Lone Tree Voice April 4, 2024

Commissioners oppose unionization e ort underway at Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County’s elected leaders say they stand with Sheri Darren Weekly in opposition to an e ort to unionize the sheri ’s o ce, arguing the move would hamper the interests of employees and the public.

“We believe a union would not only interfere with the e ective delivery of the exceptional law enforcement you’ve come to expect from your sheri ’s o ce but also not be in the best interests of the employees who work there,” County Commissioner Lora omas said in a March 25 video message with her fellow commissioners.

Union representation of the sheri ’s o ce could enable employees to negotiate salaries, bene ts and other aspects of their jobs through collective bargaining, a possibility the sheri ’s o ce leadership opposes.

In the video statement, County Commissioner Abe Laydon said the union e ort now has enough signatures to force an election to determine whether deputies want to be represented by the Fraternal Order of Police.

at organization is “by far the largest professional police organization in both Colorado and the United States,” according to the Colorado FOP website.

“In Douglas County, we oppose the notion that outsiders would think they know what’s best for our community, our sheri ’s o ce, employees and your safety,” Laydon said.

e Douglas County News-Press did not immediately hear back from the Colorado FOP for com-

Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly speaks at a Feb. 29 news conference to call attention to scams targeting older adults. He spoke alongside area police chiefs at the sheri ’s o ce in the Castle Rock area. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD SEE OPPOSE, P8

County extends public health order for migrants

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

O cials have extended a public health order that requires entities or individuals who would send groups of migrants to shelter in Douglas County to provide personal information about the migrants, including their country of origin, health screenings and other details.

e extension of the order, rst issued in December, is linked to the tens of thousands of migrants, many from Venezuela, arriving in Denver in recent months.

“Our board believes — for the preservation of public health, safety and welfare in Douglas County — that this public health order is still necessary in the unlikely event that migrants are placed in Douglas County,” Michael Hill, director of

the Douglas County Health Department, said in a prepared statement.  Months ago, the county’s Board of Health adopted an order with requirements for any entity that sends migrants to the county for shelter.

At the time, the county had called that public health order “preemptive,” saying o cials had no reason to believe that nearby governments intended to turn to the county to shelter migrants.

Meanwhile, Douglas leaders are responding to the migrant crisis in other ways. Even though o cials were not aware of any migrants being dropped o in Douglas County as of mid-March, the county’s elected leaders arepoised to enact an ordinance to prevent bus drivers from unloading passengers in “unplanned locations.”

e order remains in e ect until

Consider family meeting to discuss estate plans

At some point, you’ll want to share your estate plans with your loved ones – and the rst step in this process may be to hold a family meeting.

During this meeting, you may want to cover these three areas:

First, explain your wishes, in a general way, regarding your goals as far as what you want to leave to your loved ones and possibly to charitable groups. And be sure to listen to your family members’ questions and concerns.

Next, discuss your estate planning documents, or the ones you plan to create, including a will, living trust and powers of attorney.

Also, talk about the roles you have envisioned for your family members in carrying out your estate plans. For example, you will need an executor for your will and a trustee for a living trust. Plus, you might mention your initial thoughts on who you’d like to serve for health care and nancial powers of attorney.

You may need to hold additional family meetings in the future, but by laying the initial groundwork, you will have taken a big rst step in establishing the legacy you’d like to leave.

4185

Phone: (303) 683-2038

Email: Erik.Niemeier@edwardjones.com

it is rescinded by the county health board, according to its text.

Of the roughly 40,000 migrants that have been tracked by o cials in Denver, not all stay. e city has purchased about20,000 one-way bus tickets for new arrivals looking to go to other cities, e Colorado Sun reported. People often request to go

where they have friends or family who have already settled, and Chicago and New York City have been the top destinations for one-way bus tickets, the Sun reported.

Others may stay in Denver initially, but later move to other Colorado cities or states in search of jobs or cheaper housing.

Water commission hears input on property development

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

New construction projects, whether homes or commercial buildings, are a familiar sight along Colorado’s rapidly growing Front Range. Yet, beyond the bustling construction lies a critical concern: How will these developments impact the region’s water supply?

“ e manner in which Colorado develops into the future will have a strong in uence on Colorado’s future water supply gap, and vice versa,” says the state’s 2015 water plan, an e ort to address Colorado’s water needs as its population grows.

e delicate balance between water and development came up in a discussion as Douglas County ofcials work toward their own longterm water plan. Learning from neighboring counties’ experiences, they aim to tackle this challenge.

e state’s water plan “really high-

lighted a disconnect” between the way local o cials plan for property development and how they plan for the future of water supply in communities, said Will Koger, who recently spoke to theDouglas County Water Commission about his work on water supply issues in neighboring El Paso County, which has seen massive growth in recent decades, particularly in the Colorado Springs area.

Counties and cities oversee how land develops, but they’re not always in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing water. at’s because many areas get their water through other sources, including districts like Centennial Water and Sanitation, which serves Highlands Ranch.

“And so really the goal is to have consistent planning for water, which we know is the most critical resource,” Koger said.

Edward

Migrants from Venezuela who have arrived in Denver in recent months have stayed in and around a Quality Inn hotel near Speer Boulevard and Zuni Street, used as a temporary shelter by Denver Human Services.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA

New Law: Landlords Can’t Refuse to Rent to Tenants Who Are ‘Rent-Burdened’

A long-term “rule of thumb” has been that one shouldn’t have to spend more than 30% of their income on housing, but a legislative bill signed into law last June stipulates that landlords cannot refuse to rent to a tenant for whom their monthly rent would equal up to 50% of their income.

The National Council for Credit Counseling (www,nfcc.org) says, “The general rule of thumb is that housing costs should be no more than 30% of your gross income This includes rent or mortgage payments; homeowner association fees; and utilities like gas, electricity, water, and internet.”

to the refused tenant.

The bill in question, SB23-184, is titled “Protections for Residential Tenants.” It states that “A landlord may not require a prospective tenant to have an annual income that exceeds 200% of the annual cost of rent.” That’s another way of saying 50% of one’s annual income. And that figure does not include utilities in that 50%.

A violation is also an unfair housing practice subject to enforcement by private persons, the attorney general, and the Colorado Civil Rights Division. A violation carries an initial penalty of $50 payable to the applicant, and failure to cure (i.e., accept the tenant’s application) carries a $2,500 penalty, again paid

This new law not only has small landlords upset, it also has some tenant advocates upset. They point out that HUD doesn’t allow renters to be “rent burdened” over 30%. HUD says on its website that the 30% rule is “meant to protect low-income households from extreme rental costs. High housing costs and high prices for basic necessities place a greater burden on poor households living in metropolitan areas. Measures of affordability should be reassessed to ensure that policymakers are decreasing rental burdens for poor households.”

Public housing authorities nationwide are prohibited from charging more than 30% of a tenant’s income for rent under federal fair housing laws.

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver bases mortgage payments on 30% of the homeowner’s annual salary at time of applying for a Habitat home and does not increase the payment if and when the homeowner’s income increases.

On its website, HUD acknowledges contrary opinions about the 30% rule, noting that 30% of a $500,000 income leaves sufficient funds for other household costs, whereas 30% of a $20,000 annual income does not.

Rather than measuring affordability using a rent-to-income ratio, Michael Stone of the University of Massachusetts Boston recommends a residual income approach, which measures cost burden by calculating the money a family has left for housing after other expenditures such as food, clothing, and medical costs are taken into account.

SB23-184 has other landlord-tenant provisions. It prohibits charging more

than twice the monthly rent for a security deposit, and it allows an existing tenant subject to an eviction action, irrespective of the percentage of income paid in rent, to assert as an affirmative defense that the landlord violated fair housing laws by evicting him/her.

I have no opinion about whether SB23-184 was a good idea. There will probably be more debate about it in coming months. What’s your opinion?

Houzz Report Shows Increase in Home Renovation Spending

With sellers and buyers both sitting on the fence more than usual, thanks to increased mortgage rates, it’s not surprising that both are investing in improvements of their current home, and that’s reflected in this year’s home renovation trends report from Houzz.com.

Here are some of the key findings in their 2024 report published last week based on 32,615 website users, including 17,713 home renovators, who participated in a survey regarding their 2023 spending.

The median amount spent on renovation in 2023 was up 60% from 2020 to $24,000. The median spend in the 90th percentile was up 77% to $150,000.

In just one year, the percentage who financed their project using credit cards surged 9 percentage points to 38%.

Distressed Commercial Real Estate Loans a Red Flag for Residential?

It’s no secret that commercial real estate has been in trouble with the shift to at-home work following the pandemic’s abatement. The vacancy rates in office buildings is still too high for some landlords to meet their financial obligations.

The numbers behind that trend were released last week by Bloomberg, which wrote about stressed collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) which bundle debt that would be considered too speculative for conventional mortgage-backed securities (MBOs). You may recall that MBOs full of sub-

prime loans were central to the collapse of the housing market in 2008, triggering the “great recession.”

Below is a chart published by Bloom-

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berg, which wrote: “In just the last seven months, the share of troubled assets held by these niche products surged four-fold — rising by one measure to more than 7.4%. For the hardest hit, delinquency rates are in the double digits. That’s left major players in the $80 billion market rushing to rework loans while short sellers ramp up attacks on publicly-traded issuers.”

Many leveraged properties can’t be sold for what they owe their lenders.

Gen Xers edged out Baby Boomers, as they did last year, with a median spend of $25,000 vs. $24,000. When it came to big projects, the top 10% of Gen X renovators had a median spend of $180,000 compared to $131,000 for Baby Boomers.

The most commonly renovated room continued to be the kitchen, followed by guest bathroom, primary bathroom and living room — 29, 27, 25 and 21 percent respectively. The median kitchen project cost $24,000 (up 20% over 2022), and median bath project cost $15,000 (up 15% over 2022).

Archive of Past Columns Is Online

Over the past two decades this column has appeared in the Denver Post, and during that time I’ve written about every conceivable topic related to real estate, You can search that archive, listed by headline and downloadable with a single click, at www.JimSmithColumns.com

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Distressed Commercial Real Estate CLOs

Donald Langley, a member of the Douglas County Water Commission, wondered whether El Paso’s planhas helped water issues there. He noted the plan was published ve years ago.

“Would the El Paso County people say it was useful or really made a difference — there’s tangible things that they can point to and say this has been good for us?” Langley said during the meeting in late March.

Koger responded: “What I’ve heard the most feedback on is starting the conversation right up front on water.

“As soon as they have an application for new development, they start talking about water. And that’s been the real key part of it,” said Koger, who worked as the consulting project manager for El Paso’s water plan.

Marc Dettenrieder, the director of community and economic develop-

ment for Elbert County, sounded a similar note about the permitting process for development in his county.

“When a land-use application comes in … it’s the rst thing in Elbert County,” Dettenrieder told the commission. “In my department, what

we do is we say, ‘Look, do you have your water gured out?’”

Colorado’s 2015 water plan mentioned some strategies for addressing water demand.

“Land-use tools, such as higherdensity developments or tap-fee incentives for water-e cient devel-

opments, save water by increasing the e ciency of water distribution systems, limiting lawn size, and installing e cient indoor xtures and appliances,” the plan says.

e Douglas water commission, which onlyheld its rst meeting in December, is still in its early stages of understanding the varied and complex issues of water and their implications for homeowners and future developments.

e body is expected to help create a long-term plan regarding water supply and the goal of improving water conservation.

To do that, water commissioners want the county to hire an outside consultant. Water commission members weren’t nished discussing the process for that as of their March meeting.

e water commission typically meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the county headquarters at 100 ird St. in Castle Rock.

From left, Jack Hilbert, James Eklund, Donald Langley, Clark Hammelman and Sean Tonner, some of the members of the Douglas County Water Commission, sit at a county building Dec. 11 in Castle Rock for the commission’s first meeting. Not pictured in the room is James Maras, a member who attended virtually. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Building to help students with disabilities gets OK

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Douglas County school board unanimously approved a $4.3 million purchase of a school in Parker, to house some of the district’s special education programs.

The former Colorado Early Colleges charter building will become the new home for Parker-area students in the district’s Bridge Program, which helps students with disabilities transition out of high school and into independent living.

“We are over the moon about the possibility of this building,” Su-

perintendent Erin Kane said. “It’s a good price and a great location.”

The building will have dedicated space for the Child Find Program, which identifies students with disabilities. The school has 16 classrooms and 100 parking spaces across a roughly 24,000-squarefoot campus located at 10235 Parkglenn Way.

Currently, the Child Find and Bridge programs operate out of mobile classrooms in Parker, which is not an ideal environment for teaching, Kane said.

Money for the purchase comes from the sale of a surplus school site in January that netted the district $4.9 million.

The district plans to have the school operational for the upcoming school year. Once the Bridge and Child Find programs are relocated to the new school, the district is planning to sell the old site located at 11722 Dransfeldt Road. Board members voiced overwhelming support for the purchase.

Douglas County School District is considering purchasing the former Colorado Early Colleges school building in Parker for $4.3 million. It would house some of the district’s special education programs. COURTESY DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Why a sheri ’s sergeant will ride bike nearly 300 miles

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Sgt. Dave Beyer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will travel alongside a group of cyclists, including Team Colorado in May to honor officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Police Unity Tour is a group of cyclists from around the country that ride every year during National Police Week.

“Our motto is, ‘We Ride For Those Who Died,’” said Beyer.

This year, National Police Week takes place May 12-18 and Beyer will be riding for the fourth time with Team Colorado who is made up of officers from across the state.

The tour was formed in 1997 by a New Jersey police officer who wanted to raise awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. That first four-day bike ride went from New Jersey to Washington D.C. and included just 18 officers.

Now, nearly 2,500 cyclists nationwide participate. The teams start off in different places in New Jersey and end at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum in D.C. Beyer said people also participate in Europe and as far away as Israel.

The monument, dedicated in October 1991, honors federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers. More than 23,000 names of those who died in the line of

in the Police Unity Tour-Challenge Ride. It starts in Somerset, New Jersey, and logs nearly 300 miles in just three days.

“Most chapters do it in four [days], but we go from Somerset, New Jersey, to Philadelphia, to Baltimore then D.C.,” said Beyer.

The team will also join thousands of people at the memorial for a candlelight vigil where the names of every officer who died in the line of duty in 2023 will be read and added to the memorial.

Beyer is doing some local fundraisers to help. Proceeds go to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum as the memorial is not publicly funded.

“It’s all through donations,” said Beyer. “Just like the Vietnam Memorial or any of those kinds of memorials, there has to be funding to remember those people that have fallen.”

In May 2022, the Police Unity Tour donated $2 million to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, according to its website, bringing their donations to more than $33 million since its start.

duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to 1786, are on the memorial.

Team Colorado includes 18 rid-

ers and five supporting staff, said Beyer.

To add a little more challenge, Beyer will join nearly 450 officers

Each member must raise about $2,100 to participate in the tour. The Police Unity Tour will donate $1,000 to the memorial fund and funds raised in excess of the minimum amount will be donated to the Police Unity Tour.

“We raise money so officers will not be forgotten,” said Beyer.

Sgt. Dave Beyer of the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce will be participating in the Police Unity Tour cycling event during National Police Week in May. Cyclists will ride nearly 300 miles from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement O cers Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C. COURTESY OF DAVE BEYER

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ment on the e ort to unionize the Douglas sheri ’s o ce.

Asked when the election among sheri ’s o ce employees to decide whether to unionize will take place, a spokesperson said the sheri ’s o ce is still waiting to determine that.

“It is up to the state Department of Labor,” said Deborah Takahara, spokesperson for the Douglas sheri . “ e sheri would like it completed as soon as possible.”

‘Unwelcome e ort’

Weekly, the sheri , opposes the unionization e ort because “it adds another layer of bureaucracy and costs taxpayers more money due to sta time for both the sheri ’s o ce

and the county,” the sheri ’s o ce claimed in an email.

County sta “does an outstanding job to ensure pay and bene ts are not only competitive with the rest of the Denver metro area but in many cases better than other law enforcement agencies in our region,” Takahara said.

Weekly was a member of the sheri ’s o ce for 29 years prior to becoming sheri , Takahara said.

“He is committed to ensuring his sta are compensated, and he values their input on policy matters,” she added. “In addition, the sheri and undersheri currently have direct and immediate access to make decisions based on the needs of the organization. e sheri and undersheri often make decisions mid-year to issues related to salary and bene ts of DCSO employees. A collective bargaining agreement would restrict this type of e ort.”

e county government released a 4-minute video statement from the county commissioners about what county o cials called “the unwelcome e ort to unionize our sheri ’s o ce.”

“Since 2022, we have approved more than 75 additional full-time employees and invested $20 million in the sheri ’s o ce,” Commissioner George Teal said, arguing the county has worked to “provide exceptional pay and bene ts.”

Timeline unclear

Asked which sheri ’s o ce deputies or employees are leading the e ort to unionize, Takahara deferred to the FOP and said she does not have that information.

e Colorado FOP did not immediately respond for comment on when sheri ’s o ce employees began collecting signatures in support of unionizing.

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Colorado schools to receive $11.4M for youth vaping prevention

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Colorado schools are poised to receive $11.4 million to combat the youth vaping crisis. e funding comes from a settlement between the state attorney general’s o ce and e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs, Inc.

“Colorado has a youth mental health crisis that has fueled a vaping epidemic,” said Attorney General Phil Wieser in a press release. “ ese funds will support solutions and preventive measures that will help our children to make informed and better decisions about their health and wellbeing.”

e deal ends a lawsuit Weiser’s o ce led against Juul in 2020 for targeting young people in its marketing and misleading them about the health dangers of using its products. Juul settled with Colorado, along with several other states that joined the e ort, in 2023 for $462 million. Colorado’s share was $31.7 million.

e Colorado Department of Law and the Colorado Department of Education will disburse $3.8 million annually to local K-12 education providers beginning next school year and ending in 2027. Weiser said his o ce is excited about the partnership and for the opportunity to ensure all Colorado schools can ac-

responsible choices,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova.

According to a press release from the Colorado Attorney General’s o ce, schools receiving the grant must incorporate all or some of the following criteria:

• Address the youth vaping crisis through education, prevention, and treatment

• Provide professional development opportunities for school sta

• Increase family and community involvement in promoting healthy lifestyles and choices for students

• Include activities and programming that incorporate youth voices and are culturally responsive.

• Adopt or enhance comprehensive vaping and drug prevention policies that include ENDS and move towards student-centered alternatives to suspension approaches.

Colorado teen vaping rates

cess and invest these funds.

“ e new Vaping Education Prevention Grant provides much-needed resources for our school districts and boards of cooperative educational services to support students in learning about making healthy and

According to the 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, the latest year data is available, 16% of Colorado youth report using a vape daily. is percentage signi cantly decreased from 2019, when 26% of Colorado youth reported daily vaping. e portion of youth who said they’d ever vaped decreased from 46% in 2019 to 30% in 2021.

Despite some positive downward

trends in youth vaping, the percentage of youth who tried vaping before the age of 13 rose from 13% in 2019 to 22% in 2021 and the percentage of students who use vape products because they are avored increased to 23%.

e Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment conducts the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey in the Fall of odd-numbered years. e 2023 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey results will be available this summer.

“Youth vaping is a concerning issue,” said Chelsea Andrews, CDPHE’s tobacco communications specialist. “CDPHE is actively supporting communities in their efforts to limit children’s and youth’s exposure to tobacco advertising and access to tobacco through its State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership grant program.”

Andrews said the department encourages parents and trusted adults to discuss vaping with young people. More information about how to start these conversations is available at https://www.tobaccofreeco.org/.

In addition, Andrews said that young people between ages 12 and 17 can access free, con dential support to quit smoking or vaping by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072 or visiting www.mylifemyquit.org for more information.

Colorado schools are poised to receive $11.4 million to combat the youth vaping crisis. STOCK IMAGE

Themes from Lone Tree forum of GOP candidates for Congress

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the still crowded race for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, Republican candidates sparred in a panel in Douglas County, hoping to capture voters’ attention ahead of primaries in June.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colorado Rep. Richard Holtorf, Deborah Flora, Chris Phelen and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg participated in the panel attended by a few hundred potential voters. Colorado Rep. Mike Lynch had planned to attend, but stayed at the capitol to vote on gun legislation.

e panel’s hosts, Douglas County Republican Women, said they invited all of the candidates, but requested they have received at least $25,000 in individual contributions.

“We really want to hear from the candidates that are super serious about this and have a great chance of success,” Deborah Mulvey, president of the Douglas County Republican Women, said.

Here are a few themes of the panel that took place in late March:

Republican unity or accountability?

At multiple points throughout the night, candidates took swipes at Boebert for her history of publicly taking fellow conservatives to task, including the vote to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican. McCarthy was voted out by a narrow margin last year.

Most of the candidates said it’s crucial for Republicans should stand together against Democrats and avoid attacking each other.

“I would never, ever vote with the Democrats to oust a Republican speaker,” Sonnenberg said. “You vote with your caucus on the policy stu

and then you work in a backroom to gure out if you have an issue with the president or the speaker and you deal with it as a caucus.”

Holtorf echoed Sonnenberg, and said that accountability issues should be handled strategically.

“When Republicans ght Republicans, Democrats win,” he said.

Flora said she is not the “purge and purify” type and is not interested in crossing the aisle to work with Democrats, but rather building the conservative coalition.

“ is is a big tent with our tent poles rmly in the Constitution and we have the solutions, so come join

us,” she said.

Boebert defended the removal of McCarthy, though she said she wasn’t happy with the timing of the vote. Boebert added that she regrets nominating U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican,for speaker, but doesn’t support a motion to vacate him at this time.

“I have no problem holding Republicans accountable, especially when we are making promises to voters and then make backroom deals and go a di erent direction,” Boebert said.

Defund and deregulate

Candidates agreed that the preferred solutions for issues ranging from the economy to national defense and energy production are defunding and deregulating. ey argued that all of those issues, and others, would be improved with reduced, or even no, government regulation, taxation and other involvement.

e consensus among candidates is to defund the Department of Education, green energy subsidies and

From left, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colorado Rep. Richard Holtorf, Deborah Flora, Chris Phelen and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg participate in a panel hosted by the Douglas County Republican Women on March 27 in Lone Tree. PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

SEE CD4 RACE, P13

government-funded Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs or departments. Meanwhile, they favor deregulation for small businesses, education and energy production.

“ e best thing we can do for the private sector, small businesses, farmers and ranchers, is get government out of their lives,” Phelen said.

Some of the loudest claps of the night came when Flora spoke about abolishing the Department of Education. She suggested a voucher-like funding system instead.

“ e federal government should have zero to do with our kids’ education,” Flora said. “ e money should follow the student, not the system.”

Boebert highlighted her legislative e orts to increase energy production in America with the introduction of the Restoring American Energy Dominance bill, which would repeal rules for oil and gas leasing.

“We need to be producing energy,” she said.

Locals vs. Lauren

With Boebert’s recent decision to not run again for her current seat in the 3rd Congressional District on the Western Slope and to move and run in the 4th, candidates with longer standing ties continue positioning themselves as better picks with more knowledge of the area and its con-

stituents.

Sonnenberg, who is from Sterling in the northeast part of the state, said his roots and experience means he will hit the ground running as a replacement for U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, the Windsor Republican who stunned the political world last month when he unexpectedly retired, leaving the GOP with a slimmer majority in the House.

“Deep roots are important for electing somebody who understands the issues you face each and every day,” Sonnenberg said.

Flora touched on her history ghting for conservative values in Douglas County, at the heart of the 4th District, and at the state level. Phelen, also from Douglas County, highlighted his experience in Congress as chief of sta for U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, of the 5th Congressional District, which includes Colorado Springs.

Holtorf pointed to his military service and time representing 16 of the 21 counties in the 4th District in the Colorado House.

“If you want veteran leadership and senior leadership, you’re looking at that guy,” Holtorf said. “I lead every day, as the whip in the statehouse and as a caucus member.”

In response to criticisms that she hasn’t been in the district long enough, Boebert said she may be new to the area, but she shares the same values as constituents and has a track record to demonstrate her conservative background.

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Some restaurants are special places for family times WINNING

One of our favorite dining experiences is at Fattoria in Avon, Colorado. As we allowed ourselves to experience everything that was happening around us, the more we realized why we enjoy this restaurant so very much. e exquisite food coupled with incredible service and watching as families dined and laughed, sharing their stories of skiing and snowboarding across three generations of family members, made our meal and our night out a wonderful experience. In the realm of culinary experiences, there exists a unique and cherished category that seamlessly blends the sophistication of highquality dining with the joviality of family fun. ese establishments are not just places to satisfy one’s palate but serve as arenas for creating lasting memories and fostering familial bonds. From whimsical themes to interactive dining experiences, these restaurants have mastered the delicate art of catering to both discerning adults and playful children alike.

Picture this: You step into a whimsical wonderland adorned with vibrant colors, imaginative decor, and an ambiance that sparks joy in every corner. Welcome to the world of family-friendly ne dining. Here, the notion of upscale cuisine coexists harmoniously with the laughter of children and the chatter of adults. It’s a place where parents can savor gourmet delicacies while their little ones embark on culinary adventures of their own.

One hallmark of these establishments is their ability to cater to diverse palates without compromising on quality. While parents indulge in exquisitely crafted dishes prepared by seasoned chefs, children are treated to a menu designed specically for their tastes and preferences. From mini sliders to gourmet maca-

roni and cheese, every item is curated to appeal to young appetites while maintaining the culinary standards upheld by the establishment.

Beyond the immersive atmosphere and delectable cuisine, what truly sets these restaurants apart is their commitment to creating shared experiences for families. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, hosting a family reunion, or simply enjoying a night out, these establishments go above and beyond to ensure that every moment is memorable. From personalized greetings to special surprises, they understand the importance of making guests feel valued and appreciated.

Moreover, these restaurants often incorporate elements of education and culture into their o erings, providing families with opportunities to learn and grow together. From themed menus that explore di erent cuisines to workshops that teach culinary skills, there’s always something new to discover. By fostering a sense of curiosity and exploration, these es-

tablishments inspire children to develop a lifelong appreciation for food and culture.

In a fast-paced world where quality time with loved ones is increasingly rare, these restaurants serve as sanctuaries where families can reconnect and create cherished memories. Here, laughter lls the air, and bonds are strengthened over shared meals and shared experiences. It’s not just about nourishing the body but also feeding the soul, leaving guests with a sense of warmth and contentment that lingers long after the meal has ended.

As society continues to evolve, so does the concept of dining out with family. Gone are the days of stu y establishments where children are seen but not heard. Instead, a new era of family-friendly ne dining has emerged, rede ning the way we experience food and fellowship. ese restaurants prove that highquality cuisine and family fun are

SEE NORTON, P15

Centennial Water set for success

This column is by Zach Cartaya, director of finance and administration for Centennial Water and Sanitation District and the Highlands Ranch Metro District.

Centennial Water and Sanitation District is excited to announce that our 2024 debt issuance to begin phase 2 of our infrastructure refurbishment and replacement at the Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant was successfully completed on Feb. 1, 2024. These infrastructure investments are critical to ensuring we are compliant with state and federal regulations and that we are able to provide clean, safe drinking water to our customers for the next 40 years and beyond.

A debt issuance is an approach used by both public- and privatesector entities to raise funds by selling bonds to external investors. By utilizing this approach,

GUEST COLUMN

Zach Cartaya

Centennial Water is able to minimize the impact of costs for infrastructure replacements on rate payers by avoiding the need to raise the funding necessary right away to complete the projects.

This debt issuance was one of the most successful debt issuances in Centennial Water’s history. We experienced strong tailwinds going into this issuance including market factors and Centennial Water’s strong credit rating. The district’s credit was reexamined prior to the issuance and was reaffirmed as AA+ by Fitch and AAA by Standard & Poor’s (S&P). These high markings are indicative of the leadership team’s focus on fiscal discipline and accountability.

As noted by S&P, “The `AAA’ rating reflects our view of the system’s consistently strong liquidity

and a strong, effective management team. Overall, we believe that management has mitigated most of the system’s environmental, social, and governance risk by adopting and adhering to operating and financial policies and procedures. Although drought risk in the area is elevated, the district draws water from multiple sources and has a comprehensive response plan that includes drought rates and water conservation measures. We understand that management will continue considering rate increases to increase coverage to historic levels, and we do not believe that this will significantly increase affordability pressures or social risks, given the stable local incomes.”

Beyond Centennial Water’s credit rating, we were fortunate to encounter favorable market conditions going into the offering. The Federal Reserve held interest rates

at their current levels, and supply was relatively low. Both factors drove investors to see the district’s debt issuance as an extremely safe and attractive investment. Investor excitement and confidence in Centennial Water placed the debt offering in the top 10 issuances in the country for the week of Jan. 29. This issuance, coupled with the district’s new infrastructure improvement fee, ensures the viability and state of good repair for our infrastructure. Together they help to lessen the impact on rate payers by offsetting future infrastructure debt needs and minimizing the impact of the current costs of infrastructure improvements.

Centennial Water’s board and staff remain committed to strong financial discipline and providing value from every dollar collected by residents. Together we will continue to address fiscal challenges that face our customers.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Commissioner confusion

Under the auspices of the DougCo county commissioners, we now have multiple Public Health rules in e ect to fully cover what Exec Director Mike Hill “the unlikely event that migrants are placed in DougCo.” ese rules harken back to another county health proclamation - Commissioner Laydon’s April 2021 statement, “I want … Douglas County to be (the) rst county in the state to say that this pandemic is over.” Just a week or so before the fourth COVID wave hit Colorado.

Recently, the BoCC announced a lawsuit against the state related to the bar on ICE jailing people suspected of civil immigration violations. e following week, commissioners advanced an ordinance that would prohibit commercial vehicles from dropping o people in the county unannounced.

“We have a lot of concerned residents here on this,” Douglas County Commissioner George Teal said ursday. “It has reached a boiling point.” (Denver Post)

So, if anyone spots an immigrant or two out on the streets of Douglas County, take the following sequential actions: 1) sound the ve alarms outside of Teal’s boiling point; 2) send an extra $100 to the commissioners to cover legal fees du jour; and 3) as the last and nal option, contact Abe Laydon. He’ll o er a proclamation, and the migrant pandemic will be over.

Strive for street safety

I’m anxious almost every day for 15 minutes at around 3 o’clock. I’m waiting for my 14-year-old to noisily enter the house after his scooter ride home from school. He crosses Highlands Ranch Parkway, just a few miles up the road from where Alex Mackiewicz was tragically killed. I see the similarities of our boys and my heart breaks for his family.

Each day, in our community, people must cross Highlands Ranch Parkway and similar roads to reach schools, open space trails, shopping centers, workplaces and homes. And, in most cases, there isn’t a safe way to walk or ride.

Lloyd Guthrie, Roxborough Park

not mutually exclusive but rather complementary elements that together create a truly unforgettable dining experience.

e fusion of high-quality dining with family fun represents a delightful convergence of culinary artistry and heartfelt hospitality. ese restaurants o er far more than just a meal; they provide a gateway to a world of imagination, discovery and togetherness. So, the next time you’re craving a dining experience that caters to both discerning tastes and playful spirits, seek out one of these establishments and prepare to embark on a culinary journey unlike any other.

No amount of road deaths is acceptable or inevitable, and we can strive for zero in our community. A systemic approach that recognizes the inevitability of mistakes is needed to keep our communities and children safe. While we must invest in enforcement of tra c laws, we must also look at upstream prevention through reducing speeds in pedestrian areas, leveraging left turn arrows and safer crosswalks, protected bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, and other infrastructure and policies to save lives.

We have a collective responsibility to prevent additional tragedies from occurring. Let’s together urge our local leaders to take action and work toward safer streets and roads

Fattoria is one of our favorites for sure with a special shout out to Eli, Dave, Denitsa, James, Justin and all the other sta who create a wonderful experience. Do you already have a favorite ne-dining establishment that also provides the ambiance and intimacy of a fun family experience?

I would love to hear all about your favorite such restaurants at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can nd the time to enjoy an exquisitely prepared meal blended in a family friendly environment, 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.

Sean Michael Arnold

February 11, 1985 - March 6, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce Sean Michael Arnold passed away unexpectedly on March 6, 2024, in Maui, Hawaii. Sean, born in Fairfax, Virginia on February 11, 1985, was the rst of four sons born to Daron John Arnold and Mai Sheridan Arnold. Sean’s early years were spent in Santa Monica, California, while his father attended UCLA Law School. After the family relocated to Colorado, Sean spent his school years in and around Highlands Ranch and graduated from under Ridge High School in 2003. After graduation, Sean attended CSU in Fort Collins then began his career in the service industry where he spent the next 20 years working in hospitality and restaurant management. Sean loved the outdoors and enjoyed his time living and working in Vail and Maui. He had an infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye that brought joy to those around him. Sean made friends wherever he went, and friends became family or ‘Ohana, as they say in Hawaiian.

Mai Arnold, younger brothers; David Harrison Arnold, Ryan John Arnold, and Garrett Lawrence Arnold, all of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his maternal grandparents, Harrison John Sheridan and Quynh Nhu Sheridan, both of San Antonio, Texas; and his paternal grandmother Barbara Arnold of Rockport, Massachusetts as well as numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Sean was predeceased by his grandparents

David Phillips Arnold and Elayne Tingey.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at Mountainview Christian Church located at 40 E. Highlands Ranch Parkway, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126 on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2pm, followed by a reception on the premises.

In lieu of owers, the family suggests donations in Sean’s name to one of the following charitable organizations:

https://www.mauiunitedway.org/donate/ https://mauifoodbank.org/donate/ ARNOLD

Sean is survived by his parents; Daron and

Worth

Local Irish pubs keep tradition of Celtic culture alive

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but luckily metro area residents can experience Gaelic culture any day of the year at local Irish pubs.

Irish pubs di er from the average sports bar or cocktail lounge, and not only because there’s guaranteed to be Guinness on the menu. A good pub is all about a welcoming and approachable environment, where patrons feel like one of the lads.

Colorado Community Media rounded up a few places to go for a pint and some shenanigans. Sláinte!

Nallen’s Irish Pub

1429 Market St., Denver

Nallen’s sells the most Guinness in Denver and it’s likely because the bar is known for the smoothest pour in town, per a trophy that proudly sits behind the bar.

John Nallen, an Ireland native who moved stateside in the ‘70s, said the secret to the perfect Guinness pour is patience.

“It’s a two-pour and you have to let it sit for a few minutes and then top it o ,” Nallen said. “We take the time to do it right.”

Nallen opened the bar with his family in 1992 and has since gained a reputation that’s led to hosting a number of celebrities, including Fergal Murray, who is a former brewmaster at Guinness, and musicians Toby Keith and U2.

e pub’s reputation has also

earned it a loyal group of regulars. Nallen said a comfortable and inviting atmosphere denes the Irish pub.

“ e local pub is kind of the living room of the Irish community,” Nallen said. “(Nallen’s) is a hang out place. ere’s no pressure.”

In addition to a variety of Irish whiskeys, the bar also has a selection of Irish creams, which it uses to make one of it’s signature drinks, the Shillelagh, a whiskey and cream mix. e drink is named after an Irish walking stick used by humans and leprechauns alike.

Landsdowne Arms

9352 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch

As Landsdowne Arms prepares for its 20th anniversary next year, it’s busier than ever, fresh o a record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day weekend for the restaurant.

“Post COVID, to have such a big weekend, even though we don’t stay open until 2 a.m. anymore, is really incredible,” Steven Gregory, general manager at Landsdowne Arms, said. “We’re glad for our regular families we have come in.”

Gregory said the restaurant offers a family-friendly pub experience that blends Irish and Latino culinary dishes, drawing inspiration from the mix of cultures on sta . For example, the menu features traditional sh and chips, as well as sh tacos made with fried cod.

Nallen’s is known for having the best Guinness pour in the area, having won a trophy for their pints. Nallen said it all comes down to patience.

PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

IRISH PUB

“We have great Irish food and a meld of Irish and Latino culture beyond the Irish fare,” he said.

Other specialties are the Reuben, a roast beef sandwich dubbed the Dubliner and the Irish whiskey chicken and mushrooms.

At the bar, Landsdowne Arms serves up more than 45 varieties of Irish whiskeys and scotchs. ey also have their own take on the Irish car bomb called the Left Hook, which uses Hard Chaw Irish cream instead of Bailey’s.

e space includes a rooftop patio and private library room with a replace for events.

Darcy’s Bistro and Pub

4955 South Ulster St., #103, Denver e sister restaurant to Landsdowne Arms, pub-goers will nd a similar vibe and menu at this location, which opened in 2002. Gregory said it’s a popular date night spot thanks to its cozy atmosphere.

“Couples often come in to split a sh and chips or a Reuben,” he said, Chef Jorge Garcia is known to add special menus for holidays, like Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest, as well as serving the classics. Specialties include bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and sh and chips.

e bar o ers a selection of more than 20 Irish whiskeys and scotch options, as well as a rotating taplist alongside the usual Guinness and Smithwick’s. On Wednesdays, the bar has Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Bushmills for $7.

When describing what de nes an Irish pub, Gregory joked “mostly Jameson.”

Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub

5686 South Sycamore St., Littleton

Located in the heart of downtown Littleton, Ned Kelly’s opened in 2009 as a “raggedy local spot,” as Megan Casey, operating partner at Ned Kelly’s, put it, before growing into the establishment it is today.

Casey said the pub is beloved for its friendly environment where everyone is a regular.

“It’s a ‘Cheers’-like establishment,” Casey said. “Plenty of chat and fun, and always a bit of shenanigans.”

e pub serves a small menu of pizza and snacks from Grande Station, but there’s nothing small about the

drink selection. Ned Kelly’s advertises having one of the widest-ranging liquor selections in the area and bar keeps who can make anything.

For the full taste of Ireland’s brews, try an Irish ight, which includes Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp and Kilkenny.

In its years in Littleton, Casey said Ned Kelly’s has seen countless great days, but one of the best each year is the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a nonpro t that raises money to support children with cancer by sponsoring head-shaving contests. is year, Ned Kelly’s St. Baldrick’s event raised over $90,000 for the foundation, the most of any Denver area participant.

“Our St Baldrick’s event is a proud day for us, every year,” she said. “It’s good to give back.”

Clancy’s Irish Pub

7000 West 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge

Clancy’s Irish Pub was established in 1973 and claims on its website to be Colorado’s oldest Irish Pub. Despite being around for over 50 years, Clancy’s still keeps things fresh.

Chefs Jeremy Ramos and Shon Guy released a new dinner menu at the start of the year, which includes a mix of scratch-made traditional Irish fare and unique dishes, like the Irish

a corned beef and pastrami

in the style of a Cubano. Classic corned

and

is served every Friday night.

e bar o ers more than 30 kinds of Irish whiskey and, of course, Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s on tap.

e 6,000 square-foot pub, hous-

ing four bar areas and two patios, frequently hosts live music, with music ranging from the expected Celtic style to bluegrass, blues and classic rock.

Every Tuesday the pubs hosts an open jam session for Celtic music where anyone can join in.

Castro,

sandwich

beef

cabbage

John Nallen, owner of Nallen’s Irish Pub, pours a Guinness at the bar. Nallen said an Irish pub is commonly known as the living room of Ireland because of the camaraderie.

PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD

Highlands Ranch pub Landsdowne Arms serves up a twist on the Irish car bomb called the left hook which uses Hard Chaw Irish cream. The restaurant is also popular for Celtic fare, like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash.

Pickleball courts open year-round, but sometimes they’re not open

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e outdoor pickleball courts at the Lone Tree Recreation Center have been closed o and on in recent months, but the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District says they are generally open. When they’re closed, it’s because the district is following the industry’s best practice to maintain the courts and keep players safe.

Becky Grubb, a spokesperson for the district said the courts have not been closed all season, contrary to some belief.

“Our goal is to have the courts open as much as possible yearround,” said Grubb.

However, with Colorado’s snowy winter weather, which extended into spring, the outdoor courts may be closed more often than some would like. South Suburban locks the courts if there is any water, snow or ice visible.

If even one court has snow or ice, the entire pickleball facility is closed, said Grubb. Removal of snow by players is prohibited.

Letting the snow and ice melt on its own is a common practice in the pickleball industry, which South Suburban follows. ey do not shovel snow o the courts or use ice melting substances on the courts

as it may ruin the surface and void warranties.

Grubb said a group of people, including the recreation manager and tennis and pickleball manager, make the decision to close the courts. When they do, it’s to protect players and the playing surfaces.

South Suburban has created a Weather Line so people can check to learn if the courts are open or closed before traveling to the site. e website can be found here: https:// rb.gy/0byryh

Lone Tree’s City Council approved six pickleball courts on the southeast corner of the Lone Tree Recreation Center and they o cially opened in July 2023.

Open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week, the six courts have permanent nets as well as push-button-operated lighting for nighttime. Other amenities include a shade pavilion with seating and tables and a port-o-let at Prairie Sky Park.

Drop-in is available when the courts are open from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., weather permitting. While there is occasional programming on Courts 3-6 Courts 1 and 2 are open for dropin pickleball, except when there are tournaments.

Prime time for the Lone Tree location is 8 a.m.-noon and 4-8 p.m., according to the South Suburban website. During these times, the rental

time is more expensive. It’s $20 per hour for residents and $30 per hour for non-residents.

Following the court’s grand opening, about 55 participants joined a boot camp from August through October, said Grubb.

Between August and February, 195 private court rentals were logged. Assuming four people play on the

court at a time, the new courts have seen about 780 people since opening.

A local Lone Tree physician, Charles Nutting, says the courts have been a great source of camaraderie.

“It’s an awesome sport and a great opportunity to meet people from all walks of life,” said Nutting.

Six pickleball courts opened at the Lone Tree Recreation Center in July 2023, but when there is water, snow or ice visible, the courts are closed for the players’ safety and to keep the courts pristine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES NUTTING

Thu 4/04

Rotating Tap Comedy @ Someplace Else Brewery

@ 6pm

Bent Barley Brewing CompanyPiney Creek, 15416 E Orchard Rd, Centennial

Art: Visual Perspectives 101 for Drawing (8-13yrs)

@ 10pm

Apr 4th - Apr 18th

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Fri 4/05

Cory Pearman Music

@ 5pm

Marielle Kraft @ 6pm

The Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 Main Street, Parker

Jordan Yewey @ 7pm

Sinners & Saints, 221 Perry St, Castle Rock

Dirty Loops @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Dirty Loops @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Jay_Martin @ 6pm

Monolith Brewing, 1290 S Broadway, Den‐ver

Marty O'Reilly @ 7pm

Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

The Suicide Machines @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Spinster w/ Marty O'Reilly @ 7pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Sun 4/07

Three Creeks Half Marathon @ 7am / $65-$110

4800 S. Dayton St., Englewood

Mon 4/08

Eric Golden

@ 5pm

Featured Featured

The Pint Room, 2620 W Belleview Ave, Littleton

Thu 4/11

TV Broken 3rd Eye Open: Denver CO, TV Broken ft Katie Skene @ 7pm

White Rose Motor Oil @ 8pm

The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broadway, Englewood

Sat 4/06

Breakfast Fly-In @ 8am / $12.95

The Pint Room, 2620 W Belleview Ave, Littleton

Exploration Of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@ wingsmuseum.org

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

YS: Co-Ed Volleyball Camp 13-14 @ College View @ 10pm

Apr 11th - May 2nd

College View Recreation Center, 2525 S. Decatur St., Denver. 720-913-0654

YS: Co-Ed Soccer 5-6 @ Athmar @ 11pm

Apr 11th - May 4th

Denver Parks and Recreation (ATH), 2680 W Mexico Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

YS: Co-Ed Soccer 9-10 @ Harvard Gulch @ 11pm

Apr 11th - May 4th

Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10 Stampede, Aurora

Wed 4/10

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

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

Denver Parks and Recreation (HVG), 550 E Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

YS: Co-Ed Volleyball Camp 15-17 @ College View @ 11pm

Apr 11th - May 2nd

College View Recreation Center, 2525 S. Decatur St., Denver. 720-913-0654

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.

in our community.

Matthew Self, Highlands Ranch

Former mayor for Marissa

As a former mayor of Lone Tree, I know that two important qualities for the job holder are energy and resiliency. Serving as Lone Tree’s mayor is not a full-time job - I worked full time throughout my tenure. Mayors need focus and skill, along with good communication, to create a vision that residents can unite behind. For these reasons, Marissa Harmon has my support as the next mayor of Lone Tree.

Prior to joining the city council, Marissa volunteered for three years as a city planning commissioner and served as chair. e role of this commission cannot be overstated because of its responsibility in establishing and maintaining land use and business policies. Additionally, Marissa graduated from Lone Tree’s Citizens Police Academy and sat on our police department’s Citizens Police Advisory Committee.

Marissa volunteered to co-chair the ballot initiative 2E to preserve revenues lost to e-commerce sales. e vast majority of revenue from 2E would be collected from nonresidents, but tax increases need careful scrutiny and Marissa put her reputation on the line. e initiative funded public safety, transportation and recreation. Marissa led critical public outreach, giving residents opportunities to learn more about 2E’s impact and importance. e measure passed with 57% voter approval. Now, city revenues are within 1% of projections, validating the integrity of the campaign’s revenue estimates and thus funding for city services.

Leadership means pushing back. Marissa understands this. A proposal to build a car wash at the former Mimi’s Cafe came before the city. Marissa stated concerns about the incompatibility of the site along with aesthetics and tra c impacts along Yosemite. She reviewed multiple planning and zoning documents and ultimately found it to be incompatible with the vision for the Entertainment District. City council agreed and rejected the car wash. Now, the site is slated to become a

high-end restaurant.

E ective transportation policy is critical to Lone Tree’s future. In 2022, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) canceled road projects while moving funds to transit and bike projects. Unfortunately, these multi-modal options will not provide the congestion relief needed for our community. Lone Tree needs a strong regional advocate to ensure the city’s objectives are presented and respected at the regional table.

Marissa’s ability to bring people together, along with her policy-making maturity, demonstrates she is the strong voice Lone Tree needs. I am excited to endorse Marissa Harmon for mayor.

Jim Gunning

Lone Tree

Cities win with Wynne

Historical maps document that as World War II ended, our sparsely populated South Denver Metro area was home to only a few small towns, each an entity unto itself and separated from the others by scattered farms and relatively few narrow dirt roads. Now 80 years later and with continuous population growth, newcomers driving through our area nd it impossible to tell where one city ends and the other begins. No longer isolated, our cities all share borders, and we also share challenges and opportunities that are best addressed by working together. Greenwood Village, Centennial and Lone Tree all share the busy south metro I-25 corridor, and we collaborate on many issues, including transportation, crime and safety, water, homelessness, housing affordability, legislative, and environ-

mental — all with the goal of nding the best solutions to each issue for our own cities and for our entire region. Large portions of our cities share the same special districts that provide water & sanitation and re & rescue services; Lone Tree and Centennial also share park & recreation services. Over time we have learned that our residents are best served by the e ectiveness of our regional collaboration in many areas.

As Centennial City Council members, we have served concurrently with Lone Tree Mayor Pro Tem Wynne Shaw on several boards and commissions over these years, and Tammy currently serves with Wynne on the Denver Regional Council of Governments, where Wynne has now been chosen to serve as DRCOG’s new chair. We know Wynne to be a solutions-oriented, thoughtful, and ethical leader with a proven record of collaboration and consensus building throughout the entire metro area. Wynne has an admirable depth of nancial and governmental knowledge, both of her own city and of the entire Denver Metro area. Equally important, for eight years now she has clearly demonstrated that she is willing to dedicate the considerable amount of time required to be the most highly e ective leader going forward. We hope that in Lone Tree’s upcoming May 7 election, voters will consider Wynne’s enormous value to Lone Tree, and her many strengths and proven record, which are known and highly respected by so many of us throughout our entire metro region.

Centennial City Council Mayor Pro Tem Tammy Maurer (2024-2025)

Centennial City Council Mayor Pro Tem Richard Holt (2023-2024)

Castle Rock Water helps with savings of H2O and money GUEST COLUMN

Spring is here. For many of our residents, that means sprucing up their landscaping to better enjoy their outdoor spaces when the weather warms up. is year, the Town of Castle Rock has great news for those interested in a low-maintenance, low-wateruse yard. We know that one of the largest obstacles to replacing grass is the cost. In fact, in the town’s 2023 community survey, residents felt a higher rebate would better incentivize them to undertake landscape renovations that reduce water consumption.

To assist more residents, Town Council approved an increase to the Water Conservation Rebate Incentive Program budget from $200,000 to $300,000. Additionally, a state grant of $50,000 provides an opportunity for qualifying residential customers to receive up to $3.50 per square foot — up from $1.50 last year — in ColoradoScape rebates. When the state funding runs out, Castle Rock Water will still o er customers $2.50 per square foot.

David L. Corliss

Replacing waterguzzling grass with plants that do well in the local climate is one of our most e ective ways to conserve water. On average, customers see between 16% and 28% water savings by replacing high-water grass with lowwater plants and hardscapes. Castle Rock Water is working to remove as many obstacles as possible to encourage property owners to undertake a ColoradoScape renovation. In addition to a higher rebate amount, taking the Water Wiser course is no longer required to receive the rebate. e application does require a landscape inspection before beginning to verify that all rebate requirements can be met. ese requirements are necessary so Castle Rock Water can prove quanti able water savings, which is essential to continue funding this rebate program.

A 2024 ColoradoScape rebate is available to both residential and nonresidential water customers now

through Sept. 30 on a rst-come, rst-served basis. Visit CRconserve. com to nd the rebate application as well as additional resources to help with a ColoradoScape renovation, including workshops, a plant nder and design tips.

Rebates are also available to install ultra-high-e ciency toilets that can cut water use per ush by one third — saving both water and money. Customers can receive up to $150 per toilet for a maximum of four toilets per address. We’ll even recycle the porcelain from your old toilets for you. Installation of more e cient rotary nozzle sprinklers and whole-home water-monitoring systems that can alert homeowners of possible leaks and other excessive water use also qualify for rebates.

Funding for these rebate programs

primarily comes from water waste violations and excessive-use charges. Apply for a rebate at CRconserve. com/Rebates.

Castle Rock Water is giving away a free ColoradoScape renovation to one creative residential customer. Enter to win a $9,000 front-yard makeover in the annual ColoradoScape contest by creating and sharing on social media an entertaining short video about conserving water in the landscape. e video must be shared publicly between April 1 and April 30, include a tag to @CRgov and be submitted using the entry form at CRconserve.com/ Contest. Five nalists will be chosen, and community members will vote for their favorite video.

David L. Corliss is the Castle Rock town manager.

High Line Canal campaign is within $1M of goal

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e High Line Canal, a 71-milelong walking and cycling trail winding from Douglas to Adams County, is about to undergo an unprecedented e ort over the next ve years.

A campaign called “Great Lengths for the High Line,” led by the High Line Canal Conservancy, aims to raise $33 million to preserve, protect and enhance the trail for generations to come. With a recent nancial boost from Great Outdoors Colorado, the conservancy is now only $1 million away from that goal.

Since 2020, the conservancy has

been raising funds to conduct a series of projects to revitalize the trail, which was created from a historic canal system that circles the Denver area. ese funds — paired with city, county and federal funding — will make a total investment of $100 million towards the trail over the next ve years, according to the conservancy.

Projects along the trail aim to improve access, amenities, signage, shade, seating and environmental natural resource restoration, High Line Canal Conservancy CEO Harriet Crittenden LaMair said.

People of all ages utilize the High Line Canal, adding up to more than a million trail users per year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HIGH LINE CANAL CONSERVANCY

“ e Great Lengths campaign responds to the unique needs along all miles of the High Line Canal, and is an unprecedented e ort to transform the High Line Canal from an outdated irrigation system into a world-class greenway for the region,” she said.

A recent $7 million grant from Great Outdoors Colorado will speci cally fund projects on the trail’s 28 northeast miles, north of James A. Bible Park and into Aurora and Adams County.

Great Outdoors Colorado invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. e $7 million grant was part of its Centennial Program, which invests in “high-value, once-in-a-generation visions and projects” that will create lasting impacts on the state and future generations, according to its website.

e conservancy saw that community needs in the northeast section of the trail matched with the grant

program’s mission.

“ is (trail) section is located in some of the state’s most diverse and under-resourced communities who identi ed underinvestment, safety concerns and di cult entry points as some of the main barriers to trail access,” a Great Outdoors Colorado Press release stated.

LaMair said the under-investment in this area could be tied to the fact that Denver Water stopped delivering water to these northern communities via the High Line Canal in the 1980s. is decision was caused by water conservation measures and modernization of water delivery systems, LaMair said, and led to a lack of care for the canal in the following years.

Also, many of the communities in this area are of minority races and ethnicities and are largely low-income.

“ ere’s been a historic underinvestment in parklands in low-income and minority communities” across the U.S., she said.

Residents in neighborhoods of color in Aurora have access to 43% less park space per person than the city’s average neighborhood, according to theTrust for Public Land. And, resi-

dents in low-income neighborhoods have access to 28% less park space per person than those in the average Aurora neighborhood.

Projects on this section of the trail will repave parts of the trail and add tness areas, seating, shade structures and signage. Some projects will also plant trees near the trail. e conservancy will add new trail access points, like pedestrian bridges, from neighborhoods that are near the High Line Canal but separated by major roads or other barriers.

“ ose bridges are going to be really important to provide easier access and access to people with unique needs and disabilities,” LaMair said.

LaMair said she hopes these improvements will also increase usage of the trail in the northeast, making it safer for users who say they don’t feel safe on the trail because of crime.

ese priorities are the results of seven years of community-led visioning and planning, according to the conservancy.

Similar improvements will take place along the southwest portions of the trail. LaMair said there will be more natural resource restoration

projects in the south because there is more water in the area to support plants.

One unique project in Douglas County will add a new trailhead at the origin of the High Line Canal. It will include historical signage to teach people about the history of the trail and kick o their journey on it.

Some projects of the campaign are already underway, such as the pedestrian bridge at Elati Street in Littleton. LaMair said she hopes the rest of the projects enhance the canal for users.

“I hope that the High Line Canal is that place that people can go to for solace, for peace, for an opportunity to connect to nature in our growing urban area,” she said. “And that these projects make it a safer and more enjoyable place for people from each of these communities to go and spend that quality time that we so need for our mental and physical health.”

Other donors, including Denver Water, have contributed to the campaign. LaMair noted that publicprivate partnerships make these projects possible, and that some local governments will oversee some projects.

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