Douglas
County
‘e ectively’ ends homelessness, but the data is nuanced
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For nearly two years, an outreach team has traveled around Douglas County, contacting unhoused people — often more than once — to build trust and o er them help.
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County School District is rming up its timeline to consolidate elementary schools in Highlands Ranch as part of an e ort to better serve both communities that are aging and those experiencing or expecting baby booms.
No speci c schools have been named for closure, but declining enrollment in the Highlands Ranch area has prompted the district to plan to merge elementary schools for the 2026-27 school year. In 2012, elementary schools in Highlands Ranch had almost 10,500 students enrolled. In 2023, that number dropped to 7,409 students enrolled.
Superintendent Erin Kane laid out a timeline to close schools, with decisions about which ones to consolidate coming next spring. She said she expects that six schools will be merged into three.
“ e discussions around school pairings are all about opportunities
Now, the county says it has “effectively ended homelessness,” attributing its success to the outreach program and other e orts.
O cials are “pleased to announce that we have functionally ended homelessness in Douglas County,” said county Commissioner Abe Laydon, noting that o cials counted just six people sleeping outside in the county on one night this summer. “ at is about as close to functional zero as we’re going to get.”
Earlier this year, a count had found 80 homeless people — sheltered and unsheltered — in Douglas County.
A fuller picture of homelessness data tells a more complicated story for a variety of reasons. e data cited by the commissioner comes from a point-in-time snapshot, a measure that can vary signi cantly year after year. In Douglas, where homeless numbers are often much lower than in other counties, the traditional metro-area tally and Douglas’ own summer data tell di erent stories. So, too, does the county’s broader number of people who access services related to
The Douglas County School District is firming up its timeline to consolidate elementary schools in Highlands Ranch, an area that is seeing a decline in enrollment. The consolidations are planned for the 2026-27 school year.
PHOTO BY ARIA MARIZZA
Residents urged to conserve water amid drought
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e recent record-breaking heat has taken its toll. Highlands Ranch is in a moderate drought. And, with more high temperatures forecasted, the Centennial Water and Sanitation District is encouraging residents to be mindful of their water usage.
e water district, which serves the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Mirabelle Metropolitan District, determines water use decisions based on data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. According to the monitor, the region is experiencing moderate drought conditions.
“Some of the considerations that play into the report include precipitation, stream ow, reservoir levels, temperature and evaporative demand, solid moisture and vegetation health,” said Kari Larese, water district communications manager.
In addition to the drought monitor, the water district also takes into account daily demand for water and storage levels.
e community’s water supply comes from a combination of groundwater from three aquifers beneath Highlands Ranch and water from the South Platte River. e water is then stored in the South Platte, McLellan and Chat eld Reservoirs, allowing the district to pace out water throughout the summer.
As of Aug. 15, the water district’s reservoirs were 79% full, according to
Larese and their demand from customers for August is an average of 24 million gallons per day.
Strict water restrictions are not in place at this time, but conservation is being emphasized.
“We’re in a strong position to meet customer demand, but the moderate drought conditions signal that we’re in a hot, dry period,” said Larese. “ is serves as a reminder for both us
and our customers that conserving water is always crucial.”
Ways to conserve water include limiting outdoor watering of gardens and lawns to two days per week, avoiding using irrigation systems between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and hand watering trees and shrubs. Also, it helps to x leaks and avoid situations where excess water ows into street gutters.
e district also says keeping the community’s water clean is important.
People can help by cleaning up pet waste left on the ground so that it doesn’t get washed into storm drains. e use of phosphorus-free fertilizers helps prevent algae blooms (which impacts water taste). Professional car washes ensure toxic chemicals are kept out of storm drains.
EchoStar in ‘constructive’ financial talks as it reports more losses
BY NINA JOSS
EchoStar Corp., which merged with DISH Network earlier this year, reported an 8.8% year-over-year loss in revenue in its mid-year 2024nancial results.
e company reported a total revenue of $7.97 billion for the six months ending June 30, compared to $8.74 billion in the same period a year ago.
e loss continues a trend for the company, which reported year-overyear losses at the end of 2023 and
in its rst quarter 2024 nancial reports. e company, which is headquartered in unincorporated Douglas County, also has an o ce near downtown Littleton.
DISH Network, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corp., has laid o more than 700 Colorado employees since November.
In its second quarter, net Pay-TV subscribers decreased by approximately 104,000, compared to 294,000 in the year-ago quarter. e company closed the quarter with 8.07 million Pay-TV subscribers, including about 6 million DISH TV subscribers and
2 million SLING TV subscribers, according to the recent nancial report.
e quarter showed a decrease in net DISH TV subscriber losses due to a lower DISH TV churn rate, o set by lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, Echostar stated in the report.
e company reported a loss in its broadband net subscribers.
In the report, EchoStar president and CEO Hamid Akhavan said the company focused this quarter on “making improvements in our go-tomarket approach for retail wireless.”
e company saw a small loss in its
retail wireless subscribers this quarter, but noted that many of these were losses of government-subsidized subscribers, including A ordable Connectivity Program subscribers.
“Excluding the impact of net losses of government-subsidized subscribers, EchoStar added approximately 32,000 retail wireless subscribers in the second quarter,” the report states. Some economic analysts are predicting bankruptcy for the company, potentially by the end of the year.
In the report, Akhavan said the company is “in constructive discussions to address necessary nancing.”
The Centennial Water and Sanitation District urges Highlands Ranch residents to conserve water because of moderate drought conditions.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Here Are the Work-Arounds That Will Keep Sellers Paying Buyer Agents’ Commission
The biggest work-around is Section 29 of the state-approved (and mandated) Contract to Buy & Sell, shown at right.
As shown below in this week’s (and last week’s) featured new listing, many ads, brochures and websites for listings will now contain the notice that “Seller offers __% compensation to buyer brokers.”
Absent that offer, however, the buyer can use Sec. 29.1 of their purchase contract to specify the compensation paid by the seller to their agent. This is where the offered compensation, such as for the listing below, is to be inserted — or, if none is offered, the buyer’s demand for compensation is inserted.
amendment to their buyer agency agreement setting the commission rate at 2% and writing that amount in Sec. 29.1 of the purchase contract. Or, they could decide to write 2.5% in Sec. 29.1 anyway and see if the seller will sign it. If the seller counters the offer, changing it to 2.0%, if the seller wants to accept the counterproposal, they can still amend the buyer agency agreement before signing the counterproposal.
Of course, the buyer might like his broker so much, that he or she will offer to pay the extra 0.5%, although that would be unusual. As I wrote last week, I’ll be surprised if many (or any) buyers end up paying anything to their broker.
The opposite scenario could be true.
wants to sell her or his home is going to deny any compensation to buyer brokers and that you can defer the conversation about adjusting the buyer compensation until the buyer is ready to make an offer of a house they want.
One complication of this strategy is that the buyer will have already signed a buyer agency agreement with his or her broker, stating the commission amount, if any, that the buyer is willing to pay, and if the seller falls short of that percentage or dollar amount, the buyer must make up the difference.
But, not to worry — there’s a simple workaround for that. At any time during the term of the buyer agent agreement (called the “Exclusive Right-to-Buy Listing Contract”), it can be amended by mutual agreement of the buyer and his or her broker.
Let’s say, for example, that the buyer has signed a buyer agency agreement with 2.5% as the promised compensation to their broker. A seller has offered 2.0%. In discussion prior to writing the offer, the buyer might negotiate an
3-BR
$695,000
The buyer may have signed a buyer agency agreement in which the rate is 2.5%, but the seller has advertised that they will pay 2.8%. The rule is that the buyer’s broker can’t accept more than is specified in their signed agreement with their buyer. No problem — amend the buyer agency agreement to 2.8% before writing the offer. However, if there’s a bidding war, the buyer and broker might decide to write 2.5% into their offer, hoping that competing offers will include 2.8% for their buyers’ brokers.
Buyers will likely say upfront that they don’t want to pay a dime (or more than a nominal amount) to the broker representing them in their home search.
The smart broker (which, of course, includes all Golden Real Estate brokers) will point out Sec. 29.1 and quote this article saying that it has become a “buyer’s market” and that no seller who
Home in Lone Tree Golf Community
Meanwhile, a broker wanting to represent a buyer needs to be confident enough of the value he or she provides to the buyer to say that they won’t work with that buyer unless they agree to some minimum compensation for that value. For me personally, I would put that minimum at a minimum of 2.0%, given the value every buyer gets from
me — knowledgeable, experienced representation and negotiating skill, use of our free moving truck, free moving boxes and packing materials, and team members at their disposal from our inhouse handyman, cleaning personnel, loan officers, inspectors and more. All of us at Golden Real Estate are aware of the value we provide to our clients, both buyers and sellers, and we look forward to serving both with the skill that we know we have. If you want proof, click on the “Testimonials” tab at www.GoldenRealEstate.com. We look forward to earning your good review!
Broker Associate Austin Pottorff Specializes in Land
Personally, I prefer to work one-onone with buyers and sellers, as do most of my broker associates. But Austin Pottorff is different. He loves to find owners of larger parcels of land and help them sell to one of his many buyers, some of whom are developers looking for sites to build multi-family neighborhoods.
Earlier this year, with a little help from me, Austin sold a commercial property in Golden (Mountain Muffler, at 2200 Ford Street) to a developer. He currently has three land parcels under contract, one in Pleasant View, and two in Arvada, and he has three
active listings, including a veterinary hospital on three acres at 9251 N. Wadsworth Ave. for $2,490,000, an 8acre parcel on the I-70 south frontage road in Wheat Ridge for $6,000,000, and another land parcel elsewhere in Jefferson County.
If you have land you’d like to sell or are looking to buy land, give Austin a call at 970-281-9071, or email him at Austin@GoldenRealEstate.com. Austin’s fellow associates and I are impressed at the quality of his work identifying such land opportunities and even creating aerial videos of them as part of his marketing strategy.
This Column Is Now Published on Substack
Everything you read in this ad each week is published in blog form (with extra content and active hyperlinks) at http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com and comes to you by email automatically each Wednesday.
I’m also publishing a political column you might like. Find it, too, in blog form at http://TalkingTurkey.Substack.com
Rita and I are on a transatlantic cruise during August and September. Read my continuing travelogue at http://WhereAreJimandRita.Substack.com.
I have free cell and email throughout, so feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Enjoy maintenance-free living in the quiet community called Masters Park. This townhome at 9444 Southern Hills Circle is being sold by its original owners, who purchased the home 25 years ago. You’ll like the updated kitchen and primary suite with its updated 5-piece bathroom and its spacious deck overlooking the green space behind. As you will see on its website, this home has been tastefully decorated including, for example, the walls of the powder room painted by a local artist in a bamboo theme! It’s a friendly community too, with get-togethers Monday evenings in the gazebo next to this home. The golf course is behind the homes across the street! Some furniture is available for purchase outside of closing. Look for the list with prices on the coffee table. Visit www.LoneTreeHome.info for interior and exterior photos, floor plans, a narrated video walk-through and an aerial video. Greg Kraft will be holding it open on Saturday, Aug. 31st, 11 to 1, or call 720-353-1922 to request a showing. Note: Seller offers 2.8% commission to buyer’s broker.
303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401
Patio
HOMELESSNESS
homelessness.
Across the Denver area, homelessness doesn’t show clear signs of going down, and, by one indicator, it increased. is year’s one-day count across seven counties showed homelessness rising by 10% compared to last year — from about 9,100 to nearly 10,000 — driven primarily by a 12% rise in shelter usage.
While that’s only a snapshot, a broader count of people accessing services or housing related to homelessness suggests that the region’s homeless population could be closer to 30,000 over the course of the year, according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.
“Behind every data point lies the reality of individuals and families facing the hardship of homelessness,” Rebecca Mayer, interim di-
rector at MDHI, said in a statement.
“It’s crucial to remember that our unhoused neighbors deserve the stability and security of a safe place to call home.”
Here’s a closer look at the picture of homelessness in Douglas County and regional trends.
Data Douglas touts
Each year, the Denver area, including Douglas County, participates in the “Point in Time” count of people experiencing homelessness, an effort that helps garner housing funds. e Metro Denver initiative is mandated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, often called HUD, to organize the count in January, the initiative’s website says.
On the other hand, the data that Douglas County o cials announced at an Aug. 16 news conference, where Laydon spoke, comes from a summer snapshot — from July 29 — that the county chose to carry out.
Among the highlights in the county’s summer data:
• e number of people sleeping outside fell from 43 in 2022 to six in 2024
• Counts showed a 50% reduction in those living in vehicles — 43 down to 21 — and sleeping outside, 11 down to six, since summer 2023.
People listed as unhoused but sheltered — including those who spent the night in a motel paid by a nonpro t, a transitional housing unit or domestic-violence shelter — ticked up from 33 in the summer of 2022 to 42 this summer.
Overall, this summer’s total number of people counted was 69, down from 96 in summer 2022.
Because the raw number of unhoused people counted in the county is so low, large percentage changes can be common. And unhoused people in some situations are known to move around.
10,000 people experiencing homelessness, with about 6,500 in Denver and 80 in Douglas County. at’s up from about 9,100 overall, with about 5,800 in Denver and 72 in Douglas, in 2023.
( e newcomer population that stayed at temporary migrant-only shelters are not included in the Metro Denver Point in Time report, according to the organization.
“Newcomers” is a term that refers to migrant people.)
A broader count
Aside from the Point in Time, a broader count of homelessness comes from organizations that partner in what’s called the Homeless Management Information System.
About 80% of the homelessness service providers, such as nonprofits and other organizations that help the unhoused, in the seven-county metro area use the system, Moe said.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
“Many of the folks we’re encountering are transient — they’re moving through Douglas County,” Sheri Darren Weekly said at the news conference.
Join us for our 3rd annual 5K trail run/walk focused on physical and mental wellness along with family fun and our furry friends.
• K-9 training demonstrations
• Vendor Market Place
• Food trucks
• Live and silent auction
• Kids zone with family fun events
• Pet costume contest
Rand Clark, Douglas’ community services manager, said that the county’s homelessness numbers can shift heavily.
“One family of four uctuates our numbers,” Clark said.
Regional picture
Typically in January, teams from sources such as nonpro ts and local governments in communities around the Denver area, and areas around the nation, conduct the Point in Time count.
“While the Point-in-Time count is valuable for assessing the scope of homelessness, raising public awareness, fostering regional collaboration, and informing data-driven strategies, it’s essential to note that it’s not the sole determinant of federal funding,” said Kyla Moe, deputy director of the Metro Denver initiative.
Because the count generally takes place on a single night and can be a ected by weather or other variables,the Metro Denver organization has discouraged looking at data trends year over year, although the count remains an often-cited statistic.
is year’s count took place across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomeld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties from sundown Jan. 22 to sundown Jan. 23.
e count showed just under
Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, more than 32,000 people accessed services or housing support related to homelessness in the metro region, according to the Metro Denver organization. at number sat at about 28,000 people between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. e number was about 30,400 between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Within that number, 182 people accessed services in Douglas County in that same period.
Clark, the community services manager, said Douglas worked with 215 people through the HMIS in the rst six months of this year.
Not all people with housing needs stay in Douglas for long, Clark said.
Some “want to get through town, get a car xed,” Clark said.
What drives homelessness?
e State of Homelessness 2023-24 report from the Metro Denver organization, a document that lists Point in Time numbers, says there are many causes of homelessness.
“Sometimes there is no singular cause, but rather several contributing factors,” the report says.
“Our largest data source shows that the leading cause or contributing factor of homelessness is relationship problems or family breakups. When coupled with rising rents and low wages, it becomes increasingly di cult for people to secure stable housing in one of the most expensive metro areas in the country,” the report says. “Lack of support,
HOMELESSNESS
domestic violence, employment challenges, and issues with mental health or substance use also contribute.”
Getting personal
Douglas County’s Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, the outreach group Laydon lauded at the news conference, often gets personal with unhoused people.
“ e really exciting news is that the HEART team knows them by name. ese are not just numbers. ey really make a point to get to know these individuals,” Laydon said.
And despite the unclear trends in homelessness data in Douglas County, HEART has racked up success stories.
“If we encounter someone who is not interested in receiving services, we’ll continue to (engage). A lot of these individuals have trauma in their past history — it could be with law enforcement,” Ti any Marsitto, who has served as a supervisor with HEART, said, explaining the team’s interactions.
“Even if it’s something little, (like) helping an individual get an ID. They feel empowered,” she added.
In the past, Marsitto shared a HEART success story of a man who was panhandling — he said he had been homeless for more than 40 years. The man said he had some
belongings stolen from him, Marsitto said.
e team “was able to help him apply for food stamps (assistance) and health insurance right where he was,” Marisitto has said.
During a follow-up meeting, the man said he had a potential job opportunity out of state.
Greg Matthews, a HEART sta er, reached out to one of the team’s faith-based partners, which purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to get the man to his destination.
“ e faith-based partner also put him up in a hotel the night before he departed so he could have a warm place to stay and a shower so he could … start his employment,” Marsitto has said.
A veteran whom HEART worked with got housed within the last month or so, Clark said.
HEART team members work with law enforcement, and the team began operations in mid-September 2022.
To contact a member of HEART, the public can call 303-660-7301.
Funding for Aurora homeless campus Conversations about shelter in the countyhave been controversial.
No dedicated shelters for the unhoused exist in Douglas County, aside from shelter space for domestic-violence survivors, a county spokesperson has 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.
Laydon pointed to the county’s effort to fund help in Aurora.
Douglas has contributed about $1.1 million to the upcomingAurora regional navigation campus — a place that will serve the homeless — that will guarantee Douglas ve beds with which to shelter unhoused people the county encounters.
Along with shelter, the campus will o er “wraparound services” such as mental health counseling, help nding jobs and help for those with substance use disorders, according to the county.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Downtown Parker Wine Walks are back
STAFF REPORT
Downtown merchants will be pouring wine for participants on Sept. 13, Sept. 27, and Oct. 11 as Parker Wine Walks return. Tickets can be obtained through registration in advance or purchased at the door. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Pick up a collectible glass, map and wristband at the Parker Chamber O ce at Parker Station, 19751 E. Mainstreet, on the back side of Parker Station. Carpooling is recommended. e event was canceled last year amid legal concerns, prompting local lawmakers and business leaders to push for a new law that clears the way for such events across the state.
Three-hour search for wanted man called o
ter. e donations were the result of a school-wide drive the students hosted to help animals and pets in need. ey worked together to collect food, toys, and other supplies to bene t animals the organization serves. rough this initiative, educators said, students learned the importance of giving back in their community.
Walk the Chalk Art Festival
Littleton’s annual chalk art festival is slated to take place on Sept. 7. Local artists will create masterpieces on the sidewalks of Main Street. Artists start at 8 a.m. Art stations will be set up on Main, Prince and Alamo streets for kids and the young at heart.
After three hours, deputies called o a search near Sandburg Elementary School in Centennial, coming up empty-handed in their attempts to nd a man described as a wanted felon who is known to carry large knives. After searching with K9s and drones, o cials from the Arapahoe County Sheri ’s Ofce said they were unable to locate Sean Hanneman, 56. He is wanted for absconding parole. Hanneman allegedly “has violent tendencies,” according to the sheri ’s o ce. Dozens of deputies searched the area between East Arapahoe and East Dry Creek roads and South University and South Colorado boulevards and did not nd him, the post said. A Department of Corrections warrant for Hanneman was issued in 2021 for evading parole, the department said. ere is also a warrant from the county sheri ’s o ce for failure to appear and obstruction, spokesperson Ginger Delgado said. His whereabouts have been unknown until today, when deputies attempted to arrest him at a residence in the 2500 block of E. Easter Ave., according to the sheri ’s o ce.
Students step up for pets
Students at Merryhill Preschool in Lone Tree recently donated pet supply items to Denver Dumb Friends League, a local animal shel-
Water World goes to the dogs Sept. 7 Water World, Colorado’s largest waterpark, is hosting its 7th Annual Bow Wow Beach Doggie Day Sept. 7.
Dogs of all sizes are invited to splash, swim, fetch, and play in four of the park’s signature attractions before Water World drains and cleans the pools for winter. is annual event is organized in partnership with Adams County’s Riverdale Animal Shelter, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the shelter. is year, the shelter is also collecting gently used blankets, towels, and washcloths at the entrance to the event. Each family who brings a donation will receive a free dog treat.
Murphy Robinson of Littleton appointed to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission
Robinson previously served as the deputy mayor and executive director of the Department of Public Safety for Denver, overseeing police, re and sheri departments. Murphy has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, leadership and administration and serves as trustee for the National Western Stock Show. Robinson will serve as a representative of sportspersons.
New Arc Thrift Store opens in Littleton
Arc rift Stores have announced the opening of their newest store, which will be located at 7951 S. Broadway in Littleton. e store’s rst Saturday 50% O Sale will be Aug. 31 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
SoSu Artist Collective
SoSu Artist Collective is hosting its ve-year anniversary event at the Streets of Southglenn on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 4-6 p.m. Celebrate with a cupcake, enjoy the art and register for an art giveaway!
Englewood Public Library fall book sale and donations
e sale will take place on Sept. 12, 13 and 14. It is a $5 bag sale. Donations can be brought to the library during regular business hours from Sept. 3-Sept. 7.
Tickets are $9.99 per pup (plus taxes and fees) and can be purchased online. Dogs can choose from one of three play sessions: 8:15-9:45 a.m., 10-11:30 a.m., and 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
All pups must be 1+ years of age, have a signed vaccination waiver and be accompanied by a responsible adult owner. Humans are not permitted in the water. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.WaterWorldColorado.com.
FEMA releases ‘Disaster Mind’ game
An educational game designed to teach high school-aged youth about decision-making during disasters is now available online at FEMA.gov.
“Disaster Mind” was developed by FEMA Region 8 in coordination with i rive Games and can be accessed on any computer-based web browser. It is Section 508 compliant and does not require players to register or provide any personally identi able information.
“Disaster Mind” challenges and encourages participants to make critical decisions in the face of three simulated disaster scenarios: a ood, wild re and blizzard. Players receive information and tools to help them navigate the journey and lead others to safety.
e game can be used by educators and emergency managers as an educational tool to supplement existing disaster readiness or preparedness training.
Bootlegging, cattle rustlin’ side of county history on display
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A young woman’s life saved by the steel of her corset, bootleggers caught in underground tunnels and livestock thefts. ose were the headlines that ooded newspapers in Douglas County generations ago.
It’s hard to imagine that infamous gangsters and elaborate escapes once took place where suburban homes now spread across the hills amid the interstate, business parks and restaurants. ose historical events are what archivists at the Douglas County Libraries are bringing to life through a “Murder, Mayhem and Moonshine” exhibit.
“It’s been great just seeing how positive the residents have been about it,” said Susan O’Brien, visual design, arts and archives manager. “Our goal is just to continue to educate the public of what happened in the county.”
On display through Sept. 8 at libraries in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker, guests can take a closer look at the scandalous side of local history.
Countless letters, manuscripts, ar-
Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History have a 3D exhibit called “Murder, Mayhem and Moonshine” that looks at the more scandalous side of local history. The archives partnered with the Douglas County History Repository for the artifacts that are on display in the Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker and Highlands Ranch.
tifacts, photos and more date back to the 1800s and are preserved at the Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History section. ere is a lot to choose from for an exhibit.
After considering di erent concepts, O’Brien and her team thought
it would be fun for locals to learn about the turbulent era of Prohibition, which included bootlegging, crimes of passion, cattle rustling, murder, jailbreaks and local lawmen who sought to bring perpetrators to justice.
“ ere’s a lot of popularity around true crime,” said Cierra Kelley, design and production specialist. ree archivists conducted research, pulled news articles and photos for the exhibit. e team collaborated with other archives along the Front Range and with the Douglas County History Repository for the artifacts that are on display. From police hats to vintage Coors items, each library location has different artifacts on display.
To have the exhibit up at multiple locations at once, a 3D, and 100% recyclable, element is packed with vintage graphics and nearly a dozen stories.
e stories include the kidnapping and murder of Adolph Coors III, a murder at the Brown Palace in Denver, hitchhiking gone wrong, an infamous Chicago gangster who vacationed in the county and more.
“It’s interesting,” said Kelley. “ I know it’s crime, but the ingenuity and the creativity some of these people had to have, especially with the gambling and the Prohibition. In Highlands Ranch, there’s a place
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Some frustrated over Parker’s handling of county PrideFest
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For a second meeting in a row, a small group of people voiced their concerns and discontent with Parker’s handling of the Douglas County PrideFest.
“I’ve never seen such division and discord as I saw culminating in the events of the PrideFest weekend,” Holly, who did not provide her last name, told members of the town council on Aug. 19.
PrideFest was held on Aug. 4 at Salisbury Park and its organizers described it as a successful a rming celebration of diversity for several hundred people, despite demonstrators who said they came to pray for event-goers as part of an e ort led by a group called Stand in the Gap Initiative.
Several people who tried to enter the festival were not allowed into the event or asked to leave when organizers cited their event’s code of conduct prohibiting demonstrations. Parker police escorted four people out of the event in handcu s
and issued them summonses for trespassing.
ose actions have left demonstrators accusing the city and its police force of clamping down on their freedom of speech. Many of those expressing frustrations say they were a group of Christians that were targeted and their constitutional rights were violated.
Town o cials have not directly responded to the questions the group has directed at them during the meetings about the event, which was put on by Douglas County Pride, a nonpro t organization.
e group is calling for a special meeting with Parker Town Council, Town Manager Michelle Kivela, Parker Police Chief Jim Tsurapsus and Mayor Je Torborg.
ey want to know whether the event was considered public or private, what the security arrangements were, what the grounds for the trespassing citations were and what led to what some characterize as a large police presence.
Since the comments were made during the public comment portion
Community Resource Fair
F Old Adults
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Please
A group of around 20 people who came to oppose PrideFest stood outside the event in the parking lot, wearing white shirts that said, “You are loved.”
PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD
of a town council meeting, councilmembers and mayor did not respond, as is the council’s practice during the meeting. But during the council updates portion of the meeting Councilmember Joshua Rivero took a moment to read a statement about PrideFest into the record.
“As you may be aware, during the PrideFest event, four individuals were arrested by citation,” said Rivero. “ e criminal proceedings will be held in the Town of Parker Municipal Court due to the fact that the town’s prosecutors will be handling these pending criminal cases. It is unethical for the town, either through elected representatives or sta , to comment regarding the event and pending charges.”
Regarding how resources were determined for the event, Andy Anderson, communications manager, told the Parker Chronicle that there are standard objective metrics the town uses with respect to community events. e town determines what
resources and sta are necessary — which are reimbursed by the event organizers — based on the information provided by the event organizers during the application process.
“Every large-scale community event has numerous town resources and sta involved, including law enforcement sta ,” said Anderson, “Depending on the location of the event, those resources may be more or less apparent.”
In response to last year’s protests at PrideFest, which was held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, organizers added to their code of conduct that said those taking stances against the LGBTQ+ community, protesting and proselytizing would be refused entry or asked to leave. e day of the event, Josh Hans, with the Parker Police Department, told the Douglas County News-Press that four people were escorted out of the event in handcu s and issued summonses for trespassing.
One public commenter questioned the size of the police presence, claiming to have spotted K-9s and drones. Other commenters claimed the police acted unlawfully and unconstitutional orders and they did not show neutrality.
O cials take exception with such claims and characterizations, according to Anderson with the town.
“ e town disputes the allegations that any unlawful actions were taken by any town sta with respect to the event held on Aug. 4,” said Anderson.
Weekly Carrier Routes Available
Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker & Highlands Ranch Areas
where they had an underground tunnel.”
During the Prohibition era, bootleggers and gangsters used the then-unpopulated and rural areas to their advantage, leading to the creation of speakeasies and social clubs. One of the most prominent was Ova “Smiling Charlie” Stephen’s Blakeland Inn at Wolhurst. Gamblers would use underground escape tunnels to elude deputies, but were often caught.
“But there’s just funny stories,” said Kelley. “Like the guy trying to get out of the jail cell. He was using hair grease.”
Whether it was through the air vents or showers,
planned escape attempts were common at the Castle Rock jail. One man, Isaac DeBacca attempted to break free from his cell by using hair oil to make himself slippery. DeBacca was stuck at the hips when Jailer Ralph Wolfe returned to check on the inmates.
But the stories are not all doom and gloom. e exhibit highlights the story of John Hammond, who helped construct U.S. Highway 85. Without experience, he was appointed a volunteer deputy under county Sheri Bert Lowell and later became sheri in 1946, serving for two decades.
“We’re gonna continue to do more exhibits in the future,” said O’Brien.
More: Browse some of the archives at https://archives.dcl.org/.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
CLOSURES
for our kids and making sure that their opportunities are not de ned by the communities in which they live, whether they’re growing or declining,” she said.
e timeline includes the creation of a policy that will guide the consolidation process and set a rubric for closures. e policy is expected to be nalized next January and then recommendations
for consolidation will be made a few months later, in April.
ere will be a gap year between when consolidations are announced and schools close to help families and sta navigate the transitions.
“We’ll maintain a laser-like focus on our families and our sta and on taking care of them, but it will still be hard for a community to do consolidations,” Kane said.
e district has promised that schools won’t be split up and no impacted sta will lose jobs. It also plans to repurpose school
buildings.
Kane said declining enrollment at schools leads to a loss of opportunities for students, larger class sizes and a less ideal learning environment.
Large schools can provide students with more classes and extracurricular activities, o er teachers more collaboration and support, and expand programming for preK and special education students.
“Larger schools can easily hire more sta and they have a lot more exibility in terms of programming that they o er for kids,”
Kane said.
Small schools are also not nancially sustainable for the district. Kane said it costs around $2,500 more per student to nance a small school of fewer than 400 students compared to a larger school.
“We really don’t have other longterm workable solutions,” Kane said. “If those buildings continue to get smaller and smaller, the loss of opportunity across the district will get larger and larger.”
e school board has been supportive of moving forward with Kane’s plan.
FOLLOW THE MONEY!
The GOP primary to represent Highlands Ranch saw $180K of outside dark money spent to buy the election by falsely smearing an opponent with negative advertising. We expect the same will occur in the general election with large amounts of outside special interest dark money spent to smear Highlands Ranch’s state representative.
DON’T LET OUTSIDE INTERESTS BUY YOUR REPRESENTATION!
Campaign finance reports covering June-July show the GOP candidate backed by wealthy outside special interests DID NOT RECEIVE A SINGLE DONATION FROM A RESIDENT OR VOTER IN HIGHLANDS RANCH. See https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateSearch.aspx
By contrast, in the same period our campaign received small dollar donations from scores of Highlands Ranch residents. Our campaign takes pride in being financed by small donations from individuals we represent. In 2022, we were the only campaign to win a legislative race after being outspent. And only 1% of our money came from special interest groups. We were on track to repeat that performance this election. But we cannot defend against hundreds of thousands of dollars of negative advertising from outside special interest dark money with small donor donations alone. We are forced to seek aide from organizations friendly to our moderate and independent approach to politics that rejects extremism from all sides. This aide will be open, transparent and reported, unlike the dark money supporting our opponent. But to help keep representation responsive to the people of Highlands Ranch, and not extremists or special interests, please donate. And even more importantly:
The joy found in continuous learning
For many, this time of year signals the return to classrooms, the sharpening of pencils, and the eagerness accompanying new beginnings. Children and young adults, from kindergarten to college, embark on their educational journeys, their minds open and ready to absorb new information. But as we watch them head o to school, it’s crucial to remember that learning is not just the domain of the young. Continuous learning is a lifelong journey.
Continuous learning often gets pigeonholed as something required for professional development or career advancement. But this perspective is limiting. Learning isn’t just about gaining new skills to improve our job performance or secure a promotion.
It’s about expanding our horizons, delving into intriguing subjects, and growing as individuals. It’s about the joy of discovery, the thrill of mastering something new, and the satisfaction of pushing boundaries. Books, articles, and essays are windows into other worlds, offering perspectives that challenge our own and ideas that expand our thinking. Reading is a cornerstone of continuous learning because it allows us to engage with the thoughts of others, both past and present. Whether diving into a novel, exploring a historical account, or dis-
School safety has always been a top priority, but recent years have underscored the urgency of protecting our children from the increasing threat of gun violence. As school gun incidents have climbed in Colorado, it is time for decisive action. I presented “Funding for School Safety Firearm Detection Systems” (HB24-1123) to address this issue head-on. Unfortunately, Democrats failed to recognize the critical need to protect our children in schools, allowing misguided priorities to stall progress.
HB24-1123 aimed to establish a school safety rearm detection funding program. is program would allocate funds to local education providers to purchase, install, and operate rearm detection software in schools. Schools would be able to detect and alert personnel and rst responders to the presence of rearms on school property, thereby enhancing security and potentially saving lives.
e data speaks volumes. An analysis aired in March 2023 by KDVR Fox 31 revealed that school gun incidents in Colorado (any time a gun was red or brandished on school property, or a bullet hit a school)
secting a scienti c paper, reading can ignite our imagination and deepen our understanding of the world around you.
We inevitably face setbacks when we try something new, especially outside our comfort zone. We might make mistakes, encounter obstacles, or feel like giving up. But these moments are where the most profound learning occurs.
A crucial part of continuous learning is the willingness to laugh at ourselves along the way. Learning isn’t always a smooth process; it’s often messy, frustrating, and humbling. But when we approach it with a sense of humor, recognizing that mistakes are a natural part of the journey, we make room for growth.
As children head back to school
School safety get short shrift
this season, let’s remember that their journey mirrors our own. Whether through reading, watching, or doing, and with a healthy dose of humor along the way, we can keep our minds sharp, our spirits curious, and our lives rich with the joy of discovery. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we embrace the opportunities to learn, both within our comfort zones and beyond them, knowing that each step forward is a step toward a fuller, more informed, and yes, a better than good and more ful lling 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.
had increased from 2000 through 2021, reaching ve in 2019 and 2021. e tragic Columbine High School Massacre in 1999, which resulted in 13 deaths and 24 injuries, should have been a wake-up call. Yet, Colorado has not implemented the drastic measures necessary to prevent such horrors from recurring. is bill represented one of the rst signi cant attempts to secure our schools since Columbine.
It was my hope that in presenting this bill that Colorado could follow the lead of other states that recognize the importance of rearm detection in schools. ZeroEyes, an AI gun detection program, exemplies how advanced technology can enhance school safety. Founded in 2018 by Navy SEALs and technology developers, ZeroEyes integrates with existing digital security cameras to proactively detect rearms and provide real-time alerts. is allows for a more rapid law enforcement
response, potentially preventing tragedies before they unfold.
I am hopeful that the progressive left will realize the value of this system and stop stalling progress for the safety of our children.
Another example of how the left has failed to care for kids in schools is in their choices for how we allocate the Colorado budget. I presented an amendment to the $40 billion state budget, proposing a modest $2 million allocation for school safety. is amendment did not dictate speci c uses, giving schools the exibility to determine what best suits their needs. However, progressive left members misinterpreted the amendment, erroneously claiming it mandated the hiring of school resource o cers (SROs).
is misconception led to a reversal of support among House Democrats, demonstrating a concerning prioritization of ideology over the genuine safety of our children. While my amendment was ultimately rejected, the Senate managed to secure a paltry $200,000 for school safety — far short of the $2 million needed. is amount represents a mere 0.0005%, (and just a mere 10% of the original request) of
the state’s budget, a glaring indicator of the progressive left’s unwillingness to invest in the security of our schools.
e refusal to adequately fund school safety measures is both bafing and dangerous. e progressive left’s agenda, which often downplays the importance of practical safety measures, is putting our children at great risk. e Democrats’ opposition to comprehensive school safety initiatives highlights a disconnect between their rhetoric and their actions. ey claim to prioritize student safety, yet their resistance to pragmatic solutions tells a di erent story. Implementing rearm detection systems like ZeroEyes is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a necessary evolution in school security. e program’s ability to provide humanveri ed, proactive visual gun detection can drastically reduce response times, potentially saving lives. By alerting authorities to the presence of rearms in real time, ZeroEyes enhances the e ectiveness of existing security protocols and provides a robust defense against potential threats.
Brandi Bradley
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Trump unfit to serve
Simply stated, Donald Trump’s abhorrent blurts of anti-military, anti-vet tropes shouldn’t be pushed aside.
Like many, I served in the military, and my father and grandfather were Purple Heart recipients battling fascism in the world wars. BTW, they are now rolling in their graves.
Trump, August 2024: Trump insisted the presidential Medal of Freedom was better than the Congressional Medal of Honor — the highest military award given for heroism in battle — because “everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. ey’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead.” e VFW publicly condemned Trump’s comments.
Trump, 2023: Trump trashed military o cials as “some of the dumbest people” he’s ever met. When Trump mocked General Mark Milley, Trump’s supporters broke out in applause.
Trump, 2020: Trump greatly downplayed injuries sustained by U.S. military in a missile attack. VFW publicly condemned Trump’s brush-o .
Trump, 2018: At a White House planning meeting for a medal bestowing event, Trump asked his sta not to include wounded veterans, on grounds that spectators would feel uncomfortable in the presence of amputees. “Nobody wants to see that,” he said.
commander-in-chief.
Closer to home, we haven’t heard a peep of concern or criticism from a couple of local Trump-supporting MAGA candidates …
Is commissioner candidate George Teal, an Army veteran, taking Trump’s insult lying down?
Since HD43 candidate Matt Burcham is an election denier/conspiracist, we already know his thoughts about some of Trump’s behaviors.
Which bring a nal point — when will Douglas County conservatives demand honorable candidates who will stand-up for our military and veterans?
Lloyd Guthrie, Roxborough Park
Angela Thomas earns support
Trump, 2018: Referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood, France as “suckers” for getting killed. “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s lled with losers.”
Trump, 2017: Standing by Robert Kelly’s grave, turned directly to General Kelly and said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”
Trump, 2015: “[John McCain’s] not a war hero. I like people who weren’t captured. We’re not going to support that loser’s funeral.”
In fact, Trump received ve draft deferments, including the infamous medical exception for bone spurs. Now, Trump speaks openly about domestic use of the military, should he win the presidency … against protesters, against political opponents.
I am writing to endorse Angela omas for Douglas County commissioner, District 2, in the upcoming at-large election. Having researched the issues and candidates, I believe that Angela omas embodies the values of transparency, accountability and environmental stewardship that are crucial for our community’s future.
In today’s political climate, it is all too common to see leaders who prioritize personal gain over the public good. Angela omas stands out for her unwavering commitment to transparent governance. She has consistently advocated for clear, open communication with constituents and a transparent decisionmaking process. is commitment builds trust but ensures that the community’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed.
Angela omas is committed to accountability; she has a proven track record of holding herself and others to high standards, ensuring that public funds are used e ciently and e ectively. Her approach to governance involves regular audits and public reports, which are essential for maintaining integrity and public con dence.
So, come November, voting Americans can reasonably conclude Donald Trump is un t to serve as
Furthermore, Angela omas has demonstrated a profound dedication to environmental stewardship. Her platform re ects a genuine concern for our natural resources and a commitment to sustainable practices. By supporting initiatives that protect our environment, Angela omas will help ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our community.
HIGH STAKES
What it takes to perform a mountain rescue
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado’s mountains are nature’s playgrounds. Tourists from all over the world and Colorado residents alike escape to the extreme terrain for skiing, hiking, climbing, biking and more — but what happens when something goes wrong?
Several specialized and highly trained mountain emergency response teams — many of them volunteers — constantly work and train together to be ready to perform a mountain rescue.
Alpine Rescue, Central City Fire, Clear Creek EMS, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Flight for Life and Evergreen Fire/Rescue are a few of the agencies that respond when the worst happens in the unforgiving terrain west of Denver.
As a group they must be ready for anything, anywhere, anytime. And they are, according to Field Director for the Alpine Rescue Team Herb Dorn.
Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Silver Plume and the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek County.
“We love what we do. It’s crazy. Almost half our members are probably tenured for over 20 years. So there’s a deep love for what we do and the mission that we try to accomplish and we’re all volunteers,” Dorn said during a recent multi-jurisdictional exercise in Idaho Springs.
Based in Evergreen, Alpine Rescue has been providing search and rescue to Gilpin, Je erson and Clear Creek County since 1959.
“Search and rescue” is a very simpli ed term for what Alpine’s 50-70 highly trained mountain rescuer volunteers are capable of accomplishing, according to its mission statement.
In a vehicle crash, re or rollover, CCFA members are rst responders and assist EMS with preserving and saving lives.
It has been providing swift water rescue for 51 years and was one of the rst of its kind in Colorado, according to Jones.
“Life safety is our rst priority; victim life safety and your own,” Clear Creek Training Captain Don Koogle told a training crew in Dumont recently.
CCFA covers the municipalities of Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Silver Plume and the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek County.
Helicopters play crucial role
According to the national Mountain Rescue Association, Alpine is one of 13 state agencies accredited in several rescue types including technical rock, avalanche, technical rope, helicopter and wilderness search.
“We do everything; we do avalanches, we do ski … 14ers, we help with swift water, search and rescue, a little bit of everything,” 15-year veteran/volunteer Dawn Wilson said after assisting in pulling a crash cart and live “victim” from a 500-foot ravine o Center City Parkway during training in Idaho Springs.
At Wilson’s side were several members of the Clear Creek Fire Authority and EMS who routinely train with Alpine and other agencies to draw on each other’s specialties, capabilities and equipment. In the moment, a cohesive response saves seconds and lives, according to CCFA assistant chief Jeremy Jones.
“We gure out what works and what doesn’t in training so we can x it so we don’t experience those hiccups or delays when it’s time critical,” Jones said.
On average, CCFA responds to more than 1,400 emergency calls from eight re stations throughout 347.5 square miles of Clear Creek County every year with 55 volunteers,16 full-time re ghters and at least four seasonal wildland re ghters, according to department statistics.
It serves the municipalities of Empire,
Bright orange and yellow Flight for Life helicopters are often seen at some of the most critical scenes where the helicopter, its onboard paramedic and ight nurse can bring life-saving equipment and supplies to the backcountry or at altitude to e ect rapid extrication, according to parent company Air Methods.
e air crews often work and train side-byside with other mountain rescue teams like CCFA and Alpine, according to Flight Nurse Libby Brewster.
“We participate in the trajectory of care in a di erent way. EMS or Alpine makes contact with the person initially, they call us, we participate in the transport, then they get to the hospital,” Brewster said during a recent training exercise in Clear Creek County.
“We bring critical care to the patient. ere’s a lot of stu we can do that maybe the ambulance can’t, and we’re also able to y in a bunch of stu (equipment) so these guys don’t have to hike in as much stu , I mean they’re still going to because they like it,” Flight for Life Paramedic Jace Mullen said, laughing.
Mullen and Brewster were standing sideby-side with at least four other rescue crews during a recent training exercise. No matter the agency, no matter the speci c skill sets, everyone has a common goal to protect life, Brewster said.
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
RESCUE
“When we have really, really sick patients and we’re all able to take really great care of them and bring them an advanced level of care to the scene and start doing the things a hospital would do in the rst two minutes and the patient has a really good outcome, it’s impactful,” Brewster said.
Relatively new to the “combined e ort approach to recovery/rescue,” the Clear Creek Sheri ’s Department said new agreements with other agencies will change the way the department trains and it expects to be working closely with Alpine Rescue.
“Recently we’ve rewritten our policies and agreements with Alpine, EMS and the re authority. Before they didn’t really work all that well together and weren’t on the same agreement, but now EMS has trained backcountry personnel that they can send in and so we’re all working a lot more cohesive than we did prior,” Special Services Commander Seth Marquardt said.
e sheri ’s department is in charge of overseeing all backcountry rescue operations, including avalanche, search and rescue or injured hikers in the county, according to Seth Marquardt.
“ e sooner we can get on scene and get a team into the eld the better because these rescues can last hours. Time is of the
essence when they’re in the backcountry whether it’s an avalanche or an injured hiker whatever the case is,” Marquardt said.
e changes in attitude toward multi-jurisdictional assistance and cooperation between agencies started when incoming Clear Creek County Sheri Matt Harris took ofce in January, according to Marquardt.
Volunteers are the critical key to success
Nearly every area emergency service relies heavily on trained volunteers, as most are manned with signi cantly more volunteers than paid sta , and Evergreen Fire/Rescue is no exception, according to Evergreen Risk Reduction Coordinator Einar Jensen.
“Our volunteer re ghters live in Evergreen,” Einar said.
Evergreen Fire/Rescue covers both Je erson and Clear Creek counties and currently has only 75 of the 100 volunteers needed to run operations e ciently, according to Einar.
“When we talk about wanting more volunteer re ghters we also need to make sure the people that are applying know that they will be trained and equipped at a professional level, they just won’t be getting paid for it. at’s the di erence,” Einar said.
Volunteers in Evergreen receive 10 months of training and classroom work, largely on Mondays and Saturdays. After the successful end of training and state testing, the volunteer candidate will be certi ed as a
Level 1 re ghter in Colorado.
“We’re asking you to put yourself at some risk to serve your community, and if that appeals to you, it’s probably one of the most rewarding activities that you’ll ever encounter,” Einar said.
“We are always ready,” Wilson said about volunteering, and “after a while it becomes like a family, you just depend on each other.”
It’s a di cult job to do and see. Rescuers say they see the worst of bad, but at times some good can make it worthwhile.
“It becomes taxing sometimes, (but) the worst of the worst which is o set a little bit by seeing the good things in life,” Jones said.
Relying on and communicating with teammates or other rescue crews who experience and witness the same tragedies is critical for your own mental health, Jones said.
“ ere is a lot of e ort on the part of responders to properly manage those images and experiences to avoid long-term PTSD issues,” Jones said.
Most rescuers said there’s an important reason to do this taxing, dangerous and sometimes ugly job. ey are there to help the injured, the same way they hope someone will be there for the people they love.
“Everybody goes into this eld to help people you’ve never met in your entire life and may never see again because we always hope if it’s someone we love who is in danger or at risk, somebody will come help them,” Jones concluded.
Alpine Rescue’s Dawn Wilson assists in a rescue training exercise in Clear Creek County.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
A gurney waits as rescuers pull a “victim” in a crash cart up the side of a mountain during multi-jurisdictional training in Idaho Springs.
PHOTO
FROM PAGE 16
‘Discovering Teen Rex’ shows power of exploration
The story of the “Discovering Teen Rex” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is in many ways a dream come true for many young dinosaur fans all over the world.
ree such young fans — eightyear-old Liam and 11-year-old Jessin, and their 10-year-old cousin Kaiden Madsen — were fossil-hunting in the Badlands near Marmarth, North Dakota, when they found some large bones in a sedimentary rock formation, according to provided information. ey then reached out to their father’s high-school classmate, DMNS paleontologist Dr. Tyler Lyson, who had grown up in the same area.
Lyson and a team from the museum came out in the summer of 2023 and discovered the bones were from a juvenile Tyrannosaurs Rex.
After a long and careful excavation process, the bones were removed from the rock and brought to the museum at 2001 Colorado Blvd., and became the focus of the “Discovering Teen Rex” exhibit, which runs through Jan. 31, 2025.
“ e museum has collected a handful of miscellaneous T. rex fossils over the years, but this will be the most complete fossil in the collection,” said Natalie Toth, chief fossil preparator at DMNS and part of the excavation team. “It’s so special that these almost teenaged boys found this teenage rex.”
e story was captured on lm and featured in the new 40-minute documentary “T. REX,” showing on the
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Museum’s giantscreen In nity eater.
For the exhibit, visitors will get a look at the fossil prep lab, where they can watch as a team of paleontologists clean, preserve and study the T. rex fossil.
ey’ll see discoveries being made as more and more of the remains are unearthed and studied.
“I love paleontology so much, so to be able to share it with kids and see it through their eyes is just great,” Toth said. “ at enthusiasm the kids have is shared with everyone on our team as we work on this. Any time we can pull back the curtain and show how we work on fossils is a great opportunity.”
In addition to the fossil prep lab, the exhibit features a wide array of dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, from the Museum’s collection that add some context to the work going on and to the animal the paleontologists are studying.
What makes the nd particularly exciting is that so few adolescent T. rex fossils have ever been discovered. By studying the young T. Rex, scientists have the opportunity to learn how the animals grew and developed.
While there’s still a lot of learning ahead, the aim of “Discovering Teen Rex” is to get people of all ages, but
especially children, interested in exploring the landscape around them. You never know what you might stumble upon.
“We hope it inspires kids to put down cell phones and dig around,” Toth said. “Denver and the American West provide access to such amazing landscapes that are worth exploring.”
For more information, visit https:// www.dmns.org/visit/exhibitions/ discovering-teen-rex/.
Children dive deep with ‘The Little Mermaid’
With all the great adult theater offered in the Denver area, it’s easy to forget that children also have a bevy of options where they can learn a love of the stage. One of the best places to go is Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse, 1100 Miners Alley, which is currently showing “ e Little Mermaid.”
Running through Saturday, Sept. 14, with performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays, the show is written and directed by Rory Pierce. It’s an original adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale and was created to delight children of all ages.
Buy tickets for the production at www.minersalley.com.
Get your brain working at TEDxCherryCreekHS event
Over the years, millions of people been encouraged to embrace new ways of thinking by TED Talks on YouTube. Now, people can get inspired in person by new and exciting ideas at TEDxCherryCreekHS’ second annual
TEDx event, “ e Digital Age.” Held at e Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet in Parker, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, the TEDlike experience features 10 original thinkers, including high school students, authors and engineers. e event is an exciting opportunity to be challenged and energized. Details and tickets are available at www. parkerarts.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Hozier at Fiddler’s Green Ireland’s Hozier is a rare thing in the modern pop landscape—a singer/ songwriter who connects with audiences because of his simplicity. Ever since his breakthrough single, “Take Me to Church,” he’s placed a premium on songwriting and connecting with listeners, rather than reworks and spectacle. Recently, he’s had another huge moment with 2023’s, “Unreal Unearth,” and the new single “Too Sweet.”
In support of the album, Hozier will be performing at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Englewood, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30. He’ll be joined by Allison Russell, a fantastic musician in her own right, who blends folk, blues and spirituals to stunning e ect. Get tickets for what should be a great show at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.
Clarke Reader
Thu 8/29
Renaissance Beginning Band
@ 3pm / $486
Aug 29th - May 22nd
Renaissance Elementary Magnet, 3960
TRAIL BOSS LANE, Castle Rock. 303912-0701
Crashing Wayward
@ 6pm
Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
Corridor
@ 6pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver
Kurt Vile w/ The Violators @ 6pm
Levitt Pavilion Denver, Denver
Carin Leon: Carin León en Greenwood Village @ 7pm
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350
Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Vil‐lage
Fri 8/30
Phat Daddy
@ 7pm
�'s Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Littleton
Eric Golden @ 7pm
Sheabeens Irish Pub, 2300 S Chambers Rd #A, Aurora
History Comes To Life Showcase
@ 8am / $15
Aug 30th - Sep 2nd
Exploration Of Flight - Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Engle‐wood. info@wingsmuseum.org
Sat 8/31
Caffeine and Chrome – Clas‐sic Cars and Coffee at Gate‐way Classic Cars of Denver @ 8am
Tue 9/03
Mammoth Heights Intermediate Orchestra
@ 6:30am / $486
Sep 3rd - May 20th
Mammoth Heights Mobile, 9500 Stonegate Pkwy, Parker. 303-912-0701
Soaring Hawk Beginning Band @ 2:35pm / $468
Sep 3rd - May 20th
Soaring Hawk Music Room, 4665 Tan‐glevine Dr, Castle Rock. 303-912-0701
Renaissance Beginning Orchestra @ 3pm / $486
Sep 3rd - May 20th
Renaissance Elementary Magnet, 3960
TRAIL BOSS LANE, Castle Rock. 303912-0701
Thu 9/05
Rock Ridge Beginning Orchestra @ 2:30pm / $486
Sep 5th - May 22nd
Rock Ridge Elementary, 400 Heritage Ave., Castle Rock. 303-912-0701
Sage Canyon Intermediate Orchestra @ 4:15pm / $486
Sep 5th - May 22nd
Sage Canoyn Elementary, 2420 Autum Sage St., Castle Rock. 303-912-0701
Neil Z @ Earls Kitchen @ 5pm
Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree
Renaissance Intermediate Orchestra @ 4:15pm / $486
Sep 3rd - May 20th
Renaissance Elementary Magnet, 3960
TRAIL BOSS LANE, Castle Rock. 303912-0701
Wed 9/04
Sage Canyon Intermediate Band @ 3pm / $486
Sep 4th - May 21st
Sage Canoyn Elementary, 2420 Autum Sage St., Castle Rock. 303-912-0701
Dear Marsha,: Dear Marsha Bramily Pre Party at Brewability @ 5pm Brewability Lab, 3445 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Gateway Classic Cars of Denver, 14150 Grasslands Drive, Engle‐wood. marketing@gatewayclassic cars.com, 618-271-3000
Anavrin's Day: AD @ the Tailgate Tavern (inside) @ 7:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Ghostland Observatory @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Mon 9/02
Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10
Stampede, Aurora
Cory Pearman Music @ 4pm
Sunset Grille, 8269 S Holly St, Centennial
Sophie Ellis-Bextor @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Darrell Scott @ 6pm
Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver
Eric Golden @ 6:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion.
Huge Pine Canyon development clears hurdle
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Despite concerns about water and growth from Castle Rock officials, the Douglas County planning board recommended the zoning and water changes for the Pine Canyon development to go forward. Their OK for the associated water and zoning changes means the county’s commissioners could green light the changes next month.
Pine Canyon is a proposed 530acre mixed-use development in unincorporated Douglas County off Interstate 25 surrounded by Castle Rock. Developers are planning up to 800 single-family homes, 1,000 multi-family homes and 600,000 square-feet of commercial space. Plans also include a hotel and spa, an elementary school site, a wastewater treatment plant, a transit mobility hub and 176 acres of parks and open space, 60 acres of which would be dedicated as a working ranch. The land is currently a working
cattle ranch, zoned for agricultural land, rural residential and general industrial uses. Developers propose rezoning to a planned development and seek an appeal to use alternative water standards than the county typically requires.
Castle Rock officials oppose the project because of concerns that the proposed development will strain town resources, particularly the water system. But members of the planning board were unswayed.
“I think the applicant has done a very thorough job of responding to the public testimony,” planning commissioner CJ Garbo said. “I have no doubt in the engineering of this and I think it’s been well considered.”
VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
and spa.
The Douglas County Commissioners are expected to vote on the agricultural-to-mixed-use rezoning and water matters on Sept. 10. In response to concerns about the impact to Castle Rock services and the demand on water supplies, representatives for Pine Canyon pushed back. The development plans to largely rely on groundwater, a non-renewable water source, and construct its own wastewater treatment plant. The development proposal says reuse water would be used for outdoor irrigation.
Castle Rock requires developments to have a renewable water source in addition to groundwater resources, but Douglas County does not.
The county asks developments to have .75 acre-feet of groundwater per single family residence. Pine Canyon is seeking an appeal for .273 acre-feet of groundwater per home.
Jill Repella, consultant for Pine Canyon, said the water appeal the development is asking for is in line with other developments, such as Sterling Ranch. The Pine Canyon water appeal and plan has been reviewed by county staff, a county water consultant and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
“Alternate water demand standards are not new in Douglas County,” Repella said.
Repella said the development already owns all of the water it needs to serve the project and would leave 35% of the groundwater unused as a buffer.
The project relies on reusing water, which Repella said is a better source than renewable water supplies. She added that the
Pine Canyon proposed water and sanitation district would have a renewable water fund to seek additional water.
“Reuse water is highly valuable in Douglas County because it is reliable and dependable, which is better than renewable supplies because many Douglas County renewable supplies rely on water rights,” Repella said.
Other representatives for Pine Canyon addressed concerns about fire services and traffic.
Castle Rock has said it would look into removing Pine Canyon from the fire district, but an attorney for the developers said the town has no legal right to do so.
As far as traffic, the development is estimated to add more than 22,000 daily vehicle trips to roads. Developers and town staff said that roadway capacity is sufficient for the added number of cars.
Marcus Pachner, a consultant on the development, said the project will improve connectivity through town.
“It’s really important to understand the better east-west connection this site will provide,” Pachner said.
Only planning commissioner Jim Browning voted against the water appeal because he didn’t feel the plan had sufficient supply, noting the project will have the lowest standard in the county. Browning and Garbo voted against the rezoning.
A map of the proposed Pine Canyon development shows the layout of the mixeduse project on 530 acres of land in unincorporated Douglas County. The project is requesting a rezoning to allow for up to 1,800 housing units, 600,000 square-feet of commercial and a resort
Fairmount Cemetery to hold ‘Fur-Ever Pet Fest’
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Losing a family pet can be di cult, which is why Fairmount Funeral Home is holding its annual “Fur-Ever Pet Fest” for a second year in a row as a way to help families grieve and honor their beloved dogs, cats and other pets.
“ e loss of an animal companion and pet family member is a very emotional time,” said Karna O’Neil, manager of Fairmount Family Pet Loss Care.
e free three-hour event – starting at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8 – will include food, dog boutiques, crafts and a pet blessing.
ere will be double the amount of vendors at the pet fest compared with last year. e 30 vendors will have everything from treats to custom bow ties on display.
O’Neil said the event is a way to bring the community together as well as businesses that support the animal community.
Along with a non-denominational blessing for pets, the event will also
Pet owners can bring their friendly dogs and cats to Fairmount Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory in Denver on Sept. 8 for its second annual “Fur-Ever Pet Fest.”
include a craft tent.
“We’ll be doing paw prints on the dogs that come and even cats that come,” said O’Neil.
Although Shelby, the Denver po-
lice’s rst therapy dog can’t be at the event due to her training, stu ed animals of her will be available.
“She’s a support animal for kids and they wanted to give the kids some-
thing to go home with,” said O’Neil.
Since Fairmount Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory opened a pet loss care service last year, the funeral home has added several community partners such as PAWsitive Recovery, Pooch Cafe and Buddy Scrub Pet. Another partner is Chewy’s Bonetique, a small local business that provides a variety of food products and toys.
e funeral home also holds monthly pet walks where a pet can get a treat and take a walk with their owner around the cemetery.
Fairmount provides pet cremation, personalized memorialization, pet loss grief support and memorial ceremony options for pets ranging from ferrets to dogs.
“We’re excited to be able to provide the service for the community and be able to now serve the entire family,” said O’Neil. “We’ll be able to help you with your fur-baby.”
More: e event will be held at 430 S. Quebec St., Denver. For information, call 303-399-0032 or email at petlosscare@fairmountcemetery. net.
COURTESY OF KARNA O’NEIL
LETTERS
Angela omas represents the kind of leader we need: one who is transparent, accountable, and deeply committed to protecting our environment. I encourage all voters to support Angela omas in the upcoming election for Douglas County Commissioner. Her leadership will undoubtedly contribute to a more responsible, responsive, and resilient community.
Constance Ingra, Highlands Ranch
Just say it, Laydon C’mon, Commissioner Laydon. Whatever happened to a simple apology to the voters of Douglas County for having your law license suspended due to your neglect. For starters, a simple “I blew it and it will never happen again” would satisfy a wide swath of the county. I did a little research and it seems attorneys must show proof of their continued legal education every
BRADLEY
Our children deserve better than the hollow promises and empty gestures o ered by the progressive left. ey deserve concrete actions that ensure their safety and security while they pursue their education. HB241123 is a step in the right direction, but we must also push for adequate funding to support its implementa-
three years by Dec. 31 of the year following their admittance to the bar. If my fourth-grade math is correct this could be a few days short of every four years if admitted in early January. It took you half of page two of the Highlands Ranch Herald to alibi your excuse and call it a “nothing burger.”
e phrase “I blew it” seems a lot more sincere.
Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch
Doubting Thomases
Saying goodbye to term-limited Lora omas as our Douglas County commissioner in District 3 will be a welcome change, unless we replace her with the Democrat Angela omas who’s running against George Teal in District 2. We’ve got too many omases!
A vote for Angela omas is a choice to continue the combative confrontation between commissioners. Combative Lora omas never agreed with commissioners George and Abe on anything, and Angela omas is proclaiming to do the same. Read Katie Barrett’s 8
tion.
e failure to pass my budget amendment reveals a disturbing trend: the progressive left’s prioritization of political correctness over practical solutions. eir reluctance to allocate even a fraction of the state budget to school safety is unacceptable. It’s time for Democrats to put aside their ideological biases and join us in making the safety of our children a genuine priority. We cannot a ord to wait for another tragedy to spur us into action. e
August letter-to-the-editor where, for example, Angela’s campaign is based on disagreeing with issues such as a study for a large recreational complex and, just like Lora, she has her own way of doing things. It’s her way or the highway, and instead of being part of the solution she’ll always be part of the problem.
A vote for Angela would be a vote opposing cooperation. at’s consistently been Angela’s message. So, if you like the turmoil created by Lora omas, you’ll love switching one omas for another.
Although Katie Barrett’s claim is that her candidate will “assure” … blah, blah, blah; Angela would have only 1 of 3 commissioner votes so she can’t assure anything, but that’s Democrat arithmetic for you. In my opinion, another Democrat characteristic is dependency on the media and making accusations without knowing or caring about the facts. According to Katie’s letter Angela is now accusing the commissioners of giving “money ($200K) to the Douglas County Community Foundation without a plan for its
lives of our children are too precious to be jeopardized by political rhetoric and gamesmanship. As representatives, it is our duty to ensure that schools are safe havens for learning and growth, free from the fear of violence.
In conclusion, the passage of HB241123 and the implementation of advanced rearm detection systems are critical steps toward securing our schools. It’s time for the progressive left to stop hindering progress and start prioritizing the safety of our
use.” But IRS nonpro t regulations prohibit a donor from managing or in any way directing the use of their donation. If elected, God forbid, our county attorney and sta would be continually busy counseling (babysitting) Angela about what she can and can’t do.
What can be said of George Teal? As a previous Castle Rock town councilman and now the incumbent for District 2, George was unopposed in the Republican primary. e reason he was unopposed is because he’s been such a rock solid and consistent elected o cial who knows what he’s talking about and will nd out the facts before presenting his opinion. Running against George, Angela on the other hand, is demonstrating how she nds opportunity by exploiting issues for her own self-aggrandizement.
So, as one of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States let’s keep George Teal and keep Douglas County great.
Smith Young Parker
students. Our children deserve nothing less than our full commitment to their protection.
State Rep. Brandi Bradley is a Republican from northwestern Douglas County who serves House District 39. We want to hear from you. Colorado Community runs opinions and letters from people in the two dozen Denver-area suburbs, towns, cities and counties we cover as a way to further conversation about important community issues.
New girls flag football program arrives for Denver-area youth league
Elementary-8th grade girls can participate in startup e ort
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fresh o its recognition as an ofcial sport for high school girls in Colorado, ag football is now on its way to girls in the elementary and middle school age groups in the Denver metro area through a youth sports league.
“ is initiative aims to empower girls through sports, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment that will prepare them to play
in high school now that girls ag football is a CHSAA sport,” Mark Steinke, president of the Castle Rock-area Raptors Athletics, said in a statement.
CHSAA is the Colorado High School Activities Association.
Years ago, Je co Public Schools, Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District started work to o er a pair of girls ag football “pilot” — or startup — seasons in 2022 and 2023 with the hope that the game would become an ocially recognized sport, according to CHSAA.
at goal became a reality after the CHSAA Legislative Council voted 57-9 in April to make girls ag football a sanctioned sport starting with the 2024-25 school year.
SNow, the sport is ltering down to a program for younger girls. e Arapahoe Youth League — an organization that covers students in Denver, many parts of Arapahoe and Douglas counties, south Jefferson County suburbs, and Elbert County — is o ering a free “learn to play” program for girls who want to participate in ag football.
Despite the league’s regular boundaries, ag football is open to girls from around the metro area.
“For this program, we will take everyone regardless of the location,” said Craig Randall, president of Arapahoe Youth League. If sign-up numbers grow large, the organization will seek more eld space.
e program will run for three Sundays in September “with the ul-
timate goal of starting a recreational/competitive league in fall 2025,” Randall said.
e learn-to-play days will be open to girls from elementary through eighth grade, according to the youth league website.
“ e three days will be skills and drills, kind of like a football combine,” and they could also include practice games, Steinke said.
e program’s location was still to be determined but could take place in Highlands Ranch, Randall said.
It’s slated to run from 8-10 a.m. Sept. 15, 22 and 29.
Regular registration is open until Sept. 10, according to the website.
More: See the registration page at tinyurl.com/AYLFlagFootballSignup.
Curating family mealtime with ease
chools are back in session and with that comes a shift toward more routine. It is no secret our lives have become busier than generations before. ere are more challenges and distractions than ever (hello, smartphones and seemingly endless activities), which can prevent us from meeting at the table for time together as a family.
e ritual of family mealtime has declined by more than a third in the last 20 years, despite research demonstrating its bene ts. Children who share regular meals with their
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway
family perform better academically, struggle less emotionally and enjoy closer relationships with parents.
Here are some suggestions for easing your family back into the mealtime habit:
Turn
o the devices
It’s no surprise that etiquette for a proper place set-
ting does not include a spot for a smartphone. If there is one time in the day to set your phone in a basket or simply power it o , it is during dinnertime. Try to nd at least 15 to 30 minutes to set aside technology and engage wholeheartedly with your family.
Remove mental clutter
Consider if there is mental clutter you bring with you to the table. Wrap up lingering work communication, send something from your task list to TULA or take a 5-minute pre-dinner meditation break to clear your
mind. We can’t truly connect until our minds are clear and free.
Set achievable goals
Take a baby step in the right direction. is could be as simple as turning the TV o during meals or deciding on two family meal times per week. Once you accomplish a small goal, scale up to something more. Remember the phase your family is in. Children will grow and mature. It won’t always be a dinnertime circus, but it’s never too early to encourage
BALANCED
good habits.
Prep ahead
After a long day of work, caring for children – or both, the prospect of preparing a meal can be overwhelming. I don’t know about you, but when 4 p.m. rolls around, I’m my least energetic self. e kids are usually wound up, our house feels like chaos and I am sometimes on the brink of sensory meltdown. If you know this is how your evenings go, consider regular slow-cooker meals or dinners prepared in the morning or over the weekends. My favorite –freezer-to-slow-cooker meals – combines the two. Dump your bag of frozen ingredients into the slow cooker and voila! Once kids are older, plan
a menu for the week together. en you’re sure to have options everyone will enjoy.
Cook together
If you have the energy to cook in the evening, set aside time to cook with your children. Embrace the mess. A helper not only lightens the workload but also gives your child ownership over the meal. When picky eaters see, touch and feel the ingredients, they’re more inclined to learn about and try new foods. If the mess is too much for you or if it feels like your child is slowing down the process, involve them in simpler tasks like setting the table or peeling carrots.
Serve meals family-style
Mealtime discontentment can come from stressing about what our kids will or will not eat. Consider lowering your expectations and try-
ing family-style or a deconstructed meal. Children love autonomy. Invite them to pass bowls of food and even a child-sized pitcher for serving their own beverage. is gives your child the freedom to choose what they want to eat and takes the pressure o of forcing your child to eat. If you have a super picky eater, include a few wholesome staples you think they’ll select. At our table, this might mean fruit, carrots or even a healthy(ish) peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Incorporate a dinnertime conversation ritual
In our family, we take turns saying something nice about a family member. Another popular format involves each person sharing a “highlight” and “lowlight” from their day, sometimes embellishing with a “bu alo” for that funny, weird or interesting thing that happened. Conversation
rituals are a great way to boost selfesteem and family connection. Hopefully these tips can help you enter the dinnertime scramble from a place of ease. e most important mindset with any change to your family routine: grace, grace, grace. If your carefully curated plan implodes one night, that’s okay. Sometimes our job as parents is to survive, surrender and mitigate stress. Especially when our children are young, we cannot expect perfection. Having everyone at the table for ve minutes might be a huge win. Try again the next night. And remember: as long as you remain dedicated to trying, there will be many fun, connected and memorable meals ahead.
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced. com.
The City of Greenwood Village’s Curtis Center for the Arts invites you to take a stroll
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