2 COPS. 4 LAWSUITS. 0 DISCIPLINE.
Some officers creating problems with criminal cases continue without consequences or department review
To everyone getting fitted now for graduation caps and gowns, Congratulations. You’re welcome, and I’m sorry.
When I was leaving high school for college, President Jimmy Carter was trying to clean up a mess in the country that left Americans struggling with huge unemployment, ludicrous interest rates, a Middle East that was about to implode, and an oil crisis that threatened to doom the economy, the planet and maybe even our own species.
Those were dark days.
So many of us checked out of engaging in a world that had spun out of control and was ripe for rebellion. Instead, we checked into a wild ride of drugs, debauchery and embarrassing fashion.
Well, not all of us. For the record, I rarely wore tube socks.
There were a few of us who saw what was happening to the country at the hands of the oil companies, at the hands of corporate religions, at the hands of a “Moral Majority” that pushed hard to suppress the rights of women, minorities and gays.
Sound familiar?
We fought back. When the rumors that California’s kooky actor-turned-governor would run for president turned out to be true, we took to the streets and campuses to push back against him and his fellow madmen. We pushed back against a wave of political bullies who couldn’t fathom anything but a black-andwhite world where one class of Americans ruled over another. Women like Congresswoman Pat Schroeder were scorned and humiliated. Blacks were accepted only as entertainers and religious martyrs. As hard as we pushed
to allow the middle and underclass to get ahead, the ruling class pushed back harder.
So we made small, steady strides instead. Women crept into the boardrooms instead of barging in. Gays simply became part of the American lexicon, then marched in parades, then led them for the military.
The lies and the stereotypes began to fade away like ancient Greek myths. Rather than bully our way into American history, we sneaked in, and a Black became president. In Colorado, an openly gay man is governor. An openly trans state lawmaker here recently led the charge on saving farmers money by letting them fix their own tractors. In Aurora, thousands of protesters have prompted change to a police department that wrongly killed, maimed and abused people of color. You’re welcome.
However, no one had Donald Trump in their Planetary Bingo Card, or anticipated that the moral majority would morph into the MAGA minority and wreak havoc across the nation. I’m sorry.
Now, here you are preparing for high school commencement, just like we did. But rather than hand you the reigns of a community and a society on course for victory and greatness, we turn over a nation wrought with trouble.
We didn’t learn our lesson with oil and the Middle East. We started wars there we couldn’t afford and couldn’t possibly finish. Nutcases are arming themselves with nukes, nerve gas, and a never-ending supply of IEDs and suicide bombers. I’m sorry.
We’ve made a massive mess out of our nation’s gun affliction. Rather than acting on the lessons learned from
the Aurora theater shooting, we’ve allowed the NRA, the gun industry and their unwitting toadies to make death by gunfire the leading cause of death among children in the United States. I’m so sorry.
We didn’t learn our lesson with the environment. In fact, we may well have destroyed the planet with a global warming problem that Club Money denies exists and Club Ineffective can’t change. I’m sorry.
We created a health-care system that has extended the life of Americans, but we can no longer afford it. It’s a greedy monstrosity that will soon cost more than anything else in the country. I’m sorry.
My parent’s generation saw entire communities of elderly people starving to death, too old to work, too voiceless to make a difference. Congress enacted the Social Security system, allowing for all Americans to age safely and with dignity. But we stole most of my Social Security and probably all of yours. Now you must plan how you’ll survive when you’re too old to work and too powerless to do anything about it. I’m sorry.
In our zeal to buy more stuff cheaper that we just throw away to buy more, we’ve lost an army of jobs and created cruel slave colonies across the globe so we can buy dress shirts for $6 and remarkable smart TVs for the price of a set of sheets. I’m sorry.
I’m not giving up yet, but it’s exhausting to fight a tidal wave of resistance that does not value education, believes creationism is science and that drag queens are a threat to their own lives. I’m sorry.
There is no getting around the ugliness of Colorado’s budget debacle created by roaring property values and broken tax-limitation laws.
A complex proposal by Colorado legislative Democrats and Gov. Jared Polis created to address the looming property tax-hike crisis is far from neat and tidy, but it’s workable and should be approved with some small changes.
Over the past few years, property values across the state have soared. While sellers, and even those just marveling at their home investment, have often been pleased, reality in the form of rocketing potential tax bills have created the ultimate fun crusher.
Much of the ugliness is the convoluted nature of Colorado property taxes, a monstrosity of pieced-together notions and ideas made toxic with the 1992 creation of the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
In short, property taxes are based on the “assessed” value of your home. That complicated effort estimates the market value of your property. Taxes are raised by multiplying that value times the tax rate, a mill levy. You don’t pay taxes on the actual value of your home, however, but on the “assessed” value. That’s the rate, set by law, that creates the much smaller base for your mill levy.
Regardless of how large or small that assessment rate is, when property values go up, so does the smaller, assessed, tax base, and so do taxes.
Property values have risen so high, so fast, that average home tax bills are expected to increase upwards of $100 a month, for those who pay them with their mortgages on a home valued at about $700,000. The net tax increase is about double that in some mountain communities, according to state officials.
In other states, lawmakers and state officials could simply reduce the assessed value rate to compensate for the increased property value. In part, that’s what Proposition HH proponents want to do.
But Colorado is unique in that it’s the only state saddled with a broken and injurious TABOR amendment. Lauded by far-right tax protesters, the measure was sold to voters in 1992 as a way to keep lawmakers from raising taxes without a vote. The insidious measure was actually a Trojan horse of legislation that has hamstrung Colorado and all its local governments for decades. The idea of TABOR is so bad that no other state has ever adopted it, despite its special place in the hearts of the far-right.
Because of TABOR, the state is forced to not just reduce the assessment rate, but then move state money through a complicated procedure to protect things like already-too-small public school budgets and other local services, like sewer districts.
A better solution would be for lawmakers to ask voters this fall to right the state constitutional wrongs created by TABOR, and Amendment 23 — created to offset the deleterious effects of TABOR — by removing them from the state Constitution. That’s politically unfeasible right now.
Instead, lawmakers will ask voters to essentially lop $40,000 of value off of every residential property valuation in the state, and slightly reduce the assessment rate. At the same time, the proposal would cartwheel around TABOR to ensure some government budgets aren’t destroyed by the complicated changes.
Republicans are accusing Democrats of creating a needlessly complicated fix with a 10-year lifespan as a ruse. That’s not true. Because of TABOR and other state tax mechanisms, only something this complex can ensure staving off an imminent tax increase and stabilize revenues for government services.
The universal $40,000 in property value reduction is a clever way of ensuring everyone gets the same tax break, without moving the lion’s share of lower taxes to the wealthiest Colorado residents who own the most expensive homes.
But state legislators should go further in this first year of implementation by reducing the residential assessment rate lower than the proposed 6.765% to 6.7%. The proposal is not low enough in areas where real estate boons have driven home prices sky high for blue-collar families, already struggling hard against inflation. Since there are no “exemptions” for almost all of these families, only state lawmakers can ensure these middle-income residents are protected.
Likewise, the measure currently offers renters no protection from landlords eager to hike rents to pass any increases onto those who actually pay their mortgage bills.
State Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, is among those who are proposing tax rebates of some kind for those renters left holding the increased tax bag.
The package is awkward, complicated and difficult to understand. Getting it past voters will be arduous, especially with opponents making false claims rather than meaningful suggestions for important changes. But given the statutory cards Colorado has been dealt with TABOR, Proposal HH is a sound and critical response to mitigating the state’s imminent tax crisis.
When Stew Leonard opened what he dubbed a “dairy store” in Norwalk, Conn., in 1969, it was a wonder of marketing, with a petting zoo, animated Disney-style characters and an on-site bottling plant. There were serious retailing strategies as well—a limited product line, attractive house brands, slick promotions and an abundance of free samples. The concepts pioneered in that supermarket are seen today at Trader Joe’s, Costco and Whole Foods.
You’d think such an innovator would resent — even threaten legal action against — those who profited off his ideas. Not Leonard, who died last week at 93. He encouraged and even mentored food merchants around the world.
Having lived for a time near Norwalk, I came to know Leonard and his son, Stew Jr., who now runs the operation which has expanded to seven stores in the tri-state area. An eighth store, Tom Leonard’s in Glen Allen, Va., is operated by another son. The family once hired me to conduct promotional video interviews with customers. “I’m a journalist and I ask tough, critical questions,” I warned. Their response was, “We’re not worried.”
It turned out that the shoppers — some of whom had driven 100 miles for the experience — were uniformly positive. Indeed, they acted like kids at Disneyland.
Stew Leonard’s boldest retailing concept was to have a single aisle winding through the entire layout, taking shoppers past every item offered until they arrived back where they entered. No one runs in for a quart of milk or a single loaf of bread, which most supermarket operators count on, but the gimmick earned the store a place in the Guinness World Records for having the highest dollar sales per square foot of selling space.
People like Paul Newman, Martha Stewart, Frank Purdue and Sam Walton were among Leonard’s friends and admirers. That admiration was tested soon after his retirement in 1990, when customs agents in St. Martin found that his suitcase contained $70,000 in cash. It led to uncovering a tax-fraud scheme to divert $17.1 million by using a custom-made computer program that produced two sets of books. Cash was hidden in the fireplace in Leonard’s Norwalk office, then transport-
ed out of the country.
During his 44 months in a Pennsylvania prison, he persuaded officials to let him conduct retailing seminars — not just for inmates, but for merchants in nearby towns. He explained how in the 1920s his father, Charles Leonard, delivered milk by horse and buggy. Just 21 when Charles died, Stew took over Clover Farms Dairy in Connecticut and began honing the marketing skills that would make him rich. Delivery trucks were fitted with animated cow heads on top that made sounds. Painted on the sides of the trucks: “You Wave and I’ll Moo!” He bought out a neighboring dairy and doubled his business. But the popularity of home-delivered milk was fading, so he borrowed as much as he could to build what many would later refer to as “The Disneyland of Dairy Stores.”
His prison lecture also outlined his core business philosophy, STEW: S-satisfy the customer; T-Teamwork gets it done; E-Excellence makes it better; W-Wow makes it fun.
Stew Jr. once told me his dad was truly sorry. He appeared to be a generally decent man who got caught up in what he foolishly convinced himself was a victimless crime, served his time, and tried to pay back. Customers I spoke with were saddened, but quick to forgive.
And that had special meaning at Stew Leonard’s, where a three-ton chunk of granite in front of the store has the inscription: “Rule #1: The Customer is Always Right”; Rule #2: If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule #1.”
Peter Funt’s latest book is “Playing POTUS: The Power of America’s Acting Presidents,” about comedians who impersonated presidents.
fter spending his entire educational career in Cherry Creek Schools, Michael Giles will be moving one district over this summer.
Giles was named as the next superintendent for Aurora Public Schools at a special board meeting April 27 by a unanimous vote. He was one of three finalists for the role, along with APS chief academic officer Nia Campbell and former chief academic officer Andre Wright.
“This is a community that I’ve lived in for 25 years, and I’m very engaged in it, and to be able to lead our students and our community forward in this school district is really humbling and exciting for me,” Giles said when contacted after the announcement. “There’s a lot of brilliance. There’s a lot of talent and a lot of opportunity for our community. So, all of that being said, I’m just extremely excited. I can’t wait to get started.”
The board deliberated for just 10 days after hearing final interviews from the three candidates on April 17. Few policy differences separated the candidates, who all have long careers in public education and who emphasized the importance of supporting teachers and valuing the district’s diversity during interviews and public meetings.
On Thursday, board president Debbie Gerkin said Giles embodied “the knowledge, skills, leadership traits and competencies that our community identified as priorities.” Gerkin also thanked community members, district staffers and fellow board members for the time they invested in picking the right man for the job.
“The most important job that a board of education has is to hire a superintendent who will uphold the
Acommunity’s vision and values, improving what students know and are able to do while behaving in ways that will uplift the organization,” Gerkin said. “This is a job you each took seriously. This is a job you each took to heart.”
She said the board would vote on Giles’ contract as soon as possible, once negotiations conclude.
Giles was born in Queens, N.Y. and moved around frequently as a child while his father was in the military. The family moved to Colorado when he was in high school and he has lived in Aurora for the last 25 years.
“The opportunity to be able to lead the district in my home, it just really speaks to me,” Giles said during last week’s board interviews. “So that’s why I wanted to put my name in the hat and to apply to be the next superintendent of this district.”
After working as a juvenile corrections counselor in Grand Junction and the Denver area, Giles joined the Cherry Creek School District in 2002. He began as a counselor at Falcon Creek Middle School and moved through myriad roles in the district throughout the years.
He became an administrator in 2014, and in 2018 joined the cabinet as assistant superintendent of performance. He assumed his current role as assistant superintendent of diversity, equity, culture and community engagement in 2021.
In a Cherry Creek news release from when he joined the cabinet, Giles said he initially had no aspiration to being an administrator.
“I always feared the political game of administration, but the more I started to travel down that path, the more I saw an ability to have a systemic impact and to have more leverage to create access and opportunity for all students,” he said.
At Cherry Creek, Giles has been at the forefront of the district’s attempts to boost achievement for students of color, a priority he signaled would continue at APS. During interviews last week, he also highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust, improving teacher recruitment and retention and making sure the district has an effective safety plan.
“I believe there is great potential for the Cherry Creek School District and the Aurora Public School District to enhance partnerships that strengthen and expand opportunities and outcomes for all students in the city of Aurora,” he said in a statement from Cherry Creek schools. ” I look forward to exploring those partnerships once I assume the new role.”
His tenure at Cherry Creek was lauded by officials there.
“He is an exceptional leader and will be a tremendous asset for Aurora Public Schools,” said Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Christopher Smith. “I will miss watching him interact with and inspire the students and adults he meets.”
He also said the move enhances possibilities for cooperatioon between the neighboring districts.
The board began the search for a new superintendent after former superintendent Rico Munn announced in December that he would not be seeking to renew his current contract, which expires at the end of June.
A survey conducted by the firm the board contracted to lead the search found that a background in public education, experience in a large school district and a proven track record with diversity were some of the top characteristics that people wanted the next leader to have.
Giles’ first day as superintendent will be July 1.
dais.
Gardner has lived in Aurora most of his life. He holds a master’s degree in finance and worked at a local credit union for 14 years before accepting his current job as a local government liaison in the solid waste industry.
He has also served as a member of the Aurora Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee, as treasurer of the Aurora Cultural Arts District and as president of his homeowners’ association. In December, he was chosen to serve as mayor pro tem for 2023.
Earlier this year, fellow Republican Francoise Bergan also announced her intention to run for re-election as the council representative of Ward VI, encompassing southeast Aurora.
Bergan, who previously worked in management and consulting, is seeking her third term on the council and highlighted her advocacy for the city’s new southeast Aurora recreation center, efforts to combat street racing and support of new parks and trails in her ward as accomplishments in an announcement posted on her website.
“I’m honored to be a strong voice for my constituents in city hall,” she said in the announcement. “Whether advocating for roads, public safety, housing, economic development, recreation, or retail, I’m committed to being a good steward of city revenue and making southeast Aurora the envy of the metro area.”
Bergan also described her leadership of the council’s Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee, vice chair role on the Management and Finance Policy Committee and membership on the Water Policy Committee, as well her service on the governing boards of the E-470 Public Highway Authority, Aerotropolis Regional Improvement District and Aurora Economic Development Council.
Conservative Angela Lawson, currently an at-large representative, will be running for the Ward V seat held by Democrat Alison Coombs, who is running for an at-large position. Lawson’s voter registration shows she is unaffiliated with any political party.
Lawson seeks a third term on the council and wrote in a social media post that she wanted to promote quality of life, public safety, economic development, housing, transportation and resources for older adults in the southwestern ward.
“During my time on council, there are three principles I think are essential as a leader of the city: know who you represent, be honest and transparent, and ensure that our city is fiscally responsible. Community engagement is important in all aspects of city business especially as the city grows,” she said in an announcement on her website.
She has lived in Aurora’s Ward V for 22 years and holds master’s degrees in social science, public administration and public policy. Lawson previously worked in the
Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, where she oversaw the Elections Division’s lobbyist registration program. She was not available to confirm whether she still holds a position there.
Republican Jono Scott, who ran unsuccessfully for the Ward III seat in 2021, is also running for an atlarge seat this fall. The pastor and director of a local food bank described himself as a “constitutional American” and said on his website that he would support public safety, economic development and housing affordability while opposing new taxes.
“As a father, husband, pastor, coach, servant, budget-officer, and friend to many in our community,
I am excited for the incredible potential of Aurora,” Scott said. “I believe that by serving our community today, we can set the right course for our future — a future that ensures that the people of Aurora can feel safe, work freely and raise their families with a high quality of life.”
Scott has lived in Aurora for more than 30 years and holds a master’s degree in religious education as well as an undergraduate degree in biblical studies. He has also served on the Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee, including as chair. He described himself as a “constitutional American.”
Lawson will face progressive Democrat Chris Rhodes in Ward V, while Democrat Brian Matise challenges Bergan in Ward VI, and Gardner and Scott face Coombs and challenger Democrat Rev. Thomas Mayes.
Democrat Jason McBride has announced his intention to run for the seat being vacated by Marcano, along with Republican Stephanie Hancock, although neither had filed paperwork with the City Clerk’s office as of April 18.
Aurora’s City Council includes six representatives elected from each one of the city’s six wards, four at-large members elected by the city as a whole and a mayor who presides over meetings and has tie-breaking powers.
Ward IV Representative Juan Marcano, a Democrat, is running for mayor. Current Republican Mayor Mike Coffman said recently he has not made public whether he will run for a second term.
The city’s municipal election will take place Nov. 7.
— Max Levy, Sentinel Colorado Staff Writer
On paper, there are plenty of seats. State officials expect only about half of Colorado’s 4-year-olds — around 31,000 children — to participate in the first year. Meanwhile, a Chalkbeat analysis found more than 56,000 preschool seats available for next fall.
“Right now, it’s looking really good,” said Dawn Odean, the state’s universal preschool director.
But things get stickier at the county level. Some parts of the state are awash in preschool seats and others don’t have nearly enough. Some families may also struggle to find preschools with the schedules and programming they want.
“The physical number of slots versus what parents actually need doesn’t necessarily align,” said Kelly Esch, who’s both the parent of a preschooler and executive director of an organization that provides early childhood coaching and resources in western Colorado’s Garfield County.
While Chalkbeat’s county-by-county analysis provides a snapshot of preschool availability across Colorado, there are plenty of factors it doesn’t account for — families who cross county lines for preschool or the uneven distribution of seats within counties. Plus, it’s possible more providers will join soon, adding new seats to the tally.
Odean said state officials plan to dig deeper into the data for trouble spots once parents select preschools for the coming year. Families of about 26,000 4-year-olds who applied for seats by the end of February found out Wednesday what preschools they matched with and will have two weeks to accept or decline the offers. (Families can continue to apply through the summer and fall.)
The new preschool program will offer 10 to 15 hours a week of tuition-free preschool to 4-yearolds statewide, 30 hours a week to 4-year-olds who come from low-
›› See METRO, 8
Since Colorado leaders began planning a major expansion of state-funded preschool more than two years ago, parents and advocates have wondered: Will there be enough seats for everybody who wants one?
The answer: It depends.
With ‘free’ preschool coming, availability statewide is mixed
er-income families or meet other criteria, and 10 hours a week to some 3-year-olds. The program is funded in part with a voter-approved nicotine tax and will be offered in school district classrooms, private child care centers, churchbased preschools, and homes licensed by the state.
Esch, who lives in the small town of Newcastle, is pretty sure her son Oliver will land a universal preschool seat in the home of the beloved child care provider he’s been with since he was 10 weeks old. Not only does she offer hard-to-find all-day and summertime care, the provider runs a top-notch program, Esch said, and for a while even adjusted Oliver’s nap schedule so she could work with him one-on-one to overcome a speech delay.
Although Oliver should get priority for one of the provider’s two universal preschool spots, Esch still feels uncertain about how things will play out under the state’s new system.
“Are we in? Did it work?” she wondered as she awaited the official notification email.
Preschools have big decisions to make
While around 1,700 preschools have signed up to offer universal preschool classes next fall, the exact number of seats is still in flux at many programs. In some cases,
that’s because of unfolding expansion projects or difficulty finding teachers to staff classrooms. In others, preschool providers are still considering whether to offer fulltime or part-time slots or are uncertain about whether they can release unfilled seats reserved for students with disabilities or children of employees to the general public.
At Springfield Preschool, a highly rated school district program in southern Colorado, leaders haven’t yet decided how many hours a week to offer 4-year-olds next year.
Director Debbie Sharpe said the preschool will probably have enough spots for all interested families if it continues with half-day classes. But she knows Baca County is a child care desert and that fullday preschool would be a godsend to many locals. District officials will decide which schedule to offer in the next few weeks.
If the preschool moves to fullday, there won’t be enough seats for every child, Sharpe said. “Space is going to be a problem.”
Stacy Petty, who heads the group coordinating universal preschool in Garfield, Pitkin, and Lake counties, and part of Eagle County, expects shortages too.
“We didn’t have enough seats to support everyone in our region before [universal preschool].” she said. “We do have some expansion going on, which is going to help, but we still know we don’t have enough seats for everybody.”
Petty said based on preliminary interest, she expects 80% of eligible families in the area to seek a universal preschool seat — well above the 50% uptake Colorado leaders anticipate statewide.
In the Garfield RE-2 school district, based in Rifle, preschool expansion projects are underway at two elementary schools. Together, they’ll add around 80 new preschool seats, some by August and the rest by January.
Emily Kielmeyer, the district’s early childhood coach and coordinator, said she’s hopeful the expansion, which will bring the total number of preschool seats to 300, will be enough to accommodate every family that wants a spot.
“We knew the time was right with universal preschool coming,” she said of the expansion.
District officials say there’s been lots of residential growth in the area — people who left cities in search of smaller communities and outdoor space during the pandemic or who’ve gradually been priced out of “up-valley” housing in cities like Aspen.
“We have housing starts through the roof out here,” said district spokesperson Theresa Hamilton.
Thousands of families may still apply
It’s likely most families who want a universal preschool spot next year have already applied, but providers and advocates say they’re still fielding questions from families who are
confused about the process.
Kelli Gabehart, the preschool director for the Elbert County school district southeast of Denver, discovered some parents haven’t applied because they erroneously believed universal preschool provides only 15 tuition-free hours a month. (It’s actually 15 hours a week.)
They’d say, “Oh, it’s not even worth applying for,” she said.
Some providers say they’ve provided computers and on-the-spot help for parents filling out the universal preschool application after finding that some longtime clients hadn’t signed up.
That’s the case at Family Star Montessori, which will offer a total of 36 universal preschool slots at its two Denver locations next year. Most are reserved for children from low-income families, but private pay families can enroll too.
Julia McConnaughey, the program’s senior director of community partnerships, said Family Star still has a few open spots for next year, and had even more earlier in the application process.
“I don’t think there was enough outreach to the public without schools doing the heavy lifting,” she said. “We had to personally ask every parent, ‘Hey did you apply? Did you choose Family Star as your first choice?’”
— Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat ColoradoColorado’s governor signed four gun control bills Friday, following the lead of other states struggling to confront a nationwide surge in violent crime and mass shootings, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded Second Amendment rights.
Before the ink was even dry on Gov. Jared Polis’ signature, gun rights groups sued to reverse two of the measures: raising the buying age for any gun from 18 to 21, and establishing a three-day waiting period between the purchase and receipt of a gun. The courts are already weighing lawsuits over such restrictions in other states.
The new laws, which Democrats pushed through despite late-night filibusters from Republicans, are aimed at quelling rising suicides and youth violence, preventing mass shootings and opening avenues for gun violence victims to sue the long-protected firearm industry. They were enacted just five months after a mass shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs.
“Coloradans deserve to be safe in our communities, in our schools, in our grocery stores, in our night›› See METRO, 9
AURORA, CO - Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (AMHR) and the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) announced today that as of the end of June, APDC will become fully integrated with AMHR and will no longer be a subsidiary organization of AMHR as it has been since 2012 All APDC services will join forces with AMHR’s Refugee Clinic and Health Navigation Teams
The Board of Directors of APDC and AMHR decided unanimously in support of the merger in March The primary driver for their decision is the fact that AMHR recently established a Center of Excellence for Refugees and Immigrants designed to focus and maximize the organization's operations and resources in a manner that will enhance the care experience for people to achieve the most healthful outcomes
The aspirations behind the Center of Excellence are bolstered by an exceptionally high concentration of expertise among our multilingual and multicultural staff centered on refugee and immigrant behavioral health Joining forces will allow AMHR and APDC to combine key resources in providing critical services to the international community of Aurora, operating as one solid and sustainable organization
There is strength in numbers and I am looking forward to the upcoming changes AMHR and APDC are joining forces to build upon each other’s strengths,” said AMHR board chair Cathy Wildman “These strengths will serve the members of our immigrant community well Together, we will provide culturally appropriate mental health services, language translation services and citizenship classes to our immigrant community ”
Over the next few weeks and months AMHR will engage in a series of focused conversations with community partners community members and staff to discuss and explore how best to pursue these aspirations together, building on the many successes that have already been experienced "Merging APDC with AMHR’s immigrant and refugee services will ensure the financial stability to carry out its cultural mission and retain a first-rate professional staff in a competitive marketplace ” said longtime AMHR and APDC board member Harrison Cochran
Operating as one organization, AMHR will continue to serve the growing immigrant and refugee population, providing services to Aurora, as well as the entire state The goal is to improve access to services by continuing to enlarge our network of collaborative organizations that assist refugees and immigrants AMHR will also continue to develop and implement “best practice” models of care for refugee and immigrant communities and individuals, as well as formalize and strengthen our role as a referral resource and training resource for other nonprofits state-wide
In addition to the expansion of services that collaboration enables we anticipate that this Center of Excellence will enable us to secure further resources in the form of grants and contracts that will enhance the care available for these members of our community Together, the combined teams will continue to make Aurora a leader among the most diverse and culturally enriched communities in America
“Both organizations (AMHR and APDC) are important to me and to the community ” said AMHR board member and past APDC board member Gigi DeGala ” There are tremendous opportunities when maximizing the strengths of both parties Working together as one, both organizations can further expand programs and services for the clients, gain better financial strength, effectively manage increasing competition, and meet the challenges of the everchanging behavioral and recovery care system,” DeGala added
APDC’s Executive Director Harry Budisidharta and Deputy Director Neal Walia will oversee the transition efforts and community outreach Additionally, Budisidharta will transition into a new role as AMHR’s In-House Counsel and Corporate Integrity Officer
AMHR CEO Kelly Phillips-Henry and Budisidharta shared their optimism and excitement for the full integration of both organizations “This is a great partnership with even greater things to come, ” said Phillips-Henry and Budisidharta
clubs,” Polis said as he signed the measures in his office. The governor was flanked by activists wearing red shirts reading, “Moms Demand Action,” students from a Denver high school recently affected by a shooting, and parents of a woman killed in the Aurora theater shooting in 2012.
Supportive lawmakers and citizens alike had tears in their eyes and roared their applause as Polis signed each bill. Colorado has a history of notorious mass shootings, reaching back to the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.
Republicans decried the bills as onerous encroachments on Second Amendment rights that would impede Colorado residents’ ability to defend themselves amid a rising statewide crime rate. Gun rights advocates pledged to reverse the measures.
“This is simply bigoted politicians doing what bigoted politicians do: discriminating against an age,” said Taylor Rhodes, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, referring to the new age limit on gun purchases. Rhodes said he has confidence in the lawsuits that his group has filed.
A third measure passed by the legislature will strengthen the state’s red flag law, and a fourth
rolls back some legal protections for the firearm industry, exposing them to lawsuits from the victims of gun violence.
The new red flag law, also called an extreme risk protection order, empowers those working closely with youth and adults — doctors, mental health professionals, and teachers — to petition a judge to temporarily remove someone’s firearm. Previously, petition power was limited mainly to law-enforcement and family members. The goal is to act preemptively before someone attempts suicide or attacks others.
At the signing ceremony, Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors, said Republicans and other gun control opponents often respond to mass shootings by saying it’s too soon to talk about restricting firearms.
“It isn’t too soon. It’s too late for so many of the lost souls,” Fenberg said. “We needed to have done more to prevent what happened.”
Republicans argued that the law would discourage people — especially military veterans — from candidly speaking with medical doctors and mental health professionals for fear of having their weapons temporarily seized.
The law requiring a three-day delay between buying and receiving
a firearm — an attempt to curtail impulsive violence and suicide attempts — puts Colorado in line with nine other states, including California, Florida and Hawaii.
Colorado has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the country, with nearly 1,400 in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A RAND Corporation analysis of four studies found that waiting periods are linked to lower suicide-by-gun deaths.
Opponents raised concerns that people who need to defend themselves — such as victims of domestic violence — may not be able to get a gun in time to do so.
In raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21, Colorado joins California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island. Proponents point to now oft-cited data from the CDC showing that gun violence has overtaken vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in recent years.
At the ceremony, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser likened the new laws to the campaign for vehicle safety that spawned groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the forerunner of Moms Demand Action.
In their speeches about rolling back legal protections for gun man-
ufacturers, lawmakers looked often to Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, whose daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was slain in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. The parents tried to sue the companies that had sold the shooter ammunition and tear gas but were unsuccessful. Ultimately, the couple ended up owing more than $200,000 in defense attorney fees and had to file for bankruptcy.
California, Delaware, New Jersey and New York have passed similar legislation over the past three years. Opponents of the bill argued that it would merely bog the firearms industry down in bogus lawsuits.
— JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press/ Report for America
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of the Joint School District No. 28-J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado (Aurora Public Schools), for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and has been filed in the office of Superintendent. It will be available for public inspection on the APS website at budget.aurorak12.org/documentation starting April 30. Such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at the regular meeting of the Board of Education of the said district at the Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 E. 1st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011, on May 16 at 6 p.m. The meeting may also be accessed on the APS website at boe.aurorak12.org/live
Any person paying school taxes in said District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, file or register objections via email to the Assistant to the Board of Education at cpaz@aurorak12.org.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
May 4, 2023
Joint School District No. 28-J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado
Michael Carter BOE Secretary
Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. About half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, Dr. Vivek Murthy said in a report from his office.
In this Jan. 12, 2021, file photo Resident Sabeth Ramirez, 80, center, waits in line with others for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the The Palace assisted living facility in Coral Gables, Fla. An ongoing study suggests that older American adults are showing resilience and perseverance despite struggles with loneliness and isolation during the pandemic.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
“We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Murthy told The Associated Press in an interview. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right. That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.”
The declaration is intended to raise awareness around loneliness but won’t unlock federal funding or programming devoted to combatting the issue.
Research shows that Americans, who have become less engaged with worship houses, community organizations and even their
own family members in recent decades, have steadily reported an increase in feelings of loneliness. The number of single households has also doubled over the last 60 years.
But the crisis deeply worsened when COVID-19 spread, prompting schools and workplaces to shut their doors and sending millions of Americans to isolate at home away from relatives or friends.
People culled their friend groups during the coronavirus pandemic and reduced time spent with those friends, the surgeon general’s report finds. Americans spent about 20 minutes a day in person with friends in 2020, down from 60 minutes daily nearly two decades earlier.
The loneliness epidemic is hitting young people, ages 15 to 24, especially hard. The age group reported a 70% drop in time spent with friends during the same period.
Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30%, with the report revealing that those with poor social relationships also had a greater risk of stroke and heart disease. Isolation also elevates a person’s likelihood for experiencing depression, anxiety and dementia.
The surgeon general is calling on workplaces, schools, technology companies, commu-
nity organizations, parents and other people to make changes that will boost the country’s connectedness. He advises people to join community groups and put down their phones when they’re catching up with friends; employers to think carefully about their remote work policies; and health systems to provide training for doctors to recognize the health risks of loneliness.
Technology has rapidly exacerbated the loneliness problem, with one study cited in the report finding that people who used social media for two hours or more daily were more than twice as likely to report feeling socially isolated than those who were on such apps for less than 30 minutes a day.
Murthy said social media is driving the increase in loneliness in particular. His report suggests that technology companies roll out protections for children especially around their social media behavior.
“There’s really no substitute for in-person interaction,” Murthy said. “As we shifted to use technology more and more for our communication, we lost out on a lot of that in-person interaction. How do we design technology that strengthens our relationships as opposed to weaken them?”
UNLIMITED SKIING & RIDING FOR THE 2023/24 SEASON
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Eddie Rhodes III has been drawing and illustrating since he was in third grade. For Christmas and birthdays, he didn’t want action figures or games that most kids clamor for.
Instead Eddie would get art supplies — which would quickly be used.
“It kept me working,” he said, born in Aurora, a proud Gateway High School grad.
His first solo art show, in 2018, consisted of photorealism drawings and even garnered the attention of a famous football player.
He was commissioned by San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana to illustrate a family portrait.
Not long after, Eddie began creating his own card
sets, and in 2020 he worked with All C’s Collectibles to make his own series of cards.
His ultimate goal was to work for Topps, illustrating Garbage Pail Kids cards, and he would send them portfolios monthly for two years, each submission having at least nine new images.
The persistence paid off. Eddie is now an illustrator for Topps, creating exclusive Garbage Pail Kids trading cards.
“I couldn’t believe it was real,” he said. It’s still real, and Eddit is still drawing the iconic faux-vulgar cards.
Close-up by Philip B. Poston, Sentinel Colorado Photo Editor
This time of year, blue skies and warm sunshine are calling. Spring weather — albeit between intermittent snowstorms — after a winter with a strong snowpack is sure to have adventurers seeking out the Summit County backcountry.
While experienced mountaineers say the springtime can be a great time for exploring the backcountry, experts and rescue volunteers want to remind anyone headed out into the mountains that they should have the required knowledge and training for the task at hand and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
“We have warmer and sunnier days and it kind of lures people out into the High Country, which is awesome,” said Lindsey Wiebold, a member of Summit County Rescue Group, said. “And, in general the snowpack in this area begins to stabilize, at least in deeper buried weak layers. But we’re certainly not out of the woods yet.”
Wiebold, a wilderness EMT and avalanche safety instructor, noted that spring — with warmer temperatures, chirping birds and wildlife waking from winter slumbers — is a beautiful time for backcountry snowshoeing or, for those with the necessary training, skiing and splitboarding.
But there are also no shortage of dangers this time of year.
“When temperatures warm, both when you have clear skies and a lot of solar radiation, it warms the surface snow and you can start to see liquid water running through the snowpack,” Wiebold said. “Which creates the potential for bigger instability.”
Every year, Summit County Rescue Group responds to springtime calls involving backcountry users, including avalanches,
which can still be fatal in spring conditions.
In April 2020, the all-volunteer group responded to an injured snowboarder on Loveland Pass, an avalanche fatality on Red Peak and a snowboarder who hit a tree on Georgia Pass, according to Summit County Rescue Group member and spokesperson Anna DeBattiste. In April 2021, rescuers were again called to Red Peak when a skier triggered an avalanche but no one was injured.
Last spring proved to be especially busy. In April 2022, a skier triggered an avalanche in the backcountry near Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, rescuers helped an injured skier who hit a rock on Quandary, volunteers responded to a skier with a head injury at Janet’s Cabin and another skier triggered an avalanche on Bald Mountain that didn’t result in injuries.
Then, in May 2022, yet another skier triggered an avalanche in the backcountry near Arapahoe Basin and a pair of split boarders become lost on Buffalo Mountain after riding Silver Couloir. Not properly prepared for the spring conditions, the split boarders became disoriented during the hike back and had to be rescued after sunset, DeBattiste said.
So far in April this year, Summit County Rescue Group has mobilized a seven-hour evacuation of an injured skier on North Star Mountain and worked with Flight for Life to rescue an injured skier on Quandary, she added.
In general, avalanche conditions in the springtime can be more predictable than in the winter, according to Brian Lazar, the deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
But, “just because it’s spring conditions, you don’t really want to change your backcountry ritual,” Lazar said.
Noting that the last avalanche fatality last year occurred in May, he stressed that backcountry goers should still check the information center’s forecasts, carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and
travel with a partner carrying the same gear and is trained to use it.
“When you get into spring activity, particularly once you’ve turned the corner and you’re into more mature, ripe springtime snows, the nature of the avalanches you’re going to see changes a little bit,” Lazar said.
Whereas in the winter, persistent weak layers may be hidden under several feet of snow with no obvious signs indicating the avalanche danger, in the spring clues for wet avalanche activity are typically closer to the surface, Lazar said.
These springtime clues can include roller balls forming in the snow and small avalanches, especially near rocks, which can radiate heat after being warmed up by the sun, causing nearby snow to lose cohesion first.
“You often have more periods of generally safe avalanche conditions once it gets into a ripe spring snowpack,” Lazar said. “It allows you to move into steeper terrain, bigger lines that would have been too risky during the spring. So essentially it just opens up the pallet of choices in the spring.”
Aaron Parmet, an EMT, avalanche rescue technician and longtime member of Summit County Rescue Group, noted that conditions can change quickly in the spring as the snow reacts to warm temperatures and sunshine.
Through the spring, backcountry skiers and split boarders should be monitoring the melt-freeze cycle while also paying attention to storm events that could result in wind-drifted snow that will heat up and melt off, Lazar said.
Before heading out, Lazar said backcountry users should be asking themselves a few questions, including: How good of a freeze was there overnight? What is the forecast saying about later in the day? How big of a window will there be before the snow softens up?
“One aspect may be winter snowpack while the other may be facing a set of wet slide problems,” Parmet said. “In fact, the
same slope in the same day may actually transition from dry snow problems to wet snow problems.”
A big part of exploring the backcountry is planning ahead, Parmet said. Checking the weather and avalanche forecast and choosing the right aspect at the right elevation is crucial to a successful and safe backcountry experience, he said.
Usually, in the spring, that means getting an “Alpine start,” Parmet said, meaning backcountry users should consider leaving early — even before sunrise — in order to be at the bottom of the mountain by the time the snow has warmed up and avalanche conditions are present.
“Often in spring we say things like ‘off the summit by noon,’” he said. “Well, it may be that you need to be there even before then. We say that both because of the snow and because as you get into monsoon season with thunderstorms, being above tree line with lightning is terrifying.”
In the spring, skiers and snowboarders should also be aware of cornice collapses, which occur when temperatures and sunshine heat up cornices to the point where they can’t support themselves and collapse, oftentimes triggering large avalanches, Parmet said.
With steeper slopes and more technical terrain accessible in the springtime, Parmet said skiers should take caution in steeper terrain where it might be harder to self arrest if they fall and stick to areas that match their skills and training.
“The progression slowly will reward you in the long run instead of simply pushing as far as you can,” he said. “The mountains will always be there the next day. Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it and being prepared for everything from winter to summer is important in the spring because spring can bring you all those conditions in the course of an hour.”
May 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 3200 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80205. Visit http://alturl.com/ivj4g for more information.
Baby goats and Mimosas! Oh, and some stretching too. But yes, baby goats. From Little Legs Ranch, baby dwarf goats will surely provide an extra level of calm as you practice these mind-body exercises. It’s said that being near or petting animals produces an automatic relaxation response. Makes sense, yeah?
Ticket prices range from $4060. Online tickets are no longer available, but drop-in tickets will be available the day of, after all online ticket holders have entered the event.
to get unique custom frames from a 4x6 to a six-foot frame.
The inventory comes from the warehouse of Emanuel Houston, who was a custom frame maker. The hundreds of options will be offered at a very low cost, with the proceeds and sales going to the Stout Street Foundation.
If you’ve got prints lying around, you’ll surely want to meander on down to the ACAD and check this sale out.
May 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 1007 York St. Denver, CO 80206. Visit http://alturl.com/uernx for more information.
That’s right, two plant events listed in the same week. We fancy ourselves green thumbs here at the Sentinel, so this jerk will tell you about new events at any opportunity.
In all seriousness though, if you can get to this pre-sale, you should really consider it.
May 13 beginning at 12:00 p.m. 2501 N. Dallas St. Aurora, CO 80010. Visit http://alturl.com/qxpp2 for more information. Visit
May 7 beginning at 11:00 a.m. 1477 Monroe St, Denver, CO 80206. Visit http://alturl.com/kd4dy for more information.
Spring has finally sprung and Cerebral Brewing, along with City Floral Garden Center, are hosting a not-so-fancy garden party and pop-up shop. There will be a bevy of plants to purchase, as well as gardening pros to provide any tips to the brown thumbs out there.
You’re asking, beer and plants, what else could I want? Well, how about some special beers on tap, just for this event.
The weather is slated to be divine, so if you’ve a hankerin’ for some beer influenced plant purchases, this hack recommends you head to Cerebral’s Congress Park taproom this Sunday.
After the 50-minute class, you’re welcome to enter the winery for your complimentary mimosa and receive your $15 gift certificate from Athleta.
And don’t forget your mat!
May 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 9995 E. Colfax Ave. Aurora, CO 80010. Visit http://alturl.com/ejv7g for more information.
Frame shopping can be a pain and also rather expensive — especially if it’s sizable. The People’s Building is offering the opportunity
May 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 15120 E. Hampden Ave. 80014. Visit http://alturl.com/heby8 for more information.
Alright y’all. We have another quintessential Colorado class. An introduction class to grain brewing. The method of all-grain brewing is a more advanced method, sure to take the crafting of your barley pops to a whole new level.
In the class you’ll learn the difference between all-grain and extract styles and after completion of the course you will have all of the knowledge that you need to confidently make your own batch of all-grain suds.
Not only will you receive access to the limitless offerings before the general public, as well as receive expert advice from horticulturists, but there will be a fanciful spread of treats and libations to help coax you into buying as many plants as your vehicle can fit. Tickets are $55, but surely worth the price of admission.
And when you buy more than you can inevitably carry, the plant valets will be there to help you load them up.
Join your fellow shoppers at Stanley Marketplace next month as they embark on their inaugural Night Market. The free event will feature a bevy of activities to keep you entertained throughout the day including an origami class, music to tickle your ears, delicious grub and a continuing list of other events to keep you entertained as you mingle through the shopping options from local makers and artisans.
After you have spent some serious coin supporting local retailers, pop in to one of the many spots serving libations and cap off a pretty good little Saturday at Stanley.
May 6 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 6155 S. Main St. Aurora, CO 80016. Visit https://shorturl.at/ hzDT3 for more information.
It’s that time of year, almost — a couple weeks away anyways. Fancy hat day, err, Derby Day rather. And your favorite suburban mall, Southlands, is hosting a Kentucky Derby Celebration in the mall’s town square.
Food and drinks from the surrounding restaurants will be offered, live music from Montage and a kids corral to keep the youngsters occupied while you enjoy a mint julep or three. Just, ya know, commute responsibly. There will also be a handful of contests and prizes, including best hat.
So get your bets in, bust out your seer sucker or don your biggest brim and plan on watching the ponies at Southlands.
Brandon Washington ran a red light in April 2017 and smashed into another car in an Aurora intersection. Aurora Police Department Sgt. Jeffery Longnecker, who witnessed the accident, approached the scene to check on him.
When a dazed Washington tried to get out of the car against Longnecker’s orders, Longecker grabbed his arm, and a struggle ensued. Officer Benjamin Petering arrived and, at Longnecker’s direction, tased Washington repeatedly. Officers yanked Washington from the car and kneeled on his back as he struggled.
“I can’t breathe,” Washington, an asthmatic Black man, said repeatedly as officers handcuffed him.
“You can breathe,” an officer can be heard saying in body-worn police camera footage.
Police found cocaine in Washington’s clenched hands and a stolen pistol inside the car, which Washington had recently rented. Washington, who claimed the gun wasn’t his, had a previous felony conviction that barred him from possessing a gun, and he risked decades in prison for gun and drug charges the federal government filed after the car crash.
What might have been a slam-dunk criminal case for the feds instead became a federal civil rights victory for Washington.
During Washington’s criminal proceedings, a judge ruled that Longnecker breached Wash-
ington’s Fourth Amendment rights when he searched Washington without probable cause. The judge suppressed the gun and drug evidence, scuttling the federal criminal case and allowing Washington to walk free. Washington then leveraged that judge’s constitutional ruling to sue the police department for the unlawful search and excessive force – a case that ended in the city paying Washington a $125,000 settlement.
Despite the officers’ missteps, the police department conducted no internal affairs investigation of the Washington case, and Longnecker and Petering were never disciplined, according to police records, court documents and statements by department officials.
“That means nobody was communicating about it. Nobody was pulling each other’s coat or holding nobody accountable,” Washington said about his case.
Longnecker is one of at least two officers each named in two separate lawsuits that have been settled by the city since 2018.
The Sentinel’s review of those cases revealed that neither officer was investigated or disciplined by the department for their roles in those incidents, even after they seem to have violated department policies and the constitutional rights of those they arrested. Those cases, just a fraction of the 27 police-involved lawsuits recently settled by the city, highlight a pattern of problematic officer behavior that went overlooked by the department even after it cost the
“There are a lot of really important societal interests that are harmed by not tracking this,” said Jonathan Abel, an associate professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, who has studied how police departments track officer misconduct.
city $19.8 million in settlement payouts and helped land Aurora in a long and costly consent decree.
Joshua Perrott, the second officer, may have violated department body-worn camera policy and the constitutional rights of a teenager in one of the two lawsuits he was named in.
A third officer, Daniel Vieth, was also a defendant in at least two lawsuits during the same period. The Sentinel requested all three officers’ disciplinary records in February, but the department hasn’t provided Vieth’s records.
The cases come to light a year after Aurora entered into a court-ordered consent decree that resulted from a 2019 investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. The investigation, prompted in part by the fatal detainment of 23-year-old Elijah McClain, found the Aurora department engaged in racially biased policing.
The investigation also found that civil rights lawsuits are poor accountability measures for the department, in part because officers rarely receive any feedback or discipline for conduct that triggers lawsuits.
The Sentinel’s findings have raised concerns among policing experts, including Jeff Schlanger, the independent police monitor responsible for assessing the city’s progress under the consent decree.
“We’re going to look at these [cases] and decide whether or not there’s anything that can or should be done at this point,” Schlanger said. “We believe that enhanced supervision is really what is necessary, and that means looking at these incidents as they occur, not waiting for them to accumulate.”
Longnecker declined to comment for this story via a department representative, but he defended under oath his unconstitutional search of Washington during the lawsuit.
“(Any time) you can get a felon with a gun off the street, I think that’s good police work,” Longnecker said in the 2020 deposition.
In the deposition, Longnecker said no supervisor ever discussed with him the judge’s ruling that his conduct was unconstitutional, and he didn’t learn of that ruling for at least seven months. Aurora, like many police departments, does not track these suppression rulings, leaving department supervisors and their officers unaware when courts find they have violated people’s civil rights.
“There are a lot of really important societal interests that are harmed by not tracking this,” said Jonathan Abel, an associate professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, who has studied how police departments track officer misconduct.
Among those concerns is a lack of accountability when officers violate people’s rights that can result in police repeating unconstitutional arrest techniques, Abel said. Departments also miss out on an important way to monitor officer conduct and arrest outcomes. Ultimately, allowing unconstitutional policing to go unchecked can cost prosecutors cases that might have been straightforward convictions.
Not tracking suppression rulings can also be a liability for police departments. That’s because rulings by judges in criminal cases that an officer may have breached a defendant’s constitutional rights make it easier for those defendants, once charges against them are dropped, to file and win civil rights lawsuits.
“A federal judge had already said his Fourth Amendment rights were violated, that the officers did not have probable cause to do a search, and they nevertheless did so,” Darold Killmer, a civil rights attorney who represented Washington in his lawsuit against Aurora, said about that case. “What left is there to prove?”
Aurora’s Interim Police Chief Art Acevedo, along with Schlanger, who’s monitoring whether the city is abiding by the consent decree, both say the department should
start tracking suppression rulings. Acevedo said he would discuss with Schlanger the possibility of including them in future reviews of officer behavior.
“A lot of times people think (suppression rulings are) malicious and a lot of times it’s just lack of experience or (that officers) need better training,” Acevedo said. “Everybody has a role to play. And it’s not just the police department…It’s the judges, it is the judiciary, it is the defense bar, it is the prosecutors. We all have to be at the table when it comes to accountability.”
The only internal review of Washington’s case was by the department’s Force Review Board, which ruled that the officers followed department policy when they tased Washington and pinned him to the ground. Department policy, however, allows officers to tase suspects no more than three times for a total of 15 seconds, except in extreme circumstances. Petering tased Washington four times for a total of 22 seconds. The report by the board –which is made up of several department representatives – did not address that discrepancy.
During his career at the Aurora Police Department, Longnecker has been named as a defendant in at least four civil rights lawsuits. None of the lawsuits triggered investigations by the department into his behavior, according to his disciplinary records.
Longnecker was briefly a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit over a 2004 fatal police shooting. A judge dismissed the case after the mother of the plaintiffs, who were children, failed to secure an attorney to represent them.
Longnecker was sued in 2013 for using excessive force for his alleged involvement in an arrest that chipped a bank robber’s tooth. The city settled the case for $5,000 to cover the cost of the man’s dental care.
In 2018, Longnecker was sued for allegedly violating an Aurora hospital employee’s rights by illegally impounding the man’s car, refusing to return the car and accusing the man of eluding Longnecker, being on drugs and driving drunk. The city settled the case for $38,000.
Although these lawsuits did not trigger internal affairs investigations, the department has probed Longnecker’s conduct at least seven times because of complaints alleging racial profiling, unprofessional conduct and a 2012 incident in which Longnecker shot a suspect.
The Sentinel’s review of those complaints found that in five of the seven reports by the department, investigators gave no indication that they interviewed Longnecker. Investigators cleared him in every complaint, most of which were determined to be unfounded.
“In some cases, a review of (body-worn camera footage) or speaking to others on scene negates the need for further investigation or interview,” department spokesperson Faith Goodrich wrote in an email when asked why Longnecker wasn’t interviewed during the investigations.
Some report details were so vague it was difficult to determine the circumstances of the incidents. The report about the 2012 shooting, for example, indicates Longnecker was investigated for allegedly firing at or from a moving vehicle, a potential policy violation, but the three-page report includes just three sentences describing an incident in which a man carrying a shotgun refused orders by police to drop it. Longnecker shot the man in the chest. The report does not indicate whether the man survived. Investigators ruled that Longnecker followed department policy, but they did not include their reasons for that determination, nor how a vehicle was involved in the shooting.
The next year, internal affairs investigators compiled a far longer report about a much less serious allegation by a man who said Longnecker and his colleagues were rude and failed to provide their business cards to him when they broke up a hotel party he was attending. Unlike the report about the 2012 shooting, the 11-page investigation included extensive details about the circumstances of the complaint, many of which were written by Longnecker himself, and notes from Longnecker’s commander that the superior would discuss the incident with him and other supervisors who were on the scene. Nevertheless, the man’s complaint was ruled unfounded. The only documented discipline Longnecker seems to have received in his 25 years as an Aurora officer was for accidentally firing his
necker later said he self-reported the shooting. The department suspended him without pay for 10 hours.
In the deposition, Longnecker said he wasn’t interviewed by internal affairs officers responsible for investigating several of the complaints filed against him.
During the deposition, Washington’s civil rights lawyer, Darold Killmer, asked Longnecker, who is white, if he thought it was thorough investigative work not to interview an officer accused by a civilian of racial profiling.
“If the investigator can explain why there’s no need to interview the officer, then yeah,” Longnecker said.
Acevedo, Aurora’s interim police chief, said such a lax approach won’t fly under his leadership.
“When an allegation comes in, I expect it to be fully investigated,” he said in an interview. “And a very basic part of investigating a complaint is talking to the officer.”
Though it’s unusual for officers to have so little knowledge of complaints against them, policing experts say it’s relatively common for officers not to learn that a judge has ruled their conduct unconstitutional.
“There’s not a great feedback loop for prosecutors to tell police officers what’s happened to their cases,” Abel said. “Part of the problem here is that officers are doing things on the street that are disconnected from what later becomes of the case.”
Patrol officers respond to numerous calls every day, making it difficult for them to follow each resulting criminal case to its end. And officers are frequently discouraged from following these cases so they can focus on making arrests.
“We’ve trained officers over the years, ‘Don’t be so invested in a case where you make it personal,’” Acevedo said. “You do your job and then you let the rest of the system do its job.”
Experts say prosecutors don’t routinely notify departments of suppression rulings unless they notice a pattern of suppressed evidence. Those patterns can be difficult to detect given that multiple offices, from city attorneys to district attorneys to federal prosecutors, are responsible for these cases.
The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado filed the federal gun and drug charges against Washington after his 2017 traffic accident, but the prosecutor and a spokesperson refused to comment on the case or say whether the office informed the Aurora PD of the judge’s ruling that Longnecker’s search was unconstitutional.
Aurora is required under the consent decree to develop an early intervention system that will track various aspects of officer behavior such as civil rights lawsuits, sustained complaints and disciplinary outcomes in order to alert the department when concerning patterns arise. Acevedo said he planned to discuss with Schlanger options for adding suppression rulings to that list.
It is unclear when the department will actually launch the early intervention system, in part because, as the consent decree monitor’s latest report shows, private companies the city has hired to develop the system have fallen behind schedule.
The report also approvingly noted Acevedo’s commitment to reform, saying that while the department had missed some deadlines, it is on track to meet its requirements under the consent decree.
The department has been rocked in recent years by a slew of incidents involving officer misconduct and what many have called indifferent disciplinary responses by department leadership.
In 2018, a woman accused Sgt. David Sandoval of stalking and harassing her, and an investigation by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office concluded Sandoval should be criminally charged with harassment and domestic violence. Sandoval instead received a 240-hour unpaid suspension after admitting to using a department database to find the woman’s address. He faced no criminal changes by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and not only kept his job, but he was also promoted to lead one of the department’s special Direct Action Response Teams. He was never barred from investigating the same crimes he was accused of committing.
Aurora’s former interim Police Chief Dan Oates came under fire last year for reversing discipline against former Division Chief Cassidee Carlson after she helped Detective Julie Stahnke in an incident where Stahnke violated a restraining order protecting Stahnke’s estranged wife.
According to Denver Police records, Stahnke was charged with domestic violence after police were called to the Denver home of Stahnke and her estranged wife. Stahnke was arrested and jailed in late 2021. Carlson picked Stahnke up from jail the next day and drove her to Stahnke’s Denver home. The domestic violence charges against Stahnke were later dropped.
Oates rejected recommendations from his own Police Chief’s Review Board to discipline Carlson and instead promoted her to division chief, prompting accusations of favoritism.
Carlson recently announced her retirement from the department. Acevedo said the investigation into Stahnke’s behavior is still open, but “we should have a resolution pretty quick.”
Since his appointment as interim chief in December, Acevedo changed department policy to mandate that the internal affairs bureau launch investigations into officers charged with crimes as soon as those charges are filed, rather than after the cases are adjudicated, as was previous practice at the department.
Some community leaders say the lack of investigations and discipline in these and other cases sends a clear message to Aurorans.
“It’s bad enough that we have to be concerned about the actual criminals,” said Topazz McBride, a pastor at Restoration Christian Fellowship. “But if we can’t even feel safe around the people who are hired to protect us and keep us safe, then it’s a double jeopardy.”
In its review of Aurora PD’s discipline practices, the Sentinel found that Officer Joshua Perrott may have violated the department’s body-worn camera policy and the civil rights of a Black teenager during his involvement in the teen’s arrest.
Aurora officers responded to a suburban neighborhood Aug. 12, 2016, to investigate a call about a man with a gun and discovered a nearby house party instead.
Perrott arrived at the house as his colleagues spoke to a group of people standing outside. As the officers turned their attention to the party inside, Perrott turned off his body-worn camera, an apparent violation of department policy, which requires officers to keep their cameras on during all interactions with the public.
According to other officers’ body camera footage and police reports, Officer Troy Raines approached the house and ordered the party-goers outside. Among the group was a Black 17-year-old boy. As he walked outside, Raines ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets. The teen complied.
“Don’t look at me like that!” Raines shouted at him, footage of the incident shows. “Turn around and put your hands down by your side now! You want to get dumped?”
According to Raines’ police report, the teen then lowered his hands toward his waistband. With Perrott’s help, Raines grabbed the boy by the arm, threw him to the ground and handcuffed him.
The Sentinel has chosen not to identify the teen because he was a minor at the time.
Perrott reactivated his body camera shortly after the incident, several minutes after officers arrived at the house. Police body cameras capture 30 seconds of film preceding officers hitting record and Perrott’s camera still captured some of the incident. Raines also appears to have turned his camera off during the arrest.
They are not the only officers to stop recording in the midst of an interaction with the public.
A 2020 internal audit of the department’s body-worn camera system found that officers stopped recording in the middle of interactions with the public in nearly 60% of the videos reviewed. In more than three-quarters of those videos, officers did not say in the recordings why they were interrupting them, as required by department policy. A review of Perrott’s camera footage shows he did not state why he interrupted the recording.
The audit also found that 99% of body-worn camera videos were not reviewed by department supervisors, though 86% of supervisors reported in a survey that they reviewed their officers’ camera footage. A review of Perrott’s disciplinary records found no indication that a supervisor reviewed his camera footage from his run-in with the teen.
After Raines and Perrott arrested the teenager, he was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly refusing to obey Raines’ orders. In his police report and sworn court testimony, Raines said it took the 17-yearold boy five to six minutes to exit the home after Raines ordered everyone out of the house.
“Our original call was a person with a gun,” Raines testified in court, according to courtroom transcripts. “Although his clothing didn’t match the initial description, given the timeframe between our arrival to him coming out…my concern and opinion is that it was plenty of time for someone to change their clothing.”
According to Raines’ body-worn camera footage, the teen exited the house approximately 30 seconds after Raines ordered everyone out.
Perrott and Raines declined interview requests via a department spokesperson.
A municipal court judge found the teen not guilty after ruling there was insufficient evidence to back the charge.
Before being tackled and arrested by the officers, the 17-year-old played high school football and had an active social life, the teen’s father said. Afterwards, his mental health declined.
“He just spiraled,” said his father, who the Sentinel chose not to identify in order to protect his son’s identity. “He would hide in his room.”
The teenager, now an adult, declined to comment on the case but gave his father and attorney permission to be interviewed for this story.
The teen’s family sued Raines, Perrott and the department for unlawful arrest and excessive force. The city settled the case for $51,500.
Still, the department never investigated Raines and
Perrott’s use of force against the teen or their apparent manipulation of their body cameras. Neither officer was disciplined.
“A minimal amount of force was used to affect the arrest and there were no injuries,” department spokesperson Faith Goodrich wrote in an email. “Therefore, it did not fall under the use-of-force reporting structure at the time.”
Goodrich said the department’s use-of-force reporting procedures have since been restructured.
Perrott was sued again in 2021 for failing to intervene when another officer allegedly unlawfully arrested and used excessive force against an Aurora man. The city settled that case for $24,500. Perrott was never investigated or disciplined for his role in that case, either.
Like Longnecker, Perrott was disciplined only once while working for Aurora PD, when he carelessly handled and discharged a gun in 2016. He received a 10-hour unpaid suspension, department records show, which was subtracted from his annual paid leave.
Troy Raines has been sued on at least three previous occasions while an officer at the Boynton Beach Police Department in Florida for allegedly violating arrestees’ constitutional rights. In 2018, he was one of three Aurora officers who fatally shot Antonio Sanchez Jr., a suspect in a separate shooting, after Sanchez pointed a gun at police. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office ruled the shooting legally justified.
Raines has since been promoted to detective.
RIGHT: Members of the Grandview baseball team celebrates in the center of the field after a 4-2 win over Cherry Creek on May 1 that earned the Wolves the Centennial League’s regular season title. It is the first for the program since 2011.. BELOW: Grandview sophomore Jax Pfister went all seven innings in the victory over Cherry Creek and allows just three hits and struck out seven.
For a baseball program that sees success just about every season, Grandview hasn’t been able to finish atop the Centennial League for more than a decade.
Coach Scott Henry’s Wolves had been close on several occasions, but finally got back to the top of the league mountain with a gritty 4-2 home victory over Cherry Creek that gave them the regular season crown for the first time since 2011.
When Cherry Creek got two runners into scoring position with one out in the seventh, Pfister got a chopper off the foot of one batter (that was deemed a fair ball and turned into an easy out at first) and a harmless pop-up that senior second baseman Tanner Pachorek handled to ignite a big celebration.
“It’s exciting being out there in a game like this, I feel very accomplished,” said Pfister, who is now 5-1 and dropped his ERA to 0.69, which leads 5A among pitchers that have thrown 40-plus innings.
It was gratifying for coach Scott Henry’s Grandview team, which has watched other teams — most often the Bruins — claim league bragging rights instead over the years.
BY COURTNEY OAKES Staff Writer“We’ve come in second quite a bit,” Henry deadpanned after the win, which put his team at 6-0 in league play with the league finale May 2 against Smoky Hill.
“It came down to one fewer mistake that they made that we didn’t,” he added. “That’s how close it can be. ...It’s been awhile since we won.”
One of the biggest assests for Grandview this season has been sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Jax Pfister, who got the ball for the game against a Cherry Creek team that had won eight of its previous nine games and came in ranked No. 3 in the latest CHSAANow. com coaches poll.
The Bruins had scored in double digits five times in that nine-game span, but managed just three hits — two singles and a double — against Pfister, who walked just two and struck out seven.
Grandview got scrappy against Cherry Creek junior starter Cameron Larson, who struck out 12 and also allowed just three hits. The Wolves scored three runs on one hit in the fourth thanks to a pair of throwing errors.
When it needed an insurance run in the sixth, Pachorek came through with a leadoff triple and came home on a single by senior Clifford Goldy, the team leader with 28 RBI.
“It was sweet, I had a lot of confidence in Jax, but it always feels good to get a base hit and up the lead,” Goldy said.
Goldy said the Wolves may be lower in power than many teams — they have just four total home runs in 18 games — they all feel comfortable hitting with two strikes and playing to what the situation dictates.
Grandview has scored enough runs to back a pair of strong starters in Pfister along with sophomore Nick Martensen (6-2, 3.41 ERA), which bodes well with the postseason ahead.
The Wolves also have something going for them: chemistry.
“They like each other...There’s a certain
level of enjoying being around each other, so that builds a little belief in what we’re doing,” Henry said.
Grandview may get to try its hand at a sweep of Cherry Creek if the two end up facing each other in the upcoming Centennial League Challenge, a three-day tournament that came into being in place of two full rounds of league play.
Regis Jesuit (11-5) — which eliminated from last season’s 5A Championship Series in a head-to-head matchup — is currently the only ranked Aurora team. Coach Matt Darr’s Raiders sit No. 8 in the 5A rankings and certainly have the offense — led by scorching hot junior shortstop Andrew Bell — to make a run.
While the Wolves have the most wins of any Aurora team thus far, Cherokee Trail — one of the last teams remaining in the 5A Championship Series last season — has 10 wins and is fully capable of winning against any opponent.
Coach Jon DiGigiorgio’s Cougars —who have a talented core keyed by seniors Bowen Tabola and Tommy Munch, who have both signed to play in college — own a victory against sixth-seeded Legacy this season. Cherokee Trail sits on the edge of the postseason, but should be helped by a non-league matchup with Mountain Vista and Centennial League Challenge.
Right: Grandview junior Gabriella Cunningham rises over the final hurdle on her way to winning the girls 100 meter hurdles at the Stutler Twilight Invitational track meet on April 29 at Stutler Bowl. Cunningham had three top-two finishes to help the Wolves win the team title.
Middle: The Cherokee Trail boys won the 4x100 (shown), 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays on their way to the team title of the Stutler Twilight Invitational April 29.
Below: Cherokee Trail senior Reuben Holness, middle, settles into the lead pack of the boys 1,600 meter run at the Stutler Twilight Invitational. Holness finished fourth as the Cougars gained good points in the distance events.
The Cherokee Trail boys track team will try to “Rock The Boat” when it comes to a big for the Class 5A state championship in a couple of weeks.
So it was fitting that the Cougars dominated the final event of the Stutler Twilight Invitational April 29, as sophomore Peyton Sommers crossed the finish line with a meet record in the 4x400 meter relay, which was watched by athletes on the infield who ran back and forth, aka rocking the boat.
in 10.77 seconds, while he was also the runner-up to Sommers in the 200 meters. Senior David Maldonado had top-five finishes in both sprint events and senior Gibby Leafgreen finished second in the 300 meter hurdles and third in the 110s to help the cause for the Wolves, who are coached meet organizer John Reyes.
Even without its full lineup, coach Chris Faust’s Cherokee Trail team won three relays and racked up 105 points for a comfortable win over Fossil Ridge and Grandview, winner of the past two 5A state championships.
Eaglecrest finished as the runner-up of the 4×800 meter relay, while senior Diego Cearns was a threeevent placer (fifth in 100 meters, seventh in 200 meters, eighth in long jump), junior Jeffery Poku finished in the top seven in both sprint events and senior Peyton Taylor placed in the top seven in two jumping events for coach Chris Carhart’s Raptors. Grandview justified its legitimacy on the girls side as it picked up 107.5 points to outdistance Centennial League rival Cherry Creek (88) and defending Class 4A state champion Niwot (84) for team honors in competition that stretched into the night at Stutler Bowl.
BY COURTNEY OAKES Sports EditorCherokee Trail also fared well in the distance events and got an individual title from Sommers, who won the 200 meter dash, which he took early in the day with a time of 21.19 seconds, then he capped the night by anchoring the Cougars’ 4×400 relay team. Cherokee Trail finished with a meet-record time of 3 minutes, 16.94 seconds, which is tops in Colorado regardless of classification.
The Cougars also captured the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays in tight victories over Cherry Creek and Fossil Ridge, respectively, and were sixth in the 4×800 meter relay with a team that did not include any of the returning members of last season’s 5A state championship-winning team in the event.
Senior Maliek Jamison finished as the runner-up in the triple jump, junior Kahari Wilbon added a third in the 400 meters, senior Reuben Holness and freshman Dylan Smith finished 3-4 in the 800 meters and junior Lavelle Kabeya-Kombo finished in the top six in both hurdles events to help the cause for Cherokee Trail.
Grandview excelled in the sprint events as usual as senior Luke Trinrud claimed the 100 meter dash
Depth played a key role for meet organizer and head coach John Reyes’ Grandview team, which had just two event winners in junior Gabriella Cunningham in the 100 meter hurdles and freshman Sasha Kennedy in the 300 meter hurdles.
Cunningham did a lot of heavy lifting as well as she finished second head-to-head with Mountain Vista star Rachel Bair in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, while the Wolves also had three top-five relay finishes — topped by the runner-up result of the 4×800 meter team — on the track. In the field, junior Emerson Deferme finished third in the long jump for the Wolves.
Cherokee Trail — which competed without senior sprint star Symone Adams — had an event champion in sophomore Kaeli Powe in the high jump and accrued 61 points to finish in fifth place, while Eaglecrest edged the Cougars for the event title in the 4×100 meter relay on its way to seventh-place in the team standings. Sophomore Jaylynn Wilson anchored the winning relay and took third in the 100 meters, while Rachel Karlsen was the 300 hurdles runner-up.
League championships await in the week ahead of the annual season-ending gathering May 18-20 at Jefferson County Stadium. City athletes won 10 events plus the boys team title last season.
The Cherokee Trail boys volleyball team finished second behind Valor Christian in the regular season Centennial League standings, but the Cougars claimed the title of the Centennial League Challenge with a five-set win April 29.
Coach Mike Thomsen’s second-seeded Cherokee Trail surrendered a two-set lead over top-seeded Valor Christian on its home floor before it prevailed in the deciding set for a 25-19, 25-22, 23-25, 2325, 15-13 victory. It was the eighth straight win for the Cougars, who improved to 19-3 on the season.
Junior John Clinton hammered his 15th kill of the day to seal the match for Cherokee Trail, while Rocky Xiao added 14 kills and Daniel Xiao eight. David Weiss (25) and Christopher Jain (16) both reached double figures in assists in the marathon match, while Jaeden Barnes had 20 digs and Clinton added 12.
Eaglecrest bounced back from a semifinal loss to Valor Christian to take third place with a 25-22, 2521, 16-25, 25-21 home victory over Littleton Public Schools, which won the regular season meeting between the programs in five sets.
Senior Ayden Shaw racked up 26 kills and had 17 digs in the victory for the Raptors, while sophomore Jackson Shaw joined his brother in double figures with 11 kills. Dillan Ancheta dished out 49 assists and Dennis Ancheta got credited with 20 digs for Eaglecrest, which won for the third time in four matches.
Seeded sixth coming in, Grandview secured fifth place with a 2426, 25-14, 25-16, 22-25, 15-13 outlasting of No. 5 Cherry Creek, which avenged a five-set loss from earlier in the season. Sophomore Nick Safray got credited with a remarkable 20 kills and 22 digs in the victory, while Ethan Carroll (11) and Eric Stepina (10) got into double-digits in kills and Nathan Bidlingmaier passed out 45 assists.
Overland came in seventh and finished seventh with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-23 home victory over eighth-seeded Mullen. Senior Dodge McCabe had five kills and seven digs and senior Adrian Cabalo recorded 23 assists for the Trailblazers, won swept two meetings with the Mustangs.
The boys volleyball regular season ends May 2 and 24 teams advance to regional play.
Neil McCarthy doesn’t want to take the chance he will lose the fruit of his team’s labor — The Hammer — so he puts it in his garage.
The Eaglecrest boys lacrosse
coach again can return the meaningful, though impractical, traveling trophy to a spot amongst tools and whatever else he has in his garage after the Raptors’ 8-5 win over rival Smoky Hill April 26 at Stutler Bowl.
Senior Tyson Clark scored four goals for Eaglecrest, which scored seven straight goals after falling behind the Buffs by two in the opener quarter. The Raptors have now had possession of the Hammer since 2018, which includes five straight victories and the 2020 season in which no game was played due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Seniors Presten Legette and Tanner Neeley, junior AJ Katagi
and sophomore Paxton Beecher also had goals for Eaglecrest, which snapped a four-game losing streak to even its record at 6-6 on the season and 3-3 in league play. Smoky Hill, meanwhile, dropped its seventh straight contest and is now 4-9.
Coach Logan Booth’s Buffs — seeking the Hammer for the first time since 2017 and 10th time overall — put up the first two goals of the game from senior Cooper Conger and sophomore Landon Bailey.
With junior goalie Greg Atencio looking sharp in goal (credited with 29 saves), things looked bright through half of the opening quarter. But Clark scored twice late in the
period — including one in which finished after he snared a rebound of a shot that ricocheted off a post — and the Raptors took their first lead at 3-2 on Legette’s score off a feed from senior Brendon O’Brien.
Clark also scored in the second period and he capped Eaglecrest’s seven-goal run with a wicked shot from deep with just under five minutes left in the period that skilled past Atencio, who had been outstanding in keeping the game close.
Freshman goalie Camden Colglazier had made a number of timely saves for the Raptors to allow the run, but Smoky Hill managed to get three of the last four goals of the game. Conger’s tally with 6:06 left
made it a three-goal game, but the Buffs couldn’t get any closer.
The Regis Jesuit girls tennis team finished as one of the final eight teams in the inaugural Class 5A team state tournament, but got eliminated by top-seeded Cherry Creek in the quarterfinals April 29.
The eighth-seeded Raiders defeated No. 9 Heritage in the opening round, but couldn’t get past the Bruins, who swept singles play and took
See PREPS, 22
three of four doubles matches from coach Jennifer Armstrong’s team.
Regis Jesuit’s victory came at No. 1 doubles, where the team of senior Quinn Binaxas and junior Mary Clare Watts fended off a rally from Cherry Creek’s Riley Loehr and Sabrina Shama for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
The Raiders’ duo — built a 5-2 lead, but saw two service games for the set get away in a 5-5 tie. Binaxas and Watts took the final two games. Watts was part of a doubles team that placed fourth at last season’s 5A state tournament, while Binaxas was a state qualifier at No. 2 singles before moving to doubles this season.
The girls tennis regular season has concluded and regional competition — where the fields for the Class 5A and 4A individual state tournaments will be set — has arrived.
Regional play began on May 3 and concluded May 5 with competition to fill the brackets for the 5A individual state tournament May 11-13 at City Park in Denver (5A) and Pueblo City Park (4A).
All three of the city’s 4A teams (Aurora Central, Gateway and Vista PEAK) head to the same regional, which is scheduled for May 4-5 at Kent Denver. while the city’s eight 5A programs were spread out in six different regional groupings.
Eaglecrest and Rangeview are part of the 5A Region 1 tournament May 3-4 at Cherry Creek High School, while Hinkley and Overland ended up together in the Region 7 tourney hosted by Rock Canyon High School and Southridge Rec Center May 3-4. Grandview is in the field of the Region 3 tournament that is split between Valor Christian and Highlands Ranch high schools, while Cherokee Trail is in the May 3 Region 4 tournament at Mountain Vista and ThunderRidge high schools, Regis Jesuit visits the APEX Tennis Center in Arvada May 3-4 for the Region 6 tournament and Smoky Hill is at Colroado Athletic Club Monaco May 3 for Region 8.
Two singles players and two doubles teams from each position advanced to the individual state championship tournament. Visit sentinelcolorado.com/preps for regional results and state qualifiers.
The vast majority of the field for the Class 5A boys swimming state meet has been set based on performances during the regular season, but upcoming league championship meets provide a final opportunity to bolster teams and vie for hardware.
Cherokee Trail, Grandview, Overland and Smoky Hill take part in the Centennial “A” League Championship meet, which is set for May 5-6 at Arapahoe High School. Swim prelims begin at 5:30 p.m. May 5, while the entirety of the diving competition is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 6 followed by swim finals at 1 p.m.
Regis Jesuit — the defending 5A state champion —is part of the Continental “A” League Championship meet that is set for Heritage High School. Prelims begin at 5 p.m. May 5, followed by swim finals at 1 p.m. May 6.
The 5A state meet is scheduled for May 11-12 at the Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center.
MONDAY, MAY 1: Toby Sanchez pitched a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win and also had two hits and drove in a run for the Aurora Central baseball team in a 10-9 walk-off win over Thornton. Aron Gardea and Francisco Banuelos Soto each had two RBI. ...Andrew Bell had four hits
— including three doubles —and scored four times, while Jace Filleman, Nate Lewis and Evan Di Tanna all homered for the Regis Jesuit baseball team, which fell short in a 13-11 loss to Ponderosa. ... Isabella Cruces Alcala and Daniella Iaquinta scored second-half goals and Kiley Hyde stopped all three shots she faced as the Cherokee Trail girls soccer team topped Eaglecrest 2-0 at Legacy Stadium. ...The Gateway girls soccer team scored three times in the second half to defeat Aurora Central 3-2 and earn a season sweep of the meetings between the teams. ...Caden Surratt scored all three goals for the Rangeview girls soccer team in a 3-1 home win over George Washington. Karen Peprah tallied four goals and Yazmin Chavez had three assists for the Hinkley girls soccerteam in a
LEFT: Eaglecrest sophomore Jaylynn Wilson, right, pushes to the finish line as she anchors the Raptors to a win in the girls 4x100 meter relay at the Stutler Twilight Invitational track meet on April 29 at Stutler Bowl. BELOW LEFT: Vista PEAK senior Kendall McCoy won the championships of both the girls 100 and 300 meter hurdles races at the Liberty Bell Invitational track meet, which ran April 28-29 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. TOP RIGHT: Regis Jesuit’s Mary Clare Watts, right, cleebrates a point with teammate Quinn Binaxas during the Raiders’ 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 1 doubles over Cherry Creek in a Class 5A team state tournament quarterfinal match on April 29 at Cherry Creek. The eighth-seeded Raiders were eliminated from the 16team tournament with a 6-1 loss to the top-seeded Bruins. BOTTOM RIGHT: Eaglecrest senior Owen Morgenegg digs for the finish line as he anchors the Raptors’ 4x800 meter relay team tin second place in the boys competition at the Stutler Twilight Invitational track meet April 29 at Stutler Bowl. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/Sentinel Colorado)
10-0 win over Denver West. ...The Vista PEAK girls soccer team earned a 3-2 overtime victory over Regis Groff. ...Vista PEAK’s Sophia Capua carded a plus-4 76 at Murphy Creek G.C. to finish a stroke out of first place at the City League Tournament. ...The Grandview boys volleyball team swept past Ponderosa 25-23, 25-22, 25-18. ...The Rangeview boys volleyball team went on the road to defeat Thomas Jefferson in three sets. ...The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team rolled past Highlands Ranch 22-1.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29: The Rangeview girls track team got two event championships from Zane Bullock (100 and 200 meter dashes) and finished in sixth place among 40 scoring teams at the two-day Liberty Bell Invitational at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. The Raiders earned three more points than Vista PEAK, which also had a two-event winner in Kendall McCoy, who swept the 100 and 300 meter hurdles races. ...The Overland
boys track team finished in ninth place in the final standings of the twoday Liberty Bell Invitational track meet to lead city teams, with Curtis Bunton IV (long jump) and Jarrius Ward (discus) leading the way with runner-up individual finishes. Rangeview finished tied for 15th, Regis Jesuit tied for 24th and Vista PEAK tied for 31st. .... Brian Herrera threw six effective innings and drove in two runs and the Vista PEAK baseball team held off rallying George Washington 8-7. Conner Angelini and Anthony Porras had two RBI apiece for the Bison. ...Despite Brayden Stufft’s two doubles and three RBI, the Eaglecrest baseball team dropped a 6-5 decision to Arapahoe.
Lexi Yi had the eventual game-winning goal as part of a three-score second half for the Grandview girls soccer team in a 4-2 win over Rocky Mountain at French Field. Naomi Clark and Madalyn Hopkins had a goal and assist apiece. ...Aubrey Benton tallied six goals and Sage Sorrells had five goals and two assists for the Cherokee Trail girls lacrosse team in a 22-4 win at Rangeview Shylin Collins scored her 100th career goal on a three-goal day for the Raiders. ...FRIDAY, APRIL 28: Kee Awi converted a pass from Maria Herrera into the only goal of the game in the second half as the Gateway girls soccer team blanked Alameda 1-0. Sarina Douangsvanh made three saves. ...
The Vista PEAK and Westminster girls soccer teams played to a 3-3 double-overtime tie. ...Despite RBI from Dash Deavers and Hudson Roth, the Smoky Hill baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision at Mullen.
Clifford Goldy drove in three runs and 10 other players had at least one RBI for the Grandview baseball team in a 22-6 win against Overland in a game in which the Trailblazers’ were the home team at the Wolves’ field because theirs wasn’t playable. Liam Childs doubled in two runs for Overland. ...Both teams scored in every single quarter, but the Cherokee Trail boys lacrosse team came up short in a 14-6 loss to Cherry Creek. ... THURS-
a Centennial League girls
and come out and the Raptors fell to the Mustangs 2-1 in overtime. TOP RIGHT: Hinkley junior Ammon Fifita (6) attacks the net against a Denver East block during the Angels’ 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24 outlasting of the Thunder April 25 at Hinkley High School . ABOVE LEFT: As the ball hits a puddle of water, Regis Jesuit junior Lexi Meyer makes a move on a Ponderosa defender during the first half of a Continental League girls soccer game April 25 in front of stands filled with umbrellas April 25 at Regis Jesuit High School. Meyer scored the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory. ABOVE RIGHT: Eaglecrest senior Haley Howard (3) attempts to move the ball upfield as she is surrounded by Cherokee Trail’s Kyra Shipp (6) and Aubrey Benton (8) during the Cougars’ 21-3 girls lacrosse win April 25 at Eaglecrest. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/Sentinel Colorado) SPRING PHOTO GALLERIES AT COURTNEYOAKES.SMUGMUG.COM
DAY, APRIL 27: The Colorado League girls tennis tournament concluded after a delay due to weather and Aurora Central finished third with 11 points, while Gateway was fourth among 10 teams with nine points. The Trojans had the No. 1 doubles champions in Alexandra and Kassandra Flores, while it also had the No. 3 singles runner-up in Ashley Betancourt. The No. 3 doubles team of Jada McCowin and Ytzel Vazquez Meza finished second for the Olys. as did Nyana Lindsey and Paulina Hernandez at No. 4 doubles.
Naomi Clark scored an unassisted goal in the second half and Jaslin Roybal made four saves as the Grandview girls soccer team blanked Mullen 1-0 on the road. ...Rut Salinas and Melissa Pedroza scored goals for the Hinkley girls soccer team in a 2-2 double-overtime tie with Thomas Jefferson. ...Joe Alie scored five goals and Mason Kelly added a goal and three assists, but the Grandview boys lacrosse team fell to Kent Denver 18-9. ...The Vista PEAK boys volleyball team extended its winning streak to four matches and picked up its 17th
had a
victory on the season with a 25-7, 2513, 25-11 home win over Kennedy. Tristan Rowley piled up 11 kills and Reece Kloberdanz added eight, while Kaiyan Ivey piled up 26 assists for the Bison. ...The Cherokee Trail boys volleyball team escaped with a 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 27-29, 15-9 win over Littleton Public Schools in a Centennial League Challenge championship semifinal fueled by John Clinton, who had 19 kills and 12 digs, while Daniel Xiao registered 10 kills and seven blocks. ...Ayden Shaw and Jackson Shaw had 15 kills apiece for the Eaglecrest boys volleyball team, but the Raptors fell to Valor Christian 2522, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17 in a championship semifinal of the Centennial League Challenge. ...In an epic Centennial League Challenge boys volleyball consolation semifinal, Grandview outlasted Overland 21-25, 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 15-13 behind Nick Safray, who had 16 kills and 10 digs. Nathan Bidlingmaier had 45 assists and ended the match with a service ace. Dodge McCabe paced the Trailblazers with 14 kills and 10 digs. ...The Re-
gis Jesuit girls tennis team topped Heritage 5-2 at CAC Inverness in a first round match of the Class 5A girls tennis team state tournament. Madison Wei (No. 1) earned the only singles win for the Raiders, while Mary Clare Watts & Quinn Binaxas (No. 1), Ebba Svard and Brenna Radebaugh (No. 2), Elise Holt & Otilya Martino (No. 3) and Catherine Carolan and Lily Beebe (No. 4) swept doubles. ...WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26: Andrew Bell and Brien Kenney homered and the Regis Jesuit baseball team couldn’t overcome a nine-rune rally for Chaparral in a 11-7 loss. ...TUESDAY, APRIL 25: A late-arriving rain storm caused the Centennial League girls golf tournament at Kennedy G.C.to be called after nine holes, which left Cherokee Trail as the winner. Bead Boonta and Kaleigh Babineaux each sat at even-par 36 through nine holes to tie for medalist honors. Eaglecrest’s Savanna Becker and Smoky Hill’s Sophia Stiwitch were each a shot back in a tie for third. ...Lexi Meyer scored late in the first half to break a tie and the Regis Jesuit girls soccer team held on
for a rain-soaked 2-1 win over Ponderosa. ... Edith Cardoza and Karen Peprah had two goals apiece as the HInkley girls soccer team downed the FNE Warriors 4-1. ...Micala Boex scored in the second half to lift the Eaglecrest girls soccer team into a tie with Mullen, but the Mustangs tallied in overtime for a 2-1 win at soggy Legacy Stadium. ...The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team had a lengthy win streak snapped with a 10-3 road loss at Valor Christian. ...On a field with a lot of built up water, the Cherokee Trail girls lacrosse team slogged past Eaglecrest 21-3. ...The HInkley boys volleyball team presented shirts to the Denver East team in support of their school in the wake of a shooting last month. The Angels won 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24. ...Tristan Rowley had 17 kills, while Benjamin Allred and Reece Kloberdanz added 11 apiece in the Vista PEAK boys volleyball team’s 28-26, 22-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11 win over Denver South. ...Cherokee Trail and Eaglecrest won Centennial League Challenge boys volleyball openers.
COMBINED NOTICEPUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0062-2023
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On February 17, 2023, the undersigned
Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.
Original Grantor(s)
Cheryl Lynn Patrick AND Helen Elaine
Blem Original Beneficiary(ies)
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt
FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC
Date of Deed of Trust
May 22, 2020
County of Recording
Arapahoe
Recording Date of Deed of Trust
June 02, 2020
Recording Information (Reception No. and/ or Book/Page No.)
E0065295
Original Principal Amount
$750,000.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$273,124.66
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 9, BLOCK 3, WHISPERING PINES
SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO
TAX ID: 2071-32-3-03-009
Also known by street and number as: 8108 S Jackson Gap St, Aurora, CO 80016.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 06/21/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication 4/27/2023
Last Publication 5/25/2023
Name of Publication Sentinel
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 02/17/2023
Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado
By: /s/ Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Alison L Berry #34531
N. April Winecki #34861
David R. Doughty #40042
Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592
Lynn M. Janeway #15592
Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990
Attorney File # 23-029309
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado
Revised 1/2015
COMBINED NOTICEPUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0041-2023
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On January 31, 2023, the undersigned
Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.
Original Grantor(s)
Casey Kroger
Original Beneficiary(ies)
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Date of Deed of Trust
April 20, 2017
County of Recording
Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust
April 24, 2017
Recording Information (Reception No. and/ or Book/Page No.)
D7045691
Original Principal Amount
$242,250.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$236,699.10
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 4, BLOCK 47, HOFFMAN TOWN SIXTH FILING, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.
PARCEL ID NUMBER: 031063795
Also known by street and number as: 860 Scranton Street, Aurora, CO 80011.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 05/31/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication 4/6/2023 Last Publication 5/4/2023 Name of Publication Sentinel IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 01/31/2023
Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado
By: /s/ Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Alison L Berry #34531
N. April Winecki #34861
David R. Doughty #40042
Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592
Lynn M. Janeway #15592
Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990
Attorney File # 23-029185
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado
Revised 1/2015
COMBINED NOTICEPUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0045-2023
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On February 3, 2023, the undersigned
Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.
Original Grantor(s)
Dion Reid AND Michael Reid
Original Beneficiary(ies) MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR PACIFIC UNION FINANCIAL, LLC, DBA THELENDER, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Date of Deed of Trust
November 15, 2018
County of Recording
Arapahoe
Recording Date of Deed of Trust
November 16, 2018
Recording Information (Reception No. and/ or Book/Page No.)
D8113044
Original Principal Amount
$390,213.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$369,356.41
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE
A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 9, BLOCK 1, KENSINGTON SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.
A.P.N. : 1973-22-1-25-009
Also known by street and number as: 9843 E Idaho St, Aurora, CO 80247.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 06/07/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication 4/13/2023
Last Publication 5/11/2023
Name of Publication Sentinel IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 02/03/2023
Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado
By: /s/ Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Alison L Berry #34531
N. April Winecki #34861
David R. Doughty #40042
Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592
Lynn M. Janeway #15592 Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990
Attorney File # 23-029224
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado
Revised 1/2015
COMBINED NOTICEPUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0052-2023
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On February 7, 2023, the undersigned
Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.
Original Grantor(s)
ROBERT JUSTEN
Original Beneficiary(ies)
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC
Date of Deed of Trust
October 22, 2019
County of Recording
Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust
November 04, 2019
Recording Information (Reception No. and/ or Book/Page No.)
D9118916
Original Principal Amount
$71,225.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$66,975.09
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are
hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 5, BLOCK 1, HAMPDEN HILLS AT AURORA SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 8, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.
Also known by street and number as: 19251 EAST NASSAU DRIVE, AURORA, CO 80013. THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 06/07/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication 4/13/2023
Last Publication 5/11/2023
Name of Publication Sentinel
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 02/07/2023
Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado
By: /s/ Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Anna Johnston #51978
Ryan Bourgeois #51088
Joseph D. DeGiorgio #45557
Randall M. Chin #31149
Barrett, Frappier & Weisserman, LLP 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 350-3711
Attorney File # 00000009701053
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015
COMBINED NOTICEPUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103
FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0055-2023
To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:
On February 10, 2023, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.
Original Grantor(s)
Brooke K Ware AND Kane A Ware
Original Beneficiary(ies) MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR SOUTHWEST FUNDING, LP., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE
AUTHORITY
Date of Deed of Trust
July 26, 2021
County of Recording
Arapahoe
Recording Date of Deed of Trust
July 30, 2021
Recording Information (Reception No. and/ or Book/Page No.)
E1120075
Original Principal Amount
$333,841.00
Outstanding Principal Balance
$327,157.04
Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows:
Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
LOT 14, BLOCK 4, HAMPDEN HILLS AT AURORA SUBDIVISION, FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.
Also known by street and number as: 3720 S Danube Cir, Aurora, CO 80013.
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 06/14/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication 4/20/2023
Last Publication 5/18/2023
Name of Publication Sentinel IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
DATE: 02/10/2023
Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado
By: /s/ Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee
The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Alison L Berry #34531
N. April Winecki #34861
David R. Doughty #40042
Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592
Lynn M. Janeway #15592 Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990
Attorney File # 23-029280
The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.
©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado
Revised 1/2015
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS
The City of Aurora Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drainage Infrastructure Standards and Specifications have been revised, as of April 24, 2023. Copies are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the City Clerk’s Office, 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Suite 3200, Aurora, CO 80012. The Specifications may also be viewed at:
2023 Water, Sewer, and Storm Drainage
Standards
/s/ Kadee Rodriguez City Clerk
Publication: May 4, 2023
Sentinel
NOTICIA PÚBLICA CIUDAD DE AURORA, COLORADO PERÍODO DE COMENTARIOS PÚBLICOS Y AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA PROGRAMA DE ASOCIACIONES DE INVERSIÓN EN EL HOGAR PLAN DE RESCATE AMERI CANO (HOME-ARP)
Se notifica que la ciudad de Aurora recibió $4,149,712 en fondos del HOMEAmerican Rescue Plan (“ARP”) en una asignación única del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU. (“HUD”). Los fondos federales HOME-ARP se crearon para ayudar a las personas o los hogares que se encuentran sin hogar, en riesgo de quedarse sin hogar y otras poblaciones vulnerables, proporcionando viviendas asequibles, asistencia para el alquiler, servicios de apoyo y refugio no colectivo, para reducir la falta de vivienda y aumentar la vivienda. estabilidad. El plan de asignación HOME-ARP (“el plan”) define el uso de los fondos de la subvención HOME-ARP para abordar estas necesidades dentro de las actividades elegibles aprobadas por HUD. La Ciudad pondrá a disposición fondos para actividades una vez que se hayan completado la consulta asociada del Plan de Asignación HOMEARP, el proceso de participación pública y la aprobación de HUD a través de la enmienda sustancial del Plan de Acción Anual PY 2021.
Se alienta a los ciudadanos a comentar cuáles de las actividades elegibles les gustaría ver realizadas por la Ciudad de Aurora. La evidencia combinada de la evaluación de necesidades, los comentarios públicos y la audiencia pública se tendrán en cuenta en el desarrollo del Borrador del Plan de Asignación de HOME-ARP.
Audiencia Pública: Se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública para revisar y discutir el borrador del Plan. La audiencia se llevará a cabo el 9 de mayo de 2023 a las 6:30 p. m., la reunión se llevará a cabo en el Centro Municipal de Aurora, 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora CO 80012. Si desea asistir virtualmente, puede hacerlo a través de Microsoft Teams , ID de reunión: 295 641 085 812, Código de acceso: PTUvMM, O llame (solo audio), +1 720-388-8447, Estados Unidos, Denver, ID de conferencia telefónica: 176 559 966#, Ciudad de Aurora, Colorado. Se anima a los residentes a asistir y participar.
Para obtener más información, comuníquese con el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario al 303-7397900. Todos los comentarios recibidos antes del 18 de mayo de 2023 a las 5:00 p. m. serán considerados por la Ciudad de Aurora antes del Borrador del Plan de Asignación de HOME-ARP.
Este aviso también estará ubicado en el sitio web de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario a partir del 27 de abril de 2023, utilice el siguiente enlace: https://www.auroragov.org/city_hall/departments/housing_and_community_services.
Accesibilidad: La Ciudad de Aurora no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión, acceso u operaciones de programas, servicios o actividades, incluido el proceso de participación pública. La Ciudad realiza adaptaciones razonables para los ciudadanos con discapacidades que interfieren con el pleno acceso a cualquier programa, servicio o actividad, incluido el proceso de participación pública. Puede comunicarse con Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario al 303-739-7900 o escribir a 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora CO 80012 para realizar una solicitud de adaptación razonable. Para interpretar la información en español, llame al (303739-7900.
Un borrador del Plan de Asignación HOME-ARP de la Ciudad de Aurora estará disponible para un período de comentario público de 15 días. También se da aviso de que se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública para permitir que el público revise y haga comentarios.
Los ciudadanos pueden ver los planes preliminares desde el 27 de abril de 2023 hasta el 18 de mayo de 2023 en las oficinas de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario en 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, Colorado 80012, y también se pueden ver y descargar desde el sitio web de la Ciudad a través de auroragov.org /vivienda
Los comentarios públicos sobre el borrador del Plan de asignación de HOME-ARP pueden enviarse por correo, enviarse a la dirección anterior o enviarse por correo electrónico a comdov@auroragov.org
Audiencia Pública: Se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública para revisar y discutir el borrador del Plan. La audiencia se llevará a cabo el 9 de mayo de 2023 a las 6:30 pm. Se anima a los residentes a asistir y participar.
Para obtener más información, comuníquese con el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario al 303-7397900.
Accesibilidad: La Ciudad de Aurora no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión, acceso u operaciones de programas, servicios o actividades, incluido el proceso de participación pública. La Ciudad realiza adaptaciones razonables para las discapacidades que interfieren con el pleno acceso a cualquier programa, servicio o actividad, incluido el proceso de participación pública.
Publication: May 4, 2023
Sentinel
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD & PUBLIC HEARING
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS
PROGRAM
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (HOMEARP)
NOTICE is given that the City of Aurora was awarded $4,149,712 in HOMEAmerican Rescue Plan (“ARP”) funds in a one-time allocation from the U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development (“HUD”). Federal HOME-ARP funding was created to assist individuals or households who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing affordable housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter, to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability. The HOME-ARP Allocation plan (“the plan”) defines the use of the HOME-ARP grant funds to address these needs within the HUD-approved eligible activities. The City will make funds available for activities once the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan’s associated consultation, public participation process, and HUD approval have been completed through the substantial amendment of the PY 2021 Annual Action Plan.
Citizens are encouraged to comment on which of the eligible activities they would like to see be undertaken by the City of Au-
rora. Combined evidence from the needs assessment, public comment and public hearing will be taken into consideration in the development of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Draft.
Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held to review and discuss the draft Plan. The hearing will be held on May 9, 2023, at 6:30 pm, meeting will be held at Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora CO 80012. If you would like to attend virtually, you can do so through Microsoft Teams, Meeting ID: 295 641 085 812, Passcode: PTUvMM, Or call in (audio only), +1 720-388-8447, United States, Denver, Phone Conference ID: 176 559 966#, City of Aurora, Colorado.
Residents are encouraged to attend and participate.
For further information, please contact the Housing & Community Development Department at 303-739-7900. All comments received by May 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm, will be considered by the City of Aurora prior to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Draft.
This notice will also be located on the Housing & Community Development website beginning April 27, 2023, please use the following link: https://www.auroragov.org/city_hall/departments/housing_and_community_services.
Accessibility: The City of Aurora does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission to, access to, or operations of programs, services, or activities, including the public participation process. The City makes reasonable accommodations for citizens with disabilities that interfere with full access to any program, service, or activity, including the public participation process. You may contact the Housing & Community Development at 303-739-7900 or write to 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora CO 80012 to make a reasonable accommodation request. Para interpretar la información en español, llame al (303739-7900.
A draft of the City of Aurora’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan will be available for a 15day public comment period. Notice is also given that a public hearing will be held to allow the public to review and make comments.
Citizens can view the draft plans from April 27, 2023 to May 18, 2023 at the Housing & Community Development offices at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, Colorado 80012, and can also be viewed and downloaded from the City’s website by auroragov.org/housing Public comments regarding the draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan can be submitted by mail, delivered to the address above or via email at comdov@ auroragov.org
Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held to review and discuss the draft Plan. The hearing will be held on May 9, 2023 at 6:30 pm. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate.
For further information, please contact the Housing & Community Development Department at 303-739-7900.
Accessibility: The City of Aurora does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission to, access to, or operations of programs, services, or activities, including the public participation process. The City makes reasonable accommodations for disabilities that interfere with full access to any program, service, or activity, including the public participation process.
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
DISTRICT COURT CIVIL SUMMONS Case No. 2023CV30085
DARLENE L. GRAYSON, Plaintiff, vs. ANSELMO RODRIGUEZ, Defendant.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: Anselmo Rodriguez
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 21 days after such service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside of the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee.
If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, the Court may enter judgment by default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.
Respectfully submitted this 28th day of March, 2023.
BURNS, WALL AND MUELLER, P.C.
By: /s/ Robert T. Cosgrove Robert T. Cosgrove #12217Attorneys for Plaintiff Burns, Wall and Mueller, P.C.
303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 920
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: (303) 830-7000
Email:rcosgrove@bwsm.com
First Publication: April 6, 2023
Final Publication: May 4, 2023
Sentinel
NOTICE OF CANCELATION OF ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Murphy Creek Metropolitan District No. 3, Arapahoe County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513 (1), C.R.S. .
The following candidates are hereby declared elected:
Douglas Wayne Schriner 4 Year Term Until May 2027
Robert (Bob) Gaiser 4 Year Term
Until May 2027
Richard Berge 4 Year Term Until May 2027
VACANCY 2 Year Term Until May 2025
/s/ Sue Blair
Designated Election Official
Contact Person for the District: Sue Blair, Designated Election Official Community Resource Services 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.381.4960 (voice) 303. 381.4961 (fax) sblair@crsofcolorado.com
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
NOTICE OF CANCELATION OF ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Plateau Valley Fire Protection District, Mesa County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513 (1), C.R.S.
The following candidates are hereby declared elected:
Lee Burg 2 Year Term Until May 2025
Brandon Bruton 4 Year Term Until May 2027
Kenneth R. Anderson 2 Year Term Until May 2027
Ira Burton Dole 4 Year Term Until May 2027
/s/ Sue Blair
Designated Election Official
Contact Person for the District: Sue Blair, Designated Election Official Community Resource Services 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.381.4960 (voice) 303. 381.4961 (fax) sblair@crsofcolorado.com
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
Notice is hereby given by the Board of Directors of the North Kiowa Bijou Groundwater Management District, Morgan, Adams, Arapahoe, and Weld Counties, Colorado, because at the close of business on the 13th day before the election there were no more candidates for directors than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent.
Pursuant to C.R.S. 1-5-208, the election is cancelled and by resolution the Board has declared the candidates elected:
Division I Clark Green
Division VI Lisa Beauprez
Division VII John Price
North Kiowa Bijou Ground Water Management District Glen Frihauf, Secretary
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF ELECTIONS and CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS
BRAVADA NEHER METROPOLITAN
DISTRICT NOS. 1-5
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to § 1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S., that, at the close of business on February 28, 2023, there were not more candidates than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates, for each of the Bravada Neher Metropolitan District Nos. 1-5 (collectively, the “Districts”). Therefore, the elections for the Districts to be held on May 2, 2023 are hereby cancelled.
The following offices for each District remain vacant:
VACANT Until May 2025
VACANT Until May 2027
VACANT Until May 2027
/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie
Designated Election Official
Contact Person for Districts: Clint C. Waldron, Esq. WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF ELECTIONS and CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS
SENAC SOUTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-4
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to § 1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S., that, at the close of business on February 28, 2023, there were not more candidates than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates, for Senac South Metropolitan District Nos. 1-4 (collectively, the “Districts”). Therefore, the elections for the Districts to be held on May 2, 2023 are hereby cancelled.
The following candidates for each District are declared elected by acclamation:
Marc Cooper Until May 2027
Brett M. Perry Until May 2027
Blake Cohen Until May 2027
/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie
Designated Election Official
Contact Person for Districts:
Clint C. Waldron, Esq. WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2022 BUDGET AMENDMENTS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed 2022 Budget Amendments have been submitted to the Fitzsimons Village Metropolitan District Nos. 1-3 (collectively the “Districts” and individually the “District”). Such proposed amendments to the budgets will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Boards of Directors of the Districts to be held at 1:30 p.m. on May 10, 2023 via telephone and videoconference. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 720- 547-5281 and enter passcode 779207143#. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing online at https://www.fitzsimonsvillagemd1-3.org.
A copy of the proposed amended 2022 budgets, if required, are available for public inspection at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Any interested elector within the Districts may, at any time prior to final adoption of the amended 2022 budgets, if required, file or register any objections thereto.
FITZSIMONS VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-3
By: /s/ Suzanne Schlicht, President
Publication: May 4, 2023 Sentinel
ACROSS-----------�
1) 6-Down et al.
6) Revolutionary War battle site
11) Capture, slangily
14) In the air
15) Big shows
16) Novelist Levin
17) Stemwinder
19) Boxcar unit 20) Signs up
Golf bag attachment
bloomer
40) Sushi go-with
41) Primatologist's study
42) Did a smith's work
43) Superman, on Krypton
44) Pre-liftoff words
46) Fished with a hook
47) One of the Barrymores
49) Sub commander of fiction
51) Laurel and Hardy toppers
54) Deductions from judgments, in law
59)_Tome
60) 57th, to Broadway
62) Bullpen stat 63) Campaign concern 64) Caught congers 65) WWII vessel 66) Bite-sized baked goods 67) Nitwits
DOWN
1) Bank feature
2) Lena of "Hollywood Homicide"
3) Active sort
4) Hairstyle for Daveed Diggs
5) Salon worker
6) Old "Hits the spot" sloganeer
7) Firehouse tool
8) Part of Ali Baba's command
9) "Livin' La Vida_"
10) "Moby-Dick" narrator
11) Hard thing to swallow
12) Like a stadium crowd, at times
13) Jets and Sharks
18) Some cameras, briefly
22) Mendes of "Stuck on You"
24) A perfect square
26) Circle statistic
27) Hotel freebie
28) Strep consequence
29) Unexplained skill
31) Hightailed it
32) Prohibitionist's foe
34) Keynes subj.
36) "So that's it!"
37) Let the cat out of the bag
39) "What have we here?"
Estate Sale May 5-6 & 7
Neighborhood near Parker and I225
For directions and to make an appointment call 303-587-7702
February 11, 1942 - April 20, 2023
Carole D. Childers, age 81, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2023. She was born in Massachusetts, to the late Helen and Richard Dee. She was the youngest of seventh children: Mary Murphy, Alan Dee, John Dee, Richard Dee, Robert Dee, and James Dee, all of whom predeceased her.
Carole was the beloved wife of Robert Wayne Childers, celebrating 50 years of marriage in March, and the loving mother of Carolyn Wampler, Christine Quail, and the late Robert Wayne Childers Jr., who recently passed away.
Carole was a devoted wife and mother who cherished spending time with her family. She had a kind and caring nature, and her gentle spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. Carole obtained a master’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing and maintained her nursing license into her seventies. She enjoyed playing bridge with her lifelong friends and traveling the world to experience new things.
In addition to her children, Carole is survived by her three grandchildren, Zachary Quail, Victoria Childers and Damian Childers. A funeral service will be held on April 29th at Hallett Funeral Home in South Yarmouth, MA at 11am. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Hospital.
Carole was a shining light that could brighten up any room, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known her.
