The Lost Creek Guide November 16, 2022

Don’t Kiss the Babies

By: Brook Nighswonger

Every fall you will hear parents, pediatricians and doctors remind you not to kiss babies. Their squishy cheeks, sweet noises and adorable fingers and toes can make it hard to resist sneaking a kiss or two. However, the risk is not worth taking. Your innocent kiss could put a baby or toddler’s life in jeopardy.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) causes a respiratory illness in people of all ages but can cause serious illness in higher risk populations such as infants, young children and older adults. Although most children will experience a RSV infection by the time they are two years old it can be detrimental to infants, specifically those six months and younger. This virus is commonly transmitted during its peak months in the fall, winter and early spring. Data from this fall indicates that the number of infections is almost double what it normally is at this time in the transmission period. Therefore it is important for all of us to do our part and be diligent in addressing RSV signs and symptoms. For those infected with the virus, symptoms can last anywhere from 2-8 days, but most commonly less than 5 days.

Most children will present with a runny nose and sneezing, decreased appetite, cough which could be associated with wheezing or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, headache, fatigue and fever. Specifically in infants less than six months of age, be cognizant of changes in activity and appetite. Infants will often be more irritable and experience periods of apnea. Individuals infected with RSV may also show retractions in their neck and ribs. Therefore, it is important to have a baseline of your child’s breathing habits. It has been suggested by mothers and pediatricians to video your child’s breathing without clothing on so that you are aware when changes in work of breathing occur. If you suspect your child may be showing any of these signs or symptoms, do not delay in seeing your pediatrician for treatment and guidance.

The virus can be transmitted via direct or indirect contact with contaminated nasal or oral secretions through coughing or sneezing. With infected persons being contagious for 3-8 days it is important to protect the higher risk populations by washing your hands frequently, staying home if you are sick, not kissing or touching a baby’s face or hands and not sharing utensils with younger children. Unfortunately, RSV does not have any approved vaccinations therefore it is important to monitor your children and babies for signs or symptoms of the virus and seek medical attention immediately if there is a notable change in breathing patterns.

As a reminder, in order to protect the health of babies and toddlers around the country and specifically here in Colorado, do not kiss their hands or face. The country and state’s pediatric and neonatal hospital bed capacity has been met in some areas. Services that can be provided to assist and treat these babies are being delayed due the volume of patients presenting with RSV and other respiratory illnesses. If you are sick and/or have a fever, please be mindful and stay home from school and child care centers. Do not return to work, school or child care centers until you have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.

See below for data presented by the Colorado Patient Hospital Surveillance and Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System on the most recent Flu, RSV and COVID-19 numbers.

Colorado Preliminary Election results

Colorado

as of November 11, 2022, 18:12 pm from

Secretary of State’s Office

United States Senator: Michael Bennet: Joe O’Dea: T.J. Cole Brian Porter Frank Atwood Total:

United State House of Representatives: District 4: Ike McCorkle: Ken Buck: Ryan McGonical: Total:

United States House of Representatives: District 8: Yadira Caraveo: Barbara Kirkmeyer: Richard Ward: Total:

Governor/ Lt. Governor: Heidi Ganahl/Danny Moore: Jared Polis/ Dianne Primavera: Paul Noel Fiorino/ Cynthia Munhos de Aquina Sirianni: Danilel Neuschwanger/ Darrel Gibbs: Kevin Ruskusky/ Michelle Poague: Total:

Secretary of State: Pam Anderson: Jana Griswald: Gary Swing: Jan Kok: Amanda Campbell: Bennett Rutledge: Total: State Treasurer: Dave Young: Lang Sias:

1,301,193 997,430 15,285 41,022 10,897 2,365,827 127,215 211,566 8,610 347,391 112,258 110,567 9,095 231,920 951,015 1,369,545 6,103 20,791 27,044 2,374,540 1,010,458 1,276,235 10,624 4,274 16,767 34,051 2,352,409 1,224,853 1,016,408

Colorado Preliminary Election results as of November 11, 2022, 18:12 pm from Colorado Secretary of State’s Office continued on page 3...

“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

Way of the World

by Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide

The elections are over, and the commercials are almost gone. Thank God! But guess what? Just because the elections are over does not mean, we will be on the march to a better world. People and organizations spent a lot of money telling us how bad the other person was but were a little short on why their candidate would be a better choice. The Republicans might have done better if they were more specific about what they would do to make things better. The Democrats waved woman’s right to an abortion but sadly, said truly little about, crime, inflation, immigration, etc. Do they think ignoring those issues will make them better as if by magic? And what about the national debt? Our politicians have successfully kicked the can down the road again, and we let them.

The Keenesburg election had the best voter turnout in years, and the most candidates run in even more years. Congratulations!

In Colorado, is the Republican Party relevant anymore? Weld County voted Republican as usual, but the numbers were not anywhere where they should have been and that painfully showed itself in CD 8 results. Did the old school Republican candidates and their supporters, who were rebuffed by the voters in the primary, just stay home and not bother to support the party candidates in the general election? The numbers sure indicate that. If that is the case, then why should Weld County independent Republicans, and more importantly, unaffiliated voters look to the Republican Party for leadership?

We need party leaders, in both parties, who will reach out and start to work toward bringing people together as Americans. Working on solutions to the issues we face. We do not need people who thrive on dividing us as a country, we need healers, people who will work towards bringing Americans together again. That sounds like heresy to too many people on both sides of the aisle, but it is what we have to do.

Nationally the Republicans will soon be facing the reality that they will have to choose whether Donald Trump should represent the party, or should they find a leader who might actually be electable that intends to bring us together as a nation. This election cycle has shown there is a lot of money out there on both sides of the aisle interested in promoting their view, not necessarily a view of a better America, but a view supporting their path to control. We do not need controllers we need people who understand that they should be working for the best interests of America. Too many people in both parties have lost sight of that.

Our economy is bracing for an economic downturn. Listening to all the gurus about orders for goods, housing sales, job reductions, inflation. It is all pointing in the wrong direction. Yet in our government environments, at the local, county, state and federal, do we hear anything about reigning in spending? No, it is the public be damned, full steam ahead. Reality is not always pleasant and if we continue to isolate a large part of our economy from the realities of life the longer it will take to recover. Talk to your elected officials. Ask them what they are doing at their level to help reduce the cost of government and improve services. Isn’t that what we are supposed to be electing them for? If we do not hold them accountable for measurable results, we allow the process to continually degrade.

With all of our domestic issues the international situation continues down its ugly road. Ukraine continues to fend off Russia. The North Koreans, who apparently are not getting enough attention, are beginning to make noises and China has a whole plateful of issues themselves. Not a comfortable environment for any well-organized and professional State Department to deal with. Unfortunately, you have to wonder if we, as a nation, have an A-team in place.

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

This election had a 300% increase in the number of voters participating, and the largest number of candidates running in many years. Your vote did count and it did matter. Let us hope that our newly elected officials can deliver on what they talked about. You did your part.

A day after her opponent conceded, Dr. Yadira Caraveo addressed the media from a podium set up in the backyard of her childhood home in Adams County. Watching from nearby, her mother Elsa Caraveo said this isn’t a day she ever imagined.

“We expected all the kids to go to college and have an education, but we never expected to have a congresswoman-elect,” she said. “So it’s very proud.”

Caraveo’s parents immigrated from Mexico to make a better life and settled in Colorado to raise their family. Caraveo went to medical school and became a pediatrician, following a dream her mother also had as a child.

“I couldn’t do it because I didn’t have the resources,” said Elsa Caraveo. “And then when she became a doctor I was so happy. But I always told them, ‘You can do whatever you want to be, but don’t be a quitter. Don’t quit.’”

That kind of persistence was critical in the race for the new 8th Congressional District, where the campaign attracted huge amounts of outside funding but also came down to plenty of doorknocking and old-fashioned voter outreach.

Caraveo believes her Mexican-American identity helped her connect with voters from the northern Denver suburbs into Weld county, including in towns like Thornton and Greeley. The district has a larger Latino population than any other seat, comprising nearly 40 percent of the residents.

“I had so many people pull me aside, give me hugs, give me kisses on the cheeks and say, ‘It’s so great to finally see somebody like us not just running for Congress, but possibly representing us.’”

Caraveo was hardly the only Democrat to benefit from Latino support in this election. A new exit poll indicates Latinos overwhelmingly voted for Democrats in Colorado, contributing to the party’s historic sweep of statewide races and pick up of legislative seats. However, Latinos in Colorado were less likely to support Democrats in 2022 compared with 2020.

The pollsters say on average, Latinos supported Democratic candidates by a 2-to-1 margin, but the precise percentages varied across the political contests.

Starting Oct. 24 and continuing to election day, BSP Research spoke with 531 Latino voters – more than a third of those living in the 8th District. The firm did the survey on behalf of the Colorado Latino Agenda, an initiative of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, Voces Unidas, and Protégete, an environmental advocacy group. The groups generally endorse progressive candidates, though the polling is designed to be nonpartisan.

Caraveo had slightly higher support among those polled in her district than other Democrats on the ballot. While 73 percent of the voters in the 8th District said they supported Sen. Michael Bennet, 75 percent backed Caraveo.

Another indication of how much Latinos turned out for Caraveo: that 75 percent support contrasts with 63 percent of Latinos polled in the 1st Congressional District, which covers Denver, who voted for Democratic Rep. Diana Degette.

Overall, Latinos were 7 percent less likely to support Democrats in Colorado in 2022 compared with 2020, according to BSP Research’s Gabe Sanchez.

“Seven percent might seem like a lot, but when we look at some other states — thinking about Texas, thinking about Florida — that shift among Latinos was much more dramatic. So at the end of the day, yes, we definitely should confirm that there was a shift towards Republicans, but it was nowhere near what a lot of people projected that it would [be],” Sanchez said.

A majority of Latino voters polled said they have not changed their political ideology since 2020. But among those who say their views have shifted, nearly a quarter of the Latinos polled got more conservative in their ideology, while 19 percent got more liberal.

How Latinos Contributed to Colorado Democrats’ Big Wins in 2022, including sending the State’s First Latina to Congress continued on page 7...

How Latinos Contributed to Colorado Democrats’ Big Wins in 2022, including sending the State’s First Latina to Congress by Bente Birkeland and Rachel Estabrook

Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite U.S. Representative-Elect Yadira Caraveo. Nov. 10, 2022.

Bente Birkeland/CPR News Congresswoman-elect Yadira Caraveo holds a press conference outside her childhood home in Adams County on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

Congratulations to the Citizen’s of Keenesburg

Colorado Preliminary Election results as of November 11, 2022, 18:12 pm from Colorado Secretary of State’s Office continued from page 1...

Anthony J. Delgado: Total: Attorney General: John Kellner: Phil Weiser: William F. Robinson III: Total: State Board of Education Congressional District 8: Peggy Propst: Rhonda Solis: James K. Treibert: Total: Regent of the University of Colorado CD 4: Jack Barrington: Frank McNulty: Total: Regent of the University of Colorado CD 8: Mark VanDriel: Yolanda Ortega: Total:

75,690 2,316,951 1,025,755 1,257,010 51,067 2,333,832 113,267 115,330 5,248 233,845 120,487 213,406 333,893 117,872 110,256 228,128

For more state wide election results go to Colorado Secretary of State Election Results

Weld County

Town of Keenesburg Trustees: Jarrod Frazier: Wilbur Wafel: Antony “Tony” Dreher Leroy Blackston: Cindy Baumgartner: Robert Grand: Timothy Knudsen: Harry Alan Poe: Total: Town of Lochbuie Trustee: Dawn M. Coen: Walter Van Lue Jr.: Jamie Jeffery: Peggy Tapey: Kathleen Bristow: Total Votes: Weld County Referred Ballot Question 1A: Yes/For No/Against: Town of Hudson Ballot Issue 2G: Yes/For: No/Against: Total:

275 214 197 277 386 187 183 115 1,834 762 644 806 666 735 3,613 51,544 56,916 193 299 492

For Complete Weld Election results go to Weld County Clerk & Recorder website

Morgan County Preliminary Election Results from Morgan County Clerk & Recorder

Preliminary Election

Results as of November 12, 2022 County Clerk & Recorders Office

State Representative District 50: Ryan Gonzales: Mary Young: Kyle Moore: Total: Weld County Commissioner at Large: Kevin Ross: Total: Weld County Commissioner District 2: Scott James: Total: Weld County Clerk & Recorder: Carly S. Koppes: Total: Weld County Assessor: Brenda Dones: Total: Weld County Sheriff: Steve Reams: Total: Weld County Council at large: Gillian K. Smith: Elijah Hatch: Total: Weld County Council District 2: Nancy Teksten: Total: Weld County Council District 3: James Welch: Total: Town of Hudson – Mayor: Joe Hammock Daniel Warren: Total: Town of Hudson Town Council: Candace Nolf: Zachery Reyes: Lisa Marie Buesgens: Sarah Jeanne Stadler: Mathhew P. Cole: Total: Town of Keenesburg Mayor: Kenneth L. Gfeller: Aron Lam: Total:

8,102 8,401 602 17,105 89,674 89,674 33,763 33,763 92,670 92,670 89,676 89,676 90,560 90,560 35,914 52,409 88,323 24,492 24,492 20,391 20,391 251 241 492 238 265 250 238 274 1,265 262 396 658

as of

November 9, 2022, 12:17 am

State Senator – District 1: Byron Pelton: Total:

State RepresentativeDistrict 63: Richard Holtorf: Total: Morgan County Commissioner District 2: Jon Becker: Total: Morgan County Clerk & Recorder: Kevin Strauch: Total: Morgan County Treasurer: Robert “Bob” Sagel: Total: Morgan County Assessor: Tim Amen: Total: Morgan County Sheriff: David (Dave) D. Martin Total: Morgan County Surveyor: Nicole F. Hay: Total: Morgan County Corner: Mike Dahl: Total: Town of Wiggins Ballot Issue 2E: Yes/For: No/Against: Total: Town of Wiggins: Ballot Question 2F: Yes/For No/Against: Total: Weldon Valley School District Ballot Issue 5A: Yes/For: No/Against: Total:

7,962 7,962 8,001 8,001 7,996 7,996 8,280 8,280 8,448 8,448 8,239 8,239 8,394 8,394 7,636 7,636 8,322 8,322 322 303 625 389 214 603 335 135 470

For more information go to Morgan County Clerk & Recorder website

Morgan County REA Members: Receive $10 When You Sign Up for Paperless Billing

By Morgan County Rural Electric Association

There are many advantages to signing up for paperless billing: less mail to open, reduced countertop clutter, notifications when your bill is ready … and Morgan County REA members can get $10!

Now, through Wednesday, November 30, Morgan County REA members who enroll in paperless billing for the first time will receive a one-time $10 credit on their January electric bill.

MCREA is owned and operated by the members it serves, and works to ensure that member dollars are used as efficiently as possible. With recent increases in postal rates, and another on the way in January, paperless billing allows you to receive your bill while reducing costs to your electric cooperative and you, our member.

Not only that, with paperless billing you never have to worry about your bill getting lost in the mail. Instead, you gain control and convenience by accessing your bill securely online anytime, anywhere, from your computer or smartphone. Plus, each month you will receive an email alert right away when your bill is ready to pay.

In fact, many MCREA members are already signed up for automatic payments, yet still receive a paper copy of their bill. In this case, enrolling in paperless billing is a great way to reduce the amount of unnecessary mail coming to your door.

Enrolling in paperless billing is easy and can be done through your Morgan County REA SmartHub account. Simply open the SmartHub app, where a notification for paperless billing will appear. Move the “Activate Paperless Billing” toggle switch to the right and hit “Save.”

Don’t have a SmartHub account? Now is a perfect time to sign up. SmartHub is a great resource, as it allows you to view your daily usage and yearly trends, report outages, and receive and pay your electric bill online, if you choose to do so.

To create your SmartHub account, visit mcrea.org and click the “SmartHub” button on the homepage. For mobile devices, download the SmartHub app from the App Store or Google Play. Once you have an account, you can select the paperless billing option.

This is also a good time to update your contact information, which helps MCREA to better serve its members. Do you have questions about SmartHub or paperless billing? Give MCREA’s billing department a call at 970-867-5688.

History of Thanksgiving Day by History.com

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2022 occurs on Thursday, November 24. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

Thanksgiving at Plymouth

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the “New World.” After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.

Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from a member of the Abenaki tribe who greeted them in English.

Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.

In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the first Thanksgiving’s exact menu, much of what we know about what happened at the first Thanksgiving comes from Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow, who wrote:

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations.

WIGGINS SCHOOL DISTRICT 50J NOVEMBER NEWS

GOOD PEOPLE OF TIGER NATION: Curriculum Change and Review

Last school year our teachers reviewed a variety of different approved READ Act Language Arts curriculums. After staff narrowed their curriculum choices to three and running the final three choices past a parent committee, the board approved Into Reading for grades K-6 and Into Literature for the 7th and 8th graders. Since June, teachers have been diving deep into the curriculum, meeting with instructional coaches, and working with their grade level teams to deliver solid instructional practices.

Parents may be noticing that their children are having a more difficult time in language arts, with their grades not being what they were last year. Teachers and administrators want you to know that we understand your frustrations and are working diligently to help each child succeed with this new, more rigorous, curriculum.

The district recognizes that our current elementary math curriculum is not garnering the results we had hoped for over the past several years. Currently, K-12 teachers are reviewing numerous K-12 aligned math curriculum for adoption this spring. Once staff narrows down their choices a parent committee will be asked to look over three possible curriculums before the board of education adopts a new for the 2023-2024 school year.

Monthly Expenditures for November

General Fund 421,143.27 Preschool 23,911.45 Capital Reserve 0.00 Bond Redemption 0.00 Bond Project-Baseball/Practice Field 0.00

Elementary Project 1,636,630.81

Lunch Fund 33,033.85 Total $2,457,738.53

Activity Account $38,304.60

Construction on the 3rd–6th grade building continues to progress. All of the steel is up with the last beam being placed on November 3rd. All elementary students and staff signed their name on the beam and watched the beam be placed. This “Topping Out” ceremony was a fun celebration for our students, topped off with each teacher and student being treated to cookies!

December Calendar

Wray Wins 1A Football Playoff Quarterfinal Over Wiggins, 36-28

year as starting

(He would set the school record for overall yards gained with (unofficial) 8,170.) Kerr was joined by other talented seniors (Julio Flores, 1,439 yards rushing this season through game ten; Omar Perez and Trey Fehseke, combined 899 yards receiving; a line anchored by Laith Ibrahim, two-time 2A 285-pound state wrestling champion; Pepper Rusher 74 tackles and 6 sacks). Seven wins out of eleven games is a success. But, it is still disheartening to the participants to not go beyond the quarterfinal when starting with such high expectations.

There were additional reasons for optimism. The Tigers started the season on a roll, winning three of four. Those wins were lopsided, as were three of their other four wins. That included a 52-20 win over North Fork one week earlier in the team’s first playoff game. The loss in the first four was by one point in double overtime to Strasburg, the team Wiggins would have played next if they had beaten the Wray Eagles. Also, Wiggins had beaten Wray just two games earlier, 28-14. The Tigers entered halftime of this game leading Wray, 28-13. It looked like history might repeat, but three unanswered touchdowns by Wray in the second half eliminated Wiggins from the playoffs, 36-28, on November 12, 2022. The Tigers finished the season at 7-4. Wray improved to 8-3.

The Tigers scored on their twelve-play opening drive on a run by Cole Kerr. Trey Fehseke ended Wray’s subsequent drive with the first of his two interceptions. That was followed two plays later by a TD pass from Kerr to Fehseke. The two-point conversion by Julio Flores made the score 14-0. Wray countered with a nine-play drive (all rushes), culminating in a TD by Chris Arambula, 14-7 Wiggins. Cole Kerr’s 55-yard run made it 21-7 Wiggins. Sam Meisner scored for Wray on a ten-play, 65 yard drive, for 21-13 Wiggins. A long bomb from Kerr to JR Meyer brought the score to 28-13. Fehseke’s second interception ended Wray’s next drive early. The half ended 28-13, Wiggins.

Wray did all the second half scoring. That began with a Casey Midcap TD pass to Ronnie Shay, for 28-21 Wiggins. A TD run by Sam Meisner inched Wray closer at 2827 Wiggins. An interception by Casey Midcap ended the Tigers’ next possession. That was followed by a Chris Arambula TD run, for the final 36-28 Wray.

Number 6 seed Wray will next play number 2 seed Strasburg in the semifinal. The winner of that will play the winner of #1 Limon vs #13 Colorado Springs Christian in the 1A championship game at CSU Pueblo on November 25.

Stats for neither team were available by deadline.

Wiggins Tigers football entered the 2022-23 season with high hopes. Four-time state champion coach Reid Kahl had signed on as offensive coordinator. Cole Kerr was entering his fourth

quarterback.

Trey Fehseke of Wiggins scored a touchdown and made two interceptions in the November 12 game with Wray at Wiggins.

Senior Cole Kerr, pictured here in the November 12 game with Wray at Wiggins, set the Wiggins school career record prior to this game for total yardage with 8,170 yards.

Sam Meisner of Wray celebrates the touchdown that brought wray within one point of Wiggins, 28-27, in the November 12 game at Wiggins

Casey Midcap of Wray makes the interception that would later lead to the winning score for Wray over Wiggins in the November 12 game at Wiggins.

JR Meyer of Wiggins scores on a long pass from Cole Kerr in the November 12 game with Wray at Wiggins

House Minority Leader Hugh McKean Remembered During Service at the Colorado Capitol

During Crash Responder Safety Week, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Colorado State Patrol, the National Highway Safety Administration, AAA Colorado, and the Colorado State Committee on First Responder Safety will work together to raise awareness about the importance of using caution near traffic incidents along Colorado roadways. In a special proclamation, Governor Jared Polis recently proclaimed October 6, 2022 as Protect Our First Responders Awareness Day in Colorado.

Drivers are reminded that Colorado’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane and/or slow down when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles. The law stipulates that if a driver is unable to move at least one lane away from the stationary emergency vehicle, the driver must slow down to at least 25 miles per hour on roadways with a speed limit below 45 miles per hour. On roadways with speed limits 45 miles per hour or more, motorists must slow down to 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Drivers that fail to slow down or move over commit the crime of careless driving, a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense that can result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $300.

Hugh McKean was known for telling people that he loved them.

So at the late House minority leader’s memorial service Thursday at the Colorado Capitol, attendees were asked to take a moment and turn to the person next to them and share McKean’s love.

“I want you to turn to a stranger — Democrats, say it to a Republican if you can find one — and tell them ‘I love you,’” said Scott James, a Republican Weld County commissioner and a friend of McKean’s.

As Democratic Gov. Jared Polis and former Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, turned to each other, dozens of others gathered in the rotunda of the state Capitol did the same. McKean’s ashes, surrounded by a color guard, lay in state.

A Loveland Republican, McKean died from a heart attack Oct. 30, shocking the political world. He had turned 55 days earlier.

“His example and his memory have united us in gratitude today in this rotunda to say, as Coloradans, rest in peace, leader,” Owens said from a lectern overlooking dozens of dignitaries, state lawmakers, lobbyists and McKean’s friends and family.

Across the country, 65 emergency responders working on the roadway were struck and killed in 2021. Here in Colorado, a South Adams County Fire Department Firefighter was severely injured last January in a crash on Interstate 76 while working on an earlier two-vehicle collision. The firefighter was inside a stopped fire truck, responding to a highway crash, when a driver struck both an ambulance and the fire truck. In Colorado, 11 State Patrol Troopers have lost their lives after being struck by passing motorists. Countless others have been left with life altering injuries after being struck while responding to a traffic incident.

“These deaths and life changing injuries should not happen and are easily prevented,” said Chief Matthew C. Packard of the Colorado State Patrol. “When drivers see law enforcement officers and other first responders working on the road, it is the law to move over and give them a safe space to do their jobs. We need to keep our officers and responders safe in order to keep drivers safe, too. Let’s work together so that these devastating incidences don’t continue to happen.

In an average month, Colorado emergency crews respond to 2,088 traffic incidents. CDOT and its partners are committed to improving traffic incident management so incidents can be detected, responded to, and cleared so that the flow of traffic may be restored as safely and quickly as possible. You can learn more about Colorado’s efforts by visiting ColoradoTIM.org.

Know Before You Go Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org

• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp

• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts

• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures

McKean was elected to the legislature in 2016 and chosen by his caucus to serve as its leader in 2020. At the time of his death, McKean was actively working to repair divides in his caucus.

House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Denver Democrat, told a story about how when he was working on a bill letting judges order the temporary seizure of guns from people deemed a significant risk to themselves or others, McKean drove to meet Garnett at the speaker’s daughter’s soccer practice to discuss the legislation.

“At the end, he said, ‘I fiercely disagree with you and I’m going to fight you on this issue, but I’m going to do it respectfully,’” Garnett said.

He added that McKean never failed to have his voice heard when he disagreed, “but he didn’t put our friendship, he didn’t put the institution, at risk because of that disagreement.”

McKean had a sense of humor, too. He once replaced the water in Garnett’s water bottle with vodka.

McKean, who was raised outside of Philadelphia, was a member of the Loveland City Council before becoming a state lawmaker. He was elected to the council in 2009. He also worked as a general contractor.

“He really made time to connect with people,” Polis said during the service. “He was the kind of person who listened and heard what someone had to say. Though it doesn’t alleviate the pain, I hope it is a comfort knowing that the man you loved has left a lasting legacy in our state of Colorado, in this building and across the state.”

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

Crash Responder Safety Week starts

Monday, Nov. 14

Colorado Last year there were over 1000 instances when drivers in Colorado crashed into the scene of an already existing crash putting first responders and others at risk. The upcoming Crash Responder Safety Week (Nov. 14-18) provides an opportunity to recognize all those who are part of the traffic incident management (TIM) response community, including law enforcement, medical personnel and tow truck drivers. These emergency responders work to help save lives at the scene of traffic crashes, but are put in harm’s way by oncoming vehicles. Traffic-related incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers, fire, EMS, maintenance workers, and tow/recovery professionals.

According to preliminary data from CDOT, in 2021 there were 1153 reported secondary crashes on Colorado roads resulting in 588 injuries and 10 deaths. Such crashes happen when a vehicle runs into an already existing traffic crash on the roadway. These secondary crashes can be prevented if drivers slow down and use caution when approaching a crash scene.

• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.

• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.

• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.

• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.

• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.

• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.

• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.

• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.

• Be patient!

McKean, a Loveland Republican, died suddenly Oct. 30. He turned 55 just days earlier. by Elliott Wenzler

The late House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, lies in state at the Colorado Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. (Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun)

The late House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, lies in state at the Colorado Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. (Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun)

Latinos

Organizers across the political spectrum knocked on a lot of Latino family doors in the 8th District all year, trying to mobilize them to vote.

Community organizers from both political parties understood what a critical role Latino voters would play in this election, especially in the state’s newest, most politically divided district, where the margin between winning and losing was always expected to come down to a handful of votes. As of Friday, Caraveo leads Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer, who conceded, by about 2,000 votes.

The Republican National Committee opened a Hispanic Community Center in Thorn ton in the hopes of building stronger relationships with the district’s Latino voters.

“It’s important for us to focus on [Latinos] solely so that they understand that their vote really matters, and it’s important for them to go out and vote,” said Angel Merlos, a senior advisor for Libre Action in Colorado. The fiscally conservative group supported Kirkmeyer and was not involved in the exit polling. Merlos said despite the outcome, his work in the district will continue.

Get-out-the-vote groups focused on the 8th District early; the district has the fewest registered voters of any Colorado congressional seat.

Resounding victories have Colorado Democrats celebrating — and debating what’s next Stacy Suniga, head of the Latino Coalition of Weld County, said she tried to convince Latino voters that, with the redrawn lines, their votes mattered more than ever. Prior to redistricting, all of Weld County was in a solidly Republican seat represented by Rep. Ken Buck. The other parts of the 8th District were in a safe Democratic seat.

“It’s going to take a little more education to understand the opportunity that CD-8 brings. And I think with the Caraveo win, that’ll open some eyes and say, ‘Hey, I should be participating in this,’” Suniga said.

In polling and in interviews, Colorado Latinos say they are particularly impacted by high prices. Merlos said that knocking on doors, he heard people say they felt like they were paying more for everything in their lives, including taxes, and not seeing results in terms of things like better roads or higher pay for teachers.

“It was like they were having trouble understanding how they’re paying so much and receiving little,” Merlos said. “I think there is a lot of confusion on, ‘Why are politicians not utilizing the money they’re supposed to?’”

The desire to address the high cost of living is reflected in Latinos’ support for three statewide ballot measures — Proposition FF, Prop. 121 and Prop. 123. According to the exit poll from BSP Research, Latinos supported the measures at much higher rates than Coloradans overall.

On Prop. FF, which imposes higher taxes on top-income earners to fund universal free school meals, 82 percent of Latino voters who were asked said they supported the mea sure. Overall, 55 percent of Coloradans voted for it.

“Food insecurity among Latinos is incredibly high, unfortunately, across the state of Colorado,” said Sanchez, the pollster. “So anything that could be done to support that, specifically, as we think about for our youngsters, that was going to get strong support.”

Likewise, 78 percent of Latinos in the poll supported Prop. 123, which requires the leg islature to spend more on affordable housing, with some of the money coming out of tax refunds. As of Friday morning, it was too close to call, with the vote tilting to the ‘yes’ side by a few points. And the income tax reduction, Prop. 121, passed statewide with 66 percent support, compared to 76 percent of Latino voters polled.

Both Merlos and Suniga hope that in Congress, Caraveo and others will be able to help address household economic challenges.

The increasingly high cost of living is one reason Caraveo said she decided to get into politics in the first place, and it was a central focus of her campaign for Congress.

“The suburbs were an area where people from Denver moved when Denver became unaffordable. Now they can’t afford to live here, and they’re moving to places even further afield, like all the way up to Greeley,” she said in an interview with CPR News during the campaign.

Caraveo, who lives in Thornton, said her father was able to support their family of six on his wages as a construction worker, something she finds hard to imagine today.

“I could have easily stayed in my clinic and continued to take care of patients, but I saw the difficulties that families all over this district were having to live the dream that I have been able to dream,” she said.

Caraveo said she hopes to join the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and said she’d continue to work on healthcare policy and advocacy for patients.

How

Contributed to Colorado Democrats’ Big Wins in 2022, including sending the State’s First Latina to Congress continued from page 2...

Bente Birkeland/CPR News Elsa and Hector Caraveo with their daughter, Congresswoman-elect Yadira Caraveo during a press conference outside her childhood home in Adams County on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

The Block in Morgan County

The Block: Commissary Kitchen & Events has been up and going for over a year now! Since changing hands from The Country Steak Out in September of 2021, The Block’s events calendar has been full of reservations ranging from celebrations to local markets, foodpreneur meetups to weekly community meetings and even pop-up restaurants. The building has a total of 5 different spaces available for reservations. The front area of the building is dedicated to the Commons, which is divided into the Prairie Room, Plains Room and Sun Room, which are available to reserve at no cost from 7am - 4 pm. The Commons spaces are suitable for recurring community and business meetings, pop-up shops and restaurants, small trainings and classes, or for people that need a place to work or study. The back area is considered The Venue, which holds either 2 separate banquet spaces, the Larkspur Room and Columbine Room, or The Venue, that can accommodate the highest capacity of 224 guests in a typical round table-banquet setting. The Venue spaces are available to reserve from 7 am - midnight, and are the most private, banquet style rooms that The Block has available.

Along with events, the building also doubles as a commissary kitchen, allowing community members the opportunity to adequately store, prepare and distribute their goods in a commercial kitchen setting. The Block has on boarded 12 kitchen members since opening, which utilize the commissary in unique ways. Kitchen members vary from new or existing restaurant owners, food product manufacturers, food truck owners that need a place to store goods or use the dishwasher, and has been used for a variety of cooking classes. Currently, there are 2 kitchen members that operate as a pop-up restaurant during the week, Wing Spot and Pappy’s Pit. These are examples of a retail food business, and the owners go through everything a restaurant would typically go through in order to operate in accordance with local and state regulations. If it aligns with their business plan, retail food establishments have the option to also reserve the

Commons as their restaurant. This option has allowed for the restaurant to hire and train kitchen and waitstaff, and run a full service restaurant without having to invest their time and resources into buying or renting their own facility. This model allows for the business to instead invest in creating their product, marketing the business, and focus on building a quality team to run the business. The kitchen is available to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Block is also home to a long term business, After Hours Cocktail Bar. The owners opened up their first After Hours in Greeley and after a successful opening there, they saw the opportunity for expansion and opened at The Block in February 2022. As with any business running out of The Block, they make their own business decisions such as their hours, menu items, pricing and have the freedom to schedule their own events in our spaces. Stay up to date on all things After Hours, The Block and our kitchen members on The Block’s Facebook page. The Block is currently open based on reservation. Reservations for event space and commissary kitchen inquiries can be made by contacting The Block’s site manager at julie@theblock-mc.com or calling 970-867-7887.

MCC Foundation announces date for

The Morgan Community College (MCC) Foundation’s 24th Annual Gala will be held Friday, February 24, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Morgan County REA Building (732 Barlow Road, Fort Morgan). This year’s event theme will be “Creating Hometown Opportunities and Bright Futures.”

The evening will include silent and live auctions, a reverse raffle, a cash bar, and a light dinner.

Tickets for the Gala may be purchased online at morgancc.edu/gala, from an MCC Foundation Board Member, or at the MCC Foundation office located at 300 Main Street, Fort Morgan.

All proceeds from the Gala will benefit Morgan Community College student scholarships and programs. The MCC Foundation supports student achievement through scholarships, programs, new and innovative technologies, and facilities.

For more information on the 24th Annual Gala, visit MorganCC.edu/gala or contact Susan Clough, MCC Interim Director of Development, at mccfoundation@ morgancc.edu or 970-542-3133.

Bus Driver Shortage Leaves Wiggins Parents to Fend for Themselves

By Sonia Gutierrez and Julio Sandoval, Rocky Mountain Public Media

The Wiggins School District in northeast Colorado has sold half its bus fleet.

Julio Sandoval / Rocky Mountain PBS

This article was originally published on Rocky Mountain Public Media and is republished here with permission.

WIGGINS, Colo. — From Monday through Thursday, Veronica Talamantes spends her days driving to and from school, picking up and dropping off three of her children.

“We live kind of far because we live out in a farm,” Talamantes explained. “You have to [drive], there’s no other option.”

Ideally, her children would take school buses, but Wiggins School District canceled their transportation service this year and the price she’s had to pay for that has been monumental.

Talamantes said it has been hard for her to get a job because she has to plan around driving her kids to and from school.

“For parents that … live far from the school and try to get a job and we can’t because there’s no transportation that will bring our kids safe from school and to school… so it’s hard,” said Talamantes.

Her husband is a farmworker at a dairy nearby. She said the money her husband earns goes to bills and gas. “We live week by week,” said Talamantes.

“I’ll pump gas but I don’t go anywhere else because gas here was almost $5 [per gallon],” she said. Talamantes and other farmworker families have tried carpooling but because Wiggins is so spread out, that has been hard.

Parked school buses cost money

The transportation problem is not because there is a lack of buses, but because there is lack of drivers. Wiggins School District Superintendent Trent Kerr said the district sold half its fleet.

“We just had a pumpkin patch farm pick them up so they can use them for a zombie apocalypse-type area,” Kerr said of the buses.

The district crunched the numbers and realized they were losing money by having over a dozen buses just sit in a parking lot.

“We had to get new batteries in them,” Kerr explained. “If they’re not being ran, the batteries were being worn down.”

The district is down to six buses that they have for activities and emergencies. As for driving kids to school, Kerr said, “it was something nobody wanted to do.”

Students

go years without school transportation

This will be the third year families in Wiggins will not have bus transportation. The first two years were because of the pandemic, then the district lost all their drivers to retirement. Recruiting more has been challenging, Kerr said, because of the job requirements. Kerr explained that in order for people to qualify to drive a school bus, they need to earn a Class B CDL. “Which is the same thing as driving a semi-truck,” he said. “So, people don’t want to drive a school bus for $25 an hour when they can drive a truck full time.”

The school district does offer before and after school programs and a virtual option for students to learn from home if transportation becomes an issue.

Often, Kerr said he has had to get behind the wheel himself. Kerr knows of at least four other Colorado superintendents having to do the same thing because of the lack of drivers.

“As a state we need to address the issue — as a nation we need to address the issue — because it’s not going away and it’s only going to get worse. We’re not going to be the only district that’s doing this in the future you’re going to see more and more around us,” said Kerr.

He recognizes this decision is putting more teenagers on the road and more children in cars with teenagers driving.

Veronica Talamantes spends hours driving her kids back and forth to school in Wiggins.

Julio Sandoval / Rocky Mountain PBS

For moms like Talamantes, she would rather lose half her family’s income than put her children in danger. But, she’s not sure how much longer they can survive with that sacrifice.

Her message to the school district is to allow other people to come help brainstorm different options.

“I think it would be helpful just to see other ideas other options. How is everyone working to maintain their buses? At least to help the parents that need it,” said Talamantes. “The point is to help everybody out. We’re all struggling the same way. Help each other out to make it possible.”

Not just a Colorado problem

School districts nationwide are struggling to get bus drivers behind the wheel.

Recent recent shows that 86% of schools say they don’t have enough bus driver applicants despite offering pay incentives, training and flexible schedules.

The lack of drivers is forcing districts to cut corners and parents to get creative.

Correction: This story has been updated to remove incorrect information that suggested superintendents do not need a CDL to drive a bus. According to state and federal rules, anyone who drives a bus with a capacity of 16 passengers or greater needs a valid commercial drivers license.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Is a Donor-Advised Fund Right For You?

You can find many ways to support charitable organizations. One method that’s gained popularity over the past few years is called a donor-advised fund. Should you consider it?

The answer depends on your individual situation, because donoradvised funds are not appropriate for everyone. However, if you’re in a position to make larger charitable gifts, you might at least want to see what this strategy has to offer.

Here’s how it works:

• Contribute to the fund. You can contribute to your donor-advised fund with cash or marketable securities, which are assets that can be converted to cash quickly. If your contribution is tax deductible, you’ll get the deduction in the year you make the contribution to the fund. Of course, these contributions are still subject to IRS limits on charitable tax deductions and whether you itemize

your deductions. If you typically don’t give enough each year to itemize and plan on making consistent charitable contributions, you could consider combining multiple years’ worth of planned giving into a single donoradvised fund contribution and claim a larger deduction in that year. This move may be especially impactful if you have years with a higher amount of income, with an accompanying higher tax rate.

If you contribute marketable securities, like stocks and bonds, into the fund, a subsequent sale of the securities avoids capital gains taxes, maximizing the impact of your contribution.

• Choose an investment. Typically, donor-advised funds offer several professionally managed diversified portfolios where you can place your contributions. You’ll want to consider the level of investment risk to which your fund may be exposed. And assuming all

requirements are met, any investment growth is not taxable to you, the donor-advised fund or the charity that ultimately receives the grant, making your charitable gift go even further.

• Choose the charities. You can choose grants for the IRS-approved charities that you want to support. You decide when you want the money donated and how it should be granted. You’re generally free to choose as many IRS-approved charitable organizations as you like. And the tax reporting is relatively easy — you don’t have to keep track of receipts from every charity you support. Instead, you can just keep the receipts from your contributions to the fund.

Although donor-advised funds clearly offer some benefits, there are important trade-offs to consider. For one thing, your contributions are irrevocable, which means once you put the money

in the fund, you cannot access it for any reason other than charitable giving. And the investments you choose within your fund will carry some risk, as is true of all investments. Also, donor-advised funds do have investment management fees and other costs. So, consider the impacts of these fees when deciding how you want to give.

In any case, you should consult with your tax and financial professionals before opening a donor-advised fund. And if the fund becomes part of your estate plans, you’ll also want to work with your legal advisor. But give this philanthropic tool some thought — it can help you do some good while also potentially benefiting your own longterm financial strategy.

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

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Issue 1A would Unshackle Weld County from State’s Collective Bargaining Mandate

By Sherrie Peif

GREELEY — The Nov. 8 election will decide if Weld County is once again alone in bucking state rule, but only if voters figure out whether a yes means no, or a no means yes.

Some say the ballot language for Issue 1A is confusing. But according to Weld County Commissioner Chairman Scott James, to change Weld’s home rule charter — whether its adding or removing items — voters have to say “yes.”

To cut through any confusion: a yes on 1A means public sector unions will not be allowed to represent county employees. A no on 1A means the county will be required to allow union representation of its employees.

When home rule matters

For years, leaders in other counties across Colorado have poked fun at Weld for its status as a home rule county.

Most don’t understand why a county would want to incorporate as home rule, as the perks of such designation are not many. Counties by design are simply the enforcement arm of state policy.

A home rule county can make limited decisions for itself, in the case of Weld that includes an additional elected body called the County Council, which sets the salaries of its elected officials and handles any appointments for vacated seats.

But after the 2022 legislative session, there may be a bit of jealousy hanging in the air for Weld’s decision to take that step nearly 47 years ago.

Senate Bill 22-230, signed into law on May 27 by Gov. Jared Polis, requires counties with a population of more than 7,500 residents — 42 of the state’s 64 counties — to allow their employees to unionize, a piece of law that will cost county governments millions in expenditures.

At the last minute, former Weld County Commissioner, and current State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, negotiated language in SB-230 that somewhat exempted home rule counties from the requirement.

Pitkin is the only other home rule county in Colorado, but its commissioners have not expressed interest in avoiding unionization of its employees.

A legislative dictate

Under the bill, legislators took the position that “collective bargaining for county employees is a matter of statewide concern that affects public safety and general welfare.”

The bill dictates much of what the county must offer under those agreements should employees decide to organize. However, Kirkmeyer was able to get bipartisan support to amend the bill so that nothing in the bill may “restrict, duplicate, or usurp any responsibility or authority granted to the county commissioners of any county” under the “state constitution, home rule charter or other state law.”

That one sentence allowed Weld County to ask voters if the county itself can develop a personnel system free of the requirement to engage in collective bargaining.

If 1A passes, according to the ballot language, it will be “against public policy for the county to collectively bargain with county employees.” In other words, no union. Further, “the county is under no obligation to recognize or negotiate with, for the purpose of collective bargaining, any collective bargaining unit of county employees.”

A yes means no to unions

“To take advantage of what was written into the legislation we must amend the home rule charter,” James said. “Ultimately, to amend the charter voters must say yes they are willing to amend the charter.”

James spent many hours in Denver during debate over the bill working to stop the idea, he said. This was the closest it got, and now its up to Weld voters if they want the county to be forced into union contracts.

“If it passes, Weld County will be out there on an island again,” James said. “Statutory counties are bound by it.”

James said collective bargaining is just not necessary. The county already offers lucrative salary and benefit packages. The average benefits package per employee is $28,000, James said.

Weld County’s Director of Finance and Administration Don Warden estimated that the annual cost to the county to collectively bargain with employees would be between $43 and $60 million dollars.

James is hearing whispers that if 1A fails, some departments are already gearing up to organize. He said if the county is forced to negotiate, all current benefits and pay would be off the table and county would start negotiations all over.

“Collective bargaining will force the county to reallocate funds from necessary projects to a program that largely duplicates protections already in place,” James said. “We feel like we have an outstanding relationship with our employees, and we are already well above on our compensation and benefits.”

Caldara: Let’s Start Lying school Tax Hikes to Education Outcomes

By Jon Caldara

It’s that time again: mill levy override time.

Isn’t it amazing, simply amazing that the warring Douglas County School Board can’t agree on anything except one itty-bitty tiny thing. They all want more money.

So, like many of our 178 school districts, off to the voters they go to increase the mill levy, you know, for the children.

Sadly, raising property taxes without measurable guarantees and incentives for results is a recipe for disaster, rewards failure, and is a big reason why our state’s test scores stink.

A bond is just a loan that the taxpayers get to pay off. Fortunately, thanks to our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, we get to vote on it, meaning the school district must sell us on the idea.

They promise that our children will learn more, their test scores will increase, the dropout rate will decrease, fewer kids will be harmed in school, fewer crimes committed.

Like a boy in the back seat of a car, they’ll tell us whatever we want to hear to get us to say yes.

Contrast school bonds with a construction loan. You’re going to build a new office building and you get a loan for a million dollars. But you don’t get a million dollars all at once. You get it in increments, as different parts of the project are done.

You first get the money to do the excavation. Once you show that is done, the bank releases the money to build the foundation. Once that’s done, they release the money to build the framing of the building, and so forth.

Why do banks do this? To protect themselves. The lender doesn’t want to be on the hook for an asset that doesn’t exist. The builder must prove step by step he’s achieving what he promised.

Steve Schuck, a developer and philanthropist in Colorado Springs, has lived with this reality for his entire career as a builder. For years he’s been trying to convince the education world to live by the same rules.

His idea is ridiculously simple and straightforward: taxpayers should shoot down any mill levy override unless there is a measurable educational outcome attached to it.

We’re told we’re increasing taxes so kids can learn better. Well, if that’s really the case, then the money can be released when certain education milestones are met.

Say a quarter of the total bond amount is released right at the beginning so the school district can start doing the work they promised.

Then when certain benchmarks are hit, like the district’s test scores improving to a certain level by a certain date, then the next tranche of money is released. Perhaps when drop-out rates are reduced to an agreed amount, then the next tranche is released.

The promises can be structured any way the district likes, but there must be datecertain measured improvement to get the rest of the dough.

The bank backing the office-building loan has a built-in incentive to release money this way: it’s their tuchus on the line. Bond dealers don’t. The taxpayers are going to pay them no matter what.

You see the problem here. The guy getting the loan, the school district, certainly doesn’t want to guarantee results and the guy giving the loan doesn’t care diddly, his “customer” isn’t paying the loan back — captive taxpayers are.

No wonder Steve Schuck hasn’t been able to sell this simple, powerful idea.

The villain isn’t the school district. They just want more money — always have, always will.

The villain isn’t the bond dealer. They are soulless — always were, always will be.

So, who are the villains? Who should we blame for the state’s abysmal test scores? It lays at the feet of the “education booster class” who champion higher taxes without guaranteed results.

Community leaders, the PTA, chambers of commerce, newspaper editorial boards and other influencers, should they actually care about kids, need to be the ones to withhold their support unless the bond is tied to results.

And imagine how easy it would be for the “boosters” to sell the bond to their community with performance guarantees.

Until school districts are willing to put even the smallest guarantee of student results, there shouldn’t be another mill levy passed in Colorado.

Unless of course we don’t really care about the children.

Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Denver.

Can You Find the Elf on the Store Shelf?

City of Fort Morgan launches annual holiday promotion

Spot the elf on the store shelf while doing your shopping this holiday season for your chance to win a prize valued at $150.

The City of Fort Morgan is hosting its annual shop local tradition and has collaborated with 20 Fort Morgan small businesses to get into the Christmas spirit. Beginning Monday, Nov. 14, four Fort Morgan elves will frequent a participating store each week. Shoppers are encouraged to visit stores; find the elf; take a photo of the elf in the store; and submit the photo along with his or her name, phone number, and email address to elf.shelf@cityoffortmorgan.com for a chance to be entered into a weekly drawing.

There is no purchase required to participate. An individual has up to four chances to enter each week – one entry per found elf. Each week, City staff will also publish a “clue” as to the possible whereabouts the elves are located on the City of Fort Morgan’s Facebook page. Clues will also be mentioned on B106 and KFTM radio stations and in the Fort Morgan Times.

The elves will stay in the participating business for one week before finding a new store shelf to sit on. A wide variety of businesses both in the downtown area as well as in other popular commercial areas within the city are part of the holiday promotion.

“This is something the whole family can enjoy as they do their Christmas shopping,” notes Fort Morgan City Manager, Brent Nation. “By spending your money in Fort Morgan, you’re supporting local people as well as our entire community, and you have the chance to win a prize, too.”

The final day of participation in the elf promotion is Dec. 17 at midnight.

Rural Colorado School District Reinstates Administrator “Vindicated” in a Student Sexting Case

The charges against Scott Hodgson were thrown out last month by a district judge, who said the administrator had acted in good faith. by Shannon Najmabadi, The Colorado Sun

The Brush School District has reinstated a top administrator at the middle of a controversial student sexting case, saying the man had been “vindicated” of alleged wrongdoing when a district judge last month dismissed eight counts of child pornography against him.

The school district’s board Oct. 17 unanimously voted to reinstate Scott Hodgson, 38, director of secondary schools and one of two administrators who had been accused of possessing child pornography when they investigated a tip about students trading explicit images.

Thirteenth Judicial District Judge Charles Hobbs threw out the case against Hodgson, saying the administrator had acted in good faith and thought he was complying with district policy.

Bradley Bass, assistant director of secondary schools, was also charged with four counts related to sexual exploitation of a child. His case is scheduled for a hearing before Hobbs Nov. 21.

The administrators came into possession of the images in April when they investigated a tip reported through Safe2Tell, a confidential app that sends information to both the school and local police. The tip went to Jared Barham, a police officer who acts as a liaison with the school district, Brush Police Chief Derek Bos has said. Bos learned about the tip about two weeks later when Barham asked a question related to the case.

Hodgson and Bass found sexual images on several students’ phones, stored in SnapChat, a disappearing photo app. Bass used his work cellphone to take photos of the students’ phones to document which boy had which images. The photos were then transferred to a school server that only a few district employees had access to. The administrators have said they didn’t just confiscate the phones because they worried students could remotely log into their SnapChat accounts and delete the images.

When police learned that administrators had taken the photos, they began investigating Hodgson and Bass, 31. No one has accused either man of retaining the images for sexual gratification or other nefarious purposes.

Knowingly possessing any explicit images of kids is child pornography, no matter the intent, under state law. Law enforcement officers investigating are one of the few exceptions to the rule.

Thirteenth Judicial District Attorney Travis Sides has said state law is clear on the issue and that his office disagreed with the judge’s decision. He said Friday he did not plan to appeal Hodgson’s case. His office does not plan to drop charges against Bass.

“We’re starting to get the point in the case (where) a lot of the facts are being revealed,” Hodgson said Friday. “I personally will feel a whole lot better when Bradley’s case ends in the same result.”

The district is slowly bringing Hodgson back into his position. He’s expected to fully return to on-campus work by Oct. 27 at the earliest. Some administrative changes will be made, including that employees besides Hodgson will become the primary people responsible for dealing with student discipline.

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

LOCATED AT THE SE WELD COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 7758 CR 59 KEENESBURG, CO 80643

Support our local vendors and do some holiday shopping!

Handmade wood items, quilting, T-Shirts, food items, candles, Tupperware and more!!

Also check out Holiday Bazaar at the American Legion Nov. 19th 9:00am to 4:00pm

SponsoredBy WeldCentralHighSchool FBLA

Scott Hodgson, director of secondary education, lives directly across from the Brush Secondary Campus with his wife Catherine and sons River, 13, right, and Talon, 9.(Photo By Kathryn Scott)