The Lost Creek Guide July 19, 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

Why Proposition HH Will Cost You Money!

by Gabe Evans, Colorado State House Representative District 48 Property taxes are going up. Elected officials work for the people, so what are they doing about it? As the state representative for House District 48, I would like to share what is happening.

First, some tax basics: property taxes predominantly fund schools, fire districts and other local entities (usually minus cities and towns). Municipalities are primarily funded by sales and use tax. The state government’s revenue largely comes from both sales and income taxes. These revenue sources will be important in a minute.

Property taxes are calculated via three components:

1. The value of properties is assessed June 30th of even numbered years with the most recent valuation date being June 30th, 2022.

2. The mil levy (a mil is one tenth of a percent) is set by school boards, county government, fire protection districts, etc. An average total mil levy is 100 mills (or 0.100), however, it may be higher or lower depending on what jurisdiction(s) you live in.

3. An arbitrary number set by the state to reduce your tax burden, the assessment rate for residential property is currently 0.06765.

The property tax calculation is Assessed Value x Mil Levy x Assessment Rate. For example: a $500,000 residential property with a mil levy of 100 (0.100 for the equation) would be: $500,000 x 0.100 x 0.06765 = $3,382.50 annual property tax. An increase or decrease of any of the three components will increase or decrease the total tax.

The recent property tax spike is predominantly due to inflated market values. As the economy recovered from the convulsions of COVID, residential market values were extremely high on the June 30, 2022 valuation date. Republicans recognized the artificially high property values, and our answer was a two-year timeout. House Bill 23-1054 would have skipped the 2022 valuation, waited for the economy and housing market to stabilize, and allowed taxes for another two years to be based on the 2020 rate. This solution did not require referral to the voters and could have been in effect now.

The Democrat supermajority in the state legislature killed this bill in its first committee. Their plan, Senate Bill 23-303/Proposition HH, provides a small reduction in assessment rate (literally a 0.0075 reduction) and an additional $35,000 deduction from your home’s market value (assessed value of a $500,000 home would decrease by $35,000 for tax purposes). Based on the earlier example, this would save $267.

That small savings doesn’t come out of the state government’s pocketbook. Since property tax funds local government, it comes from schools, fire districts, etc. Democrats don’t want to be seen taking funds away from those entities. Thus, the second part of their plan.

Remember those $750 checks everyone got last year? The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) caps how much tax the state government can keep and requires the rest to be refunded to the taxpayers. This year’s refund is projected to be around $800. Repealing TABOR, and keeping that money for the government, is one of the Democrat party’s stated goals.

In November, Proposition HH will be on the ballot. Proposition HH offers you a small discount next year on your property taxes in exchange for allowing the state to keep a similar amount of your Taxpayer Bill of Rights refund. The state will use that to reimburse local governments. The deceptive part of Proposition HH is that, every year, it increases the amount of TABOR refunds the state is allowed to keep. In 10 years, the state can keep an extra $1.3 billion per year. In 30 years, the state can keep an additional $17 billion per year. That money should have been returned to the taxpayers!

Spiking residential property taxes could have been solved by taking a two-year timeout. Instead, the ruling Democrats are trying to give you a few hundred dollars back, but only if you vote for Proposition HH, which takes a continually increasing amount out of your TABOR refund and your pocket. This proposal is disingenuous, costs the taxpayers money, and effectively repeals the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. I’ll be voting “no” on Proposition HH this November.

Gabe Evans

State Representative

Colorado House District 48

Office: 303-866-2943

gabe.evans.house@coleg.gov

Bob Stock Festival Brings 5 Stages to Fort Morgan

Article & Pictures by Talia Siens

This July 7th and 8th, Bobstock Music Festival returned to downtown Fort Morgan, Colorado with five stages and over 100 vendors. Fan favorites such as Denver Dueling Piano’s Show, the Rick Lewis Project, and Romero joined headliners Riley’s L.A.Guns and 38 Special.

There were over 20 musical acts this year. The weather swept through and created some delays for Saturday night’s headliners, but 38 Special delighted the audience with many of their greatest hits during their set. This year’s event brought in many food trucks and vendors from across the state, as well as fun activities for kids and families. New additions to the festivities were an open mic show, an additional beer garden, and after parties with fun free activities such as a 360 degree video booth. Bobstock continues to grow and add more fun to this region’s largest free music festival every year thanks to area sponsors such as Cargill Meat Solutions and Anywhere Cam, as well as this year’s stage sponsors Rival Services, Parts Smart Carquest, Morgan County REA, Cyclone Diesel, and VAP Construction. Big thanks to Media Logic Radio, their staff, and all of the volunteers for putting together this amazing event for our community every year.

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE

Page 2: Way of the World

Page 2: Barb Kirkmeyer Announces She Will Not Run for CD 8

Page 3: Colorado 2nd Leading Economic Driver, Agriculture, Deserves Respect

Page 3: Colorado GOP Tries to Block Unaffiliated Voters from Their Primary

Page 4: Common Sense Institute: Colorado Total Cost of Crime

Page 5: Wiggins’s School District Newsletter

Page 6: Wiggins Rural Fire Protection Annual Pancake Breakfast

Page 9: Senator Bryon Pelton’s Newsletter on Eastern Plains Tour

Page 12 & 13: Wiggins Annual 4th of July Parade Pictures

Page 16: MCC Center for Arts & Community Enrichment

Calendar 2023/2024

Bob Stock Festival Pictures continued on page 13...

Way of the World

by Bob Grand

The leader of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelensky. What a leader indeed. He has the makings of some of the best on the world stage. His personal investment in promoting his country around the globe in an environment where many of the “intelligent” people are saying negotiate, he remains firm, not until the Russian Government is out of Ukrainian territory. An example of what a true leader of the people should be. Ukraine is not perfect. There is still a lot of left over baggage from the Soviet era as well as the free-wheeling oligarch types that are similar to what we see in Russia. Zelensky is trying really hard, he is committed. His visits to the front lines and meetings with the troops are inspiring. He motivates his people and his troops. The same cannot be said of Vladimir Putin, quite the opposite. In one respect Ukraine’s biggest asset in Russia is probably Vladimir Putin. His government is morally corrupt, and the Russian people are beginning to realize it. Putin believes that he can outlast the countries supporting Ukraine because they will tire of it. What he underestimates is that Western Europe went through World War II, which was devastating. Many of the European government leadership at the time believed that negotiating with Hitler was better than war. Little did they appreciate what terrible times were coming. They chose to appease rather than confront. You might say they finally learned their lesson, the hard way. Negotiating with a bully is unproductive.

We are in fair season and have just finished celebrating the 4th of July. It is inspiring to view the pride Americans show in their country and their young people during this time. A good example for all Americans. Unfortunately, with our growth in the urban areas, many of the good attributes of farm life have been lost. The basic work ethic involved in agriculture was a great model for young people. We have not adequately replaced that in our society of today. A hundred and fifty years ago almost 90% of the workers in America were agriculture related. That has flipped today. Coinciding with that has been a flip in the overall work ethic development for our young people. Contrary to the modern belief of today’s young people they do not know everything. They have to have effective role models. With the deterioration of the American family life, religious beliefs, education, and the embarrassment of the leadership of both our current political parties at the local and national level, we are not providing our young people with the models needed to give them a chance at a successful life.

At breakfast, this past morning one of our retired farmers commented on how beneficial it would be if people could switch places and walk in another person’s shoes for a while to get a better perspective of what their issues were. Unrealistic but how true the concept is. Our current system in many ways is failing us, the American public, and more importantly our young people. We have to solve that issue. It is time to consider a mandatory nation service for young people either military or government service of some kind so that young people get to spend two years in an environment that exposes them to learning to work with other people and to see how other people live and think. Hopefully giving them a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. College is not the answer for everybody. We should be thinking anew about what our young people really need to be successful in their lives. We owe them that. We do not owe the blind support for higher education which has not demonstrated that it deserves it.

The Common Sense Institute in Denver just issued their study: The Cost of Crime & Its Impact on Colorado: Crimes Impact on the Economy & Residents. The people of Colorado are paying a price for a state legislature that seems to think that coddling criminals will make life better. For the criminals, but for the rest of us? We pay a price, both emotionally and financially. Does anyone listen to what many of our District Attorneys and police officials are saying? Our criminal justice system is broken and needs to be fixed. We should feel safe in our communities and criminals need to be concerned about what might happen to them not the other way around.

Our political system is broken. The majority of Americans, I believe, want the same basic things for themselves and their families, a good life, where you feel safe, have an opportunity to pursue your goals and dreams, and leave a better place for you kids. Is that so wrong? But no, we are told that is selfish and we need to make up for all the bad things that happened in our country. Our Constitution guarantees basic rights to all our citizens. That is good. The enforcement of that equality through our legal system is the road to take. Not violence or taking to the streets. We are a country that should protect all its citizens from any kind of threats to their safety or individual liberties. That is the role of government either in the federal, state, county, or local area. If our elected officials will not do their job to that end, then they should not be holding elected or appointed office.

Nice words but the practicality is sometimes a whole lot more difficult. Albert Einstein once said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting the results to be different is in fact the definition of insanity. Are we satisfied with the continuing insanity? I hope you think not. I go back to the beginning of this article about leadership. Where is the political leadership in both parties in Colorado and the national level?

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

Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer Won’t Run Again in Colorado’s Highly Competitive 8th Congressional District

Kirkmeyer will seek a second term in the Colorado Senate in 2024 instead. Weld County Commissioner Scott James, another Republican, is now expected to enter the race.

by Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun

State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Republican running to represent the 8th Congressional District, speaks to supporters at an event at her campaign’s headquarters in Thornton. (Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun) Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer announced Wednesday morning that she won’t run again next year in Colorado’s highly competitive 8th Congressional District. She’s opting instead to seek another four-year term in the Colorado Senate, where she is a member of the powerful Joint Budget Committee. Kirmeyer said in a written statement that she believes she can best serve Colorado as a state senator.

“I appreciate the many supporters who have encouraged me to run again for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District,” Kirkmeyer said. “Being the 2022 Republican nominee for CD8 was the honor of a lifetime. My decision to instead run for reelection comes after careful consideration and deliberation.”

The decision means Republicans still don’t have an announced candidate to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in the toss-up district that spans Denver’s northeast suburbs in Adams County along U.S. 85 into Weld County and Greeley. National Republicans say the district is one of their top 2024 targets.

Caraveo beat Kirkmeyer by less than a percentage point, or roughly 1,600 votes, in 2022.

While there’s still a year to go before Election Day 2024, Caraveo is building a sizable fundraising advantage over any potential GOP challengers. Congressional candidates must file to run before they can start raising money.

A number of Republicans have been eyeing a run in the district including Weld County Commissioner Scott James. Tim Saler, an adviser to James, told The Colorado Sun that the commissioner would run if Kirkmeyer doesn’t make another 8th District bid, but he hadn’t filed paperwork as of Wednesday morning.

Another Republican considering a bid for the seat is state Rep. Gabe Evans, of Fort Lupton. “CD8 is a very special place that deserves a bold voice and a committed, engaged representative,” Evans told The Sun on Tuesday. “As a Hispanic veteran, I’m definitely considering all options.”

Former Weld County Commissioner Steve Moreno and former state Rep. Dan Woog, of Erie, haven’t ruled out an 8th District bid, either.

The GOP primary in the 8th District will be held June 25.

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

It’s Time That Colorado’s 2nd Leading Economic Driver, Agriculture, Gets Some Respect

By Senators Byron Pelton, R-Sterling and Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton

failed.

But far-right Republicans are still pushing to prevent unaffiliated voters — who make up the largest share of Colorado’s electorate — from weighing in on GOP primaries. Proponents of opting out are worried that Democrats are registered as unaffiliated voters and casting ballots for weaker candidates in GOP primaries.

Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams, whose campaign to lead the party earlier this year hinged largely on his support of blocking unaffiliated voters from participating in Republican primaries, said he hasn’t taken a position on the amendment.

“This is a clever attempt to make an impossible 75% threshold be possible to meet,” Williams told The Colorado Sun. “I won’t be advocating from the chairman’s podium. That’s not appropriate.”

Williams said the proposal was drafted by Chuck Bonniwell, a conservative commentator, and that as of Thursday evening it hadn’t been vetted by the party’s bylaws committee.

Bonniwell told The Sun the 75% threshold is effectively impossible to meet because most members of the central committee don’t show up for meetings. He said Proposition 108 was written to prevent a party from opting out and that he’s simply trying to level the playing field.

Every now and then we all like to take a trip down memory lane.

When you are a senator serving in the minority, those memories can be painful sometimes. But try being a senator from rural Colorado in the minority and recalling all the bad legislation, proclamations, executive orders or department appointments that have come across the books over the past few years — painful doesn’t even begin to describe it.

We represent the heart of rural Colorado — Weld, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties where agriculture is one of the top industries, and not just in our own counties, but also in our state and the nation. Weld County is the No. 1 beef producer in Colorado and among the top 5 in the United States.

And let’s not forget lamb, turkey, pig and chicken production as well as corn, wheat, potatoes, onions, carrots, the list of products coming out of northern and eastern Colorado goes on and on. Without the farmers and ranchers in Colorado to help feed America, the shelves at the supermarket would run dry.

In fact, agriculture is Colorado’s second highest economic driver, contributing $47 billion to the economy each year!

Yet, every year since he was elected Colorado’s governor, it appears that Jared Polis has enjoyed slapping our constituents in the face.

In 2019, it was the creation of new oil gas regulation via Senate Bill 19-181, which curtailed any new developments and eliminated thousands of jobs.

In 2020, he brought us Ellen Kessler as an appointee to the State Veterinary Board, sparking a lot of controversy in the ag community due to her animal rights activism and vegan lifestyle. She ultimately resigned in 2022 amid more controversy. Also in 2020, Polis signed a bill to overregulate the egg industry by mandating cage-free egg production, that contributed to the skyrocketing of egg prices after it took effect in 2023.

2021 was a big year for Polis. He signed Senate Bill 21-087 into law — the so-called agricultural labor rights and responsibilities bill, which set wage minimums and allowed ag workers to unionize. It has adversely affected many ag operations in just two years. He also proclaimed March 20th as “Meat Out” day, encouraging Coloradoans to not eat any meat on that day. And his nepotism shined through when he gave his husband influence to make decisions around Proposition 16, better known as the PAUSE Act, which would have criminalized certain animal husbandry, reproductive health and medical practices; thankfully this was deemed unconstitutional by the courts, and it did not make it onto the 2022 ballot.

In 2022 Polis appointed yet another anti-agriculture woman to an important position. Rebecca Niemiec became the manager of the state’s Bureau of Animal Protection program. Niemiec conducted a study in support of wolf reintroduction.

And then just last month, Polis decided to veto Senate Bill 23-256, which would have ensured that livestock producers could protect their herds from Wolf attacks under the new introduction program and preserve their way of life.

Aside from all that, Polis insults the industry every year when he fails to recognize agriculture’s importance in his State of the State Address. He may have dropped a key word here or there over the years, but in five speeches, he has never made it a point to talk about or give credit to our industry. With how much thought that goes into preparing these speeches, nothing is ever forgotten by accident. Everything is by design.

This must stop! It’s time that Colorado’s ranchers and farmers get some respect from our Governor, and that starts with everyone in the industry making a presence by showing up to as many meetings and events as we can.

We greatly appreciate everyone who works in our food production process and chain. Stakeholders — whether they are cattle ranchers or grow corn — need to come together as one strong voice for Colorado agriculture. We are not a production type with divided stories. The Governor is ignoring us all together, so we need to all stand together!

Proposed Change To Colorado GOP By Laws Would Make It Easier To Block Unaffiliated Voters From Republican Primaries

Closing Colorado’s Republican primaries has been a major objective of the far right by Jesse Paul and Sandra Fish, The Colorado Sun

The Colorado GOP’s state central committee is scheduled next month to consider a change to the party’s bylaws that would make it easier for Republicans to block unaffiliated voters from participating in their primaries, a major objective of the far right.

The amendment would make a nonvote by a member of the central committee an automatic “yes” vote on any action that requires the approval of at least 70% of the committee’s support to pass.

Under Proposition 108, the 2016 ballot measure letting unaffiliated voters cast ballots in partisan primaries, the Colorado Democratic and Republican parties can opt out of the change if 75% of their respective central committees agree to do so.

A GOP effort to block unaffiliated voters from the 2022 primaries was soundly rejected by the Republican state central committee. A subsequent federal lawsuit also

To pass, the amendment needs the support of two-thirds of the central committee members who gather Aug. 5 in Castle Rock, where the party will also select a new vice chair. Priscilla Rahn, who was reelected to the position earlier this year, resigned from her post last month to run for a seat on the Douglas County Commission.

Bonniwell said he doesn’t know if he can meet the two-thirds threshold, but he’s going to lobby central committee members in the coming weeks to support his proposed change.

“It’s gonna be a challenge,” he said. “But I thought I’d give everybody the opportunity.”

The opt-out vote must happen by Oct. 1, per Proposition 108.

If the GOP opts out of the state primary, general election nominees would instead be selected through the caucus and assembly process by a relatively small number of Republicans. That would leave hundreds of thousands of party members out of the process and likely lead to more partisan candidates. Opting out would also prevent candidates from gathering signatures to get on the ballot.

More than 434,000 Republicans and 231,000 unaffiliated voters cast ballots in the 2022 GOP primary. In some counties, more unaffiliated voters cast Republican primary ballots than registered Republicans.

The unaffiliated participation in 2022 was up considerably from 2020 and 2018, the first year unaffiliated voters were allowed to cast ballots in Colorado’s partisan primaries.

Both Democrats and Republicans have been steadily losing members as voters switch to unaffiliated. At the end of June, 47% of voters were registered unaffiliated, 27% were Democrats and 24% were Republicans.

While opting out has been an objective of the far right, more moderate Republicans have warned that it could spell further disaster for the Colorado GOP by alienating unaffiliated voters.

Former state Rep. Ron Hanks, who lost the GOP U.S. Senate primary in 2022, and Colorado GOP Secretary Anna Ferguson recently attended a Fremont County Central Committee meeting and urged members to support opting out of the primary, Fremont County Clerk Justin Grantham said.

Hanks made the ballot through the caucus and assembly process and lost in the primary to Joe O’Dea, a Denver construction company owner who gathered signatures to make the ballot.

Grantham, a Republican, said he worries about the consequences of cutting so many party members out of primary voting. Only about 3,700 delegates attended the 2022 GOP state assembly to select statewide candidates, with as few as about 400 people participating in some of the congressional assemblies.

Bonniwell said he plans to propose an amendment at the state central committee’s meeting in September that would let all registered Republicans vote at a special convention on who should be the party’s general election candidate.

“I really want all Republicans to vote in the primary,” he said. “I just don’t want another primary in which Democrats go unaffiliated and unaffiliateds dominate the election. I believe in the caucus system, but (there are) too limited a number of people who go there.”

Former state Sen. Kevin Lundberg wrote in a recent email newsletter to supporters that the GOP has raised about $12,000 of the $50,000 it says it needs to file another lawsuit challenging unaffiliated voters’ ability to participate in partisan primaries. He’s spearheading the potential legal challenge on behalf of the party, with John Eastman expected to be part of the lawsuit, Williams told conservative talk show host George Brauchler.

Eastman, a former University of Colorado visiting scholar and lawyer for President Donald Trump, represented a group of Republicans in the failed lawsuit last year seeking to block unaffiliated voters from Colorado’s 2022 primaries. California is considering disbarring Eastman for his role in Trump’s attempts to overturn the results in the 2020 election.

The central committee will also consider an amendment at its Aug. 5 meeting that would change how its delegates to the Republican National Committee convention are selected and operate.

The proposed change is an attempt to make Republican presidential candidates pay closer attention to Colorado next year, Williams said, given that the Centennial State will be one of several states holding their primary on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Under the amendment, any GOP presidential candidate who wins more than 20% of the primary vote in Colorado could select their own delegates from the state to attend the RNC convention. Additionally, the amendment would bind Colorado’s delegates to support their assigned presidential candidate through at least two rounds of voting at the RNC convention, helping candidates and campaigns avoid the messiness of a potential convention floor fight.

“That gives the campaigns, the candidates peace of mind that what they get in Colorado they can keep,” Williams said.

Water Project to Close Two Blocks of Main Street in Fort Morgan

Work scheduled to start Monday, July 17, and continue for nearly two weeks

A water line replacement project will require closure of two blocks of Main Street just north of Platte Avenue starting next Monday.

From July 17 through July 28, the Fort Morgan Water Department will be installing new water main in the 600 and 700 blocks of Main Street (Hwy. 52). The work will require the full traffic closure of Main Street in both directions from north of Platte Avenue (US Hwy. 34) to just north of the Seventh Avenue intersection.

This full closure is expected to be in place for the first week of the project. During the second week officials hope to have only two lanes closed. Traffic control and detour signage will be in place, and motorists are asked to plan accordingly to avoid this route during the duration of this project.

The water main is being replaced due to age and degrading condition to avoid future emergency repair work. Special traffic accommodations will be made for the local businesses that do not have rear access to continue their operations, and separate notification will be made to those affected by water service interruptions.

Paving operations will follow the replacement of the water main and as safety allows, traffic lanes will be opened to help alleviate congestion and inconvenience.

Upon completion of the Main Street project, crews will move operations to the 600 block of Linda Street for the replacement of that water main, requiring the full traffic closure of Linda just west of Edwards Right Price Market. Access to the Market will still be available from East Platte Avenue and East Sixth Avenue.

The City of Fort Morgan Water Department thanks the citizens for their patience as we wrap up the water main projects for 2023. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (970) 542-3911 or email us at erik.sagel@cityoffortmorgan.com.

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Total Cost of Crime in Colorado was $27.2 Billion, Equivalent to $4,623 per Coloradan, Costing the State Numerous Jobs

Study analyzes the economic impact of increasing crime rates and their effects on the overall state economy

Denver, CO – Today, Common Sense Institute (CSI) issued a new study analyzing the economic impact of increasing crime rates and their effects on the overall state economy.

“If Colorado continues on its current crime trajectory, our economy could be severely impacted with total costs of crime reaching $27.2 billion in 2022, equivalent to $4,623 per Coloradan,” said Kelly Caufield, CSI Executive Director.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of Colorado’s economy by examining the state’s crime rates. Of concern, summer homicides have spiked, with an 18% increase in the murder rate from the first half of 2022 to the first half of 2023. This has led to substantial societal costs, as each murder comes with a price tag of $8.8 million.

Additionally, the analysis shows that Adams County and the City & County of Denver account for 40% of all crimes. Such high crime rates come with both tangible and intangible costs, severely impacting the state’s economy.

“Reports such as this underscore the significance of crime and safety policy in relation to job creation and economic influence,” said J.J. Ament, President & CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and a member of the CSI Board. “It’s crucial that both policymakers and the general public understand the immediate and long-term economic implications of high crime rates. This knowledge allows for a balanced evaluation of benefits and drawbacks, thereby enabling more informed decision-making processes.”

While crime rates have been soaring in recent years, the study emphasizes that the situation can change rapidly with effective crime prevention policies and strategies, as evidenced by certain counties’ successful attempts in reducing crime rates.

“Our analysis sheds essential light on the intricate relationship between crime rates and economic prosperity. It is our hope that these critical insights inform and inspire effective strategies, driving a stronger and safer Colorado for all,” said CSI Senior Economist Steven Byers.

Other key findings include:

● Crime rates would have to be reduced significantly to lessen the cost of crime. For every 1% decrease in the number of crimes the state adds 474 jobs and $56.2 million to GDP

● If crime went to zero, insurance premiums could decrease by 25%, leaving $1.71 billion more in consumers’ pockets, and lead to an increase in GDP by $5.62 billion Common Sense Institute is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Colorado’s economy. CSI is at the forefront of important discussions concerning the future of free enterprise in Colorado and aims to have an impact on the issues that matter most to Coloradans. CSI’s mission is to examine the fiscal impacts of policies, initiatives, and proposed laws so that Coloradans are educated and informed on issues impacting their lives.

For full report: https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/the-cost-of-crime/

Rosen: How About An ‘Enough Already Month’

by Mike Rosen, Complete Colorado Page 2

In the wake of LGBT Pride Month, we move on to Disability Pride Month and National Ice Cream Month in July. How come the celebration of our nation’s birth gets only one day on the Fourth of July?

Scores of other causes get a full month either by presidential proclamations or simply the pronouncement of some organization. September gets 14, like National Honey Month and National Yoga Month. I didn’t find any for December with Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, and Festivus (see, “Seinfeld”) presumably clearing the field. If we cut the length down to a week, they could fit in hundreds more.

LGBT Month has its roots in a Gay Pride march on June 28, 1970 in NYC. A year earlier on that date, a brutal police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay night club in Greenwich Village, set off a week of protests that became known as the Stonewall Riots. That set in motion the Gay Rights Movement. In 1999, President Clinton officially declared June “Gay and Lesbian Month.” In 2011, President Obama expanded it to the whole LBGT community. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a national holiday with government workers taking the day off.

Homosexuality is as old as humankind, although gays and lesbians have been historically denied societal approval and respect. Their battle for public acceptance and basic rights in America was finally won, deservedly, in the 21st century. As a sense of how recently that was, even President Obama still publicly opposed samesex marriage until 2012, about the same time public opinion shifted in that direction.

Perhaps the assertion of gay pride is not as much about pride in their sexual orientation as it is a clear declaration that there’s no shame in it. By the same token I’m not “proud” of being heterosexual, it’s just my orientation, not an achievement.

Initially, the gay rights movement was limited to just three initials, LGB (B for bisexual). In keeping with the current political tactic of “intersectionality,” a movement gains clout when it expands its membership. So, LGB has become LGBT, with the inclusion of transsexuals. As an infinitesimal fraction of the population, the T doesn’t add much clout.

The movement is also known as LGBTQIA+ which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual. The + sign leaves the door open for other categories to be added in the future, with 18 letters in the alphabet still available, excluding H for heterosexual. (That might be too inclusive.)

Interestingly, some LGBs are offended and argue Ts are an unworthy addition to their alliance since LGBs are about sexual orientation, not gender or psychology. And the LGB sexual orientation doesn’t require disfiguring surgery or a new wardrobe. Transsexuals suffering from gender dysphoria are dissatisfied with the biological and anatomical gender they genetically inherited from their birth parents. Surgically altering their bodies doesn’t change their XX or XY chromosomes. A trans man is still a woman, and a trans woman is still a man, no matter how they “present” themselves or “identify.”

I wish T’s no harm. If they choose to live that way, it’s none of my business. But I regard their premise as an affront to science and common sense. I’m not intimidated by the militancy of their progressive enforcers, won’t be bullied into using their long list of transsexual contrived personal pronoun preferences, and will never ungrammatically say something like “Who do they think they is.” I’m outraged at public school educators who steer confused, immature, impressionable young kids in that direction without their parents’ knowledge or consent.

It’s notable that most transsexuals are males presenting as women. I don’t know why. Some are frauds, like a young boy who wants to ogle girls in their locker room. Or opportunists like male-to-female Renée Richards in the late 1970s, a mediocre tennis pro who had better success switching to the women’s tour. Men who present as women should not be allowed to compete against actual women in sports where they have a physiological advantage. (Spelling Bees are OK.) I won’t alter my vocabulary to substitute “menstruating person” for “woman.” I’ll never replace mother with “birthing person.” “Sex assigned at birth” is a contrived term to pretend you can transform your gender. Billions of people on this planet who hold religious beliefs would say sex is assigned by their God. At birth, it’s simply a recognition of anatomical reality. Newborn male babies don’t demand pink diapers.

Dustin Hoffman, in the movie “Tootise,” wasn’t a T, he was just a man pretending to be a woman in order to land a role in a TV soap opera. And Corporal Klinger in “M.A.S.H,” dressed like a woman only to get out of the Army.

Longtime KOA radio talk host and columnist for the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News Mike Rosen now writes for CompleteColorado.com.

WHEN: AUGUST 3, 2023 8AM-5PM

WHERE: 404 CHAPMAN ST DISTRICT OFFICE

NEW STUDENTS- please bring the following documents to registration: Birth Certificate/Record • Immunization Records • Proof of Address

KINDERGARTENERS - All incoming kindergarteners need to register. Student must be 5 years of age by June 15, 2023. Please bring the following documents to registration: Birth Certificate/Record • Immunization Records • Proof of Address

RETURNING STUDENTS - Online registrations will be open August 1, 2023. This will have to be completed in order to checkout a Chromebook

Recent School Year Saw Little Academic Recovery, New Study Finds

by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

Sheridan Teacher Pay Negotiations Stall Amid Tight Budgets, Sinking Enrollment

by Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat

There’s been little, if any, progress making up large learning gaps that have emerged since the onset of the pandemic, according to a new analysis of data from the testing group NWEA.

In the 2022-23 school year, students learned at a similar or slower rate compared to a typical pre-pandemic school year, the analysis found. This left intact the substantial learning losses, which have barely budged since the spring of 2021.

NWEA offers only one data point based on a subset of American students, and more data from other exams will be needed to produce a clearer picture of academic progress during this last school year. Still, NWEA’s analysis is a concerning indication that the steep learning losses seen since the pandemic have proven difficult to ameliorate and could have lasting consequences for students and the country.

The results are “somber and sobering,” said NWEA researcher Karyn Lewis. “Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough,” she said. “The magnitude of the crisis is out of alignment with the scope and scale of the response and we need to do more.”

Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, NWEA, which develops and sells tests to schools, has been measuring students’ progress on math and reading exams in grades three through eight. By the spring of 2021 — according to NWEA and a string of other tests — the typical student was far behind where they would normally be. Test score gaps by race and family income, already yawning, had grown in many cases. This coincided with dramatic disruptions outside and inside schools, including extended virtual instruction. Students were learning during that time — but much more slowly than usual.

By the end of the 2021-22 school year, NWEA offered some reason for optimism. Gaps were still there, but students in many grades had started to slowly make up ground. Learning during the school year was back to normal, perhaps even a bit better than normal. State tests also indicated that students were starting to catch up.

But NWEA’s results from the most recent school year are more pessimistic. For reasons that aren’t clear, progress stalled out, even reversed. In most grades and subjects, students actually learned at a slightly slower rate than usual. Growth in middle school reading was particularly sluggish.

In no grade or subject was there evidence of substantial catch-up this year. Instead, the learning gap this spring was not much different than in the spring of 2021, according to NWEA. Students of all types remain behind, but NWEA shows that Black and Hispanic students have been hurt somewhat more than white and Asian American students.

“This is not what we were hoping to see and it’s not the message we want to be sharing at this time,” said Lewis. “But the data are what they are.”

Frustratingly, though, the data does not come with a clear explanation.

Schools were beset with challenges this past year: Chronic absenteeism remained at an alarmingly high level in many places. More teachers left the classroom than usual. Educators reported difficulties managing students’ behavior and supporting their mental health.

But it’s not clear why there was more progress in the 2021-22 school year, which was also an unusually taxing year in many ways, according to teachers. Lewis said this was puzzling, but speculated that an initial burst of motivation upon returning to school buildings had fizzled.

Learning loss recovery efforts have also run into hurdles. Tutoring has reached only a small subset of students. Few districts have extended the school day or year to guarantee all students more learning time.

But NWEA researchers cautioned that their data cannot speak directly to the effectiveness or particular recovery efforts or to the federal COVID relief money more generally. “We have no access to the counterfactual of what life would be like right now absent those funds — I think it would be much more dire,” said Lewis.

It’s also possible that some combination of out-of-school factors may be driving trends in student learning. Researchers have long noted that a complex array of variables outside of schools’ control matters a great deal for student learning.

What the NWEA study does suggest is that students are not on track to catch up to where they would have been if not for the pandemic. Lewis says the takeaway is that policymakers and schools simply aren’t doing enough. “If you give someone half a Tylenol for a migraine and expect them to feel better, that’s just not reality,” she said.

NWEA’s analysis is based on data from millions of students in thousands of public schools. Outcomes may not be representative of all students or schools, though, since the exam’s administration is voluntary.

NWEA researchers say other data would be helpful to confirm the results. That could come soon: State test results from this year are beginning to emerge and other testing companies will be releasing their own data.

Matt Barnum is a national reporter covering education policy, politics, and research. Contact him at mbarnum@chalkbeat.org.

Teachers in the Sheridan school district south of Denver are concerned about pay. While neighboring districts are offering double-digit percentage salary increases to their educators, Sheridan teachers have been offered just 2%.

District officials are concerned about declining enrollment, which they say is affecting district revenues. Last year alone, the district, which served 1,125 students, lost 476 students to other districts.

The teachers union sees it all as part of the same cycle: Low pay prompts teachers to leave, creating turnover and instability. Frustrated families leave the district for schools that can provide more stability. Enrollment declines, the district loses revenue, budgets get tighter, and raises require tough trade-offs.

But the two sides aren’t talking anymore. Negotiations stalled over the pay issue, and the district and the union are headed for mediation beginning July 28, a schedule that leaves teachers uncertain about their pay well into the summer.

“It’s causing me a bit of anxiety,” said Kate Biester, a high school teacher and union leader.

The stalemate over teacher pay points to a larger question for districts like Sheridan: What happens when a district that’s already small keeps shrinking?

Other Denver metro districts facing enrollment and revenue declines are closing or consolidating schools, which creates disruption but helps free up some money for the students and schools that remain.

But in Sheridan and other small districts, the limited number of schools leaves fewer options for closing buildings.

Sheridan district leaders declined to talk about the negotiations or the impact of enrollment declines on district finances. They said that there were no documents about the salary offer that they could release as public records, and that they don’t have recorded video of the negotiations. Under Colorado law, negotiations between teachers unions and school districts are public.

Biester said the teachers’ position in the negotiations was met with a lack of compassion.

“We did not feel that our story was listened to,” she said. “We were told several times to hurry up and stop being repetitive about things that are really close to home. I work 16-hour days often, and I might not be able to afford my rent next year.”

Enrollment declines are accelerating

The enrollment declines in Sheridan are real: The district had 1,125 students enrolled in the fall of 2022, down nearly 20% since 2017. The overall population of children in Sheridan has dropped as well, census data shows, but not as fast.

Arapahoe County’s birth rates have dropped since 2000 but are projected to rise in 2025.

According to district budget presentations, the district is projected to receive about $13.5 million in funding for the 2023-24 school year, up from last year. The district presentation states that last year, the district received about $12.8 million, although state calculations put last year’s revenue at closer to $13.4 million.

The district has five schools: an early childhood center, a K-2 elementary school, a middle school for grades 3-8, a high school, and an alternative secondary school. Merging those schools hasn’t been a part of discussions, district leaders say.

“I don’t know the physical space would allow it,” said Superintendent Pat Sandos, who retired, but will return in July for a one-year transition. “It probably would cost us money to do that.”

Instead, district documents show the board had pressed the superintendent and district leaders to come up with a marketing plan to keep students from leaving the district.

Sandos, who received a 17% raise in 2021, said the district has focused on developing a training program that partners with trade unions in the area to create a path for students to work in the trades. The district has spent millions in remodeling a building for that program.

The district has offered teachers a 2% raise. The school board president said raising pay beyond that would require cutting staff.

Students in NYC’s Summer Rising program at a school in the West Bronx. Many schools have attempted to use summer programs to make up for learning loss, but new data suggests that students are still behind. Christina Veiga / Chalkbeat

A file photo shows students starting the 2020-21 school year in Sheridan schools. The district’s enrollment at the start of the last school year was down 20% from 2017, and officials say that’s causing a financial strain. Courtesy of Sheridan School District

Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden’s Student Loan Cancellation

Ruling keeps estimated $430 billion in debt principal with borrowers by Casey Harper | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Cancelling hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt cannot be done by President Joe Biden and his administration, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday.

In a 6-3 opinion, the court said Biden’s administration did not have the authority to unilaterally cancel student loan debt, blocking the president’s plan to cancel $10,000 per borrower.

Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in the case known as Biden v. Nebraska.

“The issue presented in this case is whether the Secretary has authority under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act) to depart from the existing provisions of the Education Act and establish a student loan forgiveness program that will cancel about $430 billion in debt principal and affect nearly all borrowers,” the court said.

The court ruled that the previous legislation allowed for tweaks to student loan forgiveness but did not allow for the sweeping forgiveness Biden tried to enact.

“The authority to ‘modify’ statutes and regulations allows the Secretary to make modest adjustments and additions to existing provisions, not transform them,” said the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

The court also ruled that the state of Missouri, a lead challenger in the case, would suffer injury from the plan and therefore had standing to challenge the forgiveness program, which was a key legal question in this case. Missouri was one of six states that sued.

In the dissent, written by Kagan, the justices argued that during COVID-19 both Republican and Democratic administrations used the HEROES Act to delay student loan repayment, signaling a universal understanding of the legislation’s broad power.

“The plaintiffs in this case are six States that have no personal stake in the Secretary’s loan forgiveness plan,” the dissent said. “They are classic ideological plaintiffs: They think the plan a very bad idea, but they are no worse off because the Secretary differs. In giving those States a forum – in adjudicating their complaint – the Court forgets its proper role. The Court acts as though it is an arbiter of political and policy disputes, rather than of cases and controversies.”

Federal student loan repayments had been put on hold. The Department of Education said last year that repayment would resume 60 days after this court ruling.

As The Center Square previously reported, Biden announced last year that his administration would cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 per year. For those who have received Pell Grants, the debt forgiveness could total $20,000. The administration also said debtors would be allowed to cap repayment of their loans at 5% of their income.

Biden said in the original announcement that his plan and the delayed repayments were “to give working and middle-class families breathing room…”

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated that Biden’s debt plan would cost taxpayers about $400 billion. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released an analysis last year predicting it would take only a few years for debt levels to return to the precancellation levels.

Biden’s student loan announcement has been a highly political fight since it was announced.

House Republicans voted in May to overturn Biden’s student loan forgiveness under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo federal rules. The Senate then voted in June, with the support of a few Democrats, to also overturn the plan.

Although the plan had little chance of becoming law since the president would have had to sign the legislation, it showed the student loan forgiveness was far from a highly popular plan. In fact, several Senate Democrats turned against it as criticisms piled up that it is unfair to those who worked to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.

“President Biden’s student loan transfer scheme shifts hundreds of billions of dollars of payments from student loan borrowers onto the backs of the American people,” Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., who led the House effort, told The Center Square earlier this year. “I am proud to lead the fight against President Biden’s reckless, unilateral, and unauthorized action that would unfairly penalize those who worked hard to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.”

James Keller, of Fort Morgan, Graduated from The University of Tampa

TAMPA, FL (07/06/2023)-- James Keller, of Fort Morgan, graduated from The University of Tampa on Saturday, May 6. Keller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science BS.

The commencement ceremony included 1,525 undergraduate and graduate candidates. The ceremony included remarks by President Ronald Vaughn, Jeff Drushal from the class of 1989, the Honorable Jane Castor from the class of 1981 and the student challenge speaker.

The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University has about 200 programs of study and serves approximately 11,000 students from 50 states and most of the world’s countries.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Inflation Can Be ‘Shocking’ In Retirement

When you retire, you hope that you’ll be able to anticipate the events that could cause you financial challenges down the road. For one thing, most retirees are probably aware that, even if they remain healthy, their health care costs may rise, even if they’re covered by Medicare or Medicare Advantage. But there’s another potential risk that can sneak up on retirees: inflation.

However, once they reach retirement, retirees are all too aware of the effects of rising prices. In fact, 63% of retirees think the biggest financial shock in retirement is inflation and the rising cost of living, according to a recent survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones.

As you know, we have experienced mild inflation for some time, up until the past couple of years. But even when inflation subsides again, it can still be a threat to your retirement security. A 3% annual inflation rate can double your

cost of living in about 25 years. What can you do to help alleviate the shock of inflation?

Actually, you can take considerable action to help meet this threat. Here are a few steps to consider:

• Try to cut down on expenses. Take a close look at all your discretionary expenses, such as travel, entertainment and so on. You might find areas in which you can cut back somewhat — and every little bit helps. Also, take advantage of all the senior discounts available to you. These days, many businesses and services offer these discounts, but you may have to ask about them. And if you want to look at an area that potentially offers even bigger savings, you might consider downsizing your living space, though this decision involves many factors, not all of them financial.

• Consider part-time work. If you wouldn’t mind doing some part-time

work or consulting, you’ll find that the extra income could improve your cash flow and possibly make you somewhat less dependent on your investment portfolio for the financial resources you need to maintain your lifestyle. And the added income could eventually contribute to increased Social Security benefits. (However, if you earn over a certain amount and have already started collecting Social Security but haven’t reached your full retirement age — between 66 and 67 — your benefits may be temporarily reduced.)

• Review your investments for growth and income opportunities. Understandably, many investors shift their investment portfolios toward a more conservative approach when they retire – after all, they simply have fewer years to recover from the inevitable short-term market declines. Yet, to help stay ahead of inflation, even retired

investors need some growth potential in their portfolios, such as stocks and other growth investments. At the same time, it may be a good idea to consider whether you’re getting what you need from your income-producing securities, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), bonds and other fixed-income investments. A financial professional can help review your portfolio to determine if the mix of growth and income is aligned with your particular needs given your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

The past few years have been a wakeup call for many people, especially retirees, on the threat that inflation poses to their financial security. But being proactive can help prevent inflation from deflating your retirement hopes and dreams.

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

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Pedestrian fatalities hit all time high in 2022

CDOT calls for heightened awareness during summer - Pedestrian fatalities still increasing Statewide — With summer’s arrival, more people are getting out of their cars and walking. As pedestrian traffic increases, so does the need for drivers and pedestrians to stay alert to avoid injury.

The reminder comes as Colorado hits its highest level of pedestrian fatalities on record. In 2022, 111 pedestrians were killed on Colorado roads, representing 15% of the state’s total traffic fatalities.

This year is also seeing an increase in the number of pedestrian deaths. So far in 2023, there have been 51 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado - up 14% from this time last year. Denver (9), El Paso (7), Arapahoe (7) and Jefferson (7) counties have seen the most pedestrian fatalities so far in 2023 among all Colorado counties. Typically, the vast majority of the pedestrian fatalities occur at night.

El Paso and Jefferson counties have seen alarming increases this year, each with seven pedestrian deaths so far in 2023, compared with just one for each county at this same time last year.

“There is no contest between a vehicle and a person on foot, bicycle, skateboard, or scooter. Drivers have to stay alert and watch for the unexpected,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Pedestrians also need to unplug, look up and follow traffic safety rules. When we all share the same roadways, we all share the same responsibility.”

Ready for Takeoff? Aims Community College

Hosts Thrilling Aviation Day in Loveland

LOVELAND, CO – July 13, 2023 – Join Aims Community College at its Flight Training Center, 6350 Aviation Circle in Loveland, on Saturday, August 12 for Aims Aviation Day from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. This free, fun and family-friendly event features demonstrations from the Aims Aviation Program, games and activities for the entire family.

The Aims aviation team will have aircraft on display for the public to view. Attendees can also experience the new Aims mobile aviation lab, including virtual reality flight simulators, an air traffic control simulation, drones, STEM-related activities, and more. Over 20 vendors will be on site including representatives from major airlines and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics. Food trucks will be at the event with snacks and refreshments.

Sign up for an Airplane Ride

Aims Aviation Day offers flights between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Airplane rides cost $45 per person and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All money Aims collects from the flights will be donated to scholarships for future Aims aviation students. Guests select a preferred two-hour window to better plan a fun-filled day. Flight times are estimates only. The maximum number of guests on a flight is three people. All flights are pre-sold; tickets are unavailable for day-of sales. Flights are contingent on the weather.

“Aviation Day is an opportunity for community members to experience the joy of flight and what Aims Community College has to offer,” said Chief Flight Instructor Alex Wernsman. “The most exciting thing about the event is seeing young people get a chance to experience the joys of aviation and to pass on the passion to the next generation of pilots.”

Visit aims.co/aviation-day to get the latest information about Aims Aviation Day and to sign up for a flight. To request accommodations for this event, call 970-3396388 or email disabilities@aims.edu.

Aims Aviation programs are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved and provide a hands-on learning experience through advanced simulators, flight training in modern aircraft, drones and quality coursework taught by experienced professionals. Please visit aims.co/aviation for more information.

Source: https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety/assets/fatal-crash-data-citycounty/fatality_by_person-type_2023_20230612.pdf

CDOT offers the following reminders for pedestrians to stay safe:

• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.

• Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

• Stay off your phone when crossing the street.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your judgment. For drivers, CDOT recommends:

• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods.

• Look out for pedestrians and bicyclists at all times.

• Stop before a crosswalk, not in it.

• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

• When the light turns green, go slow, check your surroundings and proceed with caution.

• At night, reduce your speed and make sure your headlights are on.

• Respect pedestrians as equal roadway users

“We urge both pedestrians and drivers to use caution and obey traffic laws,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “Our state’s population has grown significantly, and with more people out walking this time of year, the need is greater than ever to be alert at all times.”

More fatal crashes happen on Colorado roads during the three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of year — a period known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. An increase in cars on the road, motorcyclists and teen drivers, and a historic increase in impaired driving are all factors contributing to a spike in motor vehicle fatalities this time of year, and pedestrians are also at a higher risk. In 2022, pedestrian fatalities more than doubled between May and September — rising from 26 at the beginning of May to 58 by Sept. 1. CDOT urges drivers to be vigilant and use caution behind the wheel.

About the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Walking and bicycling can be a fun and healthy way to enjoy our beautiful state, and CDOT encourages residents to make bicycling and walking a part of their regular routine. For more information on safety practices for pedestrians and drivers or how to get involved with programs like Safe Routes to School or Colorado’s annual Bike to Work Day, visit www.codot.gov/ programs/bikeped

Please say “crashes” not “accidents”

Crashes are not accidents - they are preventable.

Wiggins 2023 4th of July Parade Pictures

by Pat Lentell, Lost Creek Guide

Wiggins 2023 4th of July Parade Pictures

by Pat Lentell, Lost Creek Guide

Bob Stock Festival Brings 5 Stages to Fort Morgan Pictures continued from page 1...

Pictures by Talia Siens

United Power Announces Wholesale Power Agreement with Guzman Energy

Denver-based firm to provide key power block for co-op’s future needs

Make Time for Safety This Harvest Season

By Morgan County Rural Electric Association

Harvest season often means putting in long hours, which can make it difficult to stay alert and on the lookout for potential hazards. SafeElectricity.org provides safety tips to help farmers make this harvest season a safe one.

Safety starts with preparation. Be prepared for potential emergencies before the rush of harvest season begins. Have a safety plan, and make sure that farm workers and family members are aware of the procedures in it.

Be sure that you can see well in the areas where you are working. Consider adding extra lighting around grain bins and augers.

Take the time to look up and look out for electrical lines. Always be aware of where they are in relation to your equipment. Keep a minimum of 10 feet away from all electrical equipment, and lower extensions before moving equipment. Grain augers should always be positioned horizontally before being moved.

If you see a power line that is sagging or low, contact your utility. Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance. Also keep an eye out for guy wires. Although these wires are not energized, they can bring down live lines.

In equipment with auto-guidance systems, less focus is needed on steering, which may lead some drivers to think that they do not need to be as aware of navigation issues. However, even while using a GPS with auto-steering, farm workers need to keep safety in mind and stay focused on their surroundings.

Slow down, always stay alert, and take all recommended precautions. To help you do so, recognize when you need to take breaks so that you can be active and engaged in the farm work.

Additional safety tips include using a spotter when operating large machinery near lines, and inspecting the height of farm equipment to determine clearance. Look up and use care when moving any equipment such as extending augers or raising the bed of grain trucks around power lines.

Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Guzman Energy

a wholesale power provider dedicated to developing portfolios that meet their clients’ needs for economical, reliable power, announce the signing of a 15- year contract to deliver wholesale power to the cooperative.

The power supply agreement features fixed wholesale power pricing that provides the cooperative predictable and stable power supply costs. Under the agreement, Guzman will deliver approximately one-third of the cooperative’s power needs, beginning in May 2024.

“As we move forward with our plan to diversify our power portfolio, this contract is an important part of our strategy,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Guzman has an excellent track record of providing economical resources for cooperatives, and their commitment to integrating renewables will help us control costs while still keeping our eye on environmental impacts.”

United Power’s planned exit from its current power contract will take place May 1, 2024. The move was motivated by a desire to stabilize power costs and provide greater flexibility to the cooperative and its members.

“Wholesale power continues to be United Power’s largest expense, accounting for over 70% of our costs,” stated Gabriel. “Having more predictable power purchase costs will offer many benefits to United Power members today and into the future.”

“We are proud to contribute to United Power’s efforts to reduce power supply costs, gain greater control over generation mix, and contribute to more local, sustainable energy,” said Robin Lunt, Chief Commercial Officer at Guzman Energy. “We look forward to continued opportunities to support United Power and other cooperatives’ success.””

“United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport. It includes the north and northeast metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470 and the Golden Gate and Coal Creek Canyons, two of Colorado’s most iconic and historic mountain canyons. As a result of its geographic location,

United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.

To learn more about United Power’s power supply transition, visit www. unitedpower.com/powersupply.

If the machinery you are operating does make contact with a power line, stay on the equipment. Immediately call 911, warn others to stay away, and wait for the utility crew to cut the power.

Only on the rare occasion that the machinery catches fire should you leave the vehicle after contact is made. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the ground and machinery at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, hop to safety as you leave the area. Never touch anything that is in contact with a power line.

Remember, while harvest is a busy season on the farm, it is still important to take the time to keep safety first. Look out for and stay safely away from potential hazards like overhead power lines.

For more information on electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.

Guzman Energy officials joined United Power leaders for a formal contract signed at United Power’s Brighton, CO headquarters office; (L-R) Jeffrey M. Heit, Principal, Managing Director, Guzman Energy; Robin Lunt, Chief Commercial Officer, Guzman Energy; Christopher Miller, Co-founder and CEO, Guzman Energy; Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO, United Power; and Beth Martin, United Power Board Chairman. Brighton, CO—United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving

(Guzman),

Thomas J Croghan DDS

Larry French Accounting

Larry French, Public Accountant

111 E. Railroad Avenue, Fort Morgan CO 80701

Phone: 970-867-9040

Fax: 970-867-9008 larry@larryfrenchaccounting.com

Aims Community College Offers the First UAS

Associate Degree in Colorado for Drone Pilots

GREELEY, CO – July 11, 2023 – Beginning this fall, Aims Community College offers an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Associate of Applied Science Degree. It is the first UAS associate degree offered in Colorado. Aims is the fifteenth two-year college nationwide to offer a degree in this field.

Since 2021, Aims has offered a UAS certificate to prepare students to take the Federal Aviation Administration small Unmanned Aerial Systems certification exam and obtain the basic credentials to fly drones professionally. This new associate degree program takes things to the next level as this industry expands. “It provides students with the basics of flying with professional-level drones and the ability to build and program their own drones.” Said UAS Chief Instructor Pilot Jake Marshall.

In the last few years, demand for UAS expertise has increased substantially. “We just grew,” Marshall said. “Students, high schools and the community wanted more.”

The Aims Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sciences program also cultivates opportunities for students to gain experience, such as working on mapping construction sites for Weld County and filming regional television commercials. “Students are involved with some extracurricular projects beyond just the class we offer. We’re building up this case for the need and now we’re adding the classes to support all this,” Marshall said.

The home to this new degree will be at the expanded Windsor Campus, in the Gateway Building currently under construction; the new facility is opening in January 2024. This new academic building features a drone fabrication and design lab. The campus is also adding a drone takeoff and landing pad area. “The classroom is set up to help with data production and understanding the post-production process of collecting all this data,” Marshall said. “This facility allows our students to design and build drones and test them.”

Marshall believes that people who love technology, have an entrepreneurial spirit and are adaptable to change will thrive in a UAS career. “You’re going to be a part of the pioneer stage of the industry,” he said. “I want our students to be leaders and part of the next evolution of drones to accomplish our societal needs.”

UAS systems and applications are rapidly expanding, and skilled, certified pilots are already in demand. The FAA predicts an average annual job growth rate of 24.7 percent. Market research shows an estimated increase of 100,000 drone-related jobs by 2025. The average annual salary for a UAS operator is $80,000 per year.

“There are some established companies and new ones are starting up every single day,” Marshall said. “They all need pilots to take their companies to the next level.”

Visit aims.co/UAS to learn more about the UAS learning opportunities at Aims.