District is expected to name three facilities in Highlands Ranch soon
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Douglas County School Board unanimously approved a policy to help guide school closures, including the planned closures of three elementary schools in Highlands Ranch in 2026.
No schools in Highlands Ranch have yet been named as part of the merging of six schools into three. e district is expected to announce which schools will be recommended for consolidation in March before the formal recommendation is made to the school board in April.
e board will vote on school consolidations at the April 22 meeting, and then there will be a transition year before the schools are merged for the 2026-27 school year.
Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies marks anniversary
You Are Not Alone is support group for moms with children of all ages
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Nikki Brooker assumed there was nothing else she would do besides be a school teacher.
But once she saw the heartbreaking ripple e ect in the community after two moms took their children’s lives in Highlands Ranch, she knew she had to do something.
Tears still come to her eyes when she thinks about how her husband supported her in her e ort to make a change.
“He’s the one who said, ‘go do this, go do good in the world,’” Brooker said.
Brooker established the nonpro t YANA — which stands for You Are Not Alone — in April of 2017. And almost eight years later, she is part of a new ripple e ect — one that supports the mental health and needs of moms in Douglas County.
“We’re supporting the people who create the people,” Brooker said.
How it all started
Having been a teacher for nearly two decades, Brooker was working in north Denver as an assistant principal in 2016 when her family noticed the job was taking a toll on her.
She left that position, and began substituting at Bear Canyon Elementary in Highlands Ranch, where her son attended school. November 2016 was coming to a close when Brooker got a call from the principal saying she was needed in the building the next day.
Ushered into a room with other adults, Brooker and the oth-
ers were told that a mom had picked up her 3- and 5- year olds from the school the day before, and ended up shooting and killing them and herself in the family minivan in what used to be the Sports Authority parking lot in the Lone Tree area. Brooker was at the school providing support when she noticed a sixth-grade boy sobbing. When she asked what was the matter, he replied, “Ethan was my reading buddy. How am I supposed to be OK with the fact that his mom murdered him?”
Nikki Brooker, the founder of the nonprofit organization, YANA, celebrates the one-year anniversary of the organization’s new program called Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies, in which moms who deliver babies at UCHealth Highlands Ranch, AdventHealth Parker and Castle Rock receive a year-long wraparound service.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Continuous Flow Intersections are set to be implemented in Douglas County
Newly constructed intersections are an element of the U.S. Highway 85 Widening Project
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As the U.S. Highway 85 Widening Project inches towards completion, drivers can expect changes to three major intersections in Highlands Ranch. Highlands Ranch will be the rst to have partial Continuous Flow Intersections in Douglas County.
Included within the U.S. 85 reconstruction project — which involves widening the roadway from four lanes to six lanes — three intersections will be recon gured to improve tra c operations and handle additional tra c volumes.
e new intersections will permanently relocate high volumes of left-turn movement to allow left-turning tra c and through tra c to move simultane-
• Southbound U.S. 85 to eastbound Highlands Ranch Parkway tra c
• Southbound U.S. 85 to eastbound Town Center Drive tra c
• Northbound U.S. 85 to westbound C-470 tra c
Douglas County will announce tra c impacts at a later date.
How
to navigate CFIs
Before turning left at the intersection signal, drivers will cross through tra c using a new signal and proceed to the far left side of the road.
Drivers will then make a left turn at the main intersection while through tra c proceeds as it normally would at a typical intersection.
Drivers turning right will use new dedicated right turn bypass lanes, which will allow right turns on red while the displaced left-turn movement proceeds.
A visual explanation of how the intersections will work is on the Douglas County website at tinyurl.com/dougcoc -intersections.
U.S. Highway 85 Widening Project
ously. It’s called Continuous Flow Intersections, also known as CFIs. ese types of intersections displace left-turning tra c to the outside edges of the road, allowing through tra c to continue to move through the middle of the intersection at the same time. e goal of the intersection is to increase the number of vehicles that can make it through the intersection in a single tra c light cycle, according to Douglas County.
Starting with Highlands Ranch Parkway, the intersections will open one at a time along U.S. 85. e intersections at Town Center Drive and C-470 will follow.
More speci cally, the new left-turn alignments will be:
In addition to the expansion from four to six lanes on U.S. 85, the bridge that carries U.S. 85 over C-470 is also being widened.
Various multimodal improvements will be made as well, including bus stop enhancements, a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on the east side of the highway, a crossing for the C-470 Trail and a crossing for the High Line Canal Trail.
A new pedestrian link from the Wolhurst Senior Community to the C-470 Trail will also be made. e new trail and underpass are anticipated to open in March.
To nd more information or sign up for updates from the county about the project, visit douglas.co.us/us-85-construction.
Castle Rock changing process for downtown development
Town council, not Design Review Board, will hold authority
BY MCKENNA HARFORD
e Castle Rock Town Council is changing the approval process for downtown developments to remove authority from the town’s Design Review Board.
At a Feb. 4 meeting, the council unanimously approved the rst reading of an ordinance to move the authority to approve site development plans for downtown projects from the Design Review Board to the town council.
e Design Review Board currently approves or denies site plans for developments located in Castle Rock’s downtown overlay district. Site development plans typically outline details of a project like parking and building design.
Approved plans then go to council fornal approval, which some council members, including Mayor Pro Tem Laura Cavey and council member Tim Dietz, feel acts as a rubber stamp for previous decisions.
e Design Review Board is made up of six appointed members with representatives from the Downtown Development Authority, the Planning Commission, the Historic Preservation Board and downtown property owners, as well as one member of town council.
e ordinance changes the process so the Design Review Board’s approval authority is removed and the board can only recommend approval or denial to the council for downtown projects of more than 10,000 square feet.
Under the proposed change, the council would be the sole authority approving downtown projects over 10,000 square feet. e Design Review Board would still have authority to approve projects smaller than 10,000 square feet. e council has previously argued
and disagreed over the authority of the Design Review Board, so the unanimous vote to change the ordinance marks a turn from previous discussions.
Council members did not discuss their thoughts on the change at the meeting before voting, except for Mayor Jason Gray calling it a “good compromise.”
e Castle Rock News-Press has reached out to Gray for a statement about the vote, but has not yet heard back.
One Castle Rock resident gave public comment in support of the change, calling it “long overdue.”
Most developments outside of the downtown overlay district go to the Planning Commission for recommendations and then to the council for approval, similarly to how the Design Review Board will work under the ordinance change.
e council will vote on the second reading of the ordinance change at the Feb. 18 meeting.
She later went into a kindergarten classroom where the children were making artwork for the surviving father.
“I was like, so this is going to be your kindergarten core memory,” said Brooker. “It just broke me.”
A few months later, still unable to shake o what she had experienced that day, Brooker’s heart broke even more when she heard of another Highlands Ranch mom who took her 10-year-old daughter’s life and then her own.
Brooker met with the surviving family members from both incidents and asked them if she could use their stories to help make people understand that moms need better support.
With their permission, Brooker made a post on Facebook and within two weeks, she had a location and established a nonpro t focused on peer-to-peer support.
YANA o ers weekly gatherings for moms with kids of any age. Additionally, there is someone who facilitates the meetings who is trained on recognizing red ags so proper referrals can be made to moms.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to support more moms and a ect generational mental health change,” said Brooker. “Because when kids see their moms supported, they feel OK to ask for help.”
Celebrating a milestone
Over time, Brooker realized that moms needed support before their children reached preschool ages.
She began researching what other countries in the world do to support moms, and found that in many places in Europe, such as France, women automatically receive multiple physical therapy appointments to rehabilitate their abdominal and pelvic oor muscles after childbirth.
In the U.S., “if you have a knee replacement, you get physical therapy; if you get a shoulder replacement, you get physical therapy,” said Brooker. “But you have a baby cut out of your body or you birth it through a canal the size of a golf ball, you don’t get any physical therapy after that.”
Learning that many women don’t know about some of the resources available to them after childbirth, Brooker started a new program through YANA called Strong Mamas, riving Babies.
It’s a hospital program that provides every mom in select hospitals with a full year of wraparound support for free. With the help of a grant from Douglas County, Brooker started by partnering with UCHealth Highlands Ranch in January of 2024. She walked into the room of every new mom and presented the program to them.
One year later, the program has expanded to AdventHealth hospitals in Parker and Castle Rock, and has nearly 2,300 moms in the program.
Once moms leave the hospital, they can go onto the app called Strong Mamas — which is made speci cally for moms of the program — to plan playdates, ask questions and browse the events calendar. ey can also attend weekly inperson gatherings at each of the hospitals.
“We literally hand them a village of moms and we say, ‘you’re all going through it, so let’s talk about it,’” Brooker said, adding that the meetings include tips and advice from community experts.
e program also includes phone calls made by volunteer moms to check in with others throughout their postpartum journey. rough these calls, YANA started an evening gathering, hosted family events and is working to create a program for dads.
e peer-led program has a 96% acceptance rate and a 70% engagement rate of the moms that are enrolled.
“We present to every single mom who is taking a live baby home,” said Brooker. “Nothing matters except that you’re a mom, and you deserve this support.” FROM PAGE 1
An animated video shows vehicles going southbound on U.S. Highway 85 planning to turn left onto eastbound Highlands Ranch Parkway shifting into the turn lanes before the intersection. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY
If You Don’t Find the Home You’re Looking for, We Have the Tools to Find On e That’s Not on the MLS
I took a class recently in which I learned to use a tool for searching public records in the same way that agents can search the MLS, using criteria that even the MLS doesn’t have. Now, if you can’t find a home for sale that meets your needs, we know how to conduct a search of all homes using those same criteria and reach out to the home owners to see if they would sell to you.
whether the home is owner occupied or a rental, and other criteria, including:
Deck
Swimming Pool
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
By the way, this tool is only available to agents who are Realtors — that is, members of the local and national Realtor association. Only about half of Colorado’s licensed real estate agents are Realtors.
Here’s how it works. Although not always up-to-date because of homeowners who did not get permits for certain improvements to their homes, the public records do contain extensive information that can be searched using this tool.
We can search not only for style, square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms and lot size, but also for finished or unfinished basements,
Barn
Workshop
Corner lot or cul-de-sac
Fireplace
Estimated value
The estimated value is not the assessor’s valuation which is often inaccurate and, at any rate, not current. The assessor’s valuation is as of June 30th of the previous even numbered year (2024). This tool’s valuation is based on recent comparable sales from both the MLS and off-MLS transactions.
Last, but definitely not least, we can search for homes that were purchased over 5, 10, 15 or 20 years ago. Owners who purchased their home less than five years ago are least likely to be interested in selling, so we don’t bother.
By the way, this same tool can also be used instead of the MLS itself to search MLS listings using those same search criteria above, many of which are not available on MLS
searches. Also, we can add any other search criteria that is important to you, not just the ones listed above, using a key word search. These can include anything — sauna, walk-in bathtub, or you-name-it (literally).
Another important criterion for any buyer is location. You can specify any area, city or subdivision — or multiple areas and subdivisions.
So, let’s say, hypothetically, that you would like us to solicit owners of two-story homes with Littleton addresses but not in Douglas County that were purchased over 10 years ago. The home must have 3-4 bedrooms and 2 or more bathrooms, and it must have a 3-car garage, a finished basement and a workshop. You will consider homes with a valuation up to $900,000. The house should be not more than 30 years old, and it must be owneroccupied.
Working with those criteria, we come up with an Excel spreadsheet which includes the address and name of the owner. Using a separate app, we could add to the spreadsheet the landline and cell number of each owner .
Using a mail-merge program, we could send individually printed letters in individually printed envelopes saying that we have a
Have You Heard of ‘Pig Butchering’? It the Latest, Most Dangerous Kind of Scam
We all know someone who has been scammed. My own sister lost $15,000 to a scammer. Since starting this column/ad in 2003, I have warned readers at least ten times about rental scams, and a few months ago I described how a scammer listed a parcel of land he didn’t own with us, and we only found out that was the case when the title company sent a FedEx letter to the owner of record to verify the transaction before it was “sold” to a neighbor.
In my April 6, 2017, column I wrote about a Golden man whom I met because he wanted to buy a million-dollar property once his “inheritance” arrived from his Nigerian scammer. I couldn’t convince him he was being scammed, and he died penniless and homeless, still clinging to his dream.
You and those you know probably have your own stories about scammers.
Recently I came across of an 8-part podcast by Economist Podcasts called “Scam, Inc.” I strongly recommend listening to it.
(It costs a couple dollars per month to subscribe to all Economist podcasts, but this one is worth every penny by itself, and you can cancel after you’ve listened to it.)
“Pig butchering,” I learned, is a Chinese term. Pork is their most precious meat, and the scam entails finding the “pig” (you), building a pig sty (messaging by text or on WhatsApp), feeding it (building rapport, and eventually guiding the person to invest in crypto), rewarding it (showing phony paper returns on the crypto investment), and ultimately butchering it (taking all your funds before you realize the investment was a hoax). Pig butchering take a lot of time.
It sounds a lot like what Bernie Madoff did, doesn’t it? But this is done by Englishspeaking Southeast Asians, mostly in Myanmar, who find a reason never to betray themselves by speaking to you on the phone, where you would recognize they’re not who they pretend to be.
Sometimes, but not always, these are ro-
Just Listed: 2-Bedroom Townhome in Lakewood
mance scams, where the scammer gradually convinces you of their love and provides pictures which are stolen off the internet. The first example in the Scam, Inc. podcast, however, was of a Kansas bank president who was conned into investing his bank’s reserves in crypto by a non-romance scammer who simply appealed to the banker’s desire for self-enrichment. He lost $42 million of the bank’s money. The bank was ultimately forced out of business. No one who knew the president could believe what he had done.
Here’s a bit of advice I learned. Take the picture you received from a possible scammer and go to the search field of Google.com. At the right of that field next to the microphone icon is an icon which says “Search by image” when you float your cursor over it. Click on that icon, drag or upload a picture, and it will instantly show you everywhere that picture appears. I uploaded my own picture and, fortunately, it only showed my own websites.
Again, please listen to the “Scam, Inc.” podcast. You’ll learn a lot you need to know.
buyer who is looking for a home like theirs. We could also call the owners or give you the list and let you call them after you’ve signed a buyer agency agreement with us. (This would require that the home is not listed by another agent, which we can confirm.)
This tool can also be used to search expired listings without the use of lead generation services which often provide faulty or out-ofdate data and don’t verify that the home has not been relisted by another agent. Although the inventory of homes for sale is much greater than it has been, this tool allows us to open up the whole universe of homes, whether for sale or not, which match your specific desires. If this sounds like something you’d like us to play with on your behalf, call me or any of our broker associates (listed below) and we’ll get to work for you.
Is Your Home Wildfire Ready?
My January 13, 2025, column described ways in which homes could be made fireresistant. If you read that article on our blog, http://realestatetoday.substack.com, you saw multiple links to articles and reports from Colorado to California on how to harden you home against wildfire. Since then, I became aware of a website, www.RotaryWildfireReady.com, created by the Rotary Clubs of Evergreen, Conifer, Boulder and Mountain Foothills, in cooperation with fire departments, community leaders and Fire Adapted Colorado. You’ll be impressed, as I was, by how comprehensive this website is, providing a wide array of advice and resources, not just on hardening your home but on preparing for the eventuality of an evacuation order.
Environmental Film Festival
The Colorado Environmental Film Festival runs this weekend, Feb. 21-23 at the Green Center, 924 16th Street, Golden, on the campus of the Colorado School of Mines. I wrote about the festival in last week’s column.
You can study the three-day schedule at https://ceff2025.eventive.org/schedule and buy tickets at https://ceff.net/tickets
If you go, look for our booth in the EcoExpo, where you can browse the display of current solar-powered homes and let us know if you’d like to see any of them.
Don’t miss this remodeled two-bedroom, one-bathroom townhome at 3355 S. Flower #59, in the quiet Jefferson Green subdivision northeast of Highway 285 and Kipling Street. Features include new luxury wood-look vinyl flooring throughout the first floor, new lighting fixtures, new stainless steel sink and range. The fully tiled bathroom has a new vanity and lighting. The bedrooms have new carpeting, ceiling fans, and the primary bedroom has a walk-in closet. There are newer windows throughout. The LG washer and dryer are included. Also included is one space in the 2-car shared garage, with a storage area included. A second designated parking spot is in the parking lot. This home is move-in ready! Listing agent David Dlugasch has created a narrated video walk-through which you’ll find along with lots of magazine-quality pictures at www.GRElistings.com. He’ll be holding it open this Saturday, February 22nd, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or call him at 303-908-4835 to arrange a private showing.
$785,000
Meticulously maintained with many quality upgrades, this turnkey patio home at 2601 S. Kipling Court is ready for new owners. Located in a private gated community, it is two blocks from Bear Creek Park. The large main level has vaulted ceilings and south facing windows that provide plenty of natural light. The spacious main floor is 1,911 square feet and features an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, gas range and stainless steel appliances. The living room is open to the kitchen and dining areas and has a stacked rock gas fireplace. The large primary bedroom with a 5-piece bath has a sliding door to access the outdoor patio. The main level also includes a second bedroom, a 3/4 guest bathroom and an office space. Quality wood flooring, lighting, handrails and paint add to the cozy ambience. There is a large main-floor laundry with built-in cabinets and utility sink (washer and dryer included). The basement is professionally finished with 9-foot ceilings, family room, bar, pool room (with custom pool table included), a 3rd bedroom and 3rd bath, and a large 350-sq.-ft. storage area. There is a newer furnace and A/C, as well as new garage door and opener. The seller is open to selling any furniture in the home. Find additional photos and view a narrated video walk-through at www.GRElistings.com. To arrange a showing, call listing agent Jim Swanson on his cell phone anytime, 303-929-2929.
Golden Real Estate lists and sells residential properties across the entire metro area.
House cats with bird flu could pose risk
Some pets died after drinking raw milk, midnight prowls
BY SARAH BODEN KFF HEALTH NEWS
dogs at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said people should not assume it’s bird u if their cat is sick — even if their animal spends time outdoors or eats a raw diet. Upperrespiratory illnesses are common in cats, while H5N1 is “still pretty rare.”
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More than 80 domestic cats, among many other types of mammals, have been con rmed to have had bird u since 2022 — generally barn cats that lived on dairy farms, as well as feral cats and pets that spend time outdoors and likely caught it by hunting diseased rodents or wild birds.
Now, a small but growing number of house cats have gotten sick from H5N1, the bird u strain driving the current U.S. outbreak, after eating raw food or drinking unpasteurized milk. Some of those cats died.
e strain of bird u currently circulating has not adapted to e ciently spread among people. And there have been no known cases of cat-to-human transmission during the current outbreak of H5N1.
Still, there’s always been the risk that cats, which are arguably only semi-domesticated, could bring home a disease from a midnight prowl.
Sykes gives her indoor cat, Freckles, regular kibble exclusively. She told NPR and KFF Health News she has no concerns about Freckles getting H5N1 because the heating process of making dry or canned pet food kills viruses.
More cases in cats, more risk to humans
Some people feed their pets raw meat or unpasteurized milk because they think it’s a more nutritious or natural diet.
e American Veterinary Medical Association’s website discourages this due to foodborne pathogens like salmonella and listeria, and now the highly pathogenic H5N1.
State and local public health agencies, including those in Los Angeles County and Washington state, have issued similar warnings against raw food diets for pets.
can infect so many di erent host species,” said Bruce Kornreich, director of Cornell University’s Feline Health Center.
“Companion animals, and especially cats, are 100% a public health risk in terms of the risk of zoonotic transmission to people,” said virologist Angela Rasmussen, who studies disease progression in emerging viruses at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. is is because we snuggle with and sleep in bed with our cats. When we’re not looking, cats drink from our water glasses and walk on kitchen counters. So, cat owners should be aware of the ongoing spread of bird u. “By reducing the risk to your cats, you reduce the risk to yourself,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen doesn’t think pet owners should be afraid their cats will give them bird u but said taking precautions is good for pets, and for public health.
Signs of bird u in cats include runny nose and discharge around the eyes, explained Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
H5N1 also causes neurological problems like dizziness and seizures, which are symptoms of rabies, too. Rabies is almost always fatal, and it poses a threat to human health, so any animal suspected of having the viral disease must be euthanized. Bailey encourages people to ensure pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Veterinarian Jane Sykes, who specializes in infectious diseases in cats and
Concerns for human health are partly why the FDA announced last month it is now requiring cat and dog food companies to update their safety plans to protect against bird u.
is came after the Oregon Department of Agriculture discovered a cat that was “strictly an indoor cat” had contracted H5N1 and died after consuming a frozen turkey product made by the raw pet food brand Northwest Naturals. It stated that “tests con rmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.”
Northwest Naturals voluntarily recalled that batch of its frozen turkey-based product. e company told KFF Health News and NPR that the recall involved “a small product run” and that it has concerns about the accuracy of the Oregon Agriculture Department’s testing.
Los Angeles County’s public health department said ve cats from two households tested positive for bird u after drinking unpasteurized raw milk from the Raw Farm dairy in California’s Central Valley.
Raw Farm voluntarily recalled its milk and cream after retail products tested positive for H5N1, but it denies any food safety issues, calling the concern “a political issue.”
Veterinarians also warn pet owners not to allow cats unsupervised time outside as there’s the risk of them getting H5N1 by interacting with other animals that might carry the disease.
“ is is a very scary virus, given that it
At least one instance of a cat infecting a person with bird u occurred in 2016. As NPR reported, a veterinarian in New York City caught the virus after having close contact with infected cats. e vet experienced mild symptoms and quickly recovered.
In that case, the strain of bird u was H7N2, not the H5N1 that is now circulating in the U.S. H7N2 is a very di erent type of virus, Sykes explained. But she said it shows that cat-to-human transmission of avian in uenza is theoretically possible. ere isn’t a lot of research on transmission of bird u from companion animals like cats or dogs to humans, though Rasmussen agreed it’s de nitely a concern: e more infections you have in animals, “the more your luck is potentially going to run out.”
Most people who have caught H5N1 are agricultural workers who had direct contact with infected poultry or cattle. Of at least 67 con rmed human cases of H5N1 in the U.S., there’s been one fatality in an immunocompromised person who had contact with birds.
Chances for mutation
Part of the concern with this H5N1 outbreak is that bird u viruses change. Just a few mutations could make this strain adept at spreading between people. And the more people who catch H5N1, the more likely it would adapt to be more e cient, said Suresh Kuchipudi, a virologist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, where he researches zoonotic diseases. Kuchipudi has studied H5N1 in cats.
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Another concern is something called reassortment. If an animal or person is infected with two viruses at once, the viruses can trade genetic material, creating something new. is is common in in uenza, so virologists are on the lookout for a case in which the bird u reassorts to make a virus that’s far more contagious, and potentially more virulent. Virologist Rasmussen is way more worried about this happening in pigs. Human respiratory physiology is more like that of swines than felines. So far, the current outbreak of H5N1 has not reached commercial hog operations. Rasmussen hopes it stays that way.
Cats are at high risk of transmitting bird flu to humans because owners snuggle with and sleep with cats. When we’re not looking, cats drink from our water glasses and walk on kitchen counters.
SHUTTERSTOCK
CLOSURES
e approved policy for school closures outlines the community engagement process, considerations and timelines to create a standardized district process.
Criteria listed in the policy include preserving the “student, sta and community cohorts as much as possible,” while accounting for tra c management, safety, walkability, building quality and limitations, maximizing school programs, enrollment and nancial sustainability.
Superintendent Erin Kane said the recommendations will weigh all of the criteria listed in the policy to make the best decisions. Kane added that the decision will be more complex than just merging the schools with the lowest enrollment.
“We’re really looking at the totality of all of these criteria and that’s why they’re in no particular order,” she said.
Other considerations listed in the policy include the “careful consideration of the needs of impacted sta ,” class sizes, additional programming accommoda-
BIRD FLU
Kuchipudi said that reassortments are relatively rare events, but the outcome is completely unpredictable. Sometimes the results are benign, though it was likely a reassortment that involved an avian virus that led to the 1918 u pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people. In the century since, virologists have established a global surveillance network
tions and accessibility to local resources such as parks and emergency services.
An online dashboard created by the district shows data for each of the 16 elementary schools in Highlands Ranch, including current and projected enrollments.
e district has also released a sta ng
to monitor in uenza viruses. Scientists say continued investment in this network is key to preparing for and hopefully preventing another pandemic.
Winter is “reassortment season” because of all the in uenza viruses circulating, Rasmussen said. A reassortment in cats could technically be possible since these pets occasionally get seasonal u, but it’s highly unlikely. Rather, Rasmussen said, it’s more likely that a cat would pass H5N1 to a human who already has seasonal u, and then a reassortment happens in the sick person. While the
plan to detail the process for impacted sta to transition into new positions.
District o cials have promised that all impacted sta will be o ered commensurate jobs.
Kane said the district is able to promise jobs to impacted sta while still being able to achieve nancial savings in
risk isn’t zero, Rasmussen doubts this will happen. It would depend on how ill the human was, and how much virus they’re exposed to from their cat.
“Unless the cat is really shedding a ton of virus, and you’re kind of making out with the cat, I think it would be hard,” she said.
Rasmussen and Kuchipudi caution there isn’t enough research to know for sure how much virus cats shed, or even how they shed the virus.
e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was poised to release a new
the future because of attrition.
“Because we are not waiting to (consolidate schools) until we’re about to fall o a scal cli , we have a little bit of exibility to do this slowly and do it well for our sta members,” Kane said. “We will still realize that savings in the long-run.” e district plans to use the closed schools for student or sta programming. e district will not sell the buildings or use them for charter schools.
Kane said the decision about the future uses for the schools will come after the recommendation on which schools to close.
“We aren’t in a position to say, ‘here’s our recommendations including what the closing schools are going to become’ because that is a whole other process,” Kane said.
In preparation for the transition year, the district is bringing on sta support and family support liaisons and additional human resources professionals.
Douglas County Chief of Sta Steve Colella said that once the recommendation for closures is made, district ofcials are ready to support students, sta and families through the merging process.
study about H5N1 in cats, but that was delayed when the Trump administration paused the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. at investigation, revealed through emails obtained by KFF Health News in a public records request, found that house cats likely got bird u from dairy workers.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Outside the Douglas County School District building in Castle Rock, Colo., July 17, 2024. PHOTO BY ARIA MARIZZA
Shootings at Main Event leave one hurt, one dead
Deputy encountered man with a gun outside; a female inside the building is in custody
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
One person is dead, a person was injured and one is in custody after an active shooting call at the Main Event event center in Highlands Ranch on Feb. 8. Navaeha Crowley-Sanders, 23, was arrested by the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce on suspicion of criminal attempted rstdegree murder and rst-degree assault in relation to one of the shooting incidents, the department reported on social media. She appeared in Douglas County court on Feb. 10 and a $1 million bond was set by Magistrate Alisha Coombe. An arraignment hearing will take place on Feb. 24. Just before midnight on Feb. 8, the sheri ’s o ce got a call on reports of an active shooter at the event center at 64 W. Centennial Blvd., which includes a variety of games and bowling.
A deputy down the street responded to the scene within a
minute of the call, where he encountered a male in the parking lot allegedly holding a handgun. e male was given several commands to drop the weapon.
While going in between vehicles, the male faced the deputy and he was then shot. According to Sheri Darren Weekly, the male died after life saving measures were given to him.
e male has been identi ed as 23-year-old Jalin Seabron.
A shooting also occurred inside Main Event, involving two females.
One female had been shot in the chest and has a wound on her foot. She was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive. at female was allegedly shot by Crowley-Sanders, Weekly said.
“We know there were multiple rounds that were red inside the business,” he said. ere were many people at the center when the shooting occurred.
“ e shooting could have been much worse,” Weekly said, describing a “chaotic” and “dangerous” scene.
Police are investigating whether the incident in the parking lot is connected to the shooting that happened inside the building. Weekly initially said they do be-
lieve there is a connection.
Tom Mustin, spokesman for the 23rd Judicial District, conrmed with the Highlands Ranch Herald that there is a connection between Crowley-Sanders and Seabron.
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Police are also looking for witnesses who heard or saw what transpired at Main Event. ey can call the sheri ’s o ce tip line at 303-660-7549.
McKenna Harford contributed to this report.
e o cer involved in shooting the man in the parking lot is on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, per the sheri ’s o ce policy. e shooting will be investigated by the 23rd Judicial District Critical Incident response team.
Dougco legislators push bill on immigration enforcement
Baisley, Brooks want local policing agencies to be able to take part
BY MCKENNA HARFORD
MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County o cials are hoping to repeal state laws that limit how local law enforcement can interact with federal immigration agencies to allow cooperation between the agencies when an immigrant who is undocumented is in custody.
Colorado state Sen. Mark Baisley and Rep. Max Brooks, who both represent parts of Douglas County, introduced Senate Bill 25-047, which would allow local law enforcement to report immigrants they believe are illegally in the country to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). e bill would also remove the prohibition on arresting or detaining immigrants at courthouses and prevent local governments from enacting laws that would interfere in immigration enforcement or cooperation.
At a Feb. 12 press conference, Baisley, Brooks, Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly, 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Br-
auchler and former ICE director John Fabbricatore advocated for the bill’s passage, while acknowledging the uphill battle it faces.
Weekly said the bill eliminates “unnecessary barriers” and clears up guidance to law enforcement, which he said is currently interpreted di erently by di erent agencies.
“ ere’s so many laws on the books now about immigration that it’s very convoluted, so this (bill) puts us in the right direction,” Weekly said, noting that he is “one of the few sheri s that will actually contact ICE if we believe that somebody is in this country illegally.”
Last year, Baisley brought forth a similar bill with former Rep. Richard Holtorf, of Akron, but it was unsuccessful.
MCKENNA HARFORD Community Editor mharford@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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Baisley and Brooks said they are more hopeful about the fate of the bill this year since the recent investigations into Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has been linked to some crimes in Denver and Aurora.
Baisley said that though the bill “does not have a good chance of passing this time,” he believes it has broad support.
“ e awareness of the public is rising quite a bit and the sheri s are going to show up (in support),” he said.
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Douglas County News-Press (ISSN 1067-425X)(USPS 567-060) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 115 Wilcox St., Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
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BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly speaks in favor of a proposed bill that would remove limitations on local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration agencies at a Feb. 12 press conference at the Douglas County Justice Center. Colorado state Sen. Mark Baisley, Rep. Max Brooks and 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler, from left, stand behind Weekly in support.
Brooks added that the bill aligns with recent comments from Gov. Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who said in interviews they support deporting violent criminals.
“I’m very hopeful that because of their stance that they have taken publicly in admitting this is a big problem and something we need to address, that perhaps will in uence some of their Democratic colleagues in the legislature,” Brooks said. SB25-047 has its rst hearing on Feb. 25 in the State, Veterans and Military A airs Committee.
CORRECTION
In a story on the future Brickyard development on page 8 of the Feb. 13 edition, the location description was incorrect. It will be located at 401 Prairie Hawk Drive, which is west of Interstate 25 and south of Wolfensberger Road.
CLARIFICATION
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
In the article on the INSPIRE program in the Feb. 13 edition, the group’s organizers would like to clarify that while care for participants may cost as much as $20,000, no family pays that much to attend. The charitable foundation Active 4 All provides financial support.
Douglas County Sheri o cers responded to the Main Event event center late Saturday evening, Feb. 8, 2025. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF VIA TWITTER
PHOTO
Girls wrestling teams thrive in year one, send athletes to state
Conifer, Ponderosa girls programs start strong with high numbers, higher goals
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As girls wrestling continues to sweep the country as the nation’s fastest-growing high school sport, local programs are wasting no time making a splash in Colorado.
Quali ers for the state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Feb. 13-15 have been announced, and many schools are sending rst-time representatives on the biggest high school stage.
Ponderosa High School in Parker is in the rst season of its girls wrestling program. In year one, a whopping 19 girls signed up for the team. After a strong season, four quali ed for state.
“We were kind of shocked, because, in your rst year, girls wrestling is a tough sport,” Head Coach Frankie Sanchez said. “So, we gured we’d maybe have a couple of state quali ers, but having four was pretty good. And then the two regional champions, and then one runner-up, that was pretty exciting.”
e Mustangs quali ed Arianna Sanchez (regional champion), Presley Pearson (regional runner-up), Elizabeth Sandy (regional champion) and Abriella Deitz (regional third-place) to state, each representing four weight classes.
To have that many sign up for the program’s rst year is impressive, but maybe not that big of a surprise, Sanchez said. Until Ponderosa had its own team, interested girls would wrestle for Douglas County High School.
But now, the Mustangs can proudly wear their own uniforms and have adopted some wrestlers from Lutheran and Legend high schools.
It’s not enough to just be happy to be there, Sanchez said. e girls are hungry as they go into the state competition.
For Sandy, the Mustangs’ senior qualier and commit to Adams State University, it’s about revenge. She lost in last year’s nal. Her determination is rubbing o on the rest of the squad.
“We tell them to not be satis ed,” Sanchez said. “A lot of these girls get satised with just being a regional champ or getting down to Ball Arena. But, you know, we try to tell them that, you know, the show is not over yet. You still got a medal to go pick up.”
Conifer High School is also in year one. According to Head Coach Nick Adamson, there has been growing interest in
developing a girls team in recent years. Last season, one girl who attended Conifer wrestled for Evergreen. Now the Lobos have 11 wrestlers.
“I got the boys program started a few years ago,” Adamson said. “ is was our fourth season bringing the boys program back. It had been defunct for about ve years prior. So really, over the last couple of years, there’s been a lot of interest with individual girls and parents approaching me about when we were going to get a girls team going.”
Before rebooting the boys team, Adamson had been bolstering the youth club in the area, establishing a group of youth wrestlers — boys and girls — who would develop into high school athletes.
“It’s just something that I’ve always felt really strongly about, just what the sport o ers kids in general,” he said. “And it’s awesome that we can now have that available for the girls too. I would have been happy with four or ve (girls wrestlers), just out of the gate rst year. So, to get that many was great, and I think we should be well up over 15 to 20 next
Conifer is sending Sierra Nordwald (third at regionals) and Penny Dickinson (third at regionals) to Ball Arena. ere’s a lot of pride among the teammates as they craft the culture that will shape the program’s foundation.
“Being the inaugural girls team, it’s really a point of pride for them. I think it means a lot to them, even the ones that didn’t necessarily see a lot of individual success or individual accolades throughout the year. I think that’s kind of the feather in their hat is that, ‘I was a part of creating and being a part of that the rst girls program and establishing it hopefully generations to come.’” e Lobos only have one senior, so Conifer is returning nearly the whole team. is year was a building block, and the wrestlers are eager to return to the mat next season with a better grasp of the sport and higher goals for success.
High school girls wrestling is blooming in Colorado, and it’s here to stay.
“Women’s wrestling right now is the fastest-growing sport in high school sports,” Sanchez said. “I mean, it’s huge. e NCAA just announced in January that it was the 91st o cial championship sport for college. So it’s now sanctioned for Division I, Division II and Division III ... is is us building a program we only started in November. So, imagine giving us another six months, or even a year. I think we’re going to be pretty dominating.”
View an updated version of this story online at coloradocommunitymedia. com/sports
Pomona junior Timberly Martinez, in black, grabs the leg of Conifer senior Sierra Nordwald during a semifinal match at 140 pounds on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Columbine High School. Pomona captured the first girls wrestling Je co League title winning the Je co League Tournament.
PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS / JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Pomona girls wrestlers captured the Je co League title on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Columbine High School. The Panthers will try to win back-to-back state team titles in a few weeks at Ball Arena.
RTD adds detective bureau for safety
Transit agency will investigate all crimes occurring on its properties around metro area
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Regional Transportation District will now investigate all crime that happens on the agency’s property, through a newly created and fully functioning detective bureau.
e in-house detective bureau will enable RTD to directly perform investigations on thefts and any other criminal activity that may occur on its property – “anything that a ects the ability of our customers to ride the system safely,” said Brian Cousineau, the agency’s RTD-PD Commander, who will lead the detective bureau. “We want people to utilize our services and feel safe doing so.”
Cousineau said in a news release that the new bureau will help RTD pursue prosecuting personal crimes, involving any threat or use of force, and includes felony-level narcotics violations across the agency’s system or property.
As the bureau works out protocols for working with the eight counties in the agency’s district, the department will be able to le its own cases and carry out investigations on related cases that occur in di erent municipalities. As an example, Cousineau pointed to last year’s copper wire thefts from RTD tracks.
“If a copper wire theft happens in Aurora on our property and the wire was valued at $900, that’s a misdemeanor
crime; we would hand it over to the Aurora Police Department,” Cousineau said.
“Let’s say the same $900 copper wire theft happened a week later in ornton, and then a week later at Lakewood. e bene t of having our own detective bureau is that we can assign our detectives to all those cases. is changes the crime from being a misdemeanor to a felonylevel crime.”
e RTD-PD had aimed to establish a fully functioning detective bureau to le criminal cases in jurisdictions throughout its service area prior to the copper wire thefts in 2024. e thefts “were denitely a catalyst for us to get the bureau established more quickly,” Cousineau said.
Cousineau anticipates the RTD-PD detective bureau will be fully operational by the end of the second quarter in 2025, according to the news release.
“One of the biggest lifts that we have is to get with all eight counties to le cases to each of their expectations. is will also include establishing secure systems for e- ling and setting up protocols for writing probable cause a davits.”
On Jan. 6, the RTD-PD internally promoted Transit Police o cers Fabian Rodriguez to detective lieutenant and Brian Beary to detective on its force, according to the news release.
Rodriguez has served as an o cer for 27 years, with most of his career at the Adams County Sherri ’s O ce where he supervised general investigations and the North Metro Drug Task Force.
Rodriguez’s career includes working with federal organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations and the
Drug Enforcement Agency. Beary has served in law enforcement for 18 years. Prior to joining RTD-PD, he was a criminal investigator for the Colorado Department of Revenue for six years, the news release states.
A third detective, Craig Tangeman, joined the force on Jan. 21. Tangeman has worked in law enforcement for over 26 years, with 19 years dedicated to investigative operations for Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce. He has conducted federal and state investigations and managed over 200 police o cers, federal agents, and volunteers as part of proactive investigative operations, the news release states. Tangeman is experienced in conducting major case investigations having been assigned to the Metro Gang Task Force, the Safe Streets Fugitive Unit, and the Child Exploitation and Human Tra cking Task Force.
Cousineau who has worked for RTDPD for almost two years, according to RTD. In Cousineau’s 28 years working in law enforcement, 14 have been dedicated to supervisory and investigative functions, including working on narcotics task forces, supervising detectives, and overseeing investigations ranging from high-level misdemeanors to homicide crimes and internal a airs. e agency is budgeted to add two more detectives to the department later in 2025, RTD says. e RTD-PD is also in the process of developing an evidence room to follow the proper chain of custody to hold evidence needed to prosecute cases. Once established, this will mitigate reliance on other police agencies to retain evidence needed to prosecute criminal activity that occurred on
RTD property. e agency states in the news release that RTD-PD have taken deliberate strides to grow the force to better support community and employee safety as part of the agency’s “Welcoming Transit Environment” strategic initiative. e RTD-PD force stands at approximately 90 o cers today and began the year with recruits in the police academy. e agency is budgeted for 150 sworn ofcers in 2025 – a signi cant growth from when the department had 19 o cers on the force in August 2019, the news release states.
RTD expanding its police force to include detectives that will investigate crime across the systems’ routes and stations. COURTESY RTD
Outlook positive but subdued
WFINANCIAL STRATEGIES
e have been talking for several months now about a slowing economy, which is now coming to fruition. is economic slowdown was originally based on the natural progression of the business cycle. Recent events, however, may speed that up.
e rst place we look for help in guring out where we are in the business cycle is the Federal Reserve Board. Jerome Powell’s recent testimony may have caught some investors o guard, as the Fed chose to do nothing and hold steady. is concerned the pessimists, who think that mortgage rates could remain high while their savings accounts earn less. Also, the economic growth measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been slowing, so a decline in interest rates could have boosted growth.
e optimists are happy because the Fed’s neutral stance could mean everything is good and there is no need to make any changes. e Fed admits, however, that we are not yet down to their 2% target for in ation.
e U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that shelter, or housing, makes up the largest sector of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures in ation. Shelter makes up 32% of the CPI with a year-over-year increase of 5%. is is the largest driver behind stickiness in the
Life is meant to be more than simply checking o boxes on a list. It’s meant to be lived with passion, fervor, and enthusiasm. Yet, time and time again, I see people, whether at work or in their personal lives, fall into the trap of routine, where daily habits become ruts. ese ruts, if left unchecked, can lead to stagnation and even feelings of emptiness or depression. When life becomes about punching in and punching out, whether on the job or at home, we miss the point entirely.
In my work, helping organizations with sales training, management coaching, and leadership development, I’ve witnessed both ends of the spectrum. On one hand, some companies approach training as just another task to be done. ey participate in programs not because they believe in their value but because they want to check the box and say they’ve done it. ere’s no energy, no passion, and, unsurprisingly, little to no impact.
VOICES
current in ation rates, according to William Greiner, chief economist at Mariner. All other items excluding shelter had an in ation rate in 2024 of 1.9%, so perhaps the Fed thought we were getting close to their target.
en enter the new administration in
Washington. No matter where your political allegiance lies, every day is a whirlwind of new information. It is too soon to see how tari s will a ect everything, but at rst glance, they could lower economic growth and increase in ation. While the Fed does not have an economic growth
target, it does consider growth rates when determining where interest rates should be. After in ation, the second mandate of the Fed is that unemployment and jobs creation remain strong.
SEE KUMMER, P11
Finding fervor and zeal in everyday moments
WINNING
ment from the top down. Senior leaders engage with the content, understanding its transformative potential for their teams. at enthusiasm trickles through the organization, sparking interest, energy, and a shared commitment to growth. e results are staggering in business performance, employee satisfaction, and morale.
On the other hand, some organizations view professional development as an investment in their people. ese companies approach training with excite-
is contrast illustrates the bigger picture: Checking the box might give you the illusion of progress, but true growth and ful llment come from investing yourself fully, mind, heart, and spirit into what you’re doing. is same “check-the-box” mentality that I see in workplaces can also creep into our personal lives. ink about it: Are you “checking the box” with your spouse? Maybe the once passionate goodbyes have been replaced by a quick, obligatory peck on the cheek. Are you “checking the box” with your kids or grandkids? You may be sitting in the
same room with them while they watch a movie or play on a tablet, but you’re not truly engaging because you’re scrolling through your phone.
Are you “checking the box” at the gym, going through the motions of a workout without really pushing yourself or enjoying the process? Are you “checking the box” in your spiritual life, saying a quick, rehearsed prayer, or attending a house of worship but not truly paying attention to the music or the message?
e good news is that it’s never too late to reignite your passion for life and break free from the monotony. Here are a few steps to get started:
Try something new. Create a fresh workout plan that excites you. Explore a new hobby or take on a challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Put the phone down. Play an active role in your children’s or grandchildren’s lives. Instead of passively sitting in the same room, play a game, have a conversation, or share a meaningful experience together.
Bring back the little things that made your relationship special. Start with a passionate kiss, a thoughtful gesture,
or a meaningful conversation. Whether professional training or personal development, embrace the chance to grow. Be grateful for the opportunity to learn something new and consider how it can bene t your life.
Life isn’t about simply completing tasks; it’s about living. It’s about tasting, experiencing, and embracing each moment’s richness. If you feel stuck in the “check-the-box” mindset, ask yourself: What can I do today to return to the redup express train?
Bring back the zeal, curiosity, and passion that fuels growth and connection because life is much more than just checking a box. It’s meant to be lived fully and with purpose. So what are you waiting for? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we go beyond just checking a box, 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.
Things to do in the south metro area
Meet the author: C. J. Box
e Douglas County Libraries is inviting the community to an event with C.J. Box, the New York Times bestselling author of the Joe Pickett series.
e event takes place at 7 p.m. March 1 at the DCSD Legacy Campus, 10035 Peoria St., in Lone Tree.
ere will be a discussion on his new novel, “Battle Mountain” and a book signing will follow the author’s presentation.
A general admission ticket costs $35 and includes a hardcover copy of the book, a seat for the presentation and a place in the signing line. A companion ticket costs $20 and includes a seat for the presentation only. It is available only with the purchase of a general admission ticket.
Co ee, tea and deserts will be provided. e book will be available for purchase at the event.
Learn more at www.dcl.org.
Colorado Pint Day
e Colorado Brewers Guild, a nonpro t trade organization for independent craft breweries, has announced the return of the 10th annual Colorado Pint Day. It will be on March 5.
Colorado Pint Day is a time-honored tradition that has developed a following, with beer lovers ocking to participating breweries to pick up the limited edition glassware. is beloved fundraiser supports local craft breweries and is always takes place on a Wednesday during a typicallyslower season for breweries. One dollar of each pint glass sold is donated to the Colorado Brewers Guild to support its mission of promoting, protecting and propelling its members through advocacy, education and public awareness.
A list of the 215 plus participating breweries, which includes several from Arapahoe and Douglas counties, can be found on the CBG website: coloradobeer.org.
Acrylic painting collage workshop
e Heritage Fine Arts Guild invites artists of all skill levels to an engaging, hands-on workshop with Christa MacFarlane.
Participants will experiment with a variety of acrylic application techniques while integrating collage elements to
create dynamic and unexpected compositions. is workshop is designed to showcase the versatility of acrylics and inspire creative expression. Participants should bring their own supplies, including acrylic paints, brushes, college materials and a support board for their work. A full supply list is available on the Heritage Fine Arts Guild website.
e workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 15 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1701 W. Caley Ave., in Littleton. Cost is $50 for Heritage Fine Arts Guild members and $100 for non-members. To register, visit www. heritage-guild.com.
Celebrate freedom through film in Englewood
e I Love Independence Mini Film Festival, will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Englewood Arts, 10901 E. Winner Road.
e free event will showcase winning lms from entries that focused on telling stories that raise awareness of the historical signi cance of independence. e aim of the contest and festival is to encourage lmmakers to showcase their creativity and passion for history, foster community and civic engagement in the city’s historical heritage, and connect the community and visitors to the city’s history and cultural sites, according to provided information. For all the details about the festival, visit www.iloveindependence.org.
Board game swap in Littleton
Drop o gently-used board games at the Bemis Library’s Information or Children’s desks between Feb. 26 and March 4 for tickets to the Board Game Swap Shop, which will take place on March 5 between 4-6 p.m.
Board games for all ages will be accepted. Ensure that all games are in good condition and have no missing pieces.
Related, the library’s Board Game Night will take place from 5-7 p.m. on March 5. is family-friendly envent will o er the opportunity to play with the library’s board game collection. Pizza and snacks will be provided. Learn more at www.library.littletonco.gov.
Unemployment sheds a bright light on immigration and potential deportation. As our labor force shrinks, we may see a higher cost of housing and labor-intensive services such as food processing. Consumers will foot the federal de cit bill through higher cost of goods and services, higher taxes or both. ere is a theory that tari s could help reduce the federal de cit better and faster than raising income taxes. How this plays out will be interesting, but I believe we will feel some negative e ects of these changes, at least initially.
Investors can see this uncertainty in the stock market volatility as the markets try to grasp how these changes affect corporate America and stock valuations. I suspect most companies will be weaning themselves o of high pro t margins, which could bring down some valuations. We are already seeing some of the high- yers from previous years, such as Nvidia, declining. is could be a challenging year for investors who do not have a strong but exible strategy in place. Ask your advisor about how to plan around these new policies and how to diversify properly in the changing economy.
Patricia Kummer is managing director for Mariner, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
February 4, 1979 - February 19, 2024
Remembering Jerry Powell, a stellar human, beloved community member, and family man, on the one-year anniversary of his eternal ight. Surely, he was greeted by Papa, his mom, both Aunt Mary’s, and so many more. Known for his generosity, humor, and resilience, he touched many lives. His legacy of love and kindness will forever be cherished by Chad, Heather, his sons, friends, and family across the world, from Illinois to Australia. e words he lived by were spoken by his father, “Teach. Always teach, and if you must…use words.”
August 24, 2001 - October 19, 2024
Born and raised in Chicago, Carter loved all the city had to o er—from the lakeshore and shing to the music, air shows, farmers markets, and more. His recent Colorado dream was to become a stand-up comic. His untimely passing from natural causes has
left his loved ones heartbroken, mourning the loss of all the vibrancy and laughter that he brought to the world. Carter will forever be remembered and cherished by those who knew and loved him. Fly high, BubsyBoo!
POWELL
Gerald Allen “Jerry” Powell Jr.
POWELL
Carter Allen Powell
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Friday mornings during ski season, a lot of kids in Clear Creek County will wake up before the sunrise to check equipment, snowboards, skis, helmet, goggles and gloves in preparation of hitting the slopes.
After they’re dressed and with a quick breakfast, they wait in Idaho Springs or Georgetown for the school bus to take them to Loveland Ski Area for a day of lessons or just fun with friends.
e program Snow Dodgers has been teaching local kids from kindergarten and up the con dence and skills to ride the mountains on skis or snowboards since 1963, according to board members.
“If they’re good enough, they can just be free-range skiers and do their thing all day,” rst-year Snow Dodgers volunteer Chelsea Dendegna said. “It sets them up with lessons if they need it and just supports them on their journey as skiers or snowboarders.”
Many of the students who started early in the program are now in the sixth grade and riding doubleblack diamond trails at Loveland.
“I’ve learned a lot by watching other people and my family teaching me things, so I’ve improved a lot,” Carlson Elementary sixth-grader Maddie Hinojos said.
A team of volunteers and board members keep Snow Dodgers going each year, piling equipment
into pickup trucks and checking names as kids get on the bus to perpetuate what generations before them had done.
“Everybody works hard to make things come together for a project like this. It’s just a nice community,” Hinojos said.
According to state records, Snow Dodgers is one of the longest-standing ski clubs in Colorado, and many locals can attest to parents and grandparents who learned to ski with its volunteers throughout the years.
Some of the organization’s mottoes on the website clarify goals and motivation: “Take Risks and Reap the Rewards,” “Be Prepared To Experience New Adventures” and “Overcome Your Fears and Master Your Skills.”
e organization’s long-standing relationship with Loveland Ski Area in Dillion is seen as mutually bene cial, according to Loryn Roberson, director of marketing for Loveland Ski Area.
“For Loveland, our community is everything and it’s so important to support these new skiers and riders and give them a space to not only learn but also to enjoy the slopes,” Roberson said.
Snow Dodgers typically runs from the second weekend in January to the second weekend in March.
“Having a program like this in place really allows
them to familiarize themselves with the sport and it really grows the next generation of skiers and riders which is incredibly important to Loveland,” Roberson said.
Ongoing education in ski industry
Opportunities for mountain youth to learn and excel in the sport of skiing and riding don’t end with Snow Dodgers.
High school and middle school programs in Clear Creek County o er hands-on experiences in the manufacture, maintenance and business of the ski industry.
“Creek Craft” is a new name in the ski and snowboarding industry, and Clear Creek County high school students, mentors and teachers aim to make it pro table.
Students in the Clear Creek High School Entrepreneur II class are taking their business education to the next level by creating a sustaining model for manufacturing and marketing, according to Career Connections coordinator Dacia Kelly.
“ e students in this class are learning how to start a business and they’re doing it through a real-world project rather than a hypothetical,” Kelly said.
MOUNTAIN KIDS
Meanwhile, outdoor rec and tech instructor Ben Shay at the high school and middle school in Evergreen gives students the hands-on experience of building a board or skis starting with plywood, laminate and an idea.
“It gives kids an outlet to do creative work with their hands and bring something to fruition. I like to tell the story, ‘Kids used to go home and give their mom a wooden spoon they made in wood shop.’ Now they get to show up with their own pair of skis or snowboard,” Shay said.
Several rec and tech students were eager to show o their one-of-a-kind creations they made just for themselves when the Courant visited the class in November. e art of creating a board or ski is dependent on the individual creating it; thick or thin tails and tips, shaping and tapering you create your custom ride with graphics you’ve designed, 11th-grade student Johannathan Scott said.
“It’s really a surreal kind of feeling when you get to make something that you’re going to use.., it’s just a really good feeling,” Scott added.
Another advantage to the rec and tech program is local students are learning the skills in high-demand at local ski areas and shops, according to both Shay and Roberson.
“It’s such a unique program. ese other communities and these other schools have things like woodshop and home economics; but for our community, the thing we all live and breathe is skiing. So, to be able to modify it and have this program that allows them to learn that skill set is invaluable,” Roberson said.
“ ey learn a lot of the woodworking skills here that they would in a wood shop, but then they get something that they actually get to strap on their feet, go to Snow Dodgers, ride the hill and say, ‘Look, I made this,’” Shay said.
The pinnacle of skiing skills: Alpine Rescue
Based in Evergreen, Alpine Rescue is an all-volunteer, mountain search-and-rescue team that’s been operating, free of charge, for more than 60 years.
Alpine Rescue is one of 13 Colorado teams accredited by the Mountain Rescue Association in technical rock rescue, wilderness search, avalanche rescue and winter technical rescue, according to its website.
“In the last few months we’ve had some pretty intense rescues and our pick of the rst to go in are usually pretty tough skiers and they have had to go miles in
sometimes very deep snow that is not easy to ski in. So, there’s a lot of physical endurance and strength,” Alpine Rescue volunteer and public information o cer Dawn Wilson said.
“To have kids learn how to ski and not just ski but be ‘mountain aware’ is idyllic. I’m jealous of those kids,” Wilson said.
Programs like Snow Dodgers instills early education and muscle memory in kids that are critical to working and playing in the mountains, according to Wilson.
“If those kids grow up and they want to give back to their community and volunteer for re or a mountain rescue team they’ve got that ingrained in their body and soul, they don’t even have to think about it,” Wilson said.
BOTTOM LEFT: Alpine Rescue volunteers cross country ski into the dark to find missing hiker in Clear Creek County Jan. 31.COURTESY OF ALPINE RESCUE
BOTTOM RIGHT: Alpine Rescue volunteers work to find missing hiker in Clear Creek County Jan. 31. COURTESY OF ALPINE RESCUE
PHOTO ON PG8: Ski lift at Loveland Ski Area takes Snow Dodgers to top of the mountain Feb. 7. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL TOP PHOTO: Clear Creek Snow Dodgers at Loveland Ski Area. PHOTO BY TIFFANY DALTON
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TrIVIa
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2. Bhutan.
3. Joanne.
4. An insulator.
5. Alaska.
6. Two.
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8. Movement and balance.
9. Atlanta, Georgia.
10. 1666.
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Benefits: Excellent benefits including access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement and fully paid health insurance, including vision and dental. May be eligible for loan forgiveness program. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work from home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing.
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FEET TO POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE ON 0 DEG. 30 MIN. 12 SEC. CURVE RIGHT, THE CHORD OF WHICH BEARS NORTH 4 DEG. 56 MIN. WEST, 439.6 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 88 DEG. 17 MIN. EAST 514.6 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 0 DEG. 40 MIN. EAST 438.5 FEET, THENCE NORTH 88 DEG. 26 MIN. WEST 482.0 FEET TO POINT OF BEGINNING, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO Purported common address: 3426 North Highway 83, Franktown, CO 80116-9620.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST. NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt
AHOE ROAD, SUITE 230, CENTENNIAL, CO
80112 (877) 369-6122
Attorney File # CO-24-1000601-LL
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 240219
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On November 26, 2024, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Douglas records.
Original Grantor(s)
Jeffrey Dean Anderson Original Beneficiary(ies)
Aventa Credit Union Current Holder of Evidence of Debt
Blue Federal Credit Union
f/k/a Aventa Credit Union Date of Deed of Trust
August 30, 2021 County of Recording Douglas
Recording Date of Deed of Trust August 31, 2021
Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) 2021101666
Original Principal Amount
$108,000.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$101,310.86
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to make installment payments of principal, interest, taxes and/or insurance as provided for in the Deed of Trust and Note.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 13, BLOCK 12, PERRY PARK FILING NO. 5, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Purported common address: 8170 Red Rock Court, Larkspur, CO 80118.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/26/2025 via remote, webbased auction service, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. https:// liveauctions.govease.com/ First Publication: 1/30/2025 Last Publication: 2/27/2025 Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
Revised 1/2015
Legal Notice NO. 240219
First Publication: 1/30/2025
Last Publication: 2/27/2025
Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 240227
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On December 10, 2024, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Douglas records.
Original Grantor(s)
Roland Dwayne Wood and Shauna Annie Wood
Original Beneficiary(ies)
Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Date of Deed of Trust
June 12, 2023
County of Recording
Douglas
Recording Date of Deed of Trust
June 14, 2023
Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)
2023025277
Original Principal Amount
$725,000.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$720,378.59
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 15, HIGHLANDS RANCH - FILING NO. 100-D, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Purported common address: 3874 Mallard Street, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 04/09/2025 via remote, webbased auction service, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
https://liveauctions.govease.com/
First Publication: 2/13/2025
Last Publication: 3/13/2025
Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 12/10/2024
David Gill, Public Trustee in and for the County of Douglas, State of Colorado By: Liz Tinney
COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 240226
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On December 10, 2024, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Douglas records.
Original Grantor(s)
MAURICE M. SMULDERS AND LYNN L. SMULDERS
Original Beneficiary(ies)
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC, FKA QUICKEN LOANS, LLC
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt
ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC
F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC
Date of Deed of Trust
January 13, 2022
County of Recording
Douglas
Recording Date of Deed of Trust
January 19, 2022
Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)
2022004363
Original Principal Amount
$266,000.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$258,892.81
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 2, BLOCK 6, THE MEADOWS FILING 11 - PARCEL 3, ACCORDING TO THE AFFIDAVIT OF CORRECTION RECORDED FEBRUARY 7, 2000 IN BOOK 1807 AT PAGE 490, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Purported common address: 3342 SPRINGMEADOW CIR, CASTLE ROCK, CO 80109-7956.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 04/09/2025 via remote, webbased auction service, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. https://liveauctions.govease.com/
First Publication: 2/13/2025
Last Publication: 3/13/2025
Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 12/10/2024
David Gill, Public Trustee in and for the County of Douglas, State of Colorado By: Adele Martinez
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 240222
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On November 26, 2024, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Douglas records.
Original Grantor(s)
William Beyer-Wood Original Beneficiary(ies)
First
DATE: 11/26/2024
David Gill, Public Trustee in and for the County of Douglas, State of Colorado
By: Adele Martinez
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
IMAN TEHRANI #44076 HOLST & TEHRANI, LLP 514 KIMBARK STREET: P.O. BOX 298, LONGMONT, CO 80502-0298 (303) 772-6666 Attorney File # Anderson
First Publication: 2/13/2025 Last Publication: 3/13/2025
Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Ryan Bourgeois #51088
BARRETT FRAPPIER & WEISSERMAN, LLP 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 350-3711
Attorney File # 00000010300473
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
Recording Date of Deed of Trust September 22, 2022
Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)
2022062837
Original Principal Amount
$571,390.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$570,898.05
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
Lot 7, Block 3, of Trails at Crowfoot Filing No. 14, County of Douglas, State of Colorado.
Purported common address: 17600 Rose Heath Ln, Parker, CO 80134.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/26/2025 via remote, webbased auction service, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
https://liveauctions.govease.com/
First Publication: 1/30/2025
Last Publication: 2/27/2025
Name of Publication: Douglas County News Press
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 11/26/2024
David Gill, Public Trustee in and for the County of Douglas, State of Colorado By: Liz Tinney
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
JENNIFER ROGERS #34682
IDEA LAW GROUP, LLC 4530 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. 10, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119 (877) 353-2146 Attorney File # 48172092
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
the Recovery Program, provide certainty that Aurora’s Colorado River depletions can occur consistent with the Endangered Species Act, and provide that Aurora will take reasonable actions to support implementation for the Recovery Elements specified in the 1999 Programmatic Biological Opinion. During the previous diligence period, the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, Recovery Implementation Program and Recovery Action Plan Participation Agreement (11-01-13) was executed with Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and a Ruedi Insurance Water Cost Participation Agreement (11-01-13) with the City and County of Denver. Through implementation of these agreements, the east slope water users’ commitment for 5412.5 acre-feet of water annually to the Recovery Program is being met. Aurora has and continues to provide its annual prorata share of operation and maintenance costs associated with these agreements. In addition, Aurora participates and annually contributes to the Colorado Water Congress Colorado River Project for collaboration and support of the Recovery Program by the water users in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Non-Basin Specific: Protection Efforts: During this diligence period, Aurora spent more than $5,000,000 on legal services for participation in Water Divisions 1, 2 and 5 cases to protect the rights and interests of Aurora with regard to its water supply system and prosecution of changes of water rights to integrate acquired water rights into Aurora’s municipal water rights portfolio. Aurora reserves the right to identify additional relevant efforts that may be later discovered or to make upward adjustments to amounts expended on certain projects. Aurora has an extensive water rights portfolio, an extensive and complex water supply, collection, treatment and reuse system, and an extensive number of agreements, contracts, leases, etc. related to its facilities and the use, reuse and storage of its water rights. It is involved in many legal actions related to the collection, treatment, reuse and protection of its water rights. Further, the management, protection, and operation of the water rights and the facilities system involve numerous City of Aurora departments and staff members throughout the state. Aurora made diligent efforts with regard to this application to determine and quantify all efforts made by the City toward completion of the appropriations and application of the water rights decreed in the Original Decree to beneficial use. However, it is reasonably possible that relevant efforts or expenditures may have been overlooked or need further upward adjustment. 5. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF OWNERS OF THE LAND UPON WHICH ANY NEW DIVERSION OR STORAGE STRUCTURE OR MODIFICATION TO ANY EXISTING DIVERSION OR STORAGE STRUCTURE OR EXISTING STORAGE POOL IS OR WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OR UPON WHICH WATER IS OR WILL BE STORED. City of Aurora, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Suite 5300, Aurora, CO 80015-1555. Kim Y. Houston and Raymond S. Houston, 15649 County Rd 17, Platteville, CO 80651-9424. Public Service Company of Colorado, PO Box 197, Denver, CO 80201-1979. United Milliken Reservoir Enterprise, LLC, 8301 E Prentice Ave, Suite 100, Greenwood Village, CO 801112904. Western Mutual Ditch Company, 21454 Weld County Road 33, LaSalle, CO 80645. WHEREFORE, Applicant respectfully requests that the Court find diligence in the development of the appropriative right as set forth herein and continue the conditional decree for said structures and conditional amounts for the statutory period and provide any other relief it finds just and appropriate in these circumstances.
THE WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED BY THESE APPLICATIONS MAY AFFECT IN PRIORITY ANY WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED OR HERETOFORE ADJUDICATED WITHIN THIS DIVISION AND OWNERS OF AFFECTED RIGHTS MUST APPEAR TO OBJECT WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR BE FOREVER BARRED.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any party who wishes to oppose an application, or an amended application, may file with the Water Clerk, P.
7)
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9) 1970 CADILLAC SEDAN VIN EUC011324BDY
10) 2008 ACURA TSX VIN JH4CL96928C018779 REDLINERS INC 2531 W 62ND CT UNIT G DENVER, CO 80221 720-930-8139
Legal Notice No. DC 9812
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: February 120 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
1) 2006 TOYOTA SCION VIN JTKKT604465012517
2) 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VIN WVWAK73C76E056719
3) 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER VIN JA3AJ26E83U058790
Villalobos Towing LLC 5161 York Street, Denver, CO 80216 720-299-3456
Legal Notice No. DC 9799
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: February 20, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Notice to Creditors
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Cynthia Lynn McCoy, aka Cynthia L. McCoy, aka Cynthia McCoy, aka Cindy L. McCoy and Cindy Lynn McCoy, Deceased Case Number: 25PR30020
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Sue A. Kokinos, Esq
Attorney to the Personal Representative 6834 S. University Blvd, #510, Centennial, CO 80122
Legal Notice No. DC 9801
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Steven Donald Senior, Deceased Case Number: 24PR66
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 11, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
SueAnn Z. Senior Personal Representative 2680 Warmstone Ct Castle Rock, CO 80109
Legal Notice No. DC 9807
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of ANGELA JAPHA, a/k/a ANGELA E. JAPHA, a/k/a ANGELA ELAINE JAPHA, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30014
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Daniel S. Japha, Personal Representative c/o Leslie R. Olson, Esq. Hutchins & Associates LLC
1999 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Notice No. DC 9711
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Susan Iona Hulton, a/k/a Susan Iona, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30029
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 18, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Brandi Kernahan,
Personal Representative c/o Opfer | Campbell | Beck, P.C. 19751 East Mainstreet, Suite 215 Parker, CO 80138
Legal Notice No. DC 9763
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Marilyn E. Desch, a/k/a Marilyn Elizabeth Desch, a/k/a Marilyn Desch, a/k/a Marilyn F. Desch, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30031
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of DOUGLAS County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Sandra A. Masovero
Personal Representative
c/o Zisman, Ingraham & Mong, P.C. 8480 East Orchard Rd., Ste. 2500, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Legal Notice No. DC 9776
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Seth Donat Dauteuil; a/k/a Seth D. Dauteuil; a/k/a Seth Dauteuil, Deceased. Case Number: 2025PR30015
All persons having claims against the abovenamed Estate are required to present them to Personal Representative or to the Douglas County District Court on or before June 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Ian Dauteuil, Personal Representative 19708 Millstone Crossing Drive Edmond, OK 73012
Legal Notice No. DC 9663
First Publication: February 6, 2025 Last Publication: February 20, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Marene E. Havens, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR030018
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 13. 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Hal R. Blanchard #1305
Attorney to the Personal Representative 19039 East Plaza Drive Suite 275 Parker, CO 80134
Legal Notice No. DC 9722
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of TRUDY ANNE DREW, aka TRUDY A. DREW, aka TRUDY DREW, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR128
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Kimberly Samar Co-Personal Representative c/o Sigler & Nelson LLC 390 Union Blvd. #580 Lakewood, CO 80228
Legal Notice No. DC 9784
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Cathy Lynn Waters, AKA Cathy Waters, AKA Cathy L. Waters, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR23
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Distric:t Court of Douglas County, Colorado, on or before June 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Courtney Kelley, Personal Representative 12323 Evergreen Trail Parker, CO 80138
Legal Notice No. DC 9716
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Kathryn McIver, Deceased Case Number: 24PR176
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before 03/19/2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Peter Silverman, Person Giving Notice
50 Lakeside Ave, #116 Burlington, VT 05401
Legal Notice No. DC 9675
First Publication: February 6, 2025
Last Publication: February 20, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Christina Marie Howell Kontz, Deceased Case Number: 25PR30016
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before Friday, June 13th, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Brett Kontz, Personal Representative 10600 W Alameda Ave. STE 210 Lakewood, CO 80226
Legal Notice No. DC 9729
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of LAURENCE RUA, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 193
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Brigitte Rua, Personal Representative c/o CHAYET & DANZO, LLC
650 S. Cherry St., #710 Denver, CO 80246 (303) 355-8500
Legal Notice No. DC9637
First Publication: February 6, 2025
Last Publication: February 20, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of RACHEL BEVERLY LYNCH, also known as RACHEL B. LYNCH, and RACHEL LYNCH, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30571
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Joshua Lynch, Personal Representative 23763 E. Eads Drive Aurora, CO 80016
Legal Notice No. DC 9780
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Darlene Kay Conover-Miller, Deceased Case Number: 25PR30019
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Rowena J. Helman, Personal Representative c/o 3i Law 2000 S. Colorado Blvd Tower 1, Suite 10000 Denver, CO 80222
Legal Notice No. DC 9781
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Alfreda Kubis, Deceased Case Number: 24PR189
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Michele K. Wallner
Personal Representative 6400 Mountain View Drive Parker, CO 80134
Legal Notice No. DC 9637
First Publication: February 6, 2025
Last Publication: February 20, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of DELMER LUETJEN, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR129
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
PATRICIA A. LUETJEN Personal Representative 945 BRAMBLEWOOD DRIVE CASTLE PINES, CO 80108
Legal Notice No. DC 9703 First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Estate of: Dawn R Lucero, aka Dawn Roberta Pretzel, aka Dawn Roberta Murphy, aka Dawn Roberta Rosenblum, aka Dawn Roberta Bittner, aka Dawn Roberta Lucero, aka Dawn Bittner Lucero, Deceased. Case Number: 2024PR30484
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Jonathan P. Shultz, Attorney for Personal Representative 19751 E Mainstreet, Suite 200 Parker, CO 80138
Legal Notice No. DC 9790 First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Rudolf Paul Stanek, a/k/a Rudolf P. Stanek, a/k/a Rudolf Stanek, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30044
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 23, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Matthew Stanek, Personal Representative c/o Brian C. Marsiglia, Esq. Marsiglia Law LLC 7887 E. Belleview Ave., Ste. 1100 Denver, CO 80111
Legal Notice No. DC 9778
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of MARIA OBDULIA CARTMILL, a.k.a. MARIA O. CARTMILL, a.k.a. MARIA CARTMILL, a.k.a. MARIA O. ZENTNER, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30566 Division F, Courtroom F
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Douglas County District Court, Castle Rock, Colorado, on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
DINA M. BROWN
Personal Representative 15553 Greenstone Lane Parker, Colorado 80134
Telephone: 720-335-3459
Legal Notice No. DC 9793
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 6, 2025 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROY LEE STRICKLIN, also known as ROY L. STRICKLIN, and ROY STRICKLIN, Deceased Case Number: 25PR30030
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before June 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
The original of this document is on file at the law office of Donald Glenn Peterson
/s/ Donald Glenn Peterson Donald Glenn Peterson
– Attorney for Personal Representative 5675 DTC Blvd., Suite 250 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: (303) 758-0999
Legal Notice No. DC 9730
First Publication: February 13, 2025
Last Publication: February 27, 2025
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JOHN P. MORENO, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 0184 Division COC
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on
Images of a forgotten America brought ‘back to life’
BY MARC SHULGOLD
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
As he leads a visitor along a row of ancient sepia-tone photographs hung in the lobby of the Lone Tree Arts Center, Paul Unks pauses at each one to o er a personal note about the subjects captured by Edward S. Curtis more than a century ago — a young Indian boy gazing blankly at us, a woman sitting under a tree weaving a blanket, a distant group on horseback moving easily below the rocky grandeur of Canyon de Chelly, an Indian chief with full feather headdress perched patiently as his white horse drinks from a stream.
Unks is curating an exhibit of 39 beautifully framed portraits by Curtis (18681952), the greatest photographer of Native America. Walking along, one feels his obvious passion after he described the lengthy, intense labor involved in reproducing each of these precious images for public purchase. Learning about that complex process, however, is not nearly as dramatic as hearing the remarkable story behind Unks’ discovery of 250 photographs by Curtis that had lay hidden for nearly 60 years — right here in Denver.
Like most kids, Unks grew up playing cowboys and Indians, a normal boy raised in the suburbs of St. Louis.
“Except that my respect was with the Indians,” he said.
Later, at the University of Missouri, he pursued his true passion — football, serving as quarterback until getting clobbered during practice by monster teammate John Matuszak. Time for another career. A class in photojournalism o ered possibilities.
IF YOU GO
After settling in Denver, Unks worked as a counselor, helping people through career transitions. at all changed in 1997 when he learned that 500 of Curtis’ original photographs had remained in storage, unknown and forgotten — in the basement of the University of Denver’s Library.
“ e Boettcher Family had donated the collection in 1938,” he said. “ ese were all printed on Japanese tissues and carefully stored for all those years. I began a series of negotiations that would take a year. My goal was simple. I told them, ‘Let
me bring (the photographs) back to life.’” ere was “some resistance” in completing the agreement, he admitted — lawyers on both sides were involved, of course — but Unks had found a close ally in Steve Fischer, curator of special collections at the DU library.
ere were 500 pieces in storage, with Unks awarded 250 (the remaining photographs, he said, “went out there somewhere.”). e task ahead was to “bring to life” the lost art of Curtis by making highquality prints of each photograph, with percentages from their sale going to DU
and to a Native American scholarship fund. Small problem: Unks had to start from the beginning and learn a very difcult art. It would take seven years, for starters. With his life now changing, he created Mountain Hawk Fine Art in 1999 and began his apprenticeship, with help from a number of mentors and the gift of time, patience and discipline. By the way, for his e orts, Unks has been given a Native American nickname: “Little Mountain Hawk.”
Curtis used a process known as intaglio photogravure, one that produces images
“Preserving an American Legacy: Images of Native America” by Edward S. Curtis will be on exhibit in the Lone Tree Arts Center’s lobby hallways through March 23. The arts center is located at 10075 Commons St. in Lone Tree.
with a remarkable sense of depth, light and realism. e process has earned the highest rating of any print type — and it requires a master’s touch. Completing a single print requires three to four weeks ( ree to four are made simultaneously — building some of their gorgeous frames can require months). Unks was up to the task of learning the technique and utilizing it with every print, guided by a lifelong love for photography and his deep respect for the subjects in those
“As I work, I imagine Curtis looking over my shoulder,” Unks said.
Learning yet another technique, adding gold tone, the subtle sepia coloring, would take another year.
In researching Curtis, he discovered that the photographer was deeply respectful of those who patiently posed for
“He earned their trust, and was allowed to visit 80 tribes, which was very rare for a White man. Chief Joseph (one of the most famous of tribal leaders) actually came to his house and knocked on his door, wanting to pose,” Unks said.
As an indication of Curtis’ reputation among the Indians, he earned “ e Shadow Catcher” as an honored nickname.
“Curtis spent nine months with the Indians,” Unks said. “He had an assistant, John Andrew, to handle the (copper) plate making. He collected 2,200 photographs in 20 volumes, out of around 40,000 photographs in all. When he felt he had completed his work, the Indians heard him say, ‘ at will do.’ And that was it.”
is coverage comes courtesy of a grant from the Littleton Arts and Culture Program. As a matter of policy, funders exercise no control over editorial decisions.
“Oasis in the Badlands” is among photos in the Edward S. Curtis exhibition at the Lone Tree Arts Center. COURTESY OF LONE TREE ARTS CENTER
