Kroger’s CEO claims to not think about raising prices
Prosecution case to block grocery merger rests, Kroger starts its defense
BY TAMARA CHUANG
THE COLORADO SUN
Testifying this week in Colorado’s antitrust trial to block the $24.6 billion supermarket megamerger, Kroger Co.’s CEO Rodney McMullen stuck to his statement made to a local newspaper last year that yes, he’s never thought about how to raise prices.
During the trial in Denver District Court, he shared simple responses to questions asked by Jason Slothouber, a senior prosecutor at the Colorado Attorney General’s o ce. No, he wasn’t familiar with a Kroger division that studied pricing and found they could raise prices at stores with little competition without losing shoppers. No, he wasn’t familiar with a group of eight City Markets put into a “mountain no comp zone,” where prices were raised. No, he didn’t know this zone was a big part of the state’s antitrust case.
“Kroger has invested in lowering prices for the last 15 years,” he said. “Strategically every year, we would make decisions on continuing to lower relative pricing.”
“In areas where there is competition?” Slothouber asked.
“Across the country,” McMullen responded.
“Well, not in the mountain no comp zones, right?” Slothouber asked.
“I don’t know,” McMullen said. McMullen, who had been sequestered during the trial, had not been privy to earlier testimony in the Colorado vs. Kroger et al, in its third week with closing arguments scheduled for Oct. 24. But so far, lawyers for the Attorney General’s o ce have laid out their case for the potential harm a merger between Kroger and Albertsons could cause to residents, employees, local suppliers and farmers if it results in store closures. A merger might create “no comp” stores, in addition to those now located in Aspen, Breckenridge, Carbondale, Eagle, El Jebel, Glenwood Springs, Granby and New Castle. e prosecution rested Monday. But throughout the rst part of the trial, grocery executives did have a lot to say about competition as they were questioned. ey said their prime competition was Walmart,
Election o cials push back at Ganahl’s
‘reckless’
claims of voting security issues
County clerks gather in Highlands Ranch following accusations from former GOP candidate SCHOOL OF
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Less than a month out from Election Day, current and former local election o cials met in Douglas County to contest claims of voting security problems after a barrage of allegations raised by Colorado’s 2022 Republican candidate for governor, Heidi Ganahl.
Ganahl’s e ort to push those claims is “a reckless attempt for attention,” said Matt Crane, a Republican who is a former Arapahoe County clerk and recorder.
Clerks act as the top election o cials for their counties, and the Douglas and Boulder clerks showed up alongside Crane to speak in Highlands Ranch about voting security following Ganahl’s bevy of claims that partly focused on Douglas County. e former candidate said the voting system could be exposed to unauthorized remote access, but clerks disputed that concern.
“Our o cials have been patting us on the head, telling us everything is ne; everything is not ne, and how would they even know?” Ganahl said in a re-
cent post on the Rocky Mountain Voice, a conservative outlet that she founded. At the news conference, two weeks after Ganahl took aim at Douglas County, the local clerk announced a new e ort to ensure con dence in the election system.
“Douglas County will be providing a live stream of the surveillance (feed) at each of our 21 drop boxes throughout this election,” Douglas Clerk Sheri Davis said.
At the lectern, Douglas County Clerk Sheri Davis speaks at an Oct. 10 news conference next to a ballot drop box (not pictured) in Highlands Ranch. Behind her, from left, stands Kregg Lilly, who has served as an election worker; Molly Fitzpatrick, Boulder County clerk; and Hayle Johnson, Jackson County clerk. Matt Crane, the Colorado County Clerks Association director, also spoke at the event, along with Ed Brookes, who has also served as an election worker.
National movement aims to create inclusion for all children, but some criticize it
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNTIYMEDIA.COM
A jack-o’-lantern candy bucket is an essential when it comes to trick-or-treating. And through the years, the di erent colored candy buckets have taken on speci c meanings with a goal to bring awareness to various medical conditions. However, some of the movements have gained criticism.
e idea of inclusion was the premise of the Blue Bucket for Autism , which stems from 2018 after a parent posted on Facebook that her autistic son would be trick-or-treating with a blue bucket. It ignited a national movement.
Movements aimed at bringing awareness are wonderful, said Keri Sawyer, a child therapist and owner of Bloom Child erapists in Parker. But parents shouldn’t feel like they have to take part, she added.
“I don’t think that at any point a child or their parents should feel like they need to have a speci c color bucket or disclose any speci c information about their child in order to receive empathy and acceptance,” said Sawyer.
While the movement was created to promote awareness for trick-or-treaters with autism and those who are nonspeaking, some say that children shouldn’t have to “advertise” their medical diagnosis just to be included fairly.
“If our children could thrive on good intentions, then the blue ‘autism’ Halloween buckets would be a wild success,” said Brittany Yarbrough, a Littleton mom. “Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works.”
Yarbrough understands the challenges as her son has motor planning di culties and hypotonia, a condition that causes decreased muscle tone.
Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability and impacts one’s social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function. It a ects one in 36 children, according to the National Autism Association. While autism varies person to person, about 40% of children with autism do not speak.
Elizabeth Bennet, a psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said Halloween can be di cult for a lot of people for various reasons, including it being a change of routine or it creating social anxiety.
While she believes the idea of the colored buckets movement can be helpful to raise awareness for certain medical conditions or disabilities, she doesn’t think that trick-or-treaters
should have to carry some sort of marker that identi es their diagnosis in order to have the same access that every other child does on Halloween.
“In my imaginary ideal world, everybody has awareness that we don’t know each other’s whole story, and that people can behave di erently for a lot of di erent reasons, and that we don’t get to set expectations for other people,” said Bennet. “We don’t live in that ideal world yet.”
Jessica Vestal, whose son is nonverbal and has trouble per-
forming tasks, has watched as adults have told her son, “no candy until you say trick-ortreat!”
“Whether they are unable to say trick-or-treat, have to use an AAC device, have no way to say it at all or are carrying a specially-colored pumpkin, each kid deserves to participate in something fun,” said Vestal.
Both Vestal and Yarbrough believe the movement was created with good intentions, but wonder why there needs to be a color-coded system to be accepting and inclusive of all abilities. Yar-
brough added that displaying a child’s diagnosis has the potential to increase the risk that the child will be mistreated or bullied.
“I love when people choose to sit at the end of their driveway to hand out treats, since narrow walkways and steps to the front door are di cult to manage for those in wheelchairs or (those who have) mobility issues,” said
Having worked with neurodivergent children, Sawyer has had parents ask her about the different colored buckets. She said it should be more about“if they would like to, not that they should have to — and let the child lead on that decision.
Similar to Bennet, Sawyer hopes that people answering doors will answer with empathy and a willingness to be accepting of all individuals and use Halloween as a time to show kindness to
For three consecutive years, Sawyer participated in the Town of Parker’s Trunk or Treat event because she enjoys the opportunity to allow families to have a little more control of the environment. She appreciates the inclusivity that the rst hour of the event is sensory-friendly because it creates a safer and more accessible environment.
Whether a family chooses to carry a blue bucket to raise awareness of autism or if they feel uncomfortable with it, Sawyer encourages letting the child lead on how they want to do Halloween.
“ ere’s no wrong way of doing it,” said Sawyer. “So having a good time within your child’s capacity is really important.”
Other color meanings
Children may carry a di erent colored bucket because it’s their favorite color. But, these colors have taken on meanings. For example, pink for breast cancer awareness and red for driving under the in uence.
In 2012, after facing challenges due to having epilepsy, a young boy in Connecticut wanted to raise awareness for the medical condition. He decided to paint a pumpkin purple and his family shared it on Facebook. With more than 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the country, the initiative soon gained national recognition and the Epilepsy Foundation launched the Purple Pumpkin Project.
Colored pumpkins can also be seen on people’s front porches to indicate to trick-or-treaters and their families that it is an inclusive home. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, another common color to see is teal.
e Teal Pumpkin Project was created to promote food safety and inclusion of those who have food allergies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 13 children have a food allergy. erefore, having options other than candy helps children feel included. Non-edible treat ideas include Halloween erasers, novelty toys, vampire fangs, spider rings and bouncy balls.
e Food Allergy Research and Education nonpro t organization provides a map of houses that have non-food treats as well as free printable signs, ideas for nonfood treats and facts about di erent types of candy. ese can be found at tinyurl.com/5eac8f4c.
The di erent-colored Halloween candy buckets have taken on new meanings over the years in hopes to bring awareness to various medical conditions and diagnoses.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Blue Halloween candy buckets available at stores across the metro area. The Blue Bucket for Autism movement was started in 2018 and has gained national attention; however, some criticize it. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
A Sign of the Times: Zillow Shows Climate Risk Data for All Active Listings
I was as shocked as anyone to hear that Asheville, North Carolina, had been devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene. It is over 300 miles inland from the Atlantic coast and on the western slope of the Appalachian mountain range. It is 2,100 feet above sea level.
To those of us who comfort ourselves that we are in a haven from climate change, this should be a wake-up call.
Zillow heard that wake-up call and recently introduced a “Climate Risk” assessment for all active listings on its website. At right are charts you’ll find if you search on Zillow for my listing at 48 Lang Street in Twin Lakes, Colorado, at the eastern foot of Independence Pass. I’m only showing the Flood risk map, but there are comparable maps for Fire, Wind, Air Quality and Heat risks by clicking on the buttons you see at the top left of the map.
younger home shoppers, who are driving the market. The median age of today's home buyer is 39, and first-time buyers make up 50% of all buyers. Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who comprise 54% of all home buyers are most likely to consider a climate risk when determining where to shop for a home. Across generations, a majority of shoppers reported taking into account at least one climate risk when looking for their next home.”
Although 86% of Millennials are likely to consider climate risks when searching for a home, the average for all groups is 83%, with Baby Boomers the lowest at 70%. Bottom line: it’s a big concern for everyone, and we need to take notice.
“Climate risks are now a critical factor in home-buying decisions,” said Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow.
It was a year ago last month that Zillow released a report stating that “A clear majority of prospective buyers in each region of the United States consider at least one climate risk when shopping for a home.” In the Midwest the percentage was 77% and in the West it was 90%.
Such risks were of least concern, surprisingly, to prospective buyers in the South, including Florida, but I suspect that may change after recent hurricanes.
The Sept. 2023 report continued: “Climate risks are a major concern for
The data source for Zillow is First Street, which provides climate risk data across multiple industries, including government, banking, and insurance.
First Street’s analysis of the destruction caused by August’s Cat-1 hurricane Debby found that 78% of flooded properties were outside FEMA’s flood zones.
According to Zillow, “First Street is the standard for climate risk financial modeling (CRFM) working to connect climate change to financial risk. First Street uses transparent, peer-reviewed methodologies to calculate the past, present, and future climate risk for properties globally, and makes it available for citizens, industry and government.”
Don’t expect to find climate risk data for your home on Zillow, unless it is cur-
Price Reduced on 2-Bedroom Winter Park Condo
rently for sale. However, you could look for a nearby home that is for sale and find your home on the maps such as the one above.
Years ago, I learned couple important things about flood insurance. First, for water damage to be covered by regular homeowners insurance, the water can’t hit the ground before entering your house. If the water hits the ground first, it is considered flooding and is only covered by flood insurance.
However, even flood insurance does not cover a finished basement. It will cover anything in your basement, such as a furnace and water heater, that serves the above-grade floors, but it will not cover below-grade walls, floors or furnishings.
available on Zillow’s iPhone app and on the Zillow website, with Android availability expected early next year.
Take Pictures of Your Home Before the Snow Falls
Even if you don’t expect to put your home on the market this winter, it’s a good idea to have exterior pictures of your home and yard which the grass is green and the leaves are on the trees. If you have trees which blossom in the spring, make a note to take a picture then too.
“Life happens,” and it’s good to be prepared to show your home at its best.
NAR: ‘Make Your Listings Shine Online’
With ski season just around the corner, don’t miss your chance to make this fabulous condo at 693 Wapiti Drive your home in the mountains. Full of natural light, you'll delight in the open concept living and dining area with windows that showcase the beautiful views. The kitchen features hickory cabinets, an island and granite countertops. There is also a pantry/laundry room on the main floor. Additional features of this unit include a gorgeous moss rock fireplace, a skylight and a private balcony with stunning views of Byers Peak. All bathrooms have granite countertops with hickory cabinets, and the two full bathrooms, including the primary ensuite, have tiled floors and bath. Both bedrooms have double closets. There is an oversize garage with a large locked room for plenty of storage. No more scraping snow off your car! This condo is tastefully furnished and has reasonable HOA dues. Experience the great outdoors just outside your door with a walk down to the beautiful Fraser River for a hike or bike along the river trail that takes you up to the Winter Park Resort or take your rod for a little fly fishing! You'll also be just a short walk from downtown Fraser, which is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, just steps away is the free Lift bus line which will take you to concerts in Hideaway Park, skiing & summer activities at Winter Park Resort and all of the events, restaurants & entertainment Winter Park offers. Take a narrated video tour at www.GRElistings.com, then call David at 303-908-4835 to see it.
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had a newsletter item that caught my attention.
Covid had, of course, increased the importance of making listings more attractive to potential buyers who might not be able to visit the home in person.
The newsletter article pointed out that, just like work-at-home, buying without seeing a home in person is still a thing.
It quoted a 2022 survey of 1,000 homeowners by Lending Tree which showed that 47% of them bought without an in-person tour of the property.
We already know that the vast majority well over 90% of buyers begin their home search online and only call an agent when they want to see a home. During Covid, that meant in some cases a FaceTime tour of the home by a showing agent. (We were “essential workers.”)
Americans got so used to Zoom meetings and working virtually during Covid that many of them still prefer Zoom meetings, and that translates into wanting to see a home virtually before making an offer.
What the article failed to mention was
that most of those buyers probably did attend the professional inspection of the home after going under contract, but the fact remains that a good online presence is what got that home under contract.
The article mentioned some of the technological tools, in addition to FaceTime, which have allowed listing agents to dramatically improve the online presentation of their listings, thereby allowing buyers to feel comfortable with submitting an offer prior to seeing the listing in person.
Matterport’s interactive still photos linked to a floor plan was one of those technologies. It allows a person, with their computer mouse, to rotate each still photo 360 degrees and even look at the ceiling and floor.
What wasn’t mentioned, and shocked me by its absence, was the mention of narrated video tours, which my broker associates and I create for every residential listing! What could be more useful than being able to walk through a home with the listing agent describing all its features basically simulating an inperson showing?
Climate risk information is currently
Boebert, Calvarese make their cases to CD4 voters
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Voters in Colorado’s 4th District will decide in November whether to send U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert back to Congress or elect her challenger, Democrat Trisha Calvarese.
e district, which covers 21 counties on the Eastern Plains, Douglas County and north of Denver, is largely Republican. It is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Greg Lopez, a Republican, who was elected to the seat in a June special election, where he beat Calvarese in a landslide.
Boebert beat ve other Republicans in the June primary after moving from the 3rd Congressional District, which she currently represents.
e Douglas County News-Press spoke to both Boebert and Calvarese about how they would represent their constituents in Washington.
is would be Boebert’s third term in Congress and Boebert has faced criticism for not having passed much legislation into law. But Boebert is proud of her track record thus far, pointing to the appropriations and amendments she has passed. “ ese are pieces of legislation that I otherwise wouldn’t have jurisdiction to in uence so the open oor amendments let me give a Colorado voice to those bills,” Boebert said.
Boebert said she is already working with o cials in the 4th District to nd legisla-
tive solutions to local issues, such as her recently-introduced bills to x zip code issues and to require more hiring checks at massage parlors to try to prevent tra cking.
Calvarese would be a rst-time legislator, but said her experience working with the National Science Foundation and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFLCIO) gives voters a taste of how she would represent them.
During her time with the AFL-CIO and the science foundation, Calvarese worked on the In ation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Bill and the CHIPS and Science Act, which funds research and manufacturing of semiconductors.
“ ose are all bipartisan laws and I’m not even in Congress yet,” Calvarese said.
Economy
When it comes to addressing a ordability, Boebert said one of the rst things she would like to see is cuts to government spending, such as getting rid of green energy subsidies and defunding the recent expansion of the Internal Revenue Service.
Boebert also advocated for deregulation and investment in energy production in Colorado, such as natural gas and oil.
“ ose two things (cutting spending and energy production) coupled together do provide a solution for a booming economy,” Boebert said.
Calvarese said she would work to bring
public-private partnerships to the district that support economic development and support legislation to protect against price- xing.
“ at’s how we’re going to lower prices – we build it locally and develop locally,” she said.
In addition, Calvarese said she would support farming subsidies to help reduce the cost of food and legislation to reduce the cost of health care.
Immigration
Boebert takes a no tolerance stance on illegal immigration, having introduced the Build the Wall, Deport em All Act, which would expedite deportation, remove birthright citizenship and fund the border wall.
Boebert supports Douglas County’s lawsuit against the state over laws that prevent law enforcement from working with federal immigration agencies and said she would be in favor of federal legislation to ban sanctuary cities and reform the asylum process.
“I do not believe (asylum-seekers) should be released into the interior of our country until their asylum has been approved,” Boebert said.
Calvarese said she believes in immigration reform and would have voted for the bipartisan immigration bill introduced in February, which would have funded immigration agencies and changed the asylum process.
In addition, Calvarese said she supports adding pathways to citizenship and expanding visas for workers.
“As long as there are people that can be exploited for their documentation status in the workforce, it hurts everybody,” she said. “So we need to get those folks who’ve been here contributing to our society out of the shadows,on a pathway to citizenship and into the system.”
Water
One thing that Boebert and Calvarese have in common is they both oppose the proposal to pipe water from the San Luis Valley to Douglas County. Both have spoken in favor of protecting water in Colorado and supporting water storage projects.
Boebert pointed to her bipartisan Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act, which funds water projects and sh protection programs, as one example of her e orts.
“I will always work for more water storage in the west,” Boebert said.
Calvarese highlighted her work on the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which she worked on during her time at the AFLCIO. She also pushed back on Boebert’s support of water projects, noting Boebert voted against the Infrastructure Bill even though it included money for water projects in her district.
“You don’t play games with water,” Calvarese said.
Trisha Calvarese vastly outraised Lauren Boebert in contributions, but national PACs remain on sidelines in sign of expected GOP victory
BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN
In the 4th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert was vastly outraised last quarter by her Democratic challenger Trisha Calvarese. Calvarese reported raising about $2.7 million in July, August and September, spending $1.5 million during that period and starting October with about $1.3 million in cash. Her biggest expense during the quarter, $1.1 million, was advertising.
She ran one TV ad in which she talked about her experience providing endof-life care to her parents. “We can’t let Lauren Boebert’s cruelty win here,” Cal-
varese says in the 30-second spot.
Another ad run by Calvarese featured Danielle Robinson, whose husband, Keith, a military veteran who deployed to Iraq, died from lung cancer in 2020. Robinson blasts Boebert in the ad for voting against the PACT Act, which expands bene ts for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits.
“She even heckled when Keith was honored at the State of the Union,” Robinson says. “My family deserved better. So did the veterans she voted against.”
In a statement to e Colorado Sun, Boebert explained her decision to vote against the measure: “ ere was no funding mechanism for this gigantic investment, and, even worse, this bill lacked
a plan for sta ng resources to handle the increase in cases which has led to an even further backlog of cases. is tragically hurts all veterans. Just last month, the VA Department had to be bailed out because of shoddy management and unrealistic promises from politicians.”
e 4th District, which stretches across the Eastern Plains into Douglas County and Loveland, is considered a Republican stronghold. But Calvarese has parlayed Boebert’s national unpopularity among Democrats into a major fundraising juggernaut powered by donors giving smaller amounts.
Boebert, by comparison, raised $532,000 during the quarter, spending $513,000 and ending September with
$549,000 in campaign cash. Much of her spending went toward advertising and consulting.
Boebert has been running two TV ads: one touting her work for veterans and the other boasting about her positions on the economy, oil and gas and women’s sports, speci cally her opposition to transgender people competing in them. Nevertheless, no super PACs are spending on the contest in an indication that national Democrats and Republicans think Boebert is likely to win the race.
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Arrests made in Douglas County cold case of missing woman
Kimberly Bell of Franktown was last seen in 2019
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Five years after the disappearance of Franktown-area resident Kimberly Bell, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce has announced the arrests of two people allegedly connected to her apparent death.
In August 2019, Bell — who was 51 at the time of her alleged murder — was reported missing by her sister, according to the sheri ’s o ce. Bell was last seen in late July 2019 in the Denver metro area and had been living with her sister, according to the o ce.
Sheri Darren Weekly on Oct. 15 announced the arrests of Javier Martell, 30, and Jennifer Bremer, 38. e o ce listed Martell with charges of rst-degree murder and Bremer with charges of being an accessory to a crime, along with alleged identity theft.
Martell goes by Alex, and Bremer is also known as Jennifer Beasley, Weekly said.
Weekly’s o ce believes that Bell, Martell and Bremer were in Bell’s vehicle at the RTD Lincoln light rail station in the Lone Tree area when Martell allegedly attacked her. Law enforcement believes he ultimately killed her in the area where the vehicle is believed to have been driven, roughly around Park Meadows Drive and Station Way, Weekly said.
Bremer turned herself in to authorities earlier this month, around the same time that Martell was arrested, according to the sheri ’s o ce.
“We arrested Martell at the 7-Eleven at Hilltop (Road) and Parker Road, where he was working,” Weekly said. e sheri said he couldn’t comment on what led his personnel to be able to arrest Martell.
For a long time, authorities didn’t have enough evidence to make an arrest, Weekly said.
“We’ve never found Ms. Bell’s (re-
information about the case or knew Bell, Martell or Bremer around July 2019, the sheri ’s o ce wants to know. e public can call 303-660-7528 or email coldcasetips@dcsheri .net. To the people who knew victims of
other Douglas County cold cases, Weekly said their loved ones are not forgotten.
“We are actively working additional cold cases that have taken place in Douglas County over the past 50 years,” Weekly said.
For more information on Douglas cold cases, see tinyurl.com/DouglasColdCases. e Douglas County Cold Case Unit is responsible for investigating unsolved homicides, sexual assaults and missingpersons cases.
Kimberly Bell was reported missing in 2019, according to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Costco and Amazon and less so with one another. And those competitors are everywhere, including in some of those eight communities. e merger creates a national chain with stores in 48 states and ability to use Kroger’s money-saving technology and strategies chain-wide. Kroger, the parent of King Soopers and City Market, also would invest $1 billion to lower prices at the acquired Albertsons stores, which includes $40 million in Colorado. Meanwhile, the comparatively tiny competitor C&S Wholesale Grocer would buy 579 Albertsons stores, including 91 Albertsons and Safeways in Colorado, for $2.9 billion. C&S, which has about two dozen supermarkets and a national distribution network, has no plans to close any stores. It’s o ering jobs to current Albertsons employees, including Chief Operations O cer Susan Morris, a Colorado State University graduate who got a job at an Albertsons in Littleton at age 16. Morris, who would leave Albertsons with an exit package valued at $30 million, agreed to become CEO of C&S’ new retail arm if
Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $34.00 per month and business services are $53.50 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.
CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/ month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.
A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.
If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https:// .centurylink.com/aboutus/ community/community-development/ lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.
the merger is completed.
CEO doesn’t make short-term price decisions McMullen, who worked at Kroger while in college and became Kroger’s CEO in 2014, was the rst witness to share the grocery stores’ side of the merger. When it was the defense team’s turn again, McMullen elaborated on what he meant by never thinking about raising prices.
He said he reads “every book on retail,” and learned companies that are most successful are those that lower prices over time. Companies newer to the grocery business or expanding to new markets — including Walmart, Amazon and fast-growing Illinois-based grocer Aldi — start with lower prices. So, he thinks about the long term. He thinks about lowering prices — not raising them. e day-to-day ups and downs of prices? at doesn’t concern him. at would be the concern of Stuart Aitken, Kroger’s chief marketing o cer, testi ed later that day. McMullen acknowledged that supermarket prices have increased for customers. at’s not the store’s doing, but in ation, credit card fees and the consumer packaged goods companies that produce the goods who are raising the prices they charge to Kroger.
“SometimesCPGswill do cost increases that we don’t think is justi ed and it’s the reason why our brands are so important,” McMullen said. If Kroger wasn’t actively trying to lower prices, he said prices at King Soopers and City Market would be
closer to Albertsons and Safeway, which are 10% to 12% higher. And Kroger stores are about 3% more expensive than Walmart stores.
But he said he didn’t contradict himself by saying he never thinks about raising prices. He was talking about the basket of goods over time. His goal is to lower the overall cost to shoppers.
“We believe when you look over a 10year horizon, if we try to raise prices or raised relative pricing, we would belike A&Pas opposed to being successful, like an Amazon or a Costco or a Walmart,” McMullen said.
A&P is one of America’s original grocery stores, founded in New York just before the Civil War. It led bankruptcy for the last timein 2015, sold o a number of locationsto Albertsonsand other grocery companies, as well as shut down stores. Aitken on Monday afternoon testi ed that Kroger has no stores without competition. Even areas identi ed in Kroger’s no-comp mountain zone, other options exist, like a Costco in Eagle, a Natural Grocers in Glenwood Springs and a Whole Foods a half-mile from the City Market in El Jebel. Prices were raised in those areas to o set higher labor and transportation costs, he said.
“We’re a low, low margin business and those additional transportation costs, even housing costs — we have 66 units in the mountains for associate apart-
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A King Soopers grocery store in Denver in January 2022. PHOTO
Join us this Halloween for a hilarious night of laughs and debauchery!
7:30PM • PACE CENTER
Multi-platinum recording artists bring their anthemic hit single “Best Day of My Life” and other favorites to the PACE stage.
NOV2
7:30PM • PACE CENTER OCT31
Feeling election stress? Here’s how to stay calm amid political tensions
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If you’re feeling stressed about the upcoming election, you’re not alone. Mental health professionals are seeing a spike in election-related stress, with concerns ranging from political divisions to uncertainty about the future.
“I’m hearing and seeing people who are anxious and stressed about what’s going to happen,” said Randi Smith a psychology professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “ ere is a general sense of uncertainty and fear among some that things are going to fall apart to such a degree that they are questioning if they can even make plans in November.”
All that election-related distress is negatively impacting the country’s mental health. Results of three national surveys found that close to half of U.S. adults say politics is a signi cant source of stress, citing problems such as lost sleep, shortened tempers and obsessive thoughts.
While political anxiety may be unavoidable, especially if you’re surrounded by family, friends or neighbors with opposing views, the good news is that there are practical steps you can take to keep your sanity leading up to and after Nov. 5.
Take screen breaks
Smith said it’s essential to recognize that our social media feeds and the news we tune into tend to reinforce our belief systems.
“ ese belief systems have become increasingly polarized over the last eight or 10 years to the point where we don’t all necessarily live in the same reality, and there tends to be a lot of demoniz-
ing people who don’t share the belief system,” she said.
To avoid catastrophizing about the worst-case scenario if the “other side” wins, Smith recommends setting boundaries around screen time and recognizing when one’s thoughts begin to spiral.
“If you do go online, aim for dispassionate observations rather than heated, front-line engagement,” Smith said.
“Most of all, remember this: Although social platforms give prominence to the most extreme views, most vehement arguments and most radical takedowns,
that’s only because they are controversy aggregators and outrage is their business
“Such outlooks are not necessarily representative of most people’s actual beliefs,” Smith continued.
While it may feel safer to avoid those who disagree with you or express opposing views, Smith said having conversations with others helps us see we have more in common than we think and that exaggerated hyperbolic rhetoric doesn’t re ect the views of most Americans
Also, give yourself the freedom to step away from political discussions and remember what connected you in the rst place. Spending time with family or friends while leaving politics o the table cultivates connection, which is important for our mental health.
“We need to recognize that just because somebody might vote di erently, it doesn’t mean that they’re bad people,” she said.
Connect with your support system
“We should never underestimate the value and importance of social support. If you’re feeling stressed about the political process, nding others with similar viewpoints could be a real comfort,” Smith said.
Yet, be careful not to spend too much time in groups that reinforce our sense of angst.
“We de nitely need the support of other people who are like-minded, especially when the world feels threatening,” Smith said. “But when we nd ourselves
in conversations stuck on the threat of what could happen, it heightens our fear and uncertainty.”
Instead, she says to focus on ways to make a di erence in your home or community and nd ways to create a sense of agency in a world that can seem out of control. at could be nding a cause to support, building relationships with people who are both like and unlike you or taking action within your community.
Find sources of comfort and focus on what you can control
Smith said the rst step in stopping the cycle of catastrophizing is to recognize that you’re doing it and that going down that rabbit hole will be awful and then to nd sources of comfort.
“For some, it might be spiritual or faith-based. For other people, it might be more cognitive, like mindfulnessbased meditation. Certainly, social relationships for almost everybody are really good,” she said.
Smith also recommends nding sources of distraction, like reading a book, going for a hike or watching a movie. While physical activity is great for relieving anxiety and depression, she said it won’t have the same e ect if you’re on the treadmill with headphones on watching MSNB or Fox News.
It’s also not healthy to spend all of our time focused on the results of an election that we can’t control.
Instead, Smith said, “We have to step away from the macro level of the election and think about your values and how you can contribute to sustaining them and improving the things that are important to us closer to home.”
Surveys show election-related stress is at an all-time high. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
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e public can view the 24/7 live stream of the video surveillance via the drop box locations page on the county website at douglasvotes.com.
“And remember, elections are run by people from right in your own community who make sure the process is secure and that your vote counts,” Davis, a Republican, said in a statement after the news conference.
Clerks began mailing ballots on Oct. 11 to registered voters for the November election. Overseas and military voters’ ballots were sent out by Sept. 21, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce.
Here’s a look at what clerks had to say about Ganahl’s claims.
‘Unauthorized access’ concerns
Voters who follow the news may be familiar with the question of whether voting systems can be hacked or misused via the internet.
“We can con rm through purchase order records and written con rmation from the Douglas County clerk’s o ce that there are indeed wireless networking cards installed in their voting system computers that could be used to expose the voting system to unauthorized remote access,” Ganahl said in the post.
Asked about access to the election system, Davis said there is a number of voting equipment pieces that have Wi-Fi capability throughout the state, but they’re disabled.
“It would require physical access of two di erent teams to enable that — one is the secretary of state, and one is Douglas County,” Davis said, arguing it would be impossible for the connection to be turned on.
e nearby Je erson County clerk’s o ce recently weighed in on the question.
“No vote counting machines in Colorado are connected to the internet,” Sarah McAfee, a spokesperson for the Je erson clerk’s o ce, has said.
She added that “in larger counties that have multiple vote counting machines, these machines may be networked together, but it is a closed network, not accessible from out-
side the room the equipment is housed in.”
She cited a Colorado election rule that can be found at tinyurl.com/InternetConnectionRule.
County elections o ces transmit results to the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce, McAfee said.
“I believe it’s accurate to say that every county has at least one, but probably not more than two … internet-connected computers that are used to upload election results,” McAfee said. But “these computers are never connected to the counting machines or the closed network the counting machines may be a part of. ey do upload the results le from the counting machines through an internet connection to the secretary of state’s o ce.”
But even if the internet connection to the state election o ce were somehow tampered with and uno cial election results reporting to the public were a ected, the original voting results le would still be intact, McAfee said.
“Vote counting and election certi cation would not be impacted by any disruption to election night results reporting,” McAfee said.
Eye on ballots
Ganahl also focused on the idea that ballots could be used improperly.
“Based on what we have discovered in our analysis, we are very concerned that drop boxes are ripe for foul play with inadequate monitoring,” Ganahl said in the post.
Fraudulent ballots would come up invalid because of how they’re tracked, Jack Twite, Douglas County’s deputy of elections, has said.
“We use that barcode that’s on your return envelope — it’s one per voter per election and never repeated,” Twite has said. He added, “And if somebody made copies of those envelopes and tried to put them back, if we receive two, only one gets counted.”
And ballots still go through signature verication as a guard against fraud, according to a recent presentation put on by election sta ers in Golden.
For more information on concerns surrounding election security, see Colorado Community Media’s recent story at tinyurl. com/ElectionDeepDive.
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Douglas County School District updates bullying resources, encourages reporting, emphasizes prevention education
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Douglas County School District is hoping to make it easier for students to report bullying while emphasizing prevention education in schools.
District o cials presented at the October meeting on recent e orts to revamp the resources available to students to guide them through identifying and reporting bullying.
“ is has been a signi cant priority for our sta this year,” Superintendent Erin Kane said.
e recently created Bullying Prevention Task Force has updated the district’s website to have a page dedicated to resources and providing an easily accessible reporting form.
Erin McDonald, executive director of schools for the Castle Rock region, said students are encouraged to report bullying to a trusted adult. But the district also uses Safe2Tell, a statewide reporting system, and o ers the online form for students who don’t feel comfortable reporting in person.
“We want people to go right to the school, the teacher or the administrator to say, ‘I have an issue and I want to report it,’ but sometimes they use Safe2Tell or other reporting forms,” McDonald said.
So far this school year, administrators and sta have been through training on the bullying policy and resources available to students. Presentations on bully-
ing have also been given to students at all schools.
e task force is now working on creating a screener to help administrators determine when a report constitutes bullying and a owchart for how to respond. McDonald said the goal is to provide a consistent response across schools and streamline the process.
“ at way it’s systemwide in how it’s being reported and followed up on responding, and making sure we’re taking
care of the students on both sides,” McDonald said.
Reports that include instances of discrimination or harassment are sent to the district’s O ce of Compliance to be investigated. e district partners with law enforcement on reports that include potential crimes.
e district says discrimination is unwelcome physical or verbal conduct directed at a student because of their race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, age
or disability. Bullying is de ned as physical or verbal conduct, marked by a power imbalance, that is repeated and intended to harm.
e district is currently facing a lawsuit from a group of families who allege their students were discriminated against because of their race. Lacey Ganzy, one of the parents suing the district, has asked for a policy speci cally to address hate crimes.
In response to board questions about how the district handles discrimination and potential crimes, Winsor said the district investigates on an individual basis and works with law enforcement and the compliance o ce on those reports.
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“With each and every student, you want to understand the nuance of what they’re navigating in their situation,” Winsor said.
Winsor said the district will collect data on the reports, as well as use the Healthy Kids Colorado survey and look at how school-speci c services are utilized to determine how e ective the bullying prevention e orts are.
District o cials expect to see some increase in reports of bullying this year because of the education e orts, but that won’t necessarily re ect a spike in bullying.
“When you have a new reporting system that makes it easier to report, you’re going to get a ood of reports initially,” Kane said.
e district is also in the process of creating a unique survey to track school safety and culture.
Outside the Douglas County School District building in Castle Rock. The district is updating its bullying resources, which includes a way to make it easier for students to report bullying while emphasizing prevention education in schools.
PHOTO BY ARIA MARIZZA
A remembrance of Jim Green, who helped millions ‘hoooold on’ at DIA
Denver-based sound artist died in September
BY KATHRYN CHARLES SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Jim Green was a towering gure in the art world, known mostly for his public art sound sculptures in airports, city sidewalks, and museums.
On Sept. 11, Jim slipped away from Earth in the same manner he approached his art: subtly catching us all by surprise through his positive a rmations, greetings and unexpected sounds that brought joy to passersby.
Jim Green, a CU graduate with a masters in ne arts, was the “Mr. Rogers” of the art world.
Green was probably the rst to record creative messages for public transportation, including the greetings on the train at Denver International Airport, on rapid transit in Salt Lake City, and in Fort Collins.
Jim instructed us to “HOLD ON, the train is departing,” using the voices of Alan Roach, Reynelda Muse, Peyton Manning and Lindsay Vonn. His chimes between messages were homemade from various plumbing pipes and early synthesizers.
Green’s notable “Singing Sinks” at the Denver Art Museum revolutionized the public’s experience of hand washing when they unexpectedly triggered a trio of three sinks singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
Green recorded all the sounds connected to the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver’s City Park, where people gather annually on King’s birthday for the annual MLK ‘Marade’ down Colfax to Civic Center Park.
Jim loved working with the sound of wa-
ter, and his “Talking Drinking Fountains” in Seattle’s Airport continues to amuse thirsty travelers.
“Sound Walk” along Curtis Street next
to Denver’s Federal Reserve building transported pedestrians from their heady thoughts through recordings of subway trains, yodeling, and cow mooing myste-
riously seeping out of sidewalk grates. Visitors attending a multitude of Colorado Convention Center gatherings enjoyed the sound of laughter on a usually boring escalator ride up to the second oor.
e “Talking Trash Cans” in front of the Arvada Center welcomed visitors with greetings of positive a rmations including “I like your shoes,” or “You look great today!”
Perhaps one of the most complicated projects was Green’s “Talking Parking Meters” placed in the market place at Denver’s Central Park. Coins went toward Hickenlooper’s Road Home Project bene ting unhoused people.
“Unplugged,” installed in Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art, consisted of pneumatic compressors activating the rich, various noises of Whoopie Cushions pressed automatically under plexiglass, again triggered by motion. It is one of the museum’s most successful long-running exhibitions.
“ e Red Phone” installed at Redline made a direct connection with Green, who was willing to talk to his audience one at a time, live.
Jim Green was listening.
Jim Green was a keen observer of human nature peculiarity. His early recordings and research led him to travel the country one summer to document the sounds of amusement parks and state fairs. He amassed a catalogue of people working at sideshows, recording their shticks and their stories.
Green’s positive spin on a dark world brought a little more humanity to our lives. His message to the world was clear, concise, positive and playful. He reminded us to be present, listen to the world around us, and most of all, not take ourselves too seriously.
Jim Green, who created sound designs in public spaces around the Denver metro area, died Sept. 11. COURTESY OF KATHRYN CHARLES
Regulators pass new rules on oil and gas drilling
Agency
calls move ‘a big step forward’ but critics doubtful
BY MARK JAFFE
THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado oil and gas regulators passed sweeping rules to deal with the cumulative impacts of drilling and hailed it as “a big step forward.”
But legislators, environmentalists and community groups criticized the regulations for failing to protect vulnerable communities.
After a year of hearings and drafts, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission adopted about 60 pages of rules to assess and mitigate the impacts of oil and gas drilling projects — an exercise the commission was mandated to do by the legislature.
“ is has been a herculean e ort,” ECMC Chairman Je Robbins said. “We have the most protective oil and gas regulations in the nation, and this builds on that foundation. It puts in place even stronger protections for Colorado families.”
Critics did not see it that way. “Doesn’t require any more than is required now and it creates a roadmap for how an operator can drill in disproportionately impacted communities,” said Michael Freeman, an attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice.
ese communities are low-income, of color, have vulnerable populations or face disproportionate environmental burdens.
“It’s time we prioritize health,” said Rachael Lehman, environmental justice coordinator for Black Parents United Foundation. “For too long economic impacts have been the only metric for success and been a guiding principle in permitting.”
One major point of contention was a requirement in a June draft that an operator seeking to drill within 2,000 feet of homes in a disproportionately impacted community, or DIC, obtain the consent of every resident.
e provision drew re from the industry, which argued it could make the development of oil and gas reserves near impossible. It was dropped in the August draft upon which the nal rules are based. at move drew a letter from 22 legislators saying the August draft o ered inadequate protections to disproportionately impact communities, failing to meet the goals set by state law.
In 2020, the commission adopted a rule requiring a 2,000-foot setback of drilling from homes and schools, unless an operator added measures that o ered “substantially equivalent” protections as provided by the setback.
In the past two years, however, nearly half of the 87 oil and gas development plans approved on the Front Range, primarily in the shale-rich DJ Basin, were within 2,000 feet of homes, according to the ECMC’s annual evaluation of cumulative impacts.
“ e commission adopted a setback in 2020 with great fanfare, but they haven’t been enforcing it,” said Freeman, the Earthjustice attorney.
Most drilling will be in disproportionately impacted communities
In testimony during the cumulative impacts hearings, Julia Rhine, an attorney representing Civitas Resources, said “just because of the nature of the DJ Basin and where mineral resources are located … lots of locations, perhaps the majority of locations we believe will be in DICs.”
State Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat and sponsor of a cumulative impacts and environmental justice law and a signatory of the critical letter to the commission, said the rules fall short of protecting vulnerable communities.
“We did hear that a couple things were addressed around the bu er zones and environmental justice, but there are still things that concern us,” Velasco said. “We have to continue to work on legislation. If they can’t do this through rulemaking we are going to have to have more prescriptive legislation.”
e rules require operators to assess the impacts of their drill sites within a mile of their pads and for water resources up to 2½ miles away, 5 miles if it potentially impacts drinking water supplies.
e problem is that it leases the role of assessing cumulative impacts to oil and gas operators who have no environmental or health expertise but do have a bias, said Heidi Leathwood, a climate policy analyst with the environmental group 350 Colorado.
Leathwood also criticized the decision
to limit the scope of the assessment to a mile “despite receiving evidence that fracking emissions are linked to health impacts well over one mile away from oil and gas facilities.”
To mitigate impacts, the rules call for best management practices and enhanced systems and practices — where applicable.
e ECMC will also help the Air Pollution Control Division enforce the division’s methane intensity rule, which puts a limit on emission per barrel of oil and gas equivalent produced.
e rules create the position of community liaison to aid communities with operators and with the commission, as well as stronger requirements for noti cations and meetings with the community.
“ e procedural measures for disproportionately impacted communities, and the air pollution intensity regulations are steps in the right direction,” said Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson, senior manager for state policy at Earthworks. “But without substantive protections and quotative limits, procedure protections do not mean a whole lot in practice.”
Goalposts “repeatedly moved” over five years of rulemaking
e response from industry was mixed.
“ e suite of rules adopted today is the result of a statutory directive to further protect disproportionately impacted communities and we are hopeful they will function as intended,” Kait Schwartz, director of API Colorado, a trade group, said in a statement.
But Schwartz added that the industry has faced ve years in constant rulemaking while “state lawmakers have repeatedly moved the goalposts on regulatory regime.”
e Colorado Oil and Gas Association, the state’s largest trade group, said in a statement that while the new rule is “a notable improvement from the original draft, the commission continues to make it increasingly di cult for smaller oil and gas companies in Colorado to operate by, once again, adding endless obstacles in the permitting process.”
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
A silhouette of an oil pump.
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Lone Tree becomes a leader in micro-transit
Link on Demand provides free transportation around the city
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
What started out as a small shuttle service in the City of Lone Tree has evolved into a free, on-demand service. Link on Demand enables residents to complete simple tasks and provides visitors an inexpensive way to explore the city.
While celebrating the 10th anniversary of Link on Demand, Seth Hoffman, Lone Tree’s city manager, reflected on the subtle impacts the service makes. He recalled that a few years ago, an older woman, who was unable to drive, wanted to go buy shoes.
“That kind of sounds trivial,” said Hoffman. “But when you think about whether you have that opportunity to go buy shoes when you want to – having that freedom around the community if you don’t otherwise have – that opportunity is a big deal.”
After expanding the service to Meridian this summer, there were more than 6,200 rides in August alone.
Similar to rideshare systems like Lyft or Uber, Link on Demand is a free micro-transit program that aims to provide connectivity for people and businesses in Lone Tree.
The ADA accessible vehicles will pick up riders wherever they are within the service area and take them where they need to go. However, there is no service on Sundays. The program also pairs people with other riders that are going in the same direction.
“It makes it efficient, eliminates wait times and helps us serve a lot more riders,” said Hoffman.
Julien Bouquet, an RTD director, said this form of transportation will also aid in a greener solution because it means there are less cars on the road.
Within the past year, the ridership increased by 77%, according to the city. Additionally, because of the service, 82% of riders report saving money and about 40%
report traveling more often.
While the initial concept emerged to connect riders from the County Line and Lincoln light rail stations to Sky Ridge Medical Center, Park Meadows and the Charles Shwab campus, about 37% of riders continue to use the service to connect with other forms of public transit.
People also use the service if they can’t drive home after a doctor’s appointment, to get to and from work, and for retail and recreation purposes. Also, about 68% of riders said they don’t have access to a personal vehicle, according to the city.
“We think it’s so easy to do a five minute drive to the grocery store,” said Bouquet. “For other folks, they’re transit dependent and having a program like the Lone Tree Link (is) crucial for really the survival of the community.”
With an annual cost of $1.44 million, RTD is funding about 40% of the program, said Melissa Gallegos, the city’s communications director. The program is also funded by the City of Lone Tree (37%), the South-
east Public Improvement Metropolitan District (13%) and Douglas County (10%).
In August, RTD announced it will continue to fund the service in Lone Tree in 2026 and 2027.
Through the RTD Funding Partnership Program, the city increased the number of full-time vehicles from two to four, with a fifth as a back-up.
As Lone Tree’s strategic plan includes being a national model for its transportation network, according to Hoffman, officials from other cities such as Brighton, Erie, Longmont, Manitou Springs, Berthoud and Aurora have expressed interest in bringing micro-transit to their communities.
“Lone Tree Link is really a key model going forward for a lot of these suburban communities to try it out and see the successes that we’ve had here in Lone Tree,” said Bouquet.
Download the Link on Demand app or book a ride over the phone by calling 719212-2430 or visit cityoflonetree.com/linkon-demand.
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Community members came together to celebrate the 10th anniversary on Link on Demand. Left to right: Seth Ho man, Lone Tree City Manager’ Mike Vaccarino, Head of North American Partnerships, VIA; Director Julian Bouquet, RTD Board Member; Congressman Greg Lopez; Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon; David Worley, CEO of Denver South; and Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.
COURTESY OF MELISSA GALLEGOS
Link on Demand is the City of Lone Tree’s free micro-transit service, providing a ride to and from locations throughout the city.
COURTESY CITY OF LONE TREE
VOICES
Embrace wins, learn from losses, avoid mediocrity
There’s nothing quite like the taste of victory. Whether it’s our rst win in youth sports, receiving an academic award, or closing our rst sale, that feeling of triumph is something we carry with us for a lifetime. Our heart swells, our con dence rises, and we can’t wait to share the moment with those closest to us. at rst win, no matter how big or small, often sets the tone for how we approach life, shaping who we become and what we pursue.
Take a moment to think back to the rst time you experienced victory. Maybe it was a childhood moment, like scoring the winning goal in a soccer game, or perhaps it was something academic, like becoming a valedictorian or receiving an award in high school. ese early wins are more than just a eeting feeling of success. ey imprint on us, showing us what’s possible when we work, stay focused, and rise to the occasion. e satisfaction of that win becomes a guiding force, pushing us to seek out more challenges, work harder, and continue striving for success. Once we nd
ourselves in a role that we love, we want to share that sense of accomplishment with others. We feel proud, motivated, and driven because of the wins and the journey that led us there.
But the taste of victory isn’t limited to enormous, life-changing wins. Sometimes, it’s the small victories that push us forward. It could be completing a challenging project, getting promoted for the rst time, or even mastering a new skill. ese moments may not change our lives overnight, but they build momentum, giving us the con dence to keep going and pushing ourselves toward bigger goals. No matter how small, each win reinforces the idea that we’re capable of greatness. at said, the true value of victory isn’t just in the win; it’s also in the losses. Too often, people mistake losing as something negative, something to be avoided at all costs. But the reality is that losing,
when framed correctly, can be just as valuable as winning. Each loss is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Many of the most successful people in the world will tell you that their greatest lessons came from their failures, not their victories.
e problem arises when we become afraid of losing or, worse yet when we settle for mediocrity. Being lukewarm, neither fully committed to success nor willing to embrace failure, is the most dangerous place. It leads to a hollow, mundane experience in life, where we’re neither pushed to improve nor inspired to chase greatness.
But here’s the truth: I have never met someone who can’t succeed. While it’s true that some people struggle, many eventually nd themselves doing exactly what they were meant to do. ey nd a job, position, or calling that feels like a perfect t, and suddenly, everything clicks into place. e career that may have once felt like a series of losses becomes one of ful llment, purpose, and joy. is is the taste of victory when we
nally nd ourselves where we belong, doing the work we were designed to do.
Ultimately, the taste of victory knows no prejudice. It can come in the form of a small win that propels us forward, a middle-of-the-road success that reassures us, or a transformational victory that changes the trajectory of our lives.
But the key is to remain hungry, driven, and willing to push beyond mediocrity. Big and small wins await those who strive, fail, learn, and rise again. Each of us holds within our hands the seeds of failure or the potential for greatness; the choice is ours.
I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can train ourselves to embrace the taste of victory and defeat, 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.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Prop KK will save lives
As Coloradans, we are facing a crisis in mental health, gun violence, and victim services. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse calls for help are on the rise, yet funding for critical support programs has been cut drastically. Last year alone, 94 Coloradans lost their lives to domestic violence, the highest number ever recorded in our state. More alarmingly, 86% of those homicides involved rearms, highlighting the deadly intersection between domestic violence and gun violence. Since 2018, federal funding for victim services has dropped by over 75%, leaving shelters and crisis centers underfunded and overwhelmed. Proposition KK is a modest but essential solution to these challenges.
Prop KK, on the November ballot, would create a 6.5% excise tax on gun manufacturers and retailers, raising an estimated $39 million annually. ese funds will go directly toward supporting services for veterans, at-risk youth, and survivors of violent crime. is includes $5 million each year for expanding veterans’ mental health services, ensuring that those who have served our country receive the care and support they need to heal from trauma. Another $3 million would go to increasing access to behavioral crisis response for youth. Additionally, $30 million will stabilize the network of victim support services to ensure a call for help is answered, a shelter bed is available, and a counselor can help them heal. Proposition KK also funds crime and gun violence prevention programs to address the root causes of violence. is measure is about saving lives, supporting our veterans, and creating a safer future for all of us in Colorado and in Douglas County. As a former prosecutor and responsible gun-owner, I urge everyone to vote yes on Proposition KK this November.
Ilya Lyubimskiy, Castle Pines
Vote for quality of life
If the continued backup on I-25 is a concern to you. If the dwindling water supply is alarming to you. If the lack of parking in the Castle Rock downtown area, which a ects downtown businesses, and parking for longstanding events is disappointing, then it’s time to hold elected o cials responsible for this uncontrolled growth. Finally, the internal streets in Castle Rock were never built for this density.
continue to lower Castle Rock’s ranking among other cities.
US News doesn’t even rank Castle Rock in their top 25 for 2024, yet both Colorado Springs, and Boulder, made the list. In 2021 Castle Rock was ranked 28th in Money Magazine, however in 2024 it didn’t even make the top 50 list. Forbes ranks Boulder and Fort Collins in their top 25 best places to live, however Castle Rock didn’t make the list. Livability.Com survey ranks both Broom eld and Fort Collins ahead of Castle Rock. Finally, USA Today ranks the best places to live in Colorado with Castle Rock at number 13 behind cities such as Grand Junction, Greeley, Longmont, Colorado Springs and Parker.
Please do your homework before casting your vote on November 5th. Our quality of life is being eroded by the current administrations!
Dave Martin,Castle Rock
Don’t believe Prop 127 opponents
I’d like to express my concern that opponents of Proposition 127 are acting dishonorably by posting massive signs that sound like they are for the measure, then tell people to vote the opposite way.
Remember the City Council has approved another 50,000 more residents for Castle Rock. e administration indicates the growth was planned years ago, however they should have held developers responsible for more infrastructure and less density. Why was the massive apartment complex, o of Jerry Street and Wilcox approved? is complex is constantly under construction, and has obviously had money problems. is eyesore is just another example of poor planning by the downtown commission, and the City Council. e City, and County, are hired to maintain the quality of life we all moved here for. It’s time to hold these individuals accountable on November 5th. ere are two individuals on the current Council who try to push back on the uncontrolled development, however the other ve, including the Mayor, continue to vote for all development.
I will vote yes on Proposition 127 for wildlife, and I want to o er gratitude to our Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners who have spoken openly in support of the measure to protect mountain lions and bobcats and lynx from cruelty. ese leaders, which include the only wildlife biologist on the commission, have articulated why voting “yes” on Proposition 127 aligns with best practices in wildlife management. Hunting in Colorado requires adhering to fair chase principles which are violated by methods employed to hunt Colorado wildcats. Chasing down terri ed mountain lions and bobcats with packs of radio collared dogs until these animals are utterly exhausted and then shooting them at point-blank range is not fair chase. Lion hunting out ts guarantee a kill which is akin to a canned hunt again violating fair chase.
OBITUARIES
Bobcat baiting, trapping, bludgeoning, strangling, and skinning to extract pelts for sale to foreign markets de nes the commodi cation of wildlife violating best practices in wildlife management in Colorado.
I am proud of Colorado Wildlife Commissioners who are stepping into the modern era and endorse balancing animal welfare concerns with wildlife management. A “yes” vote on Proposition 127 safeguards our Colorado mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx from cruel, unethical, and unnecessary hunting and trapping while allowing management to protect people, pets, and livestock.
In the 2023 Castle Rock survey the quality of life, and growth, topped the survey, yet most national publications
Lynn Ackerman, Highlands Ranch
Pushing back on claims
Regarding the 10-10-2024 letter to the editor by Mr. Salanitro:
Did Trump kill the bipartisan immigration bill? Yes. “Unraveling Misinformation About Bipartisan Immigration Bill” — FactCheck.org
“Why House Republicans refuse to vote for Biden’s bipartisan immigration bill” (msnbc.com) and “Lankford
Named One of the Most Conservative Senators” — Sen. James Lankford (senate.gov). (Not a RINO as Mr. Salanitro claims) Sen. Lankford, R-Oklahoma, was sent to work on this important bill by his Republican members.
Colorado’s byways
er views, history
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Some might say that what’s important is the journey, not the destination — and if you travel in Colorado, you might encounter roads that are considered “destinations unto themselves.”
ose include a couple of Colorado’s more than two dozen designated byways: signi cant roads that are, for many Coloradans, o the beaten path. Around the state, those roads are marked as byways because they hold archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities.
“We protect those intrinsic qualities,” said Lenore Bates, who manages Colorado’s byways program.
e routes drive economic activity, too. e roads attract travelers, said Bates, adding that they can be “like a bucket list” item.
“Just like the national parks,” Bates said. People “will arrive just to do that byway.” e routes mark the map around Colorado, with some falling close to Denver and others sitting a longer drive away. Here’s a look at the state’s byways system and information about the roads.
Decades of byways
Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways program works to protect and promote the byways, Bates said.
Nationally, in the 1960s, “there was a lot of interest in outdoor recreation, and then in the 70s, it got put on the back burner,” Bates said.
Colorado’s byways program started in 1989, Bates said.
At the federal level, the National Scenic Byways program was created in 1991. It’s an e ort to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads around the country, according to a federal news release.
ere are 13 of Colorado’s 26 byways designated at the federal level as America’s Byways, which gives Colorado more national designations than any other state, according to the state program’s webpage.
‘Grassroots’ involvement
Each of Colorado’s byways has its own local organization that helps take care of and oversee the roads.
ose groups can fall under other entities, such as a county, a national park or national heritage area, or they could be a nonpro t, Bates said.
“So they’re very grassroots,” Bates said, adding: “A lot of them are, of course, volunteers who have full-time jobs.”
Byway groups might be involved in making updates to outdated resources, a visitor center or a rest area, for example.
“We’re trying to get everything ADA accessible or accessible for people who need visual resources,” Bates said, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
One challenge the byways community faces is updating the kiosks — boards with historical information that people can pull over and read, Bates said.
“Unfortunately, a lot of those stories are outdated, and the language is not always up to current view,” Bates said. “And they might be missing somebody’s story on that storyline — it might be one-sided. So we’re trying to get those stories updated slowly. It’s a huge endeavor.”
“We need to get tribal input and other organizations to give those stories,” she added.
Overall, Colorado’s byways program is managed by a governor-appointed commission of up to 15 members, including representatives from a variety of government bodies, Bates said.
Money for taking care of Colorado’s byways comes from a mix of federal and state government sources, as well as local fundraising, Bates said.
‘All-American’ travel
Some byways get a special designation as an “All-American Road.”
To be highlighted with that title, a byway must meet criteria for at least two of the “intrinsic” qualities that are nationally signi cant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere, according to the federal byways webpage.
“ e road or highway must also be considered a ‘destination unto itself,’” the webpage says. “ at is, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along the (road) a primary reason for their trip.”
Colorado has two All-American Roads: Trail Ridge Road, running between Estes Park and Grand Lake, and San Juan Skyway, which runs in the Durango and Telluride areas.
In general, the last time Colorado designated a new byway was in 2014, when Tracks Across Borders Byway was designated between Durango and Chama, New Mexico, Bates said.
Colorado’s byways include paved and unpaved roads. All of them have access to local recreation, such as trailheads, state parks or national parks, Bates said.
“Some of them have parallel paths on a portion of the corridor — for example, along the West Elk Loop is the Crystal Valley Trail” in the Carbondale area, Bates said.
Some of the byways host cycling events, such as Ride the Rockies, Bates added.
How many byways have you been on?
Here’s a list of Colorado’s byways, their length according to CDOT, and their location, starting with some near Denver.
Lariat Loop: Runs 40 miles through the Morrison, Golden, Bergen Park and Evergreen areas
Peak to Peak: Runs 55 miles between the Estes Park and Black Hawk areas. e route “provides matchless views of the Continental Divide and its timbered approaches,” CDOT’s webpage for the byway says
Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans): Runs 49 miles, winding from the Idaho Springs area to the Bergen Park area. Reservations are required for vehicle entry at Mount Blue Sky. See recreation.gov. e road to Mount Blue Sky is currently closed and is not expected to reopen until mid-2026.
Guanella Pass: Runs 22 miles between the Georgetown and Grant areas. Guanella Pass Road is seasonally closed on or about Nov. 26
Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park: Runs 48 miles between the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas. For up-to-date information on the status of Trail Ridge Road, call 970-586-1222
Alpine Loop: Runs 63 miles, generally between the Lake City, Silverton and Ouray areas
Cache la Poudre – North Park: Runs 101 miles between the Fort Collins and Walden areas
Collegiate Peaks: Runs 57 miles (one way), generally between the Granite and Salida areas
Colorado River Headwaters: Runs 80 miles. “ e route begins at Grand Lake, an old resort town on the shores of Colorado’s largest natural lake, and ends on a gravel road through spectacular Upper Gore Canyon,” CDOT’s website says
Dinosaur Diamond: Runs 134 miles or about 500 miles total in Colorado and Utah, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes between the Dinosaur and Fruita areas
Flat Tops Trail: Runs 82 miles between the Yampa and Meeker areas
Frontier Pathways: Runs 103 miles, generally between the Pueblo, Silver Cli and Rye areas
Gold Belt Tour: Runs 131 miles and includes multiple roads between the Florissant and Canon City areas
Grand Mesa: Runs 63 miles, generally winding between the Mesa and Cedaredge areas
Highway of Legends: Runs 82 miles, generally in three legs running from the Walsenburg, Aguilar and Trinidad areas and through the Monument Park area
Los Caminos Antiguos: Runs 129 miles, according to CDOT, generally in the Alamosa, San Luis and Conejos areas
Pawnee Pioneer Trails: Runs 128 miles, generally between the Sterling, Fort Morgan and Ault areas
San Juan Skyway: Runs 236 miles in a loop, generally between the Durango, Cortez and Ridgway areas. e roads go “snaking through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks,” CDOT’s webpage says
Santa Fe Trail: Runs 188 miles or about 565 miles total for Colorado and New Mexico, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it runs roughly from the Lamar area to the Trinidad area
Silver read: Runs 117 miles, roughly from the Gunnison area to the South Fork area
South Platte River Trail: Runs 19 miles in a loop roughly between the Julesburg and Ovid areas
Top of the Rockies: Runs 115 miles, generally between the Aspen and Vail areas
Tracks Across Borders: Runs 89 miles or about 125 miles total for Colorado and New Mexico, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes roughly from the Durango area past the Arboles area
Trail of the Ancients: Runs 116 miles or about 480 miles total for Colorado and Utah, according to CDOT. In Colorado, it goes roughly from the Four Corners Monument through the Cortez area and past the Yellow Jacket area
Unaweep Tabeguache: Runs 133 miles, generally between the Norwood area and the Whitewater area near Grand Junction
West Elk Loop: Runs 205 miles, generally between the Carbondale and Gunnison areas.
For more details about each byway, see the program’s page on the Colorado Department of Transportation website at codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways.
Fall leaves show various colors in the Guanella Pass byway area on Oct. 12 in the Georgetown area.
PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD
Douglas County’s George Teal still says he’s an Operation Desert Storm veteran despite pushback
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Four years ago, then-Douglas County commissioner candidate George Teal saw backlash for describing himself as a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, the 1991 military response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in the Middle East.
As he runs for reelection as a commissioner this year, that title is still on his campaign website.
“He is a Veteran of Operation Desert Storm,” the site says.
But Teal served in Germany at the time, a sticking point for members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, who have expressed concern that Teal’s description is a misrepresentation of his service.
“He did not go to Iraq. He did not go to Kuwait,” said Jesse Eastburn, a leader with the VFW Colorado branch, who said Teal would not have received the related medals.
“If he did not receive those, he is not a Desert Storm veteran. Period. And that is the way every veteran is going to look at (it),” Eastburn said.
Teal says he was deployed in support of Desert Storm. He points to a letter of commendation he says he received.
“It is with great pride that I take this opportunity to commend you on your performance of duty while deployed to Europe in support of Operation Desert Storm,” says the letter, which is signed by Lt. Col. Dean O’Neil and names Teal.
‘Misrepresentation of his service’
“Please be advised that Castle Rock Town Council Member George Teal’s membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been terminated due to ineligibility,” wrote David Stone, who was a state commander for the Colorado VFW. “I respectively request that the reference to VFW membership be removed from Council Member Teal’s bio found in the Castle Rock Sta Directory.”
Stone added: “I am also concerned that his characterization of service as ‘a veteran of Operation Desert Storm’ is a misrepresentation of his actual service.”
Speaking to Colorado Community Media, Teal acknowledged that he was not in Iraq or Kuwait, or the Middle East in general, during Desert Storm.
His service at the time involved providing a counterterrorist security force for the military community in the area of Frankfurt, Germany, according to Teal.
“My Army Reserve unit was in active service,” Teal said.
He said he did not serve in a combat zone during Desert Storm and did not serve in combat during his military service in general.
“I never earned the combat infantry badge,” Teal said, adding: “I’ve never claimed I did.”
“I’m very proud of the service that I did do,” Teal added.
Asked about how the description on his campaign website could be misleading, Teal said: “If I was a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, the word ‘combat’ certainly would have gotten in front of that title.”
In 2020, a Colorado VFW o cial took issue with Teal’s description of himself as a Desert Storm veteran, writing a letter addressed to Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray. Before taking a Douglas commissioner seat, Teal served on the Castle Rock Town Council.
On why his website still features the description, Teal said: “ at came out of talking with a lot of my fellow veterans from that unit that deployed … a lot of us have stayed in contact.”
‘Cut, clear and dried’
For Eastburn, whether Teal was in combat isn’t the main issue — rather, it’s the location of his service.
A person does not necessarily have to be a combat veteran to be eligible for VFW membership, Eastburn said.
“You have to be a veteran of like a speci c war,” said Eastburn, whose formal title is state adjutant/quartermaster for the VFW Department of Colorado.
Even without combat, if someone was in Iraq or Kuwait, they would receive the related medals and be considered a veteran of Desert Storm, Eastburn said.
If Teal had done the same service that he did in Germany, but in Iraq or Kuwait, he would be eligible for the VFW, Eastburn said.
“You can be in support of an operation, but that doesn’t mean that you necessarily were a part of that campaign,” Eastburn said, adding: “ ere are a lot of National Guard Army that were deployed Sept. 12 (2001) in the United States. ey are not eligible for the VFW because they were activated in support of the global war on terrorism the day after the 9/11 attack … (but) did they go to Afghanistan? No.”
“It’s very cut, clear and dried,” Eastburn added.
Teal said he thinks the recruiting practices of the VFW when he joined around 1997 or 1998 are not the same practices of today.
a few years away and then we were going to have 20 years of ground con ict,” Teal said.
“We’re working on building a veterans hall here at the (county) fairgrounds, and I’m meeting at least once a month with the leader of the VFW post here in town,” Teal said. “And there’s no way (he would look at) my service and say, ‘Hey, I bet we can get you in.’”
Regarding his recruiters, “I believe they honestly thought that I met quali cations that were present or were about to be adopted by the VFW,” Teal said.
“I told them point blank, ‘Look, I served in Germany,’” Teal said, adding: “ ey said don’t worry about that.”
“ ey heard about me, I think, from knowing my parents in Greeley. ey were from the Greeley post. ey found me. ey called me,” said Teal, who said he was in Greeley on a family matter. “ ey took me out to lunch. ey were very keen on me joining.”
He thinks VFW members’ perceptions at the time were that “we need to get more kids in, or this organization is going to die.”
“ ere was no idea that 9/11 was only
ere’s 20 years’ worth of people to recruit now, Teal said.
e VFW of the United States is a nonpro t composed of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces, its website says. Its mission is to foster camaraderie among U.S. veterans of overseas conicts; to serve veterans, the military “and our communities”; and to advocate on behalf of all veterans, the site says. About his service, Teal said: “I went where the Army sent me.”
“All that has earned me is the title of Desert Storm veteran — nothing more, nothing less,” Teal said. “And I don’t expect anything more.”
George Teal
Thu 10/31
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MERGER
ments so they can a ord to stay up there — those costs are costs we’re looking to recoup,” Aitken said.
Overall prices in those communities are 1.8% higher than other Kroger stores not in the zone while Safeways are 9% more expensive than the low-comp zoned City Markets, he said.
Kroger’s formula: Cost cutting, personalized shopping, alternative profits
Kroger has gured out how to make more money without raising prices. McMullen said they do that by lowering costs. He said Kroger has reduced energy
LETTERS
Republicans are pushing horrible, outrageous lies, hurting vulnerable people. Trump’s lies about FEMA hurt our fellow American families who’d already lost their homes, belongings and family members. His goal: to drive more votes to himself. e victims are afraid to seek help they deserve. He does not appear to care.
Yes, Mr. Salanitro, VP Harris IS better on foreign and domestic policy than Trump. Trump got one thing done in four years (besides golf): a fat tax break for the wealthy.
Countries all over the world are praying for a President Harris. Biden’s economy continues to be the strongest America in 50 years.
Trump’s cognitive decline is far worse than anything claimed about Biden. See “Neuroscientist explains how Trump and Biden’s cognitive impairments are di erent | Opinion” (msn.com). Biden shows signs of aging, but Trump is dementing. It is far past time to stop these lies and vote (blue) if we wish to save our country.
Adoree Blair
Highlands Ranch
Yes on Proposition 127
What is the big deal about making it illegal to use packs of dogs to hunt big game animals in Colorado? A dozen or so dogs chasing elk or deer would guarantee a 100% kill ratio and reduce the need for the present number of Park and Wildlife employees and put meat in the freezer for anyone who wants to buy a hunting license. What a deal.
Look at mountain lions. Any lion guide worth his/her salt can guarantee a lion trophy and the hunter doesn’t even have to cough any money until the cat is in the
usage by 30% per square foot by doing things like using equipment in stores that generate heat to help heat stores in the winter, or purchasing bags from one place instead of multiple locations. ere are also the value-added products, like selling guacamole instead of just avocados and all the ingredients. “Obviously, the customer is willing to pay more for that,” McMullen said.
Aitken talked about Kroger’s growing e-commerce business, which includes partnering with Instacart to provide grocery delivery to customers. Almost 30% of its $13 billion e-commerce business is handled by Instacart, or $4 billion.
But there’s something else that the company began investing heavily in within the past decade: alternative pro t businesses. at includes gift cards, credit cards
bag, no pun intended.
I would vote no on Proposition 127 if Colorado Parks and Wildlife would level the playing eld and rewrite lion hunting regulations to mirror that of every other big game animal in Colorado. at is not going to happen so I have no choice but to join the non-hunters and vote yes on Prop 127. Where were these non-hunters 20 years ago?
Roy Legg
Highlands Ranch
Reforms needed for benefit managers
While I’m grateful that lawmakers are taking the issues patients face at the pharmacy seriously, I hope that candidates for o ce this election will prioritize more aggressive pharmacy bene t manager (PBM) reforms to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs and preserve future innovation.
I have no doubt that the price-setting e orts of our state’s Prescription Drug A ordability Board are well-intended, but the reality is that they could take away crucial funding for the next generation of medications, treatments and cures. Most importantly, the board can do little to prevent the abusive practices of pharmaceutical middlemen — or PBMs for short.
PBMs, who work between insurers, chain pharmacies and drug manufacturers, have far too much control over when and where patients can receive the treatments they need, as well as how much they pay out-of-pocket at the pharmacy counter. rough a host of anti-patient practices, PBMs pad their pro ts at the expense of Coloradans, often making it more challenging for our state’s patients to manage their conditions.
Perhaps the most o ensive PBM practice is their refusal to pass down the prescription drug rebates intended for customers to help relieve their nancial burden. As anyone who relies on a medi-
and targeted advertising, which have “signi cantly higher” margins than the regular grocery business, McMullen said. Its Kroger Precision marketing business essentially sells access to customers, much like Google and Meta do.
In its most recent annual report, Kroger said 95% of customer transactions were part of its loyalty program. at data feeds its system to create personalized shopping experiences, which includes selling ads to consumer-product companies like Coca-Cola. McMullen con rmed that Kroger doesn’t sell a customer’s personal data to advertisers. But if a customer tends to buy Coke products, they’ll see ads for new products from Coke — not Pepsi.
Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief information o cer, testi ed Tuesday that the alterna-
cation knows, these savings could be a crucial lifeline, yet PBMs sel shly withhold them to soak up every penny they can.
I know there are a lot of issues candidates are thinking about in the month leading up to the election. However, on behalf of our state’s patients, I urge them to lead the way on PBM reform and ensure patients receive the savings they deserve.
omas
Miller Highlands Ranch
Hurricanes and taxes
On the heel of two devastating hurricanes, many U.S. citizens are left without food, shelter, or ways to communicate. Many stories have circulated of heroic activities from neighbors, private businesses, religious organizations, or civic clubs providing service to their fellow citizens. Federal programs have received much less praise and have had their fair share of criticism regarding their inadequate responses. One of the oft-quoted criticisms is that there isn’t any money available for FEMA since the funds have been siphoned into other programs bene ting foreign governments or illegal aliens within our borders. is highlights one of the great tragedies of this hurricane season … the federal politicians’ attitude that U.S. taxpaying citizens are a lower priority than foreign governments and immigrants here illegally.
Aside from the federal elected o cial’s apathy toward its own citizens, the other black eye developing from this hurricane season is the horrible ine ciency of federal programs. At times, FEMA’s bureaucracy created obstacles to private entities who were able to immediately help save lives and deliver aid. is shouldn’t come as a surprise to most of us. oughts of San Francisco’s program to build public toilets for the homeless tallied up to roughly a million dollars. While San
tive businesses bring in $1 billion in annual pro t today. In its most recent quarter, which ended Aug. 17, Kroger reported $33.9 billion, which was the same as the year-ago second quarter. Operating pro t improved to $815 million from a loss of $479 million a year earlier.
“All these pillars are a signi cant source of revenue. ey’re in excess of a billion dollars in pro t as we stand today,” Cosset said. “ ey contribute to funding investment … to lower prices and be more relevant on the value side of the experience and invest in wages for our associates who ultimately are responsible for delivering that customer experience.” is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Francisco isn’t known for its ability to efciently get things done, it’s likely that a well-run municipality elsewhere would still cost more than a private enterprise who isn’t hindered by the bureaucracy our government programs are so commonly known for.
e thought of giving more money (by removing current middle-income tax breaks or creating new tax programs) and power to our federal government doesn’t make sense to me. e allure of Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is a heartwarming sight. But if Robin Hood only passes a nickel to the poor for every dollar she procures from the rich, then maybe we should question if she is a true hero or if she is simply a charlatan masquerading around in tights. Don’t forget the million-dollar toilets in San Francisco ... It’s no wonder that many of us prefer to cutout the Robin Hood middlemen and prefer to have a smaller federal government where we can spend our own money instead of giving more of it to them to mishandle. Please consider this in the upcoming election.
Mike Giles Parker
Why does Boebert have fans?
Why are Republicans in Douglas County so blind to the behavior of Lauren Boebert? Is it because Republicans, no matter how bad a candidate may be, vote party line? It is obvious her move from the Western Slope to become a candidate in a heavily Republican district was strategic due to fact her chances of retaining her seat in Congress would not happen there. Lauren has demonstrated poor behavior and disrespect both inside and outside Congress but chances of her losing in District 4 are slim due to voter ignorance.
Dave Usechek
Parker
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