Arvada Press May 2, 2024

Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson gives State of the City address

Arvada’s new mayor reflects on city’s victories; looks ahead

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

For the rst time in twelve years, Arvada’s State of the City saw a new speaker — Mayor Lauren Simpson.

Simpson — who is the rst elected female Mayor in Arvada — spent her rst State of the City re ecting on Arvada’s recent accomplishments, as well as looking ahead at the challenges facing the city.

Beginning with an acknowledgment of former Mayor Marc Williams, Simpson thanked him for leaving her such a great city to run. She also noted that her out t choice for the day — a black suit jacket with sparkles — was inspired by Williams’ previous State of the City attire.

“I am excited to be continuing the work of all the great leaders that came before me,” Simpson said. “I inherited a city that’s in a really great place and that is not lost on me.”

WITH LITTLE OR NO

YES. 30 OF 44 WAYS PROFIT IN 1-12 MONTHS

Easiest Example: You go online and make a low bid at government real estate auctions. If you win, you usually have time to raise the money. OR 1.Research online for proper opportunities.

2.Option to Buy the property for three months. 3. Find a buyer for the property

4.Show your Option to Buy and your buyers offer to those who have money You get a percentage of ownership, profit or simply sell your Option to Buy. Learn the 44 ways. Curious? Email me about a future seminar.

Mayor Lauren Simpson gives her first State of the City address.

PHOTO BY LILLIAN FUGLEI

Simpson also acknowledged fellow city council member John Marriott — who was also a contestant in the mayoral race. She thanked Marriott for running a healthy election and focusing on the issues.

“I care deeply about him,” Simpson said. “I know he cares about me, as we do for every single member of our council.”

Moving on to some of the city’s accomplishments during the last year, Simpson mainly focused on some of Arvada’s ongoing construction. She celebrated the majority of the construction on Ralston Road being completed — with several nishing touches needed later this year.

Despite delays, Simpson also celebrated the completion of phase two of construction on West 72nd Avenue. Phase three of the construction is delayed due to ongoing negotiations with Union Paci c.

Another milestone mentioned was the anticipated completion of the Arvada Aquatics Center — the replacement for Meyers Pool. Construction of the facility is expected to be com-

pleted this fall. e natatorium will serve as a home for the Je erson County Public Schools swimming and diving programs.

“I once heard that to celebrate a pool opening my predecessor did a cannonball in a sparkly sequin jacket,” Simpson said. “I’m not sure if I’m going to do that. However, I can promise you we will have fun.”

Simpson also noted the accomplishment of opening Arvada’s newest park — Little Raven Park — last year, with two more parks on the way this year. Both Garrison Garden Paseo Park and the Holistic Health and Fitness Park are anticipated to open this year.

Turning towards the struggles currently facing the city, Simpson spoke about homelessness, focusing on the work Arvada was currently doing to combat homelessness. She touched on the impact of Arvada Police Department’s CORE Team —o cers who primarily work with homeless individuals — as well as the co-responder program, which o ers specialists to respond to mental healthrelated calls.

“Homelessness is a multifaceted issue,” Simpson said. “If you have 100 homeless individuals, you will have 100 unique solutions.”

Simpson pointed towards Arvada’s

SPEAK OUT!

One Small Step Program as a solution. e program allows criminal defendants experiencing homelessness who are charged with low-level o enses to make small steps towards bettering their lives, rather than serving jail time or paying a ne.

“It’s one step at a time through a bigger journey,” Simpson said. “ is is not meant to be a short-term solution. It’s a long-term solution.”

According to Simpson, the One Small Step Program currently has 61 active participants and approximately a dozen graduates.

Despite touching on Arvada’s successes in dealing with homelessness, Simpson emphasized that the city was not solely responsible, and needed help from state and federal partners.

“ is is not something Arvada can tackle alone,” Simpson said. “We need our state partners, our federal partners to increase those resources so that when we do have someone who needs help and is willing to receive it, we have a place to take them.”

Simpson also touched on housing as a problem facing the city. She pointed towards the need for a ordable and attainable housing—specifically focusing on the need for workforce housing.

“At all stages of life, whether you

are a counselor, a barista, an auto mechanic, a teacher, a police o cer, a re ghter, you deserve to be able to make your own in this community,” Simpson said. “And we are excited to have you here.”

Discussing solutions, Simpson pointed towards the Housing Advisory Committee. e committee was formed in November of 2022 and saw its rst members appointed in April of 2023. Simpson said that when forming the committee, they sought members from a wide variety of backgrounds, so they would have a variety of expertise.

“( e Housing Advisory Committee) is currently working on outlining a strategies and goals plan for housing preservation of existing a ordable housing,” said Simpson, “and both the creation of new opportunities across Arvada and seeing what strategies are out there that we’re not doing yet, that we can make happen.”

In closing remarks, Simpson emphasized once again how lucky she felt to be the Mayor of Arvada.

“It is the collective talents, dedication and experience of Arvadans, and of all of you here in this room today that makes this community thrive,” Simpson said. “It is a special place. And we are so fortunate to get to call it home.”

Denver to Istanbul flights on Turkish Airlines begin June 11

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Turkish Airlines has announced that it will begin ying from Denver to Istanbul on June 11.

At 6,130 miles, or between roughly 12 and 13 hours in the air, the ight will be the longest scheduled passenger route to and from the Mile High City, eclipsing the 5,788-mile ight between Denver and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport operated by United Airlines.

and Fridays — on an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. A fourth frequency, on Sunday, will begin on July 9.

e announcement comes as international ight options from Denver International Airport have proliferated in recent years. Flights to Paris, Dublin and Zurich have all been added recently, and United Airlines and Lufthansa have added frequencies to London, Munich and Frankfurt.

Help tell our news reporters and editors which issues to focus on in 2024. It only takes a minute. Thank you!

Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance partner airline, like United. at means passengers will be able to transfer to United Airlines ights once they arrive in Denver.

In Istanbul, passengers from Denver will be able to connect to destinations through Europe, Africa and Asia.

e ight will be operated three times weekly — Tuesdays, ursdays

Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said that the airport is trying to land ights to Amsterdam, Ethiopia’s Bole Addis Ababa International Airport and other parts of Japan.

“We are being very, very ambitious in terms of trying to increase our global connections around the world,” he said.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said the new route will lead to 350 new jobs in Denver and have a $20 million economic impact.

Want to Break Away From Common Exterior Products? Check Out These Winners

elevated it to the top of a competitive category.”

I’m always on the lookout for new products that might interest my readers, and Pro Builder magazine is great at finding and promoting them, including with their annual Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards. Their February-March 2024 issue featured the top 3 winners (gold, silver and bronze, of course) in 16 categories from “Connected Home” to “Weatherization.”

In this week’s column, I’d like to feature their winners in the “Exterior” category. I think you’ll agree that each provides a fresh look and a welcome break from what we are seeing, especially in the tract homes from the major builders.

The “Gold” winner was Tantimber’s decking product they call Thermowood Here is a picture and description of their wood decking:

“Thermowood is a sustainable alternative to endangered South American hardwoods and various environmentally damaging petroleum-based wood imitations and hybrid products. It is dimensionally stable, extremely durable, and will not warp in extreme temperatures and environments, the company says, while still being workable. The practical and environmental benefits of the product, as well as its pleasing aesthetics,

Tantimber is a Turkish company, and their website describes their commitment to sustainable production of natural wood products. Today’s composite decking materials are petroleum-based, but Tantimber’s products are made from thermally processed natural wood. Their website is www.Tantimber.com

The “Silver” winner was Nakamoto Forestry’s siding product Gendai. Here is the picture and description of this product:

“Gendai is sustainably sourced and ethically produced shou sugi ban siding — an exterior cladding made exclusively from Japanese cypress that is charred as a preservative heat treatment. The product is black in color with a waterbased finish. Traditionally called ‘arai’ meaning ‘washed,’ Gendai is brushed once to remove the textured charred surface, leaving behind a smooth appearance and dark hue. The burnt fiber crevasse shadows are subtle and create a silky color with charred grain details throughout.”

Archive of Past Columns Is Online

Over the past two decades, this column has appeared in local weeklies and the Denver Post, and during that time I’ve written about every conceivable topic related to real estate. You can find and search that archive online at www.JimSmithColumns.com

Just Listed: 3-Bedroom Briarwood Hills Home

This bi-level home at 11296 W. Kentucky Dr. has been well maintained by the seller. It was painted and walkways replaced in 2006, and a new roof & siding were installed in 2017. The house is white with blue shutters and gutters, and a blue & white garage door was new in 2009. The seller put in a new, energy efficient furnace in 2014 and new acrylic shower and shower doors in 2007. The backyard is mostly flat now (due to the seller rocking the sloping landscape) and completely fenced. There are lilacs on two sides of the house, and an ornamental plum and two purple ash trees are in the backyard. Briarwood Hills is a very quiet, friendly neighborhood. Most of the surrounding homeowners care about their yards, as does this seller. You will find magazine-quality photos and a narrated video tour at www.LakewoodHome.info. Call listing agent Jim Swanson at 303-929-2727 to request a showing.

Nakamoto is a family-owned business in western Japan, which owns its own forests and mills near Hiroshima. They are the biggest manufacturer of yakisugi (the more common name for shou sugi ban wood) in the world, and have been doing it for 50 years. Their website is www.NakamotoForestry.com.

The “Bronze” winner for exterior products is Fiberon’s Wildwood Cladding. At right is the picture, and here is the paragraph describing the product:

“Free of toxic chemicals and made with 94% pre- and post-consumer recycled content, Wildwood composite cladding is a highly sustainable alternative to traditional wood cladding. It has several performance characteristics that make it an ideal solution for rainscreen applications, such as being hydrophobic and resistant to rotting, cracking, insects, and decay. The product features an open-joint profile and is available in a variety of board lengths and widths, combining the beauty and warmth of

wood with the durability of highperformance, low-maintenance materials.”

The company operates out of Idaho and North Carolina. The company claims that its products are free of toxic chemicals and are manufactured using sustainable practices.

Fiberon has been recognized as an “Eco-leader” by Green Builder magazine. The web address is too long for here. You will find a link for it at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com.

Circling the Globe Was Fun & Educational, But We’re Happy to Come Home!

$569,000

As you read this on May 2nd, Rita and I are just four days from our flight home to Denver, having circled the globe, mostly by ship. (There’s no port in Denver…) At right is a picture of our docked ship, the Viking Sky, which I took in Tahiti back on Jan. 22nd. Our 122-day world cruise ends next Monday. Over 300 readers and friends have been following my daily “travel-blog” at http:// WhereAreJimandRita.substack.com. It will allow us to relive our adventures.

2-BR Lakewood Condo Listed by Jim Swanson

$300,000

This clean two-bedroom condo with both a detached garage and assigned parking is at 5725 Atlantic Place #100 in the Sunpointe condos of southeast Lakewood. This garden level unit has new flooring throughout. It has two good sized bedrooms and a nice living space with a woodburning fireplace. There’s a small outdoor patio, with storage. The subdivision is west of Sheridan Blvd. and just south of Jewell. All furniture in the unit is included if the Buyer wants it, otherwise it will be removed. The garage space is #112, and assigned parking space is #118. The building got a new roof thanks to a hail storm, and the seller will have paid his share of the deductible before closing. Find more pictures and a narrated video tour at www.LakewoodCondo.online. Call Jim Swanson at 303-929-2727 to see it.

care

A ordable housing development in Arvada gets $19 million CVS Health investment

85-unit Marshall Street Landing, which broke ground in March, will be completed in 2025

BY RYLEE DUNN

An a ordable housing development in Arvada got a major funding boost, as CVS Health announced its $19.2 million investment in the 85-unit Marshall Street Landing complex.

Located at 5549 Marshall St., Mar-

shall Street Landing is an apartment complex with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units that aims to house those experiencing homelessness and those who are in danger of experiencing homelessness — anyone at or below 30% area median income is eligible, according to Family Tree, the nonpro t bringing the development to fruition.

Ground broke on the development on March 28, and the project is expected to be completed in summer 2025. Family Tree acquired the low-income housing tax credits in 2022.

CVS Health announced its investment in the project on April 24. e

investment is made in collaboration with Family Tree and BlueLine Development, another developer already involved in the project.

e pharmacy store chain’s investment comes on the heels of other investments in a ordable housing developments both in Colorado and in other states. CVS Health has invested over $43 million into creating and renovating 2,100 units in the Centennial State, including a $6.5 million investment into Charity’s House Place, a 36-unit development in Denver.

Frank J. Benedetto, Regional Director or Sales and Account Management at Aetna, a CVS Health

company, called a ordable house a “critical component” to one’s health.

“ rough the development of Marshall Street Landing, unhoused residents will have supportive housing, that provides access to the important resources they need to maintain stability, create positive changes, and ultimately lead healthier lives,” Benedetto said.

Dontae Latson, CEO of Family Tree, attributed the project’s success so far to the collaboration between di erent organizations working together.

“Marshall Street Landing is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision of compassion and inclusivity,” Latson said. “Permanent supportive housing is not merely a place to live; it is a foundation for life. It o ers individuals and families who have faced homelessness or disabling conditions not just shelter, but a community and a sense of belonging.”

Once completed, residents of Marshall Street Landing will get Project Based vouch-

ers which can be used to access supportive services including mental health and substance use counseling provided by the Je erson Center for Mental Health as well as case management from Family Tree.

Additionally, Family Tree will provide referrals to other programs, crisis assistance and on-site life skill educational programming.

Each unit at the development will be fully furnished and include a stove, refrigerator, air conditioning and carpeting. e complex has a community kitchen, common rooms, laundry, a picnic area, playground and a community garden.

The groundbreaking for Marshall Street Landing, which is set to open in 2025.

What’s next for the Arapahoe

Caring for Colorado Energy Workers

Free Lunch & Learn Event

Thursday, May 16 12:00 p.m.

The Old Spaghetti Factory 9145 Sheridan Blvd.

Westminster, CO

Marker recognizing Je co’s first gold-rush community celebrates 78th anniversary with uncertain future

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On April 28, 1946, Goldenites both young and old gathered to dedicate a monument honoring “the almost forgotten, but once prosperous placer camp of Arapahoe City,” according to Colorado Transcript archives.

Students from the nearby Fairmount School collected rocks from the stream for the monument along West 44th Avenue near McIntyre Street. Local civic groups erected it with a plaque explaining how the immediate area was once home to Je erson County’s rst gold-rush community.

Now, exactly 78 years later, the community-erected monument stands behind a fence on private property. Anyone interested in reading the plaque should either bring binoculars or a camera, as the text is hardly visible from the public right-of-way.

While the state owns the monument itself, it stands on property owned by the Coors Brewing Company.

e area was formerly accessible to the public. However, Coors erected a fence around the property because of recent incidents of people illegally camping on the property and potentially contaminating the nearby canal and lake, o cials explained.

John Stonebraker, vice president of Molson Coors Beverage Company’s Golden Valley Operations, said in an email statement that the brewery erected the fence in conjunction with the Farmer’s Reservoir & Irrigation Company — a nearby stakeholder — and the Je co Planning & Zoning Department. He said the monument remains visible through the fence, and that Golden History Museum & Park had been o ered access on an ongoing basis.

The monument recognizing Arapahoe City sits behind a fence April 25 near West 44th Avenue and McIntyre Street in unincorporated northeast Golden. Arapahoe City, which was established in the general area in 1858, was Je erson County’s earliest gold-rush community.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

MONUMENT

As of April 25, Coors hadn’t responded to the Transcript’s request to elaborate further on its plans for the land surrounding the monument or reinstating public access to it.

Nathan Richie, director of the Golden History Museum & Park, said he’s received numerous inquiries about the site, but the museum doesn’t o er public tours of the monument.

He said Stonebraker’s comment referred to the museum’s ongoing collaboration with the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes. On a recent visit, Richie said some o cials were interested in seeing sites on Coors’ property in the same area.

So, the museum can request access in special cases like that, he said, adding: “But we aren’t running tours of the site to the public.”

Possible solutions

Richie said possible solutions for restoring public access would be working with Coors to move the fence or moving the monument itself. e former could work in the short-term, but the latter could solve two problems simultaneously.

As the name suggests, Arapahoe City “was built on top of an Arapaho village on well-known Arapaho land,” Richie said, adding that the museum’s tribal partners have a wealth of knowledge to share about the area.

If the monument is moved — ideally onto public property in the same area — Richie said it’d be a perfect opportunity to update the plaque to include more of the area’s pre-1858 history.

In fact, History Colorado — the state’s historical society, which o cially owns the monument — is planning to inventory its 230 markers statewide ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary in 2026.

Once inventoried, History Colorado will prioritize markers that need to be moved and/or updated, and work on adding new markers to some historic areas, Preservation Planner Lindsey Flewelling said. e initiative is currently in fundraising stage, but she believed it would start work on Colorado’s historic markers before 2026 and establish an ongoing maintenance plan after that.

Flewelling anticipated the Arapahoe City monument would be listed as a historic marker that needs to be moved and updated as part of this larger initiative.

She said the monument is in a rela-

tively unique predicament, being so far from public right-of-way that it’s inaccessible on private property. Flewelling said she more frequently hears about situations where a road was widened, leaving a historic marker too close to the right-of-way.

250-Colorado 150 initiative would provide an opportunity to update the Arapahoe City plaque — and others like it — “to ensure the history being portrayed is inclusive of that fuller history,” she continued.

A-City: Past, present & future

As the monument plaque describes, Arapahoe City was o cially organized on Nov. 29, 1858 along the Clear Creek valley east of present-day Golden.

George A. Jackson and John H. Gregory stayed there for a time, before proceeding west to strike gold and make history.

In 1860, Arapahoe City’s population was 80.

Past editions of the Transcript describe it as little more than a tent city along the valley. According to Richie, it was one of Golden’s many sister communities like Apex, which were either incorporated into Golden or were essentially abandoned.

e monument was established in 1946, and the bronze plaque was stolen

History Colorado replaced the plaque ling con rmed. e plaque that’s on the monument now is a replica of the one installed in 1946, with the exact same

e rock portion has never been replaced, Flewelling said. So, it should still be made of the same stones Fairmount students found almost four score years ago.

As for the land itself, Je erson County archives state the 33-acre parcel at 15950 W. 44th Ave. was sold to the Adolph Coors Company in January 1976 for $2,200. e Adolph Coors Company then deeded the property to the Coors Brewing Company in December 1992.

Richie said there’s nothing “sacred” about the monument’s exact spot. It could easily be moved to another, more accessible spot in the same vicinity and still poignantly convey the area’s history.

He hoped the America 250-Colorado 150 initiative would provide that opportunity.

“Nothing’s set in stone,” he said of possible solutions to restoring public access. “ … But, if we were to envision it over again, how would we commemorate that site?”

A publication of

Call first: 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreeen, CO, 80439

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: ArvadaPress.com

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

LINDA SHAPLEY

Publisher

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA

Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

KRISTEN FIORE

West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

RYLEE DUNN

Community Editor rdunn@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS

Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to lkfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline

Tues. for the following week’s paper.

Arvada press

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Je erson County, Colorado, the Arvada Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Arvada Press, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

A monument near West 44th Avenue and McIntyre Street recognizes the site of Arapahoe City, the earliest gold-rush community in Je erson County. The monument itself is owned by the state, but it sits on private property that was recently fenced. COURTESY OF NATHAN RICHIE

Colorado pumps $21 million into fast EV charger expansion

Grants will create 46 sites with a total of 290 ports

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado will spend $21 million to expand fast charging networks for electric vehicles throughout the state, with new grants awarded for 46 sites encompassing 290 charging ports, state o cials announced. e expansion will boost Colorado’s existing public fast chargers by nearly 30%.

Private companies and govern-

ments will build the fast chargers to ll gaps federal o cials identied along alternative fuel corridors considered keys to smooth transportation ow. Direct-current fast chargers can give EVs a signi cant mileage boost within 15 to 45 minutes of plugging in, depending on electrical service and how many other cars are plugged in at the same time.

State and federal EV boosters are scrambling to assure consumers about “range anxiety” — fear of running out of battery charge before nding a convenient charging station — and vehicle pricing. EV sales have stagnated after climbing quick-

ly in some states, with observers citing continuing high prices despite federal and state tax credits, and consumers reluctant to learn new fueling systems and locations.

More than 100,000 EVs are now registered in Colorado, the Colorado Energy O ce said, and with “the pace of adoption growing, the expansion of the charging network is necessary to meet consumer demand.”

“Colorado is building one of the most comprehensive EV charging networks in the country,” Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew said, in the release announcing the grants.

“We believe that nearly every Coloradan will have access to DC fast-

charging within a matter of years.”  e new charging stations will be funded jointly by federal money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the state Community Access Enterprise. Future rounds of grant funding will continue to build out the public charging network, with an emphasis on guaranteeing charging access in communities disproportionately impacted by historic air pollution.

Most of the charging stations should be online by the end of 2025, state o cials said.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Sunday,May19/3:00PM

CSMGreenCenterinGolden JeffersonSymphonywithEvergreenChorale KirstenCarpenterOrtman,soprano StevenTaylor,baritone

Ticketsat www.jeffsymphony.org.

SEASON71FINALECONCERT

A set of DC fast electric chargers on the east side of Limon adds some much-needed firepower to Colorado’s I-70 charging network, but the actual charging speeds experienced vary widely.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

Transition homes planned for Westminster, Lakewood

The homes will not house sex o enders at least for the next two years

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Besides Northglenn, Westminster and Lakewood are among cities in the metro area that will soon open Mental Health Transitional Living facilities – group homes that drew the ire of Northglenn residents for housing convicted sex o enders.

A MHTL home is currently open in Littleton.

Northglenn protests from residents and local o cials prompted the Department of Human Services to amend their plans for the transitional facilities. DHS dropped the proposal to place sex o enders in the facilities and to allow only residents deemed nonviolent.

No registered sex o enders will be housed at any MHTL homes, at least for the rst two years of the program, said Mark Techmeyer, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Human Services.

eloping/escaping from other treatment facilities, individuals with any recent assaultive behaviors, individuals with behaviors that require restraints or seclusions, any behaviors that may require a locked facility, as well as registered sex o enders,” Techmeyer said.

Techmeyer said it is a programwide policy that no sex o enders, even if the program is expanded to include them after this two-year pilot, will be housed within 1,000 feet of a school.

is year there are three homes planned for Colorado Springs, three in Lakewood, two homes in Northglenn, two homes in Denver, two homes in Pueblo West and one home in Westminster. One home is currently open in Littleton.

Techmeyer did not say exactly where the homes will be located. DHS is currently reaching out to the cities involved to “ensure partnership with each community,” he

Security has also been posted at the Northglenn facility – located at 11255 and 11275 Grant Drive – as there have been threats and concerning messages aimed at the homes.

“To ensure this program is successful for both communities and clients, we are engaging in a twoyear pilot admissions process, in

which the goal will be to admit those individuals who are most likely to safely transition to the MHTL Homes,” Techmeyer said via email.

e homes will not admit populations with a lower likelihood of succeeding in the homes, “…Including individuals with a recent history of

“We expect the security needs to decline and don’t expect to have outside security at the homes fulltime,” Techmeyer said.

Plans start at just $20/month.

Randi Bazylak (left) and Zach Bazylak protest in Northglenn April 6 over transition homes nearby.

PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY

Cultivating Community Health & Wellness

Saturday Sep. 21st at DCSD Legacy Campus

Saturday Oct. 5th at The Arvada

www.coloradocommunitymedia.com

events@coloradocommunitymedia.com

When most people think of estate planning, usually writing out their will comes to mind. A will can help you accomplish a number of important estate planning goals; however it is certainly not a complete plan to protect your future.

A will allows you to control how your assets are distributed after you pass away. If you don’t have a will (intestate), your assets will be distributed in accordance with Colorado’s intestacy succession laws that determine who will inherit your estate. is is known as intestate succession in which Colorado acts in an objective and procedural manner to ensure your assets are distributed.

e process of intestate succession completely ignores your wishes because what you “would have wanted” is simply irrelevant to the state without a formal will in place.

A will is also critical when you have minor children. Under a will, you dictate the guardian who will raise your minor children, you dictate the conservator who will control the money on behalf of your children, and you dictate the terms and conditions as to how and when your

SVOICES

A will is a key component of any estate plan, but it’s not enough

children gain  control of the money. However, without a will, a court decides who will raise your children and who will tend to the money on their behalf until the child turns 21, and the court may appoint people that you yourself never would have select-

A will is an important document to create so you can rest assured your wishes will be respected after you’ve passed away. Yet, it’s important to consider the limitations of a will as well. For instance, your will does not determine who will manage your affairs should you become incapacitated.

Estate planning involves more than just a will that only comes into play at death, you also need to establish documents that will come into play in in life should you become incapacitated. Creating a durable power of attorney for nancial purposes and advanced medical

directives will ensure that you retain some control over what is done on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Each of these documents empowers one or more individuals to make decisions about your assets or medical care when you are unable. If you do not have either document in place, a court will decide who to appoint to ll these roles for you. e court appointed agent would have the power to take actions they believe are in your best interest regardless of your personal preferences. Further, certain nancial accounts allow for a bene ciary designation form, instead of a will, for guidance on how the asset is to be distributed after the owner’s passing. is types of assets include life insurance, annuities, retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.  When there is a completed designated bene ciary form, many court cases have concluded that the owner’s statements and intent in his or her will do not matter if they contradict what was written on the bene ciary designation form. is is why it’s important to also review your bene ciary designations periodically to ensure they re ect your wishes now, and

not what you wanted when, for example, you opened the IRA 20 years ago.

A revocable trust is another estate planning tool that is used to provide a greater level of exibility in how your estate is managed in life and in death. In life, if you become incapacitated, your successor trustee takes control and manages your estate under your terms. In death, a revocable trust allows your estate to avoid probate as well as the public scrutiny that accompanies it.

In short, while a will can help you accomplish important goals, additional estate planning tools and strategies are available to protect you and your loved ones both after you pass away and in the event of tragedy while you are still alive.

Carolyn Moller Duncan’s Duncan Legal, PC is located in Centennial with a practice emphasis on estate planning, probate and trust administration. Carolyn has over 22 years of experience practicing law in Colorado. Carolyn is a member of the Colorado Bar, Trust & Estate Section, Family Law Section and Denver County Bar Association.

Spring cleaning: TULA organizing tips

pring is in the air, and for many that tends to instigate an overwhelming desire to start fresh, clear space, clean and, of course, organize. In fact, TULA’s requests for organization in the spring nearly double: Organize my closet, our pantry, my kid’s dresser, my spice drawer, under my sink, my garage, my o ce... and on and on. ere is no doubt that order and understanding of where things are brings a huge sense of relief to our clients, and TULA assistants are always happy to help. And for those who plan to tackle spring organizing on their own, here are our top six tips for making organization projects a success.

1. Start in one place

3. Take inventory

In most cases, our clients have a list of several areas in their home they want to get under control. Our advice is to start with one. Maybe it’s the space you and your family are in the most often, maybe it’s the drawers you avoid opening because they give you anxiety each time you do, or maybe it’s the room that everyone sees as soon as they walk in your home.

Whatever your priorities, select one area and stick to it. When you start many projects at one time, it becomes harder to actually complete one and you lose focus. When you are able to focus on one area, you’re able to cross that o your list (our favorite thing to do), which can motivate you to keep going.

2. Give yourself plenty of time

Don’t expect organization to happen overnight. Organizing requests and projects hands down almost always take longer than you think. Depending on the area to be organized, make sure to schedule a couple of hours each day to work on getting the area organized.

Go through everything in that particular area. Take everything out. Sort the items as keep, donate and sell. For closets, if you haven’t worn the item in two years, it’s time to give it away. You likely won’t even notice it is gone. After you’ve removed these items, take a look at what remains and make sure everything that is left makes sense in that space. Consider: is there another place where you’ve got more room to keep it, or another area where it would be more easily accessible for its purpose? For example, does it make sense to keep wrapping paper in the pantry or is there a better place for it?

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway of

SeriesFest celebrates a decade of television greatness

There are many things about SeriesFest, the annual event that celebrates emerging and underserved voices in episodic storytelling, that make it truly unique. But what really stands out as the event reaches its 10th season is how it charts a decade’s worth of change in television – both in programming and how people access shows.

“When I think back to that rst year, we didn’t know what to expect and weren’t sure if anybody was going to come,” said Randi Kleiner, co-founder and CEO of SeriesFest. “Now looking back, we’ve had so many success stories of shows that launched here, like ‘Mr. Robot’ and ‘Yellowstone,’ that people watch and love.”

Season 10 of SeriesFest kicked o on Wednesday, May 1, and runs through Sunday, May 5. e bulk of the festival will be held at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, but some special events will be held at other locations.

Fittingly for a milestone year like this, the event is bigger than ever, with more great programming to watch, panels to attend and unique events to take part in.

“My recommendation for attendees, especially new ones, is to choose an independent pilot block, a network screening and a panel and from there, you can see what you gravitate towards,” Kleiner said. “What you’ll nd is the festival is all about community — anyone who comes through the Sie FilmCenter doors will feel that.”

is year’s pilots lineup is more wide-ranging than ever, with 45 independently produced pilots available to see. is includes international pilots, which is a rarity at these types of events. Attendees can select from shorts, dramas, comedies and more.

Some of the panels that are worth checking out include “It’s In the Details: Costume Design for Television,” which features costumers for shows like “Outlander,” “Queen Charlotte” and “Yellowstone,” and a screening and discussion of the hilarious SYFY show “Resident Alien.” Creator, executive producer and writer Chris Sheridan and actor Sara Tomko will both be in attendance.

For special events, the SeriesFest

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Soiree Fundraiser

BREDESON

Theron Dean Bredeson

May 4, 1943 - January 23, 2024

Clarke Reader

Gala is the biggest event of the whole festival. e organization will be honoring Minnie Driver, Mark Duplass, SAG-AFTRA, Shondaland and Betsy Beers, as well as celebrating 20 years of “Grey’s Anatomy,” with cast and creatives in-person. “Grey’s” is getting its own special legacy celebration, featuring showrunner Meg Marinis and actors James Pickens Jr, Kevin McKidd, Camilla Luddington, Caterina Scorsone and Kim Raver. And as always, the festival wraps up at Red Rocks, this year with a dance party celebrating Beyoncé’s new album, “Cowboy Carter,” featuring Young Guru and special guests from the album.

“ ere is so much programming this year, and so much talent taking part, that I hope people come check it out as I know they will get hooked,” Kleiner said. “We’re always trying to expand our audience and I hope people embrace the festival and have the insightful conversations that really move the needle forward in the industry.”

For the full schedule, passes and more, visit https://seriesfest.com/.

Lone Tree Arts Center Blends Music and Movement

It’s been a long time since classical music carried the stodgy reputation it once used to have. From pairing orchestras with popular acts to performing lm scores live, there is so much room for experimentation and fun. e Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., is taking this to a thrilling new level with Cirque de la Symphonie and the Boulder Phil. e event will be held at the center at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, and will delight audiences with a unique pairing of music and acrobatics.

e Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the region’s best orchestral groups and Cirque de la Symphonie is well-known for its unique and enrapturing approach to movement synchronized to music.

eron Bredeson, 74, passed away at the end of a life of love and service on January 18, 2024. After graduating from Arvada West High School in 1968, eron embarked on an extraordinary life, including careers in the United States Air Force and Je erson County Public Schools-–as well as dedication to Colorado Automobile Racing Club (CARC), and Warm Hearts Warm Babies, an organization dedicated to caring for Colorado’s tiniest citizens.

Morris-Hayes and her husband Marshall; and Jim Bredeson and Nick Alder. His legacy continues through the lives of his grandchildren Meghan and her husband Bobby, Shelby, and Eleanor. He is also survived by his brother Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents Odward and Helen, and his son David Butler.

eron is remembered by his devoted wife of over 50 years, Glenda Ann (Patton), and his children eresa Butler; Jennifer

A celebration of eron’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall of King of Glory Lutheran Church, 10001 W 58th Ave. All are welcome. His wife, Glenda, will relocate to Virginia soon after to be nearer her children.

Loving

Local organizations provide comprehensive services for people in need

“comprehensive legal, emotional and critical supportive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, abuse of at-risk individuals, elder abuse, and human tra cking.”

Brandon Bowles, developmental manager for PorchLight, said the navigators are the PorchLight team members who help guide each person through the center. e organization partners with several government and nonpro t agencies to provide services to people and families in need.

lieve that tackling all of a person’s needs is the best way to help them.

Pos Ryant, founder and director of the Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization of Denver believes that forming relationships is at the heart of what makes the holistic approach work.

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA

Healthcare, a ordable housing, food insecurity, homelessness, violence and in ation are among the top issues facing Americans and Coloradans, according to a study by Pew Research Center.

While the state and the country struggle to resolve these issues through legislation, nonpro ts in the Denver metro area are attacking the issues using a holistic approach.

e Merriam-Webster Dictionary de nes “holistic” as a focus on the whole system, not a single part. A holistic approach to helping people means also helping with shelter, food, mental health, medical checks, employment, wellness and more in addition to the problem that brought the person in for help.

Several local organizations practice using a holistic approach to helping people. One model of this approach is the PorchLight Family Justice Center in Lakewood.

e organization’s work is described on its website as providing

According to Bowles, these services can range from health checks at the in-house clinic, legal services, remote court appearances, therapy, housing, clothing and even childcare, among other things.

e center has several services provided by partner agencies right there on location, so there is no need to leave the building for most things, Bowles added.

“We have 20 cubicles here for partners to use,” Bowles said. “So oftentimes we use the analogy that PorchLight is kind of like the mall.

e stores in the mall are our partners and the services that are provided.”

He gave an example. “Our medical services are provided through St. Anthony’s forensic nursing programs,” Bowles explained. “Our navigators are kind of like personal shoppers. So, they’re the ones that know what is on sale at all the stores, what’s on discount. If you want to nd a pair of orange shoes, they’re going to tell you which store to go to. So that’s kind of an easy way to think about it.”

Organizations like PorchLight be-

“I think we’re more focused on the relationship with clients and really providing opportunities for the community to build their resilience,” Ryant said. “To nd their support system, to create awareness around various wellness tools and/or programs that are out there. And not only the ones we o er but that are out there for people who may be struggling, who just need a friend.”

Ryant went on to say that helping his target demographic — the youth of the Denver Metro area — requires providing services and a space for their families as well.

AOPYO is not the only organization that provides services for the entire family. Gigi’s Playhouse of Denver in Lakewood provides a space and services for kids and adults with Down syndrome. ese services include education, tness, wellness, occupational skills, support groups and more. However, there is also programming that the family can use.

“ e value that we’re giving to these families is astronomical,” said Leslie Klane, executive director of Gigi’s Denver. “It’s not just in the fact that the services are free, but it’s in helping the families (and the person with Down syndrome) move on that path towards a future of independence and a good quality of life of enjoying life.”

ese organizations and others believe the bene ts of the holistic approach is yielding results.

For example, Gigi’s Playhouse Denver volunteers have developed a cutting-edge tness program GigiFit, for kids with Down Syndrome. According to Klane, the program is being used around the world.

“We have two physicians locally, in Wheat Ridge. ey co-designed GigiFit,” Klane explained. “It’s about mobility, dexterity, exibility and its movement.”

Klane said the doctors designed the program to help Denver families at rst.

“But then it became national, then international,” Klane said. She said GigiFit classes are virtual, with participants from all over the world.   AOPYO’s best success stories come from the people who came back to help work at the company once their time with the program nished.

An example is Lex Cacciatori, the AOPYO communications support specialist. Cacciatori said she entered the program at a volatile time in her adolescence. e organization’s approach helped steer her to a better life.

“It’s not just supportiveness, energy and the community, but the people of AOPYO,” Cacciatore said. “ ey’ve really supported me through a lot of things personally, academically and in every aspect of my life.”

She said Ryant even checked in with her throughout college to provide the much-needed support and encouragement.

HOLISTIC

Dr. G.C. Di Laura, language specialist at AOPYO, said the center and Ryant helped her whole family. Di Laura said that she rst came to the program years ago to seek support for her daughter.

“ e atmosphere that they create, the openness, a safe it’s so hard to nd these places, especially for the youth,” Di Laura said. “As a parent, my daughter also went through the program. And Pos (Ryant) was amazing for her. We had very hard personal di culties at that time.”

Di Laura said Ryant and the organization helped her whole family with wellness, mental health, academic support and providing a community.

Some other local organizations that provide holistic help include:

• Marisol Homes of Denver is a women’s shelter that runs a holistic program for clients. e program includes services and support in employment, housing, health care, mental health awareness wellness and more.

• Hope House of Colorado in Arvada calls its holistic approach “selfsu ciency programming” used to help teen mothers in the Denver Metro area. e organization provides wellness, education, career, social support and more for teen mothers.

• e Arc of Colorado has locations all across the state and the U.S. It provides services and support for adults and kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Additionally, Arc provides mental, career, education and wellness services for their clients.

• Avi at Old Towne in Arvada holds 30 apartments for former foster kids who have “aged out” of the system and are no longer eligible for services. CASA of Je erson and Gilpin Counties partners with Foothills Regional Housing to create housing for 30 of the teens. e program also provides services in mentorship, wellness, and support with career and education.

To nd more organizations that o er a holistic approach to helping people, go to ColoradoGives.org and search the nonpro t organizations listed.

Pos Ryant, right, and Ronnie Qi stand in the Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization’s new headquarters. The organization o ers wellness classes, support groups, Self Care Saturday events, tutoring and more to help Denver Metro teens. PHOTOS BY JO DAVIS

Lex Cacciatore was once a teen in the Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization. The holistic program helped her to get accepted to and graduate college. Cacciatore now works for AOPYO, helping other teens.

READER

Secure your tickets at www.lonetreeartscenter.org.

Ain’t No Party Like the Denver Derby

Party

No party in Denver gets quite the hullabaloo that e Original Denver Derby Party does, and deservedly so. Every year it’s a total blast

CLEANING

4. Don’t overlook underused space

Under the beds, behind the doors and above cabinets are all often overlooked opportunities to create more space. Go “up,” by creating storage space between cabinets or shelves and the ceiling, and store things that you don’t use as frequently up high.

5. Organize with color

Whether you’re working to or-

of fun and tradition, all going to a good cause (100 percent of all proceeds bene t the Sean Ranch Lough Foundation).

Held on Saturday, May 4, the party has found a perfect venue in McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St. in Denver. McGregor has more than 17,000 square feet of outdoor gathering space, the Milepost Zero food hall, three levels of indoor space and balconies, and features a 66-foot by 20-foot LED screen, according to provided information.

ganize the family room, nd just a little more order or wanting to go full on Home Edit, there is no doubt that using color sorting enhances e orts (and appearance). Assign each family member a di erent colored container to keep their belongings in, and keep them responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Organize projects, bills and other important papers by function and color in your home o ce. Organizing clothes rst by type and then secondarily by color, makes it very easy to nd what you are looking for – and even what you didn’t

PresentedbyAponte&Busam

Make sure your derby drip is on point and get information and tickets at https://denverderby.com/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Blondshell at the Larimer Lounge

Sabrina Teitelbaum, the 25-yearold who records under the name Blondshell, is one of last year’s great new indie rock discoveries — her self-titled album from 2023 made a bunch of best of lists and brims with great guitar licks and smart and insightful lyricism.

In support of the album, Blondshell will be stopping by the Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8. An intimate venue like this is the perfect place for Teitelbaum’s classic-rockinspired ri s to achieve full e ect. Get tickets at www.larimerlounge. com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

May15,2024|6p.m. UniversityofDenver

ScantheQRCode,orvisit coloradosun.com/eventstoRSVPforfree!

know you were looking for. When you’re able to go to a color category to match with your out t, you’re able to nd options that you didn’t remember you even had.

6. Visibility and accessibility

When you can, use transparent containers or those that can be easily labeled so you can read or see the contents of the containers. Additionally, make sure that the items you need most often are the easiest to access, and place the items you don’t need to get to as often on a higher shelf or in another area.

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for office. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters

Know that no matter what the project is, the organization process will almost always reach an ‘ugh, why-did-I-start-this’ moment. But don’t worry, take a deep breath, and tackle one step at a time. When your physical space is uncluttered and you know where everything is, it’s amazing how much mental space that can clear up at the same time.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced. com.

advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

• Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs or Google Docs, please.

• Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

Thu 5/09

Fire Follows @ 7pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

doctor jeep @ 8:30pm

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

Fri 5/10

Beyond Laser Light Experience @ 12pm Denver

Cline (OFFICIAL): Community

Worship Nights @ 6pm

Nick Folwarczny @ 8pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Sat 5/11

JME @ 9pm CuR-ATED Events, 2162 Larimer St, Denver

Tue 5/14

Ghost In Stereo: Rock The Plains Tour 2024 @ 6pm

The Rickhouse, 6100 E 39th Ave, Denver

ILLENIUM @ 6pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison

Luke Callen @ 7pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Mike Clark & The Sugar Sounds @ 7pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Emo Orchestra @ 7:30pm Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St,, Denver

Bill Nershi: Rocky Mountain Tree Festival Concert 2023 @ 1pm

New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden

Beats, Bass & Breath: Mindful Movement, Yoga & Music @ 1pm / $20 Kulture Music Hall, Denver

Wed 5/15

Fellowship Covenant Church, 5615 W 64th Ave, Arvada

Rudy La Scala @ 9pm D' CARTIER II, 3181 W ALAMEDA AVE, Denver

Enamour @ 9pm 1134 Broadway, 1134 N Broad‐way, Denver

Sun 5/12

Calvin Locklear @ 4pm

Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Mon 5/13

Paci�c Avenue @ 7pm

Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

The Sea�oor Cinema @ 7pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

He Is Legend Presents: I Am Hollywood 20 Years Of Madness @ 7pm / $25 Marquis, Denver

Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion. This publication is not responsible for the ac‐curacy of the information contained in this calendar.

powered by

Plan to quadruple property taxes on short-term rentals fails

Senate Bill 33 was voted down 6-1 in the Senate Finance Committee

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

A bill that would have quadrupled the property taxes on many homes o ered as short-term rentals in Colorado was rejected in a Colorado Senate committee, marking at least the third time in recent years that such a proposal has failed at the Capitol.  Senate Bill 33 was voted down 6-1 by the Senate Finance Committee during the bill’s rst hearing, an outcome that came after months of loud opposition from vacation rental owners and companies like Airbnb and Vrbo.

e only “yes” vote on the measure came from its main sponsor, Sen. Chris Hansen, a Denver Democrat.

e measure proposed taxing short-term rental properties at the state’s commercial rate if they are rented to vacationers for more than 90 days a year — regardless of whether they are someone’s primary or secondary home. In 2023, the property tax assessment rate for lodging properties was 27.9% compared with the 6.7% residential property tax assessment rate.

Hansen o ered an amendment that would have rewritten the measure to block hotels and motels from being converted into short-term rentals and to study the broader issue. at, too, was rejected by the committee.

Senate Bill 33 seemed to have a

La Ciudad ¡Hola!

better shot at passing than its predecessors because it was drafted by the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy and Task Force, an interim panel. Measures drafted by interim committees typically pass because of the extra scrutiny they receive.

Senate Bill 33 was rst introduced in the legislature in January. It’s rst committee hearing was continuously delayed as Hansen tried to nd a path forward for the measure.

But, ultimately, the opposition proved too great.

Short-term rental property owners, who showed up in force at the Capitol to oppose the bill, said that if the legislation passed they would be forced to sell their homes or reduce their rental nights to avoid the legislation’s 90-day threshold.

“ is new bill … unfairly and discriminately singles out STR owners,” Kristine Lee, who owns a short-term rental in Summit County, testi ed Tuesday night. “You see us as a cash cow.”

Lee said in reality she’s not making much money on her rental property as nightly rates decrease as demand wanes. She recently had to give up her property manager because she couldn’t a ord it.

costs and availability in resort towns, which are increasingly una ordable to Colorado residents.

e state estimates there are 24,100 short-term rentals in all of Colorado that rent more than 90 days a year.

“To the extent that we allowed businesses to be taxed at the lower residential level, we lose out on potential funding to support K-12 education,” Meghan Raynes Matthews, director of government a airs for the Colorado Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, testied Tuesday night. “Senate Bill 33 closes a loophole.”

Even Gov. Jared Polis has expressed support for taxing residential properties used as short-term rentals at the same rate as hotels, though he didn’t speci cally endorse Senate Bill 33 as the way to do that.

e short-term rental taxation conversation isn’t over at the Capitol this year.

House Bill 1299, introduced by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, as a gentler alternative to Senate Bill 33, is still pending. It would impose the commercial property tax rate on properties o ered as short-term rentals but only when they belong to a person or business that owns at least two other homes.

House Bill 1299 is awaiting its rst committee hearing in the House, scheduled next week. It’s unclear if that measure will move forward given that Senate Bill 33 has failed.

Sign up for Colorado Community Media’s bilingual newsletter, La Ciudad

Language should not be a barrier to trustworthy news about your community. Our La Ciudad staff offers news in both English and Spanish.

El idioma no debería ser un obstáculo para acceder a noticias confiables que te interesan. Nuestro equipo de La Ciudad ofrece noticias tanto en inglés como en español.

To sign up for La Ciudad newsletter: Scan this QR Code or go to coloradocommunitymedia.com/newsletters

Proponents of the measure saw it as a way to level the playing eld between hotels and vacation home rentals, which are taxed at much lower rates than commercial properties. It would also generate more money for schools and local districts, which are funded by property tax revenue. Some high-country hotels have converted into privately owned short-term rentals in recent years, which proponents contend has reduced local government property tax revenues.

Moreover, some see short-term rentals as a key driver of housing

e legislature is expected to debate broader changes to the state’s property tax code. at may include a provision or provisions charging higher taxes on people’s second or subsequent homes.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Golden Rotary hosting free paint, electronics recycling event May 11

ners are not accepted, among others.

e Rotary Club of Golden is hosting a recycling event for paint and electronics from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 11 in the Golden High School parking lot. All items are free to drop o , with the exception of TVs for $30.

e goal, organizers have said, is to help locals “get rid of excess items and repurpose them in a sustainable way.”

Types of paint that can be donated include oil-based, acrylic, latex, stains, shellacs, lacquers, sealers and varnishes. Items of all sizes can be donated, but should be in their original, non-leaking, labeled containers.

Spray paints and paint thin-

For electronics, the Rotary Club is accepting computers, laptops, monitors, cameras, CD players, mobile or desktop phones, printers, copiers, fax machines, game consoles, keyboards, surge protectors and other electronics. All are free to donate, except TVs.

ere is no donation limit for either paints or electronics.

Additionally, the club is asking for monetary donations toward its youth programming, including scholarships and counseling services for GHS students.

For more information, including the full list of items that can be recycled, visitGoldenRotary.org.

The Rotary Club of Golden is accepting any and all kinds of electronics at its May 11 recycling event. All are free to

except TVs for $30.

A passion for a forgotten plot

Weld County man asks for help with a little, neglected cemetery

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Bill Knox, 93, grew up in the Vollmar neighborhood in Weld County, just northwest of Fort Lupton.

Knox said his parents had a ranch there, and he went to school with kids who lived in Vollmar and its surrounding areas. ey all went to the little Vollmar schoolhouse, which has since been converted into a home, he said.

One thing that always caught his eye was the little cemetery there,

the St. Francis Vollmar cemetery. Still living in the area, Knox still thinks about it and visits it often. His goal now, before he passes, is to help save and preserve this historic cemetery.

“Every time I’d go by it, it bothered me that most of these tombstones are covered with sand up to three feet deep,” Knox said. “I would like to clean that somehow up before I pass away.”

e cemetery is an acre and a quarter with about 35 to 40 people buried there. He said he started to look in on the cemetery ve years ago but started to research it two years ago. It’s set between Weld Country Roads 21 and 23 west of Fort Lupton.

ST. JOANOF ARC

CATHOLICCHURCH

Proclaiming Christ from the Mountains to the Plains www.StJoanArvada.org

12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232

Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat Confessions: 8am Tue-Fri; 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm

Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30am, 5:30pm

“Find Connection…Discover Faith” All Are Welcome

Sunday Worship 10:00AM

Green Mountain Presbyterian Church 12900 W Alameda Pkwy Lakewood, CO 80228 303-985-8733

www.gmpc.net

Advertise Your Place of Worship HERE

Living Water Spiritual Community (Unity)

LGBTQ+ SAFE

We meet in person with extraordinary live music on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from 10:30a.m. to noon at: Activity Options, 7401 W. 59th Ave., Arvada, 80003.

All other Sunday meetings are on zoom from 10:30a.m. to noon.

Please phone: 720-576-9193, or email: livingwaterspiritualcommunity@gmail.com

Our website is: www.livingwaterunity.org

To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Bill Knox standing at the entrance of the St. Francis Vollmar cemetery located between Weld County Roads 21 & 23.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

An unidentified grave at the St. Francis Vollmar cemetery that someone has decorated with flowers.

Three unidentified people were buried, and more people were next to them, with their graves covered by weeds and sand.

PLOT

Information about the plot is hard to come by, he said.

“I looked up the deed at the Weld County Assessor’s o ce. e last time it was deeded was in 1926, and the St. Francis Vollmar Association ran it. I traced it back; it may have been null and void in the 1940s,” Knox said.

Knox has since taken over the deed and the association name at the cemetery.

He’s now looking for people who grew up in the neighborhood – or the descendants of those that did. He asks that anyone who knows about the cemetery and who might have relatives buried or simply someone who has the resources to help him preserve it, to call at 970372-0759.

“It’s just a shame that the cemetery is neglected,” Knox said.

Long neglected

It’s always been a tough plot, he said. He remembers growing up during the Depression.

“During the Depression, the sand storms practically covered the old cemetery there,” Knox said.

Knox said the cemetery contains 100% Spanish buried plots, and it should be dedicated to uncovering and preserving that history.

“It was all the Spanish people that lived in Vollmar,” Knox said.

e people buried there, he gures, are the ones who helped the community grow by laboring in the sugar beet factory, cleaning beets. e area was a huge supplier to Great Western Sugar’s

factory in Brighton. And although the factory remained in operation until 1977, he thinks Vollmar’s association ended in the late 1940s.

Little o cial history

Knox said he called many people, including Weld County Genealogy, but has yet to learn about the cemetery. Getting information about the plot has been a challenge.

“ e records for the cemetery were in the Londeen Mortuary in Fort Lupton, but it burned down years ago, and all records burnt with it,” he said. “ ey buried most of the people.”

Knox also called the Archdiocese Catholic Church in Denver to see if they had a record of the cemetery, but representatives there said it didn’t belong to them.

Dr. Holly Kathryn Norton, Director of the O ce of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, State Archaeologist, and deputy State Historic Preservation Ofcer at History Colorado, said they did not have a record of the cemetery in their database, nor was it listed on popular sites such as Grave Finder. She lives nearby and plans to visit it and see what she can learn.

“ is cemetery is only 30 minutes from my house, so I’ll make a point to get out there and record it, as well as see if we can locate any additional information on it and contact Mr. Knox,” Dr. Norton said.

Patricia Carmody with the Colorado Historic Cemetery Association, which provides resources to preserve and protect historic Colorado cemeteries, said Mr. Knox must map and record the graveyard before touching and cleaning it.

“On our site, we list several resources and books on how to preserve cemeteries,” said Carmody.

sponsored by:

Cute Pets

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Ralston Valley tennis hopes to serve up some history

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — Ralston Valley’s girls tennis team is attempting to make history.

Cherry Creek has absolutely dominated the girls tennis state landscape winning 39 largest school state team titles since 1976. Fairview — Class 5A team title in 2016 — is the only other school that has won the 5A team title other than Cherry Creek since 1997.

Ralston Valley in is position to break Creek’s current state championship streak. e Mustangs are the No. 1 seed for the 5A girls tennis team state tournament. Ralston Valley advanced to the semi nals Friday, April 26, cruising to a 6-1 victory over No. 8-seeded Regis Jesuit at the Apex Tennis Center.

“ ese girls have been working for the last couple of years knowing down the road that this opportunity might be here,” Ralston Valley coach Kim Greason said of the Mustangs on the brink of playing for a Class 5A girls tennis team state title.

Ralston Valley will host No. 4 Rocky Mountain in the semi nals Tuesday, May 7, at the Apex Tennis Center.

Je co Public Schools has never won a largest school girls tennis team state title. D’Evelyn has captured four Class 3A state team titles in recent years.

“We would love to not only represent Je co, but all the other schools that haven’t had that chance to have the opportunity to grab that rst place (trophy),” Greason said. “Battling Creek all the time is tough. ey are still strong even being the No. 2 seed. ey are going to be dialed in.”

In the other side of the state tournament bracket, No. 3 Valor Christian took a 5-2 quarter nal win over Fossil Ridge on Friday. e Fairview at Cherry Creek match was postponed until Monday, April 29. e state championship team match is scheduled for May 14 at the Denver Tennis Park.

Being in new territory at the No.

1 seed is something Ralston Valley has embraced.

son said of the Mustangs holding the top seed. “One of the girls came up with the quote from Billy Jean King, ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ I feel like our girls instead of feeling like it’s pressure, they have earned it and now they have to own it and prove it.”

Spearheading the Mustangs’ line-up is No. 1 single players and senior Ally Lowe. e lefty actually clinched Ralston Valley advancing into the state semi nals with her straight-set victory over Rebecca Gelfer on Friday.

Lowe has been Ralston Valley’s No. 1 singles player since her freshman year. She is already a 3-time individual state quali er advancing to the at least the quarter nals each season.

“ e team title is probably more important to me than an individual title,” Lowe said. “It has been Cherry Creek for the last several years. It would be really nice if we won it.”

Lowe has only lost three matches all season while holding down the No. 1 singles spot.

“She (Lowe) faces the best-of-thebest every match and she brings it,” Greason said of Lowe. “She is right

format. “You get to play teams as a team, instead of as individuals at

(No. 2 singles) and Scarlett Lutz (No. 3 singles) round of the Mustangs’ strong singles line-up. No. 1 doubles team of Adia Farling/Cass Gordon are in their second year playing together that has helped to make them a strong force.

No. 2 doubles Parker Lucas/Kylie Engleman, No. 3 doubles Tay Farling/So a Eola and No. 4 doubles Elaina Robo /Kate Decker nish out the line-up for the Mustangs.

“ is is probably the deepest team we have had in a number of years. We are very fortunate,” Greason said. “I put it on the girls. ey have worked very hard in the o -season, playing year-round, playing tournaments, doing camps and clinics. I think that is what it takes nowadays, to have year-round players.”

is is the second year where the Colorado High School Activities Association has separated the team state title from the individual state tournament. Until last year, the team champion was determined from how many points teams accumulated during the individual state tournament.

“I like it a lot better,” Lowe said of the new team tournament state

Ralston Valley will host the 5A Region 3 tournament May 1 and 2 at the Apex Tennis Center next week.

e Mustangs should qualify all seven of their positions to the individual state tournament May 9-11 at City Park in Denver.

“I feel like we are all playing super well right now,” Lowe said as the Mustangs prepare for regionals next week before the team state semi nal showdown against Rocky Mountain on May 7.

Fort Collins, Cherokee Trail, Horizon, Douglas County and Northglenn will be the other teams in the regional with Ralston Valley.

“It is tough, and you throw in the weather too,” Greason said of the busy next few weeks for the Mustangs on the tennis court. “ ere is a lot for these spring sport athletes to handle. Our girls have been balancing it really well.”

Only time will tell if Ralston Valley can balance its way to history and a state title.

Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Je co Public Schools. For more Je co coverage, go to ColoradoPreps.com and CHSAANow.com.

Ralston Valley girls tennis team gather together before its Class 5A state team tournament quarterfinal against Regis on Friday, April 26, at the Apex Tennis Center. The Mustangs won 6-1 to advance to the semifinals May 7 back at Apex where they will host Rocky Mountain.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS / JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Girls flag football sanctioned by CHSAA

Colorado becomes 11th state to legitimize the sport

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A recent vote by the Colorado High School Activities Association sanctioned girls ag football as an o cial sport.

Passing by a vote of 57-9 with ve abstentions, there will be two classi cations this fall for girls ag football. It is CHSAA’s 27th sanctioned sport. After a highly successful pilot program in the past two years, CHSAA set the sport in stone.

Colorado joins Tennessee, New York, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Illinois, California, Alaska

and Alabama as states to sanction girls ag football.

Several area schools have developed ag football pilot programs, including Valor Christian, Arvada West, Cherry Creek, Legend, Mountain Vista, Elizabeth and more.

Last October, Arvada West defeated Cherry Creek 34-14 in the nal of the 16-team state championship tournament. e Wildcats nished the season with a perfect 25-0 record.

Area coaches are big advocates for the sport.

“It’s fun for the girls to make some new friends, play a game that they’ve always just had to watch,” said Darren Pitzner, the coach for the Legend High School girls’ team.

“For me growing up, I was always drawing up plays in the dirt and developed a love for the game that way. e girls have made a lot of

CHSAA adopts shot clock for varsity teams

Teams will be on the clock starting in 2026

BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

After several months of debate, the Colorado High School Activities Association formally adopted the use of a 35-second shot clock in prep basketball. e decision came during the association’s legislative council meeting on April 23.

e change takes e ect in the 2026-2027 school year for varsity boys and girls teams. e association’s legislative council approved it by a margin of almost 3-to-2.

e agenda said those in favor cited a need to prepare players for college basketball’s shot clock, an improved pace of play and the chance to reward good defense.

ose opposed pointed to initial set-up costs (perhaps between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the electrical structure of the gym,

friends, a ton of smiles and a ton of highlights.”

e sport received funding from the Denver Broncos during the pilot period.

“In addition to providing an amazing platform for empowerment, inclusion and teamwork, girls ag creates a powerful sense of belonging and community for our next generation of leaders,” Broncos Owner Carrie Walton Penner said in a statement.

ough last year’s postseason was held at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at the Denver Broncos’ Center Health Training Center, future postseason details for 5A and 4A will need to be determined.

A girls ag football committee will also be formed soon by CHSAA.

is story will be updated as more details are released.

according to the agenda), the potential increased cost for game workers and for training a shot clock operator.

ere was no discussion during the council’s meeting.

ere were two other shot-clock proposals on the agenda. Supporters withdrew one agenda item after the council approved the shot-clock item. e second, which would have applied to class 6A schools only, failed.

e council also turned down a bid to increase the size of the state basketball tournament from 32 to 40 teams. Fifty-seven percent voted no.

e proposal called for the top 24 teams to receive a rst-round bye.

Chaparral Athletic Director Rob Johnson said players and coaches want to be able to play in one last tournament game.

“Scheduling really helps,” he said.

“Many of these programs want a competitive, rst-round game. It’s a chance for (seeds) 25 to 40 to have a competitive, fun playo experience.”

No one spoke in opposition.

sport.

CLASS OF 2024

Red Rocks Community College is proud to announce the celebration of its 54th annual commencement on Saturday, May 11th, beginning at 10am at the Outdoor Pavilion on the RRCC Lakewood Campus. Congratulations to all our graduates!

Arvada West junior Sara Walker makes some downfield moves after matching a catch during the girls flag football state championship game against Cherry Creek in October 2023. CHSSA has agreed to sanction the

Contact Erin Addenbrooke, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CAREERS

Job Title:

Landscape Designer

Denver, CO. Job #A

Job Duties:

•Prepare landscape architectural planning and design documents utilizing GIS (Geographic Information System) software for planning analysis project work.

•Utilize GIS knowledge and analysis work to prepare landscape planning and design solution deliverable products in GIS format required by clients.

•Produce 3D and 2D graphic illustration capabilities in various design programs.

•Produce 3D illustrations in Rhino computer program to study design alternatives.

•Produce landscape and design construction documents using AutoCAD, Sketch Up and Revit.

Job requires Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture, 2 year experience. Must be able to perform job tasks, including having knowledge of GIS. $60k/yr.

To apply: Email bill@digstudio.com for Landscape Designer

Help Wanted

Senior Performance Test Engineer

Trimble Inc. is hiring a Senior Performance Test Engineer in Westminster, CO to build effective and efficient software and research and maintain understanding of best practices in Software Engineering. May telecommute. $153,000$163,000. Trimble offers standard company benefits. Send resume to TNLJobs_ US@trimble.com. Must reference 6083.1653.

MARKETPLACE

Misc. Notices

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA. A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!

Garage and Estate Sales

Garage Sales

Red Hawk Golf Course Community Wide Garage Sale 30+ Homes

Friday & Saturday, May 3 & May 4 from 8am-3pm Castle Rock, Wolfenserger Road @ Red Hawk Drive Maps will be available at all participating homes.

Firewood

Miscellaneous

Merchandise

Bicycles

Men’s & Women’s Adult Fuji multi-gear bikes for sale. Excellent condition & well equipped. 303-655-3079.

Split & Delivered $450 a cord Stacking $50 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Lawn & Garden

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833606-6777

Health & Beauty

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00

100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928

Hablamos Espanol

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060

www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a lim-ited time, waving all installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 6/30/24.) 1-844-501-3208

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189

Aging Roof? New Homeowner?

Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day! 1-844-591-7951

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/ mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

MARKETPLACE

Miscellaneous

Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+?

You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877-707-5707

Become a published author We want to read your book!

Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus

Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-479-1516

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833399-3595

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub.

Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

Water damage cleanup:

A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family

& your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!

package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971

Miscellaneous

Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-9486176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

Pets Dogs

Toplacea25-wordCOSCANNetworkadin91ColoradoNewspapersforonly $300,contactyourlocalNewspaperoremailrtoledo@colopress.net

DIRECTV-ALLyourentertainment.Northingon yourroof!SignupforDirectandgetyourfirst freemonthsofMax,Paramount+,Showtime, Starz,MGM+andCinemaxincluded. ChoicePackage$84.99/mo.Somerestrictions apply.

CallDIRECTV1-888-725-0897

INVESTMENTOPPORTUNITYONLINEAUCTION:

5/1-5/31Bar&GrillwithBreweryEquipment.126N. 3rdStreetDouglas,Wyoming.10,900SFRetail TURN-KEYOPERATION!SaleInfo:800-536-1401,X

401.Auctionsinternational.com-PromoCode: WESTBID24

PortableOxygenConcentrator. MaybeCovered byMedicare! Reclaimindependeceandmobilitywith thecompactdesignandlong-lasting batteryofInogenOne. FreeInformationKit! Call:844-823-0293

FREEHIGHSPEEDINTERNET

incl.Medicaid,SNAP,HousingAssistance,WIC, VeteransPension,SurvivorBenefit,Lifeline,Tribal. 15GBInternetservice.Bonusoffer:Androidtablet FREEwithone-time$20copay.FreeShipping& Handling. CallMaxsipTelecomToday:1-866-654-9429

(970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com

Wanted

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Cemetery Plots

3 cemetery plots for sale in beautiful Golden cemetery. Plots are in Block 25, Lot 4, spaces 8, 9, & 10. Serious inquires only (719)980-0591.

Landscape & Garden

Sod, Rock, Mulch, Retaining Walls, Sprinklers, Sprinkler Repair, Flagstone, Fence Repair, Fertilize, Aeration, Yard Clean-Ups, Shrub Trimming/Removal, Rock Removal, Weed Control and Much More!

or Call 720-982-9155 lawnservice9155@gmail.com

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

Syphilis cases in Colorado are exploding

Syphilis is among the most brutal diseases known to humans, but it is also among the sneakiest.

Dr. Michelle Barron, an infectious disease expert with UCHealth, calls it “the great masquerader.” Early symptoms in adults are often painless, temporary and easy to miss. After that, the disease can lie silent in the body for years until it makes itself known.

And Colorado, like other states across the country, is now dealing with the devastating impacts that can occur when syphilis goes undetected and untreated.

Since 2018, syphilis cases in the state have more than tripled, to 3,266 last year from 1,084 in 2018. ose 2018 numbers were already a signicant jump from previous years.

What is especially brutal is that syphilis, a bacterial disease primarily transmitted through sex, can be spread in utero from moms to babies. Colorado saw 50 such cases of congenital syphilis last year, up from seven in 2018. ere have been 25 congenital cases reported this year, putting the state on track to potentially reach 100 cases before year end.

“ is is easily treated,” Gov. Jared Polis said at a recent news conference, “but it can be very harmful and deadly for babies.”

Of the 25 cases of congenital syphilis so far this year, ve resulted in stillbirths or miscarriages and two ended in death shortly after birth.

To combat this rise in syphilis cases among infants, the state Health Department on late last month issued a public health order requiring medical providers to step up testing for syphilis infections in people who are pregnant.

State law already requires that licensed medical professionals test for

syphilis during the rst trimester of pregnancy. e public health order expands that to require testing be offered also during the third trimester and at the time of delivery. It must also be o ered when there is a fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation.

“Pregnant people have to be o ered the test, they do not have to take it,” Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said.

Syphilis is a multistage disease that most often rst appears in adults as a painless sore in the location where the infection rst entered the body. at heals, though, and then the disease lies dormant for a few weeks until a fever or rash appears. e immune system can also beat that back, leading to what is known as latent syphilis.

Some people can then have a third phase, when the disease roars back in attacks that can a ect eyesight, hearing, muscle movement and cognitive ability.

Syphilis is treated through common antibiotics.

“ e good news here is that syphilis is curable and treatment will save lives,” Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist, said.

e state’s public health e orts focus especially on populations currently with higher rates of disease — those who are homeless, who are incarcerated or who use injection drugs. e public health order requires syphilis testing be performed at correctional facilities and also when a patient who is pregnant shows up at an urgent care or emergency room during the rst or third trimesters.

e state has also expanded a pilot program originally started in Pueblo County that provided expanded testing to people incarcerated at the county jail. Sheri David Lucero said the program has screened 634 people for syphilis, with 182 — more than a quarter — testing positive. Of those, seven were pregnant.

“Without a doubt, this program saves lives,” he said.

Herlihy said the reasons that syphilis is increasing, both in Colorado and nationwide, are unclear. It is also not entirely certain why there are higher rates of syphilis in incarcerated or homeless populations.

“ e association here probably has to do with access to prenatal care and complicating factors in individuals’ lives that are leading to them not re-

ceiving prenatal care,” Herlihy said. is is an important point because it shows that there is no reason for syphilis to remain disproportionately within those populations. Barron, the UCHealth doctor, said she has seen patients who are positive for syphilis and surprised by the diagnosis. ey did not think they were at risk and had not noticed any symptoms.

“Anyone who is engaging in unprotected sex could transmit this and not be aware of it,” she said.

For people with health insurance, syphilis testing is covered without a copay, and people on Medicaid also can be tested at no out-of-pocket cost. Barron said wider testing is the key to controlling Colorado’s skyrocketing infection numbers.

“ e goal is to prevent these longterm complications that can be terrible,” she said, “also ensure that we can help prevent transmission by treating these individuals proactively.” is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Bo (292796) is a handsome 2-yearold male Great Pyrenees, a big, sturdy boy who can be spooked by loud noises or a sudden windstorm. His ideal family will encourage his tendency to step away from such stressors and seek a familiar place. Bo enjoys time outside and will appreciate a secure yard or even safe acreage for roaming. He is available to homes without kids. Any 303.278.7575 FoothillsAnimalShelter.org info@fas4pets.org

Syphilis is treated with multiple penicillin injections over the course of about three weeks.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN

“My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from sales to scheduling, the experience was very good. The installers are highly skilled professionals and I would recommend Renewal by Andersen to all my contacts.”

– LYNN F. | RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN CUSTOMER 4.7 OUTOF 5 BASED ON 95,000

KEEP THE HEAT IN AND THE COLD AIR OUT!