Denver Herald Dispatch March 13, 2025

Sister Cities Denver to host Roman Dinner Fundraiser

program

BY JILL CARSTENS SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Pietro Simonetti learned the value of international exposure as a young adult travelling from Italy to the United States in high school before attending CU Boulder. He ended up settling in Colorado and now helps provide opportunities for other young adults to travel abroad.

Simonetti is the committee chair of Denver Sister Cities for Potenza, Italy. Working with the Potenza Lodge in north Denver, he is spearheading a fundraiser to raise scholarship money for high school students to travel to

Potenza this summer.

Denver Sister Cities is an established citizen diplomacy organization with the goal of nurturing international partnerships through cultural, educational and economic endeavors. In addition to Potenza, Denver has partnerships with nine other cities. “ ere are so many advantages to making connections abroad,”

Simonetti said “It is not just a cultural exchange but an opportunity to share ideas about growth, infrastructure and collaborative partnership.”

Even former Mayor Michael Hancock participated in an exchange program when he was 17 years old, traveling to Japan as part of Sister Cities.

“Unfortunately, when Italy’s youth travel, they often do not

return home to live,” remarked Simonetti as he explained how this isolates cities like Potenza. He visited recently, meeting with the mayor of this city of 60,000 who lamented that when their youth do not come back these municipalities become stagnant without that vitality.

But it is the possible positive e ects of such isolation that sparked the interest of scholarship applicant Gracie Middlekau . She has been fascinated about “blue zones” in the world where expectancy is unusually higher.

“I’m fascinated about the ‘blue zones’ in small towns in Italy,” she said. “ e isolation might not be such a bad thing when it comes to quality of life and longevity. ese zones seem to have

the key to a balanced life.”

e primary aim of the scholarship this year, Simonetti added, is to encourage diversity by supporting students who might not ordinarily have the funds to a ord this type of travel.

e six students receiving scholarships will become ambassadors of Denver and the U.S., so in their applications the Sister Cities committee looks for students who demonstrate a maturity and willingness to be positive representatives to their host families and sustain a pleasant decorum throughout their visit. Once accepted, the students will meet Mayor Mike Johnston and take part in preparation classes.

Developers prepare to break ground at 49th Avenue, Washington Street

The mixed-use space will feature residences, a library and cafe

BY NATALIE KERR NATALIE.E.KERR@GMAIL.COM

A new mixed-use residential facility will break ground at the corner of 49th Avenue and Washington Street in Globeville in April, with leasing planned to begin in spring 2027.  Residents and project partners met recently at Emmanuel’s Bakery to discuss the potential design of the $124 million project, which includes plans for a new Denver Public Library (DPL) branch and a community cafe space. Main concerns included parking availability and tra c control, a ordability and impacts on the existing community.  e 170-unit building will feature a range of one to four bedroom units, with half the units set aside for those who are at 50% average median income or below.  e cafe and library will be available to both residents and the public, with 113 secured underground surface parking spots for residents, 13 library visitor spots and street parking for over ow. A stop for the RTD Route 7 bus will remain in front of the building.  While the library is still waiting on its o cial stamp of approval from City Council, the current plans feature a 12,000-squarefoot space with a quiet area,

Students on a trip to Potenza, Italy, pose for a photo on a recent Ambassador

Program trip, provided through Denver Sister Cities. COURTESY OF DENVER SISTER CITIES

Denver leaders say they’re still committed to walking, cycling

city describes a shared street as being designed to create “safe and comfortable spaces that are pedestrian oriented,” but where cars would still be allowed.

DOTI also wants to explore converting downtown Denver’s one-way streets, some of which have been narrowed in recent years with protected lanes but are generally relatively high-speed thoroughfares, into two-way streets, Ford said.

e city also will roll out speed cameras on two of Denver’s busiest and most deadly roads: Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. Ford said those could be installed as early as this summer.

Ford says the city’s committed to its big, visionary transit and walking goals. But

Mayor Mike still sees a place for cars, too. e lengthy Denver Moves Everyone 2050 plan, which was published in the waning days of the Hancock administration, sets goals of raising the share of trips made by walking, rolling or biking to 20 percent and transit to 15 percent.

Shaun White promotes Snow League in Thornton

Snowboarding legend visits SNÖBAHN to lend tips, skate with kids

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s not often an arguable top-10 athlete of all time stops in for a session in your hometown. But that’s what kids in ornton got on March 4 when snowboarding legend Shaun White pulled up to SNÖBAHN Action Sports Center.

BY NATHANIEL MINOR DENVERITE

Denver pedestrian advocates feel like they’re on a losing streak lately. e car-free or car-lite “shared streets” the city opened during the pandemic have almost all been returned to the roar of tra c. Most recently, cars are again rolling through the 2900 block of Larimer Street in the River North Arts District.

¡Viva! Streets Denver, which for a handful of Sundays in 2023, closed miles of Broadway and Welton Street to tra c so thousands of people could more freely walk, bike, and scoot instead, has been on hiatus. e car-free First Friday art walk on Sante Fe Drive is also in peril. ese changes and others have sparked protests, petitions and plenty of online chatter among car-resistant Denverites. e city’s role in them also disappointed Denver’s foremost street safety advocate.

“I can’t say it’s an intentional attempt to quash those events,” said Jill Locantore, executive director of the Denver Streets Partnership. “But it does seem like a terrible missed opportunity for the city to support those events, which have proven to be wildly popular and seem so well aligned with the mayor’s interest in revitalizing downtown.”

But Denver’s top transportation o cial said Mayor Mike Johnston remains committed to the climate, equity and safetyfocused vision adopted by former Mayor Michael Hancock that called for a signicant shift away from cars.

“ e city is still, under the leadership of Mayor Johnston under myself and [in] collaboration with the community, very much focused on how we create multimodal choice and encourage people to think di erently about how we move around the city,” Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Executive Director Amy Ford said in an interview. Ford cited logistics and safety, not a pro-car policy, for recent changes. e Sante Fe First Friday event and ¡Viva!

Streets Denver are both hosted by outside organizations and permitted by the city.

e city is trying to work through concerns with organizers of the Sante Fe event, as Denverite reported last month, and could still go forward later this year.

A return of ¡Viva! Streets Denver in its original 2023 form, which was criticized by some local businesses who reported a decline in revenue, will not happen this year, Ford said. But a modi ed version could happen this year or next.

“ e goal is absolutely to try to start ¡Viva! Streets again,” Ford said.

e Downtown Denver Partnership, which organized the event, said there are no plans to bring the event back this year.

“We love Viva Streets and believe deeply in all it stands for, though we do not have immediate plans to bring it back this year. We do hope to work with the City and other partners on its return in the future,” wrote spokesperson Britt Diehl.

e 2900 block of Larimer Street reopened to tra c because no neighborhood entity applied for a permit to keep it closed. e department is not considering re-closing the street on its own volition, but stands “at the ready to partner with community should they want to be able to do that,” Ford said.

Locantore called that a disappointing position, citing a community feedback survey by the RiNo Business Improvement District that showed more than 90 percent of the 2,300 respondents supported the continued closure of the block.

“It’s incredibly rare to get that level of support,” Locantore said. “Of course there is 5 percent to 10 percent who are upset, but you’re never going to please everybody. But it’s also really rare that you get to please 90 percent of the population all at once. And so why are they letting this opportunity go?

e city is moving forward with its own “shared streets” elsewhere, including 21st Street near Coors Field, Acoma Street in the Golden Triangle, and is studying changes to Wynkoop Street near Union Station.

While each project will be di erent, the

More recently, the Johnston administration adopted a goal of shifting 160,000 car trips to walking, biking or transit this year — that’s about one trip a week per household.

“ at would also keep us on path to some of the very big goals that we have,” Ford said.

Locantore criticized that goal as a “mathematical restatement” of the city’s existing target. She credited Johnston for the advancement of the voter-passed sidewalk program, construction of bus rapid transit on East Colfax Avenue, and the city’s new bicycle plans. But she said she’s still waiting for Johnston to articulate his own transportation vision.

“What does he hope to accomplish during his term, other than just allowing what got started under Hancock to continue?” she asked.

Transportation was not a top-tier issue in Johnston’s campaign, but he did brie y lay out his thinking recently in an interview on City Cast Denver. He said that most of Denver may remain cardependent, but he described a vision of developing denser and better-connected “nodes.”

“What we have to do is focus on developing nodes or neighborhoods that are walkable and bikeable that are built around the city,” Johnston said. “And what you can try to do is maybe take public transit to or from those places. And if you live there, you can walk around that space.”

at vision is made more di cult by Denver’s and the Regional Transportation District’s historic decisions not to build light- and commuter-rail lines into the city’s neighborhoods. But Johnston mentioned several transit-rich sites, like the Central Park RTD station and the East Colfax corridor, where the city is trying to focus more development.

Outside of those places, though, cars will be necessary, Johnston said.

“So we’re trying to focus on a handful of places we can really build housing density to match the public transit infrastructure and build up around those, knowing we can’t yet replace cars for families who have to go to four or ve di erent places in the city on a given day,” he said. is story is from Denverite, a Denver news site. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite. com.

e three-time Olympic gold medalist and 15-time X Games gold medalist was in the Denver area ahead of the debut of Shaun White’s e Snow League at Buttermilk Ski Resort in Aspen. Beginning on March 7, the league is dubbed “the rst professional winter sports league entirely dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing.” e inaugural event will see some of the world’s top snowboarders compete head-to-head in the halfpipe on NBC and Peacock. e qualifying day is March 7, and the nals are on March 8.

“I mean, look, Colorado, it’s hard to compete with it,” White said. “It’s one of the best places in the world for winter sports and the people are amazing. I’ve had plenty of memories and plenty of things happen for me here. And so, we’re so proud to kick o the league event here and support SNÖBAHN. I try to work in the places that I’ve had great experiences and have been good to me … Aspen’s one of, if not the most talked about, world destination for winter sports, plus just the vibe and the culture and all that. It’s a scene in many ways. I’ve had some amazing experiences there. All the stars really aligned.”

About the Snow League

Season one features a four-event global format boasting a $1.6 million prize purse, with athletes competing to earn points to determine the overall champions. After the season debut at Buttermilk in Aspen Snowmass this week, the event moves to Yunding Secret Garden in China on Dec. 4–6, where 16 of the world’s top freeskiers will join the roster at the Beijing 2022 Olympic venue.

e League returns to Aspen next Feb. 26–28 and concludes at LAAX, Switzerland, next March 19–21, where the rst-ever Snow League World Champions will be crowned.

e event features reigning Olympic gold medalist Ayumu Hirano of Japan, PyeongChang Olympic silver medalist Liu Jiayu of China, Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Sena Tomita of Japan, along with U.S. Olympians Chase Josey, Lucas Foster and Maddie Mastro.

Construction on East Colfax is well underway.

PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR

While the White House Reverses ‘Green’ Policies, Will Colorado Be Able to Hold Its Course?

For many years, Colorado, like California, has pursued its own “green new deal,” with its Democratic Governor and General Assembly passing one law after another that promotes everything that is now anathema to the current national administration.

Colorado sends a lot of tax dollars to the federal government and gets lots of tax dollars in return, especially for road projects such as the rebuilding of Interstate 70 through Denver. The current administration is using the leverage of withholding funds to pressure localities to fall in line with its immigration policies. It could just as easily withhold funds unless the state reverses its own green initiatives, such as incentivizing the purchase of new or used electric vehicles with bigger tax credits than any other state.

structed under laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.

The CEO’s website describes several laws it is implementing that address the issue of building efficiency, both residential and commercial. Primarily, it is requiring all jurisdictions in the state of Colorado that create or amend building codes to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which was adopted by the International Code Council, Inc., a non-governmental organization. It also requires all jurisdictions to adopt the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code upon updating any other building code.

“Cities and counties with building codes must adopt the 2021 IECC along with the model electric ready and solar ready code when adopting or updating any building code between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026.”

This isn’t a political column. Coloradans need to know whether its movement toward a “green” economy will be halted or reversed by the new administration. My intent in this column is merely to describe the programs and policies that may be in jeopardy.

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) is the arm of state government which develops and implements “green policies,” including in the real estate domain, as authorized and in-

According to the CEO, jurisdictions are encouraged to amend their building codes every three years and to incrementally move in the direction of the model codes, and they are prohibited from making amendments to their code which “decrease the effectiveness or efficiency” of the code.

The more liberal jurisdictions, such as Aspen, Denver and Jefferson County, have moved quickly to adopt those model codes, which include requiring new construction to include conduits and pre-wiring to facilitate future installation of EV charging stations and solar panels. According to the CEO website,

Also being developed, according to the website, is The Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, consisting of the 2024 IECC, as amended by Colorado’s Energy Code Board. To the White House and DOGE, the names alone suggest they’ll be targeted by the new administration. Let’s just say they’re “woke.”

A Model Green Code, currently in draft form at the CEO, “will address building attributes such as energy and water use efficiency, electrification, low carbon building materials, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. Local governments may voluntarily adopt this code in addition to the required energy code,” according to the website.

The state of Colorado has no statewide building code, but it does require any jurisdiction (i.e., counties or home-rule cities) which

Some Eager Sellers Cut Out Potential Buyers by Accepting a Quick Good Offer

Yes, the seller’s market of the Covid years is over, but there are still listings which sell right away, and too many sellers accept a fullprice or better offer on the first or second day, when they might get a better price if they just waited a few days.

This January, the average days on the MLS for listings within 25 miles of downtown Denver peaked at 60, compared to 22 days in January 2022. The median days on the MLS peaked at 44 this January compared to only 5 days in January 2022.

However, of the 2,396 listings in that area which closed this January, 63 went under contract the first day they were on the MLS and another 44 listings sold without even being entered on the MLS so that other buyers could know about them. 47 more went under contract the second day they were on the market, and 57 went under contract on the third day. I tell my sellers that if someone makes an

offer that quickly, and there are lots of showings, there are probably other buyers who might have paid more. It is my job as a listing agent to help my sellers get the highest price for their home, and I’m not doing that if I don’t convince them not to go under contract in less than four days.

This topic was inspired by a broker associate who said that twice in the past couple of months his buyer had lost out on a new listing that he showed the first or second day it was on the market because the seller had accepted a quick offer that our buyer would have beaten, given the chance.

In conclusion, just because the market has

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slowed down, sellers who price their home wisely and get a quick full-price offer should at least look at how many showings have been set, inform those other agents about the offer, and give them a chance to submit.

has a building code to follow state laws regarding building codes, and it’s common to adopt one of the codes created every few years by the International Code Council, amended as appropriate to their local needs.

The above map from the CEO website, shows the extent to which each county has adopted the IECC codes by year. The lightest colors are counties which have adopted (likely with amendments) the 2021 IECC, and the darkest counties have no building codes. The other colors have building codes based on IECC years 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2018. It’s a interactive map, and can be changed to display home-rule cities and their codes, or you can search a county or city and it will display the details of its code requirements and IECC year.

As usual, I have the links for all this at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com

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Should Colorado fear measles outbreaks?

Health leaders say vaccination is the best prevention

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

e ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico is edging closer to Colorado, at least geographically.

Four cases — and possibly a fth — have been reported in the Texas Panhandle county of Dallam, which sits about 35 miles south of Colorado’s southern border, separated by the Oklahoma Panhandle.

is doesn’t mean an outbreak is imminent in Colorado, of course. But state health o cials have been getting ready in case one is.

“Right now we are ensuring that we are prepared,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We know that measles cases can occur at any time. But we know the risk is going to be greater when there are large outbreaks occurring in other parts of the country.”

So what should you be doing now and how worried should you be? e Sun talked to Herlihy and to Dr. Michelle Barron, an infectious disease expert at UCHealth. Here are some answers.

What’s going on with this measles outbreak?

At least 155 cases have been reported in Texas and New Mexico as of March 4, with 146 of those reported in Texas. e cases in Texas have been concen-

trated in children, with 40 occurring in kids under the age of 5, and 70 more in kids ages 5 through 17. One child has died, the rst measles death in the United States since 2015.

Of the 146 cases in Texas, ve have been in people who were inoculated with at least one dose of a measles vaccine. Of the remaining cases, 79 are in people who are unvaccinated and 62 in people with unknown vaccination status.

e outbreak was initially concentrated in an under-vaccinated Mennonite community in West Texas, but it has since spread outward.

Nationwide, a total of 164 cases of measles have been reported so far in 2025, including the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks. Of those infected, 20% have been hospitalized.

“I want people to fully appreciate that this is a huge outbreak, and we have not seen anything like this in a very long time,” Barron said.

Have there been any infections in Colorado?

As of March 4, there have been no measles infections in Colorado from the current outbreak.

e last measles case in a Colorado resident was in 2023. e patient was an adolescent who had traveled abroad.

Travel is a common source of exposure, Barron said, and Colorado often sees a case of measles every year or so related to travel. But you have to go all the way back to the mid-1990s to nd the last time there was a locally transmitted case of measles in Colorado, Herlihy said.

Back up, what is measles? Why is it bad? People often associate measles with its

telltale red rash. But the disease can be much more aggressive than that — attacking the brain and the respiratory system. Barron said the rash is typically at and not itchy. Another common symptom are white dots in the mouth called Koplik spots.

e disease can also cause ear infection and diarrhea. Worse, the disease can cause pneumonia or swelling of the brain, which is what can lead to hospitalization and death. Severe complications and deaths are most common in children under 5. at’s bad enough, but measles also has a superpower: its contagiousness. e measles virus is among the most contagious ever documented, with one infected person able to pass the disease to as many as 18 other people. e virus is airborne and can linger in the air for as long as two hours after being exhaled by an infected person.

What can people do to prevent measles?

As with all viruses, good hygiene is helpful — wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching your face, wear a tight- tting mask in settings where you think you could be exposed, etc. But because the virus is so contagious, it can be di cult to avoid it if you are susceptible to infection. So the key, Herlihy said, is to make yourself not susceptible.

“We certainly want to make sure that Coloradans that are working on spring break plans are thinking about vaccine plans ahead of time,” she said.

A two-dose series of the MMR vaccine, which also covers the diseases mumps and rubella, is 97% e ective at protecting against measles.

e rst dose of MMR vaccine is typically given to kids around their rst birthday,

but it can be given to kids as young as 6 months old if they will be traveling, especially internationally. ( ose kids will still need two doses after they turn 1.) e best advice, Barron and Herlihy said, is to talk to your pediatrician for guidance.

I’ve already had measles or a measles vaccine. Do I need a booster? e measles vaccine has gone through various formulas and dosing schedules over the years, creating an immunization hodgepodge, depending on when you were born (assuming you got your typical childhood vaccines as a kid).

People often associate measles with its telltale red rash, but the disease can be much more aggressive than that — attacking the brain and the respiratory system. SHUTTERSTOCK

MEASLES

Here’s what the state advises:

- For people born before 1957, you were likely exposed to measles as a kid. Prior infection is believed to create lifelong immunity for most, so no additional vaccination is recommended.

- For people born before 1968, you may have received an ine ective vaccine, especially if you were born from 1963 through 1967. You should receive a booster dose of the MMR vaccine unless you happen to know that the vaccine you received was a live measles vaccine, and not an inactivated measles vaccine. If you’re unsure, the recommendation is to get the booster.

- For people born from 1968 to 1989, you likely received only one dose of MMR.

FUNDRAISER

e two-week itinerary will begin in Naples where the students will journey towards Potenza on a small bus, navigating roads that were rst established by pack animals. e trip shies away from touristy areas, emphasizing interaction with the day-to-day workforce and residents of the area.

ey will travel along the Amal coast visiting farms and even a castle, learning about the long and varied history of the area. Once reaching Potenza they will settle in with host families, take classes and immerse themselves in the food, culture and industries of this part of Italy.

Simonetti said the student visitors will

ere is no overall recommendation for these folks to get a booster dose, since one dose of MMR is 93% e ective. But Barron said people in this group who didn’t get a second dose later in life may want to get a booster, especially if you live or work around young children.

Herlihy and Barron said there is no known harm in getting a booster if you are unsure of your vaccination status. Again, though, talking it through with your doctor is the best policy.

Does Colorado have a high measles vaccination rate?

Colorado is among the states with the lowest measles vaccination rates in the country for school-age children. at has long been true, but the COVID pandemic — both the lack of access to health care that many families experienced during the pandemic, as well as the rising levels

then become the hosts for their Italian friends when they visit Denver later this summer. It is an exchange program that is aimed at creating lifelong bonds. He is still in touch with the rst family that hosted him in Iowa decades ago.

e rst fundraiser for the scholarship will be a grand Roman dinner cooked with a sustainable farm-to-table philosophy and held at the historic Potenza Lodge o of 38th Avenue and Tejon Street.

e Potenza Lodge was founded in Denver in 1899 with the goal of helping Italian immigrants socialize with their fellow countrymen as they familiarized themselves with their new home. Today the lodge continues to serve as a place of camaraderie for its members, organizing ongoing community events and participation in charity fundraising.

A fundraiser will take place 6-10 p.m.

of vaccine skepticism — made it worse.

e percentage of kids in kindergarten through 12th grade who were fully vaccinated against measles in Colorado hit its lowest level last year in at least six years. In the 2023-24 school year, 93.7% of students had received a full course of the MMR vaccine.

at may sound like a lot, but it is below the target level for achieving herd immunity. Because measles is so contagious, health experts say 95% vaccination coverage is needed to ensure the disease can’t spread within a community.

While many districts do hit that mark, there are pockets with measles vaccination coverage below 80%. e state’s immunization dashboard has data by district and by school.

Is it time to worry yet?

Barron said she isn’t trying to cause

March 15 at the lodge, 1900 W. 38th Ave. Toga attire is encouraged and there will be several price points to choose from for the dinner. A live auction will also be a part of the festivities.Tickets can be purchased at denversistercities.org/events/.

alarm, but she has been losing sleep as she worries about what could come from the growing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. at’s why she said it is important for people to know their vaccination status.

“I don’t want to scare people, but I think people should truly be aware,” she said.

While measles has crept closest to Colorado’s southeastern border, Herlihy said she doesn’t see any one area or community more at-risk than another. Measles can just as easily be spread by someone on a plane or driving to the mountains for spring break.

“Really, it’s statewide,” she said of the area she’s watching. “It’s really di cult to predict.”

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.

e application for this particular 2025 trip has closed, due to popular demand the committee is planning a second trip and inquiries are welcomed.

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More information will be posted to the Denver Sister Cities website. Students interested in applying for scholarships for the Potenza trip for summer 2026 can nd information at denversistercities. org/trip/ptz25/.

SNOW LEAGUE

“ e nals is a head-to-head format. It’s like a March Madness or something,” White said. “It’s something that people recognize from other sports. It’s confusing format currently. But now, there’s a lot more education that’s going to go on to get people excited and understand what’s happening.”

Check out e Snow League on NBC and Peacock.

Shaun White + SNÖBAHN

White is an ambassador and investor at SNÖBAHN, an indoor action sports facility founded in 2016 with locations in ornton and Centennial.

SNÖBAHN o ers indoor skiing and snowboard lessons with slopes and trampolines, provides a full indoor skate park, camps throughout the year, rentals and more. Visit www.snobahn.com for more information.

For more, read an extended Q&A with White at https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/03/05/shaun-white-thornton/

Shaun White warms up with a few tricks at SNÖBAHN in Thornton on March 4. White stopped into the action sports center to do interviews with local media and skate with local youth boarders.

PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY

Shaun White, left, high-fives a local while skating with kids at SNÖBAHN Action Sports Center in Thornton on March 4.

License for Sheridan animal rescue MAMCO suspended after rabies risk and allegations of neglect

The shelter’s 87 dogs are being transferred to nearby facilities

BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG

e license for Moms and Mutts Colorado (MAMCO) Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs was ordered to be suspended on Feb. 28 due to allegations of animal neglect, and mishandling of hookworm and potential rabies exposure. is comes months after MAMCO faced scrutiny in August when a dozen puppies were euthanized following a rabies diagnosis. e Colorado Department of Agriculture now claims the rescue failed to properly isolate puppies with hookworm and those potentially exposed to rabies or distemper, leading to four puppies being euthanized. e Colorado Department of Agriculture also alleges that two dogs escaped the facility during an inspection.

In December, the shelter entered a probationary period with the state due to several allegations of multiple violations that occurred in 2024 between January and July. ese include inadequate pest control, failure to sanitize enclosures, keeping dogs in enclosures that were not appropriately sized, and insu cient cleaning of animal waste.

Aron Jones, who is an owner of MAMCO along with her husband, Robert Jones, are now transferring the 87 dogs that were housed in MAMCO to other shelters. ey deny the allegations, and in an Instagram post, claimed the state is using fabricated information to scare the public.

“We have been political pawns and (the state) has been using MAMCO Rescue as a way to make it so that no dogs can come into the state of Colorado without a rabies vaccine,” Aron Jones said in her March 1 Instagram video.

WASHINGTON

community conference area, study room, children and teen areas, idea lab and a game room, said Victoria Nava-Watson, community engagement manager for DPL.

DPL landed on the site for the new branch by reviewing neighborhood needs illuminated in a 2017 master plan, and it will fund the expansion through the 2021 RISE Denver GO Bond, which aims to stimulate economic prosperity in Denver.

“We saw a clear need and a desire for a library here,” Nava-Wat-

“Which means no dogs under the age of 12 weeks can be brought into Colorado, which means no moms, no puppies — nothing.”

She also alleges that the state illegally “wrote up” the shelter and that the violations were only repairs the building required.

According to the order issued by the Department of Agriculture, the shelter was noti ed on Feb. 13 that it had failed two inspections in addition to the alleged violations in 2024, resulting in the suspension of its license. e Colorado Department of Agriculture ordered the immediate surrender

son said.

e cafe space will be on the ground oor of the building and is still exible in its design, said Ana Varela, communications director for the Tierra Colectiva and GES Coalition.

Tierra Colectiva is envisioning a 4,000-square-foot cafe with an open kitchen area that could be used to host community or private events, space with cafe tables to eat or work and a workshop area for larger meetings.

“It won’t be just a regular restaurant that closes its doors at 5, at least that’s not the goal here,” Varela said.

e apartment building will also feature basic needs services provided through community

of all dogs to other shelters or rescue organizations, citing an “imminent threat to the health and safety of Colorado dogs and their owners.”

e document states the shelter had imported puppies from Texas infected with hookworm in December, but failed to isolate them, increasing the risk of crosscontamination.

One puppy became severely ill with symptoms possibly indicating distemper or rabies and was euthanized on Jan. 29 after visits to a vet emergency hospital. According to the document, despite

partners, said Javonni Butler, vice president of development at Evergreen Real Estate, the construction lead on the project.

Family Tree Inc. will use a voucher program to support residents at or below 30% AMI by connecting them with resources or helping them access support.

Rocky Mountain Communities will provide onsite services on a varying basis, which could look like mobile health care, after school programs or technology assistance, Butler said. GES Coalition will also be active at the site in providing support.

“We want to be there for the long term as they develop,” Butler said,

Tierra Colectiva and the Globeville Redevelopment Partners re-

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potential exposure, the puppy’s three littermates were not isolated and were euthanized to be tested for rabies, which is the only possible way to test a dog for the virus.

e MAMCO owners are now fundraising to ght the State in court.

In a caption of their social media post showing police ordering the shelter to be shut down, the owners stated, “And if this is the end, we thank you all for helping us save 1,4382 dogs and cats that wouldn’t have had voices without us as community.”

cently received a $6 million investment from the Colorado Health Foundation for the project — the Foundation’s largest investment in a ordable housing to date.

“We are super fortunate, and it’s been a long time coming. Without it we wouldn’t be able to purchase the space,” Tierra Colectiva Director Nola Miguel said.

e development partners will continue to meet with and source input from Globeville residents to achieve their goal of creating a space that ts the unique needs, aesthetic and tone of the neighborhood, Varela said. “ is is not an outside entity coming in and building; this is the community being a part of the project from its inception.”

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Eighty-seven MAMCO Rescue dogs are being moved to other shelters amid a shutdown issued Feb. 28 by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. COURTESY OF MAMCO’S FACEBOOK POST

Douglas County deputies help solve kidnapping

Louisiana family grateful to have Abdul ‘Aziz’ Khan found after seven-year mystery

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A call to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce to report a trespassing in a Highlands Ranch neighborhood resulted in the recovery of a child in a national kidnapping case.

“ is call not only led to the apprehension of two suspects, but — unknown to everyone at the time — to the discovery of a missing child and the resolution to a seven-year-old mystery,” said Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly.

Abdul “Aziz” Khan, now 14, was found safe and healthy after an e ort to locate him that spanned seven years and involved multiple agencies across the U.S.

He was found at a Highlands Ranch home, with a 40-year-old woman who authorities have identi ed as his mother, Rabia Khalid, 42-year-old Elliot Blake Bourgeois and another child.

Aziz’s family in Louisiana are asking for privacy at this time, but provided the sheri ’s o ce with a statement: “We are overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has nally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years. We speci cally want to recognize the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce for their exceptional work in solving this case.”

Since Aziz went missing seven years ago, his case gained national attention, including being featured on Net ix’s “Un-

solved Mysteries.”

In addition to the Louisiana Kenner Police Department’s involvement, the U.S. Marshals Service got involved in 2020 and traveled to 11 di erent states for search e orts. e National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, a nonpro t corporation, also worked with the family.

“In family abduction cases, it can be difcult to garner public attention, but we knew that the national media coverage was crucial — Aziz could have been anywhere,” John Bischo III, vice president missing children division of the NCMEC said in a statement.

A call to Kelliwood Way

Just before 4 p.m. on Feb. 23, deputies with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce were dispatched to a vacant home listed for sale on Kelliwood Way in Highlands Ranch after the homeowners saw two people enter the house on their security cameras.

Deputies thought they were there to investigate a trespassing and potential burglary in process, but when they arrived at the home, they found two children sitting in a vehicle parked in the driveway. e older child was identi ed as Aziz and the younger child’s identity is not being released at this time.

We

“When the deputies contacted the (older) child in the driveway, the child immediately called the two people inside” the home, said Weekly. “We believe that the child was actually coached on what to say if they came into contact with law enforcement.”

Bourgeois and Khalid later exited the home, claiming to be associated with a real estate agent.

As deputies began to question them, bodycam footage reveals that the deputies gathered multiple and inconsistent stories from the two adults.

“ ey (the deputies) knew something wasn’t right,” said Weekly. “ ey dug and dug for about ve hours until they could gure out what was going on.”

Meanwhile, the kids were taken to a neighbor’s house where they got food and watched TV.

After deputies located fake identi cation documents in the vehicle and tracked where the vehicle came from, they discovered that Khalid had an active warrant for kidnapping and that Aziz was involved.

You

We’ll resolve your debt as quickly as possible so you can finally start living the life you want.

District of Colorado U.S. Marshal Kirk Taylor joins Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly and other elected o cials at the Douglas County Courthouse in Castle Rock on March 5 to speak about the nation-wide e ort to find a missing boy.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

powered by

Thu 3/13

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King Margo @ 5pm

The Golden Mill, 1012 Ford St, Golden Chris Brouwers @ 8pm

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Fri 3/14

Nate Hixson: St. Patrick's Day Party 2025 @ 1pm

King Margo: Buffalo Rose - Sky Bar Stage @ 6:30pm Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden

Teague Starbuck @ 7pm The Arvada Tavern, 5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada

St. Paddy's Party '25 FEAT.

Guerrilla Fanfare Brass Band, Funk In the Name, and Irish Dancers! @ 2pm

New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden

Meet The Giant: St. Patrick's Weekend at Clancy's Irish Pub @ 7:30pm Clancy's Irish Pub, 7000 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge

Grayson Jenkins (18+ Event) @ 8pm Oskar Blues Grill and Brew - Denver, 1624 Mar‐ket Street, Denver Dropo @ 11pm Carty LTD, 629 East Colfax Avenue, Denver

Sun 3/16

Adam Bodine @ 12:30pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

Valley Girl @ 4pm The Delorean, 1753 S Broadway, Denver

Cecelia Band: Cecelia with The Walking Corpses, The Vibe and The Master Debaters @ 7pm Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Denver

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Live @ The Rose - DJ TributeMusic of Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Scorpions @ 6pm

Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Av‐enue, Golden. information@buf falorose.net

Jeff Crosby at Little Bear Live @ 10pm Little Bear Live, 28075 CO-74, Ever‐green

Sat 3/15

Denver St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl @ 1pm / $18.89 The Passport, 1437 Market Street, Denver. info @pubcrawls.com

Live @ The Rose - Petty Nicks Experience with Special Guest King Margo @ 7pm / $28

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Jeremy Mohney @ 8pm Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Denver

Mon 3/17

J.Ezra Dive Bars & Diners Tour @ 2pm Cactus Jacks Tavern, 4651 Co Rd 73, Evergreen

Jay_Martin @ 5pm The Vista at Applewood Golf Course, 14001 W 32nd Ave, Golden

Addie Tonic @ 7pm Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Denver

Wolf Loescher @ 11am

Clancy's Irish Pub, 7000 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge

Tue 3/18

Ni/Co: The UNSAID Tour @ 7pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver Abbath @ 6:30pm / $29.50-$65 Summit, Denver

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Finding the will and the way

When our oldest daughter, Kate, was just over two years old, I found her perched on top of the refrigerator with one hand holding open the door of the freezer and the other reaching in to grab an Otter Pop.

I was shocked by the sight and asked her what she was doing. Kate, who always wanted to be exactly like her mother and therefore refused to call me “Dad” because that’s not what Beth (Mom) called me, turned her head, looked at me, and said, “Nothing, Jim.”

limiting and debilitating. When we change the message to, “I can’t do that in the way I used to.” It opens doors and creates possibilities.

The journey toward authentic transformation

In our pursuit of change, it’s easy to get caught up in the tangible, a new haircut, a sleek set of clothes, or even a shiny new ride. ese external adjustments can certainly provide a burst of con dence and a touch of swagger. ey are the visible badges of change, a way to signal to the world that something is di erent. But while a rep at the gym or a new car might spark a temporary uplift, true transformation begins with the subtle shift that happens within.

WINNING

To get in this precarious prone position six feet o the ground, Kate had gone to the corner of the kitchen and placed her plastic step stool on the counter. She then must have moved her highchair across the kitchen so that she could use the chair to climb onto the counter.

Apparently, after getting on the counter, she pushed her step stool over next to the refrigerator, stepped up on it and climbed on top of the refrigerator. From there, for this two-year-old fearless climber, it was easy to open the freezer door and begin to reach down to grab the prize.

We can critique our parenting regarding this situation all day long. How is it that a 2-year-old could be left alone long enough to accomplish such a feat? Why did I not hear the furniture being moved? What other safety features were not in place? e list goes on. In the end, whether it was good parenting or not, after getting her down safely from the top of the refrigerator, Katie, Beth, and I had Otter Pops. I am sure we took a few minutes to talk about not doing that anymore, but I do not remember that part of the conversation.

We have shared that story with people numerous times over the course of the last 30 years laughing with each retelling. ose are great memories. In the last 16 years, since my MS. Diagnosis, I have come to recognize that beyond the great memories, the story holds lessons about overcoming obstacles.

ree things stand out for me.

Most obviously, there is the idea that where there is a will, there is a way. In our struggles, it is so easy to get stuck with an “I can’t do that.” recording playing in our head. We need to get rid of that record; it is

Iam a recently-retired lawyer, having practiced for 45 years in Colorado. Over the past 10 years, my wife and I have had the honor of working as volunteer interpretative rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park (“Rocky”).

Neither Rocky Mountain, nor any of Colorado’s other national park units (of which there are about 16, including parks, monuments, historic trails and other sites), are oversta ed. Indeed, they have been understa ed for quite some time. at is based on our rsthand knowledge. When Elon Musk announced the indiscriminate employment cuts to our federal government, including all of our national

Next, while I can only imagine what her 2-year-old brain was thinking, I suspect that Kate broke the problem of wanting an Otter Pop into several parts: How do I get on the counter? How do I get on top of the fridge? How do I get an Otter Pop? To nd di erent ways to do things, we may have to break hurdles down into parts. Figure out one step that gets us a portion of the way there and then gure out the next. When we do that, eventually we will get our Otter Pop.

Finally, Kate was bold and open to taking chances. To take on the struggles we face we too must be bold, willing to take chances.

Struggles put us at a crossroads, an inection point where we must decide what our mindset and path will be. My hope for each of us is that we will choose the path with options, with possibilities, with joy.

You have got this.

I hope my words encourage you, and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you.

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.

Consider the allure of physical tness. ere’s a moment of pride when you add weight to your bench press or see the de nition of muscle emerging under your skin. And yes, that newfound strength can translate into con dence. Yet, if the only change you make is super cial, the uplift is often eeting. It’s not merely the muscles we build, but the internal resilience we cultivate that leads to lasting transformation. When we push through our physical limits, we also train our minds to overcome obstacles, rea rming the belief that we are capable of more than we ever imagined. Similarly, a fresh haircut or updated wardrobe may transform how others perceive us and even how we see ourselves. New clothes can be a metaphor for new beginnings, a way to leave behind old patterns and step boldly into a reimagined self. But these changes, while invigorating, are just the surface. ey signal a desire to change, yet without the foundational work of inner growth, they risk being mere band-aids on deeper wounds. Real con dence emerges not from the approval of others but from the acceptance and understanding of who we truly are.

Sometimes, the urge for change leads us to alter our surroundings, even our social circles. We may think that by surrounding ourselves with high-energy, ambitious people, we will be swept up in their momentum. And indeed, the people we choose to spend time with can have a profound impact on our mindset and behavior. Yet, if our inner dialogue remains unchanged, the external shift in friends can only do so much. e company we keep can mirror our aspirations, but the inner commitment to growth and self-improvement is what ultimately propels us forward.

is brings us to the perennial debate: Does attitude drive behavior, or does behavior shape attitude? Some days, we wake up with a re in our belly, ready to conquer every challenge. Every action we take, whether hitting the gym, taking on a new project, or engaging in meaningful conversations, reinforces our positive mindset. Conversely, there are mornings when motivation seems elusive. Even then, when we push ourselves to take that rst step, we often nd that our mindset catches up to our actions. e physical act of moving, of doing something, can spark an internal shift that transforms hesitation into determination.

At the heart of changing from the inside out is a willingness to examine our current state and envision who we want to become. It’s about taking a hard look at our values, our dreams, and the areas in our lives that feel stagnant. Whether that means working on our physical health, mastering a new skill, or deepening our spiritual journey, the catalyst for real change lies within us. It’s a journey that demands introspection and a commitment to personal growth. e truth is that transformation isn’t a destination but an ongoing process. It requires patience, persistence, and the courage to face our vulnerabilities. While external changes can temporarily boost our self-esteem, the internal shift, a renewed mindset, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a deep-seated belief in our potential create lasting change. We are all a work in progress, under construction, always evolving.

I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can identify what we want to change and why, taking the necessary actions to pursue it, it really will be a betterthan-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.

park units, I immediately began contacting the ofce of 8th District Congressman Gabe Evans to discuss the catastrophic e ect of these cuts on our national parks in Colorado, and I asked when he would publicly support our parks.

I’m in my third week of constant contact, and while I have spoken to people at his o ce, no one has given me any impression that he cares the least about our parks. Most re-

cently, when I asked a representative in his o ce to tell me when he would support the reversal of employee cuts in our national park units in Colorado, he said he did not know and instead referred me to the videos on Mr. Evans’ website touting his support for a recent House budget resolution and potential cuts in Medicaid. Please, let Mr. Evans know that our national parks are a beacon of light in the world. My wife and I, in our jobs, discuss the beauty and majesty of Rocky with literally thousands of visitors from throughout the U.S. and dozens of other countries. I can think of nothing more important for us to promote in these trying times for our

country, and nothing more shortsighted than ignoring the park’s needs. Let Mr. Evans further know that if he does not care about our parks, he does not care about Colorado and has no business representing its citizens, whether in the 8th or any other district.

is guest column was written by Boulder County resident Kevin Allen, who moved to Colorado in 1978 and practiced law for 45 years, mostly at Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich & Factor P.C. Now retired, he and his wife have served as volunteer interpretative rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park for 10 years.

Jim Roome

Kevin Allen

‘The Mesmerist’ takes readers through a dark twist

When a young woman arrives at the doorstep of the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers in a tattered but garish purple gown and bearing a bag of money, the home’s residents know this is no ordinary arrival.

Rumors y that this new resident is Marguerite the Magni cent and the question of her identity drives the plot of “ e Mesmerist” by Caroline Woods.

Told from the perspective of three women connected to the Bethany Home, this historical mystery weaves a complex tale of crime and exploitation.It’s 1890s Minneapolis and the social climate is dismal.

e nation is mourning the lives lost in the Civil War, and the country’s nancial systems are in dire straits. Spiritual practices such as mesmerism, a form of hypnotism that gives the practitioner undue in uence over the recipient’s actions, are ourishing.

Victorian morality is at odds with the proliferation of bordellos, and the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers provides a progressive and much-needed community resource.

Regret is an interesting concept. We generally use it when thinking about stupid decisions we made, harmful acts we performed, or positive acts we should’ve done but didn’t.

We also use it trivially, like being invited to a gathering and the invitation says, “Regrets only.” at usage, however, could be problematic for recipients if they didn’t want to attend the soiree in the rst place. Should they lie and say they regret not being able to make it? Such is the quandary we humans can nd ourselves in.

For some reason, I consider regret to be a cousin of regression. Etymology wise, that’s apparently not the case since the roots of the two words are distinct from one another.

But they both imply a negative. Regression certainly does that, and while regret sometimes is used in a future reference

CHECK IT OUT Wendy

All residents are given a pseudonym at the Bethany Home to preserve their anonymity because many of them arrive by way of the Red Light District.

Abby, a Quaker who runs the Home and believes every girl deserves a second chance, names the new arrival Faith. Faith’s selective mutism and odd behaviors make her the target of scorn and intimidation and she actively encourages the rumors of her dark powers to protect herself.

Home, solicits donations to keep the doors open. When a former resident goes on record alleging that starvation is the norm and a witch girl has taken over, Abby has her work cut out for her: clearing the home’s name, investigating Faith’s past and determining the provenance of the money she brought with her.

Thomas

Faith’s roommate, May, befriends her while digging into her past. May is near the end of her one-year stay at the Bethany Home and wants a husband before she has to leave. She encourages the attention of the dapper and wealthy Hal while trying to keep her living situation secret from him. Her desperation to have a home colors her judgment and makes her vulnerable to malicious in uences.

Abby Mendenhall, the treasurer, board member and manager of the Bethany

Can

All the while, malevolent forces are front of mind when a “sporting” girl is murdered and a madam goes missing.  Based on a true story, this atmospheric and chilling novel is reminiscent of Victorian Era penny dreadfuls. e setting is based on the original Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers and Abby Mendenhall. Some supporting characters and the perpetrator of the crimes are actual people from history.

If you’re looking for a compelling story with a dark twist, check out e Mesmerist at a Denver Public Library branch near you.

Wendy omas is a librarian at the Smiley Branch Library. When not reading or recommending books, you can nd her hiking with her dogs.

we live past our

regrets?

such as not being able to do something or go somewhere, it’s usually expressed within a backward looking context.  Feeling regret could be directed at not having lived your life as fully as possible, having given so much attention to others that it interfered with you moving forward and doing good things for yourself, or having chosen to follow a professional or life path where your heart wasn’t.

You might then feel stuck with no way out. If so, and you fail to extricate yourself from it, when old age arrives, which invariably does if you stick around long enough, you’ll understand in stark terms what F. Scott Fitzgerald means in “ e Last Tycoon” when he wrote that there

are no second acts in American life.  Fitzgerald, though, was writing about the uber-wealthy, those who lead shallow, empty lives, since all they know is how to make piles of money and how to gain and wield power. e rest of us, those of us not hellbent on becoming the GOAT (the Greatest Of All Time) know that. We simply try our best to live a good and meaningful life as we roll and, at times, bumble through it.

Note that I wrote “good,” and not perfect, for we’re all awed creatures prone to do dumb stu . When we did, those poor decisions might’ve done harm to others or to ourselves. Nicely put, they neither were in our best interests nor served us or others well. Which might make you think that you could’ve done better if only you had used your head, behaved better, or gotten o your du and…?

But could you have? Maybe, but then again, maybe not. It was where you were

at that point in time and stage of life, so you were neither privy to the experience and good sense you’ve amassed over the decades nor the font of wisdom you’ve become. And just maybe you were caught in a downward spiral due to a mental health issue or a crisis that you got swept up in.

I believe those who have led ethical lives, albeit with occasional lapses, often judge themselves too harshly for past failings. It’s like how some judge historical characters by today’s standards.  Not only that was then and this is now for them, it’s true for you. If you’re one prone to beat yourself up over stu that’s long in the past, consider giving yourself a little space and a dose of self-compassion. Even the Buddha lived the life of a benighted nabob before he set forth on his path to enlightenment.

JERRY FABYANIC

Columnist

FINDING PIECES OF IRELAND IN THE METRO AREA

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Rather than vibrant green landscapes and stone bridges arched over running waters, the Rocky Mountains act as the backdrop for various pieces of Irish culture throughout the Denver metro area.  Ireland’s rich history shines through in many aspects of life, re ected in clothing, cuisine, artwork, family life and much more.

However, it’s the music, dancing and pubs that play integral roles in the nation’s identity and keeps Irish culture alive across Denver.

“Denver has a strong Irish cultural scene,” said Ariel Bennett, owner of the Denver-based Heritage Irish Stepdancers dance school.

Denver’s Irish history

e Irish have had a strong presence in Denver since the mid-to-late 1800s.

Between 1845 and 1855, many Irish people immigrated to the United States due to the Great Famine in Ireland that decimated potato crops. A few decades later, Irish immigrants migrated to Leadville when silver was discovered. But when the Colorado Silver Boom ended in 1893, they began to make their way to Denver.

ey continued to work as laborers, but as generations evolved with the turn of the century, the Irish became more involved in the development of the city – in uencing religion, education and politics.

“Including eight Irish dance schools, a number of Irish pubs and a bunch of home-grown Celtic bands.”

e in uence of the Irish continues to be seen today through dance, music and pubs.

“Singing, playing and dancing are an essential part of social interaction, artistic expression and cultural identity,” Bennett said.

Stepping into the culture

When Bennett was a child, her mom, Molly, played in an Irish band and while playing at a party, Molly met two teenagers from Ireland. e teens asked if anyone would be interested in joining an Irish dance class.

Bennett was immediately put in the class and was later joined by her sister and mom.

e family started their own school, Heritage Irish Stepdancers, in 1998. While the main studio is in Denver, located at 7808 Cherry Creek South Drive, they also have classes at the Dance Academy, 8600 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, and at Flatirons Dance, 8390 W. 80th Ave. in Arvada.

Although the exact origin of Irish dance is unknown, Bennett has learned about the di erent types of dances and how important it is to the culture.

ere are two forms of Irish social dancing. One is called set dancing, which has roots in English dancing, said Bennett, and the other is ceili dancing. is type of dance – which has become popular in competitions – involves couples dancing with other couples, similar to American square dancing.

“Sometimes people would do what was called a stepabout at these gatherings, where dancers would take turns showing o their fanciest moves,” Bennett said.

One of the more commonly-known styles is seeing the dancers with their arms by their sides. is is stepdancing, also known as solo dancing, and there are two styles within stepdancing. e soft shoe is more like ballet and the hard shoe is more like tap.

Also, women typically perform light and graceful moves while men do moves that are more powerful and rhythmic.

“Historically, stepdancing was done by common people, and they didn’t have special dance equipment,” said Bennett. “ ey wore ordinary clothes and shoes when they danced.”

Women and girls wore knee-length dresses with embroidered Celtic designs, said Bennett, but as competitive Irish dance became more popular, performance attire became shorter and lighter, with bright and bold designs.

For Bennett, Irish culture has always been part of her life, and over time, she has seen how dancing plays a key role in Irish identity.

A rainbow sits over a bright green landscape at the Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Republic of Ireland.

The River Lee runs through the Republic of Ireland’s second largest city, Cork, which is home to the English Market and the Blarney Castle and Gardens. PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA

PIECES OF IRELAND

Unique and distinctive music

“I was once told by an Irish person that the way you tell if someone has Celtic blood in them is by putting on Irish music. If they tap their feet and can’t sit still, they’re a Celt,” said Bennett. “ is just shows the importance that music has in Irish culture.”

With distinctive rhythms and unique traditional instruments, Irish music has always been a way to express emotions, tell stories and share culture.

Laura Schulkind, founder and executive director of the Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver, has been traveling around the metro area this March with the chamber, celebrating Celtic culture through music.

“Celtic music can be sorrowful, re ecting a lost love,” said Schulkind. “Or joyful and full of dance.”

Similar to many cultures, music was used to resist oppression. And Celtic music has also been used to preserve history, celebrate the nation’s identity and build community. It’s the instruments that are unique to the Celtic sound that instills life into the music.

Although Schulkind is a utist, she nds the distinctive sound of the Irish harp soothing and uplifting, making it one of her favorite instruments.

Other instruments that make up the Celtic sound include ddles, utes, the mandolin, concertina, tin whistles, highland pipes, uilleann pipes, Irish Bouzouki and the bodhrán.

A bodhrán is a frame drum where one side of the drum is open and the musician places their hand against the inside of the drum to control the tone and pitch while the other hand beats the drum.

“ e instruments create a rich texture that can go from a dense sound to a very light sound,” Schulkind said.

It’s often said that Irish music is a blend of storytelling and musical expression. Schulkind agrees.

A piece Schulkind is playing is called “In Ireland” by Hamilton Harty. She said the note at the beginning from the composer states: “In a Dublin street at dusk, two wandering musicians are playing.”

“ e composer is compelling me to tell a story with his piece,” said Schulkind. “He wants me to paint a picture with sound through the fantasy-type writing at the beginning and the joyful music at the end.”

Celtic music is not just for formal settings.

‘Good-ole Irish craic’

“Many of the tunes are also drinking tunes for the pubs,” Schulkind said.

From Celtic on Market to the Irish Rover, there are a multitude of pubs hidden throughout the Denver metro area. ere may not be as many as the 6,000 plus like in Ireland, but the metro area has its fair share.

Pubs are more than just a place to grab a drink. ey serve as a hub for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and contribution to the town.

“You just sit and have a good time, chat with your local friends, meet new people – and that’s exactly what we’ve tried to establish here,” said Megan Casey.

Casey has worked at Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub for 14 years and has fallen in love with getting to know the community and sharing a piece of Ireland.

e pub is a small, bright red building tucked away o Main Street in downtown Littleton. It rst opened in 2009 by two men – one of whom is from Ireland – after owning Scru y Murphy’s in downtown Denver.

Littleton “de nitely had the small town charm that a lot of Irish pubs have,” Casey said, adding that the building was remodeled in 2013 to make the pub more authentic.

While musical and stepdancing performances, as well as fundraising for local charities bring authenticity to the pub, Casey said getting to know its patrons on a personal level is what makes the pub feel genuine.

Having been to Ireland a few times, Casey said everyone in the pub is treated like family and that is what they aim for at Ned Kelly’s.

“ e few Irish pubs that I was in, that’s exactly how it was,” said Casey. “Everybody just welcomed you and wanted to get to know you. Like they say, ‘the good-ole Irish craic.”’

Stepdancing, also known as solo dancing, is a form of dance where the dancers perform with their arms down to their sides where women typically perform light and graceful moves while men do moves that are more powerful and rhythmic. COURTESY OF ARIEL BENNETT

Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub in downtown Littleton is one of many Irish pubs scattered throughout the Denver metro area. Established in 2009, it is the only Irish pub in Littleton. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

With various styles of social and competitive dance, dancing has been an integral part in Irish culture. The Denver-based Heritage Irish Stepdancers dance school continues to carry on the Irish culture in the metro area. COURTESY OF ARIEL BENNETT

1. TELEVISION: Which 1960s sitcom was about a TV comedy writer, his job and his family?

2. AD SLOGANS: Which candy slogan urges consumers to “Taste the rainbow”?

3. COMICS: Which superhero gets his power from a ring?

4. GEOGRAPHY: Which country has the most islands?

5. MEASUREMENTS: How many cups are in a pint?

6. MOVIES: Which scary 1980 movie contained the phrase “red rum” and what does it mean?

7. ANATOMY: What is the outermost layer of human skin called?

8. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the rst president to ride in a car to his inauguration?

9. HISTORY: When did India gain its independence from Great Britain?

TrIVIa

10. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: Who lives at 32 Windsor Gardens?

Answers

1. “ e Dick Van Dyke Show.”

2. Skittles.

3. e Green Lantern.

4. Sweden.

5. Two.

6. “ e Shining.” It’s the word “murder” spelled backward.

7. Epidermis.

8. Warren Harding (1921).

9. 1947.

10. Paddington Bear and the Brown family.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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NOTICE OF INTENT TO CREATE BINDING USE RESTRICTIONS ON FOX PARK LOCATED AT 4400 NORTH FOX STREET, DENVER, COLORADO

Vita Fox North LP and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) provide notice of their intention to impose binding environmental use restrictions (EURs) on Fox Park located at 4400 North Fox Street, Denver, Colorado. The EURs define that no excavation, drilling, grading, tilling or any other soil-disturbing activity is permitted on the Property unless conducted in accordance with the CDPHE-approved Materials Management Plan and any amendments. Pursuant to § 25-15-318.5, C.R.S., once the EURs have been finalized, they are binding on all current and future owners of the land and any persons possessing an interest in the land. CDPHE is accepting public comments on the draft EURs. Copies of the proposed EURs and a legal description of the affected property are available by contacting Mr. Fonda Apostolopoulos at (303) 692-3411 or fonda.apostolopoulos@state.co.us. All comments must be submitted to fonda. apostolopoulos@state.co.us by April 7, 2025.

Legal Notice No. DHD 3495

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Private Legals Public Notice

SYNOPSIS OF ANNUAL STATEMENT FOR PUBLICATION

Required pursuant to §10-3-109(1), C.R.S FOR YEAR 2024

FAILURE TO FILE THIS FORM BY JUNE 30TH MAY RESULT IN PENALTIES PURSUANT TO §10-3-109(3), C.R.S.:

If any annual report or statement from any entity regulated by the Division of Insurance is not filed by the date specified by law or by rules and regulations of the commissioner, the commissioner may assess a penalty of up to one hundred dollars per day for each day after the date an annual statement or report is due from

any such entity.

Corporate Name: Securian Casualty Company

NAIC Number: 10054

Address: 400 Robert Street North St. Paul, MN 55101-2098

Assets: $607, 899,475

Liabilities: $404,217,316

Capital and Surplus/Policyholder Surplus: $203,682,159

DIVISION OF INSURANCE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the Securian Casualty Company, organized under the laws of Minnesota, subject to its Articles of Incorporation or other fundamental organizational documents and in consideration of its compliance with the laws of Colorado, is hereby licensed to transact business as a Property & Casualty insurance company, as provided by the Insurance Laws of Colorado, as amended, so long as the insurer continues to conform to the authority granted by its Certificate and its corporate articles, or its Certificate is otherwise revoked, canceled or suspended.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand at the City and County of Denver this first day of Julyu 2025.

Michael Conway Commissioner of Insurance

Legal Notice No. DHD3484

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MARIAN E. LYONS, also known as MARIAN ELIZABETH LYONS, aka MARIAN LYONS, AND MARIAN ELIZABETH CARPENTER, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30020

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the PROBATE COURT OF CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, COLORADO, on or before July 3, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.

Carol Rea Smith, Personal Representative

266 Melrose Avenue Encinitas, CA 92024

Legal Notice No. DHD 3478

First Publication: February 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 13, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Helen Hillary, a/k/a Mary H. Hillary, a/k/a Mary Hillary, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR030156

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before June 27, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gerald D. Brennan and 3i Law, LLC, Co-Personal Representatives

2000 S. Colorado Blvd Tower 1, Suite 10000 Denver, CO 80222

Legal Notice No. DHD 3480

First Publication: February 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 13, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Alita Davis Pirkopf, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30170

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver on or before Monday, July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Meghan Quinlivan

Personal Representative

c/o Alex T. Kirven

1999 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. DHD 3491

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Alfonso Victor Galluzzo, Deceased

Case Number: 2025PR30157

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before June 27, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.

Vito Anthony Galluzzo Personal Representative 5066 S. Oak Street Littleton, CO 80127

Legal Notice No. DHD 3479

First Publication: February 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 13, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of GLORIA D. SISNEROS, aka GLORIA DEANNE SISNEROS, aka GLORIA SISNEROS, aka GLORIA D. MARTINEZ, aka GLORIA DEANNE MARTINEZ, aka GLORIA MARTINEZ, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31535

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Deanne Martinez,

Personal Representative 2730 Lowell Blvd. Unit C Denver, CO 80211

Legal Notice No. DHD 3486

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Zacharia Issam Nakib, a/k/a Zach Nakib, a/k/a Zach I. Nakib, a/k/a Zacharia I. Nakib, a/k/a Zach Issam Nakib, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30219

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, July 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Barbara DeSantis-Nakib

Personal Representative

5796 Irish Pat Murphy Dr. Parker, CO 80134

Public Notices

Legal Notice No. DHD 3490

First Publication: February 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Legal Notice No. DHD 3503

First Publication: March 13, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mitchell E. Feldman, a/k/a Mitchell Evan Feldman, a/k/a Mitchell Feldman, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30042

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Susan F. Townsend, Personal Representative

c/o Long Reimer Winegar LLP

1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 1202 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. DHD 3493

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Chaz Ryan Murphy; Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30111

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver on or before July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Bryce Patrick Murphy and Christopher Shaun Deherrera Co-Personal Representatives

c/o Carl H. Hutchins

1999 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. DHD 3492

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Donald Dean Winfrey, aka Donald D. Winfrey, aka Donald Winfrey, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30169

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Linda Anderson, Personal Representative 1415 N. 6th St. Canon City, CO 81212

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Michael Karl LaDuke, a/k/a Michael K. LaDuke, a/k/a Michael LaDuke, Deceased, Case Number 2025PR30018

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 23, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jack LaDuke, Personal Representative 1215 Fairmont Ln Manitowoc, WI 54220

Legal Notice No. DHD 3485

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JAMES WALKER JOHNSON, also known as JAMES W. JOHNSON, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30174

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before July 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Darcy J. Montoya, Personal Representative 203 Wright Street, Unit 206 Lakewood, CO 80228

Legal Notice No. DHD 3488

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Donald G. Pomroy, aka Donald Gordon Pomroy, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30032

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before June 27, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kristi Radosevich

Attorney to the Personal Representative PO Box 2708 Elizabeth, CO 80107

Legal Notice No. DHD 3473

Last Publication: March 13, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Daniel Justin Riedel, a/k/a Daniel J. Riedel, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 030039

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 18, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anna L. Burr, Esq.

Attorney to the Personal Representative

2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014

Legal Notice No. DHD 3502

First Publication: March 13, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of RICHARD DEAN SKOV, aka RICHARD D. SKOV, and RICHARD SKOV,Deceased Case Number: 2025PR030214

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Judy A. Skov, Personal Representative 3749 S. Kipling Ct. Denver, CO 80235

Legal Notice No. DHD 3501

First Publication: March 13, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Barabra A. Williams, aka Barbara A. Williams, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30104

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

s/ Rebecca Wallace Beattie Attorney for Ilona Williams, Personal Representative 6390 Gardenia Street, Suite 150 Arvada, CO 80004 303-384-0046 rebecca@wallacebeattie.com

Legal Notice No. DHD 3489 First Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Lorraine Beyda, a/k/a Mary L. Beyda, a/k/a Lorrie Beyda, a/k/a M.L. Beyda, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30230

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, July 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Susan Beyda, Personal Representative c/o Arlene S. Barringer, Esq. GLATSTEIN & OBRIEN, LLP 2696 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 350 Denver, Colorado 80222

Legal Notice No. DHD 3500

First Publication: March 13, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of William Peay, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031468

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Carla Peay, Personal Representative c/o Law One 1434 Blake Street, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. DHD 3499 First Publication: March 13, 2025 Last Publication: March 27, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of

DONALD STUART MACPHAIL, a/k/a STUART MACPHAIL, Deceased. Case Number: 2024PR31537

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Virgina MacPhail, Personal Representative

Patrick A. Schilken, P.C. 5347 South Valentia Way, Suite No. 335 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. DHD 3487

First Publication: March 6, 2025 Last Publication: March 20, 2025

FABYANIC

In “My Way,” written by Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra sings about facing thenal curtain. at makes sense given his profession, but a curtain-closing could symbolically work for you if you consider

KIDNAPPING

Both children were taken into protective custody.

On Nov. 27, 2017, Khalid, a non-custodial parent, allegedly abducted her son from Atlanta, Georgia, and was charged with felony kidnapping, according to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

Both adults are being held in the Douglas County jail on multiple charges, including second degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information to authorities and trespassing.

George Brauchler, the District Attorney for the 23rd Judicial District, further ex-

it in context of Shakespeare’s line about the whole world being a stage and each of us being an actor playing a part. But no matter how you see your exit, it’s not unusual to look back, survey your life, and, in so doing, express regrets and rue that you didn’t do better.

Surveys show that when seniors do a scan of their lives, no one wishes they had worked harder and spent more time

plained that Bourgeois is facing 14 charges, 12 of them being felonies; and Khalid is facing nine charges, seven of them being felonies, including conspiracy to kidnap.

Each is being held on a one million dollar bond and are expected to appear in court on March 27.

Bourgeois and Khalid are facing state charges, and Brauchler said the conversation on if the federal government will get involved has not happened yet.

‘A long road ahead’

A lot of questions remain unanswered but detectives and the Douglas County Financial Crimes Unit continue to investigate the incident.

Detectives are looking to answer why the family was in Colorado, what they

doing chores like vacuuming, mowing, and the like. e most regretted choices were not spending more quality time with those they love along with not traveling, reading, and pursuing their creative talents more.

As cold as it might seem, I liken our Earth time to a product’s shelf life. Each of us has an expiration date. If you’re reading this, it’s obvious yours hasn’t

were doing in Highlands Ranch and on Kelliwood Way, if the kids were enrolled in school, and if the child knew he was kidnapped, among other questions.

“I often wonder, how many law enforcement contacts did this family have before our deputies were able to dig in and identify exactly what was going on,” Weekly said.

Weekly met with Aziz’s father and family members after they made their way to Colorado.

Weekly said there was not a dry eye in the room as he heard from the family about how this transpired. He said the family supposedly had a hard time getting law enforcement to be responsive to what appeared to be a custody dispute.

e father told him that he had not had contact with Aziz for about nine years.

arrived yet. And contrary to Fitzgerald’s assertion, there can be second acts for those who are not one-trick ponies. So with that in mind, one pledge you should make—and keep—hereon: No more regrets.

Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.

e mother, Khalid, allegedly left with the child after learning that the father was going to get full custody. Weekly said he believes they have been all over the country.

Aziz has not been reunited with his father yet, however, the transition is underway. Weekly said that it is going to be a slow process.

“ is is the only life that Aziz has known,” said Weekly. “It’s going to take some time, it’s baby steps to get up to that point, and there’s just a lot of work to be done for this reuni cation.”

is is an ongoing investigation. If you have information on where these individuals have been over the past seven years, contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

forever barred.

Deidre McGee, Personal Representative

c/o Megan Jury, Esq.,

Attorney for Personal Representative

Robinson & Henry, P.C. 7555 E. Hampden Ave. Suite 600 Denver, CO 80231

Legal Notice No. DHD 3483

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of VIRGINIA L. WESTGAARD, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30083

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or

before July 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Helen Stanley Baker

Personal Representative 1621 Holly Point Rd. Prosperity, SC 29127

Legal Notice No. DHD 3498

First Publication: March 13, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Isaac Howard Kaiser, a/k/a Isaac H. Kaiser, a/k/a Isaac Kaiser, a/k/a Ike Kaiser, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30184

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gina Kaiser, Personal Representative c/o Maureen Cook, Esq. Spencer Fane LLP 1700 Lincoln Street, Ste 2000 Denver, CO 80203

Legal Notice No. DHD 3494

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch ##