28th Annual Arvada scarecrow festival rebrands to ‘Festi-Mill
of Scarecrows,’ set for Oct. 12
This year’s Halloween kicko moves from Olde Town Square to the Arvada Flour Mill
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
is year’s Festival of Scarecrows will have a different look than years past, as the 28th Annual FestiMill of Scarecrows — a festi-
val at the mill, get it? — will be held at the Arvada Flour Mill for the rst time. e festival itself will resemble previous incarnations, with a scarecrow contest, costume parade, arts and crafts and games returning to the event.
is year’s scarecrow fest will take place on Oct. 12 and kicks o with the scarecrow contest at 10 a.m.
Community members are invited to make their own scarecrows, which will be displayed around the mill and allow community members to vote on their favorite
designs. e kids costume parade will follow at 11:30 a.m., followed by scarecrow story time at noon.
e event is free to the public. Folks who do not want to make their own scarecrow but still want to participate can adopt a scarecrow made by members of the Arvada Historical Society for a small fee.
Festi-mill organizer Karen Miller said she is glad that the kids-centered event is coming back again as it nears its third decade.
“I have always loved this event because it really is for
kids,” Miller said. “We want people to discover the historic our mill through this fun event.”
Miller credits the event’s childlike setup with its longevity.
“It’s a family a air, simple and fun,” Miller said. “It’s not about food, booths and beer; it’s about kids.”
Previous incarnations of the Festival of Scarecrows were held in Olde Town Square. is year, scarecrows will still be set out in front of businesses, but others will be displayed down at the mill.
Why
Je
co schools don’t have a districtwide cell phone policy
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After 26 years in the classroom, Pomona High School teacher Dale Munholland has seen it all, from students quietly tapping away on ip phones to today’s constant barrage of smartphone noti cations.
But what he’s noticed most is the toll cell phones have taken on his students’ focus and engagement.
“Since the development of smartphones, attention spans and the quality of work have dramatically fallen,” Munholland said. “It’s an addiction.”
While he tries to enforce his own no-phone policy, he admits it’s a losing battle without district-wide support.
“It’s really hard to teach when you’re competing with a cat video,” he said.
For Munholland, the constant battle over cell phone use is more than just a classroom disruption — it’s a growing concern for student focus and academic performance.
Lisa Garry, who teaches Geometry and Statistics at Arvada Senior High School, agrees.
“I’ll have kids on their phones while I’m teaching a lesson, and then they’ll look up at me and ask, ‘What are we doing?’” Garry said.
Je erson Symphony Orchestra ready for 72nd season
BY TIM WEIGHART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Je erson Symphony Orchestra is ready to work its musical magic once again as the 2024-25 season commences.
JSO, a staple of the Je erson County community, is an ongoing e ort made up by eighty volunteer musicians to demonstrate and share their passion for music with local audiences. e orchestra has been active in the community for the last 72 years.
“We’re a xture in Golden, and the biggest and oldest community orchestra in the county,” said Athena Lansing, who has been the general manager of the Je erson Symphony Orchestra for over ve years. Lansing played violin with the orchestra for 20 years before retiring from the role.
“I’ve been here for over 25 years, and I’m a newcomer,” Lansing said. “We’ve got a principal oboist and other people who have been here for 50+ years, and our associate conductor just retired after 53 years as conductor and principal tuba. So not a lot of turnover, largely because we’re all based within the local community.”
of Romantic Era French composers Hector Berlioz and Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns by performing a few of their most prestigious works. Berlioz’ “Le Carnaval Romain, Op. 9” is one of the many overtures that were inspired by his time in the Italian countryside, as demonstrated by the composition’s opening “Saltarello.” e concert will also feature Saint-Saëns’ remarkable “Organ Symphony,” and his “Cello Concerto,” which centers on a rapid and highly challenging solo cello part. e concert will also feature Kimberly Patterson, a world-renowned cellist, to perform as cello soloist for “Cello Concerto,” and local music director Katie Hughes will be playing the organ for “Organ Symphony.”
Autumn Symphony Showcase
7 p.m. Nov. 8
William Morse retired from JSO in 2022 after serving as the orchestra’s head conductor for 23 years, and was given the honorary title of conductor emeritus soon after.
Last year, Dr. J. Arturo González was o cially appointed as the orchestra’s new music director and conductor.
“Arturo is only our fourth music director,” Lansing said. “Our musicians get to practice and perform with auditioning conductors, so it’s mostly up to the orchestra for who they want as a music director. We also like to have somebody local so they can give back to and have connections with the community… Arturo is bringing new life into the orchestra and introducing di erent and new pieces of music (for the community) to hear.”
González is speci cally hoping to perform more compositions by living conductors and diverse voices in the years to come.
One of González’s primary responsibilities as music director is to work with the orchestra to deter-
mine the pieces they will perform during their annual concerts and recitals.
Alongside the orchestra’s annual Holiday Concert and Young Artist Concert, the JSO’s 72nd season will also feature an interactive Tribute To Star Wars concert that will recreate some of the most iconic tracks from the classic franchise. At other concerts, the orchestra will perform renowned classical symphonies by such composers as Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns, Paul Hindeminth and Richard Strauss.
After their institution in 1952, the Je erson Symphony Orchestra set out to bring a new dimension of arts and culture to the community by sharing a wide variety of beautiful symphonies with their audiences, a mission that they still carry on today by by bringing their music to the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus several times a year.
“We’re just so grateful that we get to play at the Green Center every year,” Lansing said. “It’s a huge venue for us, and that’s our home. Golden is our home.”
If you are not a musician but are still interested in getting involved with JSO, consider contacting the organization about becoming a board member. JSO is looking for local candidates with accounting skills who are willing to volunteer their time and energy to assist in the management of the organization. You can inquire about the role by contacting Athena Lansing at athena@je symphony.org or (303) 278-4237.
For additional information on the Je erson Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming events and history and for tickets, go to www.je symphony. org. Je co students and Colorado School of Mines students, faculty and sta get free admission to all concerts, and season ticket holders and youths under 18 get free admission to all recitals.
Here is the full schedule for the Je erson Symphony Orchestra’s 72nd season:
e Music of France
3 p.m. Oct. 13
e Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden JSO will be celebrating the music
Je erson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Avenue, Golden e JSO’s rst recital of the year will feature chamber music by smaller ensembles of the orchestra’s musicians. Come and enjoy remarkable performances by some of Je erson County’s most talented musicians.
Holiday Concert
3 p.m. Dec. 8 e Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden
Get into the holiday spirit as the JSO plays a variety of festive winter classics, carols and holiday favorites.
JSO-YAC Winner’s Recitals
7 p.m. Jan 11
Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. #6607, Denver e Young Artist Competition is an annual event held by the JSO to amplify and encourage the solo careers and talents of young musicians. Following the competition, the top three nalists will perform at this recital to celebrate their accomplishments as artists. is year’s competition is focused on the following classical string instruments in full concerto: e violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp and classical guitar.
JSO will perform “The Music of France” at 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at The Green Center in Golden.
FILE PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW
2024 Saw the Enactment of Numerous New Housing & HOA Laws
The Colorado General Assembly passed and Gov. Polis signed many new laws regarding housing and how HOAs can operate. Here are some new laws that caught my attention:
HB24-1152: Concerning Increasing the Number of Accessory Dwelling Units — This law prohibits jurisdictions or HOAs in a metropolitan area from unreasonably restricting the construction of ADUs in single-family neighborhoods. It also prohibits the requirement that an owner occupy the ADU or the primary residence, and it prohibits requiring additional off-street parking if there is sufficient existing parking, including on-street parking. (Those are two current requirements of many jurisdictions’ ADU ordinances.) Affected jurisdictions are given until June 30, 2025, to submit a report to the state’s Department of Local Affairs demonstrating that they have complied with the law and that they have implemented one or more strategies to encourage and facilitate the construction or conversion of ADUs.
of fire-hardened building materials used for fencing within the community.
copy a designated contact on the notice.
HB24-1007: Concerning Residential Occupancy Limits —The act prohibits counties and municipalities from limiting the number of people who may live together in a single dwelling based on familial relationship, while allowing local governments to implement residential occupancy limits based only on demonstrated health and safety standards, fire code regulations, etc.; or on local, state, federal, or political subdivision affordable housing program guidelines.
HB24-1173: Concerning Streamlining the Process for Permitting Electric Motor Vehicle Charging Systems
This law requires the Colorado Energy Office to publish by March 31, 2025, a model code for the installation of EV charging systems in counties over 20,000 population or municipalities over 10,000 population. The office must also provide technical assistance to counties or municipalities for the implementation of an expedited permitting process.
HB24-1337: Real Property Owner Unit Association Collections — This law limits the reimbursement amount which an HOA can charge for attorney fees to $5,000 or 50% of the original money owed when its takes collection action against a unit owner. For failure to obey the bylaws or rules of the association, the reimbursement for attorney fees is limited to $5,000 or 50% of the actual costs. The law also limits the ability of the HOA to foreclose on the unit, and provides for redemption by the unit owner and others, including the tenant, within 180 days after a foreclosure sale.
SB24-005: Prohibit Landscaping Practices for Water Conservation —
scribed size, location and wording of the sign is included in the bill.
HB24-1091: Concerning Prohibiting Restrictions on the Use of FireHardened Building Materials — This law generally prohibits covenants and other restrictions that disallow the installation, use, or maintenance of firehardened building materials in homes, including in HOAs. However, the law allows an HOA to develop reasonable standards regarding the design, dimensions, placement, or external appearance
Megan’s
Market
By Megan Aller
First American Title
HB24-1233: Homeowners' Association Delinquency Payments Enforcement Procedures — This law amends HB22-1137, which said that notices of delinquency must be posted on the unit’s door. Under this law, the HOA must send a certified letter to the unit owner and employ two other methods (phone call/voicemail, text message, or email) and must communicate in the preferred language of the unit owner and
Snapshot: Sept. 25-Oct. 1
Here are some key takeaways from the market activity during the 7-day period from Sept. 25th to Oct. 1st:
Denver metro area inventory appears to be stabilizing, with steady buyer activity, signaling a sense of balance in the market as we move from September into October.
Buyers who have been waiting for better market conditions are now finding more options available. Sellers are increasingly open to negotiating, making repairs, offering concessions, and accepting contingent offers to get deals done. This creates an excellent opportunity for buyers to take advantage of the increased negotiating power they currently hold, which may shift if rates drop and competition intensifies.
The number of active listings remained consistent compared to the prior 7-day period, though inventory is much higher than this time last year.
New listings increased both week over week and compared to the same period last year, while “coming soon” listings have dipped slightly. Pending transactions stayed fairly flat, and the market’s supply of inventory has held steady.
The odds of selling rose but remain below the historical average from prior years, reflecting ongoing market dynamics.
Showings decreased slightly from the previous 7-day period but are up compared to last year. Homes are spending more time on the market, allowing buyers more time to make informed decisions.
There was an increase in price reductions, with a larger percentage of homes lowering their prices before going under contract. The size of these price reductions has also increased.
REcolorado, the MLS serving Denver and beyond, is the data source for this article.
To conserve water used for irrigation, this law, effective Jan. 1, 2026, prohibits local governments from allowing the installation, planting, or placement of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, or invasive plant species on commercial, institutional, or industrial property, association property, or a street right-ofway, parking lot, median, or transportation corridor. Artificial turf for athletic fields is not banned, however.
SB24-058: Landowner Liability Recreational Use Warning Signs —
This law allows the owner of land with recreational access to protect himself or herself from liability for off-trail injury or death by posting a sign at the common entrance to the property. The pre-
SB24-134: Operation of a HomeBased Businesses — This law allows a unit owner (or tenant, with the unit owner's permission) to operate a home-based business in a unit owner’s unit. An HOA may no longer seek to enforce any covenant or restriction that would prohibit a unit owner from operating a home-based business. The operation of a home-based business must still comply with any applicable and reasonable unit owners' association rules or regulations related to architectural control, parking, landscaping, noise, nuisance, and other matters that may impact fellow HOA members. The operation of a home-based business must also comply with municipal and county noise and nuisance ordinances or resolutions.
SB24-145: Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records — Older CC&Rs (covenants) included unlawful restrictions on membership based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or other personal characteristics. These are no longer enforceable, but they remain in those documents. This law creates the ability of any association to submit an amendment to the county clerk and recorder removing those provisions without a vote of the membership
The posting of this article online at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com includes links for each of these laws.
Currently a greenhouse operation, these parcels at 52nd Ave. & Indiana St. have two addresses. The smaller parcel is 14780 W. 52nd Ave., and the larger one is 5150 Indiana St. Together they total over 12½ acres. The land is zoned agricultural, with a single family home, several outbuildings and a commercial well. They are in unincorporated Jefferson County. Current zoning allows for several uses, or the purchaser may choose to rezone to highest and best use. Downtown Golden, Jefferson County Government, and the Colorado School of Mines are just over five miles away. Learn more at www.GRElistings.com $8,000,000
Development Site Just Listed by Austin Pottorff
POLICY
According to data from the Pew Research Center, about seven-in-ten (72%) high school teachers say that students being distracted by cellphones is a major problem in their classroom, compared with 33% of middle school teachers and 6% of elementary school teachers.
As districts nationwide grapple with how to deal with rampant cell phone use in school, from requiring them to be out of sight to purchasing high-technology pouches that lock phones down, Je erson County Head of Schools Dave Weiss acknowledges that knowing exactly what to do is complicated.
“We worry about cell phone use from the standpoint of the negative social interactions that students sometimes have through social media or on their cell phones,” Weiss said. “But we also understand the value of cell phones when it comes to safety. ere’s no one-size- ts all answer.”
In Je co, schools decide Je erson County Public Schools doesn’t have a district-wide cell phone policy, unlike other metroarea districts, like Douglas County and Cherry Creek, which restrict cell phone use during school hours. Instead, the district allows its schools to create policies that work for them.
“We have a total of 35 secondary schools, and 37% percent of those
MEET YOUR NEW PERSIAN MOTHER — PLAYED BY HER OWN SON
are implementing a brand new cell phone policy this year,” said Weiss. “Fifty-four percent of those schools are continuing with their previous policy, and 9% don’t have a cell phone policy.”
While Garry’s school has a written cell phone policy requiring students to keep their phones out of sight or store them in a caddy, she said there’s inconsistent enforcement across teachers. Some strictly enforce the policy, while others are more lax about it.
OCT 4 – NOV 17
Students in Munholland’s classroom are supposed to keep their phones out of sight, but he said he’s constantly telling them to put them away.
“ ey think they’re being sneaky, but it’s obvious when they’re trying to hide them,” Munholland said. “It’s really hard to have any type of cell phone policy that the kids respect if you don’t have the support of the administrators or the district.”
Garry and Munholland said that if they could wave a magic wand, the district would purchase locking pouches. Doing so would allow them to resign as the cell phone police and focus more on classroom instruction.
Yet Weiss said that even if the district created a uniform policy, it would still be up to the schools to enforce it.
While Weiss’ statement may be true, Munholland disagrees.
“I don’t think you can honestly be a serious district or a serious school and say academics and learning are important if they’re not addressing cell phones,” he said. “Everything else is just window dressing.”
Districtwide policy not o the table
Weiss said the district is taking the year to study the impact of various cell phone policies and procedures within its schools and across the country and that a districtwide policy isn’t o the table.
“ ere are a lot of states and districts that have required cell phone policies, and we’re watching those closely,” Weiss said. “We know that a lot of research has come out recently that’s causing educators and parents alike to be concerned about how much screen time their children are getting.”
According to Weiss, they’re also studying issues like the cost and logistics of locking phones in pouches and how that could impact safety and learning in an emergency. As a parent, Weiss said he’s sensitive to the fact that parents and students may have experienced past trauma
or have medical needs that require them to need immediate access to their child.
Other district priorities include gathering student feedback and input to understand their perspectives and experiences with cell phone use in school.
ey also plan to evaluate what policies and consequences would be enforceable across their large district, which has 147 schools and 4,000 classrooms.
“We don’t want to suspend students, so they’re not getting a learning experience because they failed on the cell phone policy,” Weiss said. “It’s not as black and white as people would like.”
Colorado Smartphone Challenge Initiative
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser recently announced a “Smartphone Challenge Initiative” to help districts “develop and test innovative smartphone policies that promote learning and student wellness.” e initiative will award grants of up to $50,000 to select districts that apply for funding to support varying strategies around smartphone interventions, including purchasing phone storage devices, implementing technology that limits certain smartphone features and launching educational programs on responsible phone use.
“We know smartphones are deeply embedded in the lives of students in Colorado,” Weiser said in a press release. “But they can also create significant distractions, undermine learning in the classroom, and contribute to negative mental health outcomes. is funding will enable schools to experiment with di erent strategies to manage smartphone use and create a learning environment that is more focused and supportive.”
According to data from the Pew Research Center 95% of U.S. teens have access to a smartphone. SHUTTERSTOCK
How to vote (and be sure it’s counted) in the general election
Caring for Colorado Energy Workers
Lunch & Learn Event
Thursday, October 17
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Old Spaghetti Factory 9145 Sheridan Blvd Westminster, CO
BY COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO STAFF
Colorado has gotten a lot of accolades over the years for having an election system that makes it relatively easy for people to vote, with things like same-day voter registration, all-mail ballots and countywide vote centers. However, it’s easy to have questions about what to do and how it all works. e following are some of the most frequent questions we’ve gotten over the years and answers speci c to 2024.
Q: I keep hearing Colorado is a “mail ballot” state. What does that mean?
Ahead of each election, Colorado mails ballots to each registered, active voter in the state. Some registered voters may be considered “inactive,” and not get a ballot, if their local clerk has a reason to believe they no longer live at the address on their registration (like electionrelated mail has been returned as undelivered). Inactive voters have to update their registration information to get a mail ballot: sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/pub/ home.xhtml
Q. I just moved here from a state with absentee ballots. Do you guys have that hear?
Not really. Since every registered voter is mailed a ballot, what many other states call absentee voting is really just the norm here. at said, if you are going to be away from home during October and want to get a ballot sent to a temporary address, you can do that.
To get information speci c to your situation, call your county clerk’s o ce ( nd the number here: sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Resources/CountyElectionO ces.html).
Q: How do I check that my Colorado voter information is correct?
my ballot in Colorado?
Clerks will start mailing out ballots on Friday, Oct. 11.
Q: How can I track my ballot? Colorado uses a service called BallotTrax that allows voters to sign up for text or email alerts at each stage of the voting process. e messages will let you know when your ballot has been mailed to you, when it’s received back at the clerk’s o ce and when it’s been processed.
You can enroll here: ballottrax. coloradosos.gov/voter/.
Q: I’m nervous about the USPS. What if my ballot doesn’t arrive in time?
You are not required to use the ballot the state sends to you. Voter Centers will open around the state not later than Oct. 21. Any voter who has not already returned a ballot can go to one and vote in person there. Just don’t then also return your mail ballot when it arrives. e system will ag that you’ve returned two ballots and you could face prosecution.
Q: What happens if I’ll be away from home when they send out ballots and won’t be back before the election?
You can still get a ballot and vote even if you’re away from home. From now until the vote centers open, you can pick one up in person from your county clerk’s o ce. You can also get your ballot sent to a temporary address. To get information speci c to your situation, call your county clerk’s o ce.
Q:How do I return my ballot? When it comes to casting your vote, Colorado takes an all-of-theabove approach.
Want to mail it in? Check your envelope to see how much postage is required and send it back no closer than a week out from the election, to ensure it gets to your clerk’s ofce in time.
Just go to the Secretary of State’s website (coloradosos.gov) and enter your name, zip code, and date of birth to see your voter registration information. You can also use this page to register to vote or update your registration, change your party a liation, and to get a lot more information about the election.
Q: When should I expect to get
Want to drop it o ? Colorado will have hundreds of dropboxes available around the state to put your ballot in. You do need to be sure to use a box that’s in your county of residence — look for a list of locations on your county clerk’s web-
ELECTION
site. Some counties, like Denver, also have drive-through drop-o s, where you can hand your ballot to an election judge. (All that said, if you do accidentally drop your ballot o in the wrong county, the clerk there will try to get it back where it belongs.)
Want to vote in person? Maybe you changed your mind after lling in the “yes” bubble on that one ballot measure. Or maybe your cat spilled co ee all over your ballot. Or maybe you just prefer to vote the old fashioned way. As noted above, you can always throw away your mail ballot and vote in person at a local Vote Center. You can nd the locations of those at your county clerk’s website, or when you look up your voter registration information at govotecolorado.com.
Q: How late can I put my ballot in the drop box and still have it counted?
Election judges should be on hand to close each drop box at exactly 7 p.m. At that time they’ll also collect all remaining ballots in the box. If you are trying to vote in person and you’re in line by 7, you will still be allowed to vote, even after the polls have o cially closed.
Q: What safeguards are in place to ensure no one steals my ballot and votes fraudulently?
To keep the vote secure, Colorado relies heavily on signature veri cation. Once your ballot has been received at the clerk’s o ce, an election judge will compare the signature on your envelope with the signature they have on le for you. If the two don’t match, your ballot is rejected.
Q: I want to be sure the signature on le matches my current signature so that my mail-in ballot is not rejected—how can I do so?
ere’s no way to know which of your past signatures the election judge will be seeing on their screen.
But here’s some information that might set your mind at ease a bit: e signature check system defaults to an image of the most recent signed document the government received from you. Which, if you are a dedicated voter, could be as recently as the last time you returned a ballot. e system does keep all of your old signatures on le too, in case the people doing the verifying want to review a few more examples before making their call.
But if your signature is rejected, the clerk is required to contact you and give you time to “cure” the problem so
jected?
ere are a couple of reasons a ballot might be rejected: your signature could have changed so much that it doesn’t match the one on le any more, or you just forgot to sign your ballot altogether, or you live with another voter and you two got confused and put your ballots in each other’s envelopes (it happens!)
In any of those cases, your ballot is set aside while election o cials try to reach you by email, phone or a letter to let you know there’s a problem. Various political groups also get lists of voters whose ballots were rejected and may try to reach out to you to encourage you to x it. Voters have until eight days after the election (that’s November 13th this year) to deal with any problem with their ballot in order to have it counted. at can be done by mail or by going to the clerk’s o ce or using your phone and a program from the state called Text2Cure.
Q: Help, I’m reading this just days before the election and I haven’t even registered to vote yet! Is it too late for me to participate?
Not at all. Colorado allows people to
register and vote all the way until 7pm on Election Day when the polls close. If you do it after October 28th though, it’s too late to get a mail ballot. You’ll need to register in person at a Vote Center, where you’ll also — unsurprisingly — be able to get a ballot and vote.
e Secretary of State has a lot of information about registering to vote here: sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ FAQs/VoterRegistrationFAQ.html. You will need to provide some form of ID. You can nd a list of what quali es here: sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ vote/acceptableFormsOfID.html.
Q: When does ballot counting start in Colorado?
Ballots start being tallied before the election, but not counted up until the polls close. Election workers open the envelopes as they arrive and — after verifying the signatures — run them through tabulating machines. ose scan the ballots and record how each person voted, but they don’t just automatically add it all up. at data isn’t calculated and revealed until the polls close on Election Night and someone hits “tabulate.” is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
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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
The ballot box outside the Laramie Building in Golden.
PHOTO BY JO DAVIS
JEFFERSON COUNTY 2024 ELECTION GUIDE
Lisa Feret State Representative District 24
Ballots are mailed out on Oct. 11 for the Nov. 5 general election. e Arvada Press organized this guide with important dates, ballot box and voting center location information and races. Questions were sent out to all of the candidates to help readers make an informed vote.
West metro voters will elect a new U.S. representative for Colorado House District 7. Additionally, voters Arvada will elect a state senate representative for District 19 and a state representative for Colorado House District 24. District 24 Republican candidate Gwen Henderson did not respond to our questionnaire. On the county level, Je co voters will elect members of the Je erson County Board of Commissioners for districts 1 and 2. Arvada is represented by district 1. — Kristen Fiore, Editor
IMPORTANT DATES
• Sept. 21: Military and overseas ballots mailed
• Oct. 11: Local ballots mailed, drop boxes open
• Oct. 21: Vote centers open
• Oct. 28: Last day to mail your ballot
• Nov. 5: Last day to vote
BALLOT BOX AND VOTING CENTER LOCATIONS
There are plenty of places to vote in Jefferson County. Visit https://www.je co. us/3907/Find-a-Voting-Site to find one close to you.
Residence: Arvada Profession: Social Worker
About me: Former military police turned social worker and mom. Over a decade in disaster response and serves on Arvada City Council.
For more information: www. lisaforcolorado.com
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
My diverse background in emergency response, military service, and working with older adults and disabled persons has given me insight into the challenges families face. Having spent over a decade of responding to res, oods, and humanitarian crises has taught me how to balance safety with budget constraints. Serving on Arvada City Council has allowed me to implement e ective policies around housing and public safety. I have ground-level experience and have been accessible to residents, even when we disagree. is is the most important trait in a leader - being present and listening.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
We need to simplify and streamline the way we approach housing development and programs. is is key to building up housing supply and expand-
ing our housing supportive programs. Additionally, our state and local governments often have great programs but it can be challenging to navigate. I would love to help simplify the way we fund our programs and how people are able to access and apply for these services and programs.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
One area I have been focusing on is food waste - at home and within the business community. I think there are ways we can leverage food apps (like too good to go) and reduce liability to allow for people to access more food at little to no cost. Additionally, if we are able to simplify some of our building processes, we can increase the supply for homes at a lower rate.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
One of the key elements of training as a social worker is the ability to e ectively communicate with challenging demographics. I have over 15 years of experience in this eld and have been e ective in my work. Active listening, leading with empathy and managing emotions during tough conversations is an essential skill for e ective leaders. We need to have opposing views
to make good policy. If we create an eco-chamber of similar thoughts, we are helping no one.
How can you guarantee that legislators will maintain transparency, not just regarding their decisions but the work, debate and considerations that go into those decisions?
Communication is key for people to build trust. Being available and present in the community so people feel comfortable talking to their representatives and asking those tough questions is an important value for me. e rst day I was elected to local o ce, I made a promise to respond to every single email that a constituent wrote and I have honored that. It is something I am proud of because sometimes those emails are not very nice!
Charlie Johnson Jefferson County Commissioners District 1
Residence
: Golden
Profession: Tractor Trailer Driving Instructor
About me: My wife Meagan and I have been residents of Je erson County for 30 years, and have raised our family here. After 20 years as a law enforcement ocer, I now am a vocational educator, teaching veterans and local residents skills to enter the work force. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania
For more information: https:// www.cjforje co.com/
With the Quarry Fire and others along the Front Range this summer, how would you work to mitigate wildfire danger in Golden, Evergreen, Conifer and other Je erson County foothills communities?
We must incentivize both residential and commercial property owners to reduce their re risk in trade for tax rebates for qualifying properties. A wild re property improvement plan in addition to the re overlay plan should be the rst step for property owners. Creation of defensible space and building improvements also could qualify for a rebate or grant. Preventing wild res also supports better air quality by not introducing smoke and soot.
What do you feel are the biggest infrastructure needs facing the county? How would you deal with those?
Investments in infrastructure are needed through out the county and should be addressed in order of highest priority. Bike lanes and the cost associated with their construction should be categorized as less priority than xing the potholes and lanes vehicles utilize. Although bicycles share our roadways, the majority of tax payers largest bene t for quality roads is through use of automobiles.
Should Je erson County have property tax caps for homeowners? Why or why not?
We not only should have tax caps, but we need to ensure our tax refunds are returned to us. I challenged the current County Commissioners to pull the current revenue retention measure o the ballot. Families are struggling with the price of groceries, fuel, and housing cost, so it makes sense to reduce the tax burden on Je erson County residents. Letting people keep their TABOR refunds isn’t a reduction in revenue for Je erson County, it’s a reduction in taxes for the taxpayer. Je erson County needs to learn to live within its means.
What would your priorities for the county be if elected?
Ending spending policies in the county that contribute to in ation, including the high cost of illegal immigration. We must review county budgets in detail to identify what is required to support essential county services and demand budget reviews focuses on spending, requiring future budgets reect a minimum 1-2% reduction in spending per department, excluding the Sheri ’s O ce and Road and Bridge returning savings to residential and commercial property owners as refunds or caps. Reducing crime by fully supporting all law enforcement in the county, including the Sheri ’s O ce and defend our TABOR
Rachel Zenzinger
Residence: Arvada
Profession: Educator/Teacher
About me: I grew up on the Western Slope in a working-class family. I moved to the Front Range to earn my teaching degree at Regis University. I am a social studies teacher with an extensive background in school nance. I was twice elected to the Arvada City Council, including as Mayor Pro Tem. I served nine years in the Colorado Senate, where I chaired the state’s Joint Budget Committee, Senate Appropriations and Education Committees. I live in Arvada with my husband and two college-aged children, where I enjoy volunteering with my Kiwanis Club and playing mahjong with friends.
For more information: https:// www.facebook.com/RachelZenzingerInO ce
With the Quarry Fire and others along the Front Range this summer, how would you work to mitigate wildfire danger in Golden, Evergreen, Conifer and other Je erson County foothills communities?
Partner, Plan, Prepare, and Prevent. First, Je co must remain involved with the Wild re Commission where we are currently partnering with regional, state, and federal entities and bene ting from this collaborative e ort. Second, we must continuously and rigorously update our Community Wild re Protection Plan. ird, we need to proactively work with residents in the Wildland-Urban Interface to prepare for wild res, such as creating defensible spaces. Lastly, we must regularly communicate with Je co residents to educate them about prevention and mitigation strategies to prevent wild res from happening.
What do you feel are the biggest infrastructure needs facing the county? How would you deal with those?
Transportation, Broadband, and Renewable Energy. First, to keep
pace with growth and improve connectivity, I will seek out collaborative partnerships with local, state and federal agencies to secure more funding so that we may upgrade and expand our roads, bridges, and transit options. Second, we can improve high-speed internet by increasing public-private partnerships, working with local utility companies, and streamlining county permitting processes. Lastly, we can increase renewable energy by integrating our goals into the county’s comprehensive plan and work with Je co EDC to attract green businesses.
Should Je erson County have property tax caps for homeowners? Why or why not?
is question was recently “answered” by the state legislature in the compromise bill passed during the special session. e bill reduced the residential assessment rate and imposed a cap on the amount of year-over-year increase in property tax revenue that local governments and school districts can take in. While I believe capping the growth rate was necessary to respond to a dramatic increase in property taxes over the last two years, we needed to do it in a responsible way to not harm local governments. I believe the bill struck the right balance and I voted in favor of it.
What would your priorities for the county be if elected?
First, responsibly balance the county budget to live within the scal constraints of TABOR while also
U.S. Representative District 7
Brittany Pettersen
Residence: Lakewood
Profession: I am an elected representative for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. Before serving in Congress, I served for 10 years in the Colorado State Legislature as a state representative and a state senator.
About me: I grew up in Je erson County and have lived in Lakewood for 21 years. is community made investments in me, allowing me to overcome the obstacles I faced as a high-risk youth and become the rst in my family to graduate from high school and college. I ran for the state legislature in 2012 to make sure others have the same chance I did to build a better life. I served 10 years before running for Congress because the stakes couldn’t be higher. We need leaders who understand the struggles of regular people and will ght for them in Washington.
For more information: Website: https://brittanypettersen. com/, Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/brittanypettersenforcolorado, Twitter: https://twitter.com/pettersen4co, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanypettersen
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I am a product of this community with a proven track record of working across the aisle to solve problems and get things done for Coloradans. As a freshman in Congress, I’ve hit the ground running, working every day to build bridges and put partisan politics aside to address challenges for the people of this district. is year, I secured $14 million for CD7 projects, including ood protections, help with lowering housing costs, and investments in clean drinking water. I’ll continue ghting to reduce costs for working families on housing and healthcare, and to expand economic opportunities for all.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
First and foremost, I’m committed to lowering the cost of everyday expenses, including the price of groceries, health insurance, and prescription drugs, and I’ll continue my work in bringing investments for a ordable and accessible housing to Colorado. I will also continue to ght for national protections to abortion, including defending Americans’ right to decide if and when to start a family, a right which is currently under threat. I’ll continue advocating for federal investments in water infrastructure projects so that our Colorado communities – from metro areas to rural areas – can have reliable access to clean and safe water.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
We need to continue supporting our economic recovery by holding companies accountable for pricegouging and taking advantage of the American people in di cult times while arti cially in ating their numbers for record pro ts. We also need to invest in America’s future by increasing access to a ordable childcare, housing, higher education and apprenticeship programs. We can build upon the CHIPS Act to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, and providing legal pathways to work in the US for critical need areas is the number one thing we can do to address the workforce shortage and reduce rising costs.
Sergei Matveyuk
Residence: Golden Profession: Business Owner
About me: I am of Polish descent. I grew up under socialism. My father and grandfather were sent to the Gulag; their farms and businesses were con scated because they wouldn’t support socialism. Prices were high, products were scarce, freedom was rare. irty- ve years ago, I was privileged to legally come to the GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! My dreams came true; I became a U.S. citizen and got a degree from Colorado Christian University. I married my amazing wife, and we have three children. I became a business owner and built nancial security for my family and me.
For more information: sergiforcongress.com, www.facebook.com/ sergeiforcongress x.com/Sergei4Congress, www.youtube.com/@SergeiForCongress, www.instagram.com/ sergeiforcongress/
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I’m a business owner raising my family, feeling the pain of the high cost of gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare. I’m not a career politician. I serve my community and send my children to our public schools. I built my American Dream because of the freedoms we have. I know what it takes to address the issues facing us and I know the costs of continuing the path we’re taking. I ed a life of scarcity and fear. I don’t want my children or your children to have to live that life. I will ght to protect your American Dream.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
I’ll accomplish: Our cost of living will be lower, including gas and grocery prices. Our borders will be closed, and our country and communities will be safer. e US will be energy independent, our environment protected, and parents will direct their children’s education. I came here with $90 in my
pocket. I know what can be accomplished when the government doesn’t compete with us. Our national debt is out of control because of federal government overspending. If we don’t change course, we are on a slippery slope of too much government. I will ght to protect your American Dream.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
Our high cost of living is primarily driven by too much government spending. I will ght to reduce federal government spending, not just a reduction in spending growth but a true reduction in federal spending. I will support bringing back manufacturing jobs to the US as too many products are made overseas. I will work to ensure the US becomes energy independent so we can drive down energy costs. I will ght against price controls as I lived through the shortages that are caused when the government tries to control prices, and where corporations price gouge, I will ght it.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
Our country is in crisis, and we must all work together to bring back civility and ght for our Republic. I will work with members from any party who want to lower government spending, make our county safe, and protect our freedoms. I will do this by building relationships. Because I am not a career politician, I am not beholden to any special interests. I am free to build relationships and get to know other members and their humanity. I will nd our common ground and work together just as we do when we’re working to make our communities stronger.
Sam Bandimere
Lindsay Daugherty State Senate District 19
Residence: Arvada
Profession: Geotechnical Grouting Consultant
About me: Sam was born and raised in Colorado where/when the American dream was alive. It is his desire and purpose to return those values to future generations. At 17, Sam enlisted in the Navy and served 2 tours in Vietnam. Sam is a successful national and international entrepreneur. Sam and his wife live in Arvada, CO and have 6 kids, 13 grandkids, and 2 (soon to be 3) great grandkids.
For more information: Facebook - @sambandimereforcostatesenate, X - @SamBandimereCO, Instasambandimere_co
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Sam has experience in running national and international companies that had to complete projects on time and on/under budget. He will bring his knowledge and management skills to the State capital to solve di cult problems and ask critical questions for solutions on a bipartisan basis.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
A successful term will result in the following:
• Saving You Money: Repeal the Bag Law and make all government revenues subject to TABOR restrictions
• Keeping You Safe: Revoke Sanctuary City and State designations statewide to eliminate the incentives drawing undocumented migrants to Colorado, and remove restrictions on coordination between ICE and law-enforcement
• Preserving the Environment: Establish a fast-track for implementing environmentally-friendly, NetZero energy saving technology
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
Two key housing a ordability issues are supply and demand, and interest
rates. A State Senator can’t control interest rates, but the in ux of migrants and their demand for housing has overtaxed supply. Eliminating incentives causing these migrations will allow the supply of housing to catch up with demand, stabilizing prices.
e Democrat-led State Legislature has repeatedly failed to resolve in ated property tax assessments resulting from the repeal of the Gallagher amendment. Making all government revenues subject to TABOR restrictions will signi cantly reduce tax burdens.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
Sam is willing to work with anyone from any party who is willing to table partisan di erences to pursue legislation to reduce the nancial burdens of and criminal dangers to Coloradans.
Speci cally, a top priority of Sam’s is his net-zero energy program of incentives and deregulation which he believes will nd support across the aisle and greatly bene t all of Colorado.
How can you guarantee that legislators will maintain transparency, not just regarding their decisions but the work, debate and considerations that go into those decisions?
As a candidate, I have spoken to people of all a liations and groups. Once in o ce, it’s my intention to be the Senator for all my constituents, not just those who agree with me. I am open to the ideas and priorities of others, letting them know they’ve been heard.
I will do my best to have weekly emails and social media posts with updates on current and upcoming bills. I encourage my constituents to call or email me with their thoughts, feelings, and concerns on those bills.
Residence: Arvada Profession: Attorney About me:
I’m Lindsey Daugherty, a current State Representative and candidate for Colorado State Senate District 19. Raised in Colorado by educators and public servants, my deep-rooted commitment to justice and civic responsibility was shaped early on. My background as an attorney for children in crisis and my experience as a working mother have fueled my dedication to championing family-friendly policies, reproductive rights, and support for vulnerable youth. After four years in the House, I’m prepared to bring e ective leadership and a unifying voice to tackle our state’s most pressing challenges in the Senate.
For more information: FB: facebook.com/lindseyforcolorado, IG: instagram.com/lindseyforcolorado, X: https://x.com/LindseyForCO
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
As a current State Representative and Chair of the House Health & Human Services Committee, I possess a deep understanding of the issues that impact our community—from healthcare to education. My background as a guardian ad litem and attorney has equipped me with the skills I need to e ectively advocate for justice and systemic change. I am dedicated to promoting inclusive policies that support every Coloradan. My hands-on experience and proven track record make me uniquely quali ed to represent Senate District 19, ensuring our voices are heard and our needs are addressed in the legislature.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
I’ll consider my term successful if we can:
• Strengthen our education system by boosting public school funding
• Expand a ordable healthcare & mental health services
• Advance juvenile justice reform, building on my record in the House
• Tackle housing a ordability through rent stabilization & more affordable units
• Combat climate change with measures that create green jobs
Real success means enacting policies that produce meaningful, lasting impacts. I’ll work tirelessly to make Colorado more equitable, a ordable, and sustainable for all families, prioritizing strong policies that deliver real results.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
Addressing the a ordability crisis is a top priority for me. In the Senate, I will push for comprehensive housing reform, increasing a ordable housing and facilitating development through zoning changes. I will also advocate for capping rising healthcare and education costs, making these essentials more accessible. Finally, I will work to modernize our wage laws to re ect the economic realities of our state, ensuring that hardworking Coloradans can thrive, not just survive. By addressing these key areas, we can signi cantly alleviate nancial strain and improve the overall quality of life in Colorado.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
Absolutely. My commitment to Colorado transcends party lines. In the Senate, I will continue the practice of working with colleagues across the aisle to craft policies that address pressing issues like healthcare, education, and economic growth. My approach involves listening, nding shared values, and building consensus to achieve practical solutions. is method not only enriches the policymaking process but also ensures that we create sustainable impacts for the communities we serve.
DAUGHERTY
How can you guarantee that legislators will maintain transparency, not just regarding their decisions but the work, debate and considerations that go into those decisions?
Transparency is critical to maintaining public trust and e ective governance. I believe in making every aspect of the legislative pro-
JOHNSON
What should the county do to address homelessness?
Illegal immigration in Je erson County is draining our resources, including the services we provide to our local homeless residents. My opponent voted yes on HB 19-1124 and HB 23-1100, which
cess accessible to the public. is includes not only decisions but also the discussions and considerations that lead to them. I will work to expand the availability of online platforms where Coloradans can view live sessions and access comprehensive records of legislative proceedings. Furthermore, I will advocate for policies that enhance the transparency of committee work and negotiations, ensuring that our constituents can fully understand and engage with their government.
defunded and limited local law enforcements ability to work with federal immigration o cers. Jefferson County must rst eliminate sanctuary policies that obstruct immigration enforcement. We must provide essential services to our local homeless residents of Jefferson County with out breaking the bank. We must avoid coopting resources for non-citizen illegal immigrants. Tax payers need to come rst.
PETTERSEN
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
We must put partisanship aside to work together, build bridges and nd common ground. I’ve continued to work on building relationships across the aisle, particularly with colleagues in their rst term and on the Financial Services committee. Even though Republicans are in the majority in the House, I’ve been able to get a bill signed into law and secured $14 million for projects across my district. I’m also proud to serve on the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Problem Solvers Caucus, and the Bipartisan Task Force on Arti cial Intelligence.
MATVEYUK
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
My family waited for years to come to America legally, so I know rsthand what it means to want to come to America and have to wait. I know the value of being an Ameri-
meeting the needs of our large, geographically diverse and highly populated county. Second, address aging roads and infrastructure, including expanding multimodal options and improving driver safety. Also, improve conditions that allow cyclists and pedestrians to stay safe as well. ird, focus on increasing a ordable housing by exploring strategic actions, establishing community partnerships, and implementing innovative county-wide programs. We must embrace construction defects litigation reform too.
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
We have to recognize the real impact our broken immigration system is having on communities across Colorado and the entire country, something we’ve seen rsthand in Colorado with the arrival of thousands of migrants without adequate housing or workforce training and placement services, leaving communities overwhelmed. Earlier this year, I called on House Speaker Johnson to put partisan politics aside & negotiate a bipartisan border bill. at bill was killed by Donald Trump through his Freedom Caucus allies in the House. We must ght to get a humane, bipartisan, and comprehensive immigration reform bill passed.
can citizen, coming here legally and working to become a citizen. Congress should do its job and pass comprehensive immigration reform. ose waiting to come here legally should have a fair chance. Our borders must be closed, not just the southern border. Tens of thousands are streaming into the country without background checks and with little scrutiny. Without secure borders our citizenship has very little value.
What should the county do to address homelessness?
Addressing homelessness is a complex challenge and a one-sizets-all approach won’t work. Je co partners with several non-pro ts, such as the Heading Home Collaborative, on a Homelessness Action Plan, but it’s outdated. We should renew the plan and take the lead in coordinating the e ort to identify homelessness prevention and response gaps in each locality. en, we can update the plan to meet the unique needs of each community. For example, Arvada may need an overnight shelter for unhoused individuals, whereas Lakewood may need more rental assistance programs to prevent people from becoming homeless.
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ZENZINGER
ORCHESTRA
Poetry and Music
3 p.m. Feb. 2
e Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden e JSO’s Winter Concert will feature a variety of “Symphonic Tone Poems,” which are compositions that were initially made to emulate the structure and rhythm of speci c poems or stories. First, Alicia Watson will feature as a solo artist playing the french horn part of Paul Hindeminth’s three-movement, rhythmically erratic “Horn Concerto.” e JSO will continue on to play Modest Mussorgsky’s terrifying “Night on Bald Mountain,” as well as Silvestre Reveultas’ foreboding “Sensemayá,” and Richard Strauss’ playful “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks.”
Young Artist Recital
7 p.m. March 28
Je erson Unitarian Church, 14350
W 32nd Ave., Golden
e winner of the 2025 Young Artist Competition will perform a solo recital.
Young Artist Concert
3 p.m. March 30
e Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden
e winner of the 2025 Young Artists Competition will get the privilege of performing alongside the JSO to play the young artist’s concerto and the orchestra’s favorite overture! en, the orchestra will close out the night with Johannes Brahm’s classic “Symphony No. 2.”
Spring Symphony Showcase
7 p.m., April 11
Je erson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Ave., Golden
JSO musicians will round out the season’s recitals with more chamber music to welcome in the spring season.
Tribute To Star Wars
3 p.m. May 18
e Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden Bring the whole family to enjoy arrangements from the classic scifranchise that has spanned over nearly ve decades. Enjoy Darth Vader’s “Imperial March” and other notorious themes composed by John Williams, the world’s most well-known living composer, during this interactive performance.
REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY
Musicians in the Je erson Symphony Orchestra rehearsing earlier this year at the Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church.
FILE PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW
Volunteers power the Colorado Trail VOICES
The Colorado Trail, an iconic 567-mile high-elevation trail that crosses the Rockies, owes its existence largely to Gudy Gaskill, a charismatic, sixfoot-tall woman who could make tough things seem easy.
Gaskill not only carried out the vision of a state trail, beginning slowly in the late 1970s but also gave birth to it. In 1972, she lobbied Congress, along with forester Bill Lucas, credited with the Colorado Trail idea, to change federal law so that volunteers could be allowed to build trails on public land.
Volunteerism was so potent an idea, that when, in 1984, writer Ed Quillen broke the story about Gaskill’s e orts to revive trail building that had foundered under the Colorado Mountain Trails Foundation, people were energized to join her. Soon, thanks to fundraising, she had 350 volunteers coming each summer to join trail crews she often led herself.
She made creating the Colorado Trail seem like a privilege: You camped out in beautiful backcountry, ate great food, and found stamina you never knew you possessed.
In 1985, caught up in the story, my father, Ed Marston, then publisher of High Country News, volunteered my sister, Wendy, 15, and me, 13, for a week of trail building. at’s how
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Community involvement
I am writing to commend and highlight the joint e orts of the Arvada service clubs to sponsor the screening of “Join or Die,” a lm about why people should join a service club. e lm stems from the work and book “Bowling Alone” by political scientist Robert Putnam. e overriding message is positive and important because civic involvement helps improve the community and address matters of public concern.
WRITERS ON THE RANGE
we learned how to swing those axelike tools called Pulaskis on the Molas Pass to Durango section.
Gaskill herself led our crew, setting out early with orange ribbon to mark the trail. She was e cient and tireless, and in just a few hours, older, urban and young volunteers became trail builders with blisters to prove it.
It was exciting to work on a trail that unfurled along the rooftop of Colorado. Typical trails in those days led up mountains or over steep passes. e Colorado trail rejected peak-bagging and o ered a moderate route of week-long, 70-mile sections, neither losing nor gaining elevation rapidly, though often charting a route above tree line.
I joined a trail crew to revisit my childhood adventure this summer, and from Aug. 7 to 11, Denver friend Je Miller and I worked to repair trail in Cha ee County’s Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
In wilderness, if there’s a tree to fell, you use a handsaw. We needed to move big rocks, so two of us yoked ourselves together in nylon
Although I also believe the lm should have di erentiated the
types of civic involvement by better de ning clubs, groups and organizations because while civic minded people get involved in all types of activities, it is disingenuous to suggest that all civic involvement is encouraged. It is not even if the message is conveyed in the softest tones of “Colorado nice.” e reality is that sometimes even prosocial involvement can lead to con ict, gag orders and laws to neutralize free speech and association. is helps explain why so many people chose not to join groups.
harnesses to do that. We divided labor this way: Men hauled big rocks, and women wielding rock hammers smashed the rocks into gravel.
Trail work has changed a lot in 39 years. Back then we built water bars to stop erosion from runo . Logs anchored into slopes sluiced water o trails but required annual maintenance. Now, water moves o trail through “grade reversals.”
e trail swoops below grade, eciently shunting water o the path, then swoops back up to level grade. Drains are large versions of grade reversals.
My fellow volunteers were largely thru-hikers, skilled backcountry voyageurs who spend their holidays hiking the trail from Denver to Durango in one go. Mark Stephenson, 26, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was one of the trail’s most ardent fans.
He arrived on the trail via Greyhound bus with $40 in his pocket, saying, “ is is a place where money doesn’t matter.”
inking a reported two-and-ahalf-mile hike to camp would be easy, my friend and I arrived at the trailhead loaded up with both front and back packs. I confess to having done the shopping. My friend was optimistic: “I can carry anything two and a half miles.”
But our camp had moved six miles
away and 2,700 feet uphill. We made it, slowly, and once at camp, we quickly became free-store proprietors. But there was another problem: I’d left my tent poles at home. Crew leader Matt Smith, an engineer from Golden, easily came up with a x: He used parachute cord to rig up the tent y, then added a tarp to ward o the rain that soaked us every afternoon and night.
I don’t recall meeting thru-hikers in the mid-1980s, but today they seem to dominate hiking culture. I could only listen as the rest of the group talked about trails known by acronyms, including the famous AT—Appalachian Trail.
“You’re doing great work!” hikers told us as they passed by. Crew leader Smith o ers this perspective today: “19,000 volunteer personhours go into trail improvement every year.”
We owe thanks to those original trail stalwarts—forester Bill Lucas, journalist Merrill Hastings and of course, Gudy Gaskill. eir vision created of one of the state’s wonders.
Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He lives in Durango, Colorado.
But again, I hope next time we sponsor the lm “Join or Die” we can increase the turnout of people who are interested in community involvement. ere are many diverse global causes represented. Timothy D. Allport, Arvada
Thank you state legislators for the Colorado ‘plastic bag ban’ Today I helped with a trash pickup along Ralston Creek (Ralston Central Park). In past years’ trash pickups, you always found plastic lightweight bags — often shredded, snagged in the bushes or oth-
er areas. is year, the crew members I joined agreed with me: there were NO plastic bags littering our public spaces! Now, I watched the recent Arvada Chamber of Commerce candidate forum video, and noted that the Republican candidate for Senate District 19 wanted to “restore the American dream” and speci cally mentioned repealing the state ban on plastic bags. I hope that he realizes that a plasticbag littered community is not most Coloradans’ American Dream.
Mindy Mohr, Arvada
Dave Marston
Quesadillas, fajitas, tacos: Parents helped Je co create 15 new recipes the district is trying this year
OBITUARIES
For the past two years, parents and district sta thought up new meals that might be healthier, and culturally responsive for the largely Latino population in Je co’s Edgewater schools. FILE PHOTO
BY YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT
Azucena Rubio’s kids often complained about meals in their Je co schools.
Her elementary school daughter said the food was cold, sometimes frozen, and had no avor. She often skipped lunch. Her son, now 16, left campus to buy snacks for lunch from the local gas station and was often late coming back to class.
So when she heard that the district was working with a group of parents on improving school meals, she joined in.
For the past two years, more than two dozen parents and district sta worked to think up new meals that might be healthier, and culturally responsive for the largely Latino population in Je co’s Edgewater schools on the western boundary near Denver.
is fall, the district has started serving 15 new recipes at three Edgewater schools, including some submitted by parents. Rubio, for instance, submitted a recipe for enchiladas and one for fried rice, which
SORENSEN
she got out of a nutrition book she uses in a health class she teaches.
Other new recipes include a chicken fajita bowl, pork carnitas tacos, and chicken and cheese quesadillas.
When the district rst made the recipes for a parent taste test, the food was great, Rubio said. But now at schools, it hasn’t been consistently good, her kids report.
“It is getting better, I see they are trying, it’s progressing, slowly, but it is,” Rubio said. Her son is leaving campus much less often.
Parents submitted 27 recipes, then settled on the top 15. e district had to see which could be scaled up to make in large quantities, which could be tweaked to meet federal nutritional guidelines for school meals, and which were doable with the ingredients and kitchen equipment available to the district.
“It’s important to care for the health of our kids,” Rubio said. “If the food is all frozen and processed and not healthy, it can harm the health of our kids.”
Donna (Shaffer) Sorensen
March 3, 1933 - September 25, 2024
Donna K. Sorensen, daughter of John Ross and Bernice Sha er, born 3/3/1933, passed away peacefully at home on 9/25/2024 at the age of 91. Married to Richard Sorensen, Sr. for 58 years until his passing in 2009.
Children: Richard “Dick” Sorensen, Jr. (Kathy), Stacy Taylor (deceased), Donald Sorensen and Sandra Hopson (Steve, deceased). Grandchildren: Daniel Sorensen (Katie), John Sorensen (Tia), Tyler Hopson (deceased), David Taylor and Corey Taylor. Great Grandchildren Adelyn and Luke Sorensen. Surviving sister, Dixie Ballard and
many nieces and nephews. Donna graduated from Arvada High School as Senior Class President. She retired from Rocky Flats after 17 years of service. She enjoyed sports (football, baseball and horse racing) and going to Black Hawk. Donna was so loved by family, friends and all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
ere will be a graveside service at Arvada Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on October 11 with a reception following at Kendrick Cottage,
BY NINA JOSS
Going through the home to declutter every few months can feel good.
Sometimes, the act of decluttering is spurred on by a large life change, like a move. Other times, it’s just nice to get a fresh start.
Deciding what to keep and what to let go can certainly be challenging, but sometimes the hardest part comes once the piles have been made. What should you do with the stroller your kids have grown out of, or the pantsuit you no longer need since you switched jobs?
Luckily, several organizations in Colorado exist to ensure your loved items will nd a second life. From
mattresses to cribs, your items can be recycled or reused — and can help change people’s lives in the process.
Cribs and car seats for young families
In Aurora, an organization called WeeCycle connects families raising infants and toddlers with essential baby gear and supplies.
“We do this by collecting new and gently used items from other community members that are done with their items, but they still have a lot of usable life left in them,” said Executive Director Morgan Seibel. “All of our programming works through that lens of sustainability.”
WeeCycle accepts items including cribs, car seats, strollers, diapers and “pack ‘n plays,” which are portable play and sleeping area units. e
group also accepts baby gates, baby monitors, humidi ers, bassinets and more.
e organization hosts collection events multiple times a week at its warehouse in Aurora and has other partner locations throughout the metro area that accept new diapers, wipes and formula. Pickup services are also available in some cases.
After receiving, cleaning and organizing donations, the team works with about 60 partner organizations to connect usable items to families that need them.
“We try to have a very wide range of di erent organizations … with the common thread that they are supporting families with infants and toddlers, and those families are struggling to provide all the items that they
need,” Seibel said.
ese organizations help immigrant and refugee families, families experiencing homelessness, foster families, families in the court system and more.
Seibel said WeeCycle tries to partner with organizations that provide additional wraparound support services for families, such as housing support, job training, English language classes and more.
“We understand that giving a family a stroller doesn’t solve all the other challenges that they’re facing,” she said.
In the rst two half of this year, WeeCycle distributed over 367,000 items to families in need, totaling an
Employees at Spring Back Colorado smile in the organization’s mattress recycling warehouse.
COURTESY OF SPRING BACK COLORADO
that you no longer need, it can be used to help support women as they embark on their professional journeys.
Dress for Success Denver aims to empower women and all who gender-identify as women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development tools and a network of support, said Executive Director Amara Martin.
e local branch of the international nonpro t accepts women’s business casual to business professional clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories, Martin said. e organization asks that all clothing donated be clean, in season and current.
“ ose clothes are going to immediately go into my clothing boutique, where women are coming down during the week when they have a job interview, as well as when they are starting work,” she said.
When a woman comes into the boutique, she gets to work with a volunteer personal stylist who helps the client identify which out ts will work best for her needs.
in their career the chance to help someone else.
“We all know that the better you look, the more con dent you feel,” she said. “ is is an excellent way to kind of spread that con dence and to help a woman on her journey toward self-de ned success.”
Martin said the organization is often in need of plus-sized clothing, which it receives less often in donations. People who want to help ll this need can donate funds to support Dress for Success Denver in purchasing clothing that matches the sizing needs of their clients.
Mattresses for a better life
One of the most notoriously challenging items to get rid of is a mattress. ey can be hard to sell. Many donation centers don’t take them and they rarely t in a dumpster. Plus, simply throwing away such a large and important item can feel like a waste.
ally largely made of foam, wood and steel, Conway said. e workers separate the materials and compress them into bales, which they then send to recycling partners.
Steel makes its way to mills where it is recycled into new steel products. Foam goes to a plant where it’s made into carpet padding, automobile insulation and more. Wood is turned into landscaping mulch or biofuel.
“Historically, we have been able to recycle anywhere from 85% to about 92% of a mattress,” Conway said. e team recycles about 6,000 to 7,000 mattresses each month, Conway said. at means they diverted about 3.4 million mattresses from land lls in 2023.
“ e worst thing for a land ll is a mattress,” he said. “If you have a nite amount of space in the in the ground, the last thing you want going in there is big, bulky items that don’t break down, that are really hard on equipment and machinery.”
DONATIONS
estimated value of over $1.6 million.
WeeCycle recycles car seats that cannot be reused. ey also try to be creative with other items that cannot be given to families, which has led to donating recalled pillows to animal shelters and donating crib pieces to the local children’s museum maker lab.
Seibel said donating items to WeeCycle can be a great way for families to help others with items that they have grown out of, or perhaps items that they never even used.
“It allows them to really support other members of their community that aren’t able to access the items that they had when raising their children,” she said.
Clothing and confidence for professionals
If you have professional clothing
“ ey, together, shop to nd the best items that are going to t the best, that are going to look the best, that are going to help her feel as condent as possible in her job search,” Martin said.
In 2023, over 1,300 women used the boutique space, Martin said. Some people are referred by partner organizations, and others refer themselves.
In addition to getting free professional clothing, women who use Dress for Success Denver’s services can receive career coaching, take job readiness classes, participate in a job retention program and more.
Martin said if a person is unsure whether their clothes are in season or in style, they should bring it to donate anyway. Anything that doesn’t meet Dress for Success Denver’s requirements will be donated to other organizations that serve women in the community, she said.
e organization accept donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at 2594 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. ey ask that all donations are delivered on hangers, not in garbage bags or boxes.
e organization also accepts donations of unopened, mini-size toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and hand sanitizer.
Martin said donating clothes to Dress for Success Denver can give the clothes that helped a person
Spring Back Colorado gives people an alternative for mattress recycling, while also providing employment opportunities for people who have had challenges entering the workforce due to criminal history, addiction or other challenges.
President Peter Conway said his father started Spring Back Colorado after spending years volunteering at Denver Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter. While working there, he met a lot of people who struggled to nd and keep jobs.
“ e company was created as a way to help those folks get stable employment, get back on their feet, become tax-paying members of the community, and also to help reduce recidivism,” Conway said. “We use mattress recycling as a vehicle to do all of that.”
e company partners with drug and alcohol recovery centers to offer job opportunities to individuals in the programs. One of their main partners is the Stout Street Foundation, a recovery program based in Commerce City, where Spring Back Colorado is also located.
“As their members are going through their treatment program, they basically introduce them into di erent workforces throughout the community,” Conway said. “Once they graduate from that program, they’re able to come on in a more full-time capacity with us.”
At the mattress recycling warehouse, employees break down mattresses that have been picked up or dropped o . Mattresses are usu-
Spring Back Colorado has partnerships with land lls to bring mattresses to the recycling plant. In many cases, recycling a mattress with Spring Back Colorado — which costs a $40 recycling fee if you drop it o at the warehouse — costs less than throwing it away at a land ll, Conway said.
Spring Back Colorado also o ers mattress pickup, which costs an additional $60 to $90 transportation fee, depending on distance.
Conway said recycling mattresses is the environmentally responsible thing to do.
“Bringing them to us, you are helping create that land ll waste diversion,” he said. “Shifting the awareness and the consumer to do the right thing, I think is only going to continue to become more and more impactful on an environmental level.”
But perhaps even more importantly, Conway said, bringing mattresses to Spring Back Colorado helps make a di erence in people’s lives.
Bobby Dainko, who works as the community development director at Spring Back Colorado, is a graduate of Stout Street Foundation. When he started working at the mattress recycling facility, he was experiencing homelessness and had 11 warrants.
Five years later, he is a homeowner, is employed and says he loves his life. He credits Spring Back Colorado for the transformation.
“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be,” he said. “I might even be dead. It allowed me to get my life back … You can’t put a price on what I’ve gotten back.”
A woman smiles in her new professional outfit from the Dress for Success Denver boutique. COURTESY OF DRESS FOR SUCCESS DENVER
Arvada Center explores the possibilities of ceramics
One of the simple joys of autumn is wrapping your hands around a warm mug of your favorite hot beverage. e Arvada Center is channeling that pleasure in one of its three new fall exhibitions, all of which celebrate and examine the many uses of ceramics.
MUGSHOT, Wright Place, Wrong Time: Triumphs & Flops for Mid-Century Modern Table and Bebe Alexander: Impact & In uence are all on display at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Sunday, Nov. 10.
“All three of these shows are a testament to how versatile ceram-
COMING ATTRACTIONS
ics are and how special the ceramics studio we have here is,” said Collin Parson, director of galleries and curator. “We hope people who see them discover a ceramics passion of their
For the Main Gallery’s MUGSHOT, Parson asked artists to submit anything that was inuenced by a mug. It didn’t have to be functional or even ceramic, and as a result, he received around 310
mugs, made out of everything from wood and glass to acrylic.
In the eatre Gallery, the idea was an exhibit that was the opposite of the individually crafted mugs: industrially-produced items. For Wright Place, Wrong Time, the center partnered with the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art to showcase Russel Wright’s American Modern dinnerware line, which is the best-selling ceramic service of all time.
Experiences so fascinating and fun. is year the event is held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. every ursday and Friday in October at the Women’s History Center, 1310 Bannock St. in Denver. ere is also daytime availability at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and 26.
e experience provides an eerie and enlightening tour back to Victorian times to explore society’s attitude towards death through macabre artifacts, room tours and stories of notable deaths in Denver. All the details and tickets can be found at www.historycolorado.org/victorian-death-experiences.
But according to the provided information, not every pattern Wright produced was a hit with consumers, so Parson and his team turned the exhibit into an interactive game. Visitors can see Wright’s designers — as well as works by his famous contemporaries Eva Zeisel, Ben Seibel and Charles Murphy — and try to guess which designs were successful and which weren’t.
“ ere’s a ip panel where visitors can turn it over and it will reveal if the pattern sold well or not,” Parson explained. “It’s a fun way to explore these high-production pottery items.”
e nal exhibit is a very personal one for Parson and everyone at the Arvada Center. Bebe Alexander was the center’s ceramics coordinator for more than 30 years, but she retired this August. So, the Upper Gallery’s Bebe Alexander: Impact & In uence is a chance to celebrate all her work. Visitors can see Alexander’s creations, which render architectural forms and manmade objects in clay, as well as the work of past students and colleagues who were in uenced by Alexander.
“Her retirement was a big loss for the Arvada Center, but she set up a wonderful ceramics program here, one of the best in the region,” Parson said. “A show to celebrate her impact was important and I’m glad we did it, because she is very deserving.”
For more information on the exhibitions and some associated special events, visit https://arvadacenter. org/galleries/current-exhibitions.
Explore how Victorians dealt with death
e Victorians had some very… interesting thoughts around death. Exploring these beliefs is what makes the Center for Colorado Women’s History Victorian Death
Hudson Gardens brings back the Jack O’Lantern Magic
It wouldn’t be autumn in the metro area without the annual Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, held at Hudson Gardens, 6115 S Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. is year, the event runs on select nights through Saturday, Nov. 2.
Presented by irteenth Floor Entertainment Group, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns features more than 7,000 pumpkins shining brightly in the night as they guide visitors through a fun and interactive trail. Along the way, guests will meet everything from pirates to dinosaurs and dragons. And new features this year include a light show set to music and DIY s’mores stations. For more information and tickets, visit https://magicofthejackolanterns.com/denver/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Clairo at Mission Ballroom
No matter what genre she is working in, Claire Elizabeth Cottrill (better known as Clairo), makes music you can sink into. Her new album, “Charm,” might be her strongest yet, bridging the gap between singer/ songwriter and indie pop, making something warm and welcoming. In support of her album, Clairo will be stopping by the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. It should be a lovely evening of music, so head over to www.ticketmaster.com to get tickets.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached atClarke.Reader@hotmail. com.
Clarke Reader of
Thu 10/17
Monster Quest with Hutch (Fall Break)
@ 9am / Free
Golden History Museum & Park, 923 10th St, Golden. 303-278-3557
A Brother's Fountain: ABF at New Terrain Brewing
@ 6pm
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
Fri 10/18
Nostalgix @ 7pm
Imagine Dragons: LOOM WORLD TOUR
@ 7pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morri‐
son
ANDR?? 3000: New Blue Sun Live
In Concert Fall 2024 Tour
@ 8pm
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver
Guitar Gods: Metheny, Montgomery, and More
@ 6:30pm / $28
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Blü Egyptian at The Woodcellar @ 8pm
The Woodcellar Bar & Grill, 1552 Bergen Pkwy #101, Evergreen
Sat 10/19
Clay Cutler @ 3pm
The Empourium Brewing Company, 4385 W 42nd Ave, Denver
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada. mturner@arvadacen ter.org
Rotating Tap Comedy @ Someplace Else Brewery @ 7pm
SomePlace Else Brewery, 6425 W 52nd Ave #6, Arvada
Sun 10/20
Chris Irvin and Friends Cookout @ 3pm / $5-$10
Kulture Music Hall, Denver
Mon 10/21
Dan and Phil @ 8pm
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver
Tue 10/22
The Dear Hunter @ 8pm
The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Daniel Caesar @ 7pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Reggie Watts @ 6pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Marc Rebillet: WE OUTSIDE TOUR @ 8pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Wed 10/23 Calendar
RECIPES
Logistical and communication challenges arise
District o cials say their goal was not only to respond to the community, but also to explore ways to increase the amount of speed scratch cooking — a version of cooking from scratch that is simpli ed for school meals, and uses more fresh ingredients.
But throughout the time working with families to plan these meals, and even as the schools started testing some recipes last year, there have been challenges.
Some problems relate to communication between families and the school district. In the second half of last year, the district hired a facilitator to help run the meetings with families to improve the trust. Many families believe that they
weren’t being listened to and that the district was not opening up about why certain foods weren’t able to be served or why some kitchen equipment wasn’t being used. School nutrition o cials worried that families didn’t understand the guidelines by which they had to operate. en there were some logistical challenges. e chicken bowl, for instance, was served with all the ingredients, such as cheese and lettuce, separate so kids who have allergies could still eat it. But that was a problem for younger children.
“Kids don’t know you need to put it all together, so they don’t know you’re making a chicken bowl,” said Tara Peña, Je co’s chief of family and community partnerships, who helped lead the pilot. ere are also questions about the cost.
Last year, meals were served as a test one day a week at the three schools — Edgewater Elementary, Lumberg Elementary, and Je erson
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Junior/Senior High — but the district didn’t track the costs per meal. Combined, the three schools serve, on average, about 814 meals per day.
One potential cost is additional lunch sta . e three pilot schools have one additional sta member compared to other schools serving a similar number of meals per day.
Another potentially expensive problem in expanding is space –some school kitchens have more room to cook speed scratch meals than others. e district has a makeshift central kitchen, but it’s not large enough to accommodate cooking for all district schools.
“It does lead to some inconsistencies in the type of scratch cooking we can do for some students vs others,”
Superintendent Tracy Dorland told the school board last month. Building a large central kitchen, as other districts are doing, might be the answer, she said, but it would be costly.
Je co Board members who received an update on the pilot also asked about sustainability and whether the plan is to expand to other schools.
an option,” said James Lesley, assistant director of support and compliance in nutrition services for Aurora schools. “We know that students want choices. By o ering more options, it just helps everyone.”
During COVID, some of the meal options went away because of supply problems with vendors, but the district is working to bring them back. At a recent food show where families voted on new meals, the Aurora district saw that families were particularly excited about the reintroduction of pupusas.
Families also highly rated guacamole and a beverage similar to the Starbucks Pink Drink, but which meets school nutrition standards. e pink drink might be served as a special treat on Valentine’s Day.
In Je co, Rubio said that wanting healthier meals for all students is about advocating for students who might not have ideal circumstances at home.
“We pay taxes and schools get the money,” Rubio said. “I believe our kids deserve food that is healthier. Not every parent knows or has the income to send their kids with lunch every day.”
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“How do you scale the concept of culturally sensitive?” asked board member Danielle Varda. “ e meals you’re making now may not be appealing to parents and families in lots of other schools, so like where do we scale what we’re doing in these three schools and do we have to adapt culturally sensitive approaches everywhere?”
District leaders said that they’re still working through the answer.
“It was a call to action for that community and you’re absolutely right it might not be appropriate to apply or assume that what this community needs and wants for their children and families is appropriate or needed in another community,” Peña said.
Parents say more options at more schools is better
In Aurora Public Schools, one of the most diverse districts in the state, leaders started incorporating culturally varied meals such as chicken tikka masala, empanadas, and pupusas in 2015. e meals are served at all schools, but the schools always serve at least four or ve meal options. e district doesn’t serve certi ed halal or kosher meals, but tries to o er meals that would naturally be halal such as lentils.
“Someone who is vegetarian or doesn’t eat pork, will always have
Brisneida Barrueta, who arrived in Colorado from Venezuela in December, is living with her husband and two daughters in Je co. Barrueta also participated with the group of parents working on the pilot program after realizing her daughters refused to eat their school lunches.
Barrueta said she struggles with packing school meals every day. Sometimes it’s because the working mom is limited on time. Sometimes it’s because her family doesn’t have a lot of food at home.
“As an immigrant, we don’t always have everything necessary for them to eat,” Barrueta said. “We’ve struggled a lot.”
Barrueta submitted a couple of recipes, and one of them, baked chicken with potatoes, a dish she made at home in Venezuela, is one of the meals being piloted. She said her daughters de nitely enjoy that meal, but are still picky about eating some of the other foods. Even when the meal is similar to something they like, she said, it’s prepared in di erent ways or with di erent ingredients. If school meals were healthier and her daughters could eat it, she said, “it would be such a great help.”
Reprinted with permission. Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.
Local car registration fees possible
Colorado bill could let local governments collect fees for bike lanes, crosswalks
BY SARA WILSON COLORADO NEWSLINE
e Colorado Legislature could consider a bill next year that would enable local governments to impose additional vehicle registration fees to pay for infrastructure proven to make streets safer for non-drivers. at bill advanced through the Transportation Legislation Review Committee on a 12-5 vote as one of its interim bills to be introduced during the regular session. It would let cities and counties charge registration fees on light trucks and passenger vehicles beginning in 2026 to fund so-called “vulnerable
road user protection strategies,” which are road features to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. at
includes bike lanes, street medians, crosswalk visibility enhancements, rumble strips and tra c circles designed to manage speed, which are all features that the Federal Highway Administration recommends.
“We want to convince folks to hop on the bus, get on their bike or to walk to the market. But we recognize that our members need to feel safe doing so,” said Anita Seitz, the advocacy director for Colorado Communities for Climate Action. “In 2023, Colorado saw cyclist deaths increase and pedestrian deaths reach an all-time high. Bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure investments help to protect our residents and save lives, but there’s simply limited dollars dedicated to this purpose.”
A bicyclist travels on a protected bike lane on 13th Street in Boulder on Aug. 14, 2021. PHOTO BY QUENTIN YOUNG COLORADO NEWSLINE
Catching up with Clark: Wyndham talks Olympics, Presidents Cup
BY ED KLAJMAN
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Last year, Wyndham Clark became a U.S. Open champion, won a prestigious PGA Tour event, qualied for the elite 12-member United States Ryder Cup squad and ended the year among the world’s top 10 golfers.
is season, his list of stunning career achievements got even longer.
In February, the Valor Christian High School alum shot a courserecord and career-low round of 60 at iconic Pebble Beach in winning another prominent tournament.
In July, he became an Olympian – one of just four Americans to represent the country in the men’s golf tournament in Paris.
And last week, to nish o the year, he appeared in his rst Presidents Cup as a key member of a Team USA side that dominated the International team – another perk that comes with being ranked as high as number three in the world in 2024.
And yet, even with all that, right up there with all of those highlights – and maybe even exceeding them in some ways – is what happened in late August for the 30-year-old Highlands Ranch native.
For the rst time in his life, he was nally able to compete in a professional golf tournament held on Colorado soil, when the BMW Championship – an event for only the tour’s top 50 players – came to Castle Pines Golf Club.
Speaking at the Presidents Cup,
as he re ected back on his season, the former Valor Christian basketball star described how much the BMW Championship meant to him, considering how there used to be a regular PGA Tour stop at Castle Pines he attended regularly as a child. at was a huge inspiration for him pursuing a career in professional golf.
“It was awesome,” Clark said, noting how special it was to have so many family members and friends from home watch him compete, and to have local golf fans come out in large numbers to cheer on one of their own. “ e fans in Colorado really embraced me. It felt amazing,” he said, noting that the only disappointment was ending in a tie for 13th place.
“I was really bummed how I n-
ished,” said the former collegiate star at the University of Oregon. “I would’ve loved to have won, or at least had a chance, you know, just maybe had a little better last few holes. But when I look back at it, I felt like I made my city and state proud.”
He was also a little melancholy knowing that it was one-o , and there are no current plans to bring a regular tour event back to Colorado.
“You know, I’m bummed that it might not happen for another ve, ten years, who knows,” said Clark, who grew up playing at Cherry Hills Golf Club, a membership his father Randall got at great nancial sacri ce for the family of ve so that Wyndham could pursue his gol ng dreams.
Clark admitted that it was a bit surprising – but extremely touching – for him to discover that there are countless people from his hometown and home state who have been following all his accomplishments quite closely.
“Any time you’re on these big stages like the Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup or Olympics, you gain fans, you grow as maybe a hometown favorite in Colorado, or sometimes for your country,” said Clark, who credits his mother Lise – who passed away when he was in college after a battle with breast cancer – with instilling the drive and self-belief he needed to succeed. “You know, I noticed when I was there (Castle Pines) that people were bringing up the Olympics, and bringing up Team USA stu , which was really neat. So yeah, I just feel like I’ve been very blessed in the things I’ve been able to do.”
With the o -season now upon him, he’ll head to his home in Scottsdale, where many PGA players reside. He’ll recharge his batteries and start working on his game in preparation to get even better in 2025.
He’s philosophical about the bar being so high after a phenomenal two years.
Wyndham Clark kisses the trophy after his victory at the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KEANE/USGA
Colorado lacks tracking for foster care runaways
Child Protection Ombudsman says state needs ‘meaningful analysis’
BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado should keep track of basic information about foster children who run away, including their age and race, how they were able to run, and why, according to a state task force set up to help protect them.
e task force that met for two years said the state lacks such basic, extractable data about runaways that it’s hard to conduct “any meaningful analysis.” e creation of such a database was among one of several recommendations released Tuesday as the task force came out with its nal report.
When a child in foster care goes missing, the county child welfare division is required to report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children immediately, or within 24 hours. Foster parents and sta who run residential centers also are required to tell local law enforcement when they realize a child is gone.
But Colorado has no “standard, statewide system that e ectively collects information and data regarding instances of children and youth running away from care, nor is there a current system that allows for the extrapolation of data in a way that would allow for meaningful analysis,” said the nal report from task force, organized by the O ce of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman.
Without more data, Colorado will struggle to get at the root causes of why children run away and how to stop it. e task force is named after Timothy Montoya, a 12-year-old boy who ran away from Tennyson Center for Children in Denver and was struck by a vehicle and killed. He was one of two boys who died after leaving Denver-area centers and being hit by cars. e other was 15-year-old Andrew Potter.
A Colorado Sun/9 News investigation into their deaths found police were summoned to residential centers hundreds of times each month to deal with runaways.
a child was missing, how many times they have run away, the reasons they say they ed, the services they were provided when they were found and whether any physical restraints were used to try to prevent them from running, the report said.
By looking at data collected in other states, the task force found that children who are removed from their homes at an older age are more likely to run away and that children of color, and especially Black children, are more likely to run.
rough interviews with foster youth who have run away, the task force found that many referred to a “triggering event” that included a phone call from home or news that they were missing out on events at home. ey said they ed while they were in a “state of emergency” that interfered with their ability to consider the consequences of running.
Sta are confused about when they can prevent kids from leaving Colorado has about 3,500 children living in foster families, residential treatment centers and other placements. In the past year, 34 children ran away from these placements and were not returned, according to Colorado Department of Human Services data. e state does not track how many foster youth are missing on a daily basis.
e data captured for a future database should include: how long
without any intervention by facility sta ,” the report says.
e task force’s report also called on Colorado to create a runaway prevention curriculum that would be required for all foster parents and residential centers. And the group said Colorado needs to consider adding safety measures at residential treatment centers that would prevent children and teens from leaving the property. While some facilities have locks, fencing and alarms, others do not because they do not think it’s allowed.
“ is has led to a situation where youth are often able to simply walk away from care without any barriers,” the report said.
Colorado law is too ambiguous about a facility’s ability to prevent a child or teen from walking away, the task force found. “Youth are often allowed to leave the premises
Sta at the facilities reported in one study that they’re regularly confused and paralyzed by what’s known as the Colorado “Restraint and Seclusion Act,” which says they cannot physically prevent a child from leaving a residential treatment center unless the child is in imminent danger. In one case, a worker watched as a 13-year-old boy ran from a center in the middle of a blizzard wearing only sweats and ipops. Instead of trying to catch him, she kept an eye on the boy from her car until the child returned to the facility on his own.
e task force also recommended that after runaways are returned, they should have access to a shortterm stabilization center to deal with the trauma that occurred while they were on the run.
Lawmakers created and funded the task force, including research assistance from the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver. e panel’s report
now goes to lawmakers, who can decide whether to propose changes in law based on the recommendations.
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.
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Elizabeth Montoya’s 12-year-old son, Timmy, was killed after running away from Tennyson Center for Children and being struck by a car.
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“It all depends on how I handle the expectations,” he said. “Everyone else puts a lot of expectations on players as you start having success. I
REGISTRATION
e fees could be higher on heavier and less fuel e cient vehicles. According to draft bill text, a car between 3,500 and 4,499 pounds could have a maximum fee of $3.60. at is about the weight of a Subaru Outback. e highest fee would be $52 for a truck over 9,500 pounds.
A similar bill came before the Legislature this year to create an enterprise fund for these projects, but it
put a lot on myself as well. But one thing I will say is playing and competing in majors and winning majors and tournaments and playing on these (Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup) teams makes you want to do it more and more and be part of it all the time. It’s the best motivator for getting to the top. You know, the big-
died in committee. is version gives the fee collection power to local governments instead.
Ridgway Mayor John Clark told the committee that while mass public transit is not totally feasible in his rural community, pedestrian and bike transportation is an opportunity to meet climate goals and reduce car use.
“We can’t expect our residents to get out of their cars until biking and walking becomes reliably safe,” he said.
e bill will be sponsored by Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat, Rep. Stephanie Vigil,
gest thing is you want to stay up there and climb higher.”
He added that he’s “really looking forward to the challenge” of achieving that.
“I get a great o -season after this event where I get to work and go: ‘OK, how can I improve?’” Clark said. “I don’t really try to do results goals.
a Colorado Springs Democrat, Sen. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Littleton Democrat.
Republicans on the committee said they were concerned that a local government would be able to charge a new fee without voter approval.
“I can’t be supportive of the bill today, but the concept of trying to get the consent of the voters would certainly move me to be supportive, and we can work on that if the bill moves forward,” said Sen. Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican.
Republican Rep. Matt Soper of
I try to get better in certain areas of my game, like certain stats I want to get better at, certain things mentally I have to get better at. It’s really a fun part of the year when you forecast what you want the next year to be like, set all the goals, and then if you go and accomplish them, it’s kind of the most rewarding thing in what we do.”
Delta said the bill seemed to be in contrast to the Colorado tradition of taking similar scal matters to a vote. e committee advanced a handful of other bills for the full Legislature to consider when it reconvenes in January. at includes a bill to bolster public transit options for people with disabilities, a bill criminalizing vehicular document piracy and a bill to repeal the con dentiality requirement for railroad investigative reports. is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
of the Arvada City Code Pertaining to Wastewater Users Rates and Bimonthly Service Charges and Section 102-355 of Chapter 102, Utilities, of the Arvada City Code
Pertaining to Stormwater Users Rates
CB24-015, An Ordinance Appropriating Funds for Fiscal year 2025
CB24-016, An Ordinance Certifying the City of Arvada Mill Levy for 2024 for the Board of County Commissioners for Jefferson and Adams Counties
Legal Notice No. 419125
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 10, 2024 Publisher: Jeffco Transcript
NOTICE
The following ordinances were adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvada on second reading following the public hearing held on October 7, 2024:
Ordinance #4877 An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of the Cul-de-Sac of W. 59th Avenue Dedicated as Right of Way as Shown on the Replat of a Portion of Crestmont Subdivision, Adjacent to 5858 Ward Road, City of Arvada, County of Jefferson, State of Colorado.
Ordinance #4878 An Ordinance Repealing and Reenacting Various Sections of Chapter 14, Animals, of the Arvada City Code that Relate to the Impoundment of Animals.
Legal Notice No. 419126
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 10, 2024
Publisher: Jeffco Transcript
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Hometown Metropolitan District No. 2 (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2024 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, Colorado, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on October 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. via video/teleconference. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget or the 2024 amended budget, inspect the 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.
You can attend the meetings in any of the following ways:
1. To attend via video conference, email ljaco-
by@specialdistrictlaw.com to obtain a link to the video conference.
2. To attend via telephone, dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following information: Meeting ID: 871 7062 1823 Passcode: 225155
HOMETOWN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2
/s/Suzanne M. Meintzer McGEADY BECHER CORTESE WILLIAMS P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. JT255
First Publication: October 10, 2024
Last Publication: October 10, 2024
Publisher: Jeffco Transcript & Arvada Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the LEYDEN ROCK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (the “District”), will hold a public hearing at 17685 W. 83rd Dr., Arvada, Colorado and via teleconference on October 15th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., to consider adoption of the District’s proposed 2025 budget (the “Proposed Budget”), and, if necessary, adoption of an amendment to the 2024 budget (the “Amended Budget”). The public hearing may be joined using the following teleconference
The Proposed Budget and Amended Budget are available for inspection by the public at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 East Crescent
Metro Districts Budget Hearings
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