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JULY 3, 2014 VOLU M E 1 1 9 | I S S UE 22
ElbertCountyNews.net
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E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Water projects in limbo County falls short after request denied By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
Tiegan Finnerty competes in steer wrestling at the Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo on June 27. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Kiowa cowboys up for fun Fireworks follow rodeo, street fair and car show By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
POSTAL ADDRESS
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices.
The Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo wrapped up two days of competition at the Elbert County Fairgrounds on June 28, signing off with a fireworks display and the Hometown Heroes Dance. The Colorado Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned event was just one of three activities attracting visitors to Kiowa over the weekend. Just down the hill from the bull riding, steer wrestling and team roping, classic cars lined Navajo street and vendors filled Nordman Park to show off their wares at the Sixth Annual Kiowa Street Fair and Car Show. The street fair and car show opened with the presentation of the colors by the Elizabeth VFW Color Guard on Saturday morning, and inside the park, vendors offered goods ranging from jewelry to hand-made scarfs and home-canned pickles. Michelle Oeser, Kiowa town administrator and coordinator of this year’s Kiowa Street Fair, said the event attracted 65 venders, and she was pleased with the turnout. In addition to shopping, the street fair included a live performance by local entertainers Billie Owens and Sue Link. There was a magic and puppet show for kids as well as tents with games and tests of skill where local groups, such as the Lions Club, re-
HawkQuest presented a bald eagle named Magissiwa during the Kiowa Street Fair and Car Show. warded contestant’s efforts with candy and toys. Animals were also a big attraction at this year’s street fair. In addition to a petting zoo and a mule-powered treadmill spinning an ice-cream churn, volunteers from HawkQuest, a Colorado-based
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
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Classic cars were on display at the Sixth Annual Kiowa Street Fair and Car Show on June 28.
Cowboy Up continues on Page 6
Elbert County commissioners and the Elbert County Water Advisory Committee are regrouping following the Arkansas Basin’s refusal to provide matching funds for a two-part plan to monitor and study water levels in aquifers underlying Elbert County. The denied request leaves the financially struggling county $46,000 short of the $377,000 required to fund the two projects. According to County Commissioner Robert Rowland, the Arkansas Roundtable’s Needs Committee acknowledged the merit of the plan but was unwilling to fund it because the project did not represent a vested interest to the Arkansas Basin. The Water Advisory Committee was seeking $46,000 from each of the three water roundtables located within the borders of the Elbert County: $6,000 for the three-year well monitoring network and $40,000 to fund the water supply study. The $18,000 of funding for well monitoring is a required match stipulated by a $96,500 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and must be secured before well monitoring can begin. Matching funds totaling $132,500 for the well monitoring have been secured from the U.S. Geological Survey and the federal government. The South Platte Basin Roundtable has already approved its share of the funding for both well monitoring and the followup study, and the Water Advisory Committee hopes to make up for at least the well monitoring shortfall when it meets with the Metro Basin Roundtable on July 9. The Water Advisory Committee WAC is a body appointed by the Elbert County commissioners in 2013 to assist the commissioners in researching and making water-related policies. In 2005 the Colorado General Assembly passed the 21st Century Act, establishing nine water basin roundtables throughout the state. The roundtables are designed to encourage locally driven solutions for water use and to represent each of the state’s eight major river basins as well the Denver metropolitan area. The basins are responsible for assessing various water needs and projects. Because counties’ boundaries were created without regard for river basins, three of the nine basin roundtables established by the act fall within Elbert County — the Arkansas Basin in the southeast corner, the South Platte Basin comprising two-thirds of the county, and the Metro Basin in the county’s northwest corner. Elbert County has budgeted $10,000 for the water supply study. The major goals of the two projects are to identify current water levels and the effect of water use on local water supplies, as well as to develop a long-term water-supply strategy. The real threat to aquifer levels may come from outside the county. The majority of Elbert County overlies the larger Denver Basin, a network of aquifers extending north from Colorado Springs to Greeley. Water continues on Page 6
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2 Elbert County News
July 3, 2014
Beauprez grabs GOP nod in governor’s race Former Congressman also emerged from primary in 2006 By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Former Congressman Bob Beauprez emerged from a crowded field of Republican hopefuls to capture the GOP nomination for governor on June 24. The native Coloradan hopes to erase memories of an unsuccessful 2006 bid for the governor’s mansion by defeating Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper in the fall. Speaking to an enthusiastic group of supporters at the downtown Denver Athletic Club, Beauprez invoked themes of freedom and liberty and a direction toward fewer government regulations. “There is a difference between living and just kind of getting along and living free,” Beauprez said during his victory speech. Beauprez defeated fellow candidates Tom Tancredo, also a former congressman, Secretary of State Scott Gessler and former state Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp to capture the Republican nomination. Beauprez garnered just over 30 percent of the more than 380,000 votes that were cast. Tancredo finished second with 26.6 percent. Gessler took third with 23.2 percent of the tally. Kopp trailed the pack with 19.8 percent. Beauprez tried to set aside any doubts about party unity when he told supporters that he had spoken with the other three candidates, who had called to congratulate him on his win. Beauprez said the contest has always been “about who the real opponent in this race was. It’s John Hickenlooper.” “Ladies and gentlemen, we are a team,” he said to hoots and applause from his supporters. Beauprez took aim at Hickenlooper several times in his remarks to supporters. He called out the governor for signing laws that increase renewable energy mandates for rural electric cooperatives and for his support of gun legislation, such as universal background checks and bans on high-capacity ammunition magazines. And, what is expected to be a key campaign issue, Beauprez blasted Hickenlooper for granting a temporary reprieve last year for death row inmate Nathan Dunlap, who killed four people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in 1996. “If he won’t lead, if he won’t enforce the laws in the state of
Have a legislative question? Email Colorado Community Media Legislative Reporter Vic Vela at vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com or call 303-566-4132.
Bob Beauprez celebrates his victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary at the Denver Athletic Club on June 24. Photo by Vic Vela Colorado, I will and Nathan Dunlap will see justice served,” Beauprez said. Republican voters answered the question of whether they would give Beauprez another chance, following his doubledigit loss in a 2006 governor’s race against Bill Ritter. Beauprez made no reference to that defeat during his victory speech. But in a prior interview he likened himself to John Elway, who had also lost badly prior to winning two Super Bowls. Beauprez and Tancredo were atop public polling leading up to the race. But a round of late campaign advertisements that questioned whether he was the right fit to win a general election may have hurt Tancredo. Some Republicans were concerned that Tancredo’s polarizing and well-known views on immigration could hurt the party
Buck emerges with win in CD-4 Weld County DA captures Republican party nomination by a large margin Staff report
Small Business Lender’s Panel
with moderates and Latino voters in November. Neither Tancredo nor Kopp could be reached for comment prior to Colorado Community Media’s print deadline. Gessler said he was disappointed with the results, but said he was proud of his “respectful” performance. “I thought we ran a great campaign overall,” he said. “Obviously, things didn’t turn out the way we wanted. It is what it is.” Hickenlooper congratulated Beauprez through an e-mailed press release in which the governor also touted the state’s recent uptick in economic numbers. “Over the past four years, we’ve seen Colorado go from 40th to fourth in job creation, and we’ve seen unemployment drop from 9 percent to 5.8 percent,” Hickenlooper said. “We’re committed to keeping the positive momentum going until Colorado is number one in the country for job creation.”
Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck has captured the Republican Party’s nomination for the open 4th Congressional District seat. Buck collected about 44 percent of the 73,387 votes that were cast. His closest competitor in the race, state Sen. Scott Renfroe of Greeley, garnered about 24 percent of the vote. Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer finished third with 16.4 percent while Steve Laffey, a New England political transplant, trailed the
pack with 15.4 percent. Buck is seeking the seat that is being vacated by Rep. Cory Gardner, who is running for the U.S. Senate this fall. Buck was the most well known of the four candidates. In 2010, he lost a high-profile U.S. Senate race to current Sen. Michael Bennet in a close contest. Buck, who held his election night party in Greeley, could not be reached for comment by Colorado Community Media’s print deadline. Buck will face Democrat Vic Meyers and Castle Rock Libertarian Jess Loban in the November general election. The 4th District encompasses much of Colorado’s eastern plains, but also includes Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock and Elbert County.
Local lenders discuss funding options in panel followed by individual meetings
Wednesday, July 16 6:30pm-8:30pm $25.00 per person South Metro Denver Chamber @ The Streets of SouthGlenn (2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 342, Centennial, CO 80122)
Panel of experts includes:
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Please register at least 48 hours in advance www.smallbusinessdenver.com or call 303-795-0142
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Elbert County News 3
July 3, 2014
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4-Opinion
4 Elbert County News
Y O U R S
OPINION
July 3, 2014
&
O U R S
A publication of
9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Phone: 303-566-4100 Fax: 303-566-4098 On the Web: ElbertCountyNews.net Get Social with us
GERARD HEALEY President and Publisher CHRIS ROTAR Editor RYAN BOLDREY Assistant Editor VIC VELA State Desk Reporter RON MITCHELL Local Sales Manager THERESE DOMBROWSKI Marketing Consultant
Picturing people who rocked my world “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was released on June 1, 1967. I haven’t been the same since. How many people or things or events in your life have made that kind of a difference? Some moments are immediately indelible and some take time to develop. I can still remember the first time I saw Jennifer, but there were no love arrows thrown down on me. “Huh?” That might have been the first thing I ever said to her. She referred to someone we both knew, but I couldn’t understand what she was saying. I said, “Speak up. Speak with distinction.” Oh, well, it seems to have worked out. When I listen to “Sgt. Pepper’s,” I don’t listen to the whole album. Some of it I can do without. But some of it means more to me than I can explain. The disc jockey at KFWB would say, “Double Beatles,” and I would get the chills, when the intro of “A Day in the Life” would come rumbling, again, out of my cheap radio. I was an art student in 1967. Album covers were fine art to me. The cover of “Sgt. Pepper’s” is phenomenal. It was created by Jann Haworth and Peter Blake. The Beatles just named names, and their images were assembled on the cover. Dion and Lenny Bruce. Carl Jung and Edgar Allan Poe. Fred Astaire, Bob Dylan, Aldous Huxley, Laurel and Hardy. James Joyce, Tom Mix, Oscar Wilde. Some personalities were rejected for
a variety of reasons: Leo Gorcey, one of the “Dead End Kids,” wanted $400. Idiot. Gandhi was supposed to be placed next to Lewis Carroll, but if he showed up on the cover, India wouldn’t allow the record to be printed. Jesus Christ (John’s idea) and Hitler were both rejected. I looked at the cover again recently, and my little narrative brain said, “What if that were your cover?” You should do the same thing that I am about to do. The cover depicts chosen individuals, along with a bunch of other things, like a 9-inch Sony television, owned by Paul McCartney, and a velvet snake. I would be sure to have my father’s flight jacket on my cover. And a vessel of chip brushes and paint thinner. I would have a likeness of Gerry Goffin. Goffin just died. He co-wrote “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” There would be likenesses of Charles Dickens, Oscar Levant and Dorothy Parker. David Letterman. Warren Spahn. “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” Of course, Otis Redding.
I would want to have a few inexplicables on the cover. Judge Crater and the Collyer brothers, and some west coast luminary named Collier. Michael Collier. I lived at 208 Ireland Avenue and he lived at 198 Ireland Avenue. We were both undecided teenagers. He still shines on. Pink Floyd. They would be on the cover. Smitty, certainly. E.E. Cummings. How do you get a name like that? Nat King Cole. The Del-Vikings. The Everly Brothers would be a cinch. The Skyliners. Edward Everett Horton and Preston Sturges. Greg Watts, another dear pal. Are you working on your list? The Shirelles, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Matt Holliday, Captain Harry E. Smith, Jennifer and Cindy. Mark Friday wearing a softball cap. Easy: Leonardo da Vinci, Wassily Kandinsky, Edward Hopper, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Richard Diebenkorn, Frankie Lymon, Jan Stüssy. The cover would be an opportunity to identify some people who weren’t one-hit wonders in my life, but who made me turn my head and look, or listen or read. It would be a thank-you card. The woman who handed me a small red dog at an animal shelter. Who wrote “I’m in the Mood for Love”? She would have to be on my cover. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@ comcast.net.
Keep ‘happy’ on list of things to be The other day I happened to be at the Park Meadows mall. As I was just the hired help for the day, my role was really just to drive the car, carry the bags, and pay at checkout time. While in Macy’s I had a pretty cool experience and thought I would share it with you here. So as I sat in a chair and waited in the ladies shoe department — yes, I said it, the ladies shoe department — the background music caught my attention. Not so much because of the volume, but it was a very catchy tune that brought me back to the 1970s. The Partridge Family’s “Come on Get Happy.” And yes, some would say I just may be stuck in the 1970s regarding my musical preferences. It was awesome enough that I recognized it, but as I looked around I noticed that I was not the only one in the store tapping my toes and singing along quietly to the music. You may be doing the same right now, as you also know the song. There were actually others singing a little out loud, some women dancing a
little in their own space, a few other guys nodding their heads and tapping their toes to the beat, and I swear I thought that a “flash mob” was about to happen right there in Macy’s at any moment. The song actually had a group of strangers in the store smiling, singing, and even dancing without one bit of encouragement other than the lyrics to the song. How amazing and awesome is that? If you have listened to local radio recently, you have also probably heard the song “Happy” by Pharrel. And you
have probably heard it or have seen him perform it at an awards show or on television somewhere. I mean, it is like everywhere, and seems to be on the radio a lot. And why not? I have to admit that as much as I hear the song “Happy,” it actually makes me just a little bit happier than I was in the previous moment, maybe even tapping my toes and fingers a little bit to the tune as well whether I am working, walking, or driving. So the question I have asked myself since my “Come on Get Happy” experience in Macy’s is this, “What else triggers happiness?” Some of us, me included, can get so caught up in our busy-ness and our business that we completely forget about being happy, or at least let it slip through our fingers from time to time. Maybe it’s a song, maybe it’s a workout, maybe it’s a good book, a smile, a hug, an accomplishment, skiing, golfing, hiking, a Norton continues on Page 5
AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager SCOTT ANDREWS Production Manager SHARI MARTINEZ Circulation Manager ERIN ADDENBROOKE Major Accounts and Classified Manager
We welcome event listings and other submissions. News and Business Press Releases Please visit ElbertCountyNews.net, click on the Submit Your News tab and choose a category from the drop down menu. Calendar calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com Military Notes militarynotes@coloradocommunitymedia.com School Accomplishments schoolnotes@coloradocommunitymedia.com Sports sports@coloradocommunitymedia.com Obituaries obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com To Subscribe call 303-566-4100 Columnists and Guest Commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can’t do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries... If it happens, it’s news to us. Please share by contacting us at news@coloradocommunitymedia.com, and we will take it from there. After all, the News is your paper.
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Elbert County News 5
July 3, 2014
Still time to rack up summer reading
UP IN THE SKY
This funnel cloud was spotted the afternoon of June 23 near Elizabeth. It is not believed that the funnel cloud touched down. Photo courtesy of Randy Rought
THINGS TO DO EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a spaceavailable basis.
July 7-10
SPORTS CAMPS Elizabeth High School and Elizabeth Middle School plan several sports camps this summer. At the middle school is a girls volleyball camp from Monday to Thursday, July 7-10. Go to http://elizabeth.k12.co.us/ for information and registration forms.
July 10
INVESTMENT PRESENTATION Rob Reiman
with Edward Jones Investments is hosting a free educational presentation from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly Sts, across the street from Big R. Refreshments will be served. Reiman will discuss how to prepare for the always-changing markets. The discussion will cover the economy, strategies to address inflation and interest rates, opportunities and risks of international investing and investing in today’s stock market. RSVP to Sandy Phelps at 303646-8871 or sandy.phelps@edwardjones.com, by Wednesday, July 9.
July 21
BUBBLE PARTY The Elbert County Library District concludes its summer of programs with a bubble party. Explore the science behind bubbles. Program is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 21, at the Simla Library; at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Elizabeth Library; and at noon July 24, at the Kiowa Library. Call 303-646-3416, 303-621-2111 or 719-541-2573 or visit www.elbertcountylibrary.org.
July 27
MONTHLY BREAKFAST The Elbert Woman’s Club plans its monthly breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 22, and Saturday, July 27, at the Russell Gates Mercantile Community Hall. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee/tea and juice are served for $6/adults and $3/children
Norton Continued from Page 4
friend, a child, a feeling of love, being loved, and being in love, and hundreds of other possibilities that bring us back to that feeling of happiness and joy. What are your triggers? “Come on Get Happy,” “Happy,” “Shiny Happy People,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and “Joy to the World” are just a few of the songs that work for me when it comes to adding a little more pep to my step when I
under 12. The Hall is located in Elbert on Elbert Road between Highways 86 and 24, 11 miles south of Kiowa. Proceeds support the maintenance and renovation of the Hall, built in 1906.
Aug. 4-7
FOOTBALL CAMP Learn the game of football at the
14th annual Cardinal football camp. Players in grades 9-12 participate Aug. 4-7. Elizabeth High School football staff and senior players will run the camp. This is a non-contact camp. Contact 303-520-5468 or email mzoesch@esdk12.org or bmartinez@esdk12.org for a registration form.
Although we just recently celebrated the official beginning of summer on June 21, for many students the summer is already half over. Here at the library, we conduct a summer reading program during the months of June and July, so the end of June truly marks the halfway point in our program. This year, almost 500 kids and teens, from birth through high school, have signed up to read in one of our three programs. That means there’s a whole lot of reading going on, all over Elbert County! We encourage families with pre-readers to read to their children and to engage in pre-literacy activities such as identifying different shapes, naming different types of fruit and their colors, and singing songs together. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are being challenged to read 20 minutes a day, 100 minutes per week. So halfway through the program, these kids should have read 400 minutes total. If they haven’t yet, that’s OK — there is still another month to get caught up, they just might have to read a little bit more each day. The teens need to read eight books at their reading level by the end of the summer. If they have completed four, and show their reading logs with staff, they are entered into a drawing, and one lucky teen will win a Kindle eReader. Participants can come into any library location now to update their progress and redeem their prizes for reading halfway through the summer. Pre-readers get a sticker for every “bingo” they complete on their reading log. Kids get a bracelet for completing 400 minutes. The first 50 kids who show us their halfcompleted logs in Elizabeth also receive one free adult admission to the Celtic Festival, coming up July 19 and 20 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth.
And speaking of the Celtic Festival, this year you can come see the library at the festival. Visit us in the Children’s Glen, where library staff and volunteers will read a few books and help you shake your sillies out. Story time will be held at the top of the hour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Please stop by and say hello! The reading fun doesn’t stop until we are done! Stop in during the month of July for fun activities at each of our libraries. The week of July 7 we will be engineering with Angry Birds. The following week we focus on math in your everyday life. Things wrap up the week of July 21 with a final party, featuring bubbles galore. Join us on Mondays in Simla and on Thursdays in Elizabeth and Kiowa. Summer has just begun and is half over. If you haven’t signed up for the summer reading program, there is still time — but you will have to read twice as fast! Adults, watch for more information about our special fall reading program coming up. Stay cool, and happy reading! Kari May lives in Elizabeth and is the director of the Elbert County Library District. She can be contacted through the library at director@elbertcountylibrary. org. Visit the library at www.elbertcountylibrary.org.
HAVE AN EVENT? To submit a calendar listing, send information to calendar@ coloradocommunitymedia.com.
Aug. 16
FESTIVAL THE Elbert Day Festival, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, will feature a country breakfast, pancake race, art booths, craft/food vendors, live music by Barry Ward and Carlos Washington. A parade and old time games for all ages included. Antique cars, petting zoo, pony rides, roping, 5K race. Call 303-648-3611 or email elberttowncommittee@ gmail.com.
Aug. 16
VETERANS EVENT A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans will take place Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. Joseph DiLeonardo, a Vietnam veteran is the organizer, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10649 will act as cohost. Doors open at 11 a.m. and vets are encouraged to bring memorabilia that can be displayed on tables at the exhibit hall. The VFW will serve food by donation at 11:30 a.m., and the formal presentations commence at 1 p.m. DiLeonardo, author of “Vietnam War Defining Moment for America” will give a presentation, followed by other Vietnam veterans addressing the audience and sharing their experiences in the War and when they returned home. They will also share their observations and opinions about America forty years later. A petition to support Senate Bill 409 to make March 29 an annual day of remembrance for Vietnam Vets, will be circulated for signatures at this event. Any Vietnam veterans interested in speaking at this event should contact Joseph DiLeonardo at amlion68@hotmail.com. Any questions should also be directed to DiLeonardo at 303-646-3740 or amlion68@hotmail.com.
hear them. How about you? Is it a song or something else that triggers happy thoughts and gets you back on the happy track of life? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we remember to balance our busy-ness with happiness it will be a better than good week for sure. So come on … get happy. Michael Norton is a resident of Highlands Ranch, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation and the CEO/ founder of www.candogo.com.
To place an Obituary for Your Loved One… Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com
6-Life
6 Elbert County News
July 3, 2014
Water Continued from Page 1
The well monitoring network calls for measuring devices to be placed on 30 volunteer wells throughout the county, to take hourly measurements of water levels in the sample wells. “The individual aquifers in the basin communicate with each other,” says Water Advisory Council member Bob Ware. “As water is pumped out of one area, the potentiometric pressure (a theoretical water level that equalizes water throughout the basin) empties aquifers at the higher end.” A simplified representation equates the Denver Basin with a large underground swimming pool, with Elbert County at the shallow end. If water is pumped out of the pool faster than it is replaced, water drains out aquifers in the shallow end, filling aquifers in the deep end. With 98 percent of the Elbert County’s population and businesses relying on wells for water, residents could find themselves at the mercy of districts at the deep end of the pool and have to buy back the water drained from the shallow end.
Cowboy Up Continued from Page 1
raptor conservation group, exhibited four birds of prey. HawkQuest’s visit was sponsored by local businesses and allowed visitors to have an up-close experience with a great
Map courtesy of the Elbert County Water Advisory Council
horned owl, a peregrine falcon and red tail hawk as well as have a picture taken with the star of HawkQuest’s visit, a bald eagle named Magissiwa. Magissiwa was rescued 15 years ago in Washington state after surviving a fall from her nest as a 6-week-old eaglet. Her mother had abandoned the nest after her mate was shot. HawkQuest exhibits Magissiwa as part of the organization’s efforts to educate the public about birds of prey. The Kiowa Street Fair is inspired by a
similar event, which is believed to have taken place in 1910 on Comanche Street. In 2009, the Town of Kiowa revived the fair and this year, combined it with the Kiowa Car Show. The car show returned following a two-year break and featured more than 20 classic cars ranging from hotrods to American heavy metal. One entry, a 1974 Plymouth Valliant Skamp, named Tommy Knocker, was rigged with spikes, wrapped in chains and topped off with a vampire baby head
Nadia Postek, the 2015 Elizabeth Stampede Queen, helps equip mutton busters during the Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo on June 27. Photo by Rick Gustafson
making it possibly the ideal escape vehicle if ever there were a zombie apocalypse. After the sun set on a day filled with activities, damp conditions allowed for the first fireworks display in Kiowa since 2010, and the Cactus Jack Band closed out the weekend, returning to the stage for a second night for the Home Town Heroes Dance.
7
Elbert County News 7
July 3, 2014
Judge upholds state’s gun laws Constitutionality, not wisdom, of statutes weighed by court By Vic Vela vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com A federal judge on June 26 rejected a court challenge to gun restrictions that took effect last year, ruling that the new statutes do not infringe on a person’s Second Amendment right to bear firearms, as was alleged by the plaintiffs in the case. The lawsuit was filed by several county sheriffs in Colorado, along with other citizens and businesses. The judge’s decision means that the controversial 2012 laws that created universal background checks on gun sales and transfers and banned high-capacity ammunition magazines will remain on the books. The ruling was a victory for gun-control advocates who believe that the laws help to prevent the kind of mass bloodshed that occurred during the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, which prompted the legislation. “Today is an important day in the fight to keep our communities and families safe from gun violence,” Rita Schweitz of the Colorado Coalition Against Gun Violence said through an emailed statement. But plaintiffs told reporters following the court ruling that they plan to appeal the judge’s decision. “We believe (the judge) got it wrong as a matter of law,” said attorney Dave Kopel. “We think we have a very strong case in the Court of Appeals.” The state of Colorado and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper — who signed the bills into law — were named as defendants in the lawsuit. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger ruled that the law that bans ammunition magazines that carry more than 15 rounds “is not severe” in how it impacts a person’s ability to keep or bear firearms for self-defense purposes. “... this statute does not prevent the people of Colorado from possessing semiautomatic weapons for selfdefense, or from using those weapons as they are designed to function,” Krieger wrote in a 50-page opinion. “The only limitation imposed is how frequently they must reload their weapons.” Supporters of the magazine ban law argue that the statute limits the would-be shooters’ abilities to get their hands on high-capacity magazines. They also argue that limiting the amount of rounds a person can fire allows time for victims to fight back or for law enforcement to intervene while the shooter reloads. The plaintiffs argued that skilled shooters know how
to reload quickly anyway, which mitigates the benefit of a “critical pause” during magazine reloading. However, Krieger rejected that argument, saying that, “a pause, of any duration, imposed on the offensive shooter can only be beneficial ...” Krieger also took issue with a plaintiffs’ argument that those who are intent on committing violence will simply ignore the law and obtain the magazines anyway. “Hypothetically, this may be true, but the Court declines to speculate about the subjective intentions and means of unspecified criminals involved in unspecified gun violence,” Krieger wrote. As for the law that requires background checks on all gun sales and transfers, the plaintiffs argued that the Second Amendment protects the borrowing of guns for lawful purposes. But Krieger disagreed with the plaintiffs’ interpretation of the Second Amendment. “As repeatedly noted, the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to keep and bear arms for the core purpose of defense of self and home,” she wrote. “However, it is not at all clear that the Second Amendment prevents the government from restricting the ability of persons to acquire firearms via temporary loans from others.” The gun bills were the most controversial of all legislation that was passed by the Democratic-majority Legislature last year. Testimony and debate on the bills often dragged on for several hours and led to Capitol protests from pro-gun advocates as well as shows of support from gun-safety and victims’-rights groups. The bills — which passed with no Republican support — had political ramifications for Democrats. The legislation cost Democrats three seats in the state Senate through officeholders’ defeats in recall elections and the resignation of another in the face of a recall threat. In her decision, Krieger acknowledged the polarizing debate over gun issues, but said that the court’s role has nothing to do with whether a law is popular. It only concerns itself with the constitutionality of the law. “Put another way,” Krieger wrote, “in determining whether a law is constitutional, this decision does not determine whether either law is `good,’ only whether it is constitutionally permissible.” As is the case with all court challenges to state laws, the case was defended by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, which is headed by Republican Attorney General John Suthers. “Like Judge Krieger, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office has never asserted that the laws in question are good, wise or sound policy,” Suthers said through a statement. “As it does in all cases, the AG’s Office has
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fulfilled its responsibility to defend the constitutionality of the Colorado law in question. “The Attorney General’s Office fully expects the case to be appealed and looks forward to final resolution of the issues as soon as possible.” But plaintiffs insist that the laws — especially the magazine limit ban — are unenforceable and that Krieger’s decision doesn’t change that belief. “I came out right away and said that these laws are unenforceable, so therefore I won’t enforce them,” said Weld County Sheriff John Cooke. Meanwhile, the court ruling was hailed as a victory for those who have lost loved ones during episodes of gun violence. Dave Hoover, a Lakewood police officer whose nephew, AJ Boik, was killed during the Aurora theater shooting, said the high-capacity magazine ban “can reduce the number of victims killed in mass shootings.” “And as someone who has worked in law enforcement here in Colorado for over 30 years, I can tell you that limiting high-capacity magazines is a significant step in protecting our law enforcement officers in the field.”
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8
8 Elbert County News
July 3, 2014
Governor lowers odds on fracking special session Potential bill on hydraulic fracturing seeks compromise on issues over local control By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com More doubt was cast recently on the possibility of a special legislative session on hydraulic fracturing, as Gov. John Hickenlooper on June 27 lowered expectations that lawmakers will meet over the summer to tackle this contentious issue. Hickenlooper said in May that the odds were “50/50” that a special session will be held. However, on June 27, the Democratic governor told reporters that he thinks those odds are now “less than 50/50.” “We’re still working on it as hard as we can,” Hickenlooper said. “I think we’ve got a product that’s pretty good, but there seems to be a political barrier there that we haven’t been able to get past.” The “product” Hickenlooper was referring to is a revised draft of legislation that would serve as the centerpiece for a special
session. The potential bill aims to strike a compromise on the issue of how much control communities have in dealing with fracking — the blasting of water, sand and chemicals into the surface to free up blocked oil and gas. As the November election nears, the move toward a legislative solution is growing urgent for interested parties. There are several fracking-related ballot initiatives that could end up making it on to the ballot this fall. So far, a handful of Colorado communities have taken action on fracking issues by placing drilling bans or moratoriums in their towns. And, on June 24, Loveland voters narrowly rejected a ballot question that sought to place a two-year moratorium on fracking within city limits. The draft bill grants communities the ability to dictate some aspects of oil and gas operations and it has received the support of seven oil and gas companies. “The legislative solution that you have put forward will ensure communities continue to have a voice in the regulation of oil and natural gas development, while
protecting property rights, and supporting responsible energy development,” states a June 26 letter that was written to Hickenlooper on behalf of the seven companies. “Your proposal will also help avoid ballot measures that, if adopted, would become constitutional provisions that leave no room for negotiation or compromise, regardless of the circumstances. We believe the legislature is the right place to work through these issues.” Hickenlooper — a pro-fracking geologist — would rather see all parties reach a compromise on local control issues at the legislative level, instead of having voters decide on what could be a large number of ballot proposals in the fall, ones that would be spearheaded by anti-fracking advocates and financed in large part by Democratic Congressman Jared Polis. “If you look at the potential consequences to having a $50 to 75 million ballot initiative campaign fight between both sides ... that’s not necessarily a good thing,” the governor said. “It creates a divisive and bitter battle and no matter the resolution, the other side is going to come right back and be all over it next year.”
But reaching that compromise is a whole other matter. On one hand there are significant economic interests associated with fracking. On the other, there are serious environmental concerns. That can be a tough balance to find in a place like Colorado, where the two sides of the argument have powerful backers. Some anti-fracking advocates are voicing their displeasure with the draft legislation. “I’ve read the proposal and I am adamantly against it,” said Laura Fronckiewicz of Our Broomfield, an anti-fracking group. “What I saw is a huge step backwards. This is a total giveaway to the oil and gas industry.” Meanwhile, those on the other side of the divide are gearing up for what they believe is an imminent fight over drilling this fall. “All signs point to a big, expensive drawn out election,” said Jon Haubert of Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development, a pro-fracking group. “We don’t have to wait for a special session. We can see the writing on the wall.”
20 Community Newspapers
Reaching Communities Across Colorado’s Front Range
crossword • sudoku
GALLERY OF GAMES & weekly horoscope
SALOME’S STARS FOR THE WEEK OF JunE 30, 2014
ARIES (Mar 21 to Apr 19) Get your facts together and become familiar with them before you have to face up to that interview. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to make that important impression. TAURUS (Apr 20 to May 20) new information might warrant changing your mind about a recently made decision. never mind the temporary confusion it might cause. Acting on the truth is always preferable. GEMINI (May 21 to Jun 20) Creating a loving atmosphere for those you care for could pay off in many ways. Expect to hear some unexpected but very welcome news that can make a big difference in your life.
crossword • sudoku & weekly horoscope
GALLERY OF GAMES
CANCER (Jun 21 to Jul 22) Stepping away from an old and seemingly insoluble problem might be helpful. use the time to take a new look at the situation and perhaps work out a new method of dealing with it. LEO (Jul 23 to Aug 22) You’re still in a favorable goalsetting mode. However, you might need to be a little more realistic about some of your aims. Best to reach for what is currently doable. The rest will follow. VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22) A setback is never easy to deal with. But it could be a boon in disguise. Recheck your proposal, and strengthen the weak spots. Seek advice from someone who has “been there and done that.” LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct 22) Coming up with a new way of handling a tedious job-regulated chore could lead to more than just a congratulatory memo once the word reaches the “right people.” Good luck. SCORPIO (Oct 23 to nov 21) What you might call determination someone else might regard as stubbornness. Look for ways to reach a compromise that won’t require a major shift of views on your part. SAGITTARIUS (nov 22 to Dec 21) You’re still in a vulnerable mode vis-a-vis “offers” that sound too good to be true. So continue to be skeptical about anything that can’t be backed up with provable facts. CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19) Thrift is still dominant this week. What you don’t spend on what you don’t need will be available for you to draw on should a possible (albeit temporary) money crunch hit. AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18) Staying close to home early in the week allows for some introspection about your social life. Sort out your feelings before rejoining your fun-time fellows on the weekend. PISCES (Feb 19 to Mar 20) It can be a bit daunting as well as exciting to find yourself finally taking action on a long-delayed move for a change. It helps to stay with it when others rally to support you. BORN THIS WEEK: Your love of home and family provide you with the emotional support you need to find success in the outside world. © 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
9-Calendar
July 3, 2014
S O U T H
LIFE
Elbert County News 9
M E T R O
Carl Williams, of Denver, looks at the 1929 Alexander Eaglerock airplane he built. “It absolutely changed my life,” he said of his first flight in the aircraft. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Bomber gets eyes on the sky B-17 dazzles Aviation Week visitors, public on the ground By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com With its tail wildly swinging back and forth, the glimmering B-17 inched off the ground and toward the heavens. Uncontrollable grins decorated the faces of the 10 passengers aboard the “Aluminum Overcast,” one of five B-17s in existence still flying and “probably the best one” if you ask crew chief Don Burbank. The four engines roared as the World War II-era bomber climbed to 5,000 feet (10,000 feet if you count the city’s elevation). The “Aluminum Overcast” was the star attraction of Centennial Airport’s Aviation Week, which included a luncheon, charity golf tournament and a 1940s-era hangar dance. Proceeds from the week’s activities benefitted the Colorado Aviation Business Association Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Centennial Airport Foundation. The massive B-17 was the talk of the south metro area, capturing the attention of an awestruck public on the ground. Lumbering along at low altitude, the aircraft was a distinct presence in the sky for days as it made loops from Centennial Airport and over Highlands Ranch, Chatfield Reservoir and south Denver before heading back. It could be heard coming and going. On June 19, vintage planes were dis-
ABOVE: Pilot John Bode and co-pilot Sean Elliott bank in “Aluminum Overcast,” one of five remaining airworthy B-17s in existence. LEFT: The “Aluminum Overcast” prepares for takeoff at Centennial Airport on June 19.
played and flown to acquaint visitors with history. Carl Williams, of Denver, arrived as a passenger in a two-seat 1929 Alexander Eaglerock biplane he built. It was parked on the runway with placards that explained its past. “It absolutely changed my life,” he said of the maiden flight in his first Eaglerock, which now hangs in Denver International Airport. A lucky few got to ride in the B-17, including Denver resident John Kyle, who saw the airplane fly overhead and did a quick online search to determine its origin. He placed a phone call and found out there
was one seat still available on the last flight open to the public. Lyle nabbed it and was speeding down the runway hours later. The B-17, it turns out, plays a part in Lyle’s family history. His uncle died at the controls of a B-17 that ran out of gas and crashed after a bombing run over Germany during World War II. The June 19 flight was Lyle’s first time flying in a B-17. One man on the 25-minute flight said he has been waiting since the age of 8 to ride in a B-17. He saw a television news piece on Aviation Week and reserved a spot, knowing it might be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.
Exploring the B-17 mid-flight brought about a childlike sense of wonder for the men in their sixth and seventh decade that crawled on unforgiving hard floors to discover nearly every nuance of the plane. The bombardier section, a window below the cockpit, provided the best views. The “Aluminum Overcast” came off the assembly line in May 1945 near the end of World War II. It never flew a mission, which is a big reason why it’s still in good condition. With proper maintenance, it could remain in the sky for years to come, assuming there is a pilot capable of handling the difficult controls.
Gallery opens door to ‘Art Unhinged’ In addition to technical skills, and imagination, a sense of humor comes into play with artwork displayed at the Depot Art Gallery’s latest show: “Art Unhinged” Littleton Fine Arts Guild members were asked to present rare techniques and subjects. Denver artist Jackie McFarland was juror and awarded first place to S. Williams for a painting called “The 6th Food Group.” (Chocolate, you may have guessed.) Other winners: Julia Grundmeier, Nancy Meyer, Renee Chastant, Judith Berlinger and Joe Bonita. The Depot Art Gallery is at 2069 W. Powers Ave. in downtown Littleton. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. “Art Unhinged” hangs until July 27. 303-795-0781, depotartgallery.org.
Click clique The Englewood Camera Club will meet at 7 p.m. July 8 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 6400 S. University Blvd., Centennial. The presenter will be teacher/photographer Eli Vega. Topics: abstracts, closeups and special effects. Vega said: “The
best photography is found where technical know-how and creative aesthetics meet … we need to sharpen not only the left brain, but the right brain.” Guests are welcome.
Anne Ellis, who lived in Rocky Mountain mining camps; and early cowgirl Prairie Rose. Bemis Library is at 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. Information: 303-795-3961. Free.
Legendary ladies
Chatfield camps
Bemis Library will again present the popular “More Unconventional Women of the West,” at 2 p.m. July 12, presented by members of The Legendary Ladies, who choose a historical woman, research her, create a script and a costume and take her on the road. Included will be Nelly Bly, a reporter who made a round-the-world trip in 72 days; Captain Jack, an early promoter; Maude Nelson, an early baseball pitcher; Polly Pry, a pioneering reporter for the Denver Post; heiress Sara Winchester; author
The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield offers two camps for children this summer: • Farm Camp at Chatfield: “Way Back When on the Hildebrand Farm” runs July 7 to 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and explores early settlers’ life. $259/$239 DBG members. • “Life on the Farm” runs July 14 to 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and teaches children to care for farm animals and cultivate vegetables.$259/$239 DBG members. Sampler continues on Page 10
10
10 Elbert County News
July 3, 2014
Dedicated gardeners grow together As Carol Ford makes her coffee in the quiet of early morning, she never fails to take in the view out her kitchen window — of a metal, neighborhood mailbox framed, these days, by draping trumpet vines and blooming roses along a weathered wood fence. “I love to look at the flowers when I look at the mailbox,” she says. “It inspires me. … And Larry’s always out there, looking and pulling out the weeds.” Larry Davis, 77, is always out there, snipping spent branches and blooms with his pocketknife and clearing away offending trespassers. So, too — but later in the day (Larry is the early riser) — is his wife, Deanna, 73, sitting on her stool, digging in the dirt, minding the beds with motherly care. Come spring, just like the crocuses bursting through the ground after a season of hibernation, Larry and Deanna emerge to tend to their garden, a visual delight that has, over the years, persuaded some driving by to stop and roll down their windows to express appreciation. “Oh,” Larry tells them, “if you like the front, you must see the back.” And you must. But before you step under the trellis that Larry built and past the small stone frog that says, “Welcome to our garden,” you should remember once there was nothing on this corner plot of land in the middle of tracthome suburbia. “It just evolved. We just kept adding …,” Deanna says. “I don’t think either of us could do it alone.” She smiles. “We’re getting to the point we’re not going to be able to do it together.” Larry and Deanna moved into their Highlands Ranch home in 1994. Their first planting: three locust trees. “We wanted shade,” Deanna says. Larry built the six-foot fence around the yard, a few times parking his car in the street
at night and turning on the headlights so he could finish. They both worked at the time, she as a Realtor, he as a tool design engineer for Lockheed Martin, so they hired someone to plan the yard. And in 1995, the basic layout was planted. They married, each for the second time, in 1996, in their back yard, with 100 guests. The pond for the goldfish and water lilies happened in 1999, the year they retired. Larry later built the spacious, graceful deck next to the pond and the oval bed in the front. And, slowly but surely, the garden kept growing, reflecting not only the shared passion of creating something beautiful, but also their individual personalities. She likes neat and orderly. He likes unusual and a little messy. Deanna, originally from the San Francisco area, brought the Japanese maples, dwarf evergreens and Asian-inspired contributions. “All the Japanese stuff,” she says, “is kind of my heart.” Larry, from Iowa, brought the strange, unique plants like the rare-for-America hocksweed, and the full-bodied peonies, which in the Midwest are frequently planted in cemeteries. “They bloom around Memorial Day,” he says. “A lot of people plant peonies so there are flowers on the graves.” Today, the gardens contain hundreds of varieties of plants. Deanna and Larry each
RED ROCKS CONCERTS
40
spend about 20 hours a week caring for them. Now, step under the trellis. This is some of what you’ll see: Raspberries, blackberries and grapes tumble along the back. Succulents root in lava rocks by the pond, inhabited by about 50 goldfish and several kinds of delicate water lilies. A weeping cherry droops over a small path. Red and green Japanese maples. Graceful purple clematis. Pink penstemons. Purple salvia. Delicate coral bells. A congregation of herbs — basil, fennel, parsley, rosemary, oregano, mint — grows in containers near the kitchen window. A water fountain that was a wedding gift. A bird bath that belonged to Deanna’s mother. A twisted Harry Lauder’s walking stick bush. Roses. “This one is like peppermint candy,” Larry says, cupping a red-and-white-striped bloom in his hand. The iron bench under the crabapple, where the yard bends, is one of Deanna’s and Larry’s favorite spots. The corner always seems to collect a breeze, and it’s good for enjoying the sights. “It’s kind of a peaceful oasis,” Larry says of the back yard. “The birds like it.” He points up to a branch in a locust tree. “That little blue house has a family of wrens in it.” The front, too, has its charm. Blue delphiniums - a neighborhood favorite - stand guard near the trellis. A rock garden holds origanum — nicknamed the wormy plant by Larry — and yellow Missouri evening primrose, whose blooms last just one day, trail along its border. Snapdragons in every color reseed every year. There’s the fuzzy lamb’s ear the preschool children used to file down the street to feel. Larry’s new, small cactus garden next to the stairs. Deanna’s nine pots of coleus — with striking green and red leaves — on the stoop. And the ornamental pear tree by the driveway that blooms white, leafs out green, and, finally, turns a yellow-orange in the fall until the first storm strips the limbs bare. “One year, for fun, we planted … the plant
you like to eat?” Larry turns to Deanna. “Artichoke.” Larry nods and smiles. “People would say, `What in the world is that?’” “People still ask us about that one,” Deanna says. “We just did it for fun,” Larry says. “Just once.” The garden, essentially, contains many of life’s basic ingredients. Change. Transformation. Anticipation. Joy. Death. Rebirth. This particular one is a work of love that seems to assure a certain order in the universe. “When you’re finished growing your kids,” Deanna says, “there is a nurturing quality to growing plants.” “I enjoy just seeing it every day,” Larry says. “It seems like something new is in bloom every day … when the first little crocus comes up, just to see this come to life in the spring, and then all summer blooming.” And even though the garden belongs to Larry and Deanna, it has been a gift shared — sometimes unknowingly, other times directly — with the neighborhood. Suzi Miller, a gardener herself who lives down the street, has taken home cuttings of water lilies and fennel for her yard. She can spend hours talking plants with Larry and Deanna. “For someone like me, there’s so much to look at,” she says. “It gives me inspiration. …” Joan McGill has lived across the street for 18 years. “It’s just a joy to look at their beautiful garden,” she says. “If we could all slow down enough to enjoy the beauty.” We should. Because if we did, Larry and Deanna would be sure to invite us in. Ann Macari Healey’s column about people, places and issues of everyday life appears every other week. Her column earned first place in the 2013 Colorado Press Association Better Newspaper contest. She can be reached at ahealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com or 303-566-4110.
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Sampler Continued from Page 9
Home-front exhibit “Littleton Goes to War,” a new exhibit on Littleton’s role in World War II, runs July 5 to Aug. 16 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. Admission is free. 303-795-3900.
Call for crafters
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The 43rd Annual Littleton Friends of the Library/Museum Craft Fair is accepting applications from handcrafters for its October Fair. Contact Sherry Kling: skling@ littletongov.org or 303-795-3961.
Books, books and books A Super Sidewalk Sale is planned on July 11 and 12 (10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and July 13 (noon to 4 p.m.) at Southglenn Library, 6872 S. Vine St., Centennial. A group of “Better Books” will be featured. Friends of the Arapahoe Library District also sells used books on Amazon — find the link through arapahoelibraries.org/friendsof-the-library. In 2013, the organization granted $150,000 to Arapahoe Library District through used book sales.
Cheers!
The Castle Rock Winefest will be held at the Grange at the Meadows, 3692 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock, from 2 to 8 p.m. on July 19. Tickets: $27 in advance and $37 beginning July 17. More than 180 varieties of wine from more than 24 vineyards will be represented. Live musical entertainment from 4:30 p.m. on by the King Stan Band. Two Castle Rock restaurants will hold advance winemaker dinners: July 15, The Social, 872 W. Happy Canyon Road; and July 16, Augustine Grill, 519 Wilcox St.
Music in Parker
Parker will feature Vertical Horizon at 7:30 p.m. as headliner for the Sulphur Gulch Music Festival, starting at 1 p.m. on July 12 on the grounds and Mainstage at PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Nine regional bands will play on three outdoor stages. Gourmet food trucks and a beer garden will be available. Tickets: $25, day pass; $55 Vertical Horizon plus day pass; kids 12 and younger free on day pass.
New Centennial market
The new Centennial Artisans and Farmers Market (formerly the Streets at Southglenn) is held at Centennial Center Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 12 and Aug. 9. It is on Arapahoe Road between Revere Parkway and Vaughn Street.
11-Sports
July 3, 2014
SPORTS
Elbert County News 11
Racing helps keep couples on track Married pairs enjoy pastime at Bandimere By Scott Stocker
Special to Colorado Community Media When it comes to car racing, what better way is there to spend a summer weekend than at the track? It’s the drag strips that have become special venues for John Muhr and his wife, Cheryl, and Jeff Andreen and his wife, Sherry. And it’s almost like home for the two families at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison. On both sides of the Muhr and Andreen families, the husbands have been involved in racing for much of their lives. As for the women, they’ve mostly become active on the track itself within the last dozen years. John Muhr, 46, drives a 1978 Malibu, while Cheryl, 45, is quite happy in her 1967 Impala. John graduated from Mullen High School and from Fort Lewis College with a degree in communication. Cheryl graduated from University of California-Davis, also with a degree in communication and graphic arts. John has been racing for 29 years. He has won several events over the years and has several top-10 finishes. Yet he has yet to win a season title over the years. He has won the Brackett Nationals and won a Chevy Cup race in 2012 at Bandimere. “Why am I doing this? It’s the rewards, the friendships and, of course, the competition,” John said. “I don’t begrudge working under the car. There are some downsides and that’s hard to say. But, we are blessed. “Tim Schuster gave me a ride in his Chevy Nova,” he added. “Up until then, I had no real interest in car racing. Two weeks later I got into a race and I’ve always owned a Nova.”
John Muhr has been racing for 29 years. He has won several events over the years, including the Brackett Nationals and a 2012 Chevy Cup race at Bandimere. Courtesy photo John admits there is always a calculated risk in all things cars can do, and he is quick to note that anything can happen out on the track. “It has been extremely rewarding for the amount of work you put in,” he said. “The travel here never surmounts what
we have at work. Bandimere is the best facility we have ever stepped upon and the greatest class I’ve done. The risks fade, but you never know when things can happen. “There are droughts in driving,” he continued. “You can go out and lose sev-
eral times in a row, and every racer has to face that. As for our age, there are a lot of young drivers who are good out there. It’s lose and go home. Getting drilled out Racing continues on Page 12
Driver spent boyhood at speedway Kyle Ray keeps family tradition alive and well By Jim Benton
jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia. com Kyle Ray used to play kickball at Colorado National Speedway, but he’s now one of the racetrack’s paramount drivers. Ray is listed as a rookie in the Mod Coupe, Super Modified and Grand American Modified divisions, but the Littleton resident is a third-generation driver who started his racing career in Go-Karts, Shifter Karts, Sprint Cars and Midgets. “My grandpa, his name is Bill Ray, raced at Englewood Speedway in the Super Modified in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s,” said Ray. “My dad raced at CNS when it was dirt. His name is also Bill Ray. He raced when it was asphalt in the Super Stock. “I kind of grew up at CNS. My aunt used to get there at like 1 o’clock every day to watch practice. She would take care of the kids. We had like a day-care service in the grandstands. We would just hang out up there. Then my dad and grandpa would go watch the races from the pits. I wasn’t allowed in the pits because there was an age limit. I remember playing kickball and stuff at CNS by the bathrooms over there in turn four.” Ray, 26, started racing go-karts in 2001 and raced professionally. He took second in the Monaco Kart Cup and started driving open-wheel cars in 2006. After taking a few years off because of financial reasons, he resumed racing four years ago at CNS in the Legend series. He captured two Rocky Mountain Legend Racing Association championships and this season is driving the No. 3 Mod Coupe for Starr Racing, owned by Littleton’s Jack Starr, in the Colorado Auto Rac-
Kyle Ray races a modified coupe at a recent event. Courtesy photos ing Club series. He is also driving the No. 58 Super Modified owned by his dad and a Grand American Modified, which is owned by Mike Hunter of Parker. “Basically every day after I get off work, I go to work at my second job as a race-car person,” said Ray. Ray holds track records for Modified Coupes and Legends at CNS. He established the Legend mark of 18.500 and 72.973 miles per hour July 5, 2013. He broke his own Mod Coupe record on June 7 with a 15.266 at 88.4 mph. “I’m a rookie in all three divisions but I
wouldn’t consider myself a rookie, but according to their format I’m a technically a rookie,” said Ray. “Our goal for this year was to win the CARC championship but we had some mechanical failures on the car and had two DNFs (did not finish). We changed our focused to winning the Super Modified championship for this season. We are second in points right now.” Joe Starr, Jack’s brother, claims it is hard not to notice when Ray is driving. “I’d have to say right at the moment that Kyle Ray is the hottest driver at the track
Kyle Ray acknowledges his fans at the track. when you start looking at all the divisions he’s racing in,” said Starr. “He’s made an impression in all three divisions. He’s a pretty hot commodity right at the moment.”
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12 Elbert County News
Racing Continued from Page 11
here on the track is part of the furniture. ” John and Cheryl have fun with names on the cars and their thoughts. The name of the club team the Muhrs are in is called “Disorganized Grime.” “The only plan is there is no plan,” John said. “It’s rewarding when we win or place high, so really, we don’t have a lot of complaints about our sport or how we have handled it as a family.” And there is little doubt that Cheryl is into the sport of racing on a high note. “You can’t cut the lawn or do the laundry at home and enjoy it like coming to race,” she said. “The camaraderie of all the drivers makes it seem like a vacation. It’s family here at the track all the way. You do your burnouts and turnouts and we don’t care who we race. “If we knew who was going to win all the time we wouldn’t race, no one would,” Cheryl continued. “If we’re not doing well, we have friends who are doing well, and that’s what makes it nice to know. We’re honored, too, in that we won the Superman Award in 2013 and we were tongue tied.”
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July 3, 2014 The Andreens, who reside in Westminster, are a super example of how age doesn’t seem to make that much of a difference in drag racing, as Jeff is 71 and Sherry is 67. Jeff is at home in his 1996 Mercury, as is Sherry in her 1929 Ford Tudor competing in the Flathead Division. “I married Jeff and he always was into racing,” Sherry said. “We love Flatheads. He has been racing just about his whole life, certainly since he got his driver’s license. At first, it seemed he never would let me touch his race car. But one day, he signed me up for a race. I just couldn’t sit and watch. “I took first place in my first race 12 years ago and it really shocked me,” Sherry said with a chuckle. “I was the only women in the club and that made me feel kind of weird. We’ve retired, and in the summer we race for fun. It’s just great fun and rewarding to go down to the track, and this is certainly a great group of people to be around. We really enjoy the camaraderie.” As for a summer venture, Jeff said it couldn’t be more nice and enjoyable. “We’ve been together racing since 1996,” Jeff said. “Our group, the Flatheads, is an old style and we like to be out there for fun. I don’t think we take it quite as serious as others. It’s family. I won Flathead Inline four times over the years and Sherry was third last year. “We used to do a lot more traveling, but it was expensive and we stay around Bandimere a lot more now,” said Jeff. “It’s great to be around the other drivers and
we’ve always found it to be worth our efforts.”
Harr wins in Fort Morgan Bob Harr won the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association “A” Feature on June 21 at I-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan. Rookie Midget driver Brad Hilton has set the pace for the field of cars to start the 16-lap “A” Feature. Scott Fennell took the charge at the start, but after one lap, Harr passed Fennell for the lead going into turn 4. Keith Rauch, starting in the fifth row inside, charged through the field and after two laps was challenging Harr for the lead. Harr and Rauch were in their own world and were battling for the lead, which left the rest of the field challenging for positions. On the last lap going for the checkered flag, Rauch tried to pass Harr one final time. But at the finish line, it was Harr, Rauch, Tony Rossi, Fennell and Greg Schaefer rounding out the top five positions. Don Holbrook contributed to this article.
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Cheryl Muhr takes a break on top of her 1967 Chevy Impala. Muhr spends a lot of time enjoying the sport of racing with her husband, John, at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison. Courtesy photo