Make merry: Olde Town Arvada holiday events guide
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, Olde Town Arvada is preparing for the festivities with a smattering of wintry events that will ll the historic district with cheer.
Returning this year is the Annual Eggnog and Cider Competition, Saturdays with Santa and the Olde Town Ice Skating Rink, along with the revamped-for-this year Winter Market. New features of the season will be Winter Drink Passport and the Olde Town Arvada Holiday Bingo game.
e Drink Passport will see 17 businesses participate in a number of drink specials for passport holders, who can try out any of the o ers from Nov. 26 to Jan. 31. Passports cost $75 and can be pur-
chased online.
Some o erings included with the passport are a free house margarita at Cochino Taco, a free Cranberry Yum Yum from Denver Beer Company, a free glass of wine from Flights Wine Café, a free domestic pint at Homegrown Tap and Dough and a free peppermint mocha from Hunter Bay Co ee Roasters. Olde Town Arvada Holiday Bingo is a promotion happening throughout the holiday season that allows folks to pick up a bingo board from any Olde Town retailer and get in on the fun. Once a bingo board is acquired, folks can cross o events attended and holiday checklist items to be entered in a chance to win an Olde Town Arvada gift card.
“Our old town holiday Bingo is designed so you can go around and visit your favor-
ite businesses, but hopefully also discover some new businesses and really kind of support our local economy this holiday season,” Olde Town BID Executive Director Joe Hengstler said.
Here are some of the other events happening in Olde Town this holiday season:
9th Annual Eggnog and Cider Competition/Lagniappe | Dec. 9
5-8 p.m. Dec. 9 e Eggnog and Cider Competition — along with Lagniappe — return on the second Monday of December for another addition of the Olde Town favorite, which features mainstays Scrumptious, e Arvada Tavern and the Bluegrass, along with relative newcomers Cochino Taco and Secret Level.
Non-alcoholic o erings are limited this year, as only La
Arvada Flour Mill seeing renaissance due to e orts of Historical Society
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada Historical Society Founder Lois Lindstrom had big plans for the city’s historic preservation e orts, and nearly 50 years after Lindstrom successfully got the Arvada Flour Mill placed on the National Register of Historic Places, some of those plans are still working their way into fruition. Lindstrom’s vision for the mill — which was built in 1926 by E.E. Benjamin and quickly became a staple of the budding community in its nascent years with its sale of “Arva-Pride Flour” — centered around turning the property into a permanent reminder of the city’s agricultural roots.
After the mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the Arvada Historical Society took up ownership of the property in 1977. e society then organized a three-year community clean-up e ort to restore and transform the mill into the museum, with Lindstrom donating audio tour equipment to the projects. at work was completed in 1980. Another major restoration was completed in 2011, but further e orts to continue restoring the mill hit a snag in the late 2010’s with the construction of the Olde Town RTD station, the COVID-19 pandemic and the retirement of many longtime volunteers.
Dolce Vita, Hunter Bay Co ee Roasters and Scrumptious are serving up kid-friendly samples.
Holiday Winter Market/Saturdays with Santa | Dec. 7, 14 and 21 Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Breakfast with Santa from 11 a.m. to noon; Santa from noon to 3 p.m. is year’s Winter Market is revamped a bit, as Hengstler explained.
“We’re super excited about that,” Hengstler said. “ e big change this year is that we’ve added a few additional vendors, so it’s going to actually extend down Grandview and just give people kind of more options, and hopefully bring them around the district so they can also visit our brick and mortar shops.”
Mill e orts lay dormant for a few years until the involvement of Society Volunteer Karen Miller in the project, which she joined in on in 2022. Miller’s e orts began with opening the mill to the public for regular hours, special events, and tours — school and public ones alike — and have moved onto creating a master plan for the future of the historic building.
Miller has helped to form a committee of experts to draft the master plan. e group includes Historical Architecture Expert Deborah Andrews, who chairs the committee, as well as longtime Historical Society contributors Cynthia Shaw and Steve Byers.
“ e plan encompasses, among other things, goals, use of the site, a business plan, a preservation plan, a nancial plan and — most importantly — the vision for the mill,” Miller said.
One of the early goals of the committee is to plant winter wheat at the property to harken back to its agricultural roots. Byers, who has experience with farming, is leading the charge on that
The Holiday Market returns with a revamped format, taking visitors down the Olde Town streets. FILE PHOTO
FLOUR MILL
front and using the crop as an opportunity to educate folks about pieces of historical farm equipment on the site. If all goes well, the wheat will be harvested next summer, Miller said.
Miller said one di culty in crafting the master plan is accounting for the refurbishing restrictions allowed under the National Register for Historic Places’ rules, which stipulate that buildings must be left largely unmodi ed. “ e mill is on the National Register so changes to the exterior cannot be accommodated to provide a better ow
of entering and exiting the mill,” Miller said. “ is presents challenges and the plan needs to t the property. ( e mill) is a community asset. Our goal is for the community to embrace it as the unique and iconic symbol of Arvada’s past that it is.”
e committee has its eyes on April 12, 2026 — the 100 niversary of the rst sack of our being sold — as a potential celebration and entry to the state’s celebration of the 250/150; the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood and 250 versary for the United States.
“Stay tuned,” Miller said.
For now tours of the mill will continue by appointment until spring and summer, when that’ll have more regular hours. Tours are $10 each and include the Lindstrom-penned book “ e Old Mill. Tickets can be purchased at Carly’s Boutique.
The historic Arvada Flour Mill.
PHOTOS OURTESY ARVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Historic photo of the mill, which was built in 1926.
The mill is the frequent site of local 2nd grade field trips.
More of the mill’s rennovations.
The inside of the mill has been refurbished to be opened to the public.
Department of Justice Objects to Key Part of the NAR Settlement as Anti-Competitive
When the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed on March 15th to a $415-million-dollar settlement with a class of home sellers in Missouri, there were two changes which NAR agreed to make.
The first was to remove from the nation’s MLSs all mention of commissions being shared cooperatively with buyer brokers. The second was that all buyers must sign an agreement with any broker (other than the listing agent) before showing another agent’s listing.
If a buyer were to call one of us to see a listed home, we would want to make sure they were a qualified buyer before taking the time to show them a listing, but few of us would bother with any paperwork unless and until they wanted us to compose an offer to buy that or another listing. And we universally got away with that approach.
Last week, the judge in that case was scheduled to affirm or deny that settlement, and on Sunday, Nov. 30th, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a 5-page “statement of interest” stating that, in the DOJ’s opinion, the latter provision was anti-competitive and should be struck down.
So it was a bit of a pain (and an annoyance to the buyer) when we were told that from now on we had to get any prospective buyer to sign a “showing agreement” or a “buyer agency agreement.”
provision of the settlement. And let it be said that this rule was pretty meaningless in the context of the complaint on which the NAR settlement was based, namely that listing agents shouldn’t be sharing their commission with buyer’s agents.
Regarding the other requirement of the NAR settlement outlawing commission sharing and the publishing of “cooperative” commissions on MLSs, it has had little effect here in Colorado. All that happened was that offers of compensation were rephrased on listing agreements and on contracts to buy real estate.
judge in the settlement case deny that aspect of the agreement, too? Perhaps, but one can always hope!
The
Origin of
the 2.8% Co-op
At press time for this column, the judge had not yet affirmed the settlement, so maybe this is old news to readers, but I wanted to share it with you in case you haven’t heard about the DOJ filing.
We Realtors had taken a grin-and-bearit attitude toward both rules, and I personally hadn’t considered what the DOJ is now espousing — namely, that when you ask a buyer to sign a representation agreement with one broker just to see a home, no matter how short the term of that agreement, you are limiting the ability of other brokers to compete for that buyer’s business.
Prior to the NAR rule, it was considered proper practice to provide a buyer with whom we interact with a “Brokerage Disclosure to Buyer” stating that they are a “Customer” and not a client, but I don’t know any brokers who actually did that.
Since the NAR settlement didn’t say what kind of agreement that should be, I created a simple “Showing Agreement” which I printed up for our broker associates and gave to them, padded, to keep in their glove compartments. Before entering a listing, they were to fill in the blanks and have the buyer sign it before entering the listing. That copy would be given to the buyer, and I suggested that our broker associates take a picture of it on their smartphone — not to print and file it, but just to keep it on their phone as a record.
The fact remains that there is no one to audit whether this form is completed, although I suppose there could be “secret shoppers” who would test agents to see if they are doing that. But, remember, this is a NAR rule, not a state law, so any audits by the Real Estate Commission would not include verifying that such forms were being completed. For that reason, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of agents who simply ignore that NAR rule.
Regardless, it would be a relief if, following this DOJ filing, the judge in the NAR settlement case were to deny that
Now, the listing agreements still state the same total commission — 5 to 6 percent, or whatever — but instead of saying how much of that commission the listing agent will offer to an agent for the buyer, the listing agreement now says how much the seller will offer to an agent for the buyer and then says that, if that amount is indeed paid to a buyer’s agent, that percentage will be deducted from the commission paid to the listing agent. In other words, no change except in phraseology.
Why the amount the seller is offering can’t be stated on the MLS makes no sense. Would it be too much to have the
Have you ever wondered why 2.8% became the typical or standard commission offered to “cooperating brokers” who represent buyers? Here’s a history lesson. It was explained to me that, before the U.S. Department of Justice said that the Denver Board of Realtors (DBOR) was engaging in price fixing by dictating commission rates, DBOR set the listing commission at 7%, and dictated that 40% of that amount, or 2.8%, was the proper amount to be shared with agents representing buyers.
After price-fixing was outlawed, listing commissions declined, but the 2.8% co-op remained a fixture, so to speak, because sellers and their agents didn’t want buyer agents to avoid their listings in favor of listings still offering 2.8%.
Nowadays, with buyers doing their own searching online (where that co-op commission was hidden from consumers), the reluctance to offer less than 2.8% diminished and now is far less important.
My Feb. 17, 2022, column reported that the percentage of listings offering less than 2.8% had grown from 2% in 2015 to 30%.
Is Your Home Fully Prepared for Winter?
Now that our warm autumn is giving way to the cold spells of winter, have you done everything you should to prepare for cold weather?
Frozen pipes should be your number one concern, given the damage burst pipes can cause. Are your outdoor hose bibs the kind that resist freezing? They’re easy enough to install. They work because the valve itself is deep within the unit so that it benefits from the warmth within your house.
Does the caulking around your windows need refreshing? Leakage around windows is a major source of lost heat.
ommend annual cleaning and servicing of HVAC systems.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, when was the chimney last cleaned? Chimney fires are all too common.
Tree trimming is expensive, but should be considered, given the increase in hurricane-force winds due to climate change. Is there a tree that could fall on your home? Consider removing it, or at least trimming threatening branches.
This is a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and maybe install fresh batteries.
$750,000
Condos in this building at 722 Washington Avenue (called Washington Station) are in great demand because of its location right in downtown Golden. This new listing is for Unit 201, which has a great corner location directly above the unit’s deeded parking spot. Moreover, the stairs to the parking garage are right next to the door to this unit. (There’s also an elevator, of course.) This is a mixed use building, with commercial units, including the Golden Bike Shop, on the main ground floor. The unit itself features an open floor plan, with slab granite countertops and cherry cabinets with handles, and an island with breakfast bar to complement the dining area. At left is the view from the 5.5’x11.3’ balcony outside the living room. That view is also from both bedrooms. The bathrooms and kitchen have ceramic tile floors, and the rest of the unit has carpeting in like new condition. There’s a 7’-deep storage room and laundry closet with vinyl flooring. Take a narrated video tour at GoldenCondo.info, then come to the open house this Saturday, 11am to 1pm.
There’s so much to love about this home at 7085 W. 32nd Pl.! For starters, it’s a handyman’s delight with an oversized 2-car garage that is heated and has 200 Amps of power, including two 240-Volt circuits! Also, one of the basement bedrooms has been converted into a sound studio with professional soundproofing such that neighbors and the people upstairs wouldn’t be aware of it! Altogether, including that studio with its ensuite bathroom, this home has five bedrooms and three full bathrooms. And it has a full-size bar with bar stools next to that studio in the
Check your dryer vent for built-up lint, a major cause of house fires.
Change the filter in your forced-air furnace to improve its efficiency. I rec-
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Big Price Reduction on Brick Ranch in Wheat Ridge
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Onto the next game
Arvada Aquatics Center opens
Natatorium grand opening welcomes Arvadans, shows o amenities
BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO THE ARVADA PRESS
Move over Meyers Pool, there’s a new natatorium in town.
On Nov. 23, the Arvada Aquatics Center, which replaced Meyers Pool, opened its doors with a splash.
e pool’s grand opening featured a ribbon cutting, facility tours and demonstrations of the pool’s amenities. Arvadans had the chance to walk through the new facility, with signs throughout telling them about aspects of the pool. Swimmers from the North Je co Swim Team showed o their diving and swimming skills, reveling in all the pool had to o er.
e celebration also featured a ceremonial rst cannonball with Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson, councilmember Sharon Davis and Apex Director Jo Burns jumping into the pool.
Arvada Aquatics Center — or AAC — was a collaborative project, completed through an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Arvada, Je erson County Public Schools and the Apex Parks and Recreation District. e 50,000-square-foot complex is designed for competition, with a 50-meter pool with adjustable bulkheads for different competition con gurations, a 25yard pool for swim lessons and exercise programs, and a diving well that features three 1-meter springboards, three 3-meter springboards, and 3-meter and 5-meter diving platforms. e facility also features spectator seating for over 800 and on-deck participant seating for over 600. e facility’s new name was suggested by community members and chosen by the Arvada City Council.
Pomona senior Izaya Hawkins, middle, is helped up by teammates after recovering a Windsor fumble in the end zone for the Panthers’ first touchdown Saturday, Nov. 23, at the North Area Athletic Complex. Pomona defeated Windsor 27-23 to advance to the Class 3A state semifinals.
PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Splash! Apex Director Jo Burns, Mayor Lauren Simpson and councilmember Sharon Davis jump in the water at Arvada Aquatics Center to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. PHOTOS BY LILLIAN FUGLEI
Divers show o the diving boards as Arvadans gather to learn more about the facility.
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
Community Medical Services opens Lakewood clinic to combat rising overdose rates
SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In 2023, fentanyl claimed more lives than car crashes and suicides in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. A new clinic in Lakewood aims to change that trajectory.
Community Medical Services recently opened its doors near West Colfax Avenue, o ering lifesaving treatments and resources to individuals battling opioid addiction.
e Lakewood clinic joins six other locations in Colorado, all working to confront the state’s opioid crisis.
“We provide medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder,” said Dr. Frazer Grant, the state medical director for the clinics. “Our approach combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and case management to help people stabilize, heal and reclaim their lives.”
According to the Common Sense Institute Colorado, the economic toll of opioid overdoses in the state is staggering. In 2023 alone, opioid-related fatalities cost Colorado approximately $16 billion, with illegally manufactured fentanyl account-
ing for 72.3% of these expenses. Je erson County’s rates of opioid overdose deaths (24.8 per 100,000 residents) and nonfatal emergency room visits (40.1 per
100,000 residents) exceed statewide averages (22 and 31 per 100,000 residents). e numbers highlight the urgent need for expanded local resources.
A patient-centered approach
CMS’s Lakewood clinic takes a multifaceted approach to tackling opioid addiction, focusing on both immediate needs and
“A splendidly festive tradition” – BroadwayWorld
long-term recovery. e clinic’s harm-reduction philosophy ensures patients feel supported and empowered, meeting them where they are on their recovery journey.
No one ever needs an appointment to receive help. “ e beauty of what we do is to provide intakes on demand, ” said Jesus Godinez, Colorado regional director. “If someone decides they want to start recovery right now, we want to meet them where they’re at and not have to tell them our next opening is in two weeks.”
Godinez explained that when someone’s in active addiction, there’s a very small window of opportunity to get them treatment before they change their mind.
e clinic’s approach centers on the use of two FDA-approved medications, methadone and Suboxone, which alleviate the physical symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings.
Grant explained there are three main goals with medication-related treatment: eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, start counseling to get to the root of why they are using and to help them feel normal.
A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens Adapted by Richard Hellesen Music by David de Berry
Directed by Anthony Powell
From left, Jesus Godinez, CMS Colorado regional director, Frazer Grant, CMS medical director, and Anna Knutson, CMS Clinic Manager, Lakewood.
PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
Caring for Colorado Energy Workers
Did you work at Rocky Flats or a Uranium Site?
Holiday season highlights rising food insecurity in Je erson County
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e holidays are a time for togetherness and tradition, but for many families in Je erson County, putting food on the table is becoming harder than ever. One in 13 residents experienced food insecurity in 2023, meaning they couldn’t a ord enough food over the year.
e county is home to at least 51 food pantries operating as stationary facilities and mobile units serving remote neighborhoods. ese pantries rely on community support to keep their shelves stocked and operations running.
Local farmers also play a pivotal role in the food system. e county is home to at least 46 local farms participating in no-cost food programs, but Cozzens said they face mounting nancial pressures, including rising land costs and operating expenses.
Lunch & Learn Event
Thursday, December 19
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Old Spaghetti Factory 9145 Sheridan Blvd Westminster, CO
Rising costs, fewer grocery options and the phase-out of pandemic relief bene ts have made things more challenging for families trying to make ends meet, explained Willow Cozzens, strategic initiatives coordinator for Je erson County’s Food and Communities Program.
While many families look forward to traditional holiday meals, several food pantries have been forced to cancel turkey distributions due to resource shortages this year.
“ is is a signi cant blow for families who rely on these programs for culturally signi cant holiday foods,” Cozzens said. “So folks are relying on other means, like other pantries that may have long lines, making it di cult for folks to access food.”
Local e orts to combat food insecurity
Je erson County Public Health is doing its part to help, working behind the scenes to support food pantries and local farms while tackling the issue at a systems level.
rough initiatives like the Food In Communities Project, the county collaborates with regional partners to strengthen food systems through policy changes, grant funding and community partnerships.
Cozzens said her team also works to increase security and food systems resilience throughout the region through policy systems and environmental change and grant programs that support organizations on the ground.
“We support food pantries, encourage local food production and work with farmers to improve access to no-cost food,” she said. “By bolstering these organizations, we ensure they can sustain operations and reach those in need.”
Cozzens noted that JCPH advocates for policy changes to make farming more affordable while connecting farmers with resources to sustain their operations.
“ ere’s a growing demand for local food in Je erson County,” she said. “It’s vital that we support our farmers and ensure access to fresh, local produce for residents.”
Vulnerable populations and year-round needs
Among the county’s most vulnerable populations are children and the elderly. While food insecurity becomes more visible during the holidays, it remains a yearround issue.
“ e holiday season often draws attention to the problem, but the need for support persists throughout the year,” Cozzens said.
Challenges like limited access to nearby grocery stores, especially in rural areas, exacerbate the issue. Cozzens also noted that factors like the potential merger of Kroger and Albertsons and a lack of federal bene t acceptance at certain stores could further impact food a ordability and accessibility.
Residents eager to make a di erence can support local food pantries through donations or volunteer work. JCPH’s website provides resources for individuals looking to get involved or nd assistance.
“With the right support, we can make strides toward reducing food insecurity and creating a stronger, more resilient community.”
For more information or to get involved, visit JCPH’s Food and Communities website.
One in 13 Je erson County residents faced food insecurity in 2023. FILE PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Wheat Ridge Turkey Trot unites community in e ort to gobble up child hunger
A publication of
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
On the Saturday morning before anksgiving, runners of all stripes ocked to Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge for the Feed Your Soul Turkey Trot, a lively 5K that combined tness, fun and a giant helping of community spirit. Organized by Brandy and Sven Martin, owners of Feed Your Soul Fitness, the second annual 5K race drew nearly 350 runners, with proceeds going to the Feed the Future Backpack Program, a collaboration with Community Table.
e backpack program serves hundreds of children in Wheat Ridge by providing weekend meals for children who rely on school for regular nourishment.
“Last year, we aimed to feed students at Stevens Elementary, but we ended up helping kids across all of Wheat Ridge,” Sven said. “ is year, thanks to a larger turnout and increased sponsorship, the event can again cover those costs and help more children and seniors served by Community Table.”
Sven joked about the anxiety he felt ahead of the inaugural race, fearing he might end up with “a few hundred medals and a giant bill.” Instead, the community’s response has exceeded all expectations.
A race for everyone
e Feed Your Soul Turkey Trot isn’t your average anksgiving-themed race. Scheduled the Saturday before anksgiving, the timing is strategic, according to race volunteer Ashley Andrien.
“ anksgiving morning races are a tradition for some, but we wanted to make it more accessible for those who don’t want to rush out early on their day o ,” Andrien said. e Saturday schedule allows runners of all types, from serious athletes to families, to participate without disrupting holiday plans, Andrien explained.
Hayden Browers of Arvada crossed the nish line in 18 minutes and 29 seconds to claim rst place in the men’s division. Jane Jensen of Denver triumphed in the women’s category, completing the course in 22 minutes and 3 seconds. Each received a $100 cash prize.
In addition to the overall winners, the event honored age-group winners and provided a welcoming atmosphere for casual participants. Many dressed in festive costumes, including their dogs, adding a layer of fun and community spirit.
Community-centered and growing
e Martins leveraged their gym community, local business networks and innovative marketing to grow the event. Sponsors played a crucial role, not only by funding but also by promoting the race through their networks. A professional race management company ensured a smooth experience, from timing to course logistics.
Andrien said the Martins decided to host a 5K to combine their passion for health and tness with their commitment to addressing child food insecurity in their community. e couple wanted to create a family-friendly event that would not only promote physical activity but also bring people together for a meaningful cause.
e 5K was a natural t, Andrien explained. It provided a chance to engage their gym members, local businesses and residents in a fun, active way while raising funds.
To
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“We wanted to create a real community feel,” she said. “ e goal is to bring people together, whether they’re seasoned runners or rst-timers.”
Wheat Ridge City Council member and owner of the Wheelie Bean Jenny Snell said the focus on community and donating the backpack program made sponsoring the race an easy decision. Snell said she strongly believes all residents should have access to nutritious food and support services.
A tradition to savor
With sunny skies and perfect weather, the second annual Feed Your Soul Turkey Trot proved that it has the potential to become a beloved community tradition. With its mix of tness, community spirit and charitable giving, it’s hard not to feel thankful for this festive event.
Whether chasing a personal record or just chasing your kids in a turkey costume, this Turkey Trot proves that doing good can be as easy as pie.
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Hayden Browers finished first among males with a time of 18 minutes and 29 seconds.
Jane Jensen came in first place among females with a time of 22 minutes and 3 seconds.
PHOTOS BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
Feed Your Soul Fitness sta , volunteers and members celebrate another successful Turkey Trot.
After a trip along the coast of Lake Michigan, I became intrigued by lighthouses and spent some time learning about these amazing torches. ey have existed for centuries; the Egyptians created the rst lighthouse 2,300 years ago. ey come in different shapes and sizes and can be seen in stunning places. Lighthouses must be nearly indestructible, give direction to the voyager, and protect vessels from unseen dangers lurking just below the water’s surface. e three most important parts of a lighthouse are the type of light used to attract attention, the location of the lighthouse protecting ships from danger, and the foundation upon which the structure is built.
As I read more about these buildings, I thought about how, in our sometimes complicated and downright confusing world, we as human beings need lighthouses, something or someone to give us direction and protection from unseen
Lighthouses in our lives
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
dangers. ree questions helped me wrap my head around the idea of lighthouses in our lives.
What light shines for you in a way that you will never miss? Is it family, friends, mornings? Is it the promise of health or maybe just the comfort of knowing things will work out? Whatever the light, it must catch your attention no matter how difcult the situation or how big the storm. What is your lighthouse protecting you from hitting? Are your dangers discouragement, fear, anger, disappointment, or does something else present a greater peril? Knowing the dangers you are avoiding lets you know your lighthouse is in the right spot. e goal of
your lighthouse is to catch your attention when you venture too close to the rocks that can hamper your journey. What is the foundation upon which your lighthouse is built? Is it faith? Is it family? Is it friends? Or is it some combination of all of these and a few other things? ere are all sorts of stories of lighthouses failing. ere is even a top 10 list of most endangered lighthouses published by MapQuest Travel. Most lighthouses that fail do so because of issues with the foundation. As the ground under the lighthouse erodes the structure cannot stand. It is only with a strong base that the lighthouse accomplishes its goal.
At rst glance, it may seem strange for a column about encouragement to suggest you think about lighthouses, but in introspection, we sometimes nd the greatest treasures. Taking time to think about this idea allows you to celebrate the supports and protections surrounding you. It also
Let’s scrap the stigma of mental illness
Even though 1 in 5 Americans is estimated to su er from mental health illness, talk about mental health in the rural West remains muted. I’d like to talk about it this anksgiving season because I’m grateful I got the help I needed after a long-fought problem: I’m bipolar and I’m being treated for it.
I didn’t start out bipolar. I was 24 when my behavior took a dive. At rst, I chalked it up to my job in New York where I was buying and selling stocks all day. I became manic and anxious, prone to periods of depression laced with sleepless anxiety.
During a period of ramped-up mental anguish, I jumped out of a moving car. It was going fast, over 30 miles per hour. I was with friends when someone made a joke at my expense, and rather than re back a witty response. I thought, “I’m going to explode.”
I opened the door and jumped. Ten seconds later I was hobbling down a dark suburban street. Sure, I was bloody, gravel lodged in my hands, but I was relieved to be out of that car.
Running from problems became my life’s work. It was that or suddenly erupting in anger, seeming without notice. But for years I dodged seeing a psychiatrist, consulting a therapist instead. I’d grown up in a rural Western community and seeking psychiatric help seemed impossible.
When I nally sought out a psychiatrist 15 years later, he asked tough questions. What were the most erratic things I’d done? Jumping out of a moving car ranked rst on the list. Had I ever been hospitalized for my behavior? No, nothing that severe. He took notes, then gave me his diagnosis: I was bipolar. I rmly
WRITERS ON THE RANGE
resisted that conclusion.
allows you to look for ways to create the type of support you need if it is not there. If you take time to think about this idea of a lighthouse, I would love to hear about the supports surrounding you. As always, I hope that you will nd inspiration in my words and share those words of encouragement with those who need it. I would love to hear from you as you nd helpful morsels in these columns and as you nd ways to encourage those around you. I can be contacted at jim. roome@gmail.com.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences.
Skeptically, he o ered anti-depressant medication. “Typically, a bipolar person will have a poor reaction,” he said. I had seven bad reactions to seven anti-depressants. I nally gave up.
“I’m not saying I’m bipolar,” I said. “But if I were, what medication would you prescribe?”
“I’d prescribe an anti-psychotic,” he said.
At that point, the continuing anguish of my daily life outweighed my fear of being diagnosed as mentally ill. “I’m ready,” I said.
Sure enough, the medication was e ective and life changed. I slept soundly and could readily work. I experienced calm. I married, had a child and eased into what passes for normal life. But I never talked to people about being bipolar, about the medication that made life worth living. I bought life insurance and went through a medical exam. Afterward, the agent said I could get a much better rate without an antipsychotic in my daily regimen.
I paid the higher rate for what I called my “bipolar tax.”
In 2022, my family and I moved from New York to the town of Durango, Colorado. I called psychiatrists in the area and explained I was looking to start treatment locally.
One doctor quickly texted me back and asked me to text my medications. “Whoa!” he texted, “I don’t treat bipolar patients.” e next psychiatrist rejected me also.
I tried to wean o medication, but the old hamster wheel
of anxious thoughts spun faster and faster. In western Colorado, it took nding a telehealth doctor who would prescribe the medication that allowed me to function.
I also got to know my neighbor John Truitt, who is, among other things, on the autism spectrum and happy to chat about it. Sensing a kindred spirit, I began, “ is is a big secret.”
His reaction to my confession was surprising: “Big deal, you’re bipolar,” he said. “You’re what’s called 2E for twice exceptional.” at meant I was “neurodiverse” and gifted, he said.
My gift had once been turning the chaos of nancial markets into pro table trades, something I can’t do now while medicated, but I’m ne with that.
Since that day, I’ve told more people about my diagnosis and subsequent learning curve. is spring, I gave a commencement speech at the private Heron School for Twice-Exceptional Students in Moab, Utah, sharing with parents, teachers and students my bumpy ride with mental illness.
Looking at the audience, I saw understanding and acceptance. Because so many of us live with it, mental illness needs to be acknowledged, treated and talked about. I could have saved so much time, energy and pain by seeking the right kind of help earlier. How much healthier we would be if we treated mental illness the way we treat any other illness — with openness and compassion.
Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about Western issues. He lives in Durango, Colorado.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Stop picking on Rocky Flats, or the benefits from Rocky Flats
Allow me to add to Gary Sco eld’s Nov. 21 letter. Being a fourth generation Arvadan, I have seen most everything happening at the Rocky Flats Plant. Born in 1945 when Arvada had 1,800 residents and many farms surrounding made Arvada a very typical community. 1950 census had us at 2,335 residents, but in 1960 it had grown to 19,242, an increase of 847% — WOW. e county grew 580%, mostly fueled by Arvada. As Arvadans we should consider the Plant was a huge economic engine for our city we love so much. As former chairman of Jeffco Economic Development, I understand the spino s of primary jobs. Usually eight additional jobs are created for each primary jobs like
the Flats. Arvada Square and Plaza shopping centers took many jobs from downtown and left us Olde Town which we now love so much! We have multiple schools, three golf courses, a major aquatics center, the Arvada Center and Apex Park & Recreation, which is one of the best in all of the West, and many major employers.
Rocky Flats is an easy target for negativism, but sit back and think of the positives we now love so much and why we have chosen Arvada where we live and raise our families. In my 79 years, the one thing unique about Arvada is we come together on major issues e ecting all of Arvada and yet we can have civil communications with each other on issues inside Arvada.
Bob West, Arvada
Jim Roome
Dave Marston
A ’Miracle’ Comes to Town Hall Arts Center
There are few things about Christmas that are as joyful as children’s excitement about a visit from Santa Claus. So, can you imagine the thrill when a child meets the real Santa at Macy’s Department Store?
at’s just what happens to 6-year-old Susan in Meredith Willson’s “Miracle on 34th Street: e Musical,” which is running at theTown Hall Arts Center, 2450 St. in Littleton, through Sunday, Dec. 29. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. ursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
At SeeSaw Art, PRESENT is a Present
“When I saw Town Hall was doing this show, I immediately remembered the 1947 movie so well,” said Billie McBride, director of the show. “I thought this was just my cup of tea and I know it will be for the audience as well.”
Based on the classic lm, the show follows Doris Walker and her daughter Susan as they navigate the holiday season in New York City. When Doris’ neighbor, Fred, volunteers to take Susan to meet Kris Kringle at Macy’s, she nds herself face-to-face with someone claiming to be the real Santa Claus. And so begins a song-and-dance- lled magical journey to discover if he’s the genuine article. e original version of the musical moved the time frame from the 1940s to the 1960s, but for this production, McBride returned the setting to its original roots. She said this allows the story to better capture a time of innocence in the world.
“ is story is a fairy tale and I think it is harder to tap into that during the 1960s, with all that was going on at the time,” she said. “ e story needs the simplicity of a di erent time, and so we opted to return to 1947.”
A cast of the size “Miracle” requires a lot of work from McBride and the behind the curtains team — everyone from the musical director and the choreographer have worked hard to get the performers to their holiday best. And McBride is particularly proud of the cast, which she said was selected to re ect the way New York City actually looks.
e show is really about celebrating the magic of the season and McBride hopes the production will give audiences some much-needed Christmas fun.
“To sit a whole bunch of people down and give them a live production of a wonderful show is a gift we give them for Christmas,” he said. “It’s an old-fashioned, feel good musical with magic and we consider it a gift to the community.”
Information and tickets are available at https://townhallartscenter.org/event/ meredith-willsons-miracle-on-34thstreet-the-musical/.
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For its nal show of the year,SeeSaw Art , 5 W. Radcli Ave. in Englewood, has unveiled PRESENT Company, a group show highlighting small works. It runs at the gallery through Sunday, Jan. 12.
e exhibition features 27 artists (most local to Colorado) and more than 65 unique artworks. e works have been curated with the holiday season in mind and require the same skill, technique and creativity as any large piece you might come across. Visitors can see work in a range of mediums, including painting, mixed media, drawing, ber and sculpture.
More details at www.seesawgallery. com/.
Make Merry with Christmas Stories at the Arvada Center
Christmas is brimming with stories that have delighted audiences for years; stories that have worked their way into the very fabric of the season.“Making Merry”is a collection of holiday stories and songs to mark the season presented by stories on Stage and its coming to the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. e show features Gabriella Cavallero, Seth Dhonau, Voices Rock Reverb and pianist Kent Lemburg. Tickets are available at www.arvadacenter.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — brent Forever: The Tour at Mission Ballroom
It seems like you don’t hear many musical duos these days, which makes the partnership between Connecticut’s Chelsea Cutler and New Jersy’s Jeremy Zucker such a special treat. Both musicians have worked together o and on since 2018, specializing in the kind of love-drunk melancholy pop that we’ve all needed from time to time.
All three of the pair’s albums have been named “brent,” so it’s only tting now that they’ve just released “brent iii,” that they take the show on the road. brent Forever: e Tour is coming to the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver. e opening act for the evening will be Paige Fish
Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
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Clarke Reader ENT
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Educators Je Kagan and Paige Doughty are a married children’s musical duo in Colorado who have performed together for 20 years. ey focus on teaching science in English and Spanish through music and theater at summer camps and educational school assemblies.
“To see the joy on their faces and the connections they make through their bodies and minds when dancing and singing about these complex subjects” is what makes it all worth it, Doughty said.
“I love creating something at home or sitting by a stream, a song, or an entire performance piece and then seeing how a large group of three to eight-year-olds responds to that when we present it,” Kagan added.
Doughty was not born in Colorado but considers it her home.
“It was the rst place that felt like home to me,” Doughty said. “I’ve been here a long time. I can’t claim I’m a native, but it feels like home.”
Doughty has undergraduate degrees in English Literature and French Language.
“When I was teaching middle school and high school, I realized I wanted to teach experientially about the is-
sues happening in the world around us,” Doughty said. “So I went back to school and I got a degree in Environmental Education.”
While pursuing that degree, Doughty met Kagan, who was inspired into the line of study after teaching residential environmental education at a camp for middle school students on the East Coast.
“Once a week, the entire sixth-grade class would come to a camp in the Adirondacks, which would be their curriculum for the week,” Kagan said. “I just fell in love with both the content and all the creative ways that teachers were using the natural world to get these kids excited about science and nature.”
After Doughty and Kagan completed their environmental education, they ended up in Boulder where they started leading programs through the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks.
“We started doing those programs to get families outdoors to enjoy music. rough those programs, I started writing songs about the actual ecology of the places we were sitting in, and now we have seven albums,” Kagan said.
Kagan and Doughty made these programs their fulltime work in 2011.
Paige Doughty and Je Kagan are
science educators.
SCIENCE
When the duo performs, they sing and perform theatrically about science and nature while Kagan plays the guitar.
Doughty said they started adding the Spanish language to their music and theater science programs in
the last ve years and are trying to add more Spanish every time they perform.
“It’s important to us to be inclusive, and it feels exciting to use another language involved in our educational act,” Doughty said.
Doughty said they are called for performances at events mainly in the front range, but all over Colorado.
“In our 20-year history, we’ve been to many places. … Since we had our kids, we have stuck a little bit closer to
home and love traveling for work when we can and reaching more people with our live performances,” Doughty said.
e couple also has a YouTube channel and music available to stream.
Doughty said they teach kindergarten through fth grade, and babies and toddlers come to their shows, too.
“With fth graders, especially in the upper grades, I see them letting loose, nding themselves in the joy of their movement, and presenting it as their learning. It feels right we tend to deprive our kids so much these days, and we expect them to grow up so fast,” Doughty said.
Doughty said that occasionally over the years, she received feedback from people who said they wouldn’t bring the fth graders to their assembly because it was too babyish for them.
“I said they’re the ones that need it much more than the kindergarteners,” Doughty said.
e duo works as a nonpro t, so they do a lot of fundraising to support their programming and o er as much as they can for free to audiences, Doughty added.
“ ere’s so much work we must do in the background to plan the shows, rehearse, write and produce the music. It feels delightful, and it’s worth it,” Doughty said.
“It’s uplifting. It feels like we are ultimately doing what we are called to do, and the kids are having a great time, especially in a school context, that they’re getting to move their bodies and learn about these subject matters in a fun and artistic way,” Kagan added. “It’s what I want to do until my hair is entirely gray.”
For more information about Je and Paige, visit www.je andpaige.org. To see their performances, visit www.youtube.com/je andpaige.
Paige Doughty and Je Kagan dress in di erent nature and animal costumes.
“Just telling people to stop using works for maybe one or two people out of 10. But if we plan to treat the Fentanyl crisis without medication, we’re gonna have pretty bad outcomes. Without addressing their symptoms, it’s nearly impossible for someone to focus on recovery,” Grant said.
CMS goes beyond dispensing medication. Patients receive one-on-one counseling to address the emotional and psychological e ects of addiction, with sessions tailored to uncover and treat underlying causes such as trauma or mental health struggles. e clinic also o ers group therapy sessions via telehealth for patients with busy schedules or transportation challenges.
“Recovery is about more than stopping drug use,” Grant said. “It’s about giving people the tools to rebuild their lives.”
Addressing stigma and building trust Grant said that the clinics actively work to dispel misconceptions about addiction and help communities understand it as a chronic illness rather than a moral failing. Sta members emphasize that treatment should be free from judgment.
“Addiction doesn’t discriminate,” Godinez said. “We treat people from all walks of life: homeless individuals, parents
and professionals. Everyone deserves care.”
between addiction and other chronic conditions. “Just like some diabetics need insulin inde nitely, some patients with opioid use disorder need medication for life. It’s not a weakness. It’s the best way to save lives and support long-term health,” he said. is understanding guides CMS’s partnerships within the community. Collaborative ef-
only by individual recoveries but also by the positive ripple
ni cant improvements in their circumstances within a year of
Saving lives, strengthening communities CMS measures its success not
lower chance of going back.”
For many, these changes mean more than just personal stability. Parents in recovery often regain custody of their children, breaking cycles of trauma and rebuilding family bonds. Patients who rejoin the workforce contribute to their local economies, and the reduction in overdose deaths eases the strain on emergency services.
“It’s really incredible. is treatment not only helps the person, but it also helps that family, and then it ultimately helps the community,” Grant said.
e broader health bene ts of treatment extend beyond addiction. CMS screens patients for communicable diseases like HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis, providing crucial early intervention.
“ e all-cause mortality bene t of this treatment is 60%,” Grant explained. “ at’s higher than wearing a seatbelt, which reduces mortality by about 40%.”
CMS aims to continue expanding its services, connecting with more underserved populations and contributing to statewide e orts to address the crisis.
ation when they start treatment, as opposed to one year down the line, there’s about a 30% increase in housing and employment,” Grant shared. “And if you start this treatment while in jail or prison, you have a 50%
“It’s about giving people their lives back,” Grant said. “Every patient who walks through our doors deserves the chance to recover, and we’re here to make that happen.”
To learn more about CMS and its services, visit the Lakewood clinic or its website.
CMS dispenses methodone and Suboxone to eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Thu 12/12
Liquid Bloom: Honoring Ram Das @ 6pm
Sun 12/15
Mon 12/16
Joe Johnson @ 10am Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St, Den‐ver
Beyond Laser Light Experience @ 12pm Denver
The Kirk of Highland, 3011 Vallejo St, Denver
Yung Hood @ 7pm Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver
Franz Ferdinand @ 8pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Den‐
Teague Starbuck @ 5pm
ver
Sat 12/14
Midnight @ 5pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Den‐
ver
The Pamlico & 2MX2 ThanksMas Dance Party @ 7pm Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Denver
Smoothie Boys Presents: Blender @ 9pm / $18.52
Kulture Music Hall, Denver
Convergence Station Exhibition @ 4:59pm
Convergence Station, 1338 1st Street, Denver
Cecelia Band: Metal Monday’s 12/16/24 @ 7pm
Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Denver
Lot 46 Music Bar, 5302 W 25th Ave, Edgewater
Hunter Reece @ 5pm
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Tree Squid @ 5pm
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Good Family @ 5pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Proof of Concept @ 5pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Jackie Evancho @ 7pm
@ 7pm
Two Moons Music Hall, 2944
St, Denver
Wed 12/18
Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver
clementine @ 7pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver
Reminiscent Wounds @ 7pm
Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver
Dancing with Dante @ 7pm
Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver
Emma Ruth Rundle @ 8pm Bluebird Theatre, Denver
Derek Hough Dance For The Holidays @ 8pm / $59.50-$149.50 Paramount Theatre, Denver
Tue 12/17
Paerish @ 8pm
Marquis Theater - Denver, 2009 Larimer Street, Denver
Sierra Green @ 7pm Paramount Theatre, 1621
Denver
Robert Randolph @ 8pm
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver
DARUMA: Two Moons Music Hall
Larimer
Glenarm Place,
Check out the calendar of events!
Surviving political debates and keeping your cool
7 practical tips from a behavioral scientist to navigate family conversations post-election
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Navigating political debates during the holidays can feel like walking a tightrope: one wrong step, and you’re in a heated argument instead of enjoying the pumpkin pie. Whether it’s a well-meaning relative dropping a divisive comment or a spirited family member pressing you for your stance, these moments can quickly escalate.
Denver-based behavioral scientist Susanna Park, Ph.D., shared practical advice for navigating these tricky conversations without losing your cool — or your relationships. Here are her top tips, drawn from her expertise and personal experience.
1. Know your goal
Before diving into any political discussion, Park advises asking yourself a critical question: What’s my goal?
“Is it to actually change the other person’s mind, or is it to just be able to speak your thoughts and feel heard?” she asked. If you know the likelihood of changing minds is slim, adjust your expectations.
“ e way you talk to them is going to change…because you know it’s not going to happen,” she continued. Reframing your goal can prevent conversations from spiraling into heated debates where both people ght to win.
Pro Tip: If validation is your goal, frame the conversation with open-ended questions to encourage dialogue, not debate. If you sense things heating up, redirect to common interests or shared values.
2. Recognize your limits It’s okay to step away if the conversation becomes too overwhelming.
“You’re not losing an argument,” Park said. Instead, you’re saving yourself unnecessary stress and prioritizing quality family time. Remember, you’re allowed to decide how you want to spend your evening. Peacefully enjoying dessert beats a shouting match any day.
Pro Tip: Have an exit strategy ready. For instance, excuse yourself to grab a drink or o er to help in the kitchen when tensions rise. Physical distance can also give you mental space.
3. Set boundaries
Sometimes, the best approach is to set clear limits upfront.
A mutual agreement to leave politics at the door can help maintain harmony. If some feel strongly about discussing it, they can nd other outlets while respecting the collective agreement at the gathering.
“ ere is something to be said
about permitting yourself to not engage,” Park said. “Others in the community are with you and doing that work as well. Just because you’re not engaging in that one moment with your family doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person or that the situation will change for better or worse.”
Pro Tip: Frame the boundary as a shared goal to keep the event positive. For example, say, “Let’s make this about catching up and celebrating, not debating politics.”
4. Find common ground
Park emphasized the value of connecting with family members on shared interests outside of politics.
“If you care about animals, nd people who care about animals,” she said. Whether volunteering at a shelter or attending a local event, community work can bridge divides and bring people together.
Pro Tip: Suggest activities that focus on shared values. Wheth-
er it’s a food drive, local park cleanup or holiday decorating, working toward a common goal can strengthen bonds despite di ering views.
5. Take care of yourself
Self-awareness is key, from managing social media algorithms to recognizing physical signs of stress.
Emotions are just information for us to then take in and tell us what the next steps are,” Park said.
Recognize physical signs of anxiety, like a racing heart or shallow breathing and step back if needed.
Park also advised that we don’t have to scroll through everything the algorithm shows us.
“I think it’s really important for people to recognize that they have the power to change how they feel about social media –how they feel going into it and coming out of it.”
And don’t underestimate the basics: “Get sleep,” she urges.
e holiday chaos, compounded with election fatigue, means self-care is more critical than ever.
Pro Tip: Balance your media diet. Follow uplifting or educational accounts alongside news, and take regular social media breaks to reset your mindset.
6. Embrace the long game Park said to remember that meaningful change and understanding take time, so there’s no need to resolve deep political divides in a single conversation over a holiday meal. Advocacy and change are marathons, not sprints.
Park likened activism to the airplane oxygen mask rule: take care of yourself rst. “If you’re feeling burnt out and fatigued, then your capacity is decreasing,” she said. Step back when needed and trust others in the community to carry the torch.
“It’s OK to take that moment. It may feel sel sh, but it’s really not,” Park said.
Pro Tip: Instead of diving into arguments, focus on small, impactful actions that align with your values, like sharing a thoughtful article, asking open-ended questions or simply listening. ese quieter approaches can build bridges without overwhelming yourself or others.
7. Practice empathy and kindness At the end of the day, the holidays are about connection. “ ere’s a need for more empathy and grace for each other,” Park said. You don’t have to ignore the world’s challenges, but facing them together with kindness can make all the di erence.
Pro Tip: Use humor to defuse tension. Sometimes, a lighthearted comment can help everyone remember what matters most: your connection, not your con icts.
With these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the post-election holiday season with grace and sanity intact. “ e holidays are rough for a lot of people,” Park said. “So just be kind.”
Morrison speed camera vandalized and out of service
Town plans to hire new ticket vendor before returning controversial device to its streets
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Morrison’s speed camera was vandalized last month and is out of service, likely until early 2025, according to Town Manager Mallory Nassau. But the needed repairs aren’t the only issue keeping it o Morrison’s streets. e town plans to hire a new vendor to process the tickets, after months of revenue tracking showed
the current company is taking an outsized portion of the money. Additionally, town leaders say many people aren’t paying the $40 citation, which is also impacting total revenue for the town.
At an October town board meeting, Nassau said she anticipates Morrison will end 2024 with $134,000 in speed camera revenue — signi cantly less than town leaders had anticipated. e town contracted with Louisiana-based Emergent Enforcement Solutions for automated tra c monitoring and enforcement.
“We expected to get some sort of revenue from it,” said Town Trustee Katie Gill. “ e vendor’s billing to the town to manage the system has been huge. It
didn’t turn into very much revenue for the town.
“I think it’s also that lots of people aren’t paying the tickets,” Gill continued. “We still have to pay the vendor to manage the process, but the revenue doesn’t come in.”
Nassau said she’ll have nal numbers at year’s end.
e camera, which was parked on a trailer on Bear Creek Avenue at Morrison’s east entrance, was vandalized Oct. 25, and is being repaired. e town said it has no suspects.
e camera began generating automatic citations May 8 and has been controversial — for those who get tickets, but also among the town’s business owners
and some town trustees. And that controversy has centered not only on the brisk pace at which it issued tickets, but on a location that clocked drivers as they were leaving Morrison. e site was at the end of the town’s 25 mph zone and within view of a 40 mph sign in Je erson County. e camera was set to issue citations to those traveling 10 mph or more over the town’s 25 mph speed limit.
Morrison Holiday Bar owner Dave Killingsworth, who called the speed camera the town’s “orange ATM,” suggested the town move the device to instead monitor the speed of drivers coming into Morrison.
Surviving holiday political debates can be challenging no matter how you voted.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Colorado marijuana sales — and tax dollars — are still falling
Sales peaked in Colorado in 2020-21 with $424 million in taxes. That fell to $248 million in 2023. The rise of intoxicating hemp may be to blame.
BY BRIAN EASON THE COLORADO SUN
Forget the pandemic boom in marijuana sales — Colorado now collects fewer marijuana tax dollars than it did in 2018.
About half the country now has joined Colorado in legalizing recreational marijuana, with a total of 24 states and Washington, D.C., regulating cannabis. e spread of legalization has taken a toll on Colorado’s more established market, with the wholesale price of legal marijuana falling to its lowest recorded level, according to state budget documents. But a new analysis by Joint Budget Committee sta found that there’s another factor to blame for the decline of Colorado’s marijuana industry: the rise of intoxicating hemp.
In 2018, Congress legalized hemp through the federal Farm Bill, a change that was aimed at allowing its use for things like textiles, not recreational drugs.
ere’s a limit on how much THC can be present in legalized hemp. But the federal changes have nonetheless resulted in the creation of a $2.2 billion quasilegal market for intoxicating hemp products, including THC-infused seltzers, brownies and gummies that are now popping up in gas stations, farmers markets and CBD stores across the country.
“You’ve put a pretty robust regulatory structure in place around marijuana, and you have this product that is sort of laughing in the face of that structure,”
Craig Harper, the JBC sta director, told
CAMERAS
“If you do put it back, put it on the other side of the street,” he said. Let people know what to expect, instead of giving them the nger on the way out.”
Killingsworth also said his revenues are down, as are those of many other business owners.
Some business owners have complained that Morrison’s parking ticket and speed enforcement are taking a toll on their sales.
“I think the combination of parking and putting in the (camera) on the way out of town, in a spot where people see a sign that says 40, it rubs people the wrong way,” said Town Trustee Adam Way. “I think people coming to Morrison, having dinner, coming out and having a yellow (parking) ticket on their car and then getting a speeding ticket could be attributed to some of the revenue depreciation. We need to look at that.”
Gill believes the camera should be moved to northbound Colorado Highway 8, monitoring drivers coming into town from U.S. Highway 285.
“We do need some speed patrol,” she said. “But I agree it spent too much time at that location targeting people leaving town.”
lawmakers at a budget hearing last week. California’s governor recently issued an emergency order banning intoxicating hemp products, while Colorado in 2023 passed a bill to restrict them to licensed marijuana sellers. Intoxicating hemp is produced by converting CBD derived from hemp, which is legal, into chemicals similar to the THC contained in cannabis.
State attorneys general, including Colorado’s Phil Weiser, are pushing Congress to put stricter limits on hemp, saying their own e orts to crack down on the industry have been stymied by legal uncertainty.
But in the meantime, Colorado’s legal marijuana sellers are seeing less consumer interest in their highly regulated products.
Marijuana sales — and the tax revenue they generate — peaked in Colorado in the 2020-21 budget year, when the state collected $424 million in sales and excise taxes. at fell 41% to $248 million in the 2023-24 budget year.
For years, budget o cials have warned that the boom times would not last once consumer behavior returned to pre-pandemic levels. Today, however, marijuana tax collections have even fallen below what they generated in 2018 and 2019 — and it’s not clear if we’ve reached rock bottom.
e governor’s O ce of State Planning and Budgeting expects revenue willnally level o this budget year, increasing slightly to $267 million, then $285 million next year. But Colorado Legislative Council Sta isn’t so sure; they’re projecting tax collections to fall again this budget year to $242 million, before ticking up to $250 million next year.
Not all of that money winds up in the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund, either. In last year’s budget, lawmakers had about $131 million in the fund to spend on things like health services and law enforcement. e rest gets transferred to schools and local governments.
Trustee Paul Sutton said he’d also like to see it moved to monitor drivers coming into town, but he believes the speed camera serves an important purpose in Morrison.
Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli said it was slowing drivers. e camera averaged 750 citations a day in its rst several months of operation, a number that had dropped to just over 300 by fall.
Vinelli, who oversaw installation of the camera and reported its activity to the town board monthly, is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
“Once people realize that if you speed, you get a ticket, we won’t have the number of speeding tickets we have now,” Sutton said, adding he is less concerned about its impact on local businesses than deterring speeders. “Public safety is more important to me than restaurants.”
Morrison has a long-held reputation as a speed trap that relies on tickets to bolster its revenues, but town leaders said that is a misnomer.
Trustees defended the paid parking and enforcement, saying it was designed to help businesses by ensuring parking spaces turn over.
Marijuana taxes are among the few sources of state funding that can grow without restriction in Colorado, because voters exempted them from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights revenue cap.
So in a year where the TABOR cap is going to force the legislature to make around a billion dollars in spending cuts, the marijuana tax downturn stings.
Last budget cycle, lawmakers already had to cut services funded by marijuana taxes — including a $20 million payment to BEST, a public school construction grant program that the JBC voted to delay until the 2025-26 budget year.
Expect more cuts in the 2025 legislative session.
For starters, Gov. Jared Polis has proposed cutting the BEST payment again — but even that might not be enough to balance the marijuana fund budget.
“ ere are several smaller businesses who wanted the parking,” Gill said. “ eir revenue went up because they had parking available for their customers instead of employees of large businesses taking over parking.”
As of now, JBC sta projects that lawmakers must cut an additional $19 million in marijuana spending from Polis’ budget request to avoid dipping into the fund’s reserves. And that’s under the more optimistic forecast from the governor’s o ce. If the legislative sta forecast is closer to reality, lawmakers could need to cut more than double that amount.
Colorado’s not alone; other states that were early legalizers of marijuana have seen revenues plummet as well. Sales have fallen 3.3% this year in Washington state, which legalized the drug in 2014, while California’s sales declined 3.4%, according to Cannabis Business Times. But no state saw a decline as large as Colorado’s 8% drop, which saw the industry lose $100 million in annual sales.
e downward trend has put new pressure on budget writers to enact new guardrails around how the money can be spent.
After voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, the General Assembly passed a law directing the tax dollars it
generated to a handful of areas related to drug use: prevention and treatment programs, public health and safety, and e orts to protect youth from drugs. But over time, lawmakers have expanded the possible uses for marijuana taxes to as many as 21 categories, including housing, entrepreneurial programs, trial courts and veterans services.
“My rst few years in the legislature, it was seen as, oh, that’s where you go to pay for your bills, because there’s not enough general funds,” said JBC chair Je Bridges, a Democratic senator from Greenwood Village. “It wasn’t a good thing. And now there’s a bunch of stu in there that maybe shouldn’t be in there.” 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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To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
The Dispensary, located on Littleton Boulevard, is one of several marijuana dispensaries located in Littleton. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
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Help kids skip seasonal bruises and breaks this holiday season
Expert tips
to help children avoid serious injuries
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As families prepare for the holiday season, it’s also the time to take extra precautions to help children avoid serious injuries.
Children’s Hospital Colorado tends to see a higher rate of injury related to toys, winter sports and activities, and motor vehicle crashes during this time of the year. Injuries at home, which includes falls, are always a top cause of injury consistently year over year, followed by motor vehicle crashes.
“As humans, we always have this idea that bad things aren’t going to happen to us,” said Britney Lombard, injury prevention expert at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “What we need to do is set all of these things in place to prevent any injuries from happening.”
To empower and educate parents and caregivers with prevention tools, the trauma program and injury prevention community health outreach teams at Children’s Hospital Colorado recently secured a proclamation by the Aurora mayor to establish Nov. 18 as National Prevention Day.
Fire prevention and avoiding other hazards e holiday season also brings an uptick in the number of patients treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado due to injuries from within the home.
Lombard said it’s important to focus on re prevention and ensuring children can’t get into dangerous things that could contain hazards. Some holiday decorations that could be hazardous are holiday lights, breakable ornaments and anything with buttons or batteries as they can pose a hazard if ingested.
“We want to make sure that all of those extra items we’re adding into our house, that we’re considering the safety of those items,” said Lombard.
She added that parents and caregivers might consider putting up child safety gates, especially around the replace, and other home proo ng tools, avoid standing water, ensure rearms are locked up and that ammunition is stored separately from those rearms.
Children’s Hospital Colorado does work through Safe Kids Colorado coalition, which provides tools and resources to help prevent choking, kitchen safety tips and winter safety.
Car seat safety
Last year, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of serious traumatic injury for patients seen across the Children’s Hospital Colorado system of care. From January to June of this year, there were more than 70 pediatric visits to Colorado hospital emergency departments for motor vehicle incidents.
According to Children’s Hospital Colorado, about 29% of children between the ages of 2 and 8, and less than half of children age 9 and up, were properly wearing a seatbelt in the crash.
“We’re seeing older kids in ve-
hicle crashes at higher rates than we see the younger kids,” said Lombard. “It is really important that families don’t get complacent and make sure they’re still following those safety recommendations.”
Earlier this year, CDOT released a statement that nearly 80% of Colorado parents and caregivers are not using a car seat correctly. e most common car seat misuse in 2023, according to CDOT, was the harness, either being loose or an incorrect placement of the harness slots. Other forms of misuse found were children moving from a booster too soon, and the car seat being the
incorrect size for children.
CDOT’s Car Seats Colorado suggests parents and caregivers refer to the car seat manufacturer’s manual and vehicle owner’s manual for car seat installation instructions, ensure the child is in the correct seat for their size and age, and periodically check for any recalls.
“We know that the back seat is safest for children, it keeps them away from the airbag,” Lombard said, adding that airbags deploy at high speeds and with lots of power. “Children’s skeletons just are not able to handle those forces.”
Going into e ect in early 2025, HB24-1055 will enhance
car seat laws to better protect children by changing the child restraint system requirements.
e new legislation will require children to use a booster seat in the car until they’re at least 9 years old, which is an extra year from what previous law currently required, Lombard said. e law will also require children under the age of 2 to be in a rear facing car seat.
“( is) is following best practices or what we’ve known to be safest for many years,” said Lombard. “We have a lot of work to do making sure that families have the information and resources to get those car seats checked.”
Some of the winter safety tips recommended are putting on sunscreen, removing pu y winter coats before putting children in their car seats, always having an adult present during winter activities and to stay hydrated.
Many injuries seen at Children’s Hospital Colorado system of care can be prevented, said Lombard, which is why she wants parents and caregivers to take time this holiday season to be preventative.
“When we’re trying to prevent these injuries, the best way that we can prevent them is through layers of protection,” said Lombard.
For more safety tips, visit childrenscolorado.org/community/community-health/injuryprevention/.
Children Hospital Colorado o ers tips on how to keep children safe during the holiday season, as hospitals see an uptick in emergency room visits this time of the year.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
