Arvada Historical Society to hold flag raising ceremony at Flour Mill for city’s 120th Anniversary
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When Eugene Emory Benjamin was preparing to open the Arvada Flour Mill in 1926, he placed a contest in the Arvada Enterprise — the city’s newspaper at the time — to help with the branding for his our and other products.
Over 1,200 entries came in, though the population of Arvada was less than that, Arvada Historical Society Board Member Karen Miller said.
“(Benjamin) sought something short and snappy that reected the high quality of the our he intended to produce,” Miller said.
e winning entrant belonged to a local named V.B. “Letha” McCashen, who suggested “Arva-Pride” for the branding. McCashen was awarded a $25 prize — equivalent to $400 in today’s dollars.
“Arva-Pride” flag to be flown at Flour Mill to commemorate Arvada’s history SEE CEREMONY, P2
The recreation of the “Arva-Pride” flag that will be flown from the Arvada Flour Mill’s flagpole.
SOLD “AS IS” DEFINED
1.Yes, it needs maintenance, carpet, paint and maybe a new furnace etc. This is not a fix up. You should not take a discount. So many seniors and elders say: “I only paid $200,000 so If I could get $300,000, I’m happy. They lose hundreds of thousands of dollars every day.
2.“As is” minus safety issues. Natural gas leak, bad furnace are about the only things.
3.“As is” where it is often a fix and flip. Do not fix up your house if you are going to sell it. Call me to learn why you don’t need to do it.
RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada’s newest park o cially has a name: Serenity Ridge Park — located at 10275 West 55th Ave., adjacent to Red Rocks Community College — will open to the public by the end of July, Arvada’s Director of Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods Enessa Janes said. e park name was adopted by a unanimous city council vote at the July 1 business meeting. Serenity Ridge Park has been in the works since 2018; council was presented with three names at the June 17 workshop, with Serenity Ridge appearing to be the favorite. e other two nalists were Wellness Circle Park and Snow Peaks Overlook Park.
COURTESY ARVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The most common causes of death in Colorado in 2023
Cancer returned to the top spot while COVID-19 fell out of the top 10
BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
Cancer reclaimed the top spot as Colorado’s No.1 killer last year, according to nalized numbers released last month by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
In 2023, 8,411 Coloradans died from what are known in vital sta-
tistics records as “malignant neoplasms.” Heart disease, the secondleading cause, claimed 8,071 lives. ose two causes far exceed any other cause of death in Colorado. Cancer has been No. 1 for most recent years, but heart disease held the top spot in 2021 and 2022.
COVID falls down the list
For the rst time since it appeared in Colorado, COVID-19 didn’t crack the top 10 causes of death last year, though it was close. With 626 deaths in 2023, COVID was the 12thleading cause of death. (In 2020 and 2021, it was the third-leading cause.)
at re ects the waning severity of the pandemic. But, for comparison, in uenza and pneumonia combined last year killed 371 people, ranking 18th, so COVID is still very much a threat, especially to older populations.
e causes and categories in this list follow the methodology of the National Center for Health Statistics, though some of the causes are a bit of a mashup. Accidents, for instance, encompass everything from car crashes to falls to unintentional drug overdoses. Lumping them together like that can obscure some of the underlying trends.
ple who lived here but died elsewhere and not people who died here but lived elsewhere.) at’s roughly 2,000 fewer deaths than in 2022, and it’s nearly 3,500 fewer deaths than in 2021, Colorado’s deadliest year on record.
Relative to population size, Colorado’s death rate fell to something closer to — but still higher than — pre-pandemic levels. e age-adjusted death rate was 681.7 deaths per every 100,000 population in 2023. e three years before that had seen age-adjusted death rates in the 700s. In 2019, the year before the pandemic, the age-adjusted rate was 635.9.
Accidental deaths declined last year, but drug overdose deaths were up — to 1,865, of which 1,097 involved fentanyl. Motor vehicle accidents (785 deaths) and falls (1,064 deaths) were down.
Other notable causes of death: Suicides (1,290 deaths) remained almost exactly the same as in 2022, while homicides (366) dropped by nearly 50.
Deaths dropped overall
Overall, 44,862 Coloradans died last year. ( e gure includes peo-
CEREMONY
Now, almost 100 years after the Enterprise held its contest, the Arva-Pride ag will be own from the Arvada Flour Mill’s agpole again, as the Historical Society will host a ceremonial ag raising at 3 p.m. July 13 to commemorate the city’s 120th anniversary.
e mill operated in what is now Olde Town Arvada until 1944, when industry standards began to change.
e mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and has been operated by the Arvada Historical Society for the last few decades. e Historical Society has resumed hosting our mill tours on Sundays this summer.
e agpole next to the mill was donated to the Arvada Historical Society in 1991 but has sat idle for
e state compiles these annual death numbers, as well as a host of other vital statistics data, in a system called the Colorado Health Information Dataset. e system has several easy-to-use data dashboards for members of the public interested in more speci c information.
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.
many years. Miller said the city’s anniversary brought up a good time for the group to resurrect the agpole.
e Historical Society had a custom replica of the “Arva-Pride” ag made for the occasion.
“With the celebration of the city’s 120th anniversary this year, we decided that an Arva-Pride ag would be the best way to showcase the mill and join in the celebration,” Miller said. “We believe that Arva-Pride, the branding of our produced long ago, is relevant today as it re ects the pride that Arvada citizens have in their city and its history.
“ e ag is symbolic of the pride we have in this iconic historic building,” Miller continued. “ e ArvaPride ag waving proudly next to the mill shows all that the mill is an integral piece of Arvada’s history and lives to tell its story.”
e ag-raising ceremony and tours of the Arvada Flour Mill are free to the public.
FROM PAGE 1
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How Does Denver’s Real Estate Market in the First Half of 2023 and 2024 Compare?
I had the same question, so I did some research on our MLS, REcolorado. At right are some charts I created. As always, I don’t define metro Denver by counties but rather as an 18-mile radius of downtown Denver. The charts and the statistics below are for that area.
The January-to-June rise in sold prices are remarkably similar, going from the low 500s to the high 500s with little overall gain compared to prior years.
As a result, the months of inventory (not shown) was similar both years, dropping from above 3 months in January to 2 months in March, but diverged in April, staying at just above 2 months from April through June 2023, but rising to almost 3 months from March to June of this year.
The most dramatic change is the number of homes available to purchase despite falling number of closings. That resulted in an increase in the days-in-MLS statistic, which was similar to last year but only through April, whereupon the days-inMLS number rose to 11 instead of staying in the 5-6 day range of last year.
In January 2023, the ratio of closed price to original listing price was 96.2% but rose to 100% for March through July.
January 2024 was better than 2023 at 97.3%, but it rose to 100% for only three months and dropped to 99.4% in June.
The chart below was shrunk ver cally so that the number scales would match.
My half-duplex listing at 533 High Point Drive, which was “coming soon” last week will be open this Saturday, 11-1 Video tour at NorthGoldenHome.com.
The metric which I find more useful than closed price is the price per finished square foot, which rose in 2023 from $298 in January to $320 in June, but it stabilized at that level in 2024, rising from $316 per finished square foot in January to $322 in June.
Price Reduced on Arvada Home Built for Entertaining
Another tell-tale metric of market health is how many listings expire without selling. In 2023, that number for the Denver metro area fell from 651 in January to 581 in June, but the opposite happened this year, rising from 654 in January to 873 in June.
The sellers designed this 4,603-sq.-ft. home at 6714 Field St. in Arvada for entertaining. The price was just reduced from $845,000 to $825,000, which computes to under $180 per square foot. Spaces for entertaining abound both indoors and on the large wraparound deck, which was rebuilt 2 years ago. There is an indoor hot tub in its own room that is well ventilated to avoid moisture-related issues. There is a guest bedroom on the main floor. This home is an early example of passive solar design. In addition to the solar thermal panels on the roof, there are solar thermal panels built into the south wall of the living room to capture solar gain in the winter. There is no HOA. Video tour at www.ArvadaHome.info. Open Sunday, 11-1.
Development Opportunity in Wheat Ridge
Broker associate Austin Pottorff has just listed 8 acres of agricultural land in Wheat Ridge for $6,000,000, with options on ditch water rights. One parcel at 11221 W. I-70 Frontage Rd. totals 1.9 acres and comes with the option to purchase six shares of the Brown & Baugh Ditch Company. The larger parcel, with an address of 4745 Parfet Street, is 6.1 acres and has 8 ditch water certificates that could be purchased along with the property. Water is deeded separately from this land and can be used for agricultural or other nonresidential purposes — or sold. In addition, there are several unregistered wells on the properties. Both parcels are within a water district where there are currently no restrictions on the number of taps that can be purchased for new residential development. Currently zoned AG-2, there are numerous allowed usages including boarding four horses per acre and growing feed. More info is available on request. Water & sewer mains border the property and the B&B Ditch runs along the west side. There is a high voltage utility easement that traverses the property north to south. Rarely does an opportunity arise in Jefferson County, offering eight contiguous acres of agricultural land with an optional 14 shares of priority water, all within one mile the new Lutheran Medical Center in Applewood. For more information visit www.GRElistings.com, or call Austin Pottorff at 970-281-9071.
The number of homes under contract
at the end of each month was almost identical in 2023 and 2024. Last year it rose from 2,673 in January to 3,452 in June. This year it rose from 2,538 in January to 3,455 in June.
Escape City Life at This Twin Lakes Home
This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home at 48 Lang Street is in Twin Lakes, 20 miles south of Leadville at the foot of Independence Pass. It could be your escape from the Front Range rat race! This is a year-round mountain home, not a vacation home — unless you enjoy twelve months of vacation each year! Enjoy the quiet mountain life of Twin Lakes Village (population: 204). In summer, enjoy the drive over Independence Pass to Aspen. In winter, drive over Fremont Pass to Copper Mountain. Escape those I-70 traffic jams, too! Closer to home, enjoy hiking the Colorado Trail, which passes through town. This home was built in 2000 with all the modern conveniences, including high-speed internet, yet you're in a historic and charming mountain town. If you've been hankering for a slower lifestyle, this mountain home may be your escape. Visit www. TwinLakesHome.info to take a narrated video walkthrough of this home and see lots of photos, then come see it! Open Saturday, July 13th, 11 to 2. $725,000
Enjoy these 5 skate parks within 30 miles of Denver
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
time to ditch the snowboards and break out the wheels again. Coloradans are spoiled with over 70 skate parks in and around the Denver metro area, according to SpeakEasy Skate, a Colorado skate park directory run by local Damian Dixon. e directory boasts more than 200 in the state.
at many parks can be the best kind of overwhelming, whether you’re a seasoned skater or want to try skateboarding for the rst time (or biking, scootering, rollerblading and whatever else people do at skate parks, rules per park depending). But everyone has to start somewhere.
e choices seem endless with new parks opening every year, like the new Sloan’s Lake Pumptrack in Denver that opened in 2023. But here are ve to get you started around the Front Range.
Don Anema Memorial Skate Park
Location: Northglenn
Strength: Flow park
jump the gaps or simply roll over them. A spiral roll-in bowl sits tucked into the corner for a quick whip-around, and several manual boxes, stairs, ledges and snakelike ramps allow for an even ow throughout. e larger bowl in the back of the park is the cherry on top of this skate park sundae, making Don Anema perfect for both practice and fun.
William McKinley Carson Park & Skate Park
Location: Greenwood Village Strength: Two-for-one Lights: No
Tucked away in William McKinley Carson Park, the 15,000-squarefoot arena is hidden by trees away from the main road, which obscures the fact that it’s actually two
on an island to ollie on, roll up and
Strength: Mountain and city views
fore the sun goes down.
Arvada Skate Park
Location: Arvada Strength: A bit of everything Lights: On until 10 p.m.
It can be a bit di cult to decide what to do at this 40,000-squarefoot oasis for skaters. From the parking lot, turn left into the park and hit a valley of roll-in ramps, which lead to a at-trick area at the base of a small bowl section. On the north side of the park is a long, snake-like bowl system of small hills and rollovers. Head to the northeast corner for a skateable brick wall. Two circular platforms overlap each other for easy kick-turns near the entrance. e ‘bullpen’ of the skatepark has a half-bowl system, several stairs and ledges, and an unusual, large ramp
Nestled against the foothills in Golden, this ve-year-old, 27,000-square-foot park ows in a big loop and boasts the best views of any locale on this list. ere’s a attrick-designated area with a manual box (a at platform best used for practicing wheelie combinations) connected to the rest of the park by a tunnel with ‘GOLDEN’ carved in the roof, spelling the city’s name on the ground in sunlight. rough the gut of the park runs a big, slightly downhill carving bowl, with plenty of stairs, ledges, and quarter pipes around its edge. Pro tip: Park near the dog park and skate the nearly half-mile path along the fence to the skate park for a picturesque cruise, and catch sunset views of nearby Table and Lookout mountains in the evenings. Bring a hammock.
Ulysses Skate Park in Golden shines against the foothills along the Front Range, and provides great mountain and city views for skaters. COURTESY OF SPEAKEASY COLORADO SKATE PARK DIRECTORY
‘Killed by a Tra c Engineer’ debuts alongside new CU Denver program
BY ALLEN COWGILL
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
University of Colorado Denver professor Dr. Wes Marshall started his career as a tra c engineer, but he quickly realized that safety rules in the profession were built on what he described as pillars of sand.
Marshall’s new book, “Killed by a Tra c Engineer,” details the myriad of systemic failures that have led to record numbers of tra c deaths.
Tra c crash deaths have taken the lives of more people in the United States than all U.S. wars combined, said Marshall, who has written more than 70 research papers on streets and transportation. He wanted to use this book to go after the foundations of the system.
“ e real problem isn’t just that we put Band-Aids on our problems,” Marshall said, “which is the vicious cycle we are stuck in now. We create terrible roads, throw Band-Aids on here and there, but they don’t x what led to problems in the rst place.” Marshall’s book opens with a comparison to the very early days of the medical profession, when, one could argue, more people were killed by it than helped. For example, even as recently as the 1940s, Marshall writes, “doctors used X-rays to remove unwanted hair … and gave people cancer.”
e book then pivots to the tra c engineering profession, which is less than 100 years old and has produced a “system that incites bad behaviors and invites crashes.”
Marshall asserts that there isn’t one fundamental problem with the system, but many.
Crash data, for example, focuses on human error such as speeding, driving through red lights or jaywalking. Holding the road user at fault lets tra c engineers o the hook, Mar-
shall said, even when data could have predicted the outcome or better design could have prevented crashes.
“Just to say it’s random user error doesn’t get at the fundamental problem, that the system is creating that error,” Marshall said.
In another example, Marshall describes how engineers often create wide roads – much wider than needed, and designed like highways – that easily allow, even invite, drivers to exceed the speed limit.
He notes that it’s not an error that everyone is speeding on streets like Federal Boulevard, it’s simply typical behavior for the street given its design.
When asked why Federal Boulevard is one of the most dangerous streets in Denver, especially for pedestrians, Marshall pointed to crash statistics that do not address the fundamental problem of the street. For example, if someone jaywalks and gets hurt or killed, the police will often cite jaywalking as the cause of the crash.
“As engineers and planners, we look at that data and we don’t think we did anything wrong, we just look at it and think we need to put more money into education and enforcement,” Marshall said.
Marshall advised that we take a step back and try to understand why a person would illegally cross the street. e person may have jaywalked on a street like Federal because the nearest crosswalk is a half-mile away and sidewalks leading there might be nonexistent or impassable. He said that road users don’t want to get hurt, but that the built environment and road infrastructure can lead them to make decisions that seem rational given their options.
“To me, that is our fault as engineers that we are not providing people with a safe place to cross,” Marshall said,
“but the data would never tell us that. I think we need to dig deeper.”
c engineers have spent the most energy re-engineering, widening and building for speed, like Federal Boulevard, are often the most deadly. Whereas neighborhood streets that have been minimally altered or remain unaltered by tra c engineers are often the most safe.
Marshall also described rules of the profession that are not grounded in safety. For example, many tra c engineers will set a steet’s speed limit based on what they call the “85th percentile rule.” is is the speed at or below which 85 percent of drivers travel on a road segment. So instead of basing the speed limit on what may be the safest for the road con-
ditions or the community the road goes through, it bases the speed limit on how fast drivers are able to travel
Marshall noted that among the most signi cant of systemic problems are engineering schools that teach tra c engineering practices that lead to systemic failures.
Marshall said it gives him hope that CU Denver is trying to provide forward-thinking tools to tra c engineers and planners of the future. A new university program, Human Centered Transportation Education, will o er a minor, certi cate, dualdegree and graduate-level programs.
Editor’s note: Allen Cowgill is the City Council District 1 appointee to the DOTI Advisory Board, where he serves as the board co-chair.
Wes Marshall’s new book details transportation system failures that lead to deaths.
PHOTO BY ALLEN COWGILL
Colorado has nation’s worst outbreak of bird flu among dairy cattle
Nearly one-quarter of the state’s herds are a ected
BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado’s outbreak of bird u among dairy cattle is now the worst in the country, with more cases in the past month than any other state, according to the latest state and federal data.
As of early July, Colorado had identi ed 26 herds with cases of avian in uenza. Of those, 22 were identi ed within the past month and the herds are still in quarantine. Four other cases were identi ed earlier and quarantines have since been lifted.
All a ected herds are in the northeastern part of the state.
e rapid and still largely mysterious spread in Colorado — hardly a leading dairy state — contributes to growing concerns that U.S. health authorities are not doing enough to contain the virus. While the threat currently to humans is generally very low, infectious disease experts worry that the longer the virus spreads unchecked through animals, the greater the chances become that it will mutate to become more dangerous to people.
Dr. Maggie Baldwin, the state veterinarian, said Colorado agriculture and health o cials are working closely with dairies to identify cases of the virus and to try to prevent its spread.
“ is is just a virus that likes to hang around,” she said. “It’s really hard to mitigate once it’s in a sustained population. … I think if we all implement really strong biosecurity we absolutely can prevent the spread, but it’s in a really close geographic region.”
Colorado’s nation-leading numbers
Colorado’s recent cases far exceed those in any other state — Iowa and Idaho are the only other states to record double-digit case totals in the past month, with 12 and 10, respectively.
do ranks far lower in dairy production than those states — the state was 13th in the country for milk production in 2023, according to federal data.
ere are slightly more than 100 dairy herds in Colorado, meaning the bird u outbreak has now hit one-quarter of all herds in the state.
On a per-cow basis, Colorado’s outbreak is roughly three times worse than Idaho’s, which has approximately 667,000 dairy cattle compared with 201,000 in Colorado.
Baldwin suggested that Colorado’s e orts at disease detection may be re ected in the state’s high numbers. She said the state has put in a lot of work getting information to dairy producers, as well as industry associations and veterinarians.
“We’re trying to really encourage early diagnostics, early reporting and really good symptom monitoring,” she said, “and I think the relationships that we’ve established in the state have allowed for producers to feel like they can come to us when they have a problem.”
Colorado’s case total since bird u was rst identi ed in dairy cattle this spring places the state second nationally, behind only Idaho and one ahead of Michigan. But Colora-
Baldwin said most cattle that are infected with bird u are recovering from the disease — though she doesn’t have exact numbers, she has not heard reports of unusual mortality rates. But farmers are su ering from lost production during infection periods, and she said some cattle may not return to full milk production.
“ e more that we’re seeing our producers be a ected by this, I think the more seriously they’re taking it and saying, ‘We really want to do what we can to stop this and to be good neighbors,’” Baldwin said.
How bird flu is spreading
Bird u, as the name suggests, is not something that usually infects cattle, and the initial “spillover” infections were believed to have been caused by wild birds hanging around dairy farms in the Texas panhandle.
Its subsequent spread to dozens of herds in at least 12 states was initially blamed on the movement of cows from farm to farm. Federal agriculture o cials clamped down on this movement by requiring animals moving across state lines to be tested.
But, as the outbreak has persist-
ed, a more complicated picture of spread has emerged.
Baldwin said some of the a ected cattle in Colorado are in what are known as “closed herds” — meaning there is no movement of cattle in and out, making it impossible for the virus to have spread to that herd through the introduction of an infected cow. U.S. agriculture o cials found something similar with several herds in Michigan.
Focus has now turned to the potential for what is called fomite transmission, in which the virus hitches a ride on an inanimate object. In this case, workers or veterinarians moving between herds could inadvertently be carrying the virus on their clothing or on equipment as they travel from farm to farm.
Baldwin said the state is working with dairy operators on detailed biosecurity plans for their dairies. is includes lots of personal protective equipment — not just masks, goggles and face shields for workers, but also booties and coveralls that can be thrown away before leaving a farm. It also includes plans for cleaning vehicle tires or other pieces of equipment leaving the dairy.
Hundreds of people monitored
No human cases of bird u arising from exposure to infected cattle have been identi ed in Colorado. But state and local health o cials have monitored hundreds of dairy workers after possible exposure to the virus. Following federal guidance, the state is only testing people who have u-like symptoms. Scott Bookman, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s senior director for public health readiness and response, said the state has tested fewer than a dozen people. All those tests have come back negative.
Given that only three people nationally have tested positive for a case of bird u believed to have come from exposure to infected dairy cattle — one in Texas and two in Michigan, all of whom had minor symptoms — Bookman defended the state’s testing approach.
“ ere just isn’t any reason on any evidence at this point to be doing any broader type of asymptomatic testing,” he said.
Cows exit the milking stalls of a dairy near Fort Morgan on June 17, 2021.
PHOTO BY ERIC LUBBERS / THE COLORADO SUN
Fewer Colorado youth feel sad, hopeless, suicidal, health survey finds
BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT COLORADO
Fewer Colorado youth felt consistently sad or hopeless and fewer considered suicide last year compared with 2021, a large statewide health survey found.
e results from the Healthy Kids Colorado survey represent a bright spot after unprecedented levels of teen anxiety and depression surfaced during the pandemic. e situation was dire enough that state lawmakers took swift action, creating a program in 2021 to provide free counseling sessions to children and youth. Many school districts also launched free counseling programs and hired additional social workers, counselors, and psychologists.
Leaders at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which publishes the survey results, were pleased with the survey ndings released Wednesday.
“ ere have been dramatic changes in the right direction around indicators of mental health, suicide risk, and substance use,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the department’s executive director, in a press release. “We’re hopeful this is an indication of state and community investments in prevention programming and protective factors paying o .”
e 2023 Healthy Kids ndings on youth mental health are among the most notable of the survey results. In some cases they improved to well beyond pre-pandemic levels.
For example, 26% of high-schoolers reported persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness in the 2023 survey, down from 40% in 2021 and 35% in 2019. In addition, 11% of high school-
OUTBREAK
Elizabeth Carlton, an epidemiologist at the Colorado School of Public Health, agreed that the risk to the general public right now is low. Systems designed to detect upticks in u infections through hospital data and wastewater testing have not sounded any alarms. Pasteur-
ers seriously considered suicide, down from 17% in 2021. Middle schoolers also saw drops in both categories.
Among both middle and high school students, 58% reported their stress level was manageable most days — an improvement for high school students compared with 2021, but the same for middle schoolers.
Alcohol use, vaping fell for high schoolers
In addition to positive trends on youth mental health for both middle and high school students, the survey revealed that fewer high school students are vaping, drinking alcohol, or using prescription pain medication without a prescription or di erently than prescribed compared with 2021. Marijuana use held steady.
For middle schoolers, alcohol use was up in 2023, with many more reporting that they had ever taken a drink — 24% compared with 11% in 2021 — and more reporting they’d consumed alcohol in the previous month — 7% compared with 4% in 2021.
Middle school rates of vaping and using marijuana didn’t change in 2023 compared to 2021, but the survey found that more students in that age group had tried cigarettes — 7% compared to 4% in 2021.
While bullying overall didn’t increase in 2023 compared with 2021, LGBTQ students reported signi cantly higher rates of bullying than other students. For example, 29% of gay and lesbian high school students reported being bullied during the previous year, compared with 12% of students generally. Gay and lesbian students also reported higher rates of sadness and hopelessness, and that they’d seriously considered suicide.
ized milk — what is sold in grocery stores — is safe to drink, though raw milk may not be.
“Where we need to ramp up the level of concern in the population is when we see those dairy farm workers get infected and spread it to their families,” she said.
Still, she said, now is the time for public health agencies to make sure their testing and disease-monitoring systems are running smoothly, so that they can detect if the current bird u outbreaks in
More e orts to improve youth mental health are on the way in Colorado.
In May, the state announced a program that will train young adults ages 18 to 24 to connect youth with mental health support. is month, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a new youth mental health grant program funded with millions from a lawsuit settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs Inc.
e Healthy Kids survey has been given under various names since 1991. It has occasionally sparked backlash over concerns about data privacy or because some critics say the questions are too explicit.
Public health o cials emphasize the survey is voluntary for students and provides key information about how pre-teens and teens are faring when it comes to physical, sexual, and mental health.
More than 120,000 students completed the survey in 2023 — the most ever. State o cials added several new questions to the 2023 survey, including about feeling safe at school, nightly sleep hours, use of psychedelic drugs, body image, and eating disorders.
One of the new questions revealed that nearly a quarter of high-schoolers and middle schoolers reported trying to lose weight or maintain their weight in unhealthy ways during the previous month — for example, by using diet pills, skipping meals, or vomiting.
Another new question revealed that large proportions of students worry about their physical appearance all or most of the time — 39% for high schoolers and 32% for middle schoolers.
Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.
livestock evolve into a threat to humans.
“As a general person right now, I don’t think the level of concern should be that high,” she said. “But for public health, for people working in the eld of infectious disease, this is exactly what we need to be working on right now.”
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.
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
Serenity Ridge Park will be the rst of its kind in Arvada; the park design features therapeutic, and rehabilitative amenities that will bene t folks who are at either end of the age spectrum, are di erently abled and those who have other unique needs. e park will also function as an outdoor classroom and research lab for students at RRCC.
Councilmember Randy Moorman and Mayor Lauren Simpson expressed their excitement about the park’s name and future within the Arvada community.
“I appreciate Dr. Janes and your team’s work on this project,” Moorman said. “I’m very excited not only about the new name, but just all the work that’s gone into designing this park. It’s a special, di erent kind of park than we’ve had before, and I’m
looking forward to the grand opening.”
include yoga, tai chi, re exology, walking and seated meditation. For young people — especially those with sen-
lent amenity in the community” and celebrated when the name became
tures that should improve accessibility for folks.
Simpson called the park “an excel-
“Congratulations, we have Serenity Ridge Park,” the mayor exclaimed.
SKATE PARKS
Railbender Skate Park
Location: Parker
Strength: Street skating
Lights: From dusk until 10 p.m. It’s just a half-hour drive to get to a street skater’s paradise: think ledges on ledges, stairs on stairs. is is the perfect park to learn how to grind, use manual boxes, ollie down ledges, and get comfortable on steep roll-in ramps. Opened in 2008, the park is 35,000 square feet of practice-perfect concrete. Try the smooth mini bowl toward the front of the park to hone your skills before hitting the enormous, complex bowl near the back.
Don Anema Memorial Skate Park in Northglenn
Ulysses Skate Park in Golden has a unique feature that displays the city name in sunlight on the park floor. As the day progresses, the letters move around the ramp as if they are skating. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPEAKEASY COLORADO SKATE
Colorado math scores drop amid shift to digital SAT
BY YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT COLORADO
Most Colorado students continue to make progress on state tests, with scores nearly recovering from dropping after the pandemic. at’s according to preliminary data previewed for the State Board of Education in June.
But one area of concern is that high school math scores were significantly lower than in previous years as the state transitioned to a new digital PSAT and SAT.
Ninth grade scores seem particularly concerning. In 2019, 49.6% of ninth graders met or exceeded math standards on the PSAT. In 2024, just 39.5% did — a di erence of more than 10 percentage points. e 2024 rate also represents a signi cant decrease from 2023, when 46.5% of students were meeting expectations.
Ninth graders were in fth grade when the pandemic began and would have been in sixth grade, possibly starting middle school, in the fall of 2020 when school was largely held online.
State o cials said they are spending the summer analyzing the data to see if they will still be able to use it for annual school ratings. e board voted to allow accountability o cials to possibly set new cuto targets for each performance level, based on this year’s distribution of scores, instead of using the same
points as in previous years.
“What we’ve discovered is this is really a new assessment,” said Lisa Medler, executive director of accountability and continuous improvement for the state.
e PSAT/SAT Colorado uses to test all ninth, 10th, and 11th graders, and also is used as one way of demonstrating English and math prociency for graduation requirements, was changed for the spring of 2024. It was the rst time the test was fully online. e test was also reformatted.
Initially, state o cials believed the changes wouldn’t a ect the meaning of scores compared to previous years, but now, after seeing such a large drop in the number of students who met standards on the test in math, o cials suspect it might have to do with the tests. But they’re not sure how much was di culty with the tests or how much students may be struggling with math.
“I cannot disentangle those changes in terms of what caused those changes,” said Joyce Zurkowski, the Colorado Department of Education’s chief assessment ocer. “Some of that is indeed due to changes in student performance, but some of that is due to a change in test.”
In the lower grades, which take the state’s CMAS test, the results don’t show students struggling as much. Among third through sixth grade students, the percent meeting or ex-
ceeding math standards is now at or above the 2019 pre-pandemic rates.
But eighth grade CMAS math scores are still behind. In 2019, 36.9% of eighth graders met or exceeded math standards. In 2024, preliminary data shows just 32.9% did, a slight increase compared to 32.7% in 2023.
Apart from the changes to the PSAT/SAT, o cials are also looking at how an increase in the number of students new to the country this year could also have a ected the average scores.
is spring, the state exempted more students than usual from taking the tests, but new immigrant students who did not have interrupted schooling were still expected to take math and science tests, with accommodations. eir scores will not count for school ratings but could be a ecting the state’s overall test averages.
State o cials are auditing the data to nalize it and are studying if it can be used in growth calculations and for other purposes in annual school ratings. An update about the ndings might come later this month.
State o cials said that other states are also nding signi cant score decreases with the new PSAT/SAT, but not all states use the test for all students or for accountability purposes.
In the meantime, as students are receiving their own scores, state ofcials want students and families to
know the changes to the test itself could be playing a role.
“So, 11th grade students: if your senior sibling is giving you a hard time because they scored better than you on math, tell them to go take the new assessment and then you can have the conversation,” Zurkowski said. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.
Colorado students took a new version of the PSAT/SAT that was fully digital in 2024. GETTY IMAGES
Much of Colorado could be pushed into drought by late summer
BY SHANNON MULLANE THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado has seen an average water year so far, but looking ahead, climate experts say much of the state could fall into drought conditions and struggle to nd relief.
Colorado’s very average snowpack has o cially melted away from all 115 federal snow monitoring stations in the state, as of this week. Reservoir levels are at 94%, just slightly below average, while precipitation was at exactly 100% of the 30-year median, according to a recent Water Conditions Monitoring Committee meeting.
Heat, however, has been on the rise. Even summer showers may not be enough to combat its e ects, or to keep the state away from drought.
“Really the entire state is at risk of developing drought this summer,” Assistant State Climatologist Becky Bolinger told listeners during the meeting. “A strong monsoon would be really helpful. It would limit that risk of worsening drought, particularly over the Four Corners. … For now, it’s looking like that is not as likely, and that it’s going to be a pretty rough summer.”
Climate experts track precipitation, temperature, soil moisture and other factors year-round to gauge water supplies and storage for farmers, city utility managers, reservoir operators and residents around the state. is year’s outlook has some of those water users looking out for impacts to sh populations, recreation opportunities, irrigation supplies
and wild res.
“Without much rain, wild re will de nitely be a pretty serious concern,” said Adrian Bergere, executive director of the San Miguel Watershed Coalition in southwestern Colorado. e period from October 2023 through May ranked in the top 10 warmest time periods across a signi cant majority of the state when compared with a 129-year historical record, Bolinger said.
Areas of southeastern Colorado, like Lamar and La Junta, have already reported 20 or more days over 90 degrees. e Front Range has already had 10-15 days over 90 degrees. Most of the country is also likely to be hotter than usual for the rest of the summer, she said.
at’s quite the switch after last year, which started out with coolerthan-average months, Bolinger said.
e hotter temperatures are likely to continue for the rest of the summer. Western Colorado and the Four Corners area have a 70%-80% chance of above-average temperatures — a very high degree of con dence, Bolinger said.
Colorado’s stream and river levels are receding after a normal runo year, and incoming precipitation will be increasingly helpful for water users in the late summer and early fall. Although the state has seen average precipitation so far, there’s a 40%50% chance rainfall will tumble below normal levels for July through September.
Some areas, like Fort Collins and Burlington, have seen less-than-av-
erage rainfall so far. Even with some rain in the near-term forecast for early July, it will be hard for these areas to end the water year, which closes Sept. 30, at the average level, Bolinger said.
e combination of hot and dry weather could make it harder for areas of the state that are already experiencing drought conditions to recover, and it could mean that more areas fall into drought, she said.
About 16% of the state is experiencing drought conditions. at is vastly better than in late 2020 and early 2021, when the entire state was in drought and over 20% was in the most severe drought category. At that level, agricultural and recreational economic losses are large, reservoirs are low, large res can develop and mandatory water restrictions are often implemented, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“ ere is a slightly increased risk for drier extremes in the southern part of the state, which really means there would be a low likelihood that any drought that worsens or develops in the summer is not going to see relief through the fall,” Bolinger said.
In the Upper Rio Grande River Basin, aquatic biologist Estevan Vigil is keeping an eye on the water temperatures and water levels on the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Brown trout and rainbow trout ourish when water is about 50 degrees but struggle when it rises above 70 degrees. At that level, their immune systems become stressed, and
catch-and-release shing can lead to higher sh mortality.
If stream levels fall below 50% of the norm, and if temperatures rise above 70 degrees, Vigil may implement voluntary or emergency shing closures.
“In the (San Luis Valley) since 2019, we’ve probably done it twice,” Vigil said. “I’m anticipating having to do it this year.”
A strong monsoon season would help keep rivers owing and shing access open, he said.
Several city water managers said their reservoir storage supplies were looking good during the water conditions meeting. Colorado Springs Utilities reservoirs were at 85% of their capacity, and Denver Water’s reservoirs were 97% full.
e lack of monsoons would heighten concerns over wild re risk or lead to a shorter rafting season for boaters, Bergere said. Less-thanaverage rainfall could also leave sections of the river dry as water gets pulled for other uses, like irrigation and municipal supplies.
Water users in the San Miguel River Basin know how to endure uctuating supplies, Bergere said.
“What we’re looking at there is not amazing, but it’s something we’re pretty used to down here,” he said. “Without much rain, wild re will definitely be a pretty serious concern.” 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.
Although you may have taken the time to create a well-designed will and/or trust that distributes your property as you desire upon your death, there are some common challenges which may present themselves upon your passing. Disputes among your bene ciaries can result in bitter family relationships, costly court proceedings and nancial devastation. e following are some proactive measures you can take to avoid common challenges and ensure your documents accomplish your intended goals.
Treat children equally: Family dynamics may have you questioning whether your assets should be divided equally between your designated bene ciaries who are often your children. In order to avoid potential complications, especially if there is already discord, equal distribution may be a wise decision. If you have two children, leave each child half of all assets. Setting up a trust for a child with bad spending habits can be a useful tool to help protect and manage their assets. is way, a designated trustee will have the responsibility of managing assets for their bene t. e trust may specify how assets can be utilized, establish incentives to encourage good behavior and set restrictions to prevent erratic
KVOICES
How to avoid challenges in your will or trust
spending. Regarding control of your estate, delegate positions according to skill level or select a corporate executor or trustee to avoid anyone from feeling slighted. Distribute tangible property through speci c bequests: While monetary assets can be divided easily, it can be difcult to determine the true value of items of sentimental value and tangible property. Statements in wills or trusts which divide all “tangible personal property” among your beneciaries in substantially equal shares may not be enough instruction for your bene ciaries. Substantive value can be based upon several characteristics including emotional and sentimental worth. Discuss this issue with your bene ciaries to determine the personal signi cance of certain items. By inserting speci c bequests into your will or trust, you can mitigate squabbles regarding that antique lamp in the living room or your grandmother’s diamond ring.
Account for gifts given during lifetime: If you gifted money or property to a bene ciary in the past,
make sure to account for it in your plan. Since your goal is to treat all your children equally, you might want to address this gift in your will or trust. Classify any gift as an advancement, with the value of the gift counting as part of the “residuary” money you will leave to that bene ciary. For example, if you gave your daughter $5,000 toward student loans, you would speci cally state under her residuary share “less $5,000 gifted for student loan payments during my lifetime.”
Insert a no-contest clause in your will: Typically, a no-contest clause will state that if a bene ciary challenges the validity of the will and fails, that bene ciary will forfeit any inheritance they would have received. e clause acts as a threat and discourages those seeking to receive a bigger piece of the pie. If you know a bene ciary is prone to con ict, inserting this statement can prevent heated legal battles and ensure your estate is distributed as intended.
Prove your Competence: e bene ciary contesting the will or trust will often claim the maker of the document was incompetent, under undue in uence from another bene ciary, or under duress during the signing of their will. To avoid these allegations, you may want to con-
sider obtaining a medical evaluation which will con rm you are mentally competent and understand the nature and consequences of signing a will. is statement can be included in the will or presented to a court if the will is challenged. Another way to prove competence when signing a will is to have witnesses present at the signing. Witnesses can attest to the individual’s mental capacity and ability to understand the nature and consequences of signing a will, and to a rm that they believe the individual is of sound mind and not under any form of duress.
Disinherit any heirs: Leaving certain family members out of your will can be a source of contention among bene ciaries. If you are going to disinherit someone, make sure it is noted clearly in your will or trust so there can be no question as to whether you intended to exclude them.
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.
Creating more inclusive sport environments
indness and respect. Support and understanding.
When we think of an inclusive sports environment, words like these come to mind. But how do we turn these words into actions we can implement as parents or guardians out on the eld or court?
At the U.S. Center for SafeSport, athlete safety and well-being are our priority. By educating communities on how they can help prevent abuse and misconduct in sport, we help every participant feel safe, supported and strengthened. And more than that, we seek to help parents and coaches foster settings that are
more inclusive and accessible for all athletes.
But rst, what do inclusive environments look like in practice? And how do we create them?
Valuing all athletes
From respecting physical and emotional boundaries to giving athletes with disabilities the help they request, inclusive sport settings treat each athlete with respect and care and make sure each athlete’s needs are met.
Maybe you’ve seen an athlete with a disability left out of an activity because the coach failed to o er a drill
that’s accessible to all teammates. Or maybe you’ve witnessed a participant’s confused look as they try to understand a set of complicated warm-up instructions.
When we prioritize inclusivity, we prioritize principles that make sport accessible for everyone. Examples of this are communicating openly and clearly in ways that each child can understand and adapting activities so athletes of all abilities can play and thrive.
Inclusive sport environments are places where no one is excluded based on something that makes them di erent, where all athletes can participate at the level they want,
and where kindness and respect outweigh competition and tting in.
What parents can do
When a child steps onto the eld or court, they may bring stress, trauma and individual challenges from their day-to-day lives with them. As a parent, guardian, or coach, you play a key role in creating a setting that is sensitive to that stress or trauma — and is built on support. By reinforcing that no one has to change to t in, you can help create an atmosphere that values and appreciates all athletes.
Arvada Center celebrates sculptors for the summer
When public art really connects, it can be a real place-maker for its chosen home. e Arvada Center has certainly proven that with its Sculpture Field, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. But as every artist who goes after public art commissions can attest, getting selected to build a piece is a rare occurrence.
SWISHER
Rodney Lee Swisher
August 6, 1952 - June 17, 2024
COMING ATTRACTIONS
For its summer art exhibitions, the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., is hosting a pair of shows in conversation with each other: “I Regret to Inform You…Rejected Public Art” and “inFORMed Space: Perspectives in Sculpture.” Both shows are on display through Sunday, Aug. 25.
“We’re celebrating sculpture both inside and outside this summer,” said Collin Parson, director of Galleries and curator for the Arvada Center. “Both shows are very unique, especially the rejection show, be-
COLÓN
Here are ve actions you can take:
1. Model respectful, kind behavior. Demonstrate care and compassion when engaging with athletes.
2. Value each athlete. Value the unique contributions each child brings to the team or organization and nd ways to support and encourage everyone’s individual contribution.
3. Communicate openly and clearly. Communicate in ways that each participant can understand, including using simpli ed language when possible and creating alternate formats of policies, rules, or schedules.
4. Promote athletes’ agency and autonomy: Encourage athletes to set physical and emotional boundaries and respect the boundaries they set.
5. Address harmful behaviors. When inappropriate or harmful behavior occurs, address it immediately. is way you can help maintain safe, supportive spaces for all.
Sports allow kids to learn and grow, but only when everyone is supported and included. How we treat each other matters. By build-
cause it highlights how much public art is a business of perseverance.”
Clarke Reader
“I Regret to Inform You…” is on display in the Upper and eatre Galleries, and posed a particularly challenging problem for the curatorial team - how to display sculptural work that was never actually created.
“We’ve used everything from Photoshopped images and digital renderings to models and videos that artists have created,” Parson explained. “ e exhibit has a lot reading, but it’s a great opportunity learn more about the public art process and how di cult it is.”
Rodney Lee Swisher, age 71, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, passed away on June 17, 2024. He was born on August 6, 1952, in Mason City, Iowa, to the late Roger Leon Swisher and Audrey Plath Swisher.
He is survived by his loving wife, Roxana Jean Swisher; his daughter, Laura Lee Whitmire (Jeremy), and his grandson, Lucas. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Emma Briese (Paul), Jacob Tolstedt (Amanda), Calvin Tolstedt (Rayann), Jason Martin (Laura), and Amy Nankervis (Brian); step-grandchildren, Kayla “Fern” Whitmire, Paul Briese III, Nattalie Nankervis, Haley Whitmire, Ashley Tolstedt, Keith Briese, Bill Tolstedt, Jakob Nankervis, Ryker Tolstedt, Colter Tolstedt, Brycen Nankervis and his two brothers Alan Swisher (Renee) and Randy Swisher (Pat), and their children. He is predeceased by his
daughter, Lisa Lyn Swisher (22).
Rodney dedicated his professional life to serving as a Railroad Union Representative and Engineer, a role which a orded him a means to take great adventures with his family and spoil all his grand-children. He was a long time member of Arvada Covenant Church in Colorado before relocating to NC to be near his daughter. A helping neighbor with the tool for every job, a grandpa to all, and a man with more projects than he could nish if he had another 70 years to get them all complete.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10:30 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Rodney will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Johnson Funeral Home of Jacksonville is honored to serve the Swisher family during this time.
ing inclusive sport settings that are welcoming and encouraging we can lift athletes up, making them stronger and happier.
e U.S. Center for SafeSport produces tools and resources for parents, guardians, and coaches to help young athletes feel empowered and supported. Our Creating Inclusive Sport Environments handout provides key information and actions you can take to safeguard sport for all. For additional resources to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse in sport, visit uscenterforsafesport. org/abuse-prevention-resources.
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct involving a participant of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, you can make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport: uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern.
Ju’Riese Colón is the chief executive o cer of U.S. Center for SafeSport, which describes itself as “an independent nonpro t committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct.”
In Loving Memory
coloradocommunitymedia.com/arvada-press
Farmers and a fair show o the culture of this summer favorite fruit
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Every year, on one day in the summer, a group of people line up at the edge of a long, yellow tarp in southeastern Colorado. e tarp is stationed next to a building to prevent the wind from impacting a competition, for which some people practice seriously. Others decide to give it a try on a whim.
“ ey pick out their own seed, and I guess they could suck on it for a little while, get it dry, how ever they feel is the best way to treat their seed,” said Sally Cope, who helps organize the event. “And then practice, and then spit.”
As the black seeds land one by one on the bright tarp, people wait anxiously to see whose will make it the farthest.
e seed-spitting competition is part of a day-long event entirely dedicated to a sweet, red, juicy fruit grown in Colorado. A star at any summer picnic, watermelons are more than just a refreshing snack to the people of the Arkansas Valley. In this region, especially in the town of Rocky Ford, farmers dedicate their entire summer to raising the classic crop — which has become a staple of the area’s culture.
“It’s a way of life,” said Gail Knapp, owner of Knapp Farms, which grows watermelons and other produce.
“We don’t take time o normally in the summertime to do what normal people do in the summertime.
our crops — and those kinds of things take a lot of care.”
From its mascot — a muscular melon called a “meloneer” — to its annual Watermelon Day celebration, Rocky Ford embraces the crop, which has deep ties to the city’s history.
In 1878, Rocky Ford’s rst mayor and one of its founders, G.W. Swink, had a bountiful harvest of watermelons.
“He brought them here to the railroad station … and he gave slices of melons to those who were passengers that stopped on the train,” Cope said. “After a couple of years, he moved his table of watermelon slices and gave away melons — a large melon to all of those who came in attendance.”
What started out as a gift from the mayor to his people turned into Watermelon Day, now celebrated as part of the week-long Arkansas Valley Fair. Cope, the manager of the fair, said the fruit-focused day includes a watermelon carving competition and a melon giveaway.
“We … usually give away around 20,000 pounds of melon on Watermelon Day,” she said. is year, Watermelon Day will take place on Aug. 17 at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds, on the secondto-last day of the fair which includes rodeos, a carnival, 4-H contests and much more.
A person drags a full wagon after the watermelon giveaway on Watermelon Day at the Arkansas Valley Fair. COURTESY OF THE ARKANSAS VALLEY FAIR
WATERMELON
e Watermelon Day tradition gives the fair its title as the “oldest continuous fair” in Colorado. Cope said the fair team even gave away watermelons in 2020.
Why is the valley good for melons?
Each year, the Rocky Ford Rotary Club helps raise funds to buy watermelons from local growers, such as Knapp Farms.
At the fth-generation farm, owners Gail and Brian Knapp — along with their children and grandchildren — grow watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, chilies, eggplant, squash, cucumbers and more.
Knapp said the conditions in the Arkansas Valley are great for growing watermelons.
“It seems to be our soil, our hot days, cooler nights,” she said. “ ere’s a combination there that seems to grow really sweet melons.”
Once the melons are harvested, Knapp Farms sells them at their local farm market and also sends them to the metro Denver area to be sold at grocery stores including Kroger, Safeway and Whole Foods.
As of late June, the largest watermelons were about the size of a baseball, Knapp said. As they continue to grow, they should be ready to start harvesting by late July.
Despite the ripe conditions for watermelons, Knapp said there are some risks to the melon business. Weather, such as the copious amount of hail last spring, can devastate a crop. Knapp said last season was a challenge for most farmers in the region for this reason.
With water from the Arkansas River being sold to cities, labor shortages and
unpredictable demand, there are many risks to farming watermelons, Knapp said, and it’s not getting easier. But if everything works out in a given season, the business can be very pro table, she said.
Growing your own melons
For gardeners who want to try a hand at growing their own watermelons, veteran gardener Deborah King said it’s a bit too late in the season to start from seeds — but folks can start planning now for next year.
King is a supervisor at Tagawa Gardens, a garden center in Centennial, where she says she learns a lot from customers.
“It is a big plant, it spreads out really big,” she said. “But the key is that you need to have consistent water supply throughout its growing season.”
She also said it’s helpful to plant watermelons on hills or mounds, which gives the plant space and helps ensure drainage and retain heat. It can also be helpful to use grass clippings, wood chips or straw to maintain moisture in the soil, King said.
For her, gardening is a satisfying endeavor.
“When you get your harvest and you’re able to share with … your neighbors, co-workers — I mean, there’s no more satisfaction than eating right from your own garden,” she said. “You realize that avor … and it just sets you up for the next season to do more, or try di erent things.”
But for those who consider themselves a bit impatient, or simply want to leave the farming to the experts, there’s good news: the Rocky Ford watermelons will be available in stores near the end of the summer.
A truck full of watermelons for the giveaway on Watermelon Day. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARKANSAS VALLEY FAIR
A girl competes in the annual seed-spitting competition on Watermelon Day at the Arkansas Valley Fair.
National Guard Armory trucks carry the watermelons in a parade down Main Street and bring them to the fairgrounds for the annual watermelon giveaway.
One of the most powerful aspects of the exhibit is the emphasis it puts on how frequent rejection is for artists, even well-known ones who have had successes in the public art world.
“ e participating artists deserve a lot of acknowledgements for speaking about rejection and letting people delve deeper into a more personal aspect of being a creative,” Parson said. “I hope people realize that for every public sculpture they see, there’s two-to-four artists who were nalists and weren’t selected.” is creates a neat segue into the center’s other exhibit, “inFORMed
Space,” which is on display in the Main Gallery. e idea to do an allsculpture exhibit was inspired by the Sculpture Field’s anniversary, but participating sculptors were given one challenging parameter — their work had to t in a four-foot by four-foot square area.
“What we have on display is a variety of concepts, media used and techniques explored. I think of it as a forest oor of sculptures, because all the works ended up being very vertical,” Parson said. “ ere’s nothing on the walls, so the exhibit is very freestanding.”
e way the two exhibits highlight the challenges of the creative process, especially in the sculpting medium, makes them the perfect duo for the summer.
“I think we have the perfect com-
bination,” Parson said. “If you want to spend a lot of time reading and learning about rejection and the public art process, we have the show for you. And if you want to be surprised and impressed with what sculptors can do, we have that, too.”
Find all the details about the shows at https://arvadacenter.org/ galleries/current-exhibitions.
Union Station
celebrates new renovations and last 10 years
To celebrate a decade in its latest incarnation, you don’t want to miss Denver’s Union Station’s, 1701 Wynkoop, 10th Anniversary Weekend.
e weekend kicks o with Neighborhood Night, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 12. is portion will feature drinks, live music by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, exclusive tours of the newly renovated Crawford Hotel rooms and views of the revamped Great Hall. Next comes the Making History…Again
Gala, from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. e evening aims to raise money for Colorado nonpro ts and includes performances by the Colorado Symphony Quartet, ice sculptors, food and more.
Finally, there’s Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. During this event, the station’s renovations will be unveiled and there will be activities like face painting, balloon artists and mini train rides, plus live music from Tunisia and Youth on Record.
All the details for this special weekend can be found at www.denverunionstation.com/experience/ event-calendar/.
Candlelight sets the mood for Bach and The Beatles
Over the years the candlelight concert series has become an immensely popular and transporting way to experience live music.
Thu 7/18
Many Mountains Live at Magnolia @ 4pm
Harry's at Magnolia Hotel Denver, 818 17th St, Denver
Slow Caves: Riverfront Park Summer Sessions 2024 @ 6pm
Summer Sessions - Riverfront Park, 2101 15th St, Denver
53 Thieves with KOPPS @ 7pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Fri 7/19
Summer Sessions @ 7pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Kiss (Dj) @ 10pm
Larimer Beer Hall, 2012 Larimer St, Den‐ver
Sat 7/20
Hana Eid @ 8pm
Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Den‐ver
La Cerca @ 8pm
Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver
Mon 7/22
Bounce Empire: SENSORY FRIENDLY MONDAYS @ 10am
Bounce Empire, 1380 S Public Rd, Lafayette
Devon Gil�llian @ 7pm
Five8 @ 10pm
Larimer Beer Hall, 2012 Larimer St, Den‐ver
kate the dreamer opening for OSTON @ 8pm
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver
Tue 7/23
Beyond Laser Light Experience @ 4pm Denver
OSTON - The 'Saint Rich.' Headline Tour @ 7pm
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Wed 7/24
Theresa Peterson @ 5pm
Petals & Pages of Denver, 956 Santa Fe Dr, Denver
DJ Williams @ 6pm
The Patio at Sloans, 4032 W 17th Ave, Denver
Hector Roots Lewis: Tribal Seeds Live at Red Rocks CO @ 6pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Suicide Cages @ 7pm
Seventh Circle Music Collective, 2935 W 7th Ave, Denver
Jean Baylor: 7X GRAMMY® Nominee & NAACP IMAGE Award
Winner The Baylor Project @ 9:30pm
Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver
From jobs to careers: Training program helps people find futures in trade work
The Master’s Apprentice helps its students obtain and retain employment in their chosen field
BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Two months ago, Jorge Ramirez was working a dead-end retail job that he had no passion for. Today, as a graduate of e Master’s Apprentice, he is a certi ed electrician and beginning an apprenticeship at an electrical company that he sees
as the rst step in his lifelong career.
“For me, I was like, if I’m going into this, I’ve gotta put in 100% and hopefully, I get what they’re saying that I can get, which was the job — and I did,” Ramirez said.
e Master’s Apprentice is a Denver-based nonpro t that graduates hundreds of people each year with the skills to become carpenters, electricians, mechanics, plumbers and more from its six-week program. Last year, the program graduated 225 students and boasts an average of about 40% of them nding employment soon after graduation. e program’s success was rewarded in March with a $1 million grant from the Lowes Foundation to in-
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
Your Place of Worship
crease its capacity.
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
During the program, students attend classes and visit job sites to nd their desired eld and learn the necessary skills to enter it. Students are paid up to $100 each week, and a $250 Tool & Book Scholarship upon completion to help o oad the time they take o from work to attend. Other nancial assistance is available as well.
e program isn’t just about nding employment, but retaining it, said co-founder Luis Villarreal. rough mentorship and practical education, the students learn nancial literacy, social skills, a strong work ethic, how to write a resume and other professional skills they will use throughout their careers.
e Master’s Apprentice was born in 2013 out of a desire to solve two problems at once: A low supply of trades workers in the metro area, and to serve a demographic of people struggling to get out of deadend jobs and into high-paying, rewarding careers.
“We started with men that are struggling these days, particularly young men without a direction. And we thought, how can we nd a future for them?” Villarreal said.
“We thought that the construction trades were a good avenue where they could earn big money, a trajectory, economic security and social mobility.”
Jorge Ramirez sits in the Master’s Apprentice woodwork workshop on June 6. Ramirez graduated from the program on June 5, and is beginning his career as an electrician.
PHOTO BY NATALIE KERR
TRADE WORK
But they’re not in the business of supplying laborers to companies that have no career development opportunities, Villarreal said. e goal is to get people connected to companies with apprenticeship programs that will continue to nourish their skills and goals.
e Master’s Apprentice program directors help participants develop soft skills, such as collaboration, networking, time management and work ethic, Villarreal said. ey provide support both during the program and after graduation to help graduates stay focused and driven towards their goals. e sta continues to reach out to alumni, particularly in the few months following graduation, as well as maintain
an alumni network that meets regularly.
“It’s kind of like a trampoline,” Villarreal said. “You’ve got all these springs, you fall and the springs bring you back up — it’s a network. If you don’t have a network and you fall, you don’t come up. But the network keeps you engaged, it keeps you going on the right track.”
Finding e Master’s Apprentice turned Ramirez’s life around – not only in his work, but his social network, faith and self-condence, too. Daily devotionals with the sta helped him reestablish a connection with his faith. He and other students also text in a group chat for general conversation, and to plan fun social events together.
To learn more about The Master’s Apprentice, visit themastersapprentice.org.
Jorge Ramirez measures a peice of plywood before sawing it in the Master’s Apprentice woodwork workshop on June 6.
Colorado Community Media to Hold its First 5K Run
BY JO ANN M. COLTON
from walking and/or running along our state’s many wonderful paths and scenic nature trails.
There is no better way to appreciate the beauty of Colorado than by witnessing all the sights and sounds of the great outdoors.
Join Colorado Community Media as we host our first-ever 5K run on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in Littleton.
And, before the run, we want you to submit your own “Trail Tales,” including photos, to your local newspaper (events@coloradocommunitymedia. com). Tell us where you most enjoy going for a walk or a run in your commuor elsewhere in Colorado.
There are no prizes associated with the event and participants will not receive a “standard” T-shirt. Instead, registered participants will receive a pair of custom running socks. The Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run is open to people of all ages. Participants have the option of making it a fun-filled day for the entire family. Registration fees are $35 for adults (ages 17 & up), $15 (ages 5 to 16), and free for children (ages 4 and under ). Parking for run participants and event attendees is available in the west parking lot, which can be reached as you enter Clement Park through the Library entrance on W. Bowles Avenue.
Park is currently being firmed up to feature other activities throughout the day including food and beverage purchase options offered by local food trucks, vendor booths, and live music entertainment.
In turn, we will share many of those adventurous tales with the readers of our two dozen community newspapers in the weeks ahead of the run. About the 5k: It is scheduled to loop around Johnston Reservoir from 9:30 a.m. to noon. It will start and end on the bike path near Shelter P. The event is different from most 5k runs in many ways. For starters, the sole purpose of this event is to simply provide an opportunity for people across Colorado to come together, interact, and share their personal experiences gained
Colorado Community Media publications span eight counties along Colorado’s majestic Front Range — Weld, Adams, Jeffco, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe and Denver. As a nonprofit organization, community is important to us and we are eager to reach out and meet members of the communities our news organization serves.
“Your support of this event as a race participant and/or as an attendee is paramount to the success of our first Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run and it will help us sustain our ability to support local news,” Scott said. “We encourage the engagement of our readers and future readers to be part of this and future events at Colorado Community Media.” Colorado Community Media could not put on events like this 5k run without the help of its dedicated supporters and sponsors. Sponsorship provides an ideal marketing prospect for your business and positive brand recognition. The organization offers many levels of sponsorship and opportunities for involvement. As a sponsor, you can be part of a fun community event that promotes health and wellness.
Carlie Scott, Colorado Community Media’s events director, stated that the program for the Aug. 24 run in Clement
To register for the Share Your Trail Tales 5k please visit our website www.coloradocommunitymedia.com and click on EVENTS/CONTEST tab.
PHOTO BY NATALIE KERRNATALIE KERR
SPORTS
3 Coloradans to represent United States at Underwater Hockey World Championships in Malaysia
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado is a huge hub for hockey players and fans, whether on ice, on the eld or even underwater. And why not? If it’s a sport, we have it here.
Ten women under age 24 are set to represent the U.S. at the Underwater Hockey Age Group World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this July and of course, three are Coloradans.
Elsa Debrunner, Lillianna Brooks and Aria Paul will compete in the event between July 16 and July 27 against about a dozen teams from around the globe. e U.S. is sending three teams spanning three divisions to the upcoming world championship: U24 men, U24 women and U19 men. Debrunner, Brooks and Paul are on the USA U24 Women’s Team.
“Training for worlds is a big commitment, but training with Lillianna and Aria is super encouraging and makes me super excited to play more hockey,” said Debrunner, a Conifer High School alum and club athlete at the Colorado School of Mines.
What is underwater hockey?
It’s a non-contact snorkeling sport with two teams of six facing o at the bottom of the pool. A weighted puck can be pushed, slid or icked with a short stick into the goal. Equipment includes a mask, ns, a snorkel with a mouthguard, a glove, a water polo cap and a stick.
Teammates rotate dives for roughly ve-to-20 seconds in a fast-paced, three-dimensional sport that combines the back-and-forth motion of regular hockey with up-and-down movements to return up for air between dives.
“It’s physically di erent than any other sport,” Debrunner said. “But once you learn that, the communication with your team is probably the hardest part. You have to have
a strategy really dialed in ahead of time because it’s di cult to communicate during the match.”
It requires elite breath control, tness and strong cooperation between coaches and teammates, Debrunner said. But the coaches believe the team is ready for a strong showing in Malaysia.
“We’re really impressed with the progress made since the team candidates rst got together. e commitment towards training and implementation of the game plan started at a high level and has seemed to grow,” Coach Kendall Banks said in a release. “ rough their support of each other combined with healthy competition, there seems to be a synergy or ‘magic’ here. We’re excited to see where it takes the team.”
Colorado connections
Debrunner and Brooks are from Colorado originally, and Paul is from San Francisco but attends Col-
orado State University with Brooks. Brooks got into underwater hockey about three years ago, she said.
As a former swimmer for St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood, she had the tools to be a strong underwater hockey player. But she didn’t know what to make of the sport at rst.
“I saw a poster one day for a pool in ornton and it was like, ‘underwater hockey,’ and I was really committed to swimming at that point so I was like, ‘ at’s weird. I don’t know,’” Brooks said.
But later as a student at Colorado State, Brooks was strolling the quad and saw booths for clubs. One was serendipitously for underwater hockey.
“ is girl, who was actually Elsa’s older sister (Ianna Debrunner), was like, ‘Hey! Do you want to play underwater hockey?’” Brooks said. “You know what? Maybe I do.”
Elsa Debrunner, the team captain of the U24 women’s underwater hockey team, is a Conifer High School alum. Above, she’s pictured diving with her hockey stick after coming up for air in the Pacific Coast Championships tournament in Orange County, California in October 2023.
PHOTO BY YORI HUYNH
Aria Paul is originally from San Francisco but attends Colorado State with Lillianna Brooks. Paul has found a home with her Colorado underwater hockey COURTESY PHOTOS
Lillianna Brooks swam at St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood before attending Colorado State University, where she found underwater hockey.
Bike to Work Day brings cyclists out to Arvada in record numbers
239 bicyclists stop by Gold Strike Park and Memorial Park breakfast stations
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvadans came out in droves to celebrate Bike to Work Day this year, with 239 cyclists stopping by the City of Arvada’s breakfast stations near Gold Strike Park and Memorial Park on their morning commute.
is year’s celebration took place on une 26, and saw the city set up breakfast stations at the convergence of Clear Creek Trail and Ralston Creek Trail near Gold Strike Park and on Ralston Creek Trail in Memorial Park. e Gold Strike Park station had 138 visitors, while the Memorial Park station saw 101 people come through.
Arvada partnered with Lime, Colorado Cycle Dynamics and Denver Regional Council of Governments who didn’t have experience with riding e-bikes and e-scooters.
e latest concert is “From Bach to e Beatles” and is held at the Museum of Outdoor Arts’ Marjorie Park, 6331 S. Fiddlers Green Circle in Greenwood Village, at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. e show will feature some of Bach’s most wellknown works and a collection of
UNDERWATER
Since plunging into underwater hockey, Brooks has had tunnel vision for a spot on the U.S. team. But it’s a stop on her way to a bigger goal: being chosen on the USA Women’s Elite Team, which is a collection of the best players regardless of age. Still, representing her country competitively is a dream come true. e team will battle against “10 to 12” other national teams, including
an Coordinator Kellee Van Bruggen
e Beatles’ most beloved hits. Get tickets at https://feverup. com/m/178826.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week: Out of This World — The Experience at Ball Arena
Virginia’s Missy Elliott is one of rap’s best and most important voices, full stop.
e work she did in the 1990s and 2000s is some of the genre’s most mind-blowing and innovative, and
Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and others.
A collection of women from all over the country, the national team met in January at a tournament in Colorado for the rst time. ey also had a training camp in Lake Tahoe in California for a week earlier this year.
But Brooks, Debrunner and Paul have an advantage being able to train together at Carmody Recreation Center in Lakewood and Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in ornton. ey’ll stay on their grind until it’s time to travel overseas for global glory.
for all who live in and travel to Arvada,” Arvada’s Bicycle and Pedestri-
her collaborations with producer Timbaland are still inspiring musicians today. She’s so highly regarded that in 2023 Elliott became the rst female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Elliott is celebrating all her accomplishments with the Out of is World — e Experience Tour, which will be stopping by Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.
How to follow the team
e championships in Malaysia will be livestreamed with commentators on YouTube. To follow the team on social media, visit the following links:
Instagram: @usa.u24w.uwh Facebook: USAU24Women’s UnderwaterHockey Team website: https://www. underwater-society.org/page/ show/8276732-u24-women
For more information visit the tournament website at www.6thuwhagworlds.com.
Other amenities included Colorado Cycle Dynamics repair booth that helped riders with minor xes and adding air to tires. DRCOG gave an update on its Active Transportation Plan.
She’ll be joined by the legendary Busta Rhymes, R&B superstar (and former Denver resident) Ciara and Timbaland himself.
is will truly be an evening of greats, so get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.
MEET DAISY!
Daisy (295697) is a 14-year-old female cat, an adorably round girl who seeks attention on her own terms. In her previous home, Daisy rubbed against her human’s legs for petting and slept at the foot of the bed. She is available as the sole pet to 303.278.7575
FoothillsAnimalShelter.org info@fas4pets.org
Folks grab an early breakfast from the Memorial Park Bike to Work Day booth.
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