Lone Tree Voice April 11, 2024

Douglas County OKs law to limit unloading bus passengers

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fearing that buses of migrant people bound for Denver will stop in Douglas County, commissioners gave the green light to a law to limit the unloading of bus passengers.

Even though o cials have acknowledged that they aren’t aware of any migrants being dropped o in the county, elected leaders unanimously approved an ordinance barring drivers from unloading passengers in “unplanned locations.” e rule applies to large swaths of the county south of Denver, including heavily populated Highlands Ranch.

Douglas o cials framed the proposed policy as safeguarding the “community’s overall well-being.” e draft text of the proposed law states that any “unplanned” unboarding of passengers “creates a danger situation for the unloaded commercial passengers, and is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the community.”

e Douglas County News-Press is not aware of any reports of mass numbers of migrants being dropped o in the county.

Before voting to approve the law in the 3-0 vote, Commissioner George Teal said: “ ere will come a time when we need this ordinance, and it

might be sooner than later.”

Teal worried that Denver would start diverting buses carrying migrants from Texas to Colorado’s capital city to neighboring communities.

“I can’t help but think it’s only a matter of time,” Teal said.

Asked by the News-Press about that fear, Jon Ewing, a city spokesperson, said Denver has not diverted buses of migrants to Douglas County.

“We haven’t and we won’t,” Ewing said.

e county’s move comes as the number of migrant people who have come to or through Denver has

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA

Universities push enrollment deadlines amid FAFSA delays

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado’s two largest universities will push the deadline for students to con rm their enrollment by a month to June 1.

e announcements by the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University Fort Collins follow a di cult Free Application for Federal Student Aid season marred by glitches. e problems delayed when families could apply, and colleges haven’t received the information they use to help families determine if a school’s nancially right for them.

“We are here to support our students,” said Amy Hutton, CU Boulder associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. “We really want to make sure that they have the support and the time they need to make the right decision.”

e U.S. Department of Education switched to a new FAFSA form this year, but the rollout has been slow and problematic. Families and students typically can start lling out

the FAFSA in October.

But the federal government delayed the application period this year until Dec. 31 to create a new form. e federal government then announced a delay of student records that schools use to send out aid awards to families.

e Better FAFSA, as it is now known, has been easier and faster to complete. Nonetheless, some students, such as those whose parents don’t have Social Security numbers, have had issues nishing the form. e federal government has created a workaround for those families.

Typically, about 17 million students nationwide ll out the FAFSA; so far, about ve million have completed the form.

Colleges across the state and U.S. began to shift numerous deadlines as FAFSA issues persisted.

Hutton said moving the deadline will give students, especially those who are the rst in their families to go to college or who have highernancial need, more time to consider their nancial options.

e state’s two premier public uni-

RECAP THE 2024 POST LEGISLATIVE SESSION

versities aren’t alone in announcing more exibility for students amid FAFSA delays. Other Colorado public higher education institutions have already announced changes.

For example, Fort Lewis College already pushed its enrollment deadline to June 1. Other schools, especially regional institutions, traditionally are more exible in admissions, but also have changed other deadlines this year, such as registration or when students need to submit housing applications.

Pushing the con rmation deadline is more consequential for larger schools such as CU Boulder and CSU Fort Collins because they compete for a more selective pool of students.

Heather Daniel, CSU Fort Collins director of admissions, said the May 1 enrollment deadline has been like a “national holiday” when students announce where they planned to attend college. Schools use the enrollment con rmation deadline as a way to understand the size of the next year’s incoming freshmen, which helps them plan.

Pushing the deadline by a month also will impact students. e tighter schedule gives them less time to complete pre-enrollment tasks, Daniel said.

“It might mean a quicker turnaround for students to be able to complete next steps, like signing up for orientation, registering for classes, and getting their housing,” Daniel said. “It’s just a matter of adjusting and, most importantly, accommodating students and families through the process. at’s our primary focus.”

Statewide, other schools have tried to nd ways to help families navigate this year.

Metropolitan State University of Denver, which o ers more exible enrollment, has told students it will work with them through FAFSA challenges.

Vaughn Toland, MSU Denver chief enrollment o cer, said many of the school’s students apply well into the summer. e school has extended nancial aid eligibility deadlines.

“We’re gonna get this gured out and we’re here to support you,” Toland said.

e school, which is the most diverse Colorado institution and has a high number of students who are the rst to go to college, has tried to communicate it will be exible if students run into individual issues.

Kerline Eglaus, MSU Denver executive director of nancial aid and scholarships, said she wants students to know they won’t get left behind because many deadlines are uid.

“And that’s given them some peace of mind,” she said.

But students should attempt to ll out the FAFSA, school leaders said. e form is the only way students can truly understand their nancial options for school, Hutton said.

“I always recommend students ll out the FAFSA and see what aid is available to them so they can make an informed decision about where they want to attend and their ability to succeed when they do,” Hutton said.

Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.

Colorado State University Fort Collins and the University of Colorado Boulder announced they have changed their enrollment confirmation deadline. ELI IMADALI FOR CHALKBEAT

Here’s How I See the NAR Settlement Affecting Buyers, Sellers and Their Agents

Two weeks ago I focused on how the media has covered the settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and sellers regarding the payment of buyer agent commissions. At the end of that article I directed readers to my blog to read my further thoughts about how the settlement would affect buyers, sellers and their agents.

Since not all readers visited that website (or it might have crashed), I’ll share those insights in this week’s column.

Estate Commission (CREC) will tweak the Exclusive Right to Sell (listing) contract to remove the offer of co-op compensation from Sec. 7.1.1. Instead of entering, for example, 5% to 6% as the commission, the contract will likely show 2.5% to 3% as the commission.

Note: This column was published last Thursday in the Denver Post but not in the weekly newspapers.

I’m convinced that sellers will still want to offer some amount of compensation to buyers’ agents as an incentive to show their homes. Because co-op commissions will no longer be published in the MLS, listing agents will come up with off-MLS ways of providing that information. Failing that, they should expect buyers’ agents to call them before an offer is submitted to find out what compensation, if any, can be inserted in the purchase contract.

Buyers’ agents who didn’t get their buyer to agree to pay them a commission can be expected to call listing agents about compensation before they even show the listing. If more than one agent asks the listing agent that question and then fails to set a showing, the listing agent might get his seller to offer a coop commission.

Note: Although co-op compensation will not appear on the MLS, listing agents (like Golden Real Estate’s) who create a website for each listing can mention co-op compensation there, and ads (like the one below) can include that information too, drawing buyers to show your listing over other listings.

Here are some practical changes that can be expected. First, the Colorado Real

If the seller agrees to the idea of incentivizing buyers’ agents, it could be expressed in a newly created section of the listing agreement or under Additional Provisions like this: “If a buyer’s agent requests compensation, Broker is authorized to offer x% commission to be paid by Seller at closing.”

Beware, however: Not offering the exact same commission to every inquiring agent could constitute a Fair Housing violation. It would be better to publish that amount, such as on a listing flyer and/or listing website.

I have always advocated for buyers to have professional representation, so I welcome the settlement’s requirement to have a signed buyer agency agreement before showing listings. This can be a 1day or 1-week agreement, to allow the buyer time to decide if he/she wants a formal exclusive relationship with that agent. However, buyers will likely be reluctant to sign anything just to see a home, so they will likely call listing agents instead.

When a listing agent shows his or her own listing, the buyer isn’t required to sign anything, although the listing agent is required to present the buyer with a “Brokerage Disclosure to Buyer” that he/ she represents the seller and that the buyer is a “customer.” (Buyer can decline to sign that disclosure.)

Are listing agents prepared for that onslaught? Listing agents who are used to putting a listing in the MLS and wait-

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ing for other agents to sell it won’t like buyers asking for showings — especially once they aren’t able to get sellers to sign a 5% to 6% listing agreement.

The rules will disproportionately hurt buyers who can barely afford a downpayment, unless lenders allow a buyer commission to be included in the loan amount, and those buyers won’t be able to come up with thousands in cash to pay their agents. Those buyers will surely go to listing agents directly.

Meanwhile, listing agents are used to their paycheck doubling when they don’t have to share their 5 to 6 percent commission with a buyer’s agent. That’s going to go away unless listing agents convince their sellers to put a provision in their contract that if no commission is owed to a buyer’s agent, then the listing commission is increased by x%.

The CREC’s Exclusive Right to Buy contract has long had a section which says the buyer’s broker will request payment from the seller but, failing that, buyer agrees to pay a stated fee for representation. Here’s how those sections of the buyer agency contract read:

Buyers can be expected to resist almost any percentage, since they have never paid a commission in the past. Because of this, more buyers can be expected to call listing agents to see homes instead of hiring a buyer’s agent, although I’ll continue to advocate for buyers to hire an agent to represent them.

Justifying the listing commission will be an easier sell, but only if the listing agent offers the kind of value we do at Golden Real Estate. It will be a harder sell for listing agents who provide minimal value to their sellers.

Here’s a partial list of the value Golden Real Estate agents provide to our sellers:

 A free staging consultation

 Free use of our box truck, free moving boxes, and free packing materials, including bubble wrap

 Magazine quality still photos, HD narrated video tour, and aerial photos and video

 Custom websites for each listing and custom URLs (e.g., yourhome.com)

 Advertising your home next to this

These will become the default sections in the buyer agency contract. Agents working with a buyer will seek to insert 2.5% to 3% in their buyer agency agreement in case a seller doesn’t agree to that much (or any) compensation for the buyer’s agent. Percentages like that will be a hard sell, because the buyer would be on the hook for the difference between what the seller pays (if anything) and what’s in their buyer agency agreement.

real estate column in the Denver Post and 23 weekly newspapers

 Discount on the listing commission when we don’t have to pay a buyer’s agent and/or when we earn a commission selling you a replacement home.

The NAR settlement still allows the MLS to include an offer of monetary concessions for buyers, such as paying for buyers’ closing costs, or paying for an interest rate buydown on buyer’s loan.

Lauren Boebert hospitalized, receives May-Thurner diagnosis

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

U.S. Rep Lauren Boebert was hospitalized and recovering in early April after undergoing surgery for a blood clot in her leg.

In a press release, Boebert said she experienced swelling in her leg and was admitted to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland on Monday. She has been diagnosed with May- urner Syndrome, a condition that disrupts blood ow, and underwent surgery.

Boebert’s campaign said she was taking time to rest the rst week of April, leading to a short pause in her campaign to represent Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. She missed a Parker Conservatives meeting last week.

“I’m looking forward to making

a full recovery and getting back to Congress to continue ghting for Colorado,” Boebert, who currently represents Colorado’s 3rd District on the Western Slope, said in the statement.

It’s unclear what led to the clot, but the statement pointed to Boebert’s work in Congress and her busy campaign schedule.

“An exact cause is unknown, but dehydration, travel, and extended periods of sitting have all been identi ed as potential factors in causing symptoms of May- urner Syndrome,” Boebert’s statement said.

Dr. Rebecca Bade, who is treating Boebert, said the representative is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term health impacts.

“Patients with May- urner Syndrome who undergo the procedure to restore blood ow are able to live

and work just as they have in the past after a brief recovery,” Bade said.

e surgery removed an acute blood clot and inserted a stent in Boebert’s leg.

The Women of Weld GOP candidate forum Jan. 25 at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center featured U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert as she seeks to represent Colorado’s 4th District.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Four-decade-old cold case leaves detectives in Douglas County asking for help

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On Feb. 20, 1981, James Ihm planned to meet Richard Eastridge and others at the Brazenhead Inn in Woodland Park, west of Colorado Springs. ey planned to nalize the details of Ihm’s sale of a large amount of marijuana and were allegedly going to travel to a secluded area to complete the transaction.

But, investigators said, weeks later, on March 8, Ihm’s body was found miles north of Woodland Park, near Fern Creek Road, east of

Colorado Highway 67 in Douglas County.

e 29-year-old Ihm was found near the Rainbow Falls campground in the Pike National Forest. He had been shot to death.

e Douglas County Sheri ’s Ofce arrested Eastridge, of the Littleton area, last November for his alleged participation in the killing of Ihm.

e arrest resulted from numerous witness statements, evidence recovered in 1981, evidence analyzed in 2023, and Eastridge’s confession, the sheri ’s o ce said.

e o ce received assistance from the Teller County Sheri ’s O ce, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Uni ed Forensic Laboratory and the Iowa County Sheri ’s O ce in Wisconsin to advance the investigation.

Eastridge allegedly implicated himself and others who planned to rob Ihm of a large amount of marijuana, which ultimately resulted in the killing, the sheri ’s o ce said.

On Nov. 15 last year, while out of custody on bond, Eastridge took his own life, according to the o ce. But the o ce’s cold case unit is still pur-

suing the case — looking for additional suspects or people involved, said Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the sheri ’s o ce.

“We’re looking for someone who may know about the homicide or who may know someone who suddenly had an unexpectedly large possession of marijuana in the spring of 1981,” Takahara told the Douglas County News-Press.

e Douglas County Sheri ’s Ofce cold case unit can be reached at coldcasetips@dcsheri .net or 303660-7528.

Students recognize teachers and coaches

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Students recently took a pause to express their gratitude and admiration for the educators who have profoundly impacted their lives. On a memorable evening, the Highlands Ranch Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hosted the annual Teacher Appreciation Awards, where nearly 50 students gathered to recognize 40 exceptional Douglas County School District teachers and coaches. e event was a heartfelt tribute to those who go above and beyond in shaping the minds and hearts of young learners.

“Leave your mark. Be true in every situation – even when no one is watching,” a quote by author Emily Belle Freeman.

It was used as the theme for the night, for both teachers and students.

Janet Worley, Skyview Academy’s Head of Schools spoke to the theme, highlighting the countless hours of unseen work that teachers put into their jobs to make a di erence in children’s and young teen’s lives.

She encouraged the educators, still navigating the realities of post-COVID, to not live with regret, knowing they matter and make a di erence.

“Tonight demonstrates why each

act of doing the right thing, even in silence, matters,” she said.

Colorado High School Activities Association Assistant Commissioner and former teacher Rashaan Davis re ected on his days as a student. He said he needed what these teachers being honored provide: a comfortable, safe, welcoming place.

“As a teacher, I think, when we can shine that light on kids and then kids can in turn shine it back on you,” said Davis. “We said as teachers, ‘We don’t get into this for recognition,’ here you are.”

Laughter, tears and hugs were shared as Davis presented the awards and read aloud how the students’ lives were forever changed by

their teachers and coaches at Highlands Ranch High School, Mountain Ridge Middle School, Rock Canyon High School, Sky View Academy, Ben Franklin Academy and Ranch View Middle School.   Mountain Vista High School teachers Charlie Tingstrom, Patrick McGuire, Je rey Butler, Brian Wood, Brent McRae and underRidge High School’s Chad Riggs and omas Sullivan were nominated multiple times by their students.

“He’s always been a friend to me and is an example of what it truly means to be a leader,” a underRidge student said about Sullivan. “He brings spirit and happiness to the school and puts in 100% e ort

into everything he does.”

Beyond describing their teachers’ as compassionate, respectful, supportive, patient, dependable, understanding and unforgettable, students wrote about the memories they will cherish and recited words that stuck with them.

e students shared how their teachers are not only supportive in the classroom, but also outside of it. ey said their teachers could make a boring subject fun, and also felt they had made a friend for life.

Among the things students wrote about their teachers:

“He makes me want to go out and explore the incredible world around us.”

“Made me want to do my best.”

“Everything a teacher should be.”

“To make us love him even more, he tells us bad dad jokes and performs amazing magic tricks.”

“Pushing me to achieve my true potential and dreams.”

e students were also reminded to take with them the impact their teachers made as they move forward.

“As your high school years come to a close, and you embrace the next chapter, whatever that chapter holds for you,” said Worley. “Ask yourself what you can do to continue to honor the e orts of this educator in your life.”

From the left, Highlands Ranch High School Principal Dr. Christopher Page, ThunderRidge High School Principal Sean Patterson, Douglas County School District Superintendent Erin Kane and SkyView Academy Upper School Principal Javier Negron.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

A

MIGRANTS

topped 40,000, though Denver says it hasn’t sent any migrants to be sheltered in the county. Denver is also contending with budget cuts, after spending millions of dollars to aid and temporarily house migrants.

What new law would do

e new law does not mention migrants or any other groups, only mentioning “commercial passengers.”

It prohibits commercial passenger vehicles from stopping in unincorporated parts of the county to unload passengers other than at a “planned and scheduled documented destination.”

“Unincorporated” parts of the county are outside of cities and towns.

e new law applies to any vehicle where payment is involved for transportation, including buses, vans and trucks.

It does not include vehicles rented or leased by the driver, vehicles operated by the Regional Transportation District, or RTD, or any government body of the State of Colorado, ride-sharing services, or taxi cabs.

Douglas County o cials have no record of any migrant or migrants being dropped o anywhere across the county by commercial buses, trucks or vans since December 2022, county sta said

in late March.

e county’s three commissioners, all Republicans, voted in favor of the new ordinance on a preliminary vote, or rst reading.

ey also voted unanimously on a second and nal vote April 2 to enact the ordinance, which took e ect immediately, according to the county.

Some migrants came to Douglas

Asked whether any organization that Denver works with sent any migrants to be sheltered in Douglas County, Ewing said: “Still can’t speak for nonpro ts, but not to my knowledge.”

Yet, Douglas County says a small number of migrants have sought its services.

Fewer than 20 migrants sought services — primarily shelter — during the weeks of Feb. 26 and March 4, according to county sta .

A county spokesperson said some of the people told the county they were from Venezuela, but others came from other countries.

No dedicated shelters for the unhoused exist in Douglas County, aside from shelter space for domestic-violence survivors, a county spokesperson said.

But the county works to provide shelter through partnerships with churches and municipalities — including Aurora and Colorado Springs — and by providing motel or hotel vouchers, the spokesperson said.

“Migrants appear to be utilizing personal transportation or public transportation available to them to travel to Douglas County,” county sta said in a statement in late March.

‘Plight’ of migrant people

Before voting on the ordinance, Commissioner Abe Laydon noted his own Latino heritage and said: “I do take the plight of people seeking asylum seriously.”

He has said he’s worked with other leaders in the Denver area on the issue of work authorization for certain migrants “so if people are looking for work,” they can nd it legally.

Ultimately, that’s a federal issue, according to Je Garcia, county attorney.

Influx of migrant people slowed

Overall, the rate of new migrants coming to Denver each day has decreased over the past few months, though it recently ticked up slightly.

“Up until mid-January we were seeing on average 200 people a day. Today that number is between 20 or 30,” Ewing wrote in a March 12 email. He added: “In February we received 7 buses total ... Still, there’s no comparison to December, when we received 144.”

Asked what the daily number of new migrants coming to Denver is now, Ewing said on April 2: “Around 50 now. Higher, but still nothing like December and early January.”

Elbert County judge sets $1 million bond for accused killer

Je rey Allen Church allegedly shot his fiancee’s ex at gas station o Singing Hills Road

In an April 2 Elbert County District Court hearing, bond was set at $1 million cash or surety for an El Paso County man accused of killing the father of his ancee’s child. Je rey Allen Church, 26, remained in the Elbert County jail as

of press time. He is charged with rst-degree murder.

Church’s defense counsel had requested a bond of $100,000 cash or surety, and the prosecution had requested a cash-only $2 million bond.

Church is accused of fatally shooting Parker resident Michael Bolan, 36, during a Feb. 11 st ght between the two men outside the Sinclair gas station just o Singing Hills Road in northwestern Elbert County. A witness told police that Church appeared to be already winning the st ght when he pulled the gun from his pocket and shot Bolan one time an a davit says.

Bolan had traveled to the gas station to meet with his ex-girlfriend for a custody exchange of their 4-year-old daughter. Church was present at the custody exchange as the ance of Bolan’s ex-girlfriend. “ is is a self-defense case, isolated in nature,” Church’s defense counsel said in arguing for the $100,000 bond request, noting that “in the middle of a st ght” the defendant made an apparent “splitsecond decision” to pull a gun from his pocket and re. e defense added that Church is essentially the sole support for three children — his ancee’s 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, plus a son born

to his ancee on Feb. 28, two and a half weeks after the gas-station killing, while Church was in jail.

Prosecutor Eva Wilson countered that Bolan was unarmed when he was killed and told the court: “ e defendant was the one who basically came to a st ght with a gun, and he used it.” She said Bolan “didn’t start the ght” and in opposition to the defense, she argued that Church does pose a threat to community safety.

Judge eresa Slade, declaring that the seriousness of the o ense and aggravating factors were high, settled on the $1 million cash or surety bond.

Veterans, first responders, funding art therapy

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e second annual Castle Rock Film Festival will feature dozens of short movies, documentaries and music videos from lmmakers both local and international. All of the proceeds from the event go to fund the Castle Rock Artist Alliance’s veterans and rst responders art therapy program.

“We’re really putting our best foot forward this year,” Hunter Burns, an organizer with the festival, said.

Around 20 veterans and rst responders have experienced the healing power of creating through the alliance’s art therapy program and a fundraiser lm festival on April 1213 aims to support the program and grow its participation.

“Castle Rock is ripe for events like this,” Burns said. “We’ve found that people really took to it because it’s something they’ve been missing. As the town is growing, people want to dive deep into the arts.”

e festival’s inaugural year sold out both days of showings and raised around $7,000, Burns said. e hope for this year is to match or outpace last year’s success.

On Friday, the festival will screen

The Castle Rock Artist Alliance is hosting its second annual

short and experimental lms and, on Saturday, documentaries and music videos. In addition to the lms, both days will feature live music to kick o viewings.

Some of the highlights of this year’s lineup are a documentary about Richard Fierro, the Army veteran who intervened to save lives during the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs in 2022, a French Frankenstein adaptation and animated works from students at the University of Denver.

“We have a lm for every cinephile,” Burns said.

Another feature is a documentary called “Painting the Path” about the local art therapy program with testimony from participants.

e proceeds raised from the lm festival help cover the costs of renting spaces to provide classes, as well as purchasing art supplies like canvases and paint.

Veterans and rst responders can take up painting, drawing, sculpting and photography as part of the

therapy program, which is led by local artist Carrie Martin.

“We’ve noticed that classes help a lot of veterans communicate and express themselves, have emotion and open up,” Burns said. “You don’t have to look at each other and you can pick up a brush and focus on the canvas.”

Art from the program is featured on the walls of Castle Rock businesses, such as Co 33 and Burly Brewing Company, and at pop-ups throughout town.

Currently, the program serves mostly local responders at the Douglas County High School and Burns said the program would like to expand not only the number of participants, but also the kinds of classes o ered and the program’s geographic footprint.

“We really want to meet them where they are and help them paint their way out or to a new place or a new perspective,” he said.

e lm festival will be held at the eatre of Dreams in Castle Rock with 6 p.m. showings on April 12 and 13, as well as a 3 p.m. matinee on April 13.

For tickets and more information, go to lmfreeway.com/CastleRockFilmFestival.

film festival fundraiser on April 12 and 13 to support its Veterans and First Responders Art Therapy program. The inaugural festival last year sold out two days of showings. COURTESY

Meet Colorado’s 2024 Special Olympics Coach of the Year

5 questions with Legend High School’s Jeremy Dorr

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When does a passion become a calling? In a state lled with goldhearted individuals dedicating their lives to special education, one local coach was honored as the 2024 Special Olympics Coach of the Year in Colorado.

Jeremy Dorr at Legend High School received the award last month and

said he’s shocked but honored to be recognized among so many wonderful coaches in the community.

“I’ve been around special education all my life,” Dorr said. “I worked with students growing up who had special needs. I’ve just always been around it. e Special Olympics community is such a small community and it’s such a fun and amazing community with amazing people. It’s become such a huge passion of mine to just provide opportunities for athletes to experience whatever sport it may be.”

Dorr was at Legend for four years before returning to school to get his

degree in special education. But he stayed at Legend while tackling his schooling online.

After being a student-teacher for four years, Dorr took a job at Ponderosa High School while continuing to coach the Uni ed basketball team at Legend. With over a decade of coaching Uni ed athletics, he’s back at Legend full-time this year.

After winning the award, Dorr sat down with Colorado Community Media for a brief Q&A, which you can nd below.

Colorado Community Media: How did you get involved with Unied athletics and Special Olympics Colorado?

Dorr: After taking a break from school to work as an education assistant, I ended up doing a lot of subbing in the district at Cherry Creek Schools. At that point in time I got involved in subbing at Grandview High School, and a buddy of mine, one year, was asked by the athletic director to start a Uni ed basketball team. I went and I watched the games. I wasn’t coaching at the time; I didn’t know what it was, really. But I went and watched it and said, ‘ is is the best thing ever.’ I kind of just fell in love with it from that point on. e following year I asked about getting involved in it and helping coach

and from that point on, it’s just been one of those things I’ve really enjoyed being a part of it. Especially with getting involved with other sports besides basketball.

CCM: Why do you think Uni ed basketball games, or sports in general, are such good vehicles for special education? Why is it so effective and valuable for them and yourself?

Dorr: For me, I grew up playing sports. I played baseball in high school. I played lacrosse in college. I’ve always been a competitive person that enjoyed playing sports, and these athletes really show you how to compete. When things don’t go well, we tend to fold or tend to kind of shut down … these athletes continue to thrive in what they do and continue to show us how to compete with tenacity but also have great sportsmanship at the same time. ere are so many life skills that can be learned through playing sports. You have to learn how to lose. You’re not always going to have everything handed to you in life. You’ve got to learn how to work for the things you want. ese guys just come out and play hard every time. e Special Olympics has an athlete oath be-

Legend High School’s Jeremy Dorr was named the 2024 Special Olympics Coach of the Year in Colorado. Above, he gives two thumbs-up during a Legend Unified basketball game against the Parker Police Department. COURTESY KEYSER IMAGES

education, how have opportunities grown for these individuals, in part because of these events?

fore every competition. It says, ‘Let me win, and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ ey don’t let their disabilities hold them back from competing at a high level. ey’re brave in their attempt every time they step on the court, eld, bowling alley, a mat lifting, whatever it might be. at holds true to how we should all compete.

CCM: What was your reaction to winning the 2024 Special Olympics Coach of the Year in Colorado?

Dorr: I was de nitely shocked. I was not expecting it by any means. I’ve never done any of this for any kind of recognition. At the end of the day, it’s about my athletes. It’s about the partners we have in our Uni ed teams and providing them with these opportunities and lifelong memories. I was surprised by it for sure. It’s hard to put into words. It’s de nitely nice to be recognized but at the end of the day, it’s not the ‘why.’ ere are other coaches out there that do a whole heck of a lot as well. It’s de nitely an honor, for sure.

CCM: In your years coaching Uni ed athletics and in special

Dorr: From the rst time I got involved to now, it’s really exciting to see the amount of opportunities provided to these athletes across the state within the schools. It’s really cool, you see a lot more Uni ed programs coming up in high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. It’s fun to see the growth and the inclusiveness throughout all the di erent high schools getting involved. I remember the rst time I got involved, it was two schools I knew of. It was us at Grandview and Overland High School. Now, you look at the amount of schools … it’s cool to see more people are getting involved.

CCM: What does Uni ed athletics do for a school or a community?

Dorr: At the end of the day, Unied, to me, can totally change the culture of a school, can change the culture of a community. You see it rsthand here at Legend with what our kids are able to do and what they’re part of. We had our big (game) against the Parker Police Department and the community showed up in force. It’s really cool to see the growth throughout the state.

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We believe that a creative, learning environment staffed with talented people who want to grow and utilize the newest and best tools will result in a dynamic and successful culture that has a positive impact on our clients’ businesses and our community.

Our brand is one of the most trusted in the communities we serve. We’ve built this reputation by providing award-winning news coverage and top-notch customer service, and by being engaged in our communities at all levels.

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• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Join our team, working from our Englewood office and remote. This position offers competitive pay starting at $17.50/per hour and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision. Life and paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time.

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Recently, Legend High School held its annual “Pack the Gym” night for a Unified basketball game against the Parker Police Department. Coach Jeremy Dorr said the resounding support from the community was heartwarming. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEYSER IMAGES

Facts, fiction, powered by our unlimited imagination

DWINNING

ata and analytics certainly play an important role both in our personal as well as our professional lives. Facts and gures are just a millisecond away when we need them. We leverage these data points to monitor our own health and activity including how much we eat, drink, work out and sleep in any given day. We have wearable rings and bracelets that gather this data 24/7, except for when we are charging those devices.

ere exists a dizzying amount of data and analytics in the business world. Facts and gures that fuel decision making from hiring, nancial, operations, sales statistics and more. Data-driven decisions make an incredible amount of sense, if we can trust the sources of the data. e challenge for most organizations is that the data may point to a di erent and logical conclusion that may con ict with what senior leadership feels like they should do, as they rely on instinct and experience rather than the data.

Enter our imagination. Whether it is in our personal lives or what we do professionally, we can all get creative and lean into our unlimited imagination to gure out what we can do with all the data and analytics surrounding us.

Let’s revisit the example of data and analytics being fed to us from our health tracking or monitoring devices. Clearly for most of us we see areas where we de nitively need improvement. Other parts of our

VOICES

everyday living that need moderate adjustments, and for some who are really on top of this and are crushing it, where they are just trying to raise their own bar, each one of us can use our creativity to think, “How can I imagine myself eating better, sleeping soundly, and getting in better physical condition?” And once we imagine it and can see it in our mind’s eye, we have a greater chance of executing on our newly imagined workout, diet, and rest schedule.

Work isn’t much di erent. When we see organizations struggling with results, even though they have the data and analytics that support taking a new direction, they stay the course. And if they are missing their numbers month after month or quarter to quarter, they have two options. First, they can continue doing the same thing and missing another quarter. Or they can also think, “How can we imagine a better and di erent future for the company, our associates, and our customers?”

Get creative, bring in bright and cre-

ative thinkers who can look at the data and analytics with fresh eyes and creative thinking.

Fiction is where it starts to become somewhat tricky. Typically, those who write ction tend to be super creative with wild imaginations. As a voracious reader myself, I cycle through a novel with every ve books that I read. I have my favorite authors, and part of what I enjoy the most about those books that I read, the author ties in data and analytics. As a matter of fact, they often begin with data and analytics, facts and gures, historical data and points of view. And once they have that starting point as their basis, they apply their creativity and imagination to write a thrilling story.

Some will still argue today that the statistics we are using need to be fact-checked and that the data is unreliable, they will refer to it as ction instead of fact. As arti cial intelligence matures, and it is maturing with terri c rapidity, it will only make access to more reliable data

and analytics available to everyone on this planet regardless of who we are and what we do. e power of AI in healthcare alone will change the way each one of us is diagnosed and treated for any condition we might be facing. And keep in mind that arti cial intelligence was once someone’s imagination solving a problem the world would one day face. We are living in an interesting time, a time where data and analytics are playing a vital role in our recreation, vocation, and the way we choose to live and work. I would love to hear your thoughts on all of this at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can understand the power of our imagination when it comes to facts and ction, 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.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Deputies, vote union

After members of the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce voted to formally consider unionization, the Douglas County commissioners made their opposition to unionizing abundantly and forcefully clear. In the commissioners’ slickly produced anti-union video, and campaign promo I’m sure. ey detailed how much they have done for the Sheri ’ Ofce. e recent infusion of $20M for pay increases and hiring of 75 additional sheri o cers should be enough to appease and quash union talk. e BOCC has also insulted the intelligence of deputies by accusing the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union as “tricking” the voting o cers. Excellent pay and bene ts are the least that can be expected to compensate for highly trained professionals who put their lives on the line for the public.

e current commissioners have not personally been a part of unions and are unable to understand that the most important components of unionization are policies to protect workers from unfair practices by administration. I believe the alleged nepotism and hate groups within the Sheri ’s organization has interfered with fair advancement and good order and discipline. is may be a motivating factor to joining a union. e department has accepted o cers joining 3% (hate group) and displaying this by wearing 3% shirts with DCSO leadership. Christian nationalists, followers of Jimmy Graham’s terrorist group, Able Shepherd (hate group), have been witnessed gladhanding and backslapping sheri ’s deputies at events. Perhaps, union voters are hoping to scrub out this element and embrace a more honest and honorable organization.

Deputies, vote union! ey built a pathway for our middle classes to prosper and build a better life for their families. Nurses, teachers, service workers, building trades, grocery store workers etc., deserve a better life that unions provide in pay and bene ts to bring the American Dream closer.

Katie Barrett, Castle Rock

Refund my MLS fee

every 21 years so I am not exactly well versed in real estate transactions. e excellent article in the March 28 edition of the Herald by Jim Smith is must reading for everyone who plans to buy or sell a house in the near future.

I read his article four or ve times and am still not clear why he wrote it. It had something to do with a $418 million settlement the National Association of Realtors made with the FTC. After must research, It seems the NAR was ned over their requirement that every real estate contract must include a clause requiring both the buyer and seller pay a multiple listing fee. is was over and above the standard sales commission.

e MLS fee should have been a voluntary expense to the buyer and seller or paid by the real estate agent and deducted as a business expense on his/her 1040. I would like to request a follow-up article by Mr. Smith explaining why the NAR was ned and who led the lawsuit which resulted in the ne. In the meantime, I would like the NAR to refund my MLS fee, with interest, dating to 1997 which was the sale of my last house.

Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch

Harmon shows dedication

During my 63-year residency in Colorado I have changed houses

If you’ve met Marissa, you’ve experienced her infectious passion for our city and the future of Lone Tree. Her dedication towards the city is inspiring and only matched by that for her own family and small business. As a successful business owner, right here in Lone Tree, and a mother of school age children, Marissa is uniquely quali ed to understand and address the concerns of our residents. Marissa’s experience on city council and planning commission has enabled her to connect with residents with a variety of backgrounds and concerns allowing her to consider all residents as decisions for our city are made. With signi cant plans for growth, our city needs a leader who is both scally responsible and exible to accommodate the needs of the changes ahead. Marissa will keep safety as priority ensuring residents don’t lose their sense of security as our city blooms and grows.

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLOROADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The elementary school students making paper parachutes and homemade kaleidoscopes now will — in about 10 years or so — be studying aerospace engineering and nuclear ssion.

at’s the hope behind programs like Colorado School of Mines’ third annual Girls Are SMART event, which recently hosted 130 girls from elementary schools across the Denver area.

Girls Are SMART — Studious, Mighty, Amazing, Resilient and Talented — had the participants rotate through a variety of science, tech-

nology, engineering and math-focused activities.

ey spent the morning on March 9 making their own Newton’s cradles, rainsticks, elephant toothpaste, stomp rockets and more, with Mines students explaining the mechanics behind each station’s activity.

e participants described afterward how they had a great time making new friends and learning about science, and several said they wanted to come back next year.

The short-term goal behind Girls Are SMART, as the event’s organizers from Mines’ Society of Women Engineers chapter explained, was to bolster the participants’ knowledge of basic scientific principles like air resistance, pres-

sure and gravity.

But, the larger objective was to encourage the students’ love of learning, especially in STEM, and “inspire girls to go into any eld they want,” as organizer Mary Nimey said.

Nimey, a Mines senior studying mining engineering, noted how SWE hosts similar events for middle school and high school students, although they’re more technical and involved based on the age group. For the older students, Nimey said these programs also encourage participants to explore whichever topics or specialties within engineering interest them.

A Girls Are SMART participant looks through a handmade kaleidoscope crafted during the March 9 event on the Colorado School of Mines campus. The Mines’ Society of Women Engineers chapter hosted the third annual event, where elementary school students rotated through several science-focused stations.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

ENGINEERING

According to Colorado School of Mines enrollment data, women accounted for a third of all 7,608 enrolled students in fall 2023. Additionally, the SWE chapter’s webpage states it has about 800 members, and is the largest SWE college chapter in the United States and the largest professional student organization on the Mines campus.

Nimey hoped to see both SWE membership and women’s enrollment at Mines increase in the coming years, thanks in part to Girls Are SMART and similar programs throughout the country.

If so, today’s participants will be tomorrow’s organizers and volunteers, helping to encourage the next generation of scientists just as Golden’s Eva Christianson now is.

Christianson, a Mines junior studying mechanical engineering, recalled attending similar events when she went to Golden High

School. ese events were crucial in solidifying her interest in studying engineering, she said.

Northglenn’s Jessica Tomshack, a fellow junior and mechanical engineering major, emphasized how crucial it is to get girls involved and help them feel encouraged to study STEM at a young age, and to “show them what the options are” as far as future careers, she added.

Students today; leaders tomorrow

For the Girls Are SMART participants, the March 9 event was simply a fun opportunity to make new friends and learn new things.

First-grader Hannah Woolley said her favorite station was making cotton-ball shooters. Meanwhile, second-graders Amelia Zeller and Lyla Premschak said they enjoyed the elephant toothpaste the most, as they liked watching the substances react and the colorful foam rise out of the bottle.

Lyla and her family said several of her Castle Rock schoolmates signed up for the event after their elementary school sent out information. Lyla appreciated how all the Oredigger vol-

unteers were “nice and helpful,” and enjoyed making a new friend.

Although Lyla’s dad is an engineer and Mines alumnus, mom Bre Premschak signed her up because “it shows the opportunities (in engineering) for girls too.” Plus, Lyla is an advanced learning student, so Bre believed the Girls Are SMART activities would “add onto those experiences” at school.

Similarly, ornton’s Zeller family signed Amelia up after hearing about it from a local teacher. Because Amelia’s shown an interest in environmental studies, her parents said it was important for her to be “surrounded by likeminded women” in her fellow participants and their Mines mentors.

e Woolleys, who live in Highlands Ranch, also heard about Girls Are SMART from a previous participant, and thought it’d be perfect for Hannah as she loves math and science. Plus, the event was special because it was for girls, her mom Maggie Woolley said.

“Anything we can do to encourage it,” dad Mike Woolley said of Hannah’s love for math and science.

Participants at the Girls Are SMART event look at a hand diagram they made at the March 9 event on the Colorado School of Mines campus. About 130 elementary school students from across the Denver area participated in the third annual event, hosted by Mines’ Society of Women Engineers chapter. PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Sam Hill’s is ‘time capsule’ barbershop

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Englewood’s oldest business is once again under new ownership. But when customers cross the threshold of the beloved barbershop, now dubbed Sam Hill’s by Arrow, nothing too much will seem to have changed in its 115 years. ey can travel back in time to di erent decades of grooming.

From a 1920s prohibition judges’ bench to her grandparents’ barber chairs from the 1950s, Colorado native and new owner Tara Nalty has curated a new, but retro look for the 115-year-old building, all the while maintaining its legacy.

“I loved so much about it,” Nalty said. “It felt a certain way. You walk in here and it has this just old museum kind of feel to it. … So, ‘What do I keep? What do I change to make it feel the way it feels?’ But, also, I wanted to go back in time a little, too.”  e building now boasts a towel warmer from the 1930s, complementing the 1970s linoleum ooring and other elements. Nalty said she kept many elements the shop was known for, including the name it has had since 1927.

“Every little thing that I could preserve that was really old and original and really cool I did,” Nalty said. “I wanted it to feel the same but better and even more vintage.”

Sam Hill’s by Arrow reopened its doors in January but the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce

known as OK Bathhouse & Barbershop.

“ e man who opened it rst was from Nebraska and he came to Englewood and settled and looked around and said, ‘Everyone here is so dirty’ and he opened a bathhouse,” Nalty said.

roughout the building’s history both men and women would come to the shop for services and that was an element she wanted to keep.

Nalty said from a young age she knew she would become a hairstylist and one day own her own business.

“It was said at 3 I could put in a set of rollers… better than most adults,” Nalty said. “I always remember doing everybody’s hair and I knew that I would do hair.”

held an o cial ribbon cutting ceremony for the business in March.

Many gathered to see the changes made to the space.

Across the street is Nalty’s other salon, Arrow, which she started in early 2019.

She said she eventually outgrew her space and wanted a small shop to expand to.

“I would just look in (Sam Hill’s) and wonder what was happening with this time capsule,” Nalty said.

“With all the taxidermy and the cigarette ashtrays on the bench and the chairs. It looked like a museum and I just had a sense that it was something.”

Weekly Carrier Routes Available

Nalty said she knew the space was greatly loved and she wanted to continue to provide that love. So, she struck a deal with previous owner Rick Lozano who originally took over the shop in 2005.

“We just had a lot of the same morals about the space and values about the community and he knew that I was going to follow through and stay true to my word,” Nalty said. “I do know as long as I am living it will be in my possession and my family and I will see to it that it’s passed down the same way it’s been since 1909.” e front of the building contains barber chairs where people get their haircut and “old school barber things” are o ered, Nalty said. e back of the shop is a lounging area for people to hang out after their hair is done or during another’s appointment. ere are also spa chairs where people can receive facials and nail care. Nalty said the back of the shop was actually a salon in the 1950s where women would get their hair done while the men were in the shop.

“I wanted it to just feel like that’s where people hang out because it’s the barber shop and people come and hangout at the barber shop and beauty shop,” Nalty said. “ at’s something cool I’ve always thought about in the last 20 years of my career, bringing that back.”

Nalty said the shop originally opened in 1909 and operated as a bathhouse barber shop and a brothel

Nalty went to beauty school and worked at various salons before opening Arrow, her other salon across the street from Sam Hill’s by Arrow.

She describes her other salon as a family atmosphere for both her sta and customers.

“I wanted a happy place… and so I had to open a happy place and I had stylists and friends that I had come together,” Nalty said.

Arrow is a teaching salon, Nalty said, where aspiring stylists can apprentice and learn the ropes.

“I love getting kids out of beauty school and teaching them how to thrive in this industry,” Nalty said.“We teach and train and we apprentice and we build.”

She explained Arrow for her means “endless possibilities.”

“It was a little androgynous and obscure,” Nalty said. “I like that it feels mysterious and I love arrows. It just felt solid.”

ere are three employees working at Sam Hill’s by Arrow, Nalty said. Her employees include Ryan Mack, Lauren Black and Tia Del Ponte. She explained she is grateful that she found them.

“I cannot believe the timing and the way that we found each other,” Nalty said. “ ere was never going to be anybody else that was going to be more perfect than these three and that blows me away.”

Going forward, Nalty said she hopes to continue to work in Englewood with all members of the community.

For more information on Sam Hill’s by Arrow visit www.samhillbyarrow. com/.

Tara Nalty, owner of Arrow, sits in one of her barber chairs at her new shop Sam Hill’s By Arrow which is Englewood’s oldest running business. Nalty has put her own touch on the shop while remaining true to the building’s vast history.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

Thu 4/11

Sammy Kershaw @ 6:30pm

Parker Arts, Culture & Events Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Alex Ubago @ 8pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Fri 4/12

Eric Golden @ 6pm

Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Geoff Tate @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Sat 4/13

Agricultural Aircraft Showcase @ 8am / $12.95

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden

Bingo - Tailgate Tavern & Grill @ 7pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Yaguaru @ 6pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Mon 4/15

ADR: Adaptive Aquatics for People w/ Disabilities Session II @ 9pm

Apr 15th - May 6th

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

Tue 4/16

Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport), 13005 Wings Way, Engle‐wood. info@wingsmuseum.org

JaySilenceBand: Jay Silence Band at Wide Open Saloon @ 6pm

Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

William Tyler @ 7pm

Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Willow Pill @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Guardianes del amor @ 7:30pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

TIERRA CALI - GUARDIANES DEL AMOR @ 7:30pm / $50 Stampede, Aurora

Sun 4/14

2024 Platte River Half Marathon & Relay @ 6am

Littleton, CO, 2920 BREWERY LN, LITTLETON. logan@platteriver half.com

Bunny Blake Music: Uncorked Wine Bar @ 4pm

Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar, 8171 S Chester St Ste A, Centen‐nial

The Mountain Goats @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Matt Axton and Badmoon at Herman's Hideaway @ 7pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Fleming Mansion Open House Tour (for future customers) @ 9pm

Fleming Mansion, 1510 S. Grant St., Den‐ver. 720-913-0654

The Mountain Goats @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Wed 4/17

The Mountain Goats @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Flamenco Vivo @ 6:30pm

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood

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

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

Thu 4/18

Bunny Blake Music: Earl's Kitchen + Bar @ 5pm

Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree

Billy Cardine @ 6pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Reggae Jam Fest 2024 @ 7pm / $30-$50

Stampede, Aurora

DJ Chris Milly @ 7pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

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.

LETTERS

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Marissa through volunteering on the PTO at Lone Tree Elementary as well as assisting with the 2E campaign a few years ago. I haven’t met anyone with such drive for serving her community and I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish as Mayor of Lone Tree.

Learn more about Marissa Harmon at marissaforlonetree.com and please join me in voting for my friend, Marissa, by May 7.

Be sure to mail in your ballot or drop it o at the Lone Tree Municipal Building, 9220 Kimmer Drive. e drop box at the Lone Tree DMV will NOT be accepting ballots for this election.

Erin Brill, Lone Tree

Cast your vote for Harmon

Join me in supporting Marissa

Harmon for the role of mayor in our amazing city of Lone Tree. I have been an engaged resident here for many years and my role in managing the Lone Tree/Meridian Resident Resource Facebook page gave me the opportunity to get to know Marissa and all she stands for. She passionately serves on city council and has become a cherished ambassador for our community. Marissa’s dedication extends beyond her o cial duties; she eagerly takes on additional responsibilities out of genuine concern and enthusiasm for Lone Tree citizens.

As a mom to school-age children and a Lone Tree small business owner, Marissa possesses rsthand experience in navigating family life and entrepreneurship within our city. is unique perspective will undoubtedly enrich her leadership as the next mayor, as she works with city council and sta tackling decisions crucial to shaping Lone Tree’s future. Our community is incredibly

fortunate to have a candidate of Marissa’s caliber step forward for the mayoral role. Supported by her husband, they stand ready as a family to make this signi cant commitment to our city’s progress.

I wholeheartedly encourage all Lone Tree citizens to vote Marissa Harmon for mayor.

Ballots are due by May 7 — mail it or drop it in the box located at 9220 Kimmer Drive and mark it Marissa.

Jill Clark, Lone Tree

Shaw is best choice

We moved into Lone Tree in 2004 and we have known Wynne Shaw for several years. We have been impressed with the depth of hernancial and corporate knowledge, gained from her career with Charles Schwab, her expertise in nding innovative nancial solutions, and her digni ed — yet friendly and approachable — demeanor when interacting with us and her many other friends. Since then, whenever we have contacted Wynne with a question or any problem, she has immediately responded, and either found the answer or solution directly herself or passed our query along to the appropriate city contact. roughout her eight years on city council, two as mayor pro tem, Wynne has been the council member who has stepped up to represent Lone Tree on many boards and commissions, both within Douglas County and throughout the greater metro Denver area, spending many hours a week on her various responsibilities. In her positive representation of our city and her vision for its future, she has elevated the status of Lone Tree, becoming increasingly respected throughout the entire region.

Because of the major planned development of RidgeGate East, Lone Tree is now in transition, growing from the small city of 8,000 residents that we moved into 20 years ago, to an ultimate projected buildout by 2053 of 60,000 residents, according to Mayor Millet in her State of the City address earlier this year. is increase will also include a doubling of the city’s current 25,000 workforce to 50,000 by 2053. We know that growth is inevitable, but we admit to being concerned that the intimate feel of our small city will be impacted as our city grows and the City Center moves east of I-25. We are hopeful that the revitalization of the Entertainment District and improvements to Lincoln Avenue and other city streets will preserve and enhance this origi-

nal area of Lone Tree.

e success of this growth will depend on a strong mayor and city council who have comprehensivenancial backgrounds, a vision for the future that honors the current and new residents, and the time necessary to spend on carefully planning our city’s future. ere is no one better to lead this e ort than Wynne Shaw. I hope you will join us in electing her as our city’s new mayor on May 7.

Harvey and Joan Field, Lone Tree

Support for Harmon

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Marissa Harmon’s candidacy for Mayor of Lone Tree. As a resident deeply invested in the well-being of our community, I believe Marissa embodies the qualities and values necessary to lead us into a prosperous future.

Marissa’s commitment to social responsibility and fair outcomes is unparalleled. She consistently demonstrates conscientiousness, reliability, and a meticulous approach to problem-solving. Her extensive track record of leadership roles, both within our city and beyond, speaks volumes about her dedication to service and her ability to e ect positive change.

As a business owner and community leader, Marissa has already made signi cant contributions to Lone Tree. Her involvement in various committees, boards, and initiatives showcases her passion for making our city a better place for all residents. From her work with the Lone Tree Homelessness Initiative to her advocacy for youth through the Douglas County Youth Commission, Marissa has proven herself to be a tireless advocate for the issues that matter most to our community.

Furthermore, Marissa’s experience as a city council member for District One gives her invaluable insight into the complexities of local governance. Her leadership on the Lone Tree Planning Commission, as well as her involvement in numerous other civic organizations, demonstrates her capacity to collaborate e ectively and drive meaningful progress.

In summary, Marissa Harmon is the leader we need to steer Lone Tree toward a brighter future. Her dedication, integrity, and proven track record of community service make her the ideal candidate for mayor. I urge my fellow residents to

Cultivating Community Heath & Wellness

Saturday Sep. 21st at DCSD Legacy Campus 10035 S Peoria St, Lone Tree and

Saturday Oct. 5th at The Arvada Center 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada

Calling all health and wellness vendors! Elevate your brand and join our event as a sponsor. Connect with our healthconscious community and showcase your products/services to a motivated audience ready to prioritize their wellbeing. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative experience! www.coloradocommunitymedia.com 303.566.4115 events@coloradocommunitymedia.com Looking for vendors & sponsors

Why a Parker man turned to art to explore life’s cycles

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When he felt like he was at his lowest, Mark Steinhauser found inspiration in his late mother’s artwork. ough he wasn’t an artist, later in life, he became one and has turned his hardships into art. He will be exhibiting works from his latest series, “Life Cycles,” at the Deep Space Event Center in Parker.

Starting April 12, guests can see the series that touches on concepts of “origin existence” and adapting to the outside world.

“It’s really exploring the universal life stages from an abstract, symbolic perspective,” said Steinhauser.

One of the pieces, “Grounding,” will soon reside in a farmhouse in the south of France that is sponsoring emerging artists from the Royal Academy of Arts. e piece is currently in Zurich, Switzerland, a couple of hours from where Steinhauser was born.

Born in Geneva, Steinhauser grew up overseas with art all around him. His mother studied art in Florence, Italy.

“Most kids go to Disneyland and stu like that,” said Steinhauser. “I’d be going in these famous art museums.”

While he remembers painting with watercolor as a kid, Steinhauser stepped away from art as he entered adulthood and began working in analytics.

en, in 2018, Steinhauser’s life

After Refacing

was challenged. He su ered a medical emergency where a routine procedure turned into a 10-day hospital stay. Around that time, he felt like the environment at his job was becoming toxic, putting strain on his personal life, unraveling a 30-yearlong relationship.

“I had kind of like a trifecta of things happen in my life in a relatively short span of time,” said Steinhauser. “I’ve never been through depression before in my life, and I went through some serious depression.”

While struggling with his mental health, Steinhauser began going

through his mother’s artwork and came across old sketches.

“I couldn’t put them away,” said Steinhauser. “It was almost like her communicating with me.”

He began using her tools to create pieces. From that moment, he became obsessed with art.

One of his rst pieces won the “Juror’s Choice Award” at the “ is Is Colorado” art show sponsored by the Heritage Fine Art Guild at Arapahoe Community College in 2020.

Steinhauser is an active participant in the monthly PACE Center Artist Workshops. ere, he met and

learned from international artist Tadashi Hayakawa. Steinhauser was even included in Hayakawa’s latest book, “Waku Waku II” and coincided with his exhibition at the Bitfactory Gallery in October.

“It’s great to be an artist and do your own stu , but this has really profoundly impacted me and my art,” said Steinhauser.

Steinhauser used an organic process when interacting with his media. e initial imprint on a canvas was done with a tea leaf infuser and further embellished with sprayed ink.

Often he thinks about sound and uses the “subtractive synthesis” concept in which sound is taken out of the spectrum to create sonic textures. In his painting, texture is added with di erent papers and mediums.

rough sharing these universal human themes, Steinhauser hopes the pieces can resonate with people, get them to pause for a moment and spark meaningful dialogue.

“I don’t know what my pieces mean to other people,” said Steinhauser. “But I do know what they mean to me and I kind of like to leave it open to interpretation.”

Steinhauser show at the Deep Space Event Center runs April 12-May 5 at the Deep Space Event Center, 11020 S Pikes Peak Dr #50, Parker.

He is also preparing ve works to be submitted to the Bitfactory Gallery on Santa Fe for June and will participate in Parker’s Art in the Parks in August.

Mark Steinhauser with one of the pieces from his “Life Cycle” series is currently in Switzerland. In this series, Steinhauser explores the concepts of origin, existence and time.

COURTESY PHOTO

LETTERS

join me in casting their vote for Marissa Harmon on Election Day. Mail in your ballot before May 7, or drop it o at the Lone Tree municipal building at 9220 Kimmer Drive.

Karen Frey, Lone Tree

Lone Tree needs Mike Parr

Mike Parr is one of the original Lone Tree Recreation Advisory Committee (RAC) members way back in the early 2000s, when the city desperately needed a larger, newer, more appealing pool that could ac-

commodate more Lone Tree residents and the swim team.

Mike was part of the RAC when the we needed more tennis courts, improved trails and safer crossings. It was the advocacy of the RAC that led to the successful 2008 bond issue. Mike devoted hours to campaigning for these needed amenities, going door to door to talk about the bene ts. He showed his passion for bettering the City of Lone Tree for all its residents. And now those bonds are paid o !

His commitment to Lone Tree is why I reached out to Mike Parr during the 2E campaign two years ago to keep Lone Tree thriving. Mike volunteered for his neighborhood,

joining others to pass out yers to every home in Lone Tree. He helped get yard signs out and asked what else he could do. Once again, Mike was the positive volunteer working for the betterment of the city we call home. 2E won hands down and the city is thriving.

roughout those years many Lone Tree leaders urged Mike to put his passion to work as a City Council member but the timing was not yet right. Well, now is the right time! Mike has never lost his passion for the City of Lone Tree and will work hard to advocate doing the right thing.

Did you know that all the Lone Tree mayors who have served the

City of Lone Tree for the last 28 years — since inception — were at Mike’s campaign kicko ? Did you know that the two mayoral candidates were at Mike’s campaign kicko ? And did you know that several former mayor pro tems were there, too? at’s because all of these leaders have worked with Mike and see what his passion can do to carry on the quality of life we’ve all built.

Please vote for Mike Parr on May 7 to serve as your council member in District #1.

Susan Squyer

Former Lone Tree Mayor Pro Tem

Former 2E co-chair

Former Lone Tree Planning Commission Chair

Dresses made of paper to hit the runway

The 2024 Denver Paper Fashion Show takes place April 18

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Mark Hollenbeck, an art teacher at Lutheran High School in Parker, has a lot to look forward to when the curtain rises April 18 on the 18th annual Paper Fashion Show at e Sports Castle in Denver.

After all, he’ll coach the same team members that took second place at last year’s show. Also, Hollenbeck has two other groups competing this year.

“I try to give them as much freedom as I can to do their designs,” said Hollenbeck, a 30-year veteran of Lutheran who has helped to guide the creation of numerous dresses. “ en we talk through how realistic it is to make these out of paper. I encourage them to make 10 to 12 designs.”

ere will be about 35 designs hitting the runway this year. e participants use paper donated by Neenah Paper and CTI Paper USA, with coordination by Kelly Spicers Paper.

A panel of Denver-area designers, artists and creative workers will judge the show. Fashions are made almost entirely from paper – no more than 90% in each case. e other 10% is glue, staples, yarn – anything to tie it all together.

“I always had an interest for fashion,” said Gianna Tarka, who is in her second year of medical school but still makes the time to help create show designs for this event. “I’ve sewn Barbie clothes. I started designing through the high school in 2015.”

is year’s show theme is “Cabaret,” and Tarka and her partner wanted to choose a fruit-oriented subtheme that would stand out. ey picked pomegranates.

“So we’re concentrating on the gem-like qualities of the fruit and the bold red shades of the color,” she said.

tions in Denver, an event backer. “We sell out, attract more than 1,000 people. It brings in great people from the community and di erent generations to work for something that night.”

What should a seriously creative person know before they plunge into the crowded world of design?

“First knowing that failure is OK and something you can recover from,” said Tarka, whose sister also has participated in the show. “Next, I’d say your techniques are going to change every single year. I don’t think I’ve done the same techniques, even between years. Give yourself grace. It’s a bit of a learning process.”

“It’s a very inclusive community, so there’s a lot of transgender people,” said Lisa E ress, president of the One Club for Creativity Denver. “ e drag community has been a big part of the show for many years.”

Tarka enjoys the camaraderie and party atmosphere of the show. And if a dress gets torn at an inconvenient time or place in the show?

“Everybody really helps each other,” said Tarka, who has participated in this event since 2015, with a few exceptions.

Some of the graduated students who have participated in the show have wound up in the business world and in professions as art directors, new media personnel, print designers, writers, illustrators, photographers, videographers, animators, educators and more.

“It’s the largest paper fashion show in the United States,” said Jennifer Lester of Philosophy Communica-

Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, which provides art education and after-school arts programs for urban youths. e event has raised more than $66,000 for DAVA since it started in 2004.

e ONE Club for Creativity Denver, a 501(c)3 organization, also is a bene ciary. It produces workshops, competitions and industry events to help future generations in advertising and design professionals.

Tickets cost $35 for general admission, and from $105 to $135 for VIP. To purchase tickets, visit paperfashionshow.com or EventBrite. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m. e show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Model Rebekah Mansfield on the 2023 Denver Paper Fashion Show runway with Lutheran High School’s design titled Pétale d’Amour. The designers, Caley Kenney, Stella Bertsch and Sonja Thoresenwon second place for this design last year. This year’s event on April 18 boasts about 35 designs, all made out of paper.

PHOTO BY BLU HARTKOPP

Denver Public Schools District 1 seeks the following positions in Denver, CO - Job duties for below positions: Follow DPS curriculum to instruct students

• ELA-S Elementary Teacher *multiple positions available* Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in any field. Must possess a valid Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License with appropriate endorsement in Elementary Education (K-6), Spanish (K-12), or ability to obtain. Ability to speak, read, and write both in English and Spanish. Salary: $52,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 0696.

• World Languages Teacher: Spanish Secondary Teacher *multiple positions available* Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Education, Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages, English or related. Must possess a valid Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License with endorsement in English Language Arts (7-12), Spanish (K12), or ability to obtain. Ability to speak, read, and write both in English and Spanish. Salary: $50,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 0586.

• Science Secondary Teacher *multiple positions available*Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Education, Biological Sciences, or related. Must possess valid Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License with appropriate endorsement in Science Education (7-12), or ability to obtain. Salary: $50,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 0618.

• Senior Team Lead, ELA-S Elementary Teacher Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages, Education, or related. Must possess a valid Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License with appropriate endorsement in Elementary Education (K-6) or ability to obtain. Ability to speak, read, and write both in English and Spanish. Salary: $52,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 1308.

• Special Education Teacher Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Education, Special Education, or a closely related field. Must possess a Valid state of Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s license with an appropriate endorsement in Special Education Generalist (5-21) or ability to obtain. Salary: $50,130 /yr with Standard Benefits. Ref 0588.

• Social Studies ELA-S Secondary Teacher Reqs: Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or related. Must possess a current Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License in Social Studies Education (7-12), or ability to obtain. Ability to speak, read, and write and both English and Spanish. Salary: $52,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 0585.

• ELD ELA-S Secondary Teacher Reqs: Bachelor’s (or foreign equivalent) in Education, English as a Second Language, Curriculum and Instruction, or related. Must possess a valid Colorado Department of Education Teacher’s License with appropriate endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12) or ability to obtain. Ability to speak, read, and write and both English and Spanish. Salary: $52,130 with Standard Benefits. Ref 1315.

Application deadline 5/30/2024. To apply, email resume to Fatima Puelles with ref number: Fatima_puelles@dpsk12.net.

Help Wanted

Speech-Language Pathologist

Remote or in person FT or part time Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

Available for the 20242025 school year. Open to School Internships. No Contract Agencies. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals for the 202425 school year. Complete assessments, attend IEP meetings, provide direct services and indirect services for students in PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP - $50,450-$56,050 & SLPA- BA $41,000- $46,600 based on 186 day contract. Salaries given are based on a full-year contract. Salary commensurate upon experience. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness! Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. For in person providers there is flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home.

Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Help Wanted

Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

East Central BOCES is seeking a Part-Time 3 day a week Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the 2024-2025 school year. Salary Range- $27,750$32,790 for 112 days dependent on experiences and education. Hold or be able to attain a Colorado Teaching License with an endorsement as a Special Education Specialist- Deaf/ Hard of Hearing required. Complete assessments, attend IEP meetings, provide direct and indirect special education services. Excellent benefits including access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement and fully paid health insurance, including vision and dental. May be eligible for loan forgiveness program. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work from home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. EOE

Help Wanted

Special Education Teacher

For a significant needs program located at the Strasburg School District for 2024-25 School Year. Current Colorado Special Education Teacher license required. BA salary range $41,000$47,300 & MA salary range $46,250-$52,550, based on experience. Excellent benefits. including full health benefits! Collaborative work environment with lots of free continuing education opportunities available. May be eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 7752342, ext. 101 or tracyg@ ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please

CASTLE PINES

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

– SUMMER SEASONAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Seasonal Groundskeeping Jobs

Enjoy working outside in beautiful surroundings? Castle Pines Metro District is hiring positive, motivated, team-oriented people for its Landscape Maintenance Team for the summer (May-August). Duties include mowing, trimming, planting, miscellaneous jobs, and repairs.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday –Friday; Salary $20/per hour. depending on experience.

Requirements: 17 years old, clean MVR, dependable, clean/neat appearance.

To apply call Sue or Liz at Metro, 303-688-8330, or email apply@castlepinesmetro.com.

School Psychologist or Intern

Full-Time School Psychologist or Intern to join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals for the 202324 school year - School Districts East of Limon Area

Requirements: Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Colorado certified. Provide PreK12 intervention including assessment, development of IEP’s & consultation services. Competitive salaries: ED.S $57,800$66,200 & Intern $53,590$59,550, both commensurate upon experience. Excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance.

Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness. Flexible schedule. Use of a car or mileage reimbursement.

Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces. org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Misc. Notices

COMMUNITY SHREDDING DAY

BRING YOUR DOCUMENTS

April 27th

SATURDAY, 10AM – 1PM

ON SITE UNLIMITED PROFESSIONAL SHREDDING

1400 S. University Blvd

St. Michael & All Angels’ CHURCH PARKING LOT behind the church

$7.00 / banker box or $25/car trunk load/ pick-ups negotiable

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!

Garage and Estate Sales

Garage Sales

EARTH DAY EVENT

Craft Fair

Yard Sale and Food

April 20, 2024 10am – 4pm

Spirit of Hope UMC 4300 S. Lincoln St. Englewood, CO 303-781-4041

Help us save our mother earth! Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose.

Merchandise Firewood

Health & Beauty

VIAGRA and CIALIS

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Hablamos Espanol

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Miscellaneous

Aging Roof? New Homeowner?

Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091

Split & Delivered

$450 a cord

Stacking $50

Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Lawn & Garden

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833606-6777

13kW Genrac Standby Generator with transfer switch for sale

Produces 13Kw , about 60 Amps, on LP or NG at the move of a lever. Low hours, about 40 during grid outages plus 12 minute weekly automatic exercise. Air Cooled so no water pump, radiator, hoses etc. Well maintained and just serviced. Comes with the Automatic transfer switch. Had to get a new $5,200 electronically controlled unit to work with my solar/battery system. Can deliver if needed. Weight about 400 lbs. Call or txt Paul. 703 887, 8052.