov. 4 in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker:
• Castle Rock Library, 100 S Wilcox St.
• Highlands Ranch Library, 9292
S Ridgeline Blvd.
• Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road
• Westridge Recreation Center, 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.
• Lone Tree Library, 10055 Library Way
• Parker Water and Sanitation District, 13939 Ancestry Dr.
• Parker Recreation Center, 17301 Lincoln Ave.
• Franktown Fire - Pradera Station, 6120 Bridle Path Lane
Hours of the locations can be found at tinyurl.com/mryh7w24.
Drop box locations
Castle Pines has one location:
• Castle Pines Library, 360 Village
Square Lane
Castle Rock has six locations:
• A walk-up location at Crystal Valley Ranch Recreation Center, 2160 Fox Haven Dr.
• A walk-up location at the Douglas County O ce Building, 100 ird St.
• Douglas County Elections, 125 Stephanie Place
• Douglas County O -Leash Area, 110 Plum Creek Parkway
• e Grange, 3692 Meadows Blvd.
• e Ridge House, 4501 Enderud Blvd.
Highlands Ranch has four locations:
• A walk-up location at the Douglas County Park and Trails Division, 9651 S. Quebec St.
• A walk-up location at Redstone Park Service Center, 3280 Redstone Park Circle
• Highlands Ranch Motor Vehicle, 2223 Wildcat Reserve Parkway
• Highlands Ranch Sheri Substation, 9250 Zotos Dr. Larkspur has one location:
• Larkspur Town Hall, 8720 Spruce Mountain Road Littleton has three locations:
• A walk-up location at Roxbor-
ough Marketplace, 8357 N. Rampart Range Road
• South Suburban Sports Complex, 4810 E. County Line Road
• Sterling Ranch Civic Center, 8155 Piney River Ave.
Lone Tree has two locations:
• Lone tree Motor Vehicle, 9350 Heritage Hills Circle
• Lone Tree Municipal Building, 9220 Kimmer Dr.
Parker has four locations:
• EchoPark Stadium, 11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd.
• Parker Police Department, 18600 Lincoln Meadows Parkway
• Parker Town Hall, 20120 E. Mainstreet
• Parker Water and Sanitation, 13939 Ancestry Dr.
Voters can also track their ballot by using BallotTrax. e app will notify voters by phone, email or text concerning the status of their mail-in ballot. SIgn up by using the link on the “Track Your Ballot” page on the Douglas County website at: douglas.co.us/elections/trackyour-ballot/. Election results will be tabulated and rst count will be made public after 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. Results can be found at DouglasVotes.com.
A ballot drop box sits in Highlands Ranch outside Douglas County’s parks and trails administration building.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
2024 Saw the Enactment of Numerous New Housing & HOA Laws
The Colorado General Assembly passed and Gov. Polis signed many new laws regarding housing and how HOAs can operate. Here are some new laws that caught my attention:
HB24-1152: Concerning Increasing the Number of Accessory Dwelling Units — This law prohibits jurisdictions or HOAs in a metropolitan area from unreasonably restricting the construction of ADUs in single-family neighborhoods. It also prohibits the requirement that an owner occupy the ADU or the primary residence, and it prohibits requiring additional off-street parking if there is sufficient existing parking, including on-street parking. (Those are two current requirements of many jurisdictions’ ADU ordinances.)
of fire-hardened building materials used for fencing within the community.
copy a designated contact on the notice.
HB24-1337: Real Property Owner
scribed size, location and wording of the sign is included in the bill.
HB24-1007: Concerning Residential Occupancy Limits —The act prohibits counties and municipalities from limiting the number of people who may live together in a single dwelling based on familial relationship, while allowing local governments to implement residential occupancy limits based only on demonstrated health and safety standards, fire code regulations, etc.; or on local, state, federal, or political subdivision affordable housing program guidelines.
HB24-1173: Concerning Streamlining the Process for Permitting Electric Motor Vehicle Charging Systems
Unit Association Collections — This law limits the reimbursement amount which an HOA can charge for attorney fees to $5,000 or 50% of the original money owed when its takes collection action against a unit owner. For failure to obey the bylaws or rules of the association, the reimbursement for attorney fees is limited to $5,000 or 50% of the actual costs. The law also limits the ability of the HOA to foreclose on the unit, and provides for redemption by the unit owner and others, including the tenant, within 180 days after a foreclosure sale.
SB24-005: Prohibit Landscaping Practices for Water Conservation —
Affected jurisdictions are given until June 30, 2025, to submit a report to the state’s Department of Local Affairs demonstrating that they have complied with the law and that they have implemented one or more strategies to encourage and facilitate the construction or conversion of ADUs.
HB24-1091: Concerning Prohibiting Restrictions on the Use of FireHardened Building Materials — This law generally prohibits covenants and other restrictions that disallow the installation, use, or maintenance of firehardened building materials in homes, including in HOAs. However, the law allows an HOA to develop reasonable standards regarding the design, dimensions, placement, or external appearance
Megan’s Market
By Megan Aller First American Title
This law requires the Colorado Energy Office to publish by March 31, 2025, a model code for the installation of EV charging systems in counties over 20,000 population or municipalities over 10,000 population. The office must also provide technical assistance to counties or municipalities for the implementation of an expedited permitting process.
HB24-1233: Homeowners' Association Delinquency Payments Enforcement Procedures — This law amends HB22-1137, which said that notices of delinquency must be posted on the unit’s door. Under this law, the HOA must send a certified letter to the unit owner and employ two other methods (phone call/voicemail, text message, or email) and must communicate in the preferred language of the unit owner and
Snapshot:
Sept. 25-Oct. 1
To conserve water used for irrigation, this law, effective Jan. 1, 2026, prohibits local governments from allowing the installation, planting, or placement of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, or invasive plant species on commercial, institutional, or industrial property, association property, or a street right-ofway, parking lot, median, or transportation corridor. Artificial turf for athletic fields is not banned, however.
SB24-058: Landowner Liability Recreational Use Warning Signs —
This law allows the owner of land with recreational access to protect himself or herself from liability for off-trail injury or death by posting a sign at the common entrance to the property. The pre-
Development
Here are some key takeaways from the market activity during the 7-day period from Sept. 25th to Oct. 1st: Denver metro area inventory appears to be stabilizing, with steady buyer activity, signaling a sense of balance in the market as we move from September into October.
Buyers who have been waiting for better market conditions are now finding more options available. Sellers are increasingly open to negotiating, making repairs, offering concessions, and accepting contingent offers to get deals done. This creates an excellent opportunity for buyers to take advantage of the increased negotiating power they currently hold, which may shift if rates drop and competition intensifies.
The number of active listings remained consistent compared to the prior 7-day period, though inventory is much higher than this time last year.
New listings increased both week over week and compared to the same period last year, while “coming soon” listings have dipped slightly. Pending transactions stayed fairly flat, and the market’s supply of inventory has held steady.
The odds of selling rose but remain below the historical average from prior years, reflecting ongoing market dynamics.
Showings decreased slightly from the previous 7-day period but are up compared to last year. Homes are spending more time on the market, allowing buyers more time to make informed decisions.
There was an increase in price reductions, with a larger percentage of homes lowering their prices before going under contract. The size of these price reductions has also increased.
REcolorado, the MLS serving Denver and beyond, is the data source for this article.
SB24-134: Operation of a HomeBased Businesses — This law allows a unit owner (or tenant, with the unit owner's permission) to operate a home-based business in a unit owner’s unit. An HOA may no longer seek to enforce any covenant or restriction that would prohibit a unit owner from operating a home-based business. The operation of a home-based business must still comply with any applicable and reasonable unit owners' association rules or regulations related to architectural control, parking, landscaping, noise, nuisance, and other matters that may impact fellow HOA members. The operation of a home-based business must also comply with municipal and county noise and nuisance ordinances or resolutions.
SB24-145: Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records — Older CC&Rs (covenants) included unlawful restrictions on membership based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or other personal characteristics. These are no longer enforceable, but they remain in those documents. This law creates the ability of any association to submit an amendment to the county clerk and recorder removing those provisions without a vote of the membership. The posting of this article online at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com includes links for each of these laws.
$8,000,000
Currently a greenhouse operation, these parcels at 52nd Ave. & Indiana St. have two addresses. The smaller parcel is 14780 W. 52nd Ave., and the larger one is 5150 Indiana St. Together they total over 12½ acres. The land is zoned agricultural, with a single family home, several outbuildings and a commercial well. They are in unincorporated Jefferson County. Current zoning allows for several uses, or the purchaser may choose to rezone to highest and best use. Downtown Golden, Jefferson County Government, and the Colorado School of Mines are just over five miles away. Learn more at www.GRElistings.com
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George Teal faces Angela Thomas for Douglas County commissioner seat
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, a Republican, faces Democratic challenger Angela omas in the district that formally covers Castle Rock and the southern portion of the county, including much of Douglas’ rural areas, in the November election.
e board of commissioners is the county’s policy-making body, approving Douglas’ annual budget and passing local laws that govern unincorporated areas, or those outside of city and town limits. is includes Highlands Ranch and many other parts of the county.
Both candidates spoke to Colorado Community Media ahead of the election, laying out their stances and what they want to do if elected.
Douglas County commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts. is means
commissioners are required to reside in di erent districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat.
Teal was elected as a commissioner in 2020 and served six years on the Castle Rock Town Council. He has worked in the software and information technology eld.
omas spent 20 years as a social worker and is a former chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party.
Here’s what the commissioner District 2 candidates had to say on the high cost of living in Douglas County, water and other issues.
Democracy and good government
In Colorado Community Media’s recent survey sent to readers, many chose democracy and good government as an issue they think candidates should focus on. CCM asked candidates how they would promote those ideals if elected.
“I’m in favor of making sure the clerk and recorder has what she needs to run fair elections here in the county,” Teal, the incumbent, said.
Teal also said he makes an e ort to always get to the communications he receives from residents.
“I take phone calls on my personal cellphone,” Teal said. “People think they’re leaving a voicemail and then they get me and they’re shocked.”
omas, the challenger, took issue with the county’s decision to move public comment — the part of commissioners meetings where members of the public can speak — to the end of the meeting instead of the start.
“ at is something I would not be willing to do. I’m willing to do whatever needs to happen (to allow) people to speak,” omas said, adding that she wants people to know their comments are welcome “whether I agree with them or disagree with them.”
Current Commissioner Lora omas, a Republican, has opposed the decision to move public comment to the end of commissioners meetings.
Angela omas, the Democrat, also supports making meetings “much more accessible to the public and possibly even move them to a late afternoon, evening meeting,
so that more working people can participate.”
e commissioners’ regular meetings typically occur at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, twice a month.
Cost of living
On the high cost of living in Douglas County, omas pointed to the county’s mill levy, or property tax rate.
Commissioners decided to give homeowners a property tax refund check this year.
omas wondered whether another approach was possible.
“I would have supported a decrease in the mill levy so that taxpayers would have simply paid a lower amount up front,” omas said.
She also argued the county should look at what federal and state grant money it may not be receiving for public health, mental health and social services purposes.
Teal also pointed to tax relief as important in the conversation about cost of living.
“I think we do a lot of work to keep the cost of county government down,” Teal said, adding: “I still plan on providing tax relief at any time in any way we can. My plan would be refund checks for next year.”
Angela Thomas
George Teal
State Sen. Kevin Van Winkle faces Josh Smith in race to be Douglas County commissioner
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
State Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, a Republican, faces Democrat Josh Smith in the race that will determine who will replace outgoing Douglas County Commissioner Lora omas, who cannot run for reelection because of term limits.
e two candidates are running in the district that formally covers northwest Douglas County in the November election.
e board of commissioners is the county’s policy-making body, approving Douglas’ annual budget and passing local laws that govern unincorporated areas, or those outside of city and town limits. is includes Highlands Ranch and many other parts of the county.
Both candidates spoke to Colorado Community Media ahead of the
election, laying out their stances and what they want to do if elected.
Douglas County commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts. is means commissioners are required to reside in di erent districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat.
Van Winkle currently represents the Highlands Ranch area at the state Capitol. Before moving to the state Senate, heserved in the state House. According to his campaign website, he is a small-business owner.
Smith works as a freight broker in the trucking industry, helping people nd trucks for their freight. He said he was in the mortgage industry for 18 years before that.
Here’s what the commissioner District 3 candidates had to say on the high cost of living in Douglas County, water and other issues.
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On democracy and good governance
In Colorado Community Media’s recent survey sent to readers, many chose democracy and good government as an issue they think candidates should focus on. CCM asked candidates how they would promote those ideals if elected.
Van Winkle said he would put “the citizens rst.”
“Just as I’ve done serving the people of Douglas County for the last 10 years in the legislature,” he said.
For him, that means “safe communities, free of crime and school violence and things like that, car thefts,” Van Winkle said.
On good governance, Smith said the rst thing he would do is “increase transparency around everything that we do.”
He also took issue with “the ability and willingness of two commissioners to shut out the third,” Smith said,
Brauchler, a longtime politician who has appeared on ballots in several elections, served eight years as DA for the 18th district, wrapping up his term in 2021. He lives in Douglas County.
Breslin, who lives in Elbert County, teaches political science at the University of Colorado Denver. She is a practicing attorney with a focus on land use and environmental law, she said.
Here’s what the candidates had to say on the DA’s role for good government, their experience and other issues.
On democracy and good governance
In Colorado Community Media’s recent survey sent to readers, many chose democracy and good government as an issue they think candidates should focus on. CCM asked candidates how they would promote those ideals if elected.
For Brauchler, it’s important to protect the election process.
“If there are threats to voters or to election workers or to the system in general,” he said, a DA has “to be aggressive in pursuing those.”
He pointed to how another DA
handled the case of an embattled elections o cial — Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, a Republican — who was investigated after an alleged election system security breach involving her. e area’s DA put himself as the lead prosecutor on the case, despite also being a Republican, Brauchler said.
“And I thought that was the right answer,” Brauchler said.
Brauchler also touted what he said was a high level of transparency during his time with the 18th DA’s o ce. e o ce published information about the checks that it signed — the taxpayer dollars it spent — for the public to scrutinize, Brauchler said.
His o ce also put out the names and demographics of everyone that got sent to prison from his jurisdiction, he said.
“I want to continue those things as the DA in the 23rd, and I think I’m uniquely positioned because I’ve done it before,” Brauchler said.
Breslin also emphasized transparency in how the DA’s o ce functions. at could include inviting the public to participate in a community and stakeholder advisory board and holding regular town halls, she said.
“Just kind of a constant stream of communication that runs both ways,” Breslin said.
She pointed to her experience as a longtime employee of the National
dates should focus on. CCM asked candidates how they would promote those ideals if elected.
Bradley focused the question on managing money.
Park Service, where she served as senior policy advisor to the regional director.
“When we got crosswise with the communities, it was often because we weren’t alert to the need to communicate, and I think when there’s a lack of communication, there’s a lack of trust,” Breslin said.
Talking experience
Brauchler framed the election as about experience, saying Breslin has never been a prosecutor.
If someone allegedly commits mass murder and the case goes to trial, “it won’t be my rst one,” Brauchler said.
Brauchler’s time as DA for the 18th district was essentially bookended by shootings that horri ed the Denver suburbs: the 2012 Aurora theater shooting and the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in 2019.
Brauchler’s successor, John Kellner, asked him to stay on as special prosecutor for the STEM School shooting trial.
Breslin said the conversation about experience depends on how a person de nes the job of DA. She doesn’t see it as the “super prosecutor” or as a trial attorney position.
“I see the job as one of leadership — I see the job as setting policy. And that, I think, is where my credentials do shine,” Breslin said, pointing to her political science background
“studying the most important issues facing this country.”
She mentioned mental health, domestic violence, substance use, child abuse and elder abuse as issues that a ect the DA’s o ce.
“ ose are things that show up in the criminal justice system, but they don’t start there. And so using the criminal justice system in a way that addresses those issues (is important),” she said.
It’s expensive to keep someone incarcerated, said Breslin, who wants to focus on recidivism, or the repetition of criminal behavior.
“What can we do to use that money more wisely if we know we’re kind of just cycling people through the system? ey come in, they go out and they reo end far too often,” Breslin said.
She felt that people’s mental health issues need to be addressed.
“ at doesn’t mean that the bad guys and the violent people shouldn’t go to jail. ey absolutely should. I have no tolerance for violent crime,” Breslin said, adding: “I’m talking about other kinds of crime that could be (addressed) in other ways.”
On combating recidivism, she said focusing on young people would pay o , pointing to “con ict resolution.” She supports looking at what kind of opportunities o cials can provide them.
chose democracy and good government as an issue they think candi-
“Good governance to me is a budget. Good governance to me is
having a government that doesn’t over-legislate,” Bradley said, adding that the state legislature passed hundreds of bills in the recent fourmonth lawmaking session. “ at is not good government to me.”
Brody feels open mindedness in
discourse is important.
He said he’s a founding member of the Douglas County chapter of Braver Angels, an organization that describes itself as a “cross-partisan,
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DISTRICT 3 RACE
referring to the frequent 2-1 split with Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal against omas.
Smith said he would support a ballot measure to expand the board of county commissioners to ve members “so that two people can no longer make decisions for a county of (nearly) 400,000,”
Smith said.
On cost of living
On the high cost of living in Douglas County, Smith pointed to property taxes as an issue.
He also suggests limiting growth and “protecting our water supply so that we can try to keep our water costs from
ballooning out of control.”
e existing commissioner board has allowed property developers to deviate from the county’s typical water use standard, Smith said.
“We need to not allow those to be negotiated down. And I think that alone would restrict some development because it’s going to raise the cost of development,” Smith said.
Van Winkle said he would “always remember that I work for the taxpayers and the citizens of Douglas County.”
“I think there’s a lot more that the Douglas County commissioners can do to lower property taxes,” Van Winkle said. He added that he supports “getting government off our back so taxpayers can keep more of their money, whether that’s fees or taxes.”
MEET BOB MARSHALL
Before returning your ballot, meet Bob at the Highlands Ranch Library, Saturday, October 19 from 2:00-3:30 P.M.
Other issues
Van Winkle wants the board to look 40 or 50 years out concerning the question of “what kind of county do we want to be?”
On issues like water resources, building roads and bridges, or approving new communities, he’d like to see thinking “farther out than our commissioners sometimes do now.”
“Instead of approving a park here and a brand new community there,” Van Winkle added.
He thinks updating the county’s comprehensive master plan — a broad roadmap for development — could help.
“We should have already had big parks built in the north and west part of the county like Sterling Ranch and Highlands Ranch, and that hasn’t happened yet. And I would say parks and sports venues like more baseball elds, more soccer elds — perhaps even more ice rinks,” Van Winkle said.
Smith said his campaign is about “community restoration,” noting that over the past 10 to 15 years, “we have all become incredibly partisanly divided.”
“I think there’s so much theatricality still at the local level and arguing over fairly unimportant culture war issues, and I think what we need to be doing is more practical measures,” Smith said, adding: “We need to nd ways to get along.”
“I’m trying to get into politics with an e ort to remove politics from a lot of our lives,” Smith added.
On water
CCM also asked the candidates about what’s known as the Renewable Water Resources plan, an idea that has drawn controversy in county politics. at’s a proposal to pump about 22,000 acre-feet of water per year to the county from the San Luis Valley in the south part of the state.
Highlands Ranch Herald
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Representatives should be open and accessible. Bob has held 14 town halls since elected, more than all other Douglas County legislators combined. Bob’s opponent has held no known public forums. Instead, Bob’s opponent relies upon outside special interests to buy the seat through negative advertising. In four months, Bob’s opponent received 15 contributions from HD43 residents compared to Bob’s 200+. Yet he outraised Bob in the last reporting period with half his money coming from just 3 outside special interest donors. Bob does not hide from constituents, the public or opposition. Bob represents YOU. NOT special interests.
See Secretary of State TRACER Filings - https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/homepage.aspx
An acre-foot is the equivalent of a one-foot-deep pool about the size of a football eld. Renewable Water Resources, often called RWR, is the private company that proposed the project.
In 2022, Laydon joined omas in deciding not to move forward with the project, and Teal continued to support it.
Smith is “completely against it,” he said.
“It would be a disaster for the county and a disaster for the San Luis Valley,” Smith said.
Van Winkle said he has been opposed to the RWR project, “but I really don’t think it’s realistic (for it) to come back.”
“ e people of San Luis Valley would ght it so hard — and probably other water providers, too,” Van Winkle said.
Douglas County expands homeless camping ban
Action comes on heels of new decision by U.S. Supreme Court
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After claiming to have “e ectively ended homelessness” just a month earlier, Douglas County’s leaders voted to expand the county’s camping ban, a move fueled by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Abe Laydon, one of the county’s three commissioners, framed the camping ban as “all about reclaiming our public spaces.”
“ ankfully our numbers were never astronomical, so we were able to nip this in the bud,” Laydon said, referring to homelessness in Douglas. He added, “I think we’re going to continue to work hard.”
County leaders passed a narrower camping ban last year, but the new ban is expanded to cover all public, or government-owned, property.
It applies in unincorporated areas — those outside of city and town boundaries, like Highlands Ranch and many other parts of Douglas.
Extraordinaire
At a county news conference in August about homelessness, Sheri Darren Weekly said, “Homelessness is not a crime.” He echoed Parker Mayor Je Toborg, who made a similar statement.
Cathy Alderman, spokesperson for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, argued that camping bans don’t solve homelessness but rather can merely move people away from certain areas.
“If you are penalizing the existence of people because of their house situation — in this instance, their unhoused situation — whether you intend it to be a crime or not, if it becomes a crime, your best intentions haven’t resulted in it not being a crime,” Alderman said, speaking about public o cials.
Camping bans can perpetuate homelessness because they result in nes or penalties that can later result in warrants and arrests, which can a ect a person’s ability to nd employment and housing, Alderman said.
“Having a criminal record because you’re trying to survive doesn’t cre-
ate an easy path to the things that you need to get out of that cycle of homelessness,” Alderman said.
What’s in the law
e draft of the new camping ban ordinance, or law, says no person can camp on public property without written permission.
“Camp means to reside or dwell temporarily in a place, with shelter, and conduct activities of daily living, such as eating or sleeping,” the draft text says.
Under that law, “shelter” includes any cover or protection from the elements other than clothing.
Written permission includes a documented reservation, permit, park pass or contract, the text says.
People who violate the camping ban may face a ne of up to $1,000 for each separate violation of the ordinance, plus a surcharge of $10, according to the text.
e ordinance takes e ect Oct. 25, according to county sta .
Before, Douglas only banned unauthorized camping on county property in areas outside of cities and towns, rather than on public property in general.
From left, Parker Mayor Je Toborg; Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon; Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly; Douglas County sheri ’s Capt. Phil Domenico; and Greg Matthews, a county Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team sta er, stand at an Aug. 16 news conference at the county headquarters in Castle Rock.
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
A classroom that benefits the brain and the environment
Sand Creek Elementary takes learning to the great outdoors
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It’s not every day that teachers see their students run to grab a seat at the front of the classroom, but on a recent sunny morning at Sand Creek Elementary school in Highlands Ranch, that action brought a wide smile to the teacher’s face.
Situated in the schoolyard, overlooking the mountains, students at Sand Creek Elementary now have the opportunity to learn outside with their new outdoor classroom.
“It’s nice how you can see the mountains and you’re not cramped up in a small room,” Gabe, a student, said.
In the sixth grade, Gabe is part of the student leadership team and was one of the rst students to use the outdoor classroom. While sitting at a desk made to look like a tree stump, he said it’s nice to have fresh air and listen to nature.
e chance to be outside and away from the standard classroom is what Emily Drost, a parent and previous PTA president, was looking for. She came across the OutClass Outdoor Classrooms national competition o ered by Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds.
side, said CEO John El-Raheb. rough research, El-Raheb said they have found there are bene ts for physical and mental health, as well as a reduction in bullyism and teacher absenteeism.
“One hour spent outside, we see an increase in attention and focus,” said El-Raheb. “ e teachers are nding when they go back in, that increase in attention and focus continues for the rest of the day.”
Sara Bolser, a multilingual and gifted learner teacher, watched some of her students participate in the rst class outside. She said some of them are oftentimes distracted, but utilizing the outdoor classroom, they were more focused and engaged.
With some students having come from other countries where they are used to rigid classrooms, having this opportunity will o er a new way of learning, said Bolser, such as expanding vocabulary by learning what’s around them.
With more than 10,000 entries from across the country and Canada, Sand Creek Elementary was this year’s recipient of an outdoor classroom aimed to bene t students’ education, health and environment. In addition to the student desks, the classroom also includes a teacher station, a blackboard and trees.
“It’s a great change from being inside,” said Bolser. “ ere’s a lot of different bene ts.”
Any class at the school can sign up to use the space. Students with learning disabilities can use the space to have one-on-one time with their paraprofessionals and give the students an opportunity to have different sensory exercises. e outdoor classroom also aims to encourage students to become active participants in helping the environment and mitigating climate change.
“Our existing garden club is one that students love,” said Principal Pamela Pekarek. “We now have the infrastructure to support more outdoor education and exploration.”
I am a Coloradan with a passion for exploration and over three decades of experience as a travel consultant. I’ve had the privilege of helping countless adventurers turn their dreams into reality. Call me, let’s talk about your travel dreams.
“I’m so thrilled that we get to give this to our students and that our teachers get to have this amazing opportunity,” said Drost. “ is whole experience is just great for everybody.”
e elementary school is the rst school in Douglas County to have an outdoor classroom through Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, which was founded on the basis that children and communities thrive when they spend time in nature, according to its website.
e company created the OutClass line during the COVID-19 pandemic in hopes of getting people to be outdoors and nding an easy way for teachers to bring their classes out-
Near the playground were garden boxes that the students use to grow produce that is used in the school cafeteria. EarthX donated its time to move the garden boxes and plant four new trees that were donated by SiteOne. To prepare for the classroom, parents also donated their time to pull weeds and clean up the area.
“ is was a full community project,” said Pekarek.
A gardening club member and second grader, Emilina, enjoys spending time outside and said it’s going to be really fun to learn subjects like math while outside.
“(I’m) gonna feel a lot happier,” said Emilina.
A second-grade student sits at the teachers podium in the outdoor classroom at Sand Creek Elementary school. PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA
Sand Creek Elementary school Principal Pamela Pekarek assists two students in the o cial ribbon cutting of the school’s new outdoor classroom as parent Emily Drost and Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds and OutClass Outdoor Classrooms CEO John El-Raneo cheer.
Man fatally shot after allegedly pointing gun at Douglas County deputies
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A man who apparently said he was suicidal, according to Sheri Darren Weekly, was fatally shot after allegedly pointing a gun at Douglas County sheri ’s deputies.
e sheri felt that “it’s a tragic situation, but the subject’s actions left our deputies with no choice,” said Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the sheri ’s o ce.
e Lone Tree Police Department received a phone call from a man who lived on Roosevelt Lane, near Peoria Street and Lincoln Avenue, at about 6 p.m. Sept. 28.
“ e subject indicated that he was suicidal,” Weekly said in a video post-
ed to the social media platform X.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival, “a community response team o cer continued to speak to the individual, trying to get him to deescalate the situation,” Weekly added. “At some point during all of this, the subject had red a round inside of his apartment.”
Community response team ofcers continued to talk to the man, trying to convince him to come down and “meet with deputies,” Weekly said.
“ e subject did come down,” Weekly said. “However, the subject had a handgun in his hand and red one round into the air. Moments later, the subject then turned and pointed his rearm at our Douglas
County deputies. At that time, several Douglas County deputies red their weapons, striking the subject.”
Deputies “immediately rendered aid” and called for an ambulance, Weekly said.
“Deputies continued to render aid, to include CPR,” Weekly said. “ e subject was transported to an area hospital, where he died of his injuries.”
e shooting occurred at an apartment complex at Peoria Street and Roosevelt Lane, according to the sheri ’s o ce. at’s in unincorporated Douglas County, just outside of Lone Tree.
ere were no injuries to o cers, according to the sheri ’s o ce. e incident was to be investigated
by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, according to the sheri ’s o ce.
Law enforcement agencies in the 18th Judicial District pool resources through a critical incident team to investigate incidents of o cer-involved use of deadly force or potentially deadly force, and the district attorney’s o ce determines whether the use of force was lawful or criminal, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce website. Reports on o cer-involved shootings are public on theDA’s o ce website.
In Colorado’s court system, the 18th Judicial District covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE
Iam a lifelong Coloradan operating a small organic farm raising goats, chickens, and produce in mountain lion territory. My land encompasses an elk calving ground and has been placed in a conservation easement. I have lled my freezer with elk meat for decades and I source most of my food locally.
Mountain lions and bobcats depend on this land for their safety and nourishment. I take the necessary precautions to protect my goats and chickens and the apex predators who live here by utilizing guard dogs and a protective shelter at night. Con icts between my domestic livestock and the wildlife who live here are rare, and if they do happen, I learn how to use more e ective nonlethal deterrents.
I rst learned about the brutal techniques of mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Colorado when I began seeing hound dogs with large collars equipped with extended antennas captured on trail cameras on my private land. Around this same time, someone at our local bar found a hound wandering the
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
GUEST
COLUMN
VOICES
Vote to end trophy hunting of big cats
streets adorned with a GPS collar with a phone number listed. ey called that number and the person who answered asked them to release the dog explaining that he was letting it run loose in this area to seek out any mountain lions or bobcats for a trophy kill. I was shocked and called Colorado Parks and Wildlife and they told me that this was permitted under the law.
A year later, on Christmas Day, I heard hounds baying on my land. I followed the sounds and witnessed a trapped bobcat in a tree. I confronted the hunters when they nally arrived about this trespass and harassment of wildlife, and when I called CPW I was told, once again, that this was legal as long as they came to retrieve the dogs.
As I researched this cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary form of hunting, I discovered that out tters in our state are permitted up to eight dogs to chase mountain lions from a distance while hunters track them with a GPS device in order to charge out-of-state hunters upwards
Church’s legal win is win for compassion e recent legal victory of e Rock Church in Castle Rock, CO, over the Town of Castle Rock is a triumph for justice, compassion, and religious freedom. e dispute centered on the church’s commitment to shelter homeless individuals on its property, a mission rooted in its religious duty to aid those in need. Despite the town’s repeated attempts to block these e orts using zoning laws, the church’s determination and legal win emphasize a key moral truth: obedience to God can, and sometimes must, take precedence over adherence to government rules, especially when compassion is at stake.
Zoning laws exist to maintain order and safety in a community, but rigid application of these laws, as seen here, can distort their original purpose. In this case, the town used zoning regulations to prevent a church from ful lling its deeply held religious obligation to help the homeless, undermining the very essence of justice and compassion these laws should support. e law should serve the common good, not obstruct acts of charity aligned with faith.
of $8,000 to corner and shoot these animals for a trophy. I am an ethical hunter, and I knew this was not ethical nor fair chase. If my dog is o -leash and chases wildlife, I could be heavily ned for this infraction of the law. So why does Colorado allow packs of hounds to brutally chase lions to exhaustion so that a hunter can shoot them down?
Bobcats are also hounded, but the most common method of killing is to bait them into a live trap where they are held in the deep cold for up to 24 hours (if these trappers are following the law) until they are bludgeoned, strangled, or poisoned to death so their fur can be sold to overseas markets. I was shocked to learn that the commercialization of wildlife was sanctioned in our state.
I have devoted my life to protecting our dwindling habitat and wildlife, and I know that it is my responsibility to work to end these atrocities. Wildlife scientists agree that recreational hunting of these animals for their heads and their beautiful coats does nothing to reduce con icts between our species or to improve the stability of wildlife communities.
ligious conviction. e spirit of the law should acknowledge and respect the church’s right to exercise its faith through service to others. While town o cials might have been legally justi ed, they ignored the broader humanitarian and ethical imperatives that compel the church to act. Upholding the spirit of the law in this case means supporting the church’s mission to care for the most vulnerable in society.
roughout history, people have faced the dilemma of choosing between moral imperatives and government rules. Religious traditions, including Christianity, teach that acts of charity and love for others, especially the marginalized, are sacred duties. When the government enforces laws that hinder these religiously motivated acts, it challenges the essence of religious freedom.
e church’s victory under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) rea rms the need to protect religious institutions from unnecessary interference. By supporting e Rock Church’s mission, we uphold values of compassion, justice, and religious liberty, ensuring that the law serves humanity, not hinders it.
Apex predators improve the health of wildlife. Colorado now has the opportunity to ensure that these cruel and unethical practices will end for good this November in Colorado. Last fall as I was taking a routine hike through my property, I caught a movement in the corner of my eye and beheld a beautiful mature mountain lion as he crossed my path. Feeling blessed with this good omen, I froze in my tracks as he sat down and held my gaze. Surrounded by his beauty in the golden fall grasses, I grabbed my camera from around my neck and took several photos. I sat with him for some time in mutual respect, making a promise to him that I would do everything in my power to ensure that the needless trophy hunting of his species would end.
I will be voting yes on Proposition 127 and I hope you will join me. is guest column was written by Deanna Meyer, a Douglas County resident who raises goats and chickens on her family land that is adjacent to public forest lands and in lion country.
County’s homeless claim dicey
On Aug. 16, Douglas County commissioners issued the following: “Douglas County has effectively ended homelessness in its communities,” with subtitle, “number of homeless sleeping outside in DougCo reduced from 43 to 6 in two years.”
During the associated presser, o cials Laydon and Weekly proclaimed the success of HEART, the local agency e ort to directly interact with the homeless, to make referrals to appropriate community services. e story garnered wide coverage across Front Range media.
To his credit, CCM’s Ellis Arnold noted: “A fuller picture of homelessness data tells a more complicated story for a variety of reasons.” Arnold’s valid “call-out” deserves a deeper look. As he hinted, there’s more to the story.
In fact, the county’s homeless proclamation might be reasonably construed as a convenient political play on de nitions and numbers by county o cials. And it’s certainly not the rst time the county has tweaked numbers to enhance
e Rock Church’s e orts are not a mere convenience — they are an expression of their re-
C.J. Garbo,
Castle Rock
Deanna Meyer
health opcruel for routine caught my mature my good sat Surroundfall from several time promise in needspecies Proposition by County chickadjalion
their self-congratulatory pressers.
As background, in addition to the standalone annual summer homelessness survey, Douglas County participates in the annual Denver Metro January survey. is nationwide survey, sponsored by HUD, provides the gold standard de nition of homelessness: “people regularly sleeping in place not t for human habitation” (e.g. in tents, in vehicles, in emergency shelters, among others).
Applying HUD’s industry standard de nitions to DougCo’s summer survey would enable a clean trend line, apples-to-apples measurements of available data.
But it appears county o cials would rather avoid apples-to-apples comparisons ... they prefer in-house de nitions because their numbers conveniently create the right story.
Notably, commissioners discount residing/sleeping in a vehicle, in an emergency shelter or transitional housing from homelessness.
Using all of the county’s data, from all surveys, shows that the number of sheltered homeless people in 2024 is about the same as it was in January 2020 (42 vs. 40); the number of people living in vehicles is about the same number as two years ago (21 vs. 20).
So … when Douglas County ofcials said “Douglas County has effectively ended homelessness in its communities,” pay attention to the details. Because the county’s stated count of “6” is actually “42”, using the county’s own data.
Laydon’s homelessness remarks are eerily reminiscent of his April 2021 COVID proclamation, “Douglas County [is the] rst county in the state to say that this pandemic is over.” e commissioners’ 2021 data, also based on in-house de nitions, contradicted what state health o cials are seeing, that the state was in a fourth wave of the pandemic. Subsequently, Douglas County within a year, experienced the highest weekly counts of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Lloyd Guthrie
Roxborough Park
Tell truth about border bill
I am so tired of Democrat politicians (Harris and Caraveo specically) misrepresenting the bipartisan border bill that failed earlier this year. Both above-mentioned politicians
claim their support of the bill shows they are strong on the border and able to cross party lines. VP Harris further alleges that it failed because former President Trump wants to use it as a campaign issue.
Let’s peel back the onion on this garbage bill, sponsored by RINOs. is bill allows up to 5,000 immigrants a day. Do the math that is just under 1.9 million a year. Sounds secure to me. e bill also provides a fast track asylum program. One of the best features of this border bill, supposedly to secure the border of the United States, is it provides $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. at last nugget does wonders to secure our border.
Neither Harris or Caraveo fail to even mentioned HR2, which sits on Schumer’s desk, which he refuses to bring to the oor for a vote. HR 2 is an immigration bill that truly would help secure the border. at shows how much the democrat party really wants to secure the border.
I understand many people are not fond of Donald Trump personally. How many really think VP Harris is better on foreign and domestic policies than Trump?
My dad was a major league bookmaker. I always remember him telling me “bet with your head, not your heart.” at still holds true. Bet on the direction of the country with your head, not because of how you feel about someone.
One more point on VP Harris. One of two things have to be true about her. Either she lied to the American people about Biden’s cognitive decline, or she was too incompetent to see it.
John Salanitro Highlands Ranch
Respecting Colorado’s animals
I am a native Coloradan, I cherish our state and our natural resources. Isn’t the reason we live here is to enjoy these incredible mountains, lakes, rivers, forests … we live in a wonderland.
If someone or some company came into our state to pollute our lakes or rivers, clear-cut our trees, lay waste to our mountains, we would rise up as Coloradans do and stop them. But what about our beautiful wild animals?
Unfortunately, there are those that don’t value our wildlife as much as the rest of us. Let’s call them trophy hunters and trappers who are decimating some our most valued
A. Drew
27, 1944 - June 25, 2024
A (Warren) Drew 8/27/44 - 6/25/2024. Loved and survived by 3 children, 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Going through the home to declutter every few months can feel good.
Sometimes, the act of decluttering is spurred on by a large life change, like a move. Other times, it’s just nice to get a fresh start.
Deciding what to keep and what to let go can certainly be challenging, but sometimes the hardest part comes once the piles have been made. What should you do with the stroller your kids have grown out of, or the pantsuit you no longer need since you switched jobs?
Luckily, several organizations in Colorado exist to ensure your loved items will nd a second life. From
mattresses to cribs, your items can be recycled or reused — and can help change people’s lives in the process.
Cribs and car seats for young families
In Aurora, an organization called WeeCycle connects families raising infants and toddlers with essential baby gear and supplies.
“We do this by collecting new and gently used items from other community members that are done with their items, but they still have a lot of usable life left in them,” said Executive Director Morgan Seibel. “All of our programming works through that lens of sustainability.”
WeeCycle accepts items including cribs, car seats, strollers, diapers and “pack ‘n plays,” which are portable play and sleeping area units. e
group also accepts baby gates, baby monitors, humidi ers, bassinets and more.
e organization hosts collection events multiple times a week at its warehouse in Aurora and has other partner locations throughout the metro area that accept new diapers, wipes and formula. Pickup services are also available in some cases.
After receiving, cleaning and organizing donations, the team works with about 60 partner organizations to connect usable items to families that need them.
“We try to have a very wide range of di erent organizations … with the common thread that they are supporting families with infants and toddlers, and those families are struggling to provide all the items that they
need,” Seibel said.
ese organizations help immigrant and refugee families, families experiencing homelessness, foster families, families in the court system and more.
Seibel said WeeCycle tries to partner with organizations that provide additional wraparound support services for families, such as housing support, job training, English language classes and more.
“We understand that giving a family a stroller doesn’t solve all the other challenges that they’re facing,” she said.
In the rst two half of this year, WeeCycle distributed over 367,000 items to families in need, totaling an
Employees at Spring Back Colorado smile in the organization’s mattress recycling warehouse.
COURTESY OF SPRING BACK COLORADO
that you no longer need, it can be used to help support women as they embark on their professional journeys.
Dress for Success Denver aims to empower women and all who gender-identify as women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development tools and a network of support, said Executive Director Amara Martin.
e local branch of the international nonpro t accepts women’s business casual to business professional clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories, Martin said. e organization asks that all clothing donated be clean, in season and current.
“ ose clothes are going to immediately go into my clothing boutique, where women are coming down during the week when they have a job interview, as well as when they are starting work,” she said.
When a woman comes into the boutique, she gets to work with a volunteer personal stylist who helps the client identify which out ts will work best for her needs.
in their career the chance to help someone else.
“We all know that the better you look, the more con dent you feel,” she said. “ is is an excellent way to kind of spread that con dence and to help a woman on her journey toward self-de ned success.”
Martin said the organization is often in need of plus-sized clothing, which it receives less often in donations. People who want to help ll this need can donate funds to support Dress for Success Denver in purchasing clothing that matches the sizing needs of their clients.
Mattresses for a better life
One of the most notoriously challenging items to get rid of is a mattress. ey can be hard to sell. Many donation centers don’t take them and they rarely t in a dumpster. Plus, simply throwing away such a large and important item can feel like a waste.
ally largely made of foam, wood and steel, Conway said. e workers separate the materials and compress them into bales, which they then send to recycling partners.
Steel makes its way to mills where it is recycled into new steel products. Foam goes to a plant where it’s made into carpet padding, automobile insulation and more. Wood is turned into landscaping mulch or biofuel.
“Historically, we have been able to recycle anywhere from 85% to about 92% of a mattress,” Conway said. e team recycles about 6,000 to 7,000 mattresses each month, Conway said. at means they diverted about 3.4 million mattresses from land lls in 2023.
“ e worst thing for a land ll is a mattress,” he said. “If you have a nite amount of space in the in the ground, the last thing you want going in there is big, bulky items that don’t break down, that are really hard on equipment and machinery.”
DONATIONS
estimated value of over $1.6 million.
WeeCycle recycles car seats that cannot be reused. ey also try to be creative with other items that cannot be given to families, which has led to donating recalled pillows to animal shelters and donating crib pieces to the local children’s museum maker lab.
Seibel said donating items to WeeCycle can be a great way for families to help others with items that they have grown out of, or perhaps items that they never even used.
“It allows them to really support other members of their community that aren’t able to access the items that they had when raising their children,” she said.
Clothing and confidence for professionals
If you have professional clothing
“ ey, together, shop to nd the best items that are going to t the best, that are going to look the best, that are going to help her feel as condent as possible in her job search,” Martin said.
In 2023, over 1,300 women used the boutique space, Martin said. Some people are referred by partner organizations, and others refer themselves.
In addition to getting free professional clothing, women who use Dress for Success Denver’s services can receive career coaching, take job readiness classes, participate in a job retention program and more.
Martin said if a person is unsure whether their clothes are in season or in style, they should bring it to donate anyway. Anything that doesn’t meet Dress for Success Denver’s requirements will be donated to other organizations that serve women in the community, she said.
e organization accept donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at 2594 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. ey ask that all donations are delivered on hangers, not in garbage bags or boxes.
e organization also accepts donations of unopened, mini-size toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and hand sanitizer.
Martin said donating clothes to Dress for Success Denver can give the clothes that helped a person
Spring Back Colorado gives people an alternative for mattress recycling, while also providing employment opportunities for people who have had challenges entering the workforce due to criminal history, addiction or other challenges.
President Peter Conway said his father started Spring Back Colorado after spending years volunteering at Denver Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter. While working there, he met a lot of people who struggled to nd and keep jobs.
“ e company was created as a way to help those folks get stable employment, get back on their feet, become tax-paying members of the community, and also to help reduce recidivism,” Conway said. “We use mattress recycling as a vehicle to do all of that.”
e company partners with drug and alcohol recovery centers to offer job opportunities to individuals in the programs. One of their main partners is the Stout Street Foundation, a recovery program based in Commerce City, where Spring Back Colorado is also located.
“As their members are going through their treatment program, they basically introduce them into di erent workforces throughout the community,” Conway said. “Once they graduate from that program, they’re able to come on in a more full-time capacity with us.”
At the mattress recycling warehouse, employees break down mattresses that have been picked up or dropped o . Mattresses are usu-
Spring Back Colorado has partnerships with land lls to bring mattresses to the recycling plant. In many cases, recycling a mattress with Spring Back Colorado — which costs a $40 recycling fee if you drop it o at the warehouse — costs less than throwing it away at a land ll, Conway said.
Spring Back Colorado also o ers mattress pickup, which costs an additional $60 to $90 transportation fee, depending on distance.
Conway said recycling mattresses is the environmentally responsible thing to do.
“Bringing them to us, you are helping create that land ll waste diversion,” he said. “Shifting the awareness and the consumer to do the right thing, I think is only going to continue to become more and more impactful on an environmental level.”
But perhaps even more importantly, Conway said, bringing mattresses to Spring Back Colorado helps make a di erence in people’s lives.
Bobby Dainko, who works as the community development director at Spring Back Colorado, is a graduate of Stout Street Foundation. When he started working at the mattress recycling facility, he was experiencing homelessness and had 11 warrants.
Five years later, he is a homeowner, is employed and says he loves his life. He credits Spring Back Colorado for the transformation.
“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be,” he said. “I might even be dead. It allowed me to get my life back … You can’t put a price on what I’ve gotten back.”
A woman smiles in her new professional outfit from the Dress for Success Denver boutique. COURTESY OF DRESS FOR SUCCESS DENVER
Arvada Center explores the possibilities of ceramics
One of the simple joys of autumn is wrapping your hands around a warm mug of your favorite hot beverage. e Arvada Center is channeling that pleasure in one of its three new fall exhibitions, all of which celebrate and examine the many uses of ceramics.
MUGSHOT, Wright Place, Wrong Time: Triumphs & Flops for MidCentury Modern Table and Bebe Alexander: Impact & In uence are all on display at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Sunday, Nov. 10.
“All three of these shows are a testament to how versatile ceramics are and how special the ceramics studio we have here is,” said Collin Parson, director of galleries and curator. “We hope people who see them discover a ceramics passion of their own.”
For the Main Gallery’s MUGSHOT, Parson asked artists to submit anything that was in uenced by a mug. It didn’t have to be functional or even ceramic, and as a result, he received around 310 mugs, made out of everything from wood and glass to acrylic.
In the eatre Gallery, the idea was an exhibit that was the opposite of the individually crafted mugs: industrially-produced items. For Wright Place, Wrong Time, the center partnered with the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art to showcase Russel Wright’s American Modern dinnerware line, which is the bestselling ceramic service of all time.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
But according to the provided information, not every pattern Wright produced was a hit with consumers, so Parson and his team turned the exhibit into an interactive game. Visitors can see Wright’s designers — as well as works by his famous contemporaries Eva Zeisel, Ben Seibel and Charles Murphy — and try to guess which designs were successful and which weren’t.
“ ere’s a ip panel where visitors can turn it over and it will reveal if the pattern sold well or not,” Parson explained. “It’s a fun way to explore these high-production pottery items.”
e nal exhibit is a very personal one for Parson and everyone at the Arvada Center. Bebe Alexander was the center’s ceramics coordinator for more than 30 years, but she retired this August. So, the Upper Gallery’s Bebe Alexander: Impact & In uence is a chance to celebrate all her work. Visitors can see Alexander’s creations, which render architectural forms and manmade objects in clay, as well as the work of past students and colleagues who were in uenced by Alexander.
“Her retirement was a big loss for the Arvada Center, but she set up a
wonderful ceramics program here, one of the best in the region,” Parson said. “A show to celebrate her impact was important and I’m glad we did it, because she is very deserving.”
For more information on the exhibitions and some associated special events, visit https://arvadacenter. org/galleries/current-exhibitions.
Explore how Victorians dealt with death
e Victorians had some very… interesting thoughts around death. Exploring these beliefs is what makes the Center for Colorado Women’s History Victorian Death Experiences so fascinating and fun.
is year the event is held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. every ursday and Friday in October at the Women’s History Center, 1310 Bannock St. in Denver. ere is also daytime availability at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and 26.
e experience provides an eerie and enlightening tour back to Victorian times to explore society’s attitude towards death through macabre artifacts, room tours and stories of notable deaths in Denver. All the details and tickets can be found at www.historycolorado.org/victoriandeath-experiences.
Hudson Gardens brings back the Jack O’Lantern
Magic
It wouldn’t be autumn in the metro area without the annual Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, held at Hudson
Gardens, 6115 S Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. is year, the event runs on select nights through Saturday, Nov. 2.
Presented by irteenth Floor Entertainment Group, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns features more than 7,000 pumpkins shining brightly in the night as they guide visitors through a fun and interactive trail. Along the way, guests will meet everything from pirates to dinosaurs and dragons. And new features this year include a light show set to music and DIY s’mores stations.
For more information and tickets, visit https://magicofthejackolanterns.com/denver/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Clairo at Mission Ballroom
No matter what genre she is working in, Claire Elizabeth Cottrill (better known as Clairo), makes music you can sink into. Her new album, “Charm,” might be her strongest yet, bridging the gap between singer/ songwriter and indie pop, making something warm and welcoming. In support of her album, Clairo will be stopping by the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. It should be a lovely evening of music, so head over to www.ticketmaster. com to get tickets.
Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Clarke Reader Parson
Thu 10/17
Neil Z @ Earls Kitchen + Bar @ 5pm
Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree
Flamy Grant: Theology Beer Camp 2024 @ 6pm
St Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S University Blvd, Highlands Ranch
Dom Scott: Million Dollar Quartet @ 6:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree
6 Million Dollar Band @ 6pm
Pindustry, 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial
Black Dots @ 7pm
portrayal of guilt @ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Sun 10/20
Dom Scott: Million Dollar Quartet @ 12:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree
Wed 10/23
Jeremy Sevelovitz: Million Dollar Quartet @ 12:30pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree
Dom Scott: Million Dollar Quartet @ 12:30pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree
Halloween Extravaganza @ 1pm / Free 7301 S Santa Fe Dr, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. info@as pengrovecenter.com
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Mon 10/21
Handwriting: Uppercase (5-8 yrs) FALL24 @ 4:20pm Oct 21st - Dec 2nd
Tue 10/22
Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker Theater: Glee Club (9-15yrs) @ 3:30pm Oct 22nd - Dec 17th PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Tom Mcelvain Music @ 5pm The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broadway, Englewood
DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Wednesdays - 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan
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.
BY ED KLAJMAN
Catching up with Clark: Wyndham talks Olympics, Presidents Cup
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Last year, Wyndham Clark became a U.S. Open champion, won a prestigious PGA Tour event, quali ed for the elite 12-member United States Ryder Cup squad and ended the year among the world’s top 10 golfers. is season, his list of stunning career achievements got even longer.
In February, the Valor Christian High School alum shot a courserecord and career-low round of 60 at iconic Pebble Beach in winning another prominent tournament.
In July, he became an Olympian – one of just four Americans to represent the country in the men’s golf tournament in Paris.
And last week, to nish o the year, he appeared in his rst Presidents Cup as a key member of a Team USA side that dominated the International team – another perk that comes with being ranked as high as number three in the world in 2024.
And yet, even with all that, right up there with all of those highlights –and maybe even exceeding them in some ways – is what happened in late August for the 30-year-old Highlands Ranch native.
For the rst time in his life, he was nally able to compete in a professional golf tournament held on Colo-
rado soil, when the BMW Championship – an event for only the tour’s top 50 players – came to Castle Pines Golf
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Speaking at the Presidents Cup, as he re ected back on his season, the former Valor Christian basketball star described how much the BMW Championship meant to him, considering how there used to be a regular PGA Tour stop at Castle Pines he attended regularly as a child. at was a huge inspiration for him pursuing a career in professional golf.
maybe had a little better last few holes. But when I look back at it, I felt like I made my city and state proud.”
He was also a little melancholy knowing that it was one-o , and there are no current plans to bring a regular tour event back to Colorado.
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“It was awesome,” Clark said, noting how special it was to have so many family members and friends from home watch him compete, and to have local golf fans come out in large numbers to cheer on one of their own. “ e fans in Colorado really embraced me. It felt amazing,” he said, noting that the only disappointment was ending in a tie for 13th place.
“I was really bummed how I nished,” said the former collegiate star at the University of Oregon. “I would’ve loved to have won, or at least had a chance, you know, just
“You know, I’m bummed that it might not happen for another ve, ten years, who knows,” said Clark, who grew up playing at Cherry Hills Golf Club, a membership his father Randall got at great nancial sacri ce for the family of ve so that Wyndham could pursue his gol ng dreams. Clark admitted that it was a bit surprising – but extremely touching – for him to discover that there are countless people from his hometown and home state who have been following all his accomplishments quite closely.
“Any time you’re on these big stages like the Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup or Olympics, you gain fans, you
Wyndham Clark kisses the trophy after his victory at the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KEANE/USGA
grow as maybe a hometown favorite in Colorado, or sometimes for your country,” said Clark, who credits his mother Lise – who passed away when he was in college after a battle with breast cancer – with instilling the drive and self-belief he needed to succeed. “You know, I noticed when I was there (Castle Pines) that people were bringing up the Olympics, and bringing up Team USA stu , which was really neat. So yeah, I just feel like I’ve been very blessed in the things I’ve been able to do.”
With the o -season now upon him, he’ll head to his home in Scottsdale, where many PGA players reside. He’ll recharge his batteries and start working on his game in preparation to get even better in 2025.
will say is playing and competing in majors and winning majors and tournaments and playing on these (Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup) teams makes you want to do it more and more and be part of it all the time. It’s the best motivator for getting to the top. You know, the biggest thing is you want to stay up there and climb higher.”
He added that he’s “really looking forward to the challenge” of achieving that.
He’s philosophical about the bar being so high after a phenomenal two years. “It all depends on how I handle the expectations,” he said. “Everyone else
puts a lot of expectations on players as you start having success. I put a lot on myself as well. But one thing I
“I get a great o -season after this event where I get to work and go: ‘OK, how can I improve?’” Clark said. “I don’t really try to do results goals. I try to get better in certain areas of my game, like certain stats I want to get better at, certain things mentally I have to get better at. It’s really a fun part of the year when you forecast what you want the next year to be like, set all the goals, and then if you go and accomplish them, it’s kind of the most rewarding thing in what we do.”
Wyndham Clark reacts after his one-stroke victory during the final round of the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023. PHOTO BY JAMES GILBERT/USGA
CAMPING BAN
Change spurred by Supreme Court case
Speaking about what prompted the new law, Douglas County’s attorney, Je Garcia, cited the recent Supreme Court decision in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson.
“ ey made a clari cation that it is not an Eighth Amendment violation to ticket or create a penalty for camping on public property where there is no shelter available,” Garcia said at a Sept. 24 county commissioners meeting. “Prior to that decision, in compliance with the law, the county had required that shelter be available and that it was documented before we could issue a citation.”
Alderman, the public policy ofcer for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which advocates for services for the unhoused, was disappointed in the Grants Pass ruling. ere was “a very reasonable approach to say if you o er somebody services, if you o er somebody shelter, if you o er somebody housing, and they continue to choose to live outside, which is not what most
DISTRICT 2 RACE
He continued: “Ever since I’ve been on the board in 2021, we have made the decision to provide some kind of tax relief either through property tax credit (or) property tax refund.”
people experiencing homelessness are doing, that could be considered a criminal penalty,” Alderman said.
But the court “upended” that balance, and now “you can kind of criminalize homelessness at will,” she added.
Shelter and services in Douglas County ere are no shelters in Douglas County other than for those eeing domestic violence, according to county sta .
An earlier resource, the Winter Shelter Network of churches, “made the di cult decision” to end its shelter program after the 2022-2023 season, the county said in a statement. at move came “following two winters with very low attendance in the network and challenges maintaining volunteers,” the statement said.
e Winter Shelter Network “is donating $7,155 in gift cards” to the Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, which is the county’s homelessness outreach team, to help the clients they encounter, the statement said.
But the county works with shelter providers in other areas.
“We are utilizing the shelters on the Front Range — metro region and
Other issues
Teal said he also supports making Douglas a “home rule” county instead of a “statutory county.”
Counties with home rule charters essentially have their own constitutions.
at can impact everything from “how we are subject to regulation (from) the state on immigration matters to scal matters — to where we
(Colorado) Springs if they have prior connection to El Paso County — if someone wants to go to shelter,” another statement said. “We also have a limited number of hotel vouchers (in) Douglas County that we can use to temporarily house someone until we can get them to a safe place — family reuni cation, friends who are willing to house them, etc.”
Douglas has also contributed about $1.1 million to the upcoming Aurora regional navigation campus — a place that will serve the homeless — that is expected to guarantee Douglas ve beds with which to shelter unhoused people the county encounters, according to the county.
Along with shelter, the campus will o er “wraparound services,” such as mental health counseling, help nding jobs and help for those with substance use disorders, according to the county.
Pointing to HEART
Laydon, the commissioner, highlighted HEART, the outreach group that makes contact with people who are unhoused and provides them resources.
“We are reclaiming our public spaces and also providing services
still have (state) laws being passed every year that impose a nancial burden on the people of Douglas County that we can reassess as a home rule county,” Teal said.
Teal was referring to laws that have an exception for home rule counties. omas said being “respectful to the people” is important. She took issue with the commissioners’ recent consideration of whether to remove
to those who need it,” Laydon said at the meeting before voting to approve the ban.
HEART team members work with law enforcement, and the team began operations in September 2022. To contact a member of HEART, the public can call 303-660-7301.
‘O cially ended homelessness’ e county doubled down on its claim of having e ectively ended homelessness, with Laydon saying: “We were really pleased and honored to announce just a few weeks ago that Douglas County has ocially ended homelessness. And that sounds like hyperbole, but the reality is, based upon our o cial pointin-time, we currently have zero encampments, zero panhandling, and only six unsheltered homeless in a county of (about) 400,000.” e commissioner was referring to numbers from what’s known as a point-in-time count of homelessness, carried out on one night this summer. at data comes from July 29.
For a look at the county’s data and regional numbers in the Denver metro area, see the Douglas County News-Press’ earlier story at tinyurl. com/DouglasHomelessNumbers.
two members from county boards — Meghann Silverthorn from the library board and Frank Johns from the water commission. Ultimately, they were both kept on the boards, she said.
“We cannot be dismissive and disrespectful to the people that are trying to serve this county,” omas said.
animals. Big cats … mountain lions, bobcats, cougars are being slaughtered to make fur coats or destroyed for someone’s “trophy.”
I hate to think what kind of person nds joy killing these beautiful creatures.
ese big cats are nature’s rst defense in keeping elk, deer, bighorn sheep and other herds healthy by culling the sick. Without them, elk, deer and sheep overpopulate and often die of starvation, they become
DISTRICT 2 RACE
On water
CCM also asked the candidates about what’s known as the Renewable Water Resources plan, an idea that has drawn controversy in county politics. at’s a proposal to pump about 22,000 acre-feet of water per year to the county from the San Luis Valley in the southern part of the state.
An acre-foot is the equivalent of a
over time unhealthy and more susceptible to diseases.
I’m calling on you, my incredible fellow Coloradans to make a stand and stop the slaughter … vote yes on Prop 127, November 5th!
Stand up to those few who are doing some much damage to our animals.
Steve Sorensen
Lone Tree
Say no to Proposition 127
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric. Mountain lions are certainly majestic, but they can also be extremely dangerous. Of all the big game hunting in Colorado, mountain lion hunt-
one-foot-deep pool about the size of a football eld.Renewable Water Resources, often called RWR, is the private company that proposed the project.
In 2022, Commissioner Abe Laydon joined Lora omas in deciding not to move forward with the project, while Teal continued to support it.
Angela omas is “absolutely opposed” to the RWR plan, she said. She instead supports a “Platte Valley” water plan that involves the Parker Water and Sanitation District working with an entity in northeast Colorado,
ing is the most closely regulated. Hunting under the supervision of the wildlife division of CPW is the scienti c way to manage the mountain lion population. Not all mountain lion hunters are looking for trophies or hunt with dogs. Most people don’t know that mountain lions are hunted for their meat. By law, the meat from every mountain lion killed must be consumed.
If Proposition 127 passes, it will take away CPW’s ability to properly and safely manage the mountain lion population. is will result in an explosion of mountain lions in Colorado. ere will be a rapid increase in human mountain lion interaction.
which omas says will not “buy and dry” that area.
“We have to nd ways to ensure that all of Colorado has water resources, not just Douglas County,” omas said. e plan regarding the San Luis Valley “is a ‘buy and dry’ and is not a (reasonable) plan as far as nancially for us and the ability of the San Luis Valley to produce food.”
e Platte Valley plan would “ensure that everyone has their fair share of the water,” omas added.
Teal was still open, saying RWR could be part of the water solution in
An adult mountain lion is a formidable adversary for an adult let alone a youth. Hiking in the mountains will become much more dangerous. e increase in mountain lions will naturally lead to the expansion of their territories, which will include moving into residential areas. is will put pets, children and even adults at risk.
Let’s be smart about this. Let the professionals, who have been doing an excellent job at scienti cally managing the mountain lion population, do their job!
Vote no on Proposition 127. Bill Wasserman Parker
Douglas County.
“I’m interested in the long-term nancial and physical health of the county, and water is central to that. So if that were to come back, I would absolutely want to take a look at it. Am I a yes? It kind of depends on ‘the devil is in the details.’” His position is that he only wants the county to pay for “wet water” — meaning a deal where water will be readily accessible — not “paper,” or theoretical, water. And if it’s not a good deal, then “we walk away,” Teal said.
volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic.” Brody wants to promote fair mindedness.
“ ese are values that I would model as a member of our general assembly,” Brody said, adding that people should “take a rational and empathetic approach rather than a tribalistic one.”
e Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature’s formal name.
Cost of living
On the cost of living, Brody focused on high housing prices in Colorado.
“I would (want) to help bring down the cost of housing, whether that be through making the purchase
of a home more easily reached or promoting inclusive housing in the rental market,” Brody said, advocating for “integrating” people in new housing developments. at would look like “a community of people of di erent income levels living harmoniously,” Brody said.
On the cost of living, Bradley underlined the property tax issue in Colorado.
“A lot of my seniors feel like they can’t a ord the skyrocketing property taxes,” Bradley said.
She supported change on property taxes, mentioning the senior homestead tax exemption and the e ort to make it portable — meaning a senior who quali es could move and continue to claim the exemption.
She wants to “decrease any types of taxes that they’ll try to bring forward — and (try) to preserve TABOR refunds,” she said, referring to
BEAT THE RUSH!
Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
Other issues
Bradley argued the state legislature isn’t doing enough to keep kids safe in schools. She said Democrats didn’t spend enough on school safety recently.
“Your kids are safer going to a Broncos game or a concert,” Bradley said, expressing support for arti cial intelligence, or AI, software that she said can protect kids in schools.
She said what she advocates for “is not a live feed, so there’s no racial pro ling,” she said.
Her push for more spending is also “for schools to repair a door that might be broken,” or similar issues, she said.
Bradley also brought up criminal justice, arguing the system should not let as many people o on personal recognizance bonds, or PR bonds.
A PR bond allows a defendant to be released from custody without paying money as long as the person appears at all future court dates.
“I’m not really in favor of PR bonds for … sexual o enders (of) women or children and domestic violence in general,” Bradley said.
Brody underscored water scarcity as an issue he’d like to see more action on, pointing to Colorado’s water plan.
“I’d like to see the general assembly get more involved in promoting the initiatives of the water plan — a lot of that is grant funding to help conserve water,” Brody said.
Wild re risk is another issue he’s focused on.
“I’d like to see the state take a more aggressive approach to mitigating the risk, so clearing away the re hazards, making resources (available),” Brody said. He also supports e orts to monitor when res start and address them early.
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Looking for Douglas County High School Graduate interested in learning new skill in the meat processing trade.
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PROTECTS VETERANS
A retired Marine, State Representative Bob Marshall takes action on issues impacting vulnerable veterans & service-members:
OVERRODE the powerful Joint Budget Committee (JBC) as a first-year legislator to ensure veterans received final honors at funerals - Colorado Channel, Feb 15, 2023 @1:34:00.
REFERRED a 2024 ballot measure to ensure veterans with “individual unemployability’’ designations can access Colorado’s disabled veterans homestead exemption. These veterans cannot work but were inexplicably left out for years... until Bob addressed it. HCR23-1002; Ballot Amendment G; KDVR Fox News, Oct 4, 2024.
PASSED the ‘’Purple Star Program’’ to help DoD children integrate better into new schools. Over 40 states had this program for years, but not Colorado... until Bob sponsored it. - HB24-1076.
PASSED resolutions honoring Vietnam War (HJR23-1013) & Persian Gulf War (HJR24-1014) veterans.
LED Veterans Caucus support for the refurbishment of Golden’s Marine Corps Memorial. - Colorado Channel. April 30, 2024 @00:33:24.
BY CONTRAST Bob’s opponent who never served wants to disenfranchise our service-members who have been voting absentee since the Civil War: “Maybe we put some actual scrutiny on military votes that are wide open for fraud.” Colorado Times Recorder, July 17, 2024 (audit committee video @2:14).
A REP YOU CAN BE PROUD OF…
Voted “Best Government Official - Highlands Ranch”
Make old paint vanish like Halloween ghost
As Halloween creeps closer, Coloradans are getting excited to don costumes and venture out for tricks and treats. Little do they know, the spookiest thing is lurking right at home in their own garages and basements!
Every fall as people wrap up their summer projects, countless gallons of leftover paint are stashed away. Unfortunately, not all of it stays there. It is estimated that about 10% of all household paint gets thrown away eventually and can end up in land lls, instead of being reused or recycled.
is October, instead of letting your leftover paint haunt your home, why not use it to conjure some Halloween magic and bene t your community? Here are a few creative ways to repurpose your leftover paint:
• Jack-o’-lantern: While carved pumpkins will generally begin rotting in a few days, painted jack-o’lanterns can last weeks. Why not paint a bunch of gourds in spooky colors or add faces or fun designs? Painting is easier and more fun for little ones and creates less mess.
• Spooky signs: Use your leftover paint to craft creepy yard signs like “Beware” or “Enter If You Dare.” Consider transforming old scrap wood or sheets into your haunting decorations as another way to reduce your environmental footprint.
• Painted “tombstones” and other decorative ideas: Use your yard as a Halloween- or fall-inspired canvas.
GUEST COLUMN
Kevin Lynch
Turn large rocks into tombstones or paint them with bright colors and apply googly eyes. Alternatively, highlight the natural color of the rocks with earth tones for a classic fall theme.
• Costume designs: Instead of throwing away old costumes, give them a new look with paint. Use paint to add designs or text, or to make the costume look aged or messy. Paint can also change the look of accessories, like transforming a wand to t a fairy, witch, wizard, or warlock. When you are done with Halloween fun, head to one of PaintCare’s free drop-o sites for recycling any remaining leftover paint. With more than 200 convenient drop-o sites throughout Colorado, nd the one closest to you using the convenient drop-o site locator on PaintCare’s website at paintcare.org. PaintCare accepts house paint, primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings like shellac and varnish. Before you drop o your paint, make sure the cans are no larger than ve gallons, the manufacturer’s label is intact, and the lids are secure. Call ahead to your dropo site to con rm they are open and can accept your paint.
Remember, there is nothing scarier this season than wasting paint. For additional information on PaintCare, visit paintcare.org.
Kevin Lynch is the PaintCare Colorado program manager.
Bob Marshall is a retired Marine. Use of military rank, job titles, and photos in uniform do not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy, Marine Corps,
