The Lost Creek Guide February 15, 2023

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson

Start Up Strong

Submitted by Merle Rhoades, East Colorado SBDC

Seventeen people are starting or expanding their own businesses due to the “Startup Strong: Launch Your Business in a Day” workshop held in Fort Morgan in January.

“I really enjoyed the class. I learned a lot from it” said one of the participants who is manufacturing 3D printed items in PLA and selling them on Etsy. Another participant said, “It was a great workshop! I’m excited about the LivePlan program,” as she and three others are fixing to launch a new business in Brush this Spring.

The turnout and participation of the people in the workshop were “amazing” said Dr. Merle Rhoades, one of the organizers and presenters at the workshop. Dr. Rhoades is the business consultant serving Morgan and Washington Counties for East Colorado SBDC. He told the group that he has used a number of different business plan software in his over twenty years of working with small businesses but was not happy with the end results. He recently started using “LivePlan” which is a program that East Colorado SBDC has been able to negotiate licenses for the participants to use while writing their business plans. Each participant started their business plan during the workshop.

There were two different panels of local business professionals that were present and allowed participants to ask questions. Jacob Beydler, vice president of the Bank of Colorado in Brush said he “thought the workshop was great and the turnout was amazing to see.” He served on the lenders’ panel and gave hints to the participants on how to approach a lender. “I was impressed by the turnout” stated John Brennan from the City of Fort Morgan who served on the legal panel.

Many of the participants asked legal questions from Roger Schaefer of Schaefer, Lapp & Samples CPAS and Attorney Andy McClary of McClary P.C. Other speakers were Economic Development Specialists Sandy Engle of Fort Morgan, Kristin CliffordBasil who is the Executive Director of Morgan County Economic Development Corporation, Jenn Negley and Lisa Hudson, consultants with East Colorado SBDC, and co-sponsor of the workshop Robert Anderson of Colorado Enterprise Fund. Participants were given a guided tour of The Block Commissary Kitchen by Julie Stiewig, Site Manager. Lunch was prepared by Bun Appetit who has used the services of the Small Business Development Center.

Two more “Startup Strong: Launch Your Business in a Day” are scheduled for Windsor on February 11 and Lamar on February 18.

East Colorado SBDC, located at the University of Northern Colorado, has satellite offices in 20 counties in Eastern Colorado. SBDC offers no-cost business consulting and low-cost training. They are an integral center of the Colorado SBDC Network. Together, their mission is to help existing and new businesses grow and prosper. To request a free consulting session, go to www.eastcoloradosbdc.com.

Way of the World

by Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide

Being a parent is hard, there is just so much to know and do. You never have enough time. I had a discussion the other day with someone who I consider pretty bright and informed. It centered around schools. The individual was bemoaning the fact that our school systems seem to be failing our young people. I brought up that perhaps the issue is not our school but the parents who never seem to have enough time, especially for helping develop their families. Now that is not to say all, but when you look at the traditional roles of education, religion and parenting an awful lot has changed and I do not think for the better. Religion is a personal issue, but in today’s world recognize that the role of organized religion is diminishing. This has nothing to do with the need issue. The role of social media and the cell phones have relegated personal face-to-face contact to the past. This is not healthy. We have too many organizations that stress all the faults in our world and not enough champions for the good things that go on. I understand, as a father of three girls the many issues that they faced as they grew up. Yet does that mean that every young man needs to be beaten down and degraded as if they were second class citizens? I do not believe so. Every person deserves respect as an individual. Yet when was the last time you saw or heard something that championed all our young people, including both women and men?

You can ask the same question of many of our political leaders, of both parties. We should be proud to be Americans. I get tired of hearing people apologize for our country. Are we perfect, no, but far better than almost all countries that are out there. I am getting to be an old guy, so it is a sensitive issue, but old folks need to give up control and let the younger generation take over the reins. I don’t believe our president should be an eighty-year-old man or woman. We have allowed the establishment in government both the politicians and the bureaucracy to become entrenched because we do not hold them accountable. Our deficit is just outrageous. A large part of that is that we have allowed government employee numbers to grow unbounded at almost all levels of government. Supplemented by a “lets give stuff away for free” attitude of the politicians because it keeps the voter happy is a recipe for disaster for our coming generations. Should we continue to be so irresponsible? All government should be transparent. But when was the last time a government entity reduced its mill levy, other than Weld County? We pay the bills and we should be asking all of our taxing authorities when is the last time you looked at reducing the tax rates? Not a very popular topic with existing organizations, but I ask who do they work for themselves or the public? Is that such an unreasonable question?

The wheels turn slowly but the Hunter Biden laptop story is beginning to come out, and yes, it is real. The question should not be viewed as a political one. The question should be was anything illegal done? I for one, am tired of the anti-Trump and Biden folks who do not ask for the facts. They just want somebody’s head. Well, in America, that is not how it is supposed to work. We are great because we have laws. Follow them or change them, but do not ignore them.

The Ukrainian situation is coming to a head. Nobody knows how and when it will eventually end, but it is certain that the Russian people are paying a terrible price for the leadership of Vladimir Putin. The number of killed and wounded Russian troops or their surrogates is staggering. In today’s world you can see youtube videos, there are over a half dozen sources that have daily updates, clips of the war. With the use of drones the detail is amazing and equally frightening. This is not a game. People are really dying, lots of them. It is now said that the medical services in Russia are being squeezed badly because medical support is needed by the Russian Army in Ukraine. When will the Russian people have enough of Vladimir Putin?

The Earth is a fragile thing. The latest earthquakes in Turkey and Syria now have death tolls of over 33,000 and still counting. When you consider the seismic activity potential along the continental plate boundaries you realize how really fragile our human existence is. Climate change is argued by some as the most dangerous thing we face. It is something we should be working on – to improve what we as humans do to ourselves and the planet. Make no mistake the bigger issues, that could affect the future of civilization as we know it, are not things we control. The Milankovitch Cycles talk about the shape of the orbit of the earth, known as eccentricity, angle of the earth’s axis, called obliquity, or direction of the earth’s rotation, called procession. All of these things have exhibited patterns over geologic time. They repeat themselves (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a great website for more detail) with predictable consequences. The problem is our concept of time. Think about the span of your lifetime. You live 75 years or so, more if you try and take care of yourself, but how far back do you go, one or two generations and how far ahead do you go, maybe another two generations? That is about 200 years of time. The Earth has been around 4.5 billion years, so your experience represents a very small number on the scale of geologic time. My point is we should work on improving climate change but recognize there are far greater things that will impact our future and we had better start thinking and talking about them.

As always, your thoughts and comments are appreciated: publisher@lostcreekguide. com

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing to thank Keenesburg-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoeboxes—packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items— Keenesburg-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine.

Across CO, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 303-745-9179.

Although local dropoff locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 – 20, 2023, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Lizette Miller

SAMARITAN’S PURSE

Media Relations Manager | OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Caldara: How Polis’ Presidential Ambitions Can Benefit Colorado

by Jon Caldara

President Joe Biden missed the deadline for his annual medical physical in January, concerning some about his fitness to serve. His communications staff says it’s been rescheduled for mid-February but they’re coy about if it will include cognitive tests, and whether such results will be made public.

Maybe if the results are labeled “top secret” the FBI could find them in the president’s garage.

Though it seems certain Biden is running for a second term, there could be mounting pressures, coordinated by concerned players in Democratic circles, to persuade him to gracefully step aside for a younger candidate.

Should Biden refuse to run for re-election, it would be good news for the country. Having a commander in chief in mental decline is generally, um, sub-optimal. But even the rumors of the possibility of him not running would be great news for Colorado.

Why? Because elections have consequences. And after the rout Republicans experienced in Colorado last November, we are about to get more consequences than we can handle.

Tragically, the Colorado state legislature is back in session and for the first time in state history Democrats hold a super-majority in the House of Representatives and are only one squishy Republican vote away from it in the Senate.

If you thought Colorado’s progressive legislature passed some real gems during the past several years, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The consequences are just beginning to roll.

This session we have a bill to set loose the long-dead, slum-creating policy of rent control (I’m guessing because they couldn’t figure out how to word a bill to bring back smallpox).

They have a bill to take away your TABOR refunds, you know, the refunds the Democrats crowed about like they invented them last year when they were running for reelection.

They are working on a bill to outlaw every semiautomatic gun in the state, which would be just about all the guns in the state including all (yes all) pistols and most all rifles.

They even have a bill to force landlords to accept all animals, no matter how destructive, into their property without so much as an increased damaged deposit.

Now given his first four years in office, Gov. Jared Polis has shown no sign of vetoing anything that would sizably upset the left wing of his party. For four years Mr. Polis has been a doormat for the economy-killing, utility-bill-hiking left. And since the last election, the left wing of his party has only moved more left.

I see only one possibly moderating factor now. Jared Polis is a very ambitious man who has spent much of his time and treasure grooming his national image as a new and different type of business friendly, libertarian-ish Democrat. Of course, he wants to be president.

Now, those of us who have actually been keeping score over the years understand he has overseen the greatest advance of the tax and regulatory leviathan in Colorado’s history. But of course, that’s not what he wants the nation to think. And in this spin, he has been wildly successful. Fox News, The Wall Street Journal — even the libertarian Reason magazine — are among the many national outlets to fall for his “libertarian-ish, business-friendly” public relations bait.

I think we can assume Polis hasn’t spent his political PR cash only in Colorado.

Should rumors of Biden declining a second run grow, and there is evidence it will, our governor will quickly become a name tossed around as a player. Biden doesn’t have to announce he is not running. Rumors alone will entice Polis to govern differently than his first term.

Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Letters may be edited for length, libelous, or inappropriate content. All letter submissions should include name, address, & phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published at the editor or publisher’s discretion. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Lost Creek Guide or staff.

Polis will be playing to a larger, national constituency. He will become a natural target for more attention from outside media, which he handles very well. But sooner or later, no matter how good he is at charming out-of-state reporters, whack-a-doodle bills are going to land on his desk.

His too-clever-by-half explanation of unleashing gun control across the state and a small business crushing minimum wage hike by calling it “local control” may have passed by Colorado’s anemic media outlets unchecked. But he won’t get the same grace from national outlets.

On all issues Polis would know he must now govern Colorado as swing voters in swing states would want a president to govern. And THAT might have a large moderating force for Colorado.

Pray for more rumors.

When the System Works as Told to Jodi Walker

I only have five or six memories of Mexico. We left when I was five and came to America. I remember making the crossing and the fear in my mother’s eyes but not much else. We came here so I would be safe and so I could get a good education. We paid a lawyer in Mexico to get our visas but he ran away with our money before the paperwork was done. It had taken my parents ten years to save for visas, we couldn’t wait another ten years to cross so we did it at night, through the desert. When we got to America I didn’t speak any English but I learned quickly. By the time I was in middle school I had made honor roll with my good grades. When I was in high school I was a member of the National Honor Society. I have never been in trouble with the police and I help at my church. I played sports, was in the play and in the science club. I did everything a typical American kid does.

Like many other kids I wanted to go to college but at $2,500 a semester I couldn’t afford it. I took out a loan from a friend to pay for summer semester. That, plus what I had taken in high school, gave me enough credit to qualify for a 2 year scholarship. I was on my way! I got a part time job, and then another part time job to pay for my car, insurance and all the other things my parents couldn’t cover. I worked hard and qualified for another two year scholarship, this time to a university! I found an apartment, a part time job and joined clubs on campus. All the time in the back of my mind, I worried about losing my DACA, the piece that allowed me to do all of these things. I paid $500 every two years to renew my application. When the federal government stopped DACA my heart sank, fortunately, they allowed renewals for those of us who have DACA but that meant that my younger cousins couldn’t apply once they were old enough. After graduation I got a job with a good company that has benefits and retirement. I look just like any other kid who has worked hard and gotten to the American Dream. but I still worry about what will happen if the government removes DACA entirely.

I bet many of you wonder why I don’t just get citizenship. The fact is, there isn’t a path to citizenship or a green card for me because I came here without permission from the government. There is no way for me to qualify for any type of legal immigration. The best I can hope for is to fall in love with an American citizen and once we get married then I can start the application process but it costs between $20,000 and $30,000. I always worry that DACA will be withdrawn and that I will be sent back to Mexico, a country I know nothing about.

Bill Giving Tax Credits To Public Sector Retirees Scaled Back After Huge Fiscal Note

By Sherrie Peif

DENVER — A bill that would give $1,400 over the next two years in the form of a refundable tax credit to certain retired public sector employees made it through the House of Representatives’ finance committee, but not without an amendment that scales back by nearly half the number of qualified individuals.

The original version of House Bill 23-1016, sponsored by Shannon Bird, D-Westminster and Emily Sirota, D-Denver in the House and Chris Kolker, D-Littleton and Chris Hansen, D-Denver in the Senate, would have created an income tax credit for tax years 2023 and 2024 for Colorado residents who:

▪ Are 55 or older at the end of 2023 and 2024;

▪ Retired from a position that had a Colorado state public pension plan;

▪ Or retired from a position that had a public pension plan administered by a local Colorado government.

However, the fiscal note on this bill predicted an impact to general fund revenue in the amount of nearly $240 million for approximately 4,000 qualified Coloradans, leading sponsors to amend the bill.

The language now:

▪ Raises the age of the retiree to 65 or older (with the exception of Colorado state troopers);

▪ And requires that the retiree must be drawing on his or her retirement benefits.

Under the new language between 2,300-2,400 Coloradans will now qualify, and state troopers were exempted from the age requirement because of their average age of retirement, Bird said.

“Many state troopers retire at an earlier age due to the physical demands of their job, this is an attempt to honor that and make sure they, too, will get the benefit,” Bird said.

Bird and Sirota justified the bill by saying Public Employee Retirement Account (PERA)retirees face a large burden from the raising costs of living and blamed previous legislatures for passing policies that contributed to the problem.

“As inflation has risen over the years, the value of the dollar has not kept pace with that,” Bird said, adding that PERA retirees did not receive a COLA adjustment to their pensions in either 2018 or 2019, and likewise received only small adjustments since. “Cost of living adjustments for retirees have not kept pace. … This is an attempt to create a refundable tax credit.”

TABOR refunds on the table

Bird called the cost to the state “forgone revenue,” but then when questioned about its impact on Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds, called it “money that just stays in the hands of taxpayers.”

Michael Fields, however, said it’s money that stays only in the hands of the taxpayers that Democrats have deemed are worthy of keeping it.

“They want to take a chunk of TABOR refund money that would go to everyone and instead just give it to retired public employees,” Fields said.

Fields, who is the president of Advance Colorado Institute, was referring to the dynamics of how TABOR works.

TABOR is a constitutional amendment that, among other things, regulates the growth of government spending to a reasonable annual rate. Excess revenue must be returned to taxpayers unless voters give permission to exceed those limits.

Historically, TABOR refunds are given based on the amount of taxes paid into the state. The more taxes paid, the bigger the refund. Last year, Gov. Jared Polis marketed the constitutionally mandated refunds as a $750 gift to every Coloradan who filed an

income tax return.

Neither Bird or Sirota would directly address the TABOR impact when questioned by Republican members of the committee.

Sirota referred to it simply as less money coming in.

“This is our attempt to bring relief to our PERA beneficiaries who are struggling with their ability to keep up with the cost of living that has been a real challenge with these extreme inflation pressures over the last couple of years,” Sirota added.

Rep. Bob Marshall a Democrat out of Douglas County pointed out that according to PERA’s records, about 20 percent of the retirees will be getting much more in the form of the tax credit than inflation has cost them.

For at least one-out-of-six, more likely one-out-of-five, it would be equal to or greater than the rate of inflation in the last year,” Marshall said.

Bird said that $700 per year is not adequate compensation to make up for the longterm impact of inflation felt by PERA retirees.

Fields disagreed.

“PERA is already a very generous pension program,” Fields said. “This is another example of legislators trying to use the tax system to pick winners and losers.”

The bill with a new fiscal note, which has not been released yet, will now go to the appropriations committee. There is not a date set for that hearing yet.

A Rising Star: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Tuesday night was a weak night for President Biden and a great night for Governor Sanders. She is a rising star. He is an old star and fading into obscurity. by Newt Gingrich

The big event for me last night was Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ amazing response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union.

I’ve seen numerous State of the Union responses over the years. It is a difficult job because the president has the pageantry of the U.S. House Chamber – and a thousand-plus member audience. For an hour or more (and in some cases a lot more) the president is the dominant figure in American politics and government. The State of the Union offers the president an opportunity to present a virtually unchallenged case about his version of reality.

Few responses can match the impact because the individual giving the response typically seems smaller and less important than the president.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders overcame all those challenges and was amazingly dominant, clear, and convincing. When it was over, I felt that I had just heard the clearest case for our civilization and freedom since Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing,” speech in October 1964.

I was not the only one impressed by the speech. Joe Gaylord, my partner in the Contract with America campaign (and coauthor of “March to the Majority,” which will come out in June) wrote me: “I thought it was brilliant. Well written, well delivered, and encompassed everything I believe.”

I then turned to Gay Gaines, who was the head of GOPAC in the 1994 campaign. She wrote, “I thought she was wonderful, sincere, measured and heartfelt…she’s hope for our future.”

Former Congressman Greg Ganske wrote that Gov. Sanders, “really nailed it. One of best rebuttals ever.”

Lisa Nelson, CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council and former executive director of GOPAC in 1994, wrote: “The binary choices she laid out and the contrast between Sarah and Biden are so easily made and should be shared everywhere.”

Claire Christensen, my coauthor of “Trump vs. China,” wrote:

“I thought her message that it’s time for a new generation of Republican leadership was exactly right. Every single person who believes in the ideals and values she laid out should see this speech as a call to action. The Republican party is made up of people, not politicians, and this was an invitation for anyone who has big ideas, who stands for freedom, and who wants a better future for America to step up and serve.”

Faith Novak, one of our key research interns at Gingrich 360, wrote:

“I admire Gov. Sanders and appreciate her commitment to speaking in a manner that presents poise and character. At some points, she pointed out faults with Democratic leadership but stayed focused on the goal at hand, giving a speech that resonated with the American people.

“Overall, Gov. Sanders conveyed a message the American people needed to hear: Democrats want to strip Americans’ freedom of speech, and the Biden administration is full of ‘woke fantasies,’ [in which] ‘children are taught to hate one another on account of their race.’”

Compared to Gov. Sanders’ clear compelling speech, this is the trouble President Biden faces.

According to a new CBS Poll, 49 percent of Americans think Biden’s policies are making families’ finances worse. Only 21 percent say they are getting better. Further, Americans say Biden’s policies are making political divisions worse (50 percent vs. 19 percent who say they are getting better). By 51 percent to 21 percent, the American people say Biden’s policies are making immigration worse – not better.

When your base support is in the 19 percent to 21 percent range, you have a problem. Lying about it doesn’t help.

And Stephen Moore in Unleash Prosperity Hotline has clearly pointed out President Biden’s lies:

“No, Joe didn’t inherit an economy ‘in ruins.’ The economy grew by almost 11% in the six months BEFORE Biden took office.

“No, Joe hasn’t allowed more oil and gas development. New drilling permits have fallen to their lowest level in 50 years.

“No, the border isn’t under control. An all-time high, two million illegals last year entered – that we even know about.

“No, Joe hasn’t ‘lowered gas prices.’ They were $2.59 when he entered the office and now are $3.49 a gallon.

“No, we are not making progress on the deficit. By the end of this year, Biden will have added well more than $5 trillion of deficit spending.

“No, Joe, inflation isn’t under control. The CPI was 1.4% in January 2021 and 6.5% in 2023. Inflation has run ahead of wages every month.”

Last night was a weak night for President Biden and a great night for Governor Sanders. She is a rising star. He is an old star and fading into obscurity.

Join Us for Morgan County REA’s 86th Annual Meeting

By Morgan County Rural Electric Association

Morgan County Rural Electric Association, your local electric cooperative, has proudly served this area of northeastern Colorado since 1937. Over the past eightysix years, Morgan County REA has upheld its mission of delivering safe, reliable energy to its members with a strong tradition and vision for the future.

Because electric cooperatives are owned and operated by the members they serve, annual meetings are an essential component of the cooperative model. Annual meetings allow not only for members’ democratic participation, but also for members to stay informed and engaged in their electric cooperative.

Morgan County REA’s 86th annual meeting will take place Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m. This year’s annual meeting will be conducted by telephone and facilitated by Telephone Town Hall. This Colorado-based telecommunications service provider has conducted Morgan County REA’s annual meetings for the past three years, successfully carrying out all typical business functions of the meeting.

Morgan County REA’s virtual annual meetings have proven beneficial on multiple fronts. The telephone format has allowed for more open dialogue among members, who no longer need to be physically present to voice questions or concerns to their electric co-op. Remote meetings have also eliminated any concern of cancellation or delay due to weather, as late March has been known to deal some substantial storms across our service territory.

Though this year’s annual meeting will take place by phone, members will still have the same opportunities to win giveaways and prizes as at past, in-person annual meetings. Listening in to this year’s annual meeting will enter you to win a brand-new electric leaf blower, as well as cash prizes. Simply registering to attend the 2023 annual meeting will also enter you to win gift cards to local businesses.

All Morgan County REA members are encouraged to attend this year’s annual meeting. To register, please visit www.mcrea.org and click the banner at the bottom of the screen. Submit your name, service address, and preferred telephone number. Once registered, you will receive a call at the number provided on Tuesday, March 21 just before 6 p.m., allowing you to join the annual meeting.

If you have any questions regarding Morgan County REA’s 86th annual meeting or need help registering to attend, please call the Morgan County REA office at (970) 867-5688 or email memberservices@mcrea.org.

Upcoming Workshop In Brush To Cover New Laws That Are Affecting Businesses

Colorado legislature has passed several new laws that affect how we run our businesses. “How do we work together to stay compliant and still thrive?” That is the question being asked by East Colorado SBDC Consultants.

East Colorado SBDC, Brush Chamber of Commerce, and the Bank of Colorado (Brush) will be hosting a workshop on Monday evening, February 20, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Bank of Colorado in Brush. To register, go to www. eastcoloradosbdc.com/events

Raejean Palko, a business consultant from Limon, has done extensive research on the new laws and will be giving the presentation that covers new laws that were passed by Colorado legislation on how we run our businesses. At this workshop participants will discover eight changes to business expenses and recommended compliance strategies. They will learn four things that affect your payroll or paycheck and will unearth three new laws for your home.

East Colorado Small Business Development Center offers free business consulting and low-cost training for 20 counties in Eastern Colorado. Their mission is to help existing and new businesses to grow and prosper. You can request a free consulting session at www.eastcoloradosbdc.com. The center is part of the Colorado SBDC Network.

Transfer degrees from MCC to a Colorado university means a higher chance of success and less debt.

WIGGINS SCHOOL DISTRICT 50J FEBRUARY NEWS

GOOD PEOPLE OF TIGER NATION: February 2023

Child Drop off and Pick up: The safety of our children is the most important aspect of our community. As you pick up and drop off your children please be patient with the process so you can help prevent one of our students from getting hurt. Please do not park in the crosswalk or where there is yellow paint on the curbs as these areas are designated for students crossing.

Accountability Review: On February 2nd and 3rd Wiggins School District went through a comprehensive review process. 22 educators from across the state reviewed district policies, observed classroom instruction, and interviewed numerous parents, students, and faculty members. After this two day review the team of educators gave the district accumulative scoring in the areas of curriculum and instruction, professional learning, leadership and vision, and learning climate. The scoring is based on a 7pt scale with 1 representing Evidence of Awareness and 7 representing Evidence of Impact.

The district scored a 4 on curriculum and instruction. The review team see Evidence of Practice through the district implementation of a new reading curriculum and with teachers doing their best to meet the learning needs of all students through Sheltered Instruction Protocols.

We scored a 4 on professional learning. This score was given solely because teachers are currently being trained in the new reading curriculum and Sheltered Instruction Protocols. As staff continues to learn the ins and outs of the new curriculum and instructional practices this score will move to a 7.

The district scored a 5 in leadership and vision, again meaning there is Evidence of Practice. Staff reported that the admin is clearly visible and present with staff and students throughout the day. An area for improvement is to tie BOE meetings with the district’s strategic priorities ensuring that students are positively impacted every day.

The highest score the district scored was a 6 in learning climate. Scoring this high means that there is Evidence of Impact. Classroom observations, student interviews, and parent focus groups all showed that there is significant evidence of student empowerment, engagement, inclusion, and that students are invested in their learning.

Although the district didn’t score perfect, it is evident that Wiggins School District is “Positively Impacting Every Student, Every Day!”

Financials:

Monthly Expenditures for December

General Fund $886,475.46

Preschool $41,153.43

Capital Reserve $0.00 Bond Redemption $0.00 Bond Project $0.00 Elementary Project $0.00

Kyle Bules, Principal 415 Main Street Wiggins Elementary School Wiggins, CO 80654 (970)483-7762

bulesk@wiggins50.k12.co.us

Positively Impacting Every Student, Every Day

February 3 2023

Dear Parents and Community Members,

The traffic congestion around all of the schools during drop-off and pick-up times can be very frustrating at times Like the old saying goes “patience is a virtue” and during the construction of the new school I would ask you to practice patience and kindness Over the last month we have had some concerning issues but we have some incidents lately that are unsafe for everyone and I am calling for your help

Every Student, Every Day”

Please follow our vision statement “Positively Impacting

Please drive slowly and find a safe parking area if needed

Additionally, our crossing guards and other staff members that are outside during these times are out there to ensure the safety of your child and everyone else Please be courteous of them and respect their position and responsibilities that have been placed upon them These positions are crucial for the safety of the children and we praise those that take this job seriously This isn’t a safe job, so please slow down and be responsible

At the end of the day the safety of our children is the most important aspect of our community

Please be patient with the process so you can help prevent one of our precious children getting hurt as a result of not being able to wait an additional minute or two I truly believe that if we work together as a community we can make this much safer for the children and staff members

The Wiggins School District has partnered with the Wiggins Police Department in an effort to make this a smoother transition for you the flow of traffic and above all; the safety of the kids Please slow down arrive early and keep the children safe Do your part In the bus loop please pull as far forward to allow others to drop their child off

Should you have any questions regarding this situation I encourage you to speak with myself

Mr Craig Harris, Mr Randy Wilson, Dr Kerr, or the Wiggins P D

Thank you for your your cooperation in this extremely important matter

Kyle Bules Principal

Wiggins Middle/High School 1st Semester Honor Roll

Gold Honor Roll 4 0+

Sam Adamson, Peyton Allart, Shilyn Barnum, Alison Beauprez, Chase Bodine, Keira Chezik, Ryley Chezik, Jacob Dorren, Jacy Dreier, Jackson Epple, Taelynn Epple, Latzari Escalante-Escalante, Alexandria Ewertz, Tyleigh Fehseke, Aubryn Ferguson, Trail Filener, Macyn French, Kaileigh Garcia, Skylar Gregersen, Caiden Healey, Nahia Kelley, Scott Kennedy, Cole Kerr, Raelyn Koenig, Adanaili Maldonado, Kasey Merriam, Gracie Mook, Danielle Moon, Regina Natividad Payan, Charlotte Peggram, Isaac Reed, Natalia Sanchez, Brooke Schmidt, Kelsi Smits, Retta Thomas, Madison Thomas, Mark Walker, Grady Wilson, Roxanne Wyatt, Tessa Yzaguirre, Lexi Zimmerman

Silver Honor Roll 3 5 – 3 99

Michael Adamson, Dalton Allendorf, Lily Avery, Tyler Bellendir, Chancey Brentner, Deanna Brewer, Ashley Clement, Thomas Covelli, Madison Dreier, John Epple, Treyton Fehseke, Taylinn Fitzsimmons, Terrah Fitzsimmons, Julio Flores, Adalia Garcia, Caden Green, Kallie Green, Makayla Guilbert, Breeana Holdcroft, Shawn Hollis, Riley Hunt, Laith Ibrahim, Grayson Johnson, Caleb Kays, Kennedy Kerr, Tristan Kyte, Kealy Langford, Kelli Lousberg, Payton Malone, Addison Mayer, Brooklyn McCormick, Brooklyn Mese, Olivia Moad-Estrada, Hayden Nance, Grant Reed, Madisen Reed, Pepper Rusher, Omelia Sandoval, Nathan Schmidt, Cameron Schmidt, Kaylee Seiber, Addyson Spradlin, Madison Steinbar, Joseph Stone, Dalia Tarango Yanex, Antoinette Terrebonne, Laura Vallejo, Maddison Wyatt, Taryn Yzaguirre, Jace Yzaguirre, Jennifer Zambrano, Caz Zimmerman

Bronze Honor Roll 3 0 – 3 49

CharlieAnne Barrett, Littzy Barron Rios, Noah Birely, Jordan Book, Kaden Burdette, Avery Burdette, Alan Carrazco Rios, Zoey Chezik, Tobin Dhooge, Tyler Dilka, Matthew Dorren, Riley Erickson, Mason Forsha, Alyssa Gallegos, Johnny Gildow, Teresa Gomez Mendoza, Benecio Gonzales, Julian Gonzales, Gavin Graham, Julia Guilbert, Trey Huwa, Bryce Kays, Ashlynn Le Fever, Stephen Linton, Dallie Longan, Americo Lorenzini, Jayson Lousberg, Cuauhtemoc Mendez, Talyn Mese, Johnathan Meyer, Wesley Miranda, Leonardo Munoz-Mendoza, Ryland Nix, Makayla O’Patik, Michael Pacheco, Cash Pape, Tyler Parris-Clark, Laque Premo, Jaime Ramirez Cardona, Wendy Rojas Narvaez, Jose Miguel Sanz Iturbe, Andrew Smith, Madison Stanley, Mackenzee Steinbar, Marcus Steinbar, Lance Sulley, Taylor Sulley, Jazmin Talamantes, Garrette Paul Terrebonne, Riley Thomas, Daniel Trujillo

Aidan Covelli – Champ, Samara Johnson– Runner up– Presley Klacman– 2nd Runner up.

 FFA Hired Hand Auction and Steak Supper will be March 6th @ 6PM

 Congratulations to the following students that will be representing Wiggins Middle School at district Science Fair in Brush F ebruary 27th and 28th. 7th Grade: Elaina Merriam, Jaydin Busch, Juliet Leon, Keason McClellan, Ainsley Sauer, Kynely Yzaguirre, Elisa Rami rez Cardona, Valeria Roman and Janely Mendez. 8th Grade: Arath Carrazco, Montserrat Delval Gomez, Ariana Yoder, Megan Goddard, Carston Johnson, Peyton Meyer, Anna Werner, Ben Werner, Gia Cordova, Taylor Hollis and Tenleigh Lorenzini.

Annual Wiggins FFA Steak Sandwich Supper & Hired Hand Auction

Wiggins FFA Alumni & Supporters will be having our annual Steak Sandwich Supper along with the Wiggins FFA Hired Hand Auction. Events will take place on Monday, March 6th in the Wiggins High School Cafeteria and Auditorium. The supper will begin at 6:00 pm. Money raised from the supper will go towards the FFA Alumni & Supporters scholarships. Scholarships may be awarded to graduating Wiggins FFA members in good standing this coming spring. Meal tickets can be purchased for $10 from Alumni or FFA members as well at the Wiggins Ag Department. Tickets will also be available at the door. Cargill Meat Solutions, Edward s Right Price Market & Dairy MAX are premier sponsors for this event.

The Wiggins FFA Chapter will be having their Hired Hand Auction following the supper beginning at 7:00 pm. Funds raised will help cover expenses for FFA members to attend Leadership conferences, Career Development Events and various activities throughout the year. The surrounding community members and businesses have been tremendous supporters of the Wiggins FFA and we look forward to seeing a large turnout of supporters again this year. Auctioneers Miller & Associates are premier sponsors for this event. Aidan Covelli, Mrs. Goddard, Samara Johnson

Middle School “A” Honor Roll

Jaydin Busch, Megan Goddard, Skyelyn Lefever, Peyton Meyer, Ainsley Sauer, Kynley Yzaguirre

Middle School “A/B” Honor Roll

Estrella Borrego Caldera, Arath Carrazco Rios, Gia Cordova, Haedynn Epple, Owen Erker, Isabella Fanatia, Josie Hunt, Brealynn Huwa, Carston Johnson, Jack Johnson, Samara Johnson, Natalia Kaczor, Karsyn Kerr, Kaydence Koenig, Juliet Leon, Janely Mendez, Brynn Neal, Ava Ostland, Karter Roberts, Kellie Vicchrilli, Annalena Werner, Ariana Yoder

Colorado Democratic Party, GOP Prepare For Intraparty Reorganizations That Will Have Big Influence Over Their Future

Both parties will have new chairs, and how leadership elections go on the county and congressional and legislative district levels will play a big role by Sandra

Fish, The Colorado Sun

How it works

Here’s how the process will work:

• Counties must elect new officers — typically chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer — by Feb. 15. Those officers all serve on the state party central committee. Extra central committee delegates are awarded to many counties based on the number of ballots cast for the party’s candidates in the most recent election.

• Precinct leaders from each congressional, legislative and judicial district will also select new district-wide leaders who will serve on the state parties’ central committees. At the state legislative level, those district officers and precinct organizers also serve on vacancy committees if a lawmaker must be replaced in the middle of their term.

• Elected officials at the state, legislative and congressional levels, as well as elected district attorneys, also serve on their respective parties’ state central committees.

Change is coming for Colorado Democrats and Republicans as they elect new, internal party leadership at the state, county, congressional and legislative levels by April 1.

The leaders are pivotal because they will help their respective parties recruit candidates and volunteers through the 2024 election. State- and county-level chairs are often the local face of the state party, as well, serving as on-the-ground spokespeople for Democrats or Republicans.

This year, both Democrats and the GOP will also elect new leaders at the chair level, with Democratic chairwoman Morgan Carroll, who has held her post for six years, and GOP chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown, who has held her post for two years, stepping aside.

Most of the focus on intraparty leadership elections this year is on those top jobs, which often pay $100,000 or more annually. There are multiple candidates in both parties. Republicans will select a new chair March 11, while Democrats will select their leader April 1, the last day allowed by law.

But the outcome of Democratic and GOP chair elections will depend to some extent on who wins county and district party leadership elections, which began Feb. 1.

That’s because the Republicans and Democratic party central committees are made up of party officers at the county, congressional district and legislative district levels. The state parties’ central committees typically include about 500 people.

“They’re the ones who implement a lot of decisions,” said Seth Masket, a political science professor at the University of Denver, where he leads the school’s Center on American Politics. “They can make decisions about who ends up participating in primaries and what those primaries look like and they certainly can be influential.”

Grassroots leaders elected in 2022 will select new party leaders

Precinct organizers elected at caucuses in March 2022 are responsible for choosing new county, congressional district and legislative district party leadership this year.

Many of those grassroots precinct leaders for the Republican Party also nominated candidates through the 2022 caucus and assembly process who proved to be unpopular with Colorado’s unaffiliated voters in the November election.

Republicans lost by larger-than-expected margins in many offices last fall, with little hope of electoral success until 2026.

“The most active people end up running parties at the local level,” Masket said. “That’s been particularly true since (former President Donald) Trump first started running for office, where he’s brought a lot of people into the party and into the party organization who really hadn’t been involved at that level in the past and now they’re kind of running it in a lot of states and a lot of local levels.”

The election for Republican Party state chair is crowded, with several candidates who don’t want unaffiliated voters to participate in Colorado’s GOP primary elections and who have or continue to spread conspiracy theories about election results.

There’s already controversy over the election of a new county chair in El Paso County, where Vickie Tonkins, the current chairwoman, was censured by the state GOP central committee in December for opposing several of the party’s candidates in the general election.

The state GOP central committee voted Tuesday at Burton Brown’s recommendation to appoint a neutral party to run the El Paso County reorganization meeting. Tonkins and others in El Paso County filed a lawsuit to try to stop that action.

“I do think that there’s an even bigger existential question for Republicans going through reorganization,” said Carroll, the outgoing Colorado Democratic Party chairwoman. “What they think they’re doing to help the party is actually making it irrelevant.”

Burton Brown noted that state law governs party organization, with the structure designed from the ground up.

“We’re very much a local-district-controls (the) party,” she said. “So the state party doesn’t tell county parties, ‘Oh, you have to let this person run.’ Obviously we’ll put people in touch if they reach out to us.”

Burton Brown and Carroll both suggested that those interested in running for partylevel positions at the county level on up, or those interested in volunteering, reach out to their county parties. A list for Democratic county parties can be found here, and a list for Republican county parties can be found here. The Democratic Party also has several web pages on the process.

Exhibit on Evolution of Communication Opens Feb. 10

Display in Museum Lower Gallery runs through May 31

A new museum exhibit exploring the evolution of communication opens Friday, Feb. 10, at the Fort Morgan Museum Lower Gallery.

The “Communication and Media” exhibit is an interactive experience of the creative and innovative ways humans have communicated over the centuries. View some of the museum’s collection of televisions, radios, computers, typewriters and more. Learn Morse code, play with a rotary telephone and create your own invention in the interactive discovery areas.

For more information, contact Educator Kathleen Byrne at (970) 542-4014 or kathleen.byrne@cityoffortmorgan.com.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/cityoffortmorgan

MCC Offers Free Tax Preparation with Tax Help Colorado Program

Fort Morgan, CO. 1/24/2023. This tax season, Morgan Community College is partnering with Tax Help Colorado, a program of Mile High United Way, to offer families free tax preparation. Beginning Thursday, February 2, 2023, IRS-certified volunteers will prepare and file tax returns free of charge to households with incomes of less than $60,000 a year.

Free tax prep helps ease the burden of commercial tax preparation costs on lowwage earners and helps connect families with valuable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is worth up to $6,700 for the 2022 tax year. On average, tax preparation in Colorado cost $200.

“Tax Help Colorado’s partnership with MCC benefits families in our community by ensuring taxpayers reclaim valuable tax credits to help support their household income and boost the local economy,” said Leah Thomas, MCC Agriculture and Business Management Faculty and Coordinator. “MCC’s tax site is operated by certified tax preparers with over 15 years of experience. Schedule your appointment online today!”

This free service will be offered at Morgan Community College, 920 Barlow Road in Fort Morgan on Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 2 - March 7, 2023, from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling (970) 542-3100, Monday-Friday between 1 p.m.-5 p.m. or on the MCC website at www.morgancc. edu/taxhelp.

In 2022, MCC Tax Help Colorado volunteers completed 386 Federal and State returns, resulting in $760,973 in refunds for families and households living in northeast Colorado.

A list of all the Tax Help Colorado sites, as well as the locations of other free tax assistance sites in Colorado, are available by calling 2-1-1 or visiting TaxHelpCO.org.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

The podium of the Colorado Republican Party stands bare following a watch party of 2022 candidates at the Doubletree By Hilton in Greenwood Village. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown, left, and Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Morgan Carroll. (Handouts)

Western Slope University Students Working with Outdoor Businesses as Part of Wright Collegiate Challenge

Outdoor industry students at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Mountain College and Western Colorado University are helping nine businesses and nonprofits solve challenges.

by Jason Blevins, The Colorado Sun

Challenge for three years. Two years ago the student helped the group hammer out plans for the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve. A year later the students helped strategize a way to include recreational paths alongside a bankrupt railroad. The San Luis Rio Grande Railway was recently acquired by a wealthy Colorado investor who has indicated support for that recreational access. And now SLVGO is hoping the students can develop a plan for off-grid cabin rentals — they are calling it Tin Can Camp — that can lure visitors while protecting natural resources and public lands.

• Nathan Creswell, the director of climbing at the 24-hour Grip Bouldering climbing gym in Grand Junction, is looking for “more avenues to grow stewardship of local climbing areas” and more climber involvement with the region’s Western Colorado Climbers’ Coalition.

• Colorado has about 200 skateparks and 20 skater-owned skate shops. Most of those shops offer local nonprofit skate programs to build a community around skating and the concrete parks. Stacy Falk, the owner of Ramps and Alleys skateshop and clubhouse in Salida, hopes the Wright students can develop a network to unite the state’s skaters, with a collaborative effort to help build skateparks, support business owners and get more kids skating.

• Amy Raney has been renting sandboards to visitors at Great Sand Dunes National Park since 2018. Now the owner of Blanca’s SpinDrift SandBoards is hoping to build her own sand-surfing boards out of locally-grown hemp. Using local production and local materials, she hopes her operation can be carbon neutral.

“Our relationship with the land needs to be reciprocal,” Raney said. “We need to give back and equalize the land that provides our sustenance and our outdoor recreation.”

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

Nine Colorado outdoor recreation businesses and nonprofits are turning to outdoor industry students at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Mountain College and Western Colorado University for help in solving their unique challenges.

The Wright Collegiate Challenge is a 12-week program that pairs students with businesses and nonprofits to develop strategies for navigating Colorado’s growing outdoor recreation industry. The 5-year-old challenge is cheered by business owners who get fresh eyes on their issues while outdoor students gain real-life perspective on the industry.

“I think Colorado does the best job of just about any state in producing workforce for the outdoor recreation industry and this is one of the best programs to inspire that in the state,” said Conor Hall, the boss at the state’s outdoor recreation office.

This year’s nine businesses and nonprofits last week pitched their problems to students at CMU’s Outdoor Industry Studies Program, CMC’s Outdoor Education Program in Leadville and Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA Program. The three institutions are among the first in the nation to offer higher-education focused on the outdoor recreation economy.

Scott Borden, the director of the country’s first outdoor MBA program, at Western, regularly surveys his students, who “overwhelmingly … say this is not something they can get in a classroom.”

Here are the issues the businesses and nonprofits hope the students can help solve. Tune back in a few months and The Sun will share the solutions the students developed.

• The Durango-based founders of Trip Outside, which connects users with guides, outfitters, tours, lessons and gear for 5,000 different adventures in 350 destinations, are Julie and Reet Singh. The couple has grown their company from two destinations in 2018 and are hoping to “create a playbook” for a community in Colorado that gathers guides, nonprofits and tourism marketing organizations to foster more “regenerative outdoor adventures,” Julie Singh said.

“How can we get more people outdoors without disrupting communities and ecosystems where they recreate?” she said.

• Gunnison’s Andy and Gail Sovick are hoping to find a more sustainable, wooden display case to replace plastic racks that display their Beacon Guidebooks in more than 90 stores.

• Justin Talbot is hoping the students can help him with a “creative approach to grassroots marketing” for his Galena Mountain Projects in Leadville, which makes local guidebooks and pearl-snap shirts.

• David Leinweber is hoping to create a tool to help better disperse the 30 fly fishing guides at his Angler’s Covey outfitting shop in Colorado Springs. The idea would be a way for guides to check which stream, lake or river is most crowded and possibly select a quieter corner to fish with hopes that a model could eventually scale up for public use.

• Natalie Binder and Paul Koski are hoping students can dig into federal approval processes for new trails and ask “what’s the hold up?” Binder is the founder of the 120-acre Camp V outside Naturita, where she blends glamping with art and recreation and hopes her singletrack can spin into neighboring public lands. Koski is in nearby Nucla and a longtime board member of the West End Trails Alliance, which is working to build more than 50 miles of mountain biking singletrack to expedite the region’s decades-long transition from mining to tourism, recreation and an entirely different economy.

To get approval for those trails across the 1,500 square-mile West End, Koski and the WETA crew wind through four different Bureau of Land Management field offices in two states.

“Why does it take nine to 10 years to put in sometimes the simplest of trails?” asked Koski, who envisions students diving into “an investigation.” “We would just like to look at what’s the hold up? And how does it compare to building a pipeline or power line?”

• The San Luis Valley Great Outdoors group has participated in the Wright Collegiate

Camp V owner Natalie Binder looks over renovations to cabins on Camp V west of Naturita, Sept. 6, 2020. (William Woody, Special to The Colorado Sun)

State Budget Writers Fine Colorado Mesa University For Exceeding Tuition Increase Cap, Highlighting Annual Capitol debate

The legislature told the state’s colleges and universities that they couldn’t raise tuition for any in-state undergraduate students by more than 2%. But according to staff for the Joint Budget Committee, about 80% of CMU students saw a tuition increase of more than 3%.

by Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun

The panel of state lawmakers that drafts Colorado’s budget fined Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction $50,000 for raising tuition for most of its students by more than the legislature allowed last year, putting a spotlight on the annual tuitionincrease debate between the Capitol and public institutions of higher education.

The General Assembly last year told the state’s colleges and universities that they couldn’t raise tuition for any in-state undergraduate students by more than 2%. But according to staff for the Joint Budget Committee, about 80% of CMU students saw a tuition increase of more than 3%.

The $50,000 fine, approved on a 5-1 vote, is the equivalent of a slap on the wrist for CMU, which has a $100 million annual budget. But the JBC hopes it’s enough to prevent other public colleges and universities institutions from ignoring the legislature’s tuition guidelines in the future.

So far, the message doesn’t seem to have been received.

Colorado Mesa University, in a statement to The Sun, said it disagrees with the JBC’s finding that it violated the 2% tuition increase cap.

“The Joint Budget Committee has a difficult job, and we’ve appreciated the opportunity to work alongside them to try and address the significant funding disparities experienced by first-generation and low-income student serving institutions like CMU,” Kelsey Coleman, a spokeswoman for Mesa, said in a written statement. “That said, we respectfully disagree with the staff analysis of the facts. We cut our tuition for career and technical programs by some 40% and averaged a mere 1% overall increase, keeping us one of the most affordable universities anywhere in Colorado.”

JBC staff told lawmakers CMU, which serves as both a four-year institution and community college, is correct, but that the tuition directive included in the budget passed by the legislature last year, called a footnote, clearly said that “no undergraduate student with in-state classification will pay more tuition in fiscal year 2022-23 than 2% over what a student would have paid in fiscal year 2021-22 for the same credit hours and course of study.” There was no mention of an average.

“I don’t think we could (have been) any clearer in this footnote,” Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat, said Monday during a JBC meeting. “This is about students. It’s not about the average institution-wide percentage. This is about individual students. And there were individual students at Mesa that had an increase greater than what was allowed in this footnote.”

The 2% tuition increase cap adopted by the legislature last year stemmed from negotiations between Gov. Jared Polis, who wanted to prevent any increase, and public colleges and universities, which wanted a 3% cap. How much public higher education institutions should be allowed to increase their tuition each year is a perennial debate in the legislature as it irons out the state budget.

The Colorado legislature provides funding to public colleges and universities through the state budget. The tradeoff is that it tells those institutions how much they can increase tuition, often allowing more latitude in years when lawmakers have less money to spare.

JBC staff recommended fining Colorado Mesa $75,000, but the panel decided on $50,000 to match a tuition-increase fine levied last year on Metropolitan State University of Denver for a similar violation.

Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Brighton Republican, recommended the reduced fine, but said during the hearing that if any public college or university disobeys the legislature’s direction a second time, she will come for the “whole enchilada.” Bridges put on record that he thinks any institution that violates the legislature’s limit on tuition increase in the future should have to pay up — and that the fine should

be at least $75,000.

“I’ll just say the next time I see this, if I don’t really, really buy that it was just a complete and total misunderstanding, I want the enchilada,” he said. “I want all the soup.”

Bridges, in a statement to The Colorado Sun, said CMU’s actions “required a response from the JBC in our work to keep education affordable for all Coloradans.”

“Most jobs in Colorado require education beyond high school, which means we have a responsibility to keep higher education affordable in our state,” he said. “That’s why every year we limit how much public institutions can raise their tuition in legislation that clearly states, in plain language, that the limit applies to individual students and not to an institution-wide average.”

State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, an Arapahoe County Republican, was the only JBC member to reject the fine. He said he wanted to give CMU the “benefit of the doubt.”

The fine, levied through a decreased appropriation to the school, still must be approved by the full legislature, which traditionally accepts the recommendations of the JBC.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

Utah Tech University Students Earn Dean’s List Recognition

ST. GEORGE, UT (01/30/2023)-- Utah Tech University students excelled in the classroom during the Fall 2022 semester with 1,468 UT students or 11 percent of the student body earning Dean’s List honors. Inclusion on the Dean’s List requires students to complete a minimum of 15 credits and achieve a GPA of 3.5 to 3.89.

The following Trailblazers are among the 11 percent of the Utah Tech student body who earned Dean’s List honors for the Fall 2022 semester:

Emma Christensen of Fort Morgan, CO

Katelyn Reagin of Frederick, CO

Briggs Wheatley of Fort Morgan, CO

“On behalf of the faculty and staff, congratulations to all Utah Tech students who made the 2022 Fall semester honor roll list,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Michael Lacourse. “Your hard work and persistence have paid off and you should be proud of your achievement. Keep up the great work and we hope to see your name on the honor roll for the Spring 2023 semester.”

Utah Tech University is a premier open-enrollment teaching institution that offers more than 250 academic programs at one of the lowest tuition costs in the Western United States. The University was built upon a rich tradition of determination and generosity that is still embraced by the campus community today. With the motto “active learning. active life.” Utah Tech provides personalized and engaged learning experiences that prepare students for rewarding careers and enriched lives.

Candidate Forums

United Power will host the following Meet the Candidate Forums where members can learn more about each of our director candidates.

Monday, March 13 | 6:30 p.m. Riverdale Regional Park Rendezvous Room, Waymire Dome 9755 Henderson Rd, Brighton 80601 View Livestream at www.unitedpower.com

Tuesday, March 14 | 7:30 a.m. Coal Creek Canyon Community Center 31528 Highway 72, Golden 80403

Thursday, March 16 | 6:30 p.m. United Power Carbon Valley Service Center 9586 E I-25 Frontage Rd, Longmont 80504

Friday, March 17 | 7:30 a.m. Fort Lupton Recreation Center Multi-purpose Room 3 203 S Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton 80621

Annual Meeting & Director Election

Where: Riverdale Regional Park

When: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

4:30 p.m. | Registration opens 6:30 p.m. | Meeting begins www.unitedpower.com

Colorado Adults Who Never Finished High School Could Get More Help Towards a Diploma

by Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat

Colorado would boost adult high school diploma programs and also ensure students learn digital literacy skills under two bipartisan bills in the state legislature.

Both bills would meet critical needs for Coloradans and also for the state — to produce more educated workers and to train more people for jobs that have been stubbornly hard to fill. Historically, Colorado has ranked at the bottom among states in funding adult education.

About 300,000 Colorado adults lack a high school diploma, according to the Colorado Adult Education Coalition. The state spends about $7 annually per eligible adult for adult education — tied for sixth-lowest among states, according to an analysis by ProPublica.

State Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat co-sponsoring Senate Bill 7, wants all adults in Colorado “to be able to have the educational attainment that they need in order to be full citizens in the United States and in Colorado.”

Her bill would triple state spending on adult education programs to $3 million a year. It would make digital literacy a requirement in those programs. The bill also would allow colleges to award high school diplomas to adults.

The bill is co-sponsored by state Sen Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Weld County Republican; and state Reps. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat, and Marc Catlin, a Montrose Republican.

Another bill, Senate Bill 3, would spend $2 million a year to create a high school for adults to pay for courses, child care, and transportation. The bill is sponsored by state Sens. Janet Buckner, an Aurora Democrat; Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican; and state Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat.

The bills would significantly increase state investment in adult high school programs that advocates say will reach Coloradans who have the greatest difficulty finding goodpaying jobs. On average, adults without a high school diploma earn about $32,500 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Advocates and civic and business leaders say diplomas and training will steer those adults toward in-demand jobs.

Bills would expand adult education, but not reach all

Colorado’s adult education system is spread out among colleges, school districts, and nonprofits and teaches courses required for high school graduation and also subjects ranging from basic language to college and career skills.

Some charge for classes or exams. Students who never made it past elementary school may not be ready to jump into high school courses. Because limited education diminishes their earning capacity, these students might struggle even more than other adult students do to pay for child care and transportation, and to take time off work to learn.

Students who didn’t finish high school have the option of passing a test to earn a high school equivalency diploma — generally accepted by colleges and employers or taking the courses they would have taken had they stayed in school and getting a fuller education.

The extra $2 million in Senate Bill 7 would help adult programs but is not enough for the thousands of adults needing an education, Zenzinger said.

Colorado provides less than $1,000 annually per adult enrolled in state programs, Zenzinger said. That figure is augmented by grants and other assistance. In comparison, the state spends about $10,000 annually on educating each high school student.

About 40% of eligible adults have less than a ninth grade education, Zenzinger said. That includes Coloradans who never graduated and immigrants and refugees who didn’t get a full education in their country. All need more support to finish high school, advocates say.

Colorado spent about $5 million total in federal relief funds for adult education in 2021 and 2022, Zenzinger said. That onetime money has run out.

Proposals would expand options for adults

Both bills will provide more programs for adults.

Senate Bill 7 would smooth the path to a diploma. Currently, colleges, which provide about a third of all adult programs, aren’t allowed to award diplomas. Instead, they must partner with a school district.

During public testimony, college leaders said partnerships expire or leadership changes, forcing schools to educate districts on the need.

Dwenna Holden, Colorado Mountain College English language program director, said colleges can provide a more consistent experience for adult high school students if they have more authority.

“This is streamlining the process for students and allows them to keep all their records in one place,” Holden said.

Colleges, nonprofits, and districts currently offer options for students, including night and weekend programs. Those might include in person, hybrid, or virtual diploma programs.

Senate Bill 3 would offer adults an alternate, more targeted service with an experience similar to a traditional high school.

The program is modeled after Goodwill’s Excel Center in Indiana, which offers an accelerated diploma course with college-level training, said Sarah Thomas, Goodwill’s national director of business development and network advancement. Goodwill operates the program in six states and Washington, D.C.

The program would allow the Colorado Department of Education to partner with a nonprofit such as Goodwill and enroll up to 400 students a year. It’s unclear where that school would be located. If successful, the program could expand, Buckner and Gardner said during a Wednesday Senate Education Committee hearing on the proposal.

“This is a way to get people back on track,” Buckner said.

Digital literacy skills are necessary to get jobs

Senate Bill 7 would require diploma programs across the state to teach digital literacy skills.

Many students are missing those skills, said Jocelyne Bisimwa, 32, lead adult education instructor at Spring Institute. It helps immigrants gain English language and digital literacy skills, as well as diplomas.

Bisimwa said when she moved from Uganda, she knew how to use email but couldn’t do much else on a computer. The Spring Institute connected her to classes to become a paraprofessional. She now teaches fellow immigrants.

Inability to send emails keeps many from finding jobs or furthering their education, she said. Students are also held back by unfamiliarity with other types of technology, she said.

Bisimwa said offering digital literacy skills to adults will help them unlock what Colorado has to offer.

“It’s going to change a lot of people’s lives,” she said.

Business After Hours

Colorado Regulators Are Really Tripping As They Prepare To Roll Out “Magic” Mushroom Legalization

The Department of Regulatory Agencies warned lawmakers in January that it is not prepared to handle the passage of Proposition 122, saying it has no idea what to do with psilocybin

by Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies recently warned state lawmakers that it is unprepared for its assigned job of implementing the state’s new, second-inthe-nation legal “magic mushroom” industry, which voters approved in November.

The department — which normally oversees sectors like insurance and banking — is tasked with quickly adopting a regulatory structure under which psychedelic mushrooms can be legally consumed by people 21 and older at licensed facilities. The facilities are set to open as soon as late 2024.

DORA will also be responsible for writing regulations governing the cultivation and manufacturing of psychedelic mushrooms, as well as protecting consumers, developing public education campaigns and making recommendations to the legislature about how to shape the industry.

There’s just one problem: DORA says it has no idea what it’s doing when it comes to psilocybin, the hallucination-inducing compound derived from psychedelic mushrooms.

“This is an area completely outside the scope of any existing expertise or regulatory history within the department,” DORA wrote in a budget document submitted to the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. “This is unlike anything else the department regulates. The department has no resources or expertise to begin implementation of this expansive new program involving substances with agricultural, controlled substance, chemical/scientific and facility issues.”

Proposition 122, which legalized magic mushrooms, passed by nearly 8 percentage points. The measure was unique in that it specifically charged DORA with rolling out the psilocybin industry, as opposed to letting the state figure out for itself which of its agencies should be responsible for regulating magic mushrooms. And it doesn’t appear Proposition 122’s proponents reached out to DORA to see if they could handle the responsibility.

“Did they come sit down and say do you want to take this? I don’t think so,” said Katie O’Donnell, a spokeswoman for DORA. “It could have gone in a lot of places. It doesn’t fit perfectly in any of them.”

(Patty Salazar, who leads DORA, declined an interview request as her agency works to determine who will take on the psilocybin assignment.)

The Colorado Department of Revenue, for instance, regulates the cannabis industry. Hemp is handled by the Department of Agriculture.

DORA? It houses the Colorado Civil Rights Division and Broadband Deployment Office. To put it simply: DORA isn’t synonymous with psychedelics.

“It just doesn’t fit in the mold of what we regulate,” said O’Donnell, who explained that DORA is preliminarily planning to handle regulations for psilocybin and the other plants through its Division of Professions and Occupations.

Tasia Poinsatte, who leads the Healing Advocacy Fund, an offshoot of the group that funded the passage of Proposition 122, said supporters of the measure thought DORA was an appropriate place to regulate Colorado’s new psychedelic mushrooms endeavor because of its licensure work.

“Proposition 122 was designed to provide breakthrough therapies to Coloradans for mental health and wellness,” Poinsatte said. “At the heart of this new regulated program are the licensed facilitators who supervise the preparation sessions, the natural medicine administration session, and the integration sessions. We believe it’s appropriate for the agency that regulates other health professions, such as therapists, addiction specialists and nurses, to also regulate this new profession of licensed facilitators.”

Still, Poinsatte said she recognizes DORA may need help creating a “program that works for all Coloradoans and is a model for the rest of the country.” Oregon is the only other state where psychedelic mushrooms are legal, and that only happened Jan. 1.

Proposition 122 allows people 21 and older in Colorado to grow and share psychedelic mushrooms. Sales, however, are not allowed.

Where DORA comes in will be the state-regulated centers OK’d by Proposition 122, where people will be able to make appointments to consume psilocybin.

Gov. Jared Polis last month appointed 15 people to serve on the state’s “Natural Medicine Advisory Board,” which is tasked with advising DORA on implementing the regulations. 5280 magazine reported there were more than 200 people who applied to be on the board.

But DORA says it still needs more help.

In its budget request to the legislature, DORA said it wants to spend $700,000 this year and next to “contract resources and expertise” to get its trip down the rabbit hole going. It says the speed at which it’s expected to implement rules is unprecedented, and it’s still figuring out the fee structure for legal-use facilities under which it will fund its work.

And once DORA gets its psychedelic mushroom regulations squared away, the work may be just beginning.

Proposition 122 gives the Natural Medicine Advisory Board the option to similarly legalize and regulate a number of other naturally derived psychedelics, including dimethyltryptamine (known as DMT), ibogaine and mescaline, which is found in the San Pedro cactus.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Could You Cope with Long-Term Care Costs?

We all want to stay healthy and live independently throughout our retirement years. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible for some of us, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for healthrelated challenges — such as the need for long-term care.

As you may know, long-term care covers a variety of services, ranging from occasional visits from a home health aide to full-time residency in a nursing home. But while these types of care may vary in duration and intensity, they all have one thing in common — they’re expensive. Genworth, an insurance company, reports these median annual costs:

• Over $100,000 for a private room in a nursing home

• Over $60,000 for the services of a home health aide

Furthermore, Medicare typically pays very few of these expenses, which means the burden of payment will likely fall on you — or, even worse, on your adult children if you can’t afford the care you need.

Of course, you could hope that you will avoid these costs simply by not requiring any type of assistance — but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor. In fact, someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services in their remaining years, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

So, how can you protect yourself from the potentially enormous costs of longterm care? You could decide that you’ll pay out of pocket — if so, you’ll need to incorporate into your retirement budget a reasonable estimate of potential longterm care costs, and you may need to make some significant changes to your saving and investment plans. And the earlier you begin, the better.

Your other option is to purchase some form of long-term care insurance. Essentially, three types of coverage are available:

• Traditional long-term care insurance – A traditional long-term

care policy covers long-term care expenses in your home or at a nursing facility. But policies will differ in terms of what services are covered and how benefits are paid. And you may also be able to choose whether you want inflation protection. Also, with some policies, you can deduct the premiums from your state and federal taxes. (Your tax advisor can evaluate a policy you’re considering for potential tax benefits.)

• Hybrid long-term care insurance – In addition to providing coverage for home health care or a nursing home stay, a hybrid long-term care policy also offers a death benefit, so if you never need long-term care, your family could benefit from the policy’s proceeds.

• Life insurance with a longterm care rider – You can find a life insurance policy that lets you add longterm care coverage through a “rider,” or optional add-on. With this type of policy, you can use some of the death benefit to pay for your long-term care needs.

Which policy is best for you? There’s no one right answer for everyone. A financial professional can help you evaluate all your options within the context of your overall investment and protection strategies. But keep in mind that all long-term care policies tend to get more expensive as you get older, so if you’re considering this type of coverage, you may want to get started sooner rather than later.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Gov. Jared Polis Promises to Fully Fund Colorado Schools Within Four Years

By Jason Gonzales and Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Tuesday in his 2023 State of the State speech that he wants to eliminate the budget stabilization factor by the end of his second term.

RJ Sangosti / The Denver Post

In Tuesday’s State of the State speech, Gov. Jared Polis promised to fully fund K-12 schools within four years — something Colorado hasn’t done since the Great Recession even as he also promised major property tax relief and further reductions in the state income tax rate.

Polis also touted the launch of universal preschool this coming August, asked lawmakers to ask voters to keep more money from nicotine sales to expand preschool, pledged support to help high school students earn college credit, and highlighted efforts to boost students’ math skills.

The speech was Polis’ first State of the State of his second term as governor. Colorado will celebrate 150 years as a state in 2026, the last full year of his second term.

In a speech that leaned heavier on housing and health care than on education, Polis framed his goals as creating more opportunity for all by the time the state marks that milestone.

“At 150, I want to see an education system that prepares every child and learners of all ages for success,” Polis said.

In an interview, Polis said he would only support tax cuts that wouldn’t reduce overall state revenue and that his proposals depend on an ongoing strong economy.

“If we’re going to fund our schools and cut taxes at the same time, the overall economy needs to do well,” he said.

Polis included many of the education policies described in the speech in his recent budget requests, including new training opportunities to help workers get in-demand jobs and more money for afterschool tutoring.

Here are a few education highlights from the State of the State speech.

Polis promises to fully fund K-12 schools

What he said: “I am proud to submit a proposal to buy down the budget stabilization factor to its lowest level ever and set our state on a path to finally eliminate it altogether during my second term, fulfilling our state’s commitment to our schools.”

What it means: Colorado’s constitution requires school funding to go up every year by the rate of population growth and inflation, but every year, lawmakers withhold hundreds of millions that should go to schools to help fund other priorities. The practice known as the budget stabilization factor started in 2009-10 and added up to more than $10 billion.

Eliminating the budget stabilization factor is a longtime priority for the state’s education advocates. Lawmakers have reduced the annual withholding but never eliminated it. Last year they held back $321 million out of more than $5 billion in state K-12 funding.

In a budget letter sent Tuesday, Polis proposed a $201 million withholding and saving money to allow for more so-called buy-downs in future years.

In an interview, Polis acknowledged doing so depends on a continuing strong economy. Republicans believe schools could be funded at a higher level if Democrats scaled back other programs.

Colorado schools would get more money per student

What Polis said: “For K-12 learners, I’m proposing in my supplemental and budget amendment package today that we raise per pupil funding by an additional $925 — or an additional $20,000 for [individual] Colorado classrooms every year … Districts can use these funds to increase pay, like the Lake County School District that raised teacher pay by 16% in just one year with a major bump for staff … Or how Colorado’s two largest school districts are starting their teachers at just over $50,000 per year. That would have been unheard of a decade ago.

“These new funds can also support smaller class sizes, revive extracurriculars, or fund mental health support for our students.”

What it means: The governor said in November he wants $861 more per student. Now he’s calling for an additional $64. That money would bring per-pupil allocations to $10,485.

Many Colorado school districts are losing enrollment, so the bottom line would vary from district to district. The legislature could also send more — or less — money to schools than called for in Polis’ budget request.

In the budget letter, Polis said higher per-pupil funding is possible in part because Colorado has 1,600 fewer students this year than expected and is likely to have 2,700 fewer next school year.

School districts can spend the money how they choose, and many Colorado school districts have raised pay. At the same time, inflation has eaten into the value of those raises. A recent study found the price of housing — another priority for Polis and lawmakers — has risen far faster than educator wages.

Property tax relief is a top priority

What Polis said: “We must work together to pass a long-term property tax relief package that reduces residential and commercial property taxes and creates a longterm mechanism to protect homeowners from being priced out of their homes, while protecting school funding.”

What it means: Property taxes, school funding, and the state budget are closely related. Colorado sets per-pupil funding at the state level and backfills whatever local property tax revenues don’t cover. Higher local property taxes means K-12 school funding can go up without putting as much pressure on the state budget.

Last year’s $700 million property tax relief deal was one reason lawmakers held back from fully funding schools then. The deal meant the state needed to backfill more dollars for districts.

Senate President Stephen Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat, said he doesn’t expect a cut to property tax rates to conflict with the governor’s call to increase school funding. Property values have soared and it leaves room for the state to make cuts while still bringing in enough for K-12.

Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said lawmakers need to find ways to both fund education and provide property tax relief.

“We rank in the bottom of the United States, depending on how you slice that metric, as far as funding, and yes, we have to provide property tax relief,” she said. “We have to be talking about both and what that path is forward.”

Colorado’s Governor Wants to Reduce Your Utility Bill. Don’t Expect a Big Decrease Anytime Soon.

The requests Gov. Jared Polis made Monday will take a year or more to take effect. They are intended to help Coloradans next winter.

by Jesse Paul and Mark Jaffe, The Colorado

Sun

experiencing,” said Bob Frenzel, CEO of Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy. (Xcel is donating about $500,000 of the $1 million going toward Energy Outreach Colorado.)

Robert Kenney, who leads Xcel Energy’s Colorado branch, said Xcel is already doing some of the things Polis called for in his letter. He said the company talks frequently with the governor’s office about clean energy and technological initiatives.

Lynne Granger, executive director of the American Petroleum Institute in Colorado, expressed frustration, however, that the oil and gas industry wasn’t part of the governor’s plans.

Gov.

Jared Polis on Monday asked state regulators and his administration to take every possible action to reduce the cost of utilities for Coloradans. But that’s much easier said than done, and no one should expect their sky-high natural gas and electric bills to go down anytime soon.

The majority of the requests Polis made, laid out in an 8-page letter, will take a year or more to take effect, and the Democrat said the only way to make a serious dent in the problem is to move Colorado away from its reliance on electricity generated using fossil fuels, a process that’s slated to take decades.

“We are trying to align the actions we need to take to avoid or reduce future price spikes in time for the next high demand season, which will be next winter,” Polis said at a news conference in his office at the Colorado Capitol in Denver.

Coloradans, however, are feeling the utility pinch now.

As of Jan. 31, 91,105 people had applied to the state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program — or LEAP — for help paying their utility bills, and 59,506 have received grants averaging about $442. In the last few weeks, interest in the program has been running 15% ahead of last year’s pace.

Polis’ main short-term solution to rising energy costs is to boost publicity around the federally funded LEAP program, which many Coloradans aren’t aware of. To qualify for LEAP benefits, a Coloradan can only make up to 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is $66,468 a year. The program expects to spend $65 million this heating year in Colorado.

For those who don’t qualify for LEAP, there’s the nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado program that helps people who make no more than 80% of area median income cover utility bills. The program on Monday said it received 15,409 calls for various types of help for the week ending Jan. 29 — a 50% increase over the same week last year. By Feb. 5, EOC had disbursed $528,660 in utility bill aid.

In the long term, Polis called Monday for his administration to:

• Roll out federally funded home energy rebate programs, which won’t kick in until the end of 2023 at the earliest, as fast as possible. “While the federal funding for these programs won’t be available till the end of the year, we’re committed to working with stakeholders to be ready to go when those funds are available,” said Will Toor, who leads the Colorado Energy Office.

• Find ways to “align customer and utility conservation incentives”

• Enact new statewide building energy codes

• Implement microgrid programs with state and federal funding

The governor may need the help of the cash-strapped legislature on several of the initiatives.

Polis also directed the three-member Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utility companies, to reduce customer costs by exploring an expansion in natural gas storage and by making utilities prepurchase gas ahead of anticipated price hikes, like the one caused by extremely cold weather in December.

“The market sets the price, but there’s a lot we can do to make ourselves more immune to that in the future,” Polis said. “Of course, the long-term solution is to continue driving toward 100%, low-cost renewable energy, ending our reliance on costly fossil fuels that also make us vulnerable to price increases.”

The governor appoints the PUC’s members and he can make requests of the commission, but the panel acts independently.

Polis said that when deciding who to appoint to the PUC, he “wanted to make sure we would have independent figures who would push back against rate increases.”

The PUC, however, faces a dilemma. The biggest driver of the current bill shock has been a sharp increase in natural gas prices, which under commission rules, is directly passed through to consumers.

Many of the investments that are waiting to go into rates, such as the $1.7 billion Power Pathway transmission project, are aimed at helping move the utility to 80% renewable generation. Although, the price of renewable power is both steady and less expensive than coal or natural gas now.

Xcel Energy, the state’s largest utility, sought a $300 million electricity rate increase, which the commission cut to $187 million in April. But in December the utility filed another $312 million electricity rate increase, citing the need to replace aging infrastructure.

Still some of the things the governor asked for Monday are already underway. The PUC has called for Xcel Energy to submit an electric and gas volatility mitigation plan for 2023 and 2024.

The commission is also exploring mechanisms to avoid the bill shock of large jumps in gas prices — possibly by spreading the costs out.

On Jan. 31, the commission held a listening session allowing consumers to voice their concerns. “That was terrific because it was people speaking for themselves, unfortunately what they had to say was tragic,” said Cindy Schonhaut, the director of the Colorado Office of Utility Consumer Advocate.

Schonaut applauded Polis’ actions Monday.

“What he does by putting his name on it, he engages his leadership and his office,” she said. “Now it isn’t only about decarbonization but ratepayers, consumers as well.”

When asked if he has been disappointed in his PUC appointees, Polis said the commission is “an independent regulatory authority” and that his only recourse is to formally lodge complaints.

Coloradans may see some relief in their energy bills in the coming months because of a decrease in natural gas prices, Xcel said earlier this month.

Utility companies, gas organizations donate $1 million

A few hours after Polis rolled out his plan, a group of Colorado utility CEOs and two oil and gas trade groups held a news conference across the street from the Capitol to announce they have formed a coalition aimed at reducing Coloradans’ energy costs. The coalition said it was donating $1 million Energy Outreach Colorado to help people contend with their rising bills.

“Look, we’re empathetic or sympathetic to the challenges that our customers are

“We were pretty disappointed,” she said. “This is a supply and demand issue and supply is low. Our industry is absolutely part of the solution. We have to be at the table.”

But during his news conference, Polis said high energy costs are independent of the amount of oil and gas drilling going on in Colorado.

“There’s no connection there,” Polis said. “There are more permits (being issued in Colorado), but the price of natural gas — it’s a global commodity. Colorado is a producer, but we are not a producer (such) that our policies drive global pricing.”

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

Fears Flare That Colorado Free Preschool Could Shortchange Kids With Learning Delays

By Ann Schimke

Despite concerns about how the preschool program is unfolding, more than 22,000 families have applied for a seat in less than three weeks.

Christian K. Lee for Chalkbeat

As state leaders prepare to launch Colorado’s free preschool program next fall, some educators and advocates fear young children with disabilities will lose out under the new system.

They say 3-year-olds could be rejected for a spot and 4-year-olds could receive less preschool than they’re due because of the narrow way the state asks about children with disabilities on its preschool application form.

In addition, school district officials say that unanswered questions about special education funding and confusion over how two state agencies will work together on the preschool program are a troubling sign for a major new program that will start in a matter of months.

While many early childhood advocates and providers have praised Colorado’s plan to significantly expand publicly funded preschool, there’s ongoing concern that the rollout is being rushed.

“I think the [Colorado Department of Early Childhood] was pushed into something very quickly,” said Callan Ware, executive director of student services in the Englewood district south of Denver.

Ashley Stephen, business services director for the Platte Canyon district, said she’s excited about universal preschool, but also nervous because communication from the state “so far has been a little bit harried and a little bit unclear.”

The 7-month-old Department of Early Childhood is responsible for running the new preschool program, with the Colorado Department of Education overseeing some aspects related to students with disabilities. The program will offer 10 to 15 hours a week of tuition-free preschool to 4-year-olds statewide, with some eligible for 30 hours. Some 3-year-olds will be eligible for 10 hours a week.

Despite concerns about how the preschool program is unfolding, there’s no option to slow things down. In the last 2½ weeks, more than 22,000 families have applied for a seat and thousands more are expected to join them in the coming months.

Amid this surge, advocates worry that some children with disabilities, especially those from marginalized populations, could slip through the cracks as their families encounter confusing terminology, bureaucratic barriers, and uncertainty about their rights.

“I support and appreciate the idea of universal preschool programming,” said Pam Bisceglia, executive director of Advocacy Denver, an advocacy group for people with disabilities. “My question is whether those programs are going to be filled with children of parents who enjoy privilege.”

Preschool application poses challenges

Children with disabilities are supposed to get priority for 10 hours a week of class time at age 3 and 30 hours a week at 4.

But Heather Hanson, whose 9-year-old son was diagnosed with a speech delay as a toddler and later with dyslexia, believes the state’s new preschool program will make it even harder than it is now for young children with disabilities to get the help they need.

The universal preschool application is part of the reason. It asks parents if their child has “an active Individualized Education Program” — a fancy name for a federally required learning plan for students 3 and older with disabilities.

But many children don’t get such plans until after they enroll in school. A young child with a delay may not even have been evaluated or received a diagnosis. Even when children are identified as toddlers, their plan has a different name and acronym than the one on the preschool application.

Hanson, who served on a special education subcommittee during the universal preschool planning process, called the wording on the application “horrible” and “discriminatory.”

“All of those really big words should not be used,” she said. Even the word “disability” might deter some parents.

Lucinda Hundley, who heads the Colorado Consortium of Directors of Special Education, said, “We don’t want to miss children because of an answer on a computerized registration system.”

Risk factors change under universal preschool

Currently, Colorado children with disabilities can be routed to state-funded preschool in one of two ways. Those who have Individualized Education Programs get classes through the preschool special education program. Another group of children who have one of 10 risk factors — such as language delays or poor social skills — qualify for a state preschool program that will end after this school year. Kids in that second group don’t have to have a diagnosis or special learning plan to qualify for free preschool.

But under the new universal preschool program, the state will use fewer risk factors to decide who can attend for free at age 3 and get extra hours at age 4. One of them is the Individualized Education Program. The others consider whether the child is homeless, an English learner, in foster care, or comes from a lower-income family.

Hundley said there’s no way for a parent who suspects their child might have a disability to flag their concern when applying for universal preschool.

Officials from the early childhood department and education department said in an email that state law requires the Individualized Education Program criteria on the universal preschool application. Hundley said it’s unlikely the law would disallow additional criteria that might help capture students with potential disabilities.

Several advocates said the wording should be simpler and more general: “Do you think your child could use some extra help?” or “Do you have concerns about your child’s speech or behavior?

Laurie Noblitt, director of elementary and early learning for the Fountain-Fort Carson district, said her district has fielded calls from parents whose 3-year-old children don’t qualify for free preschool according to the application system. They say things like, “I’m really worried about my child’s language, they’re only speaking in one- or two-word phrases,” she said.

In such cases, Noblitt said, the district helps get the child evaluated and into preschool, but she worries about the families who don’t make that phone call.

Three-year-olds whose parents don’t know how to navigate the system stand to lose out on free preschool altogether and 4-year-olds with disabilities could get just 15 hours a week, half what they’re supposed to.

Hanson said those extra hours can make a big difference since students with disabilities sometimes need double or triple the repetition and exposure to classroom learning compared with their typically developing peers.

The low number of hours offered to 3-year-olds also puts a burden on parents, said Elisa Aucancela, executive director of El Grupo Vida, a nonprofit that supports Hispanic families who have children with disabilities.

Her brother, who has a 3-year-old daughter with a disability, is “still struggling due to the part-time [hours] for 3-year-olds” she said. “It’s a really difficult challenge for some families because what are they going to do for the other half of the time when they need to work?”

Special education funding in question

Several school district leaders worry about how the state is handling $33 million that used to go to school districts to help cover preschool special education costs. They fear the money — which amounts to $36,000 a year in small districts like Englewood and up to $4 million in large districts — now will be mixed into the general universal preschool funding pot, and won’t be set aside for services for students with disabilities.

If that happens, districts will have to use local dollars to cover lost state money since they’re legally required to cover special education services. Hundley said that means funding for staff like psychologists and speech therapists who provide mandated services to students with disabilities gets diverted from other district priorities.

Even though state funding for special education has increased in recent years, districts still cover about two-thirds of those costs out of their local budgets.

State officials estimate they’ll spend at least $33 million — and possibly more — on what they call “general education” seats for students with disabilities. But Hundley said school districts want the state to direct that money specifically to special education services, which is how it has been used in the past.

Beyond money, the uncertainty about funding raises questions about how two state agencies — the early childhood department and the education department — are divvying up overlapping responsibilities.

In response to Chalkbeat’s questions about funding for preschoolers with disabilities, the education department first referred questions to the early childhood department. After the two agencies signed an agreement this week outlining how they’d work together, the early childhood department referred questions to the education department. On Friday, the two departments released emailed answers together. Neither granted an interview.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $2.7 Billion to Improve and Expand Rural Electric Infrastructure

Funding Includes $613 Million to Improve Grid Security and Reliability

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $2.7 billion to help 64 electric cooperatives and utilities (PDF, 175 KB) expand and modernize the nation’s rural electric grid and increase grid security.

“These critical investments will benefit rural people and businesses in many ways for decades to come,” Vilsack said. “This funding will help rural cooperatives and utilities invest in changes that make our energy more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable. Investing in infrastructure – roads, bridges, broadband and energy – supports good-paying jobs and keeps the United States poised to lead the global economy.”

Background:

USDA is investing in 64 projects through the Electric Loan Program. This funding will benefit nearly 2 million rural people and businesses in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The loans include $613 million to help rural utilities and cooperatives install and upgrade smart grid technologies. Smart grid can be a catalyst for broadband and other telecommunications services in unserved and underserved rural areas in addition to improving grid security and reliability.

Nearly half of the awards will help finance infrastructure improvements in underserved communities.

Below are some examples of how the funding will be used:

• The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is receiving a $111 million loan to connect 1,264 consumers and build and improve 404 miles of line. The loan includes $13.4 million for smart grid technologies. Northern Virginia Electric, headquartered in Manassas, serves 176,604 consumers over 7,614 miles of line in six counties.

• The Carteret-Craven Electric Membership Cooperative in Newport, North Carolina, is receiving a $28 million loan to connect 3,115 consumers and build and improve 132 miles of line. The loan includes $169,437 for smart grid technologies. Carteret-Craven Electric serves 41,655 consumers through 2,493 miles of line in four counties in southeastern North Carolina.

• Minnesota’s Beltrami Electric Cooperative is receiving a $22.7 million loan to connect 1,480 consumers and build and improve 225 miles of line. The loan includes $1.3 million for smart grid technologies. Beltrami Electric is headquartered in Bemidji, Minnesota. It serves 21,772 consumers in portions of Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca and Koochiching counties with 3,500 miles of distribution line covering approximately 3,000 square miles.

In the coming months, USDA will announce additional energy infrastructure financing. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act provided more than $12 billion to USDA for loans and grants to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs and spur economic growth. This funding will help make energy cleaner, more reliable and more affordable.

USDA’s Electric Loan Program can help finance wind, solar and natural gas plants, as well as improvements to produce cleaner energy from coal-fired plants. Local utilities also use the loans to invest in infrastructure to deliver affordable power to millions of residential, commercial and agricultural consumers.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income

for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda. gov.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

Brush Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet

Submitted by Merle Rhoades, East Colorado SBDC

“Brush is full of opportunities” stated Matt Gordon, Executive Director of the Brush Chamber of Commerce as he opened the annual Brush Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He highlighted the success of the year but put a lot of emphasis on plans for the coming year. “2023 will be the year we plant the seeds of today to provide shade for tomorrow” quoted Gordon.

The highlight of the evening was recognizing outstanding businesses and individuals who put forth extra effort in making the chamber the best that it can be.

City Barber Shop & Color Parlor was awarded the “Business of the Year.” The City Barber Shop has been passed on from generations of barbers for over 100 years. It has changed locations a few times and the current owner, Carrie Ankrom, took over the business in 2019. Ankrom had worked at the shop for several years before taking it over. When she did that, she got REALLY involved in the community. This past year, she served as President of the Brush Chamber as well as serving on the Morgan County Economic Development Corporation Board. She led the Chamber in getting nearly 200 Chamber members involved. She spearhead the move of the Oktoberfest back to the downtown area where the chamber had more vendors than they have had in many years which drew over 4700 visitors for the event.

Past Chamber president, Suzanne Spears was named the “Spur of the Year.” Spears, who is the coordinator for the Center for Arts & Community Enrichment (CACE) at Morgan Community College, established the Art Walk in Brush this past year. In prior years, she has been involved with almost every committee the Chamber has had including the transitioning of two Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors. She has served as the Chair of the organizational committee for several years.

For the second straight year, MaKyle Mares was named the “Volunteer of the Year.” Mares is a multimedia professional specializing in graphic design, web design, and marketing. He is a co-owner of a marketing/branding agency, BOSS Marketing. He has served on the Brush Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Secretary, the Chamber Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors where he has assisted the Chamber Executive Director with planning, promoting, and executing public events. He designed the Fourth July Parade Route, the layout of the Vendors at the Oktoberfest, and more.

Adriana Otero of Best Life Realty was installed president of 2023 Board of Directors. Installed as directors were: Sherry Hernandez of Sher’s Tax and Accounting, MaKyle Mares of BOSS Marketing, Rick Hinojos of American Family Insurance, Tyler Purvis of the City of Brush, Scott Klinkhammer of Wing Spot, Clay Miller of the Bank of Colorado, and Patrick Heisler of the Hall. Carrie Ankrom will serve as Past President.

Three-Pointers Give Roosevelt Boys The Edge Over Fort Morgan, 72-62

by Paul Dineen, Get The Picture Sports LLC

The Roosevelt Roughriders rode into Fort Morgan for a game on February 7. They had beaten the Mustangs in Johnstown, 53-51, on January 12. The Roughriders arrived with a similar record, 4-15 (4-10 league), compared to Fort Morgan’s 5-14 (2-12 league).

Fort Morgan held the lead for the bulk of the first half, with Roosevelt keeping it close into the second quarter by hitting from long range. Seven of their first nine scores were via three-pointers. Thirty of their points came that way (led by Luca Salvatore’s twelve on three-pointers), compared to twelve points on threes by Fort Morgan. Still, the Mustangs took a 34-29 advantage to the locker room at the half.

Roosevelt tied the score at forty-four midway through the third quarter and pulled ahead by one going into the fourth. They outscored the Mustangs 18-9 in the fourth quarter for the 72-62 win. Three-pointers were the difference for Roosevelt, as Fort Morgan had the edge in field goals with four points more and in free throws with two more.

Four Roughriders scored in double figures, led by Luca Salvatore with eighteen, followed by Seppe Salvatore with seventeen. Michael Wall added eleven and Xavier Ramirez had ten. The Salvatores each also grabbed eleven rebounds. Joan Hoyos led Roosevelt in assists and steals, with five and three, respectively.

For Fort Morgan, Wesley Carnes led with twenty-six points. Nathan Gerken added seventeen, including a dunk to draw the Mustangs within three points with 3:42 left in the game. Gerken also led the team with eight rebounds.

The game was relatively physical, with each team accumulating twenty-four fouls. Three players for Roosevelt and two for Fort Morgan fouled out of the game. The team averages are 19.8 fouls per game for Fort Morgan and 16.9 for Roosevelt.

At this writing, Fort Morgan’s regular season concludes with a home game against Skyline on February 16. Roosevelt’s ends on the same day at Riverdale Ridge.

Fort Morgan is a 4A team; Roosevelt is 5A. In both classes, thirty-two teams qualify for the postseason. Within each class, the league winners qualify (for leagues with at least five teams -- five such leagues in 4A and seven in 5A). The remainder of the thirty-two are based on the teams’ combined CHSAA RPI and MaxPreps scores. Fort Morgan’s current score ranks them at 37.5th in 4A; Roosevelt is at 41.5th in 5A.

Wesley Carnes of Fort Morgan led all scorers with twenty-six points.

Seppe Salvatore had seventeen points and eleven rebounds for Roosevelt.

Nathan Gerken scored seventeen for Fort Morgan, including this dunk in the fourth quarter.

Luca Salvatore led Roosevelt with eighteen points and eleven rebounds.