“If it ain’t broke, then don’t try to fix it.”
Everyone knows that’s the first rule for governing, or any decision making really. And that sagely advice runs through my mind every time another ballot issue about liquor sales and supermarkets comes up, like clock work, around election time. This year Colorado ballots have three sepa rate liquor-related prop ositions, and only one of them should even be con sidered by voters. Prop osition 124 will remove the limit on licenses in dividuals can hold, allowing in dependent liquor store owners to expand. This change is necessary for parity between liquor stores and supermarkets, which have been selling beer since 2016 and are allowed more licenses than independent owners. The other two propositions, 125 and 126, are simply more unnecessary legislation attempting to correct a problem that doesn’t exist.
Colorodans appreciate and value the role of the independent business owner in supporting a vast market of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries. There’s a reason the Mile High state is called “Beer’s Napa Valley,” and it’s related to the state being a bit of an incubator for independent businesses that appeal to and are supported by local markets. Visiting one of Colorado’s brew pubs opens consumers to local specialties, and local liquor stores often stock neighboring businesses’ products for retail. Thus, locally-owned businesses are able to support each other and the community. That model took a hit several years ago when the state allowed beer sales at supermarkets, and independent stores saw a noticeable drop in revenue. The sale of wine and spirits enabled small businesses to remain solvent.
As every Coloradan knows, local supermarkets always have a liquor store nearby, and for decades these businesses peace fully coexisted. However, the big three grocers of King Soopers, Safeway, and Walmart covet the livelihood of independent owners, and for many years have been trying to edge out the little guy. While Coloradans appreci ate the local model, newcomers to the state who are used to beer, wine, and liquor sales in super markets are likely to support the national corporate chains because that’s what they’re used to. I know, having been one of those new residents twenty years ago, when I moved from Illinois. I still recall wandering the aisle of my King Soopers, looking for some wine. When I asked a young clerk stocking the aisle, he just smiled and said, “You’re not from around here, are you?”
When that clerk pointed me across the parking lot to my local beverage store, I came to appreciate the value of an inde pendent liquor store the minute I walked in and was greeted by a
staff that knew their product and had a wide variety of it. While some consumers talk about their need for convenience in one-stop shopping, that model is not actu ally the norm nationwide. In fact,
all own their liquor stores direct ly.
of trying to fix a non-problem.
only seventeen states offer liquor sales in supermarkets. Perhaps more interestingly, seven states actually have state-owned liquor stores, and they are not the types of places you’d expect to have socialism managing the booze industry: Alabama, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah and Virginia
If supermarkets are allowed to sell wine, and eventually spirits in their quest to monopolize all food and beverage sales, the stores will inevitably sacrifice shelf space for those products, an unnecessary move for a business model designed to provide for the daily necessities of food and household products. The big three corporate chains are certainly not hurting for business, and they don’t need to nose in on someone else’s. The most unnecessary of the ballot props is the call for third-party delivery of booze. Currently, many liquor stores have sanctioned delivery services, which many of us dis covered during the spring and summer of 2020. But expanding delivery leaves too much margin for error in terms of underage sales, and it’s one more example
The reality is that Colorado’s unique system for liquor sales works quite well for everyone, except the out-of-state corporate supermarkets. The Walmarti fication of Main Street across America has succeeded in providing consumers with cook ie-cutter one-stop shopping, though it’s always been at the expense of local independent business owners. Other than Proposition 124, these ballot proposals seem like one more example of change for change’s sake, which is the downside of progressivism. The more pru dent and conservative approach is to stop legislating every as pect of our lives and not try to fix what ain’t broke.
Michael P. Mazenko is a writ er, educator, & school admin istrator in Greenwood Village. He blogs at A Teacher’s View and can be found on Twitter @ mmazenko. You can email him at mmazenko@gmail.com
Herbert Hoover in his campaign ads back in 1928, used a political phrase that has made the history books. Hoover’s ad stated, “Chick en in every pot” …and a “Car in every backyard.”
94 years later President Biden is promising to forgo student debts and releasing strategic oil reserves in an attempt to bring down the price of oil. An appeals court has blocked, for now, the student debt reduction and the price of oil has risen during the past week.
Hoover was elected and then the nation fell into a massive depression.
A hearty congratulations to all candidates partic ipating in this election, regardless of political party and offices being sought.
It has become very challenging for anyone to run for public office with the rise of social media, the cost of campaigns, the negative advertising, the distortion of facts on tele vision ads, and the apathy of voters towards politics. Reminder of ancient Rome; free bread and daily games at the coliseum while the barbarians are at the gates. My advice to voters is to ig nore the inuendoes and look at what candidates say and wish to accomplish. What is their past performance?
Look at your vote as hiring the candidates to work for you and your families.
You should have re ceived a ballot by the time this newspaper reaches your mailbox. I’m impressed with the design and layout of the ballot. It is very direct, good instructions on how to mark the ballot and drop off locations.
I think the choice for candidates is easier than all of the initiatives on the back pages. Here’s my brief take on the candidates:
JOE O’DEA, one of our own Greenwood Village residents, solid citizen, seems to be rather bi par tisan on issues. Adopted, started poor, with little, and has a lot of sweat eq uity in his life with hard work to become a suc cessful self-made man.
STEVEN MONAHAN, military veteran, solid background, a vote to retire Nancy Pelosi.
HEIDI GANAHL, she is a refreshing challenger with an excellent business background. Has a terrific Lt. Governor candidate
partner in Danny Moore.
SECRETARY OF STATE
PAM ANDERSON, experienced with years of service as Jeffco County Clerk. Smart and experienced. Great choice.
STATE TREA SURER
LANG SIAS, heard him speak at the State GOP Convention. Wise, experienced, solid can didate for the position.
ATTORNEY GENER AL: JOHN KELLNER, Marine officer, present 18th Judicial District Attorney, tough on crime, a no-non sense law enforcement candidate. Probably a fu ture Governor prospect.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT LARGE: Dan Maloit who is a for mer Green Beret with three children in public schools.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (District 6:)
MOLLY LAMAR, Cherry Creek schools graduate, University of Colorado alumnus, kids in Creek school, and not afraid to speak up and stand up for better schools.
STATE SENATOR (District 27)
TOM KIM, one of the best qualified candidates on the ballot. Brilliant, lawyer, pilot, business consultant, great listener, and has great future po tential for higher office.
DAVE WOOLEVER, (District 61) Long-time career at Johnson and Wales University. Sol id background. I live in his District. He is the only State Represen tative on my ballot.
STATE REPRESEN TATIVE ( District 37)
PAUL ARCHER, Cen tennial resident, strong family man, seeks com mon sense and sensible solutions. Fine gentleman, strong values, solid citizen
STATE REPRESENA TIVE (District 41)
STEPHANIE HAN COCK, breath of fresh air in Aurora, US Air Force veteran, president of Au rora Cultural Arts District, mother, grandmother.
*MORE STATE REPRESENTATIVES FORTHCOMING:
***
JUDICIAL RETEN TION QUESTIONS: Hard to judge their perfor mances. Let’s find a better way to vote on judges.
***
COUNTY OF FICES: COUN TY COMMIS SIONERS MARK GOTTO AND BOB ROTH: both experienced city council mem bers. Mark Gotto serving on Centennial city council and Bob Roth serving on Aurora city council. Strong training ground serving our largest cities. Vote for them in their respective districts. Kudos to Nancy Sharpe and Nancy Jackson who have proven that opposite party members can work together. They have both been great commissioners. Thank you ladies for your service and both mov ing on to our new health department leadership.
CLERK AND RECORDER CAROLINE CORNELL, let’s get the county offic es open, with or without, appointments. A 24-year county resident and strong people’s advocate.
COUNTY TREASURER MARSHA BERZINS, fortunate to have this well qualified candidate seeking this position. Mayor ProTem in Aurora overseeing billion-dollar budgets for years. Outstanding!
COUNTY ASSESSOR BOB ANDREWS, decades of experience in real estate and comes with strong background in appraisal experience.
COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN EDLING, mili tary veteran with 27 years as top cop in Denver police department. Tough on crime, he will slow auto thefts in Arapahoe County. Very experienced and he will make our neighbor hoods and cities safer.
COUNTY CORONER KELLY LEAR M.D. long career of service to the county as Coroner; no reason to change. She is almost non-replaceable.
For the first time in history Cherry Hill has three candidates for mayor and city council contests in Districts 2,4 and 6.
RUSSELL STEWART, I endorsed Laura Christman in the last election. I told Russell I would support him in this election before the other two candidates entered the race. I honor my commitments. Howev er, I’m a longtime friend of Katy Brown and endorsed her in the last election for city council. I have felt that Katy should run for higher state office with my full support. A warm welcome to Jenn Diffendal, a spirit ed candidate with a strong emphasis on public safety.
DISTRICT 2: EARL HOELLEN, great institutional memory on Cherry Hills Village, ex perienced in local govern ment, good common sense. Can’t go wrong with Earl.
DISTRICT 4 SUSAN MAGUIRE, 22-year resident, under stands Cherry Hills Land Preserve issues, nice man ner and safety minded.
DISTRICT 6 TOM CONROY, 31year resident who likes Cherry Hills the way it is now. Doesn’t want to make many changes. Recom mends improving trans parency in city decisions.
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Reverend Martin Niemoller
“In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”
MemberA healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful.
– Charles W. Pickering
Everyone wins when you shop at Molly's!
With over 12,000 choices to choose from, the entire party will have something to cheer.
BY SCOTTIE IVERSON
Western Fantasy, the glamorous party created by Sharon Magness Blake and Jean Galloway decades ago has not only survived, but flourished. The power ful philanthropists wanted something unique and fun to attend while raising funds for the Colorado Branch of Volunteers of Ameri ca (VOA). Each year the multi-faceted event, catered by Epicurean (beef tender loin and green chili ravioli this year), culminates with a charismatic entertainer. Justin Moore brought tremendous energy and captivated the audience with his traditional country sound.
BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER
When people hear the name, Koelbel and Company, CEO Buz Koelbel hopes that they think of a com pany that builds communities. He told The Villager, “We are residential and commercial developers who become part of the communities where we build by giving back to the commu nity.” A perfect example is the Koelbel Library at the corner of Orchard Road and Holly Street, adjacent to Koelbel’s premier community, The Preserve at Greenwood Village.
Walter Koelbel, Sr., Buz’ father, who founded the com pany in 1952 and with whom he worked side by side for three decades, had a unique ability to “find good property,” Buz told us. As a result, they owned three of the four corners at that inter section—where they built The Preserve, where they developed what is now the King Soopers shopping center, and where the library and two senior living fa cilities are now situated. In about 1988, as they were finally about to develop The Preserve, Buz told us, the Koelbels “heard that Arapahoe County Library Dis trict was looking for a location for a new central library facility. We thought, we’re creating a family community at The Pre serve, so what better amenity for families than a library?” Koelbel and Company gifted the land to the Library District and was also instrumental in bringing in Joyce Meskis, owner of the Tattered Cover Book Store from 1974 to 2015, “who consulted with us, as part of the strategic design team, about how we could create places in the library where people would want to stay and read and gather…We wanted community rooms for anyone to be able to use.” Today, that library has four meeting rooms, including one with a capacity of 108 people, a forum theater that seats 39, and three study rooms that hold up to six people.
“As part of the strategic de sign,” Buz told us, “My parents commissioned George Lundeen to create a piece of art,” referring to the bronze statue of a mother reading to and with her children that sits outside the library’s front door. Buz also pointed out that, “The Koelbel Library remains one of the busiest community gathering places through today, despite the fact that libraries can’t compete with home com puters for conducting research. Something was created there that transcends the digital world such that, to this day, it enjoys a remarkable amount of use and popularity.” Buz also credits Ed
and Kay Phillipson for their ded ication to the library project. Ed was a reporter for The Villager Newspaper.
Of all the projects Koelbel and Company has developed, Buz is most proud of The Preserve at Greenwood Village. It took ten years and numerous stops and starts to get it approved, but, he told us, “I knew it was going to be a great community for fami lies and kids and I was commit ted to getting it built.” Thir ty-two years after Koelbel and Company sold its first lot on the 540acre property, he remains as steadfast about its place as a unique family community as he was in the beginning.
Many peo ple know that the company struggled to gain approval from the City of Greenwood Village to build The Preserve because neigh bors to the east and west want ed it to remain as open space. What many people don’t know is that when Buz Koelbel finally decided that the people of Green wood Village, not its city council, should make the final decision about The Preserve, he person ally knocked on between 3,000 and 4,000 doors of GV residents himself to ask for their support and answer their questions, eventually winning approval of the voters for the development,
which includes 120 acres of open space in addition to almost 400 homes on lots with no perimeter fences and another 136 patio homes in the Bateleur section of the neighborhood. Koelbel and Company sold the last lot in The Preserve this year. Buz calls the neighborhood, “My pride and joy, because of what we created, how tough it was to get it done, and how we got it done.”
Another interesting, lit
at me and said, ‘Buz, this plan is spectacular but you’re going to rue the day that you decided not to let people put in fences.’ I thanked them for their input, but I never doubted my decision to not allow fences. They’re ugly and they don’t create a neighborhood. They get in the way of having connections between people. If you take the fences down, you take the barriers between people down. I was certain I didn’t want
to know all their neighbors on all sides and behind them. Kids played together and long-term bonds were formed between fam ilies. At the end of the day, it’s one of the premier communities in the entire metro area.”
Although most people think of Koelbel and Company as being a successful developer, it wasn’t always easy. Buz told us, “When markets got tough and we were struggling, going from 140 employees in 2007 to nine in 2009, I would drive through The Preserve on weekends because it uplifted me. Even though we had no sales activity for probably 18 months, I decided we wouldn’t fold our tent and lower our prices to make sales. I believed strongly that we would survive the recession. I knew the value was there if I could just wait out the economy. We’re a legacy generational company. I wasn’t going to let those two or three years destroy what I had personally worked so hard to put into place. It was a very tough time financially for us, but I felt like I owed it to the people who already lived there and to the Perry family (of the Marjorie Perry Nature Pre serve), who had stuck with us, to wait it out.”
We asked Buz what the keys to the success of his company have been. He told us he learned from his father, “Patience is ge nius. Don’t overreact in a tough market. Another thing that has been key is a constant focus on innovation. Our innovation start ed with Pinehurst Country Club, our flagship legacy community. A master-planned golf course com munity was not commonplace in the early 1960’s, particularly in the area of town where we built Pinehurst. The success of Pine hurst solidified the importance of innovation in what we do, and since then, we’ve consistently engaged in unique and different projects. The other important lesson I learned from my dad that I’ve never forgotten is to always take a long-term approach. That is how we have viewed every thing we’ve done.”
tle-known piece of the history of The Preserve that Buz shared with us is that, before he even had the election, he was confi dent enough in his plan that he created “a focus group of all the top realtors in the area that sold all the big homes.” He showed them his plan and told them that they should expect to see lots available to sell there soon. Af ter they looked at it, he told us, “The three top brokers looked
there to be fences and I also wasn’t going to build a brick wall around The Preserve. We decid ed to use landscaping around the perimeter so it looks more open and more inviting. When I told the realtors that I wasn’t going to change my mind about fences, they said I’d regret that decision. I said I didn’t think so, because that’s how you develop a community. That’s exactly how it turned out. Everyone there got
Buz never planned to have a third generation come into the company, but it happened organ ically. His three sons, Carl, Walt, and Dean started their careers in Washington, D.C., Kansas City and Chicago, but eventually decided they wanted to be a part of the family business. Today, Carl is the Chief Operating Of ficer, Walt is focused on office and commercial, and Dean is in leasing, along with Catalyst, a cutting-edge, health-tech industry integrator that Koelbel developed in Denver’s RiNo District and is now replicating for the Universi ty of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
A philosophical value that has played an essential role in the success that Koelbel and Company continues to enjoy after 70 years, Buz told us, is that they are “agnostic to the product type.” Their values of community
building, constant innovation, and unwavering long-term com mitment to their projects apply to everything they do. In addition to residential development in the metro area and in the mountains, where Koelbel built Rendezvous Colorado, a 1,110-acre mas ter-planned resort community in Grand County’s Fraser Valley, and Catalyst in RiNo, Koelbel is partnering with DeNOVO Solu tions, LLC to create “INNOVUS, a state-of-the-art secured facility capable of meeting the expanding needs of the private defense con tractors around Buckley space force base in Aurora, Colorado.”
The strongly held value of community is always top of mind. Koelbel and Company’s “low-income housing division is executing its tenth project, more than any other private develop er in the state over the past 10 years.”
That commitment shows up in the family’s extensive philan thropy, as well. Buz told us that his parents and his grandparents were all civic-minded, and most of the family’s philanthropic efforts have always been around children. Besides the Arapahoe Library District, some of the
organizations that have bene fited greatly from the Koelbels’ generosity are the University
of Colorado, The Denver Zoo and the Sewall Child Develop ment Center, which named its
building at 940 Fillmore Street in Denver, “The Koelbel Build ing” in honor of Buz’ parents, particularly his mother Gene, who they describe as having “served Sewall’s mission for over 60 years as a board mem ber,” continuing the legacy of commitment and support of the organization begun by Gene’s parents—Buz’ grandparents— in the 1940s.
Finally, we asked Buz if there was anyone he want
ed to thank at this time in his career. To our sweet surprise, he named this newspaper’s publisher, Bob Sweeney. Said Buz, “In some ways, Bob was like another father to me. When things got tough while I was trying hard to get The Preserve built, it was Bob that would encourage me to keep going and I’ve always been grate ful to him for that.”
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
Buz Koelbel
On October 19, the National Council of Jewish Women Col orado Section held a Candidates Forum 2022 at the BMH-BJ Synagogue in Denver. Can didates for state and national races were invited to participate. Although all candidates were able to have booths to speak to voters, only those running for statewide office or the U.S. Con gress were invited to participate in a question-and- answer forum. Scott Levin, local head of the Anti-Defamation League, mod erated.
In a rare joint appearance, incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen ator Michael Bennet and Re publican challenger Joe O’Dea appeared together to answer questions.
On the challenges of solving the immigration problem, Bennet pointed back to 2013 when, he said, “I was part of the Gang of Eight who wrote a bipartisan immigration bill that got 68 votes in the Senate, but unfortunate ly, never even got a vote in the House of Representatives.” He continued, “It would have passed because it had the elements that the American people want for a successful reform of our im migration system, including a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million people that are here that are undocumented, bringing peo ple out of the shadows.” He went on to explain that many Repub licans, including the late Senator John McCain, wanted very much to solve the immigration problem, but that, “After Donald Trump rolled down the escalator (in 2015) in Trump Tower calling Mexicans rapists as the kickoff to his campaign, then won the presidency, that created a very difficult situation for Washington Republicans (who wanted to solve immigration). I hope they will overcome it.”
On the subject of immigra tion, O’Dea told the moderator, “I agree with Senator Bennet. I think there is a bipartisan solu tion out there. I hope to lead that solution when I’m elected in November… I think we do need to secure the border. There are a lot of pieces of that that have to do with our national security— fentanyl coming over in record levels, human trafficking, cartels up here in our cities taking over. When you talk to the police de partments, they are screaming to get this border under con trol…a bipartisan effort...It has to do with making sure we give citizenship to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) kids. They shouldn’t have to wonder about that… We’re the land of immigrants. We’re the land of opportunity. We need to make sure that opportunity is for everyone. If it’s me in the Senate, I’m going to lead that discussion.” He added that it is especially important to his fam ily, including his wife, whose grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico.
When the moderator turned to the subject of how to help the needy in our community, O’Dea said, “I believe in my heart and soul that we all have a duty to give back. I lead an effort to put together a homeless shelter in north Denver at 7th and Lipan…
efit of a great education. I’m a product of that. I was in public school, not doing so well as a kid. My parents made the deci sion to move me to a parochial school where I got a little bit of discipline and got refocused and a great education. They also gave me a dishwashing job. I never did see one of the paychecks. My dad kept them all to pay that tuition. I think if we want a monumental change in poverty, in opportunity here in the United States, we’ve got to get behind school choice and make sure that every parent has that choice for their child, regardless of their zip code. Let’s put those kids in a situation where they can be successful.”
Haven of Hope Homeless Day Shelter. Myself and a bunch of contractors got together and we funded it. We got it off the ground. It currently serves about 700 meals a day to make sure that that community is taken care of. That’s a responsibility that I feel.”
He continued, “The other thing that I’m really encouraged about is the discussion around school choice. If we want to create this land of opportunity, we have to put kids in a situation where they can have the ben
In his response to the question of how best to help the needy, Senator Bennet talked about the importance of “economic op portunities,” saying, “I’m a huge believer that our democracy is incredibly fragile because people don’t see economic opportunity in this economy. For 50 years, we have had an economy that has only benefited the top 10% of Americans and not anybody else. That didn’t happen by ac cident. It started with Reagan’s supply-side trickle-down eco nomics, (including) outsourc ing. And it’s why we have the worst income inequality since the 1920s. We have the lowest economic mobility of any indus trialized country in the world. It’s why I meet people every day in Colorado who are working in credibly hard, but no matter how hard they work, they can’t afford some combination of housing, healthcare, higher education, or early childhood education. The reason that that is so dangerous to a democracy is because, it’s in moments like that, that people stop seeing that sense of oppor tunity, and inevitably, in human history, somebody shows up and says, ‘I alone can fix it, as Trump said. You don’t need a democ racy. You don’t need the rule of law. You should expect your public sector and your private sector to be hopelessly corrupt. That’s the dark vision that he ran on. That’s the dark vision that he won more votes the second time than the first time. To deal with that, we need to create an economy that, when it grows, it grows for everybody, not just the people at the very top. I think we have an incredible opportunity to do that.”
He continued, “In the mean time… If we care to, we can cut childhood poverty in this country almost in half. Last year, because we put my bill, The American Family Act, into the American Rescue Plan, we cut childhood poverty in America almost in half. We cut hunger in the United States by one-fourth… One of
the reasons I want to go back (to the U.S. Senate) is that I think we should make that perma nent. We are the richest country in the world and we have the third-highest childhood poverty rate in the industrialized world. Kids in Colorado are suffering from that needlessly.”
On the subject of school choice, Bennett said, “When I was the superintendent of schools, I think our district (Den ver) probably led the country in terms of urban districts with school choice.” He continued, “I believe we have to revolutionize our education system. I don’t think choice is nearly enough to do it. I think Betsy DeVos demonstrated that in Michigan. If you have no accountability, it’s an incredibly destructive force for children. We need to realize that, as a nation, our education system, from a lack of preschool and a lack of quality in K-12 and the expense of higher edu cation, is reinforcing the income inequality that I just spoke about. It’s not liberating kids from their circumstances. One of the things we could do is guarantee that every single kid that graduates from high school in this country has the skills to earn a living wage, not just the minimum wage. That would transform the lives of millions of Ameri cans and it would transform the American economy.”
Levin asked O’Dea about his motivation to say publicly that he plans to “actively campaign against Donald Trump” if the former president tries to run again in 2024, resulting in Trump issuing a statement saying, “MAGA doesn’t vote for stupid people with big mouths.” O’Dea said, “I’m a contractor. I’m not a politician. I got into this race because I genuinely care about the direction that this country is headed and I’m worried about the policies that we have. I said what I said. I meant it. I don’t think he (Trump) should run. I don’t think Joe Biden should run. I think people in America deserve a different decision to be made in 2024. There’s a lot of talent on the Republican bench— Ron DeSantis, Pompeo, Haley. I really like Tim Scott when he’s talking about education. I think there’s an opportunity to take the country forward. We can’t afford to go backwards… Let’s get focused on the things that matter to working Americans-- runaway inflation, the price of gas, getting our energy system back in place, making sure that the land of op portunity is here for all working Americans.”
Asked how he could bring the GOP and all Americans together, O’Dea said, “Elections have consequences. I believe (ours is a) great election system. I’ll take the results. I’ll challenge Sen. Bennet, loser buys the beer, mine is going to have ice in it. We’ll sit down and will move the country forward… We need to have a lot of faith in our system. It’s the best in the world. Let’s rely on it and let’s move the country forward. That’s why I got in this
“It has to do with making sure we give citizenship to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) kids. They shouldn’t have to wonder about that… We’re the land of immigrants. We’re the land of opportunity. We need to make sure that opportunity is for everyone. If it’s me in the Senate, I’m going to lead that discussion.”
– Joe O’Dea
We need to realize that, as a nation, our education system, from a lack of preschool and a lack of quality in K-12 and the expense of higher education, is reinforcing the income inequality that I just spoke about. It’s not liberating kids from their circumstances. One of the things we could do is guarantee that every single kid that graduates from high school in this country has the skills to earn a living wage, not just the minimum wage. That would transform the lives of millions of Americans and it would transform the American economy.”
Sen. Michael BennetFrom left to right, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, ADL’s Scott Levin, GOP candidate Joe O’Dea
race.”
Levin asked Bennet, “After serving for a couple of terms, what do you think makes a good Senator, a good leader for Col orado?” Bennet responded, “I think what makes a good leader for Colorado is writing bills in Colorado, not writing bills in Washington.” If you look at the work I did on the infrastructure package-- the $60 billion that we passed for broadband-- I literally wrote that bill on the western slope of Colorado” with help from experts in broadband… The billions of dollars we got for forestry…because of their importance…And $4 billion to address the terrible drought that we have in the Colorado River basin. We need real leadership on that question because we are going to be in negotiation between the upper basin and the lower basin states. I feel like I’m in a good position to lead that conversation. I’ve disagreed with the President on college debt policy, on what they tried to do to our solar industry, which we saved by pushing back on the administration. We do not need somebody in Washington who is coming to repeat what they’ve heard on cable TV, whether it’s the talking points of Fox or MSNBC, that is not the leader ship that this country needs. I have not contributed to the chaos that’s back there (in Washington I have not contributed to the par tisanship that’s back there.
In closing, O’Dea said, “Look at where we are today. We have record inflation, record gas pric es, record grocery prices. We’ve got record crime here in Colora do… We’ve got fentanyl coming across the border in wheelbar rows, killing Americans. We lost 107,000 Americans last year, almost 1,900 here in Colorado to
(all) overdoses. It’s tragic. Is that the America that we want? Is that what we expect for our kids? It’s time for a change. It’s time for new leadership. That’s why I got into this race.”
Asked why people should re-elect him, Bennet said, “I think I should be reelected be cause the stakes are incredibly high. Our democracy is at real risk, this is not a joke. The first trip that I’ve taken since Covid, I went to the Middle East and to Europe. Every democracy that I visited, people are talking about
that in the last 14 months, we demonstrated that we can do better. We can legislate to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill, a bipartisan postal reform bill, a bi partisan veterans’ bill, the CHIPS Act (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors), and one bill that wasn’t bipartisan, the incredibly significant climate bill that Colorado’s fingerprints are all over because of the work that I’ve been doing for 10 years there. So, I think that the stakes are enormously high. In my view, whether you’re a senator or a schoolteacher or a contractor or whatever, you owe it to the next generation of Americans to make sure that we are transferring a democracy that you can be proud of and an economy that you can be proud of and that we reestab lish America’s role in the world.”
Pam Anderson, GOP candi date for Colorado Secretary of State (SOS), told us she believed she was endorsed in her race for SOS by the Denver Post because of her record as Jefferson County Clerk. JeffCo, she said, “Is in credibly politically diverse, and my endorsements came from a wide variety of people; I don’t see the job as a political stepping stone. It’s really my life’s work. I don’t want to go to Washington, D.C.”
She went on to describe what she believes has been a lack of stability in the office of the cur rent SOS, Democrat Jena Gris wold, explaining, “There’s been at least three deputy secretaries, we are on our fifth chief of staff, there’s been more than three communications directors and legislative liaisons.” She attribut ed the high turnover of top staff to a “lack of leadership,” adding, “In my experience, people join these types of jobs as a mission for public service for Colorado, not a mission for a politician and their future.” She added that “the instability and lack of focus has resulted in mistakes being made” in that office.
consumer rights. He pointed to endorsements he has received from several major publications, who have said that, “Colorado’s water and our future depend on an Attorney General who can lead on water,” and, “Our rights as consumers are protected by the Attorney General.”
Kellner did not attend the forum.
Adam Frisch, former As pen City Council member who describes himself as a moderate Democrat, is a candidate for Colorado Congressional District three on the western slope. He told The Villager that he decided to challenge one-term incumbent Republican Lauren Boebert because she won in 2020 “with only 51% of the vote, and she didn’t even win her home county (because) those who know her don’t like her.”
forum.
Barb Kirkmeyer, GOP candidate for Colorado’s new Congressional District Eight, facing Democrat Dr. Yadira Car aveo, a pediatrician, said, “We are in troubled times,” pointing to inflation and the “need to get our federal government under control and stop the relentless spending.”
When Levin asked her what areas of government she would cut back, Kirkmeyer said, “I think we need to look at pretty much everything.” Moving on to another subject, Kirkmeyer said that welfare used to be funded as a block grant to states, who could decide how it should be distributed and under what con ditions and restrictions. “I think we need to get back to that,” she said, adding, “The Tem porary Aid to Needy Families program used to include, “work participation rates, a five-year clock that folks could be on that program…I think some of those things need to come back.” She also pointed to “individual re sponsibility contracts” that were part of the program “so that peo ple understood that they were responsible for what they were doing in their own lives…to get
the rise of political extremism. People are talking about the rise of anti-Semitism. People are talking about how social media is dividing citizens from one another, making it impossible for democracies to make decisions. My constituents here in Colora do, whether Democrats or Re publicans or members of neither party, came to worry during the Trump administration that chaos was all we could expect out of our democracy, that we couldn’t do better than that. They’ve seen
Griswold did not attend the forum.
Phil Weiser, incumbent Col orado Attorney General who is facing 18th Judicial District DA John Kellner in the November election, said that the Dobbs de cision overturning Roe vs. Wade was “one of the worst decisions that the U.S. Supreme Court ever made,” and that his opponent in this election “believes in that decision,” which he cited as an example of the differences be tween he and Kellner. He added that, “The implications of the Dobbs decision on people’s lives are only beginning to be experi enced,” and that, “Every single decision where a doctor and a pregnant woman look at this question is a hard conversation, it’s a personal conversation, it’s a health care conversation,” on which the government should not dictate what should happen.
He also talked about the rise in hate crimes, often egged on by social media, and the impor tance of remaining wary of their impact.
In closing, he said that it matters who the Attorney Gen eral is in the areas of gun safety, reproductive rights, water, and
He continued, “I think 40% of Republicans want their party back…Rational Republicans are furious about what’s going on.” He pointed to having received endorsements from Russell George, former GOP Speak er of the Colorado House of Representatives and GOP State Senator Don Coram. Frisch said he wanted to “focus on the job,” unlike Boebert, who he said is in the “angertainment” industry that is causing a lot of the problems in our country.” He continued, “I’m pro-domestic energy pro duction. That’s really important, especially in Colorado. I don’t like it when any President has to show up in Saudi Arabia or Ven ezuela or Iran and ask for help when we produce clean energy, clean coal here…We’re doing a great job with solar and wind. We need to do more of that, but there’s also some traditional energy production we should be working on.”
Boebert did not attend the
education…to help them get off of welfare.” Kirkmeyer closed by saying that her six grandchil dren “deserve to grow up in the type of America in which I grew up…that valued and rewarded hard work and gave everyone a fair shot at success and an op portunity to prosper. My grand kids don’t have that. Neither do yours…That’s why I’m running for office.”
Caraveo did not attend the forum.
Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
Get an early start on your hol iday shopping at the 43rd Annual Mile High Holiday Mart, presented by the Junior League of Denver (JLD), Fri., Nov. 4 through Sun., Nov. 6 at Gates Field House on the University of Denver campus. Im merse yourself in the holiday spirit at the League’s largest fundraising event featuring select merchants with unique, high-quality merchan dise, a central location, and a fun, festive environment.
“We are thrilled to welcome attendees to shop at our 43rd an nual event,” said Lindsey Talafuse, 2022-2023 JLD President. “Our volunteers work tirelessly to put on a phenomenal show while raising much-needed funds to support women and families experiencing systemic poverty in Denver.”
The show features local and national vendors offering a wide variety of products, including housewares, specialty food items, jewelry, apparel for women, men and children, pet products, and much more! A large percentage of the merchants are local, so shoppers are supporting Colorado businesses.
Additionally, the League’s new est cookbook, Centennial Celebra tions, will be available for $20 at
the show (retails for $29.95 + tax). Released in July 2019, Centennial Celebrations is the perfect holiday gift! Packed with the colorful fla vors of the Centennial State and honoring JLD’s 100th anniversary, Centennial Celebrations includes more than 200 thoughtfully select ed and thoroughly tested recipes for every season and occasion. The creative menus, recipes, and entertaining tips will inspire you to cook, connect, and celebrate… Colorado style! Copies of the League’s five other award-winning cookbooks will be available with special show pricing as well.
Proceeds support the JLD’s efforts to empower women to be come civic leaders and impactful community volunteers, as well as its efforts to disrupt the cycle of systemic poverty for women and families in Denver. The JLD has been addressing the community’s greatest needs for more than 100 years and started many impactful Denver institutions. Learn more here
EVENT WEBSITE: JLD.org
PUBLIC SHOPPING HOURS: Friday, November 4: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, November 5: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, November 6: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS: $10 in advance at JLD.org or at the door
BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER
Tom Kim is a member of the Roundup Riders of the Rockies, “an organization dedicated to the perpetua tion of the Western Tradition associated with the relation ship between the American Cowboy and his horse.” He is also qualified to ride with the Mounted Patrol Unit of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. In his day job, Kim is a former bankruptcy lawyer who now works as a consul tant to help troubled business es get back on a strong finan cial footing.
He is running for Colora do State Senate District 27 because he wants to help our state government “do a better job than it’s doing now.” He told The Villager, “We never go back and ask, what should government be doing? Are there things that we should trim out of the budget? I want to reduce programs. They’re always getting bigger.” He continued, “Whenever there’s a new initiative, for example, beefing up law enforcement, instead of adding more money to the budget, I’d like to see us reallocate funds that are being spent in an area where we have not seen the intended results.”
As a state senator, Kim would use the skills he brings to businesses with whom he consults. In those situations,
there often aren’t addition al resources available with which to solve problems, so he finds a way to better utilize the assets they have. Kim has helped entities in manufac tured housing, construction, medical products, technology, health care, transportation, and natural resources, and even a charter school, giving him direct experience that he can use with the state budget.
Kim decided to run for office because he was “frus trated with where we are in this state” and believes “that the problems we have right now are the direct result of policy decisions that have been made” in areas including rising crime. He believes that it is difficult to recruit law enforcement officers because of the widespread belief that they could be subject to per sonal financial liability for do ing their job, including mak ing instantaneous decisions in dangerous situations, even though the applicable statute actually provides an extreme ly narrow set of circumstances when that could occur, in cluding requiring the officer’s employer determining that the office knowingly acted out side the law. Still, he points out, “Perception is reality,” and the reality is that dozens of local police departments are experiencing difficulty finding new recruits. He is also concerned that the leader ship of some law enforcement agencies may be viewed as
not supporting their officers. If elected to the state Senate, Kim’s goal is to find a legis lative solution to this problem that would result in increased policing and lower crime.
Overall, Kim believes in limited government. Although he agrees that gun control and gun safety are important, he does not think we needed the new Office of Gun Violence Prevention, recently added to the state Department of Public Health and Environment “to administer a grant program for organizations to conduct community-based gun vio lence intervention initiatives,” including, “creating and main taining a resource bank as a repository for data, research, and statistical information regarding gun violence in Colorado,” pursuant to HB211299.
He also believes that “the lack of progress in oil and gas permitting” is due to the fact that the state, “pushed that regulation (of oil and gas) down to the cities, and now every city is dealing with their group of activists,” when the decisions in this area are actually a matter of statewide concern.
Tom Kim will face Tom Sullivan in the race for the open seat in State Senate Dis trict 27 in November. Sullivan has served two terms in the state House. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
The Villager Newspaper, together with the League of Women Voters of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and the South Metro Denver Chamber held a forum for candidates for Cherry Hills Villager Mayor and City Council on October 10 at Kent Denver School. We published highlights from that event in last week’s Villager. Here are more of candidates’ answers to the questions presented.
To the question of what are the duties of the mayor and why are you the best choice, first to respond was Jenn Diffendal, who said, “My key priorities as future mayor are championing public safety, increasing cell phone coverage, fiscal tran sparency, and aggres sively seeking new revenue sources in the forms of pub
lic-private partnerships and grants,” adding, “I believe my unparalleled experience and voice is needed as we navi gate through these chal lenges.”
Stewart, focusing on the question, responded that most of the duties of the mayor that are out lined in the City Charter are actually performed by the city manager, leaving the mayor to pre side over meetings, requir ing knowledge of Robert’s
Rules of Order, and to appear on behalf of the city at ceremonial events. The most im portant duty, however, he said, “is to establish relationships with other local mayors and Arapa hoe County commission ers, so I meet frequently with (other local mayors in the area) and we work on projects together,” noting that he is “always advocating for the interests of CHV.” Brown had a different
view, saying that the CHV mayor, “doesn’t do much,” because, “the city council holds all the power.” She continued, “The role of the mayor is not to be an activ ist, is not to have a personal agenda. The mayor doesn’t even vote except in the case of a tie. The mayor can’t give raises or cut taxes that fund open space or unilat erally take a policy position on behalf of the city, all things my opponents have promised to do.” She con tinued, “What the mayor can do, and what I will do as mayor, is build a culture of trust and respect and collaboration. And I will support the council in im plementing the will of the people.”
On a question about how CHV residents can con serve water, Brown noted that the issue had “come up in our recent Master Plan updating process,” and,
“There are a few easy steps we can take to incentivize our citizens to conserve water (including) making sure our code allows (res idents) to install natural landscaping, not requiring them to cut their natural grasses to two inches tall.” She said that, “The city can also do its part as a citizen to conserve water,” point ing to the current project to repurpose the High Line Canal as stormwater infra structure.
Diffendal recommended residents use “more native plants so we can have the longevity of plant life with out using water and reduc ing it.”
Stewart pointed to new rules in Aurora “limiting the size of lawns and the use of thirsty bluegrass.” He also pointed to the need to work collaboratively with Denver Water and
“My key priorities as future mayor are championing public safety, increasing cell phone coverage, fiscal transparency, and aggressively seeking new revenue sources in the forms of public-private partnerships and grants.”
– Jenn Diffendal
“our other jurisdictions surrounding us, all of our local neigh bors, and all of our region al neighbors, too, to reduce water use.”
The mod erator asked city council candidates what the most important duties are of a city council representa tive and what their priori ties would be, if elected.
Tory Levi ton said, “The most import ant thing for city council is to show up” (and participate), as well as to innovate. His priorities are conservation, including protecting wild life corridors, public safety, and wellness, including mental health.
Earl Hoellen said that the council’s job is “to set policy consistent with the Master Plan because it expresses the will of the people,” but it’s import ant to “keep seeking out the opinions of the com munity be cause the will of the people can change.”
His priorities are safety and security of citizens and their proper ty, the Master Plan, and financial sus tainability.
Susan Ma guire said the most import ant thing for a city council member “is to set the policy of the city and in doing that, to represent the community and to listen to
“The role of the mayor is not to be an activist, is not to have a personal agenda. The mayor doesn’t even vote except in the case of a tie. The mayor can’t give raises or cut taxes that fund open space or unilaterally take a policy position on behalf of the city, all things my opponents have promised to do.”
– Katy Brown
what the city wants, not to set your own agenda.” Her priorities are implementing the Master Plan, supporting the police, and conservative fiscal management.
Mark Williams named, “representing the people, to put the in terests of the people before your own, to be diplo matic, to find solutions, and to work with other council members” as the most important du ties of a city council repre sentative. He named fiscal responsibility as his first priority, not ing that the 2022 budget contained a note about potential de pletion of the capital and general funds in 2027 and 2032, respec tively, under certain cir cumstances. Williams said that he did not think the city would default on its obligations, but “there needs to be a change.” He also wants to look at lowering speed lim its and focus on diplomacy to “solve problems and not create more.”
Tom Conroy identified, “the oversight of the man agement of the city that is done by the city staff,” and thinking through important decisions carefully after listening to all sides of an argument as the important duties of a city council
representative. His priority will be to focus on “fiscal responsibility,” noting he plans “to work directly with the city’s budget manager and financial manager to get a better understanding of these long-term fore casts.” He would also like to see “the police department do a complete plan,” be cause he isn’t sure there are enough offi cers on duty presently.
Rob Eber said that, “The number one duty of the city coun cil is to im plement the Master Plan” as adopted, pointing to the fact that a revised Master Plan will be ad opted later this year, before a new city council is seated. He also noted that he has been “ac tive on the Citizens Ad visory Task Force for the Master Plan” and has at tended all its meetings. His priorities, if elected, are to keep CHV a great city to live in and raise a family, maintaining safety, security, and financial stability; to preserve open space, and to control air and surface traffic.
To view and listen to the complete CHV Candidate Forum, go to www.villager publishing.com.
fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
The most important duty, (Mayor Stewart) said, “is to establish relationships with other local mayors and Arapahoe County commissioners, so I meet frequently with (other local mayors in the area) and we work on projects together,” noting that he is “always advocating for the interests of
Carcollectors are thrilled for opportunities to show off their prized possessions and car aficionados enjoy seeing them. A splendid show featuring a wide variety was staged at Cherry Hills Village Center on a perfect Colorado afternoon
- enhanced by refresh ments and lively music by The Busted Bones Band. Music of the band was so festive that it drew in passers-by. Prize ribbons were awarded in four categories: Peo ple’s Choice, Best of
Show, Most Likely to be Pulled Over (a Ferrari, of course) and Best An tique.
Board members of the Cherry Hills Village Police Foundation are; Mark Griffin (presi dent and chairman of the board), Jan Harrison
Griffin (VP) and Jeremy Abel son (secretary/treasurer). The Cherry Hills Police Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organization that works to pro vide vital resources and critical support to the cherry Hills Village Police Department. The Foundation works to provide essential equipment, state-ofthe-art technology,
specialized training, education al opportunities, innovative pro grams and support department personnel in times of illness or bereavement. The funding pro vided will assist in improving public safety, promote officer safety and enhance the quality of life of those living, working and visiting our community.
In the October 20, 2022 edition of the Vil lager a column ran authored by Scottie Taylor Iverson. It was an unqualified endorsement of the current 18th judicial district DA for the Office of Attorney General. The copy attributed to Iverson is only three paragraphs in length. The material is presented in black typeface. The rest of the column is consider able in length and set forth in bold red. It is a series of seven statements of citizens implor ing voters to support DA Kellner for our state’s Attorney General to save all of us apparently from everything that threatens us and in the words of one of the quoted individuals, “… make Colorado Safe Again.”
The column doesn’t appear to be a paid ad though the layout gives it that appear ance. The Villager is of course entitled to its editorial opinions as are its writers. The man against whom Iverson sounds the alarm is Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. The supporters that line up to condemn Phil and support Mr. Kellner appear to be a good line up of local Republicans, none involved in law enforcement or public protection. Would you like to hear what other Colorado Republicans think about Phil Weiser?
Good to hear from one of our many Landmark readers. Usually we don’t respond to “Letters to the Editor” unless the newspaper or writer is mentioned. In your succinct and well-written letter, you do refer to one of the events covered by one of our well-known reporters.
A brief explanation of our covering the many fund-raising events for candidates: We cover many fund-raisers when invited and have covered both political party events. The fund-raising events accomplish two things; most importantly raising badly needed funds for ever increasing expensive campaigns. Secondly, for invitees to meet, greet, and listen to candidates present why
The candidate most qualified and prepared to serve District 2 County residents is Mark Gotto. I served with Mark on Centennial City Council and personally
I’m asking you to vote for Molly Lamar for the CD-6 seat on the State Board of Edu cation. I had the pleasure of first getting to know Molly when I served as the President of the Cherry Creek School District Board of
As a teacher in the classroom for 16 years, I am worried about education and what’s happening in our schools. Education is turning more towards political agendas instead of basic skills that will help our
Cherry Hills Village (CHV) has placed an issue on this November's ballot to update the City Code for sales tax collections from remote vendors and internet sellers. While there are many reasons for Village residents to support this issue, I would like to high light a few of the key ones.
His predecessor, Republican Attorney General Cynthia Coffman endorses Phil over Kellner. She has a pretty good handle on the office of Attorney General. Contrary to those quoted by Scottie Taylor Iverson she states, “I have been pleased by his contin uation of impactful initiatives on school
they are running for elective office. Press coverage gives Villager readers a better view of the candidates and reveals their support. In these contests, dollars are almost as important as votes.
In the story that you mention, invitees were asked why they were supporting the candidate. The questions add more depth to the function, in addition to the social and funding activities.
Regarding your endorsement of Attor ney General Phil Weiser, we find him to be a competent Attorney General. Coming from an academic background, he is a brilliant lawyer, academic, and scholar.
A little history shows that he defeated very popular Arapahoe County 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler in the
saw his effectiveness and commitment to serve. Here’s my observations: 1) A great listener – to his constituents and his fellow electeds -he works for you; 2) Executive level leadership experience that is valuable as commissioners run departments and manage staff; 3) Understanding and experience in land use (he served on
Education.
Molly is passionate about education and supporting students, teachers, and the community to ensure that our schools produce the highest academic outcomes for every child. Molly has built strong relation ships and trust throughout our community
students succeed in life and it is reflected on our students’ assessments. 60 percent of 3rd grade students in Colorado cannot read at grade level. And even worse, 70 percent of 8th grade students in Colorado are not hitting grade-level benchmarks in
First of all, it won’t change the City’s sales tax rate. It will remain at 3.5%. It will simply change the language in the code so that all businesses doing business in the City, including remote sellers, will need to collect sales tax, rather than just businesses that have a physical address in the City.
Secondly, the code change will bring
safety, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, substance abuse treatment, and childhood sexual abuse recovery.
General Weiser deserves another four years in service as Colorado’s Attorney General.”
Former Republican Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, Russ
2019 election. Brauchler, switched from running for governor to avoid a primary election against Walker Stapleton and ran for Attorney General. Stapleton went on to lose the election to Governor Jerald Polis.
Brauchler was out and is now a very popular morning host on conservative KNUS 710 radio, weekday mornings. His Deputy, John Kellner, was elected as District Attorney for the large 18th Judicial District. Now, splitting into a new 23rd Judicial Dis trict for Arapahoe County with the process procedure in Amendment D on this year’s ballot proposals.
Kellner, still a reserve Marine Colonel; having served two years as District Attorney will remain in office two more years, or more, if he loses to Weiser.
Planning and Zoning before becoming a councilmember). Zoning and approving land uses can greatly affect your property and quality of life; 4) Innovative thinker and problem solver – there are important issues facing Arapahoe County and doing things the same old way isn’t leadership. Mark will look outside the box for solutions;
because she has demonstrated the ability to work with everyone. She puts kids, not politics, first.
Molly continues to serve to improve education in our community in multiple ways. She is an active volunteer in schools, a licensed substitute and works to ensure
mathematics.
It is imperative that our State Board of Education has representatives who have served as educators in the classroom. Teach ers know and understand what is needed for a successful education. Molly Lamar
the City in line with the 2018 Supreme Court decision to allow for the collection of sales tax on internet purchases. By making the change, the City can then join 205 other Colorado municipalities in joining the state’s new Sales and Use Tax System (SUTS), which streamlines sales tax collection and ensures that Cherry Hills Village is receiving
George, citing a variety of issues on which Phil Weiser has acted as Attorney General states, “This fall for Attorney General I’ll be supporting Phil Weiser.”
TheDenverPost,AuroraSentinel, DurangoHeraldand Grand Junction Daily Sentinel all endorse and support Phil Weis
Most recently his department has cracked a large auto theft ring operating in the Metro area. Kellner is tough on crime and criminals.
Weiser, endorsed by The Denver Post, and the more liberal newspapers in the state, seems to be more on the administra tive side of the many functions of the AG of fice. He is the chief law enforcement official in the state with over 400 employees with a job to protect Colorado and its citizens. He has been especially effective on water issues and from The Denver Post endorse ment is a strong supporter of Colorado’s leadership role in protecting women’s right to have an abortion.
Colorado is leading the nation in auto thefts with the Denver Police Chief retiring
5) Public Safety experience – as Centennial contracts with the Arapahoe County Sheriff Department for police (which is the largest portion of the Sherriff’s budget outside the jail), Mark has an in depth understanding of the needs and costs to provide you with a safe community.
I rarely endorse in political races
that various extracurricular programs for students work as they should. Molly is re spected by her colleagues and constituents. She knows that ALL Colorado children need access to the opportunities and resources to be successful in life and I know she will work every day to see that happen.
served in a Title I school as a bilingual kindergarten and first grade teacher.
In addition to bringing the perspective of a teacher to the State Board of Education, Molly would be the only mom on the board to have school-aged children while actively
the tax it’s due. Without the code change, the City can’t join SUTS.
Lastly, modernizing our Tax Code language avoids the risk of a reduction in revenue to the CHV and the consequential reduction in services that would follow. It could take a while to develop an alternative tax, have voters approve it and restore
er. If you have read or will read the Iverson piece intended to scare the reader into supporting a candidate for office consider the comment of the Aurora Sentinel in its endorsement,
“Weiser has already proved to be well suited as Colorado’s lawyer in handling the job for what it really is, not a politically expedient ploy to rook voters into thinking it should be.”
Long before Phil became Attorney Gen eral I served as the First Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Justice in Colorado. I live and breathe public protection and am keenly aware of the role of our Attorney General, Democrat or Republican, in serving our citizens. We could not be more fortu nate than to have Phil Weiser in the office. He has done an outstanding job during his first term and will continue to do so in his second term. I don’t know Mr. Kellner and have no need to disparage his service or write that I feel less safe because he is our DA in the 18th District. I wish him well in life but it is not necessary to misrepresent the role of the Attorney General and the duties of that office or try to frighten voters to ad vance any one person’s political ambitions.
Richard Nathan Greenwood Villagein disgust over lack of prosecution of crimi nals. Aurora is looking for a new police chief and is short several hundred officers.
Especially appalling was the destruction on the façade of our State Capital by a mob who also set fire to the Supreme Court building. This appears like a state that is becoming too lenient about enforcing laws against crime and criminals.
The choice is very simple for voters.
Vote for a District Attorney who is tough on crime and law enforcement or vote for an Attorney General who supports defending abortion and other consumer issues that include defending Colorado on many fronts. Both candidates are exceptional but have different viewpoints on the job description.
Bob Sweeney/Publisherwithout personal experience and Mark is someone I wholeheartedly support. Please mark your ballot for Mark Gotto – we all benefit.
Cathy Noon Former Mayor, City of CentennialPlease join me in voting for Molly Lamar, CD-6 State Board of Education. Her leadership and experience is the change we need.
Jennifer Churchfield Englewoodserving on the board. This is the type of diverse experience needed on our State Board of Education, and I ask you to join me in voting for Molly Lamar on November 8th.
Ann Moore Centennialservices, not a disruption CHV residents or City leadership want.
I’m encouraging my fellow residents to support issue 2A and update the Cherry Hills Village City Code.
Randy Weil Co-Chair, Villagers for Tax Code Clean-Up
Hospitals to partner with local law enforcement to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication
HealthONE hospitals are host ing their 4th annual “Crush the Crisis” national opioid take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications, on Saturday, Oc tober 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The event coincides with the Drug Enforcement Ad ministration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and invites the community to safely dispose of unused or expired medication before they may be obtained and misused. Prescription drug misuse is a
public health crisis in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, almost a 15 percent in crease from 2020.
Deaths related to opioids surged by 308% between 2019 and 2021, according to city of Denver. At least 216 deaths in Denver have been linked to drugs so far this year, per data from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
A significant number of opioid addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused opioids from family and friends.
The event aims to educate the community on the risk of opioid misuse, while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures
or other medical visits.
HealthONE is participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s fourth annual national “Crush the Cri sis” opioid take back day. Last year, 96 HCA Healthcare facili ties in 17 states collected 15,566 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications at “Crush the Crisis” events across the nation.
Law enforcement officers will be collecting: tablets, capsules and patches of Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxy codone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Oxymorphone (Opana). Ointments, lotions, drops, liq uid medication (in leak-proof containers) and vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medi cations will also be accepted.
Any medications are accept
Her 6-year-old son said, “What the heck?” Mom re sponded gently, but firmly, “David, do not use coarse language, Honey.” I was in the hotel elevator listening and was so moved by this verbal exchange between a mom and her son, I thanked her. She was a bit surprised. I said, “Sometimes the words we use are so harsh, and no one seems to care or no tice. By giving your son direction about this seemingly innocent statement, he will become sensitive to coarseness and will be mindful to regulate his speech. I bet he will remember your words and will grow to be a kinder and gentler person.“ She was so interested in my gratitude; she asked me about what I do. When I told her I train teachers to teach young people relationship devel opment skills and social and emotional competencies, she wanted to continue the con versation. Being in a hurry to get to my training at the University, I gave her my business card and asked her to connect with me. These are the kind of conversations I have frequently when I travel and train.
Conversely, I was visit ing a relative who has two children 8 years old and under. The television was on the whole time with either inappropriate video games that are violent and filled with coarse language, scary ghoulish content, and out right swearing. I could no longer stay silent and said, “There are children that are hearing this.” It was stun ning how the parents were not even aware of what their children were exposed to. Breathe!
The coarse culture, the normalization of sexualized content, decriminalization of drugs, the uncoupling of
marriage and childbearing, cohabitation, divorce, bul lying, violence, crime, road rage, smash and grabs, lack of emotional intelligence or social and cultural norms as well as the ubiquitous nature of cell phones and electronic devices are making us all less kind and unaware of how de sensitized we have become. We have become so used to a constant diet of brutal images; we can no longer see what it is doing to us. Our emotional health is suffering as we become numb to all this bombardment. We have become the frog in the pot. This is too big for us. Many have experienced a loss of hope. This is just the
way it is. We are emotion ally exhausted and disillu sioned with systems that are supposed to monitor and maintain certain paradigms of character and virtue.
To prevent / address the dulling of our senses to the coarseness of our culture, it can be helpful to think about what we are watch ing, what we accept, what we need to set boundaries around and how we act with others. If we became dedicated to surrounding ourselves with beauty, kind ness, character, integrity, honor, and goodness, we will no longer accept the mediocrity and crassness of the culture. It starts with us, our parenting, our fam ilies, and our workplaces. If many did this, it would
ed; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.
HealthONE colleagues, including doctors, nurses and staff, and members of local law enforcement invite community members to safely dispose of unused medications.
WHERE: Centennial Hospi tal, 14200 E Arapahoe Rd, Cen tennial, (collection area located in parking lot #3, south of main entrance of the hospital)
The Medical Center of Au rora, 1501 S. Potomac Street, Aurora, (collection area located in the parking lot north of the hospital on Potomac St. between E. Arkansas Dr. and E. Louisi ana Ave.)
North Suburban Medical Center
Thornton Police Depart ment, 9551 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, (collection area will
have a ripple effect. Perhaps our language and behavior will become less coarse and become filled with good
be in the parking lot in front of the Police Station)
Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, 2001 High St., Denver, (collection area near Emergency Department off 19th and High St.)
Rose Medical Center, 4567 E. 9th Ave, Denver, (collection area located at the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation en trance off 9th and Clermont)
Sky Ridge Medical Center, 10101 RidgeGate Parkway, Lone Tree, (collection area at the patient discharge area on the southeast side of the campus, near the Emergency Depart ment)
Swedish Medical Center, 501 E. Hampden, Englewood, (collection are located in parking lot located just south of the hos pital near the main circle drive way on Hampden)
ness and kindness, honor ing our collective humanity. joneen@myrelationship center.org
Brendon Lewis made head lines a few weeks ago. But it wasn’t because of anything the University of Colorado quarterback did in a game, or even on the field.
Lewis, who be gan his Buffaloes playing career in the second half of CU’s 55-23 shel lacking by Texas in the 2020 Alamo Bowl and was the Buffs starting quarterback in 2021, announced that he would enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. That means he’s taking his football and going some where else to play his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility.
Welcome to the club.
More than two dozen players have fled CU via the Portal since Lewis took his first snaps that December 29, including some of the Buffs’ top talent: leading rusher Jarek Broussard (to Michi gan State), top wide receiver Brendan Rice (to Southern Cal), No. 1 safety Mark Perry (to Texas Christian) and best cornerback Christian Gonza lez (to Oregon).
It’s just as bleak up in Fort Collins, where new Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell has seen more than a dozen scholarship players walk away since this season be gan, including Dante Wright, who had caught 120 passes for more than 1,600 yards and seven touchdowns in his Rams career, and another re ceiver, Melquan Stovall, who had followed Norvell from Nevada.
Most of the defectors have indicated they plan to go else where via the Portal.
It’s not just here, of course, and not just in football. All across America, college ath letes are exercising their “free
agency” rights in search of more playing time, a chance to be a starter, a winning pro gram or different (better?) coaches.
None, to my knowledge, have moved in hopes of finding better academics.
The NCAA Transfer Portal debuted in Octo ber 2018. It was created not for the benefit of athletes but to make ad ministrators’ lives easier. Turns out jumping ship can be complicated, especially for the universities.
An article in the Fall 2019 issue of the NCAA’s Champion Magazine described the Portal as a “compliance tool to system atically manage the transfer process from start to finish, add more transparency to the process among schools, and empower student-ath letes to make known their desire to consider other pro grams.”
Here’s how it works:
Once a “student-athlete” asks a compliance adminis trator to place his/her name in the Portal, the school has two days to submit the in formation. The school may reduce or suspend athlet ics-aid, such as a scholar ship, at the end of the term in which the athlete seeks to enter the Portal. If the “student-athlete” withdraws from the portal, the original school may return him/her to the roster and restore aid, if it chooses.
To switch without forfeit ing a year of intercollegiate eligibility, a “student-ath lete” in the so-called “major” sports (football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey) must request a waiver based on any of 11 criteria. The most common are “no
participation opportunity,” injury or illness to the indi vidual or a family member, financial hardship, death of a family member and diag nosis of an “education-im pacting” disability.
Whatever its intended purpose, the Portal has quickly become the equiva lent of free agency in profes sional sports.
In the Portal’s first year of operation, according to Champion Magazine, 15,000 student-athletes applied for transfers. Two-thirds were from Division I schools, about a quarter of them football players. Half of those were walk-ons hop ing to receive a scholarship offer.
In major college basket ball that first year, Champion reported, more than 700 players transferred, includ ing 324 to teams eligible for participation in March Mad ness. (The national college player of the year in 2022, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, had transferred from West Virginia.)
Those numbers have increased annually, which brings me back to this year’s crop that abandoned the CU and CSU football programs.
Schools that lose players after working so hard to recruit them may wish it wasn’t so easy now for a stu dent-athlete to jump ship. Fans certainly are chagrined when a starter departs— worse when it’s a star.
But, looking at it from the player’s point of view—and his parents’—I think the Transfer Portal is a good idea.
Everyone makes mis takes in life. If an 18-yearold chooses the wrong school for him or her, why shouldn’t he or she be al lowed to try to correct their mistake?
Many students attend more than one university before graduating. Hardly anyone works the same job their entire adult life.
Even professional ath letes have the opportunity to join a different team, or different teams, during their playing careers.
So, good luck Brendon Lewis, and all the other “student-athletes” who are hoping the grass really is greener on the other side of the ball.
Go behind the scenes as the Colorado Rockies come to life then win the official Coors Field opener in classic walkoff fashion in the 14th inning. And relive their greatest game and their greatest season, ending with Matt Holiday's head-first slide in the 13th - 12 years later.
Order online from Amazon.
Denny Dressman is a vet eran of 43 years in the news paper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 14 books, eight of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.
In 2011, the Greenwood Village City Council (GVCC) passed a city ordinance to make the powers, duties, and operation of its Arts and Hu manities Council (GVAHC) official. That law, unchanged in the past decade, says that, “Monies required for the op eration of the (Arts) Council shall come from donations, proceeds of fundraising events, and grants secured by the (Arts) Council, and held within the Arts and Hu manities Special Revenue Fund. The City Manager shall submit for consideration of the GVCC an annual budget within the Arts and Human ities Special Revenue Fund for the reasonable expenses of the (Arts) Council, which shall also contain an estimate of anticipated revenues for the next calendar year.”
The GVAHC began awarding merit-based col lege scholarships to talented high school seniors planning to major in fine arts back in 1986. Through 2022, 69 students have received the GVAHC scholarships. Of that total, 40 were GV residents and 29 lived elsewhere in Arapahoe County.
At the GVCC’s all-day workshop for the 2023 city budget, held on September 16, for which there is no audio recording or official minutes, the council decid ed to reject GVAHC’s rec ommendation that it award three scholarships in 2023 to deserving Arapahoe County residents as it did last year, and for which there is suffi cient money in the Arts and Humanities Special Revenue Fund, after expenses.
Although there is no offi cial record, GVCC apparently voted 7-1 to reduce the num ber of scholarships (of $5,000 each plus a $500 stipend to the school for its art program) to two and to not allow any student who does not live in GV to receive it.
When GVAHC members were told of the city council’s decision, several of them reached out to this newspaper, extremely upset and con fused. We, in turn, reached out to all the members of the city council to ask why they rejected GVAHC’s recom mendation. Only GV City Council Members Dave Ker ber, Dave Bullock, and Tom Stahl did not respond to our inquiry. On October 17, when five of the seven members of GVAHC appeared at the regular city council meeting to express their intense disap
pointment and bewilderment at what they said was the “appalling” and “insulting” decision made by GVCC, imploring them to re-examine it prior to voting on the 2023 budget, five members of the city council responded to the
not reconsider its plan to re ject the Arts Council’s recom mendation, she would resign her position. The following morning, she did just that.
arts commissioners. Kerber, Bullock and Stahl sat silent, offering the arts commis sioners no explanation or ac knowledgement of their con cerns before voting to pass the budget with the reduced amount of scholarship money and the policy decision that only GV residents were eligi ble for it.
GVAHC member Sandy Carson told the city council, “I have served on the arts council for seven years and have watched the cultural arts program increase in di versity and in attendance … One of the board’s major objectives is to enrich the community’s exposure to… the creative abilities of talent ed and skilled individuals… In keeping with our goal of the enrichment of culture…A very important aspect of… (GVAHC) is to provide schol arships for three students who are going to major in one of the fine arts in college.”
Pointing to the city coun cil’s decision, Carson said, “It is insulting for the city Council to reject (GVAHC’s) recommendations. We firmly object to the decision to re duce the number of scholar ships and limit them to only Greenwood Village residents. We have carefully considered the amount of money award ed for the scholarships.” She continued, “There was no rationale or explanation given by the city council for these restrictions. I find this partic ularly appalling (because) all monies for scholarships are derived from our earnings. City taxes are not involved in scholarship awards.”
Carson also pointed out that most of the applications come from outside GV, which is accurate. Then Carson told the city council that if it did
Catherine Huggins is in her eighth year on GVAHC and commended Ms. Carson for her strong advocacy for the arts, despite being ill with stage four cancer, then said, “We are truly upset that you decided during the budget workshop (to reject) our es tablished scholarship criteria, going directly against the wishes of the Arts and Hu manities Council…To change the criteria from allowing GVAHC to choose from the pool of the best high school seniors in all of Arapahoe County to only the graduating seniors of Greenwood Village residents is diminishing the intent of the scholarship. This scholarship is an outreach program that grows the GV arts and humanities base. The Arts Council aims to increase awareness of our program. We want to grow the arts community in GV and reach Arapahoe county. Unfortu
We want to grow the arts community in GV and reach Arapahoe county. Unfortunately, with your action, we are shutting down our best campaign.
I am asking you to give the choice back to the Arts Council. You have selected a group of leaders to lead the Arts Council, please let us do our job.”
nately, with your action, we are shutting down our best campaign. I am asking you to give the choice back to the Arts Council. You have selected a group of leaders to lead the Arts Council, please let us do our job. Please let us continue to fund three arts scholarships for high school seniors in Arapahoe County. Please let us use the money that the Arts Council gener ates with artist application fees for shows and from art sales, money that is com ing from outside of our city boundaries, that we in turn can use for good without concern of a city boundary. Scholarships are a good thing, please don’t make this an issue and hurt students and schools with your actions.” She concluded with, “Our neighbors reach beyond the boundaries of our city. We
need to cultivate our friends in this greater community and continue to grow by including all the Arapahoe County high schools. Please consider a bit of grace and allow us the opportunity to present three scholarships next spring.”
Kathleen Smith, former principal of Cherry Creek High School, who has been on GVAHC since 2019, said that it was her un derstanding that the cur rent policy of allowing students from throughout Arapahoe County to apply for scholarships arose because there were not enough students who live in GV who would qualify for it. Based on her long experi ence, she de termined that there would likely be about ten students each school year who are GV residents and plan to major in fine arts in college. As she pointed out, however, “That doesn’t mean they have talent and this is a merit scholar ship.” In fact, of the 27 ap plicants for the scholarship in 2021, only two were GV residents.
Alissandra Seelaus, Visu al Arts Teacher and National Art Honor Society Sponsor at Cherry Creek High School in GV, was unable to attend the meeting, but sent along a letter that was read to the city council. It said, “The Greenwood Village Arts Council Scholarship has been a long-standing tradition, earned by dozens of Cherry Creek High School (CCHS) students, including myself, in 2005, and several of my students in more recent years now that I teach art at Creek. I have been delighted to observe that the amount of the award has expanded in the years since I received it to honor more young artists with scholarships that are also commensurate with the rising
cost of higher education, and hearing that this important progress will be rolled back was deeply discouraging.”
She went on, “The idea of excluding CCHS stu dents who attend school in Greenwood Village but live outside its bound aries feels unnecessary and cruel. While at best, the policy appears short sighted and exclusive, at its worst, it carries racist undertones. Many low er-income students of color are bussed in from Glen dale to attend Creek, and these are precisely the students who could benefit most from an accessible, local scholar ship like this one. Eighty percent of the young artists in my AP Studio class this year have expressed interest in pursuing the arts in college and/or pro fessionally, and the class is also major ity-minori ty, and has been for the past few years. The idea that some of these students would be ineligible for this scholarship (most likely, the ones who need it most) based on city boundary, something so inconsequential, seems counterintuitive to the purpose of the scholarship in the first place. I sincerely hope a closer look is taken at the logic behind these recent choices and that the council considers restoring the schol arship to its former glory and accessibility.”
Jack Huggins, Youth At Large member of GVAHC said, “I am honored to be part of the Greenwood Village Arts Council. I attend Den ver School of the Arts. This is my 7th year in an art only school. I was on the Arts and Humanities Board this past Spring and was impressed by the selection process and the candidates for the schol arship. Please don’t reduce
“It is insulting for the city Council to reject (GVAHC’s) recommendations. I find this particularly appalling (because) all monies for scholarships are derived from our earnings. City taxes are not involved in scholarship awards.”
– Sandy Carson
– Catherine Huggins
“The idea of excluding CCHS students who attend school in Greenwood Village but live outside its boundaries feels unnecessary and cruel. While at best, the policy appears shortsighted and exclusive, at its worst, it carries racist undertones. Many lower-income students of color are bussed in from Glendale to attend Creek, and these are precisely the students who could benefit most from an accessible, local scholarship like this one. Eighty percent of the young artists in my AP Studio class this year have expressed interest in pursuing the arts in college and/or professionally, and the class is also majority-minority, and has been for the past few years.”
– Alissandra Seelaus
the number of scholarships and the pool of applicants.”
Sam Lang ley-Haw thorne read a letter from his mother, Clare Lang ley-Haw thorne, GVAHC Chair who was out of the country and unable to at tend the meet ing. It said, “I am pro foundly disap pointed in the city council’s decision to cut the budget allocation for our arts scholarship program and restrict eligibility to only those students who are Green wood Village residents. Not only will this have a damag ing impact on the viability of the scholarship, it also demonstrates a lack of re spect, support, and confidence in the arts council itself…
– Henry Siegelresidents of surrounding communi ties support, attend and participate in GVAHC and Curtis Center activities.
Further, it builds barri ers to access, to further art education rather than supporting the arts coun cil’s mission to support talented high school seniors looking to pursue a col lege degree in the visual, performing and literary arts. I urge City Council to reconsider their budget decision and follow the recommendations of GVAHC.”
activity pro grams certain ly, including music, art, and sports. Certainly, council can find $5,000 from that sum to retain the third schol arship… The greatness of a commu nity is most accurately measured by the compas sionate actions of its mem bers. I think it’s in GV’s best interests to be known for its generosity, especially in re gard to our children, our stu dents, and our future. Let all students in the schools in our district be eligible for the Arts Council scholarship.”
5 members of GVCC chose to respond to the arts commissioners.
understand.” She also told them that, in her opinion, they “pick great candi dates to win those schol arships… no question about it.”
All of our art scholarships are funded directly from artist fees raised from art sales, art show submission and applica tion fees, as well as donations received at the Curtis Center. These artist fees come from a broad pool of Colorado residents within and beyond Arapahoe County. Restricting the art scholarships to stu dents who live in Greenwood Village sends a message to the local community that we do not want to assist or encourage students beyond our city borders, even though
Henry Siegel, GVAHC member since 2018, asked the council to kindly explain why they were insisting on removing one of the three scholarships and requiring recipients to be residents, noting that, “It has been reported that Greenwood Vil lage has or will be receiving a windfall of $628,677 as a result of the sale of the Den ver Broncos through a lease agreement. It stipulates that these funds be used for youth
Council Member Donna Johnston said, in part, “It’s not our role to pay for anything outside of our city that doesn’t benefit us,” adding, as she spoke directly to the GVAHC members who were there, “I’m disap pointed that you (GVAHC) just simply cannot understand that the scholarships really need to be for Greenwood Village residents… You do great work, so I’m saddened that this is so hard for you to
After not ing that, “The GVAHC has obviously attracted ad ditional artists and we’ve expanded our programming,” GVCC member Libby Bar nacle said to the commis sioners, “You serve at our will, at our pleasure. You are appointed by city council… You are expected to cooperate and work with and commu nicate with council… It is the city who is funding and hosting these things. It’s not a separate rev enue stream that GVAHC raises and is in control of.”
Referring to the September 8 letter from GVAHC to the council in which they offered to reserve one of the three schol arships for a GV resident, Barnacle said that it was “in sulting,” explaining, “No, no, no, that’s not how this rela tionship works. I mean, thank you for your opinion, but this is city money and we are elected to be stewards of city money. It is equally as insult ing to be alluded to as being racist (referring to a statement
in the letter from the Cherry Creek High School visual arts teacher who won this scholarship in 2005; she is not a member of the GVAHS) because we choose to keep this money in the city. That is equally as insulting and disappointing. By way of education, it’s (GVAHS) not a separate advisory board to city council.”
Council Member Paul Wi esner wanted to know about the budget for the GVAHC. GV Finance Director Shawn Cordesen informed him that “the proposed expenditures for 2023 are $27,550, how ever the associated revenue is $33,050.” Wiesner pointed out that that didn’t include the cost of “police, trash pick-up or staging.” Suzanne Moore, director of parks, trails and recreation, added that, SCFD funds (The Science Cultural Facilities District), which are about $70,000, pay the direct costs of the annual Arts on the Green program.
Council Member Judy Hilton turned and looked back at the GVAHC members and said, “Maybe the criteria by which you make the deci sion of who will be awarded scholarship money—maybe it’s a little bit off.”
Council Member Anne In gebretsen told the arts com missioners that she agreed with their position but that she was in the minority.
On October 17, Green wood Village City Council passed its 2023 budget, including an expected $6.4 million surplus in its general fund. That budget also in cluded data that showed that, as of September 2022, GV anticipated collecting $4 mil lion more in sales tax in 2022 than the amount contained in its most recent amended budget.
Residents of the Landmark Towers, who had hoped to be included in the city’s trash and recycling program begin ning last January, again came to the city council meeting to try to find out why they continue to be excluded.
One spoke. Kara Plender addressed the council, “I am a taxpayer, here tonight with other taxpayers who live at the Landmark Towers, to ask
you to right a wrong. Cur rently, the Landmark Towers taxpayers are being unjustly denied the same trash and recycling benefits of other taxpayers in GV. We all pay the same mill levy. We’ve been told that multifamily communities are excluded from the trash and recycling benefits but that is false.”
She continued, “GV has served Roundtree (Townho mes) and Hermitage (Con dominiums) for years, and has wrongfully discriminated against The Landmark in excluding us…In 2022, the city also began servicing Georgetown Townhomes and Caley Ponds, also multifam ily units. We ask that this discriminatory practice stop and you begin (providing) recycling and trash services for the Landmark Towers.”
Plender pointed out that, “The 2023 general fund budget has a surplus in the millions,” then said that,
since GV has refused to provide the same services to Landmark that it does to other multifamily commu nities, Landmark had asked Waste Connections, the city’s contractor for trash and re cycling, for a proposal for the property. It was around $50,000 for a year. Noting that amount, Plender pointed out, “It’s not a money issue, when you have a surplus like that. We are purely being discriminated against. There is no reason or justification for excluding us. On behalf of the taxpayers in The Land mark, I am asking that the councilmembers from district two (Dave Kerber and Anne Ingebretsen) reconsider and make a motion to amend the (2023) budget to include trash and recycling services for The Landmark Towers.”
Plender continued, “It’s just wrong. We have about 271 units at The Landmark and 1.7 voters per unit. If this
isn’t going to work, then we would like to have a refund of about $50,000 paid back to The Landmark so we can pay for trash and recycling.
Neither Kerber, Inge bretsen, nor anyone else on the council responded to Ms. Plender, nor made any mention about the issue she raised before they vot ed unanimously to pass the budget as originally drafted a short time later.
We previously reported on this issue last January, when over 150 residents of the Landmark Towers presented a petition to the city council asking to be included in the city’s trash and recycling program. At a study session on January 3, 2022, city staff told the council it would cost $30,000 to do so.
Council Member Anne Ingebretsen, supported the residents, telling fellow coun cil members, “I’ve never been comfortable with the notion
of different levels of services for different citizens,” noting that it creates “a feeling of inequity.”
Council Members Donna Johnston, Judy Hilton and Libby Barnacle all ques tioned whether the city “could afford” to provide the service to the Landmark residents.
Council Members Dave Bullock and Paul Wiesner did not agree that there was a question of whether it was affordable, but that, according to Wiesner, “Using equity as a criterion is a dangerous, bad path to go down.” The dis cussion ended abruptly when Mayor George Lantz asked the council whether they wished to proceed consider ing the question and Council Member Dave Kerber, along with Barnacle, Johnston, Hil ton and Wiesner, who togeth er comprise a majority of the eight-member city council, said no.
fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
“It has been reported that Greenwood Village has or will be receiving a windfall of $628,677 as a result of the sale of the Denver Broncos through a lease agreement. It stipulates that these funds be used for youth activity programs certainly, including music, art, and sports. Certainly, council can find $5,000 from that sum to retain the third scholarship…”
“It’s not our role to pay for anything outside of our city that doesn’t benefit us. ...I’m disappointed that you (GVAHC) just simply cannot understand that the scholarships really need to be for Greenwood Village residents…”
– Donna Johnston
“You serve at our will, at our pleasure. You are appointed by city council… You are expected to cooperate and work with and communicate with council.”
– Libby Barnacle
“Maybe the criteria by which you make the decision of who will be awarded scholarship money— maybe it’s a little bit off.”
– Judy Hilton
The 46th Annual L’Esprit de Noël Holiday Home Tour, presented by the Joseph-Haarer Group at LIV | So theby’s International Realty, returns in-person after two years as a virtual event.
This much anticipated walking tour takes place Friday, November 18th and Saturday, November 19th, from 10am to 4pm in the beautiful Glenmoor Country Club neighbor hood. Five magnificent and architecturally diverse homes will be festively decorated by ten talented local florists and table designers.
One of Denver’s signature holiday events since 1976, the popular fundraiser benefits the historic Central City Opera and its edu cation programs, which reach 40,000 people every year. Co-Chairs Louise Atkinson and Katie Grassby, longtime Central City Opera Guild members, are expecting a big turn out this year.
“We are thrilled that L’Esprit is back after a two-year hiatus and that our homeowners have so graciously opened up their homes to showcase the designers’ incredible talents,” says Katie.
As her family have called Glenmoor Country Club home since 2000, Louise knew that the Cherry Hills enclave would provide the perfect backdrop for this holiday tour.
“Glenmoor is a special and intimate community only minutes from the
hustle and bustle of the city,” says Louise. “We look forward to welcoming you to our neigh borhood and hope that you will walk away inspired for the holiday season.”
In addition to the home tour, the Central City Opera Guild will be hosting a holiday bou tique and ticketed luncheon in Glenmoor Country Club’s Clubhouse on Saturday only. Tour goers can enjoy a buffet lunch during one of two seating times, then shop at the boutique for unique gifts made and curated by local Colorado vendors.
“L’Esprit serves as the perfect kick-off to the holiday season and is a fun way to spend the day with friends, while getting into the spirit of giving,” says Louise.
To celebrate the 2022 tour, a ticketed Donor Appreciation/Patron party –‘Twas the Night Before – will be held at Shaver-Ramsey Fine & Custom Rugs on Thursday, November 17th. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and guests will be treated to festive holiday music from some of Central City Opera’s talented artists.
Tickets for L’Esprit de Noël Home Tour are available in advance for $50 for the Friday or Saturday tour, or $100 for the tour and Saturday lunch (limited availability).
Tickets
didn’t see It when I took the picture. It was just an old window in the back of an abandoned house
the nearly de serted mining town just up the hill from Victor. Nor did I see it right away when the photos came back from the lab—it was just a white blob in one of the broken panes of glass.
I turned the slide on its side—and gasped. A man with wire-rimmed glasses was star ing back at me.
of the first friends to see the slide confirmed my
suspicion. “Have you ever seen a ghost?” he asked. No, I replied. “Well, you have now.” I wanted to agree with him—I love ghost stories and tales of the weird and unex plained—but still, I tried to find a rational explanation. I couldn’t. It wasn’t a double exposure—my camera, an old Nikon FTN, prevented such things. Nor was it the image of a real person—I was alone while my boyfriend explored the old fire station next door. Maybe, I thought, the face was the reflection of some clouds, or some kind
of white gunk on the glass, or something behind the win dow. A return visit ruled those out. The pane reflected off the ground; a plank of wood leaned against it on the other side, and a picture taken from the inside looking out showed the glass to be relatively clear.
For the next several years, the face became part of the Halloween lesson plans for my ninth-grade students in the 1970s, the spark for them to write their own spooky stories. And then the mystery deepened, darkened. A former student who’d since become
a friend dropped by with her fiancé one evening and mentioned the ghost picture, which led me to drag out the old projector so Gary could see it. Susie’s reaction to it was dramatic, and though she tried to laugh it off, she was pale and shaking.
She phoned early the next day to tell me about her dream. “I was in the old house by that window. Then three men showed up and said it was time to go. They took me to the back of that old Chris tian Science church in Victor and gave me an operation…an
abortion. I was in a bathtub… and I knew I was dying. Then they carried me downstairs to the basement. And buried me… I kept telling them I wasn’t dead yet, but they covered me over anyway with loose dirt and leaves and left me… It was so real…it didn’t feel like a dream….”
At that point, I suggest ed that we go to Colorado Springs one day soon to visit Clara, an old lady who’d grown up across the street from the ghost house. We’d talked on the phone, but she’d
never seen the picture. Her casual reaction wasn’t what I’d expected. “Well, my word… It looks a little like George, the old man who lived there, but also a little like my father and mother.”
the face remains unidenti fied, and what she told us next still gives me creepy shivers.
to know if there was any factual basis for Susie’s dream, I asked if anything bad had ever hap pened at the Christian Science church. “Oh no, not that I know of. But it wasn’t just a church. At one time it also had apartments, some of the nicest in Victor.” Which could explain the bathtub. “Well did anything bad ever happen in Goldfield?” I continued.
She paused, shocked. “Oh my God…I haven’t thought about this in years. There was an old abandoned store that us kids had to pass on our way to school. We were so afraid of it that we’d run past it or go three blocks out of our way to avoid it. The story was that a young girl got in trouble-got pregnant--and her mother gave her an abortion and bur ied her in the basement before she was dead. Just covered her over with leaves and stuff. Some of her friends found her right when she was dying.”
It was only then, after a a few moments of stunned si lence, that we told her Susie’s dream.
Editor’s note: I was one of those ninth-grade students that saw that haunting photo graph and wanted to publish the story after Sandy discov ered all the facts.
In a few weeks, Colorado voters will be asked to choose a candidate for gov ernor, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer, along with a United States Senator, Congressperson, and, in Arap ahoe County, along with many others, county clerk, treasurer, assessor, and cor oner. Some residents will also choose a county commissioner.
Once they’ve made it through all those choices, Coloradans statewide will be asked to say yes or no on 11 ballot ques tions that involve hundreds of millions of dollars.
Six of the questions were brought to the voters by Colorado citizens. They are called propositions and they are numbered 121 through 126.
Proposition 121 asks voters if our state income tax should be reduced from 4.55% to 4.40%. The state income tax, enacted in 1937, had graduated rates as high as 8% until 1987, when it was changed to a flat rate of 5%, regardless of income level. It has remained as a flat tax, but the rate has been reduced several times, beginning in 1999. Under this proposal, a Coloradan earning $60,000 per year would save $90. One earning $500,000 would save $750.
Proposition 122 would make mushrooms, sometimes called magic mushrooms, that occur in nature and con tain the hallucinogenic psi locybin, legal for those who are 21 and over. It would also assign responsibility to the state to “establish a natural medicine regulated access program for super vised care,” and require the department of regulatory agencies to “implement the program and comprehensive ly regulate natural medicine to protect public health and safety,” including creating an advisory board to advise the department, “as to the imple mentation of the program.” It would also provide, “spec ified protections under state law, including criminal and civil immunity, for authorized providers and users of natural medicine; and, in limited cir cumstances, allow the retro active removal and reduction of criminal penalties related to the possession, use, and sale of natural medicine.”
Five of the ballot questions have come to the voters from the general assembly. They are called amendments and they are desig nated with letters of the alphabet. Those that have a single letter designation would make chang es to our state’s Constitution, so they require a 55% majority of the vote to be adopted. Those with a double-letter designation would change state law, so they only re quire a majority (50% plus one) vote to be adopted.
The three Constitutional amendments are:
Amendment D simply di rects the Colorado governor to appoint judges to the new 23rd Judicial District. This new district was created in 2020 to separate Arapahoe County from the other three counties in the 18th Judicial District, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln, because Arapahoe has many more cases than the other three combined. This Amendment is basically an administrative task required to get the new judicial district set up because it won’t work without judges.
Amendment E extends the property tax exemption that is available to Colora dans’ 65 and over, as well as disabled veterans, to the surviving spouse of a U.S. military veteran who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related injury or disease. The ex emption creates a deduction of 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value of a home in determining the property tax due, thus the property tax for an $800,000 home for anyone who qualifies, if this is passed, would be calculat ed as though it were worth $700,000, etc.
Proposition 123 proposes to use 0.1% of state income tax collected from individuals, corporations, trusts and estates for various programs that support affordable housing, including financing, land for development of affordable housing, programs that sup port affordable home owner ship, local governments’ plan ning capacity, and programs that serve persons experienc ing homelessness. It has been estimated that this program would gen erate $135 million in its first year for the State Affordable Housing Fund, however it comes from taxes already being collected, so it does not raise taxes.
Proposition 125 would al low grocery stores and con venience stores to sell wine Presently, they can only sell beer.
Amendment F repeals the state Constitutional prohibition against allow ing managers and opera tors of charitable gaming activities (e.g., church bingo) to be paid for their services. It also allows char ities to be able to obtain a gaming license after being in existence for at least three years, instead of the five years required by our state Constitution presently.
Proposition 124 proposes to allow retail liquor stores to open additional locations on a phased-in schedule so that, by 2037, there would be no limit on the number of lo cations a liquor retail store could have. Until 2016, retail liquor stores could have only one location. A 2017 statute created a path to grow that number from one to four over 10 years. This ballot issue eventually removes limits on the number of locations.
Proposition 126 would permit third-party delivery services of food like Uber Eats and Door Dash, that use aps, to deliver alcoholic beverages to those who are over 21 years old and have a valid ID. In July 2020, when the COVID pan demic caused many restaurants and bars to be closed to the public, it be came legal for them to deliver alcoholic bever ages directly, but that law expired in July 2021 and it didn’t include third-party de livery aps.
Proposition FF would increase state income taxes on Colorado’s highest earners to pay for the cost of making all school lunches in public schools state wide free of charge. The additional income tax would be paid by single people who earn at least $300,000 and married couples filing jointly who earn at least $300,000 combined. It could cost couples who meet the income threshold up to $2000 per year and single people up to $819 per year. The additional income tax would bring in just over $100 million annually. Besides paying for school lunches directly, the program would also en courage the use of grants for 1) paying school lunchroom employees more money and 2) emphasizing Colorado-grown food products.
Proposition GG would require that a ballot initiative that proposes changing Colora do’s income tax system from its present flat rate (currently 4.55%) to varying rates, depending on income levels, include a table “showing the average tax change for tax filers in different income categories.” In other words, it would do the math for you.
The Colorado Secretary of State reminds us that there will be more than 400 drop boxes available to leave your completed ballots once they begin arriv ing in the mail on October 17. Beginning one week later, on October 24, there will also be 350 voting centers available around the state for those who pre fer to cast their ballot that way. Locations and hours for voting centers and drop boxes can be found at GoVoteColorado.gov. or from your county clerk.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
In 2020, a new law created the 23rd ju dicial district out of three of the four counties that were part of the 18th ju dicial district. A yes vote allows the governor to reassign judges presently in the 18th to the 23rd Same judges, same cases. A no vote jeopardizes these judges’ jobs.
Extend home stead exemption to Gold Star families - YES
This is a gesture to honor Gold Star families that won’t cost the government much since it is a limited exemption for a relatively small group of people.
Allows charitable organizations who have been in exis tence for at least
three years to hold gaming events and pay the people who staff them
Raises state income taxes $100 million on individuals or couples who earn $300,000 or more to provide free school lunches to all public school students from K-12 across the state, regardless of income level. A no vote keeps in place the current system of providing free or reduced-cost lunch es to students from low-income families and doesn’t raise taxes on anyone.
Requires proponents of citizen-initiated measures to change individual income tax rates to include a table showing the financial impact of the proposed change to taxpayers in spec ified income groups.
Why not?
Reduces the state income tax from 4.55% to 4.40%. Since the tax is a flat rate, the high er one’s income, the more benefit, e.g., it would save someone who earns $60,000 a total of $90, but someone earning $600,000 would save $900.
It would decrease state revenue to pay for schools, roads, health care, etc. We already have TABOR to protect against the state collecting more than it needs.
Allows those over 21 to get “magic mushrooms” to treat psychiatric disorder legally. While this medicine may well be beneficial for those with certain disorders, the cost of the bureaucracy to regulate it may outweigh the neces sity of this treatment compared to others that are already available.
Everyone agrees that there is a dire shortage of housing, especially afford able housing in our state, but waiting for developers to provide it on their own isn’t solving the problem. This would put necessary funds into building afford able housing with out raising taxes.
Under current law, liquor stores will be allowed four lo cations after 2026. This would change that to an unlimited number of locations, but not until 2037. Why would we de cide something 15 years in advance of when it will hap pen?
With the pending merger of the two remaining major grocery chains in Colorado (Kroger and Albertson’s/ Safeway), allowing them to also sell wine could well be a slippery slope to eliminating liquor stores as a small business while elim inating competition for everything that is sold in grocery stores.
Businesses are open again and liquor store employees are well-trained to check IDs of pur chasers to make sure they are 21 or over. Alcoholism is a problem in this country. Why make it easier to get al cohol from the com fort of one’s home and rely on delivery drivers who are not trained to ensure that they are not providing alcohol to minors?
HCA Healthcare’s Con tinental Division, which in cludes HealthONE in Denver, CO and Wesley Healthcare in Wichita, KS announced that Sylvia Young, President and CEO, will retire at the end of the year after a 35-year career with the company.
Young began her career as an Assistant Administrator at Aurora Presbyterian Hospital before it became known as The Medical Center of Auro ra where she was ultimately promoted to CEO in 1998. Following her success in that
NOTICE OF 2023 BUDGET HEARING
COUNTRY HOMES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, PARCELS A AND B ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to §29-1-106, C.R.S., as amended, that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Country Homes Metropolitan District, Parcels A and B, Arapahoe County, Colorado, for calendar year 2023. A copy of said proposed Budget is on file in the office of Collins Cole Flynn Winn & Ulmer, PLLC, 165 S. Union Blvd., Suite 785, Lakewood, Colorado, telephone number (720) 617-0080, where the same is available for inspection, by appointment only, by the public Monday through Friday during normal business hours, (i.e. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Country Homes Metropolitan District, Parcels A and B, will consider the adoption of the proposed 2023 Budget at a public hearing to be conducted at a special meeting of the District’s Board of Directors to be held at 13 Sunset Drive, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.
Any interested elector of the Country Homes Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed 2023 Budget and file or register any objec tions or comments thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.
Dated this 18th day of October, 2022.
COUNTRY HOMES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Charles H. Kurtz President
Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2023 has been submitted to the INOVA Aero Metropolitan District (“District”). Such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 9:00 a.m. on November 7, 2022 via telephone and videoconfer ence. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 1-650-479-3208 and enter passcode 2598 369 3619. To attend by videoconference use the following URL: https://spencerfane.webex.com/spencerfane/j.php?MTID =m1acc153d01df2baf31e61e116d62cc35.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an amendment to the 2022 budget of the District may also be considered at the above-referenced meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District. A copy of the proposed 2023 budget and the amended 2022 budget, if required, are available for public inspection at the offices of Spencer Fane LLP, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver Colorado. Please contact Robin A. Navant by email at rnavant@spencerfane.com or by telephone at 303-839-3800 to make arrangements to inspect the budget(s) prior to visiting the foregoing office. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to final adoption of the 2023 budget and the amended 2022 budget, if required, file or register any objections thereto.
INOVA AERO METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
/s/ Kevin Kelley, President
in The Villager
Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10881
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners of the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority for the ensuing year of 2023. That a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Centennial Airport, where same is open for public inspection. That such proposed budget will be con-
role, she was named CEO and Market President of the Sunrise Health System in Las Vegas, Nevada before being asked to return to Denver as the Continental Division President, a role Young has held for the last 10 years.
Young’s focus on quality, service and financial perfor mance has resulted in the Continental Division, includ ing HealthONE in Denver, being named one of the Top 5 Health Systems in the Unit ed States by IBM Watson Health, among other acco
lades. In addition, her dedica tion to quality has produced a number of innovations that have been scaled across HCA Healthcare.
An active member of the community, Young has served on a number of notfor-profit boards throughout her career including Colorado Concern and the Denver Cen ter for the Performing Arts. She also currently serves as a member American Hospital Association Board of Trust ees
Teaching, board service
and travel will be among Young’s new priorities fol lowing her retirement.
A search for Young’s re placement is underway.
HealthONE, as part of the HCA Healthcare Continental Division, was named the top health system in the state by IBM Watson Health and our system was named one of the top five large health systems in the country. HealthONE and HCA Healthcare have also been named 12 consec utive times by Ethisphere as a World’s Most Ethical Company and two consecu tive years as a LinkedIn Top Company.
sidered at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority to be held at 7565 South Peoria Street on December 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
The budget hearing will be conducted as a Virtual Public Meeting via GoTo Meeting, in order to view the board meeting or participate in the public hearing visit the following link and follow the instructions to join the meeting: https://centennialairport.com/virtual-boardroom
Any interested elector of Arapahoe County or Douglas County may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto prior to the final adoption of the budget.
Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022
Legal # 10882
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Arapahoe Lake Public Park District, Arapahoe County, State of Colorado, will consider a proposed 2023 budget and, if necessary, an amended 2022 budget. A copy of such proposed 2023 budget and amended 2022 budget have been filed in the office of Seter & Vander Wall, P.C., 7400 E. Orchard Road, Suite 3300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. The proposed 2023 budget and, if necessary, the amended 2022 budget will be considered at a public hearing at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 via Zoom videoconferencing platform. Any interested elector within Arapahoe Lake Public Park District may inspect the proposed 2023 budget and amended 2022 budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the proposed 2023 budget and, if necessary, the amended 2022 budget.
To access meeting, visit www.zoom.us, click the Join Meeting link, and type in the follow Meeting ID and Passcode: Meeting ID:880 0928 7498 Passcode:677026
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARAPAHOE LAKE PUBLIC PARK DISTRICT
By:/s/ SETER & VANDER WALL, P.C. Attorneys for the District Board
Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10883
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2022 BUDGET, IF NECESSARY, FOR BENNETT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 7
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Bennett Fire Protection District (“District”) for the ensuing year of 2023; that copies of the proposed 2023 Budget and amended 2022 budget, if necessary, have been filed in the office of the District at 355 4th Street, Bennett, Colorado 80102, where the same are open for public inspection; and that adoption of a Resolution to adopt the proposed 2023 Budget and 2022 amended budget, if necessary, will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 7 p.m. at the District’s Office located at 355 4th Street, Bennett, Colorado. The meeting will also be available electronically through Zoom. Members of the public may attend in person or may contact 720-893-7671 up to one hour before the start of the meeting for instructions on joining through Zoom. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolution to Adopt the 2023 Budget, or amend the 2022 budget, if necessary, inspect the budgets and file or register any objections thereto.
Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10884
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND HEARING CASTLEWOOD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the CASTLEWOOD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT for the ensuing year of 2023.A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a hearing at the regular meeting of the Castlewood Water and Sanitation District to be held at 8 A.M., on Friday, November 11, 2022. The meeting will be held at Mangia Bevi Cafe, 6363 S. Fiddlers Green Circle, Greenwood Village, Colorado. Any interested elector within the Castlewood Water and Sanitation District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2023 budget.
By: /s/ ICENOGLE | SEAVER | POGUE A Professional Corporation Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10885
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that proposed budgets have been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Copperleaf Metropolitan District Nos. 1 and 3-9 (the “Districts”) for the ensuing year of 2023. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2022 budgets of the Districts. Copies of the proposed 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, CO 80112, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets will be considered at regular meetings of the Districts to be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
You can attend the meeting in any of the following ways: 1. To attend via Zoom videoconference, use the following link, or e-mail csorensen@specialdistrictlaw.com to have the link e-mailed to you: www. us02web.zoom.us/j/81779438975?pwd=Vzl6R1NHVnJ0cDlMOX NBeENMeGpRdz09
2. To attend via telephone, dial 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following additional information: (a) Meeting ID:817 7943 8975 (b) Passcode:362027
Any interested elector within the Districts may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2023 budgets or the 2022 amended budgets, inspect the 2023 budgets and the 2022 amended budgets and file or register any objections thereto.
COPPERLEAF METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1 AND 3-9 /s/ Paula J. Williams McGEADY BECHER P.C.
Attorneys for the Districts
in The Villager
October 27, 2022
# 10886
Colorado’s decline not as steep as nation’s 16.9% drop in new vehicle sales
The Colorado Automo bile Dealers Association (CADA) released its Third Quarter 2022 “Colorado Auto Outlook,” reporting the new vehicle market de clined 14.5% in the first nine months of 2022, versus the same period in 2021. Com paratively, Colorado's Third Quarter decline in new vehi cle registrations fared better than the U.S. market, which declined 16.9% through the same period.
The light truck market (including SUVs, pickups and vans) held an 86.4% dominant share of the total
Colorado vehicle market. Meanwhile, registrations were down 13.8% in the Third Quarter on 138,119 light trucks sold, versus 160,158 for the same period last year.
The new car market share made up 13.6% of the total Colorado vehicle market on 21,808 registrations, versus 26,851 in the same peri od last year, for a drop of 18.8%.
Hybrid Vehicle market share increased to 8.7% in the Third Quarter 2022 on 13,959 registrations, versus 12,924 in the same period
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2022 BUDGET
COPPERLEAF METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2 ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Copperleaf Metropolitan District No. 2 (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2023.The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2022 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2023 budget and 2022 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., 304 In verness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, CO 80112, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2023 budget and 2022 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 7 p.m.
You can attend the meeting in any of the following ways: 1. To attend via Zoom videoconference, use the following link, or e-mail csorensen@specialdistrictlaw.com to have the link e-mailed to you: www. us02web.zoom.us/j/87185759682?pwd=SHVFNHBnMU94QjBVa
UNYamZUeHlLQT09
2. To attend via telephone, dial 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following additional information: (a) Meeting ID:871 8575 9682 (b). Passcode:786511
Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2023 budget or the 2022 amended budget, inspect the 2023 budget and the 2022 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.
COPPERLEAF METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2
/s/ Paula J. Williams McGEADY BECHER P.C.
for the District
in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022
# 10887
EAST VIRGINIA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
2022 BUDGET
PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the necessity has arisen to amend the East Virginia Village Metropolitan District 2022 Budget and that proposed 2023 Budges have been submitted to the Board of Directors of the East Virginia Village Metropolitan Dis trict; and that copies of the proposed Amended 2022 Budget and 2023 Budget have been filed at the District’s offices, 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado, where the same is open for public in spection; and that adoption of Resolutions Amending the 2022 Budget and Adopting the 2023 Budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. This District Board meeting will be held via Zoom without any individuals (neither Board Representatives nor the general public) attending in person.
VMWTJFZjFHdz09
Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolutions to Amend the 2022
adopt the 2023
2021, for an eight percent, year-over-year, increase.
Battery Electric Vehi cles (BEV) market share reached 7.2% in the Third Quarter 2022 on 11,458 registrations, versus 8,120 in the same period 2021, a 41 percent, year-over-year, increase.
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) market share was 2.4% in the Third Quarter 2022 on 3,803 registrations, versus 3,165 registrations in the same period 2021, a 20 percent, year-over-year, increase.
CADA President Tim Jackson said, "The good news is Colorado's new vehicle market continues to outperform the U.S. mar ket. Other positives are a continuing pent up demand for new vehicles, along with expected improvement in the automotive supply
chain in the next 12 months, which can encourage manu facturers to lower prices on new vehicles to move more sales. On the flip side of the coin, we expect that surging inflation, elevated interest rates, higher gas prices, and a weakening in consumer sentiment may continue to put pressure on new vehicle sales. Historically, we know that a sagging economy puts the brakes on new vehicle sales.”
The top five selling brands in Colorado include Toyota which leads with a 14.8% market share, fol lowed by Ford (11.6%), Subaru (8.8%), Chevrolet (6.4%) and Jeep (6.3%).
Market share for the top
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND NOTICE CONCERNING BUDGET AMENDMENTS MANSFIELD HEIGHTS WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2023 has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Mansfield Heights Water and Sanitation District that such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a public hearing during a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the District to be held via zoom/audio at 3:30 p.m., on October 27, 2022.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that amendment to the 2022 budget of the District, if necessary, may also be considered at a public hearing held during the above-referenced regular meeting of the Board of Directors.
A Copy of proposed 2023 budget and, if necessary, the proposed amendments of the 2020 and 2021 budgets are on file in the office of the District located at Community Resource Services of Colorado, LLC, 7995 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E, Greenwood Village, Colorado and are available for public inspection.
Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections to the proposed 2023 budget and the proposed amendments of the 2020 and 2021 budgets at any time prior to the final adoption of said budget and proposed budget amendments by the governing body of the District.
Dated: October 18, 2022
BY ORDER OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE MANSFIELD HEIGHTS WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT /s/ COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES OF COLORADO, L.L.C.
Published in The Villager Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10889
PROJECT: Decorative Italian Lights Replacement & Refurbishment
LOCATION: E. Orchard Road & Greenwood Plaza Boulevard Greenwood Village, CO
PROJECT NO.: 65418383 X9
VOLUNTARY PRE-BID
CONFERENCE: None will be provided for this project
BID DATE AND TIME: December 2, 2022 at 10:00 A.M.
OWNER: Greenwood Metropolitan District 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150 Denver, CO 80228
ENGINEER: MERRICK & COMPANY Mr. Barney J. Fix, P.E. 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (303) 751-0741
inspect
five selling models in the state are the Ford F-Series (4.3%), Toyota RAV4 (4%), Ram Pickup (3.9%) and Chevrolet Silverado (2.8%).
Among top-selling brands in the state, Genesis led with the largest registration increase at 45.8%, followed by Maserati at 39.1% and Tesla at 28.9%.
Used vehicle registra tions in Colorado were down 11.8%, less than the 14.5% decrease in the new vehicle market. Late-model used vehicles are defined as those models that are seven years old or newer.
The Colorado Auto Outlook was prepared for CADA by Auto Outlook, Inc., an independent auto motive market research firm in Exton, Pennsylvania. All data represent new retail registrations in Colorado and excludes fleet transac tions.
For more information, contact Tim Jackson at 303282-1448; or email tim jackson@colorado.auto.
electronically.
All Bids shall give unit prices for change order use; however, the Bid will be Lump Sum.
Bids may not be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) calendar days after the Bid date and time. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive any errors or irregularities, and to require statements or evidence of Bidders’ qualifications including financial statements. The Owner also reserves the right to extend the Bidding period by Addendum if it appears in its interest to do so.
Published in The Villager
Published: October 27, 2022 Legal # 10890
RIVERWALK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1, 2, AND 3 ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that proposed budgets have been submitted to the Boards of Directors of the Riverwalk Metropolitan District Nos. 1-3 (the “Districts”) for the ensuing year of 2023. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2022 budgets of the Districts. Copies of the proposed 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the Districts’ Accountant, Marchetti & Weaver, LLC, 245 Century Circle, Suite 103, Louisville, Colorado 80027, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets will be considered at special meetings to be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m., at the offices of Central Street Capital Inc., 150 E. 10th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203. Any interested elector within the Districts may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets, inspect the 2023 budgets and 2022 amended budgets and file or register any objections thereto.
RIVERWALK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-3 /s/ Paula J. Williams
NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VIL LAGE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022, AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING A REZONING FROM R-4 TO R-1 AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF E. HAMPDEN AVENUE AND S. MONROE STREET.
file or register
EAST VIRGINIA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN
Peggy SecretaryThe Greenwood Metropolitan District (the “Owner”) is accepting sealed bids for the replacement and/or refurbishment of sixty-three (63) decorative light poles and bases (the “Project”). Sealed bids will be received until the hour of 10:00 A.M. local time on December 2, 2022, by the Greenwood Metropolitan District at the offices of the Engineer at Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Bids shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope addressed to Greenwood Metropolitan District with the name of the Bidder and the Title “Decorative Italian Lights Replacement & Refurbishment” and submitted into a bid drop box in the lobby of the office of the Engineer.
Bidding documents can be requested beginning October 27, 2022, at 8:00 A.M. There will be no charge for the bid documents. Contact Barney Fix at barney.fix@merrick.com to receive the PDF documents
THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUIN CY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. OR YOU MAY CALL 303-783-2729 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
PROTESTS OR COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 EAST QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 OR PWORKMAN@CHERRYHILLSVILLAGE.COM ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, OR BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.
in The Villager
NOW-JAN. 16 the registration is open. To register: follow YDC 2023 Registration. Additional Info: YDC 2023 Variation List and YDC 2023 Music. Questions ydc@denverballet guild.org
SEPT. 30-OCT. 31. The 50+ year old family tradition continues! REINKE BROS is not just a store - it’s an adventure! 5663 S Prince St., Littleton. Info & tickets: www. reinkebrothers.com
OCT. 27, discussion on Christianity, nationalism, theocracy & religion in American society . 7-8:30 p.m. Panelists; Jeff Hunt, Scott Wasserman & Luige del Puerto. Register; check Website ccu.edu/ centennial
OCT. 27, 4-5:00 p.m. at Koelbel Library, 5955 S Holly St., Centennial. “Savvy Social Security Planning” What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income. Discussion and questions. Call LaVelle at 303-7944084 to rsvp. Walk-ins welcome. LaVelle Knight with Front Range Financial.
OCT. 27, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Lawn games, costumes, and candy. Treat Street presented by Orchard. Also trick-or- treat stations, petting farm presented by Fitzsimons Credit Union, live music, stage entertainment and more. Wear a costume and get in FREE! Kids 2 and under FREE. Tickets at arapahoecountyeventcenter.com
OCT. 29, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Police Dept. Police Dept. & Drug Enforcement Admin. will take expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 2460 E. Quincy Ave. Service is free & anonymous.
NOV. 2-5; Wed & Thurs 10-6; Fri. 10-8; Sat. 9-5 at the one Tree Golf Club & Hotel, 9808 Sunningdale Blvd., Lone Tree. Adult Admission $3.00. Please, no strollers. Luncheon available. www. FinishingTouchatLoneTree.com Info@FinishingTouchatLoneTree. com. 303-741-2085.
NOV. 4-6. Gates Field House on the Univ. of Denver campus. The league’s newest cookbook, “Centennial Celebrations” will be on sale. Hours: Friday, 1-8 p.m.; Sat., 9-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance at JLD. org or at the door. VIP PRIVATE SHOPPING EVENT: Friday, Nov. 4 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tickets, $40 - includes parking, coffee & nibbles.
NOV. 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free admission. 23155 E. Heritage Pkwy. (South of Arapahoe Rd.)
NOV. 10-13. Weekend of community service projects benefitting those in need & supporting important causes and organizations. Benefiting 50+local nonprofit agencies. Volunteer registration opens Oct. 17. More info: projector town.org/sponsors or QR code in Sept. 8 Villager, page 20.
NOV. 11 & 12. Indoors - Douglas County Events Center. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free Admission. Visit aparisstreetmarket.com or call 303877-9457.
NOV. 18 & 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the beautiful Glenmoor Country Club neighborhood. Five diverse homes festively decorated by ten talented local florists & table designers. The fundraiser benefits Central City Opera and organized by volunteers with the Central City Opera Guild. In addition to the home tour, a holiday boutique & ticketed luncheon will be held Sat.
in the Clubhouse. The patron party will be held at Shaver-Ramsey Fine & Custom Rugs on Nov. 17. This is a ticketed event. Tickets for the home tour Fri, or Sat. are $50 or $100 for the tour and Sat. lunch. Tickets for ’Twas the Night Before are $100$250. All tickets can be purchased at www.espirithometour.com/ buytickets. The Villager is one of the Media Sponsors.
EXTRAORDINAIRE
Saint Catherine Philoptochos Charity Event to benefit their ministries. Tea Party & Decorated Table Viewing Wed., Nov 30, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. $45/person. Thurs., Dec. 1, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. $45/ person. Dec. 1, 2-5 p.m. decorate table viewing & pastry favor for groups only, by appointmentemail info@tablesextraordinaire. org to schedule, $15/person. Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. presale or at door $15/person.
The church is located at 5555 S Yosemite St., Greenwood Village.
JAN. 7-22, 2023. The 117th NWSS will host 29 rodeo performances and a full schedule of horse shows. Info: nationalwestern.com
NOV. 10 - Collection of the following toiletries: Travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, size lotion and toothpaste. During the 12 Days of Giving the wrapped gifts will be delivered with hot meals for 12 days in Dec. NOV 17 is the Stuff The Trunk for Subaru Share The Love. The trunk of a Subaru will be filled with items from the grocery room and gifts for clients.
535A, Cherry Hills Village, Co 80113
Available: Now Sanford Circle E, 5380 $5,500 (3 x $19,485)
**No more than 2 unrelated in dividuals on a lease**
Cherry Hills North Ranch style home built in 1976 with 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3-car garage and over 3300 sq.ft. up plus a finished basement of approximately 1000 sq.ft. large living room and dining room, family room upstairs with fire place. Recreation or 2nd family room located in the basement. Covered patio. Fenced backyard.
Sprinkler system. Circular drive. Cherry Creek Schools. Close to the Highline Canal, walking/ biking paths. Within a mile of Kent Denver and two miles from Cherry Hills Elementary. Easy access to all parts of the city. Tenant(s) are required to have renter’s insurance prior to move in.
*Tenant(s) will have no use of the pool, or the hot tub* All Measurements are approximate.
Call Kurt Krantz303-210-9515
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