12-31-20 Villager

VOLUME 39 • NUMBER 6 • DECEMBER 31, 2020

Since 1982

www.villagerpublishing.com

TheVillagerNewspaper

@VillagerDenver

A fresh start

SUBSCRIBE TO THE VILLAGER TODAY - CALL 303-773-8313 X301

4949 S. Yosemite St., Suite E-8, Belleview Shopping Center ShanghaiKitchenDenver.com 303-290-6666 303-290-8430

PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

Health care panel describes challenges and opportunities of COVID-19 pandemic

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

On December 16, Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) held a virtual forum on the challenges and opportunities of the healthcare industry associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists for the discussion, moderated by COBRT President Debbie Brown, were Jandel Allen-Davis, M.D., president and CEO, Craig Hospital, Susan Beckman, regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Chris Brown, director of policy and research at Common Sense Institute, Josh Neff, vice-president of integration at Centura Health and interim CEO at Goodland (Kansas) Regional Medical Center and Rawlins County (Kansas) Medical Center, Philip E. Stahel, M.D., chief medical officer at The Medical Center of Aurora (MCA) and J.P. Valin, M.D., executive vice-president and chief clinical officer at S Health.

Debbie Brown explained that COBRT is a public policy organization of executives from some of the state’s largest employers, working to strengthen Colorado’s economic vitality by amplifying the voice of business throughout the state and beyond with leaders in government, academia, and the non-profit sector.

Focusing on the impact and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Vallin pointed to the fast pace with which the pandemic took hold, noting it was two weeks between March , when S Health ot its first case of the virus, and when everything shut down.

He descri ed how S formed a rapid incident command structure, which met three times each day in the beginning and is still in place today. The effort to acquire sufficient personal protective equipment for all S facilities included local businesses that donated supplies. “We had distilleries making disinfectant for us…and a blind company helping to make masks for us,” Vallin said. With patients unable to come into medical facilities for non-emergent care, S ramped up its a ility to deliver telehealth,” going from 50 virtual visits in February to 12,000 in March and 17,000 in April.

Most importantly, S executives began meeting with leaders of other hospital systems daily. “When this all started in March, we quickly realized that COVID was going to be bigger than one physician, one hospital, one health system…The CEOs of the health systems came together quickly… on a weekend call, and said, we need to fi ure out how we re oin to

Debbie Brown is the president of the Colorado Business Roundtable

Jandel Allen-Davis. M.D., is president and CEO of Craig Hospital.

Chris Brown is the director of policy and research at the Common Sense Institute.

Josh Neff is vice-president of integration at Centura Health.

Philip Stahel, M.D. is chief medical officer at The Medical Center of Aurora.

J.P. Vallin, M.D. is executive vice-president and chief clinical officer at SCL Health.

partner,” Vallin related, continuing, “I’ve been meeting with my counterparts from all the other health systems in the state, including HealthONE, Centura, UCHealth, Denver Health, Boulder Community Health, and Banner Health. We first met on Sunday, March and every morning after that at a.m. throu h the first wave, then cut back to three times per week…We shared information. We recognized that if we were going to help the people of Colorado and help the state navigate through this, we needed to do it together.” y sharin specific data, including the number of patients with COVID-19 that each system had in the hospital, “we knew when we had an increase in cases in the state, we knew when we were plateauing, before the state began publishing data.” The group has also met weekly with the Colorado De-

partment of Public Health and Environment. Vallin said they met every day during the week leading up to the arrival of the vaccine and that Governor Polis had joined one of those meetings.

Dr. Stahel agreed that all the health systems across the state worked cooperatively and shared information collaboratively. There was no hint of competition at any juncture.

“We worked across systems together, across the state of Colorado…We were all in this together with one goal only, to keep our staff and teams safe and to keep our communities safe.” He described how the Colorado Hospital Association had “brought us all together to create a centralized regional transfer system for the state” so that if one region reached capacity, patients could be quickly transferred to a location that had the ability to treat

Susan Beckman is a former member of the Colorado general assembly and current regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

them. He added, “At MCA, we are currently accepting patients from hot spots in Texas…The collaboration extends even beyond state lines.”

On the medical side, at the beginning of March, he explained, it took nine days to get a COVID-19 test result back from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in Atlanta. Today, tests results come back in 15 minutes. In March and April, the mortality rate for COVID-19 patients at MCA was 20%.

Today, Stahel said, “the global mortality rate is 0.5%.”

Josh Neff explained that entura Health s affiliated rural hospitals are typically the number one or two employer (behind agriculture) and economic driver in their communities. When COVID-19 became a pandemic in the urban areas, the rural hospitals were forced to stop elective procedures, even though they weren’t yet seeing many COVID cases, causing huge losses in revenue and staff furloughs. Neff agreed with his colleagues on the positive impact of collaboration.

Dr. Allen-Davis said that Craig Hospital’s post-acute rehabilitation patients with spinal cord and brain injuries are “some of the most vulnerable people in the hospital system,” because, “most have long lengths of stay and often face respiratory complications.”

Since “rehabilitation is a family matter,” she explained, it was most difficult when care ivers had to be kept out until COVID case numbers overall began to decline. No patients at Craig got COVID-19 and very few staff members became infected.

When the panel was asked what advice they would offer public policy makers, Dr. Allen-Davis responded that recent rollbacks of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the individual mandate, should perhaps be revisited.

She also suggested that hospital systems and insurance companies should work more collaboratively.

Josh Neff offered the observation that the compensation methodologies for rural hospitals need to be examined carefully, “to create long-term financial sustaina ility, adding, “If we’re not carefully… looking at the true …economic impacts (of) the rural versus the urban market, we could… hamper our ability to deliver high quality care to...our most vulnerable and needy communities across the state.”

Dr. Stahel responded that M A, provides a si nificant amount of uncompensated care.” He talked about the issues of covering pre-existing conditions and restoring the individual mandate, closing his remarks with, “We are a privileged state in a privileged country…and I still see patients not being able to access care until they are at the worst when they arrive in our emergency department…Access to timely, appropriate care remains an unresolved conundrum in our community.”

Chris Brown shared a chart that demonstrated how financial pressure has increased on the commercial medical insurance sector as a result of the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare in Colorado. Then he moved to the topic of a potential low-cost Colorado public health insurance option. The state legislature passed a bill in 2019 directing the department of health care policy and financin , the division of insurance, and the department of regulatory agencies to develop a statewide public health insurance option. Work was begun in 2020, but those efforts were abandoned when the coronavirus pandemic took hold early in the legislative session. Many expect the effort to be restarted during the 2021 legislative session, now expected to begin in earnest in February. Brown’s research concluded that the public-option plan would likely draw 335,000 Coloradans, 89% of whom “would migrate from existing private insurance plans.” Since the public option plan is expected to pay lower reimbursement rates to hospitals, his data predicts that hospitals would “face revenue cuts growing from $536 million to . illion over the first three years,” and that those costs would be passed on to private insurance companies, resulting in a “net loss of 6,400 jobs and $619 million in personal income in a single year.”

Susan Beckman, on behalf of HHS, said, “In all emergencies, the federal government supports, the state manages the emergency, and it’s locally executed…The federal government provided a lot of the PPE…from the national stockpile.” On the subject of the increased use of telehealth during the pandemic, as well as in the future, Beckman said the federal government, “wiped (the regulations) clean. We did waivers on everything.”

Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Denver Dream Center teamed up with local Toyota dealers to celebrate the Magic of Christmas with more than 1,000 Denver area children The Denver Dream Center and local Toyota dealerships across Denver spread holiday joy to thousands of families as part of the annual Christmas in the City program on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 at Coors Field. More than 1,000 children and their families picked up their new toys during the socially distanced, drive-thru edition of the event. The annual program enefited qualified enver area families in need, many of whom have struggled to stay afloat amid the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Denver Dream Center’s mission is to reconnect people who have been isolated by poverty, substance

abuse, gangs, imprisonment, homelessness, abuse and neglect to God to a community of support to meet their

GVPD is always on the job preventing theft

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

It will likely come as no surprise that the police department in a city like Greenwood Village is always looking for ways to prevent theft. The large number of high-end homes and busy stores, several of which were considered essential and thus never closed during the 2020 pandemic, often draw the interest of those with bad intentions. Like all law enforcement officers, V police prefer to prevent crime than prosecute it.

That’s what led to the “bait box” program they initiated

Skouse, a native of Scotland, has been on the job at GVPD for more than two decades. He came to this country to attend the University of Denver. After graduating from there, he became a po-

lice service technician and soon decided he wanted to attend the police academy so he could become a re ular officer. et. S t.

Skouse told The Villager that patrol officers often prevent many

physical and spiritual needs.

The Center also works to help them develop a support system that will encourage them

to make positive, long-term changes in their lives.

Your Front Range Toyota Stores is a group of six Toyota dealerships in the Denver/Boulder area that work collectively on mutually eneficial usiness endeavors and community sponsorships.

Your six Front Range Toyota Stores include AutoNation Toyota Arapahoe in Centennial, Groove Toyota in Englewood, Larry H. Miller Toyota in Boulder, Mountain States Toyota in Denver, Stevinson Toyota East in Aurora and Stevinson Toyota West in Lakewood.

opportunistic thefts just by their presence, including theft of materials from construction sights. In another recent incident, a vehicle was reported to be following a United Parcel Service brown van around as packages were being delivered. hen a patrol officer

showed up to investigate, the vehicle stopped following the UPS van. Det. Sgt. Skouse told us that police officers are often closer than you think keeping people and property safe, even when you don’t see them.

Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY C NVERSATIONS Happy Holidays All County offices will be closed on Friday, January 1, 2021 for New Years Day. Keep it up, Arapahoe!

arapahoegov.com/calendar Telephone Town Hall – Vaccination Update Join us on Thursday, January 7 @ 6:30 p.m. for a discussion on the COVID-19 vaccination and the County’s distribution plans.

Get details at arapahoegov.com/townhall

DON’T CATCH ANY ‘BAH HUMBUGS’ THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. WEAR A MASK KEEP IT UP ARAPAHOE COUNTY This package by a GV residential front door might be a regular delivery or it might be an invitation to “porch pirates” that will earn them an unpleasant encounter with GV s finest. Photo by Freda Miklin

three years ago. In it, GV police officers wor proactively with communities and mail delivery companies to coordinate preventive and tactical methods to catch package thieves before they can enefit from their crimes. fficers also spend time inside and in the parking lot of many of GV’s busy big-box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, REI, and Target, with an eye out for potential merchandise thieves. In a recent incident at one of those stores, a GV police detective stationed in the parking lot noticed a shopper come out holding his arm with his coat over it in a way that looked suspicious to the officer s e perienced eye. That observation led to an arrest. In a recent December week, GVPD made three similar arrests for merchandise theft.

Detective Sergeant Ewan

Virtual Swearing In You are invited to attend the virtual swearing-in ceremony for newly elected County officials on January 11 @ 6:30 p.m.

Access the live event: arapahoegov.com/BOCC

No waiting, no hassle.

Use a self-service kiosk to renew your registration, get your tabs, and skip the DMV. Go to comvexpress.com to find a renewal kiosk near you.

arapahoegov.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

The Villager

Erma Bombeck remembered: The New Year is a good time to remember Erma’s philosophy

She wasn’t a politician, never held pu lic office, ut offered advice from her heart that seemed to heal our souls and tickles our funny bones. I heard Erma speak many years ago before her untimely death. She addressed a newspaper audience at our annual convention at the stately Brown Palace hotel.

She confessed her addiction to smoking that likely ended her life before her time. I’ve featured this column in past years but it is so timely every time that I read her masterpiece.

A special salute to all of the cooks of the holiday seasons, to the mothers, grandmothers, daughters who worked so hard

The oldest weekly newspaper in the state, The Weekly-Register Call published in Gilpin County since 1862 reported that on December 30, 1870, the temperature in Greeley, Colorado was -36 degrees below zero. Homes had to be heated with wood and coal in those pioneer days. Also, long underwear, heavy quilts and blankets were quite desirable. *** The Tuesday prior to Christmas I met my son-in-law Mike Lanam and Lowell Hare out in Castle Pines for a holiday breakfast outdoors on the patio of a local breakfast bistro on Happy Canyon road. Mike is married to daughter Susan, the creative force now behind The Villager’s longevity and success. Susan, Freda and Scottie keep the old folks hard at work, attempting to keep up with their fast pace. We ended up the year on a successful note thanks to our faithful subscribers, advertisers, and staff members, including my publisher/ wife Gerri Sweeney, who never misses a day. We look forward

on meals and presents to make families happy.

As we end 2020 and begin the challenges of a NewYear we all can take a lesson from Erma looking back over her life as she prepared to end hers.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

By Erma Bombeck I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the good living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to li ht a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

to an exciting 2021. Don’t miss an issue, call B. T. for subscriptions: 303-773-8313 X 301. *** I mention the two gentlemen above because I have a great deal of respect for both of them. They are two successful leaders and still continue to be active in business and civic affairs. Mike has had a very successful career in law enforcement and airport security programs across America. He keeps my grandson Brennan in line, who just scored a perfect first semester . rade avera e as a freshman in high school.

The other breakfast participant, Lowell Hare, has an extensive newspaper career and has been part of The Albuquerque New Mexico Journal newspaper team for decades. A University of Denver graduate and basketball stalwart he has been team managing the leading New Mexico newspaper for decades from his home in Colorado. All three of us share Bronco season tickets side by side, but this has been a sad season in more ways than one.

So, the breakfast was a time

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculptured like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I wasn’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or

to talk some football, newspapers, and family life. Lowell is now operating the Journal usiness ar , a acre parcel that has over 11,000 people employed in various businesses including the Journal newspaper offices and printing presses. Needless to say, Lowell is using every bit of his excellent DU business education in accounting and finance to master the many retail business COVID-19 challenges. Where once he traveled on a weekly basis he is now homebound using Zoom with limited monthly trips.

Down through the years we have had many discussions on newspaper operations. His newspaper’s comparable to The Denver Post, except in New Mexico, with around 500 employees. They do own and operate three weekly newspapers in the vicinity, one acquired from former Denver Post magnet Dean Singleton.

He thinks that The Villager newspaper news content is very valuable, and we should raise our subscription prices.

He is a subscriber. Maybe he is right, but for now we’ll

was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed impetuously, I would never have said,” later, now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I Love You’s” and more “I’m Sorry’s’ but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute---look at it and really see it---live it. And never give it back! ***

hold the subscription price that amounts to $1 a week mailed and be thankful for our valuable readers. Interestingly, newspapers and oo s are flying off the shelves these days with more people staying at home reading more, perhaps tiring of TV and politics.

Anyway, we enjoyed sitting outside in sunny weather talking about many issues, including the plight of the poor Broncos. *** Since I’m writing this column prior to Christmas we’re still having a family debate about where, how, and with whom to spend the holidays to maintain COVID-19 safety and precaution. I’m sure that many of you readers have had to make the same decisions on family gatherings.

It seems like we’re coming down the home stretch and we don’t want to strike out now. ( I want to see what the new Biden administration is going to do next.) *** To be continued in the NEW YEAR!

Office: 8933 East Union Ave. • Suite 230 Greenwood Village, CO 80111-1357 Phone: (303) 773-8313 Fax: (303) 773-8456 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by the Villager Publishing Co., Inc. Available for home or office delivery by U.S. Mail for $52 per year. Single copies available for $1 per issue.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, CO. A Colorado Statutory Publication CRS (197324-70 et al).

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Villager, 8933 East Union Ave., Suite #230, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-1357 Deadlines: Display Advertising, Legal Notices, press releases, letters to the editor, 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Classified Advertising, noon Monday.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Gerri Sweeney — x307 gerri@villagerpublishing.com PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney — x305 sharon@villagerpublishing.com CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com NEWS EDITOR gerri@villagerpublishing.com GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 • 303-773-8313 x365 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 sharon@villagerpublishing.com Linda Kehr — 303-881-9469 linda@villagerpublishing.com Valerie LeVier — 303-358-1555 valerie@villagerpublishing.com Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com SUBSCRIPTIONS B.T. Galloway — x301 subscribe@villagerpublishing.com PHOTOGRAPHER Stefan Krusze — 303-717-8282 octaviangogoI@aol.com EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The Villager is an award-winning, locally owned, independent newspaper. All letters to the editor must be signed. The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must also accompany all letters to the editor for verification, and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.

Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I 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 I 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!”

Name: __________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ______________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Email: _______________________ _ Check enclosed: _________________________________________ __ Visa No.: ________________________________ Exp. Date ________ Master Card No.: __________________________ __ Exp. Date ________ AMEX No.: _______________________________ _ Exp. Date ________ Signature ______________________________________________ ( r e q u ir e d if u s in g c r e d it c a r d )

Subscriptions One Year

(5 2 is s u es ):

$52

Delivered to your home or office One Year (out of state) $60

Extra Savings 2 Years $92 3 Years $132

Mail To: The Villager Newspaper 8933 E. Union Ave. • Suite 230 Greenwod Village, CO 80111

Call: 303 -773 - 8313 x301 Email: subscribe@villagerpublishing.com Visit:www.villagerpublishing.com

2020 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK

Hope smiles from QUOTE of the WEEK the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.’

– Alfred Lord Tennyson

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

Horn elected Vice President of Colorado State Fire Chiefs Brita Horn, Never Give Up Consulting Chief Problem Solver and the Fire Chief of Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department has been elected Vice President of Colorado State Fire hiefs S . She is the first female Fire Chief in the history of the organization (since 1968) to be elected to this position.

The CSFC serves to build strategic alliances, mentor aspiring leaders, and advance the safety of all Colorado communities by supporting the professional development of the fire and emergency services industry through training and continuing education.

Before her election as Vice President, Brita served as Treasurer for the CSFC since 2018.

While acknowledging her elec-

tion into this position, Brita said she was grateful for the opportunity to proudly represent the volunteer firefi hters across the state of Colorado.

In their reaction, her fellow fire chiefs said she wor s dili-

Healing Arts Show - Jan. 6, 2021 to Mar. 31, 2021 The Herita e ine Arts uild of Arapahoe ounty announced the artists that were chosen to participate in the 2021 Healing Arts Show. Their names and paintings can be viewed on the H A we site, https www.herita e- uild.com -healin -arts-show-selected-artwork. html. Most of the artwork is for sale.

The paintings will be displayed at the astle oc Ad-

ventist Hospital 2350 Meadows Blvd, Castle Rock, from January 6, 2021 to March 31, 2021 if you would like to see them in person. From there, a limited number of the paintings will move to the Denver Community Credit Union 101 W Mineral Ave , ittleton, from May to Au ust.

“Golden Apple Orchard” by Sheryl Hutchings – Acrylic”

gently and faithfully to represent volunteer fire departments across the state of Colorado and will be an asset for the CSFC. Eager to continue her service, Brita looks forward to working with the rest of the executive board to offer a helping hand to fellow oloradoans and first responders.

“It is an unbelievable honor to e elected y my fire chief peers to serve as the VP of Colorado Fire Chiefs. I am blessed to represent all fire departments and a special privilege to be able to be the voice of our underserved volunteer fire departments in Colorado,” said the VP. Her previous engagements have been responding to the call for community service after the September 11, 2001

terror attacks. She participated in creation of the Rock Creek Volunteer ire epartment to fill a need in their community, McCoy, CO and Eagle County, and has served that community for the past 19 years. Her service and dedication has impacted many, both inside and outside of Colorado. She has been featured in The New Republic, The Boston Globe, Denver Post, Colorado Politics, and many other publications. Her long experience and training in responding to 911 emergencies, through her consulting company she has helped clients looking to conquer chaos and crisis in their own lives; personal and professional. She offers a blueprint to master routine strategies to find their A M. Amon the

services she offers to her clients include: assistance with the needs for content curation and maintaining a positive image for organizations, creating and shaping brand voice and public perception on social media and traditional media to increase awareness of the work and goal of the organization among other services.

“My clients are seeking guidance to rasp a level of A M in their lives as they navigate their future. Having a routine that will become second nature when crisis arises. Clear thinking, training, laser focus on how to make the chaos situation better. Personally or professionally.

How every trained firefi hter operates while responding to 911 emergency calls,” said Brita.

PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

W

hether you have a toddler or a teenager, an prepare or complete parts of the process on your own. If only child or a large family, we know for a fact your children are older, however, you may take more of that these amazing humans come with a slew a supportive role. This greatly depends on the child’s disof stuff! And although we wouldn’t trade them for the position and involvement level. Either way it’s imperative world, we may consider exchanging a few of their toys and that you assist them with the follow through and stay trinkets for some clutter free square footage. encouraging.

Even before babies are born – the books, clothes, toy Here’s what it has sounded like at our house the last cars, stuffed animals, and other accessories come flooding few weeks…I would say, “Go find all the Nerf guns (or in and it doesn’t seem to stop as there’s always another stuffed animals or toy cars, etc.). Let’s line them up. Wow, birthday, holiday, or celebration right around the corner. we have so many. I’m sure we will find some to share. Okay, So, if the ‘gift faucet’ stays on, how do we tread water and which one is your favorite? Which ones do you use with where do we find the bucket to haul some H2O out, so we friends? Which ones don’t work really well or do you not don’t drown in a sea like?” Done. of trains, planes, and We repeated this Malibu Barbie dolls? process for each catLet’s start with egory. For example, one of the most commy daughter was mon questions I get the decision-maker asked – how many on bath toys. I lined toys are too many? up all the boats, sea Well, if you are askanimals, mermaids, Maegan ing this, then there and all otherwise are too many toys. In fact, the most accurate litmus test waterproof toys in the house and I asked her, “Can you pick for too many toys is this question: Do the toys overwhelm your favorites?” The favorites then went back into the bath you? Just as grownups get anxious with too many choices, toy bin and the not-so-favorites went into the giveaway kids can too. They are arguably even more sensitive to the pile. plethora of options within their environment.

Something about laying it all out and taking a moment With the holidays less than a month away, that faucet to be in awe of how much is there, can help children feel is about to turn into a full-fledged fire hose! So, here are satisfied and therefore make it easier to offload less favorsome quick tips to smooth out this next month and hopeable items (the same is actually true for grown-ups). fully help you and your family gain some refreshed space.

In a matter of two weeks (while balancing work and First, refrain from storming into their bedroom with school) somehow everything “kid” got sorted, edited, and a donation basket and demanding “10 items or else!” It either organized back in place or given away. We loaded up actually begins with a conversation about gratitude. Fill in an entire SUV front to back with toys and clothes and gave the following blanks: “We are so grateful for…,”“We are so directly to a refugee organization. It felt amazing and very lucky we get to…,”“We have…,”“We go and do…,” and much needed on both ends. At ages 5 and 9, the kids were so on. Help highlight the breadth and depth of both the more involved than ever before and it truly felt like they tangible items your child owns, and the great adventures were learning and experiencing a life-long skill. and activities you experience together. It’s important to This process of organizing and donating may look difpoint out these privileges and celebrate them. Start by ferent depending on the age and personality of your child, filling their bucket first. but regardless, many Then be sure to highbenefits arise. It can light that not everyone promote independence Before has all this or gets to and responsibility as do all that and explain well as instill a sense of that as a family you are respect and care for their all going to give some toys and space. Most of your ‘extras’ away importantly children to those that may not have a chance to practice have as much. Lead by listening to their ‘gut.’ example and model the They start to understand behavior of being genbetter what they like erous yourself. It’s also and don’t like, use and critical to point out that don’t use. This external the holidays are here order of belongings can and more stuff is coming support internal order, After soon. Making space for peace, and satisfaction. new items can be very Once it’s decided motivating for kids! what stays and what Additionally, you goes, first find homes for may want to help your everything you are keepchild(ren) recognize that ing. Let the kids lead there may be toys they this; they will feel so once loved and used, much more ownership but have now outgrown in the long run. Bins and and that’s okay. It’s fun shelves are great, but to reflect on this and keep like with like – the share memories before ‘Dolls’ bin, the ‘Legos’ parting with the item. drawer, etc. Label these Reminding children that they now get to share that joy areas with words or pictures. with someone else is helpful.

My daughter mixes her toys up constantly. Horses have Now, dive in! Decide on a plan and get started in one jewelry on them and magna-tiles become veterinarian area. Keep going if everyone has energy, but be sure to clinics. It’s definitely okay and encouraged for children stop before anyone burns out. Celebrate how much got to mix up their toys. However, when it’s time to clean up, done and how good it feels. Then make a plan to conquer everything can still have a place to go. some more the next day or over the weekend.

Finish the project by donating the items your child Easy does it though. Breaking up the process is key doesn’t want and have them be a part of this event. Then (although a reasonable deadline can be helpful). Grownenjoy some cleared out space ready to welcome new activups run out of steam organizing, so you can imagine it’s ten ities and adventures! times more exhausting for youngsters!

Lastly, life is busy, so don’t hesitate to reach out and get I’d advise that at any age, parental support is helpful some assistance during this season. As a former educator, and necessary. If your children are younger, you’ll take I’m passionate about guiding children, from toddlers to more of a lead role in guiding the process. You may even teens, in ‘right sizing’ their belongings and giving to others!

Six former law enforcement officers lose their badge for lying

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

In Colorado, all sworn peace officers must e certified y the eace fficers Standards and Trainin ST oard. efore Senate ill was si ned into law on May , , the only circumstance under which a sworn law enforcement officer in olorado would have their privile e to carry a ad e and a un revo ed y the ST oard was if they were convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, which are listed in title of the olorado evised Statutes.

The ST oard evo e ertification for Untruthful Statement Act, sponsored y epu lican Senator o ardner and emocratic Senator honda ields, passed the state senate - and the state house - in April . t provided that sworn peace officers certification could e suspended or revo ed if a law enforcement a ency found, y clear and convincin evidence, that the officer nowin ly made an untruthful statement concernin a material fact while testifyin under oath or durin an internal affairs investi ation or compara le administrative investi ation, or nowin ly omitted a material fact on an official criminal justice record. or the first time since that law went into effect, on ecem er , the olorado ST oard made that findin a ainst si sworn law enforcement officers and revo ed their certification to carry a ad e and a un in olorado.

The ST oard reported that all si officers were notified that they had the ri ht to receive a show cause hearin , ut none requested a hearin or indicated any intent to oppose the revocation. The ST oard also ave notice that their action was ein reported to the ational ecertification nde , descri ed on

the we site of the nternational Association of irectors of aw nforcement Standards and Trainin , a national re istry of certificate or license revocation actions relatin to officer misconduct.

The officers whose ST certification was revo ed and the law enforcement a encies at which they were formerly employed were • ara reilin Arapahoe ounty Sheriff s ffice • eremy ay elta olice epartment • hristopher o le one Tree olice epartment • ichard ones ue lo olice epartment • ussell Smith l aso ounty Sheriff s ffice • hristopher Ton e ayfield Marshall s ffice.

Also decertified y the ST oard on ecem er as a result of criminal convictions were ustin Moore, formerly with the uran o olice epartment, and Sara Marie Stric land, formerly with the enver olice epartment.

ST irector ri our erie issued the followin statement, in connection with the revocations nte rity is the cornerstone for positive relationships etween law enforcement officers and their communities. hen individual peace officers violate this trust, it dama es that relationship for everyone in the profession. t is essential that we hold these persons accounta le and ensure they will no lon er serve in olorado as certified peace officers. olorado Attorney eneral hil eiser, who serves as chair of the ST oard, said, u lic trust is achieved when law enforcement officers act with honesty and accounta ility. hile the vast majority of peace officers honor this trust each and every day they put on their ad e, unfortunately, there are some officers that do not elon in this profession.

Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Give the gift of a subscription

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Centennial-based • Local references

Maegan Keller 720-295-6478 • maegan@shapespace.me www.shapespace.me

303-773-8313 x301

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

Understanding Amendment B and Next Steps in the Debate on Colorado Property Tax differences across

voters passed

these 7 states. For

Amendment B by

instance, In Colora-

a margin of 58%-

do, the state prop-

42% and repealed

erty tax assessment

a key formula that

rate for commercial

has controlled the

system for nearly 40 years.

In the short term, passage of

Amendment B has frozen the current system in place. In the long

term, this change is likely only the first step toward further reform in

Colorado. With an eye on potential

property is 300%

– 4 times – higher than residential

assessment rates observed across the seven states we studied.

“It may be argued that some of

economy, usinesses and wor -

iven the pivotal role that

property taxes play in supporting essential services in our state, it is essential that the debate over potential reforms be guided by

the facts,” said study author Chris rown, S

Research.

irector of olicy

The study examines and com-

pares the property tax systems of 7 Western states – Colorado, Arizo-

na, California, Idaho, Texas, Utah

and Wyoming - to gauge potential reform in Colorado and provide a roadmap to fur-

ther debate on the issue.

“While there

are points of similarity among the

states we studied,

5000 S ALBION

mercial and residential property tax

Ta in olorado ost alla her Other States?

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

is the widest mar in etween com-

the differences produce competi-

What Can Be Understood From

Mountain Living in Castle Pines North. Fabulous custom walk-out ranch.

Main floor theatre. $1,500,000.

property, e plained rown. This

reforms, Common Sense Institute

has released a new study, roperty

7115 PARKWOOD

there are also major

In November,

state’s property tax

CASTLE PINES NORTH

tive advantages for the Colorado

Extraordinary walkout ranch backing to the Highline Canal.$2,995,000 THE PRESERVE

5775 S. FOREST

in families. However, there may

also be competitive disadvantages

SOLD

that result in Colorado losing jobs and investment to other Western states, continued rown. ur findin s su

est that even

after the passage of Amendment B,

Perfect transitional. Totally updated. $1,739,000 THE PRESERVE

4701 PRESERVE PARKWAY NORTH

further structural reforms are likely to be pursued by state policy-

makers and taxpayers,” concluded rown.

SOLD

hile some components

of Colorado’s property tax system

are lar ely consistent with those of other Western states, other com-

ponents continue to be out of step.

o matter where individual policy-

Amazing executive home on the Nature Preserve.10,000 sq ft.,pool, walkout. $3,000,000 GREENWOOD VILLAGE

5895 S FRANKLIN CT

makers, constituencies or citizens stand on the

SOLD

issue of property taxation, the outcome

of this debate

is too import-

ant to leave to chance.”

To read the full study, visit www.commonsenseinstituteco.org

ONE OF A KIND ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE. RANCH LIVING. $1,680,000

Kentwood.com/EdieMarks

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

CDPHE talks about vaccines and trending COVID numbers

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

A

lthough most Coloradans are still cautiously optimistic about what COVID-19 numbers will look like after the Christmas-New Year’s holidays, it is clear that this state did not suffer a Thanksgiving uptick in its case numbers, hospitalizations, or fatalities.

On December 23, Rachel Herlihy, M.D., Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) state epidemiologist, Scott Bookman, incident commander for the state COVID-19 response, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Scott Sherman of the Colorado National Guard, who is leading Colorado’s vaccination task force answered questions about the state’s COVID-19 status and ongoing vaccine distribution.

Dr. Herlihy said that Colorado is doing much better than the rest of the country and there is a declining trajectory, but the number of cases is still very high. She said she anticipates that, “it will take three months to get back down to where we were this summer if we can stay at the rate we

are right now with transmission control and there is not a Christmas spike.”

Mr. Bookman added, “On December 1, we peaked at 1,551 COVID hospitalizations. Today we are at 1, 222 patients hospitalized with COVID. That is a dramatic downward slope… (but) where we are today is still well above where we were in the spring, and our health care providers are still feeling incredible stress from the amount of patients who are currently sick and hospitalized with COVID…We’ve made a lot of progress but we still have a long way to go.”

He also stressed that while Colorado is trending downward in the number of cases of COVID it is seeing, that is not the case in the rest of the country (see illustration).

Brig. Gen. Sherman said that 151 facilities in our state received 95,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine during the week leading up to Christmas and 50,000 of the fizer vaccine previously, of which 42,000 had already been administered as of December 23. The allocation for the following week was 32,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine and over , of the fizer one. f the , fizer vaccines, 36,000 were

This graph from CDPHE shows case numbers of COVID-19 have been declining since December 1.

This graph from CDPHE shows a dramatic drop in COVID-19 deaths during the month of December.

This graph illustrates that the number of hospitalizations of confirmed COVID-19 patients dropped from 1,551 on December 1 to 1,222 on December 23.

This chart from John Hopkins University shows that, as Christmas approached, Colorado’s case numbers were trending down while those of the United States as a whole continued at a higher level.

scheduled to go to the CDC Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program being administered by Walgreen’s and CVS Pharmacies. The pharmacies began administering the vaccine to residents of skilled nursing facilities on December 28. The other 15,000 doses of the fizer vaccine, Sherman explained, “will be shipped out to providers.”

In response to a question about whether Colorado was receiving the number of doses of the vaccine that it expected, General Sherman said that we actually received 31,000 more doses of the fizer vaccine than we expected during the Christmas week and were going to get 3,000 more extra doses during the following week.

Dr. Herlihy answered a question about the new variants of the virus seen in the United Kingdom and South Africa by saying that they “appear to be more transmissible, but don’t seem to cause more severe illness, and we think the vaccine is effective against them,” adding that the new strains haven’t yet been detected in the United States although they might be here. Lastly, she said that both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CDPHE are sequencing to look for these strains.

Scott Bookman and Gen. Sherman answered several questions about the order in which different groups will receive the vaccine in Colorado. it was clear that the guidelines in place were just that. There will always be cases where the vaccine is not delivered in the exact prescribed order.

Bookman said, “We are unlikely to complete (group) 1A entirely before we move to (group) 1B,” adding, “Some decisions are left to local health departments and hospitals within the guidelines.”

Dr. Herlihy explained how CDPHE knew that behavior changes leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday accounted for the lack of a spike after it. She cited mobility data from the Colorado Department of Transportation that “tells us how much traffic is on the roads.

We knew it was less in Thanksgiving 2020 than in Thanksgiving 2019….I’m hopeful people recognize that if we do this again for Christmas it will lead to opening schools in January and a successful spring.”

She added, “We are now at an 82% containment level which will get us back to the levels of disease we were at last summer by mid-March 2021. If we don’t, it will be June 2021.”

Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

COVID-19 Business Updates from Mayors of Aurora and Centennial SUBMITTED BY AURORA CHAMBER

More than people attended ecem er s virtual meetin featurin Aurora Mayor Mi e offman and entennial Mayor Stephanie i o. The Mayors spo e primarily a out what their cities are doin to support usinesses durin the pandemic.

Mayor i o discussed the Centennial Small Business oan und that provides small businesses a bridge to larger resources. The fund does not compete with the Small usiness Association A S Act loans,

so applicants can apply for oth.

The ity of entennial, in partnership with Araphaoe ounty, also provided , as part of entennial A S to non-profit or anizations that are providin services to entennial residents.

Mayor i o e pressed her concerns with the current restrictions facin restaurant owners and their ability to stay in business, especially since the vast majority of restaurants in Centennial are complyin with all uidelines and have gone above and eyond to eep their esta lish-

Good riddance 2020

BY DOROTHY ROSBY

Dear friends, as I write this Christmas letter, I’m sittin y the fireplace roastin my calendars over an open fire. o m not, ut only ecause my fireplace is fa e. The est thin can say a out this year is that there was plenty of time to clean all my closets. didn t, ut had time to. n top of everythin else, my husband almost left me on Than s ivin ay. d selected the smallest tur ey could find ecause it was just the two of us this year. He always ets the tur ey ready, then prepare the rest of the meal. t s tradition. t s also tradition for him to eat one of the legs while one of our re ular uests eats the other.

He never said so, ut thin one of the things he was most than ful for this year was that he’d be getting oth drumstic s.

Suddenly heard panic ed yellin from the itchen There s no le s There s no win s There s no no pop-up thin Sure enough, our bird wasn t a small tur ey at all. t was a tur ey reast. d have been banned from my own Than s ivin dinner were not responsi le for ma in the rest of it.

There was nothin to do ut coo the darn thin , so he shoved it in the oven none too gently, and I busied myself ma in everythin else. may have een a little distracted y a lac of dar meat myself, ecause failed to notice there was something missing in my itchen as wor ed the smell of roastin tur ey. hen finally chec ed our tur ey reast, it was as cold as my hus and was ein . don t now if he forgot to turn on the oven, or if one of us umped it off in the e citement. m lamin him ecause that ma es us even. m proud to say we did our part for the economy this year. e d een concerned a out our old refri erator for a lon time. t s 26 years old, and having it rea down durin a pan-

demic would not e cool.

Sorry. e ou ht a new one and put the old one in the ara e. ow we have two empty refri erators.

We also traded in our old car in cto er. ith every car purchase, the dealership threw in a free mas with their lo o on it. That hoo ed us. m iddin t wasn t just that. They also ave us two really nice insulated mu s. ou ht a fitness trac er too. My new it it is ind of li e Santa laus for rownups. t sees you when you re sleepin it nows when you re awa e. t nows if you ve een sittin too lon , so et up for oodness sa e. Honestly the thin trac s everythin e cept my an alance, which would e helpful the way we ve een spendin money lately. e completely lew some on what I now see as the most wasteful purchase of my life. Somehow in the middle of a pandemic and presidential campai n, we still felt optimistic enough to buy a harness and leash for our cat. t seems insane now. The cat thin s so too. efore you jud e us, you should now that a friend of ours re ularly ta es his cat for wal s. lus there are hundreds of ouTu e videos of people who ve successfully leash-trained their cats. There are also hundreds of ouTu e videos of people who ve failed to leash-train their cats. e i nored those. t turns out, puttin our cat in the harness was a little li e dressin a reased toddler. And when we finally had him in it, he san to the round loo in em arrassed and uncomforta le and ind of cra crawled under the bed as fast as he could o. m hopeful a out many things in 2021, but ta in our cat for a wal isn t one of them.

(Dorothy Rosby is the author of several humor oo s, includin I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better. ontact drosby@ rushmore.com.

ments safe. months. t is the third round of A S fundin that the Mayor offcity of Aurora has deployed man discussed the to support its local usinessmillion rant es and nonprofits durin the pro ram supportpandemic. Mayor offman ing the resiliency also discussed the current of struggling safer at home level red rebusinesses and strictions and the wor ein nonprofits. n codone with the state counties operation with the to provide fle i ility to usiArapahoe ounty nesses. and Adams ounty The overnment Affairs, A S ro rams, Mayor Stephanie Piko Mayor Mike Co man ducation, and ner y committee mid-sized usinesses and nonprofthe Aurora conomic esiliency is sponsored y innacol Assurits to help with payroll and rent rant ro ram provides rants ance. e penses for the upcomin winter up to , each to small and

OPINION

A time to stop looking back in anger I am reading the new biography of the late Senator ohn Mc ain, The uc iest Man y Mar Salter. Salter, a lon time con ressional staffer, and writer provides a unique insi ht into Mc ain s military and political career. hile it provides a factual presentation of Mc ain s career, it also gives an unvarnished loo at how the events in his life influenced his elieves and moral character.

I was honored to have had een a le to et to now Senator Mc ain while wor in as a senate staffer for Senator Gary Hart in the s in ashin ton . . Mc ain was wor in as the head of the Senate avy iaison office. His jo was to wor with senators on national security issues, specifically naval and personnel policy. e ecame friends ecause we were both Vietnam veterans and wor ed to ether on national security and defense le isla-

tion, and policy matters.

After left the senate, we continued to maintain a lon time friendship until his death.

Salter s oo provides a loo into the e periences that played a role in developin the code that Mc ain lived y, always tell the truth, do not cheat, and honor your commitments to the Military ode of onduct.

Throu hout his entire military and political career, he played y the rules.

His le acy included wor in for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Vietnam despite his captivity in a orth Vietnam prison for over five and a half years, campai n finance reform and wor to find and repatriate military personnel who were missin in action in Vietnam. ut one of the most si nificant personal accomplishment was to put the past ehind him and loo to the future. As a dis-

a led Vietnam veteran, now how difficult that must have een for Mc ain to let o of the anger and mental anguish that he held against the brutality he received from his orth Vietnam torturers.

Mc ain s cathartic e perience that allowed him to put those dreadful emotions behind him and devote his life to see in meanin ful and lastin solutions to both international and domestic issues is a reat e ample to us all to follow.

The possi ility of endin of the V pandemic and the eventual restoration of our attered economy, it is time for all Americans to put aside their political divisiveness and e in to come to ether and re uild our economy and care for those whose lives have been shattered by the pandemic. y not loo in to past rievances, this nation can restore our values, re uild what has een lost, come to ether and truly ma e this nation reat a ain.

Centennial woman spearheads donation of B’Nai B’Rith COVID-19 relief kits to local organizations A donation of V relief its will help two local or anizations com at coronavirus. e ecca Saltzman, senior vice president and chair of the nai rith isaster and mer ency elief ommittee, presented Morrid e Academy and avod Senior Life in Denver with V - relief its, each with a cloth face mas and travel-sized hand sanitizer and imprinted with the nai rith lo o.

These its will help ensure students, residents and staff stay safe during the pandemic. nai rith nternational and B’nai B’rith Colorado loo forward to continuin our support with local or anizations in need during this difficult time and in the future, Saltzman said.

Saltzman, a Colorado native and B’nai B’rith Colorado mem er, has wor ed with Mor rid e Academy in the past and re-esta lished nai rith s relationship with the school for this donation and

future volunteer opportunities.

B’nai B’rith will also continue to wor with avod Senior Life to donate personal protective equipment and other supplies on its donation wish list such as laundry detergent and food items.

Mor rid e Academy is a free, olorado epartment of ducation-approved school located on the campus of ational ewish Health for students in inder arten throu h eighth grade who have been dia nosed with a chronic illness. avod Senior ife is a non-profit, non-sectarian or anization that provides housin and services to seniors in the greater Denver area, while reflectin the values of ewish tradition.

This donation is one of many made as part of nai rith s project to provide , V - relief its to communities around the United States. nai rith community coordinators around the country are donatin its

on behalf of B’nai B’rith to local a encies dedicated to servin their community. very community in America is facin the challen e of respondin to the needs of vulnera le populations. e want to e part of the solution and help ma e sure everyone stays safe, Saltzman said.

As the U.S. e periences a high level of transmission of the virus, this project will help people follow the recommendation for the consistent and correct use of face mas s, as well as uidance to use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily availa le.

Since it e an in March 2020, the B’nai B’rith V - relief campai n has supported projects around the world to help eep people safe and alleviate the effects of the pandemic.

The nai rith isaster and mer ency elief und has responded to man-made and natural disasters around the world since .

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

December holidays are virtual in Greenwood Village in 2020

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented holding the normal holiday celebrations this year with the regular crowds they draw, Greenwood Village still had virtual celebrations of the season.

On December 7, Mayor George Lantz counted down and lit the beautiful holiday lights at GV City Hall, then delivered this virtual message: “I want to wish all of you the very best this holiday season and a happy and healthy new year. Thank you very much and have a good evening.”

A week later, on December 14, Rabbi Avrohom Mintz, accompanied by Mayor Lantz, lit an electric menorah in front of GV City Hall, and delivered the virtual message, “Hannukah (The Festival of Lights) has been celebrated for 2,000 years, but this year, the mes-

sage is more powerful, more important than ever before….

The victory back then of a small roup of people fi htin for religious freedom spread the message of light over darkness, of hope, regardless of how dim and challenging things may seem. That is the message of the menorah. Today, in our time, where there are so many challenges, so many obstacles, it’s important that we remember that we have what it takes to transform the darkness into light. We are told that each and every one of us have a flame within us.

We can share goodness, kindness, and warmth, and change the world, one good deed at a time. May all of us (look toward) the future, where COVID has passed, and we can celebrate in good health and happiness with people of all backgrounds and faiths together, blessings in every way.”

Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

v

Everyone who came to GV City Hall in December was greeted with Happy Holiday wishes.

Photo courtesy of Greenwood Village

Office: 303-773-3399

Cell: 303-905-0744

CALL EDIE FOR A SHOWING

CHERRY HILLS WALKOUT RANCH

$2,995,000

NEW LISTINGS o THE PINNACLE IN CASTLE PINES NORTH: MAIN FLOOR MASTER AND THEATRE, SOARING RUSTIC BEAMED CEILINGS, PHENOMENAL WATERFALLS. EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY. $1,500,000.

o 5055 S. HOLLY CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE Best Buy. $2,350,000. With $100,000 allowance for additional garages. SOLD. o RANCH NO MAINTENANCE VILLA IN THE MEADOWS AT CASTLE ROCK $515,000 SOLD. o 467 ADAMS ST. CHERRY CREEK NORTH - $2,195,000 SOLD.

o THE PRESERVE Exceptional executive home. $3,000,000. SOLD. o THE PRESERVE ON OPEN SPACE. 4810 PERRY PARKWAY $1,750,000. SOLD.

o SUNDANCE HILLS. BEAUTIFUL REMODEL $785,000 SOLD. o OBSERVATORY PARK $2,000,000 SOLD.

GV Mayor Lantz posed virtually in front of city hall to wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Photo courtesy of Greenwood Village

o 37 CHARLOU IN CHERRY HILLS - $1,700,000 SOLD.

o 5816 S. VILLAGE WAY - $2,560,000 SOLD.

o 19 S. FRANKLIN CIRCLE - $3,550,000 SOLD. o ONE OF A KIND ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE.RANCH LIVING GREENWOOD VILLAGE $1,680,000 SOLD. o 5775 S FOREST ST, THE PRESERVE. $1,739,000 SOLD. o LANDMARK 11TH FLOOR PENTHOUSE $1,040,000 SOLD.

NEW AND COMING

o CHERRY HILLS PERFECTION: 5000 S ALBION ST. Exquisite walkout ranch backing to the Highline Canal. Superb attention to detail, spacious, flowing floorplan. $2,995,000. o ONE CHERRY LANE, GREENWOOD VILLAGE’S PREMIER LOW MAINTENANCE COMMUNITY. COMPLETELY REDONE FROM TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL. THE BEST IN RANCH LIVING. $1,975,000. COMING IN 2021 o THE HILLS AT CHERRY CREEK: $900,0000, COMING IN 2021 SOLD o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

CHERRY CREEK NORTH $1,595,000 SOLD. BONNIE BRAE CONTEMPORARY - $1,100,000 SOLD. LAKEVIEW AT THE HILLS - $1,050,000 SOLD. 47 CHERRY HILLS FARM. Spectacular remodel. Main Floor Master, Transitional Styling. $2,395,000 SOLD. POLO CLUB NORTH $1,000,000 SOLD. ON THE HIGHLINE CANAL- SOLD - $2,175,000.

THE PRESERVE - $1,940,000 SOLD. 1215 S YORK, WASHINGTON PARK - $980,000 SOLD. 4945 S GAYLORD CHERRY HILLS FARM WEST - $2,190,000 SOLD. THE PRESERVE 5402 PRESERVE PKWY N. - $1,699,000. SOLD. PENTHOUSE DENVER ART MUSEUM - $1,150,000 SOLD. THE PRESERVE 5801 S. BIRCH CT. $1,725,000 SOLD. 75 GLENMOOR - $3,550,000 SOLD 2475 S COLUMBINE $1,900,000 37 CHARLOU $1700,000 5816 VILLAGE WAY $2,560,000 19 S FRANKLIN $3,550,000

SOLD 8 CHURCHILL

CHECK OUT MY INDIVIDUAL HOMESITES at www.DenverRealEstate.com E-mail me at emarks@DenverRealEstate.com

#1 DENVER BOARD OF REALTORS 12 YEARS STRAIGHT #44 OF 1,350,000 AGENTS IN THE USA (THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)

On December 14, Rabbi Mintz lit the menorah to celebrate the Festival of Lights at GV City Hall with Mayor George Lantz.

Photo by Freda Miklin

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

ABOU

THE LAW

BY DONALD PETERSON Dear Readers, What are the steps to do when someone dies?

Dealing with the unfortunate loss of a loved one can e difficult. hile it is not possible to include everything needed when someone dies, it is helpful to establish a relationship with an experienced estate plan/probate attorney early on, to insure that all matters and questions are properly addressed. See in your attorney’s advice before you act may help avoid more costly legal fees later, and can insure that you are protected from lia ility.

Pronouncement of death

Colorado law requires a qualified medical professional

to e notified, to ma e the official pronouncement of death. f your loved one dies at home:

• Call your physician or local hospital, so they can come and verify the cause and approximate time of death; • If you are using hospice care, instead, call the hospice provider and they will handle these matters for you; • Follow any religious observances that your family member requested; • Call family members who may wish to spend private time with your loved one before the mortuary removes the body; • Call your funeral director, who will assist in transporting the body to the mortuary; and • If documents exist regarding your family e er al arra gement plans, such as for a funeral, cremation, organ donation, etc., follow such plans, if possible.

If your loved one dies in a hospital: • The medical staff will

erti ate eath i e assist you with the paperwork if the body or John Matthew Smith, organs are to be donated, a/k/a John M. Smith and or if there will be an auJohn Smith) as this will topsy; help when transferring • The medical staff can assets, to cover all the a e the ial r ways that the deceased nouncement of death; person’s name may apand pear on such assets; • The medical staff will • Locate the deceased percoordinate with the son’s original Will (or a mortuary or crematory copy, if the original canfor the arrangements to not be found); transfer the body.

• Contact a probate attorney, to discuss the probate process, including What to do one to ten days how to transfer assets after death and how to deal with Apart from ma in funeral heirs or devisees and or burial arrangements: how to report taxes; • tai eath erti ate • Contact the police, to which is most commonadvise that the house of ly done through the futhe deceased will be vaneral director for a fee. cant and to request they h l e ti ate occasionally check the the number of different house; assets held by the de• Contact an accountant ceased or institutions or tax preparer, to assist that will require a Certifwith gathering informaicate of Death, including tion as to the deceased’s for homes held in joint assets and to determine tenancy, stocks, bonds what returns should be and bank accounts, to le determine the number of • Contact banks, to locate erti ate ee e accounts and safe depospossible, have the funerit boxes; al home request that all of the deceased person’s • Contact investment professionals, to obtain names be put on the

D earSav vy Se nior, I am t hec aregiverf orm y 81- y ear- oldm other,w hor ecently f ellandbr ok ehe rhi p, andhav eal otof que stions about how or iginalM edicare w ork sandw hati tc overs.

W herec anI ge ts om ehe lp unde rstandingt hispr ogram ?

O verw helm edC aregiver Dear Caregiver, Excellent question! Having a working knowledge of Medicare can help you take full advantage of the coverage and services it provides to ensure your mom receives the best care possible. Here’s what you should know.

– My Medicare.gov – e specially useful.

After setting up a personal account for your mom, you can view the details of her coverage, track recent health care claims and keep up to date on the preventive services he ali e r

Compare Tools

SAVVYSENIOR

What caregivers should know about Medicare

BY JIM MILLER

At Medicare.gov/ care- com pare you can a are tors, hospitals, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehab facilities, longterm care hospitals and nursing homes in your mom’s area.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare can also help you locate the right health care providers for your mother.

Medicare can reduce many out-of-pocket medical expenses your mom incurs, but it doesn’t cover everything.

U nderstanding what Medicare does and doesn’t cover can save you time and spare you frustration when navigating the caregiving maze. Here are some key points for caregivers: Besides basic hospital and physician services (which includes telehealth services) and optional prescription r g e e t e i are ers home health care too. To qualify, your mom must be homebound, under a physician’s care and in need of

•

•

• •

•

• • •

information as to assets owned by the deceased; Contact insurance agents to determine and obtain necessary death claim forms for life insurance; Notify Social Security at (800) 772-1213, to stop monthly deposits and lear a t e e t Notify Veterans Affairs, to stop monthly checks a lear a t e e t Notify agencies providing pension services to stop monthly checks and obtain claim forms; Contact guardian, conservator or agent under a Power of Attorney, to notify of the death and the end of their responsibilities; Contact employer, to notify of death and to learn a t e e t ta t t e t forward mail, if necessary; and Contact newspapers and magazines, to stop subscriptions. (Note: you may consider asking for refunds of the unused portions of the subscriptions).

Continued on page 12

part-time skilled nursing care or rehabilitative services like physical therapy.

Medicare also helps pay for oxygen, catheters and other medical supplies that a doctor prescribes for home use. The same is true for medically necessary equipment like oxygen machines, wheelchairs and walkers.

In addition, Medicare covers skilled care in a nursing home for limited periods – up to 100 days – following hospital stays. But it doesn’t cover Continued on page 12

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Medicare Assistance

A good starting point to get familiar with Medicare is the ial e i are handbook that overviews the program. It’s mailed to all e e iarie e er all a provides an up-to-date description of all services and e e t a al ee it online at Medicare.gov/ m edicare- and- y ou .

If you have a particular question, you can call and visit with a Medicare customer service representative at 800-633-4227. Medicare also works closely with State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) to provide free health insurance counseli g T a el r in your area visit ShiptaC enter.org or call 877-839- 2675. aregi er al Medicare’s secure website

A Boutique Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in the Park A Boutique Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in the Park

N o w a c c e p tin g n e w r e s id e n ts in a c c o r d a n c e w ith o u r c o m p r e h e n s iv e in fe c tio n c o n tr o l p o lic y .

Featuring excellent care, F e a tu r in g e x c e lle n t c a r e , stunning s t u n n i n g views, v i e w s , l luxurious u x u r i o u s s u i tsuites e s and dining. andfine fine dining.

720-592-0252 720-592-0252

6 3 2 5 S Blvd. . U n i v Centennial, e r s i t y B l v d . CO 80121 6325 S. University C e n te n n ia l,C O

8 0 1 2 1

PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

About the law - When someone dies Continued from page 11

What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning

goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:

1. Healthcare Power of Attorney; 2. General Financial Power of Attorney; 3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and 4. Will (or a Will with a Trust).

Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney

documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the eneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.

Selected information in this column has been taken with permission by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., from the Colorado Senior Law Handbook, 2020 Edition (Chapter 28: What to Do When Someone Dies, Aaron L. Evans, Esq.), which

is a copyrighted publication and may be accessed and downloaded for free at: www. cobar.org/For-the-Public/Senior-Law-Handbook.

charge for my initial consultation with clients. I have served seniors and their families for over 43 years regarding their medical and As a courtesy, there is no estate planning needs.

A 30% REDUCTION ON ESTATE PLAN DOCUMENTS IS CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS! FOR A FREE TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONSULTATION, PLEASE CALL: Donald Glenn Peterson, Esq. Don Peterson Law Firm 4100 E. Mississippi Avenue, Suite 410 Denver, CO 80246

Phone: (303) 758-0999 E-Mail: Donald@PetersonLaw.co Website: www.donpetersonlawfirm.com

Savvy Senior - Caregivers and Medicare Continued from page 11

long-term stays. Patients who need custodial care (room and board) must pay out of pocket unless they’re eligible for Medicaid or have private long-term care insurance.

Medicare pays for hospice care too, for someone with a terminal illness whose doctor

expects to live six months or le The h i e e e t al includes brief periods of respite care at a hospice facility, hospital or nursing home to give the patient’s caregivers an occasional rest.

Besides long-term nursing home stays, original Medicare typically doesn’t cover regular dental care or dentures,

regular eye exams or eyeglasses, and hearing exams and hearing aids. Likewise, it won’t pay for nonemergency ambulance trips unless a doct r erti e the re e i all necessary.

T t hat e i are covers, visit Medicare.gov/ coverage and type in the test, item or service you have ques-

The power of connection According to robust and plentiful research, the power of connectedness is essential to our well-being and health. Yet, we have never been more disconnected due to the COVID Pandemic, social distancing, masks, and lockdowns. I am astounded by the number of programs designed and funded to assist individuals with life challenges such as drug and alcohol addiction, poverty, school failure, loneliness, depression, suicide, violence, crime, and other social issues. Many of these programs are siloed and target one challenge at a time. This is not an effective public health strategy. Loneliness and isolation create serious health risks.

They are predictors of risky behaviors, substance abuse and re at re eath ie t social connection is a bigger risk factor than obesity and the equivalent of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to Julianne Holt-Lunstad, an expert in loneliness research. She opines that loneliness and social isolation is at epidemic proportions and is getting worse.

Public health strategies of lock downs especially during the holidays are short-sighted when the apparent solution to the pandemic makes isolation and loneliness worse. Certainly, we all need to be extra health conscious and vigilant, we need the freedom to make choices that

are good for our well-being.

Although we are all at risk since more Americans are living alone than ever before, the elderly are in a particularly high-risk group because the number of older people without a spouse, child, or any living relatives is growing.

Those who do have family and friends cannot connect with them due to COVID restrictions.

Being married or having a family is not a magic bullet in combating loneliness. Many married people and those who live in a family express they are lonely and disconnected in their familial relationships. Without being able to nurture our marriages and families with some fun outings and being with friends, problems and dysfuncti l e e a li e Adolescents and young adults are particularly at risk given their excessive reliance on social media. Some experts opine that the use of social media hinders the development of the real-world social skills necessary to build close, meaningful friendships which requires more than emojis and “Likes” on Facebook or Instagram. Add to this full-time virtual school. Adolescents, especially, are hardwired to connect. They rely on their eer gr r a r ati a socialization. It is part of their development paradigm.

Loneliness is especially lethal for military veterans. The suicide rate among veterans is staggering. On average, 20 veterans a day commit suicide.

Even soldiers who never saw combat are susceptible. What is devastating, for many, is the loss of the tight-knit community of their squadron or platoon and their shared mission which i har t he e lea e the military. Not being able to be together with friends and family makes their situations dire.

The Center for Relationship Education is addressing this public health crisis of loneliness by helping individuals learn how to connect in innovative and meaningful ways without putting health at risk. One strategy we teach is being intentional about socializing virtually. Playing games and connecting online through the many virtual platforms helps. Setting up shared exercise classes, book clubs and even bingo games is an effective way to connect. Checking in on a neighbor, calling to see if they need something at the store makes one feel better about themselves. Having virtual happy hours has become a popular tool for connecting with one another. Be innovative and creative during this time. Things will get better soon, hopefully, but the power of human connection cannot wait. joneen@myrelationship center.org

tions about, or download the Medicare “What’s covered” app in either the App Store or Google Play.

Financial Assistance

If your mom lives on a limited income, you should check hether he ali e r hel with prescription drug costs or

with other Medicare-related premiums, deductibles and copayments.

For help with drug costs, visit SSA.gov/prescriptionhelp or contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 and ask about the “Extra Help Program.”

For help with other Medicare costs, go to Medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227 and ask about the “Medicare Savings Programs.”

Centennial Institute’s John Andrews Award presented to Don and Joyce Siecke

The Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s (CCU) public policy think tank, is pleased to announce it has presented the 2020 John K. Andrews Award to Don and Joyce Siecke. The award recognizes exemplary “Colorado leadership in fidelity to i lical and conservative principles.” The award was presented virtually given coronavirus precautions.

Speaking during the presentation video, the award’s namesake offered high praise for this year’s winner, remarking that Siecke can be found “in the middle of whatever good is going on” across Colorado when it comes to humanitarian, constitutional, conservative, free enterprise and evangelistic causes.

“Colorado Christian University and the Centennial Institute are highly blessed to have friends like the Sieckes,” said Don Sweeting, CCU President.

“Their passion it is to leave what they call ‘a legacy of positive impact on the lives of future generations, in a way that will affect the future of our community, our state, our nation, and the world.’”

Don Siecke has served on CCU’s board of trustees for over 12 years. He and his wife have been longtime allies and stalwart financial supporters of the university and the Centennial Institute. Don is the founder and principal of Kelmore Development.

In accepting the award,

Siecke pointed out that his work has a higher calling: “it’s not about us, it’s about the Lord.”

To him, investing time, energy and resources into the mission of CCU and the Centennial Institute provides an exciting connection to “the change that can come from turning out students of faith who have developed their skills and abilities to make a serious impact.”

“This year’s Western Conservative Summit was the most-registered, most-watched Summit in our 11-year history.

Hundreds of thousands of people from all 50 states watched our film on the importance of the Bible in forming America,” said Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute. “We could not have had this impact without the friendship and support of Don and Joyce Siecke.”

The John K. Andrews Award is named in honor of John Andrews who, along with former U.S. Senator and CCU President Bill Armstrong, founded the Centennial Institute. Previous recipients of the award include former Colorado State Senator Mike Kopp, businessman Jeffrey H. Coors, Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-CO), former Colorado Lt. Governor Jane Norton, businessman James B. Wallace, Catholic Archbishop of Denver Samuel Aquila, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson, former Colorado State Senator Kevin Lundberg, and Mike and Brenda Baller.

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

BY PATRICIA (RUBY) LECLAIRE

National Hero Day is December 29. I take honor in writing this story, as the shared information was my “warm and fuzzy” for the week.

Since people interviewed wished to remain anonymous, my mix consists of a police officer, a teacher, a program director, an office manager, a doctor, a nurse, a billing clerk, a sheriff, a grocery store manager, an automotive mechanic repair shop manager and a firefi hter. Most of the people interviewed had degrees, but there were those that started college and never finished who wor ed their way up the ladder. When I set out with a mix of occupations, I called and told them about this wonderful story I was putting together about heroes, read them my questions, and asked if they would be interested in participating. If I did not include a certain profession, it was probably that I did not receive a response to meet my deadline.

My first question was define the word hero. The comments are not in the order listed of my population - the anonymous thing, so the following are the population definitions.

• A hero is someone who puts others in front of themselves, performs acts not required of themselves, gives of themselves without recognition of time, treasure or knowledge, works above and beyond in acts of selflessness, they are an everyday helper, gives joy to the receiver in the everyday things they do, they are life inspirations through words (written and spoken) and in their unsolicited actions, demonstrates integrity – someone to look up to, they are a role model to strive to be like because of their passion in what they do, someone who cares about the community and schools, a leader, a mentor, a person who emulates a following • ote There were many same definitions, so not all the individuals participating comments are listed separately. Except one comment from a 19-year-old was about integrity from the family-owned company he works for. Know that integrity was the most re-

peated quality possessed by a hero).

My second question was, “who is/was your hero and why There were also very many repeated answers to this question that really made me smile.

Ahh, my warm fuzzy again.

• My parents (Repeated many times and did not have more to say, other than great parents.)

• My parents ad who was a police officer and Mom who was a nurse. They were always helping people because of their industry but, were always putting those people and their needs first, ma in an everyday job above and beyond their position.

• My sin le parent mom who never gave up on me, who was supportive of all of us, especially me, who I could go to with everything and no matter the problem, there was kindness and love.

She worked hard for her family, always puttin us first.

• My wife, who is the strength of the family and is always there for each one of us.

• My wife first, who ta es appreciation given to her from others and bestows it to the person responsible of the act. And my dad, who is a firefi hter, carin for others first.

• My mom, who was single and raised three of us while working and going to school (both full time) and dealing with everyday challenges knowing everything that happens creates you into what you are and it may not be easy, but it is worth it.

• My military nei h or, who did numerous tours of duty, puttin the country first, teaching me about honesty and integrity, and being a role model always.

• My dad, who too care of things, no matters of the precautions, and my husband, for accepting so many for who they are, all that comes into his path, and caring from his heart.

• God, through him I basically reconciled myself to the life I live. I believe in

Jesus Christ and he was not privileged yet he helped us do what we can not do for ourselves. He is so much higher than the concept of a hero.

And my third question was “why did you choose the occupation you are in?” Here are some of the response: • From the positive support of my parents and my military background.

• Summer job for 29 years that never ended!

• I wanted to help people.

• I married the man who led me into a new life, and we built a dream come true.

• I wanted to help people and work with them through their problems.

• I wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life.

From age 12, I knew I had a knack for helping people.

• I love kids and I did not want to see anymore latchkey children who are stuck on video games. I believe that believing in a child will help make a difference.

• After age 3, I wanted to be a fireman. At a e , we were traveling back from Phoenix when a car in front of us was not in a good situation and rolled. My dad stopped the car, removed the three people, and had them out waiting for the paramedics to arrive. There was no thinking twice to his action, and at that point, I was committed!

• id not choose the jo , it presented itself (the answer given most.)

Now take time to answer those questions yourself, and if you have time or are curious, ask those questions of your children. My opinion of a sports star being an everyday hero is when they have a helpful mission next to their name…that is what I believe.

I know a mechanic who assists a recreational hockey coach and I consider him a hero.

When the kids do not perform well in a game, he asks them to write a page on how they could have been a better contributor in the game. He did not yell or scream. The kids saw his disappointment but learned from what they wrote to see their responsibility.

The moral of this story is to be a role model, to make life better for others. And parents, know your children are looking to you. Someday you may be their hero.

You can reach out to me at rubyrockstherock@gmail. com.

South Metro firefighters partner with cities and local charities to give homeless kids a Merry Christmas

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

n ecem er , members of local police departments and social service agencies led by han e the Trend partnered with South Metro ire escue to bring Christmas gifts, cookies and a parade of fire truc s, police cars, and other vehicles to homeless ids at the Motel 6 on Arapahoe Road in Green-

wood Village and the Holiday Motel in n lewood. The families staying there are using vouchers provided to them as they await the transition to permanent housing.

Said one very appreciative homeless mom, “It’s embarrassing, but it’s just the reality. My jo just doesn t pay enough.”

Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

Showing their support for homeless kids by giving out gifts were Firefighter Andrew Bradberry, Captain Brad Lingle, and Firefighter Engineer Brian Veatch, a member of the Arapahoe County Justice Coordinating Committee Behavioral Health Subcommittee who has been working on homelessness issues for several years.

Participating in the parade were Englewood police officers Emily Carreno and Chad Benkelman in the first car. Emilie Van Haecke in the second car is Englewood Police Department co-responder through the All-Health Network.

Directly in front of South Metro Tower 35 firetruck is parade co-ordinator Sienna McGrath.

Photos courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue

PAGE 14 PAGE 14 | | THE THEVILLAGER VILLAGER• •December December 31, 24, 2020 2020

LEGALS

—Continued from previous page—

Aurora Restaurant Relief Grant Program launching Jan. 4

2021 Toyota Avalon is a class act

“Let’s Go Places” is the marketing trademark for Toyota and in these Covid-19 times driving is one of the best ways to travel.

Travel in style, safety, and convenience in the 2021 Toyota Avalon sedan. This is a landmark vehicle for Toyota and like the name implies, this vehicle has performance and class.

Avalon has final assem ly in Georgetown, KY. and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $42,175 with an additional advanced safety package for $1,150.

The “Blueprint” paint adds to the sleek design of this allwheel drive sedan. With the eauty comes a perfect five-star overall vehicle safety score that makes this a powerful package.

A 2.5L dual overhead camshaft 4-cylinder engine provides spirited 205 horsepower

• • • • • •

2017 FIRST

ARAPAHOE COUNTY ARAPAHOE COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO PF20-006, EAST VIRGINIA VILLAGE / FINAL PLAT PROPOSAL: The applicant, Century Communities, on behalf of the property owner, The Mor Acres, LLC / Jerry T. Moore, is proposing a Final Plat to allow for 74, 2-story single-family townhomes on 6.74 acres (10.98 dwelling units per acre). The proposal also includes private streets, a water quality detention pond, parking for owners and visitors, and 40% open space.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 26, 2021, at 9:30 A.M., or as soon thereafter as the calendar of the Arapahoe County Board of County Commission permits, a public hearing will be held; at which, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the above-described PF20-006, East Virginia Village / Final Plat. The public hearing is scheduled for the East Hearing Room, 5334 S Prince St., Littleton Colorado 80120, however, please note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency the hearing will be conducted through remote access – please check the weekly public meeting agenda at https:// www.arapahoegov.com/AgendaCenter/Board-of-County-Commissioners-1 for specific information on how to attend and participate.

The agenda will typically be posted by the Friday afternoon preceding the hearing.

More information about this proposal is available at the offices of the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department, Planning Division, 6924 S. Lima St., Centennial, CO 80112 (by appointment only) or by calling 720-874-6650 or by emailing planning@arapahoegov.com during regular business hours (8:00 a.m.

and 34 mpg highway mileage with an 8-speed electronically control transmission. This drive train combination comes with a 5-year, 50,000 power train warranty.

The standard safety package contains the Toyota Safety Sense package of precollision prevention, dynamic radar cruise control, pedestrian detection, and rear traffic alert.

The interior is loaded with luxury with a 14 speaker JBL sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, four U S ports and hands- free Bluetooth phone and music controls.

Enjoy a heated steering wheel, eight-way power lumbar seat, and a charge station for a smart phone.

This is just a top-drawer drive with excellent economy, power, and graceful appearance. This is a solid choice for every occasion.

clude restaurants, including any liquor-licensed establishment holding a hotel and restaurant license; bars, including those that hold a liquor license for on-premise consumption; breweries, wineries and distilleries that operate an attached sales room; and caterers.

The application process will open Monday, Jan. 4, at AuroraGov.org/RR, and close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14.

The city of Aurora has provided three previous rounds of economic assistance for Aurora businesses since April 2020, distributing over $11 million to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the city. The

Springhill Golf Course 800 N. Telluride St.

$100/team includes cart 18 holes

Modified Scotch format Two flights

No handicap required

Peoria Handicapping System

PLACE — Best

•

T

o provide economic assistance to Aurora restaurants experiencin financial stress or disrupted operations during the COVID-19 outbreak and economic downturn, the city of Aurora and the Aurora City Council are rolling out a $1 million grant program for those that are eligible.

In cooperation with the Arapahoe County CARES Program and the Adams County CARES Program, the Aurora Restaurant Relief Grant Program will provide grants up to $10,000 each to meet business rent and payroll expenses.

Restaurants that previously received funding through the city of Aurora s first three rounds of AER grant funding are not eligible for the Restaurant Relief Program, and grant funding may not duplicate needs funded by other programs or grants received by the applicants.

Eligible businesses in-

pandemic has especially taken a severe toll on the restaurant industry, with businesses losing revenue and customers due to public health-related concerns, closures and restrictions.

Recent public health orders have prohibited all indoor dining, and with winter arriving, outdoor dining options are limited.

Eligible businesses must be located in the city of Aurora, established prior to May 1, 2020, have 50 or fewer employees (combined full time and part time), have an Aurora business license, and be in good standing, among other requirements.

Additional information is available at AuroraGov. org/RR. Grant review will occur in January, and total grant funds awarded will be based on the applicant request and ability to demonstrate need with appropriate documentation. All grant awards will be expended by the end of January. To ask questions, email RR@ auroragov.org.

JU

2018 N N A B e tte r N e w s p a p e r

Amateurs only

A d v e r t is in g C o n te s t

Section

A w a r d - w in n in g N e w s p a p e r

Call 303.739.6854 for more information.

to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

St., Centennial, CO 80112 (by appointment only) or by calling 720874-6650 or by emailing dkocis@ arapahoegov.com during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement or claim at any time up to and including the time of final settlement will release said City of Greenwood Village, Colorado, its Council, officers, agents and employees of and from any and all liability for such claim.

not been paid by the contractor or subcontractors, at any time up to and including time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to the City Manager, City of Greenwood Village, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591, at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement or claim at any time up to and including the time of final settlement will release said City of Greenwood Village, Colorado, its Council, officers, agents and employees of and from any and all liability for such claim.

To register online, visit golfaurora.com and GREENWOOD VILLAGE click on Events & Registration.

Published in The Villager Published: December 31, 2020 Legal # 10067 ___________________________ ARAPAHOE COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. UASI20-001, HUNTER SOLAR / USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW AMENDMENT PROPOSAL: Torch Clean Energy is proposing to amend Case No. U17-005, a previously approved USR and 1041 application, to include an additional 119 acres in order to adjust for the loss of acreage that will be used by an oil and gas operator for a well pad and access road. A Condition of Approval of the original approval required that the applicant work with oil and gas lessees to ensure they could access their minerals.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 19, 2021 the Arapahoe County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 6:30 P.M., or as soon as possible thereafter at 6954 S. Lima St. 80112, Arapahoe Room, Centennial, CO; at which, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the above-described UASI20-001, an amendment to the previously approved Hunter Solar case. Please note, however, that due to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency the hearing will be conducted through remote access – please check https://www. arapahoegov.com/622/PlanningCommission for a link to the agenda and specific information on how to attend and participate. The agenda will typically be posted by the Friday afternoon preceding the hearing.

More information about this proposal is available at the offices of the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department, Planning Division, 6924 S. Lima

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Published in The Villager Published: December 31, 2020 Legal # 10068 ___________________________

ATTEST:

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT For Greenwood Village

Notice is hereby given that the City of Greenwood Village, Colorado will make final payment at the City Hall, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591 at 4:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021, to Colorado Paving, Inc, for all work done by said contractor for the project called Willamette Lane Paving Project, said construction being within the boundaries of the City of Greenwood Village, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, subject to prior satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of said work by the City of Greenwood Village.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company, or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractors, at any time up to and including time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to the City Manager, City of Greenwood Village, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591, at

/s/ George Lantz, Mayor

/s/ Susan Ortiz, City Clerk Published in The Villager First Publication: December 24, 2020 Last Publication: December 31, 2020 Legal # 10059 ___________________________ NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT For Greenwood Village

ATTEST:

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO

Notice is hereby given that the City of Greenwood Village, Colorado will make final payment at the City Hall, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591 at 4:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021, to Jalisco International, for all work done by said contractor for the project called Yosemite-Caley Right Turn Extension Project, said construction being within the boundaries of the City of Greenwood Village, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, subject to prior satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of said work by the City of Greenwood Village.

Published in The Villager First Publication: December 24, 2020 Last Publication: December 31, 2020 Legal # 10059 ___________________________ NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT For Greenwood Village

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company, or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done and whose claim therefore has

8

FIRST PLACE Best Public Notice Section

/s/ George Lantz, Mayor /s/ Susan Ortiz, City Clerk

Notice is hereby given that the City of Greenwood Village, Colorado will make final payment at the City Hall, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591 at 4:00 p.m. on January 11, 2021, to Frontier Environmental, for all work done by said contractor for the project called 2020 CIP- Bridgewater Pond Improvements, said construction being within the boundaries of the City of Greenwood Village, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado,

subject to prior satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of said work by the City of Greenwood Village.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company, or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractors, at any time up to and including time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to the City Manager, City of Greenwood Village, 6060 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-4591, at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement or claim at any time up to and including the time of final settlement will release said City of Greenwood Village, Colorado, its Council, officers, agents and employees of and from any and all liability for such claim.

Ent L

ATTEST

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO /s/ George Lantz, Mayor /s/ Susan Ortiz, City Clerk Published in The Villager First Publication: December 24, 2020 Last Publication: December 31, 2020 Legal # 10061 ___________________________

—Continued End oftoLegals — next page— —

December 31, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

2021 Mazda CX-9 has quality and performance

BY H. THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST

The outstretched wings on the hood indicate that this is a 2021 Mazda CX-9 manufactured entirely in Hiroshima, Japan with all parts including the engine and transmission made in that country.

I like that Mazda has complete control over the assembly of the entire vehicle. This ensures quality control and no excuse for any outside parts from other countries. There is a lot of cannibalization ongoing in the auto industry. With some parts that may be in short supply with the Covid-19 challenges.

The Mazda CX-9 is a quality SUV with a five-star safety rating and loaded with all of the latest safety features. A new feature noted is a rear “Smart City” brake reverse brake support system. Backing up, especially at crowded grocery

outlets, has become very hazardous.

This CX-9 features all-wheel drive and features exterior “Machine Gray” metallic paint and “Deep Chestnut” interior colors. The seating features captain chairs in the first and second row and overall capable of transporting six passengers.

The power plant is a 2.5L-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and delivers an overall 23 mpg. The transmission is a “Skyactive” six-speed transmission with a sport mode selection. Mazda offers a five-year /60K/ power-train warranty.

Loaded with safety features, independent suspension, and front and rear stabilizer body gives the CX-9 a very strong frame and ride.

LED lights surround the vehicle and along with the allwheel drive, the vehicle rides

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING WANTED TO BUY

Old coins and coin collections, jewelry, silver flatware, tea sets, old watches, Chinese and Japa-

nese antiques. Antique firearms and more Call Ted @ 720-3277867.

Commercial Equestrian Hobby Shops Eastern CO 970-230-2052

S T R U C T U R E S

NE and Western IA 402-426-5022

Agricultural Garages And More!

Wisconsin 608-988-6338

www.GingerichStructures.com

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact The Villager at 303-773-8313 x301.

Cash for Mineral Rights Free, no-risk, cash offer. Contact us with the details: Call: 720-988-5617 Write: Minerals, PO BOX 3668, Littleton, CO 80161 Email: opportunity@ecmresourcesinc.com

COLORADO PRESS ASSOCIATION NETWORK

Buy a 25-word statewide classified line ad in newspapers across the state of Colorado for just $300 per week.

Ask about our frequency discounts!

Contact The Villager at 303-773-8313 x301

“OWN YOUR OWN

BUSINESS

AND MANAGE YOUR

OWN SCHEDULE”

If you don’t have a K-Lawn Dealer in your area, we are looking to add a few quality dealers to our 10-state network.

Key benefits include:

Contact us today at 800-445-9116 Or visit us online at k-lawn.com/np K-Lawn Dealers earn the extra income that makes a great family life possible.

• Earn up to $50,000 in supplemental income each summer • Provide income stability for your family • Manage your own lawn fertilization, weed and insect control business • Part-time or full-time, you decide and manage your own schedule

KL-145.indd 1

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT History Colorado Center Reflections on Democracy

Now through Jan. 3. During this important election year be sure to visit the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibition, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith which presents a history of citizen participation, debate and compromise. In addition, artists David Ocelotl Garcia, Rochelle Johnson, Cori Redford and Carmen Richards reflect on core American values in art they created for their exhibit, The New Four Freedoms.

Hours: Tuesday/Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Tickets are $14. 1200 N. Broadway, Denver. For reservations visit historycolorado.org. For information call 303-447-8679

EVENTS Dillon ice Castles

Colorado Statewide Classified Advertising Network

WANTED

on 20” rims and all-wheel disk brakes.

This is a very thoughtful and creative SUV that is worthy of selection and is the higher end of all-wheel drive models with a price of $46,605 that includes a long list of options such as Bose sound and power sunroof.

The CX-9 is really comfortable, sporty, and a pleasure to drive.

Mazda has become a leading brand with quality vehicles like this model.

10/29/20 1:14 PM

December 19 – February 28. Ice Castles is an awe-inspiring, must-see winter phenomenon that brings fairytales to life. The Ice Castles are built entirely by hand using hundreds of thousands of icicles placed by professional artists.

The castles include breathtaking LED-lit structures, frozen thrones,

ice-carved tunnels, slides and fountains. Daily 12 – 9 pm. 120 Buffalo Street, Dillon. Tickets may be available on-site if Ice Castles is not sold out. On-site prices are subject to higher rates. For guaranteed entry and the lowest price, buy tickets online at icecastles.com/Colorado.

For information call 855-845-7885

Winter WonderLights at Union Station

Now through December 31.

Denver’s historic Union Station at 17th & Wynkoop Street has become a canvas on which the first-ever Christmas holiday light show appears. Each evening from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm the presentation will include riveting animations, historic Denver photos and unique artistic creations by local residents.

FUNDRAISERS Mile High Holiday Mart Will Be Virtual

November 13 – December 31.

As conditions regarding COVID-19 have changed dramatically over the last two weeks, the Junior League of Denver’s Holiday Mart has been converted to a fully virtual event. All proceeds from this unique shopping experience support the League’s

Give the greatest gift to your favorite author and nominate them for the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame This holiday season you can give your favorite author the greatest gift by nominating them for inclusion in the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame.® Colorado was the first state to introduce an author’s hall of fame and The Hall is officially calling for nominations from the public for outstanding authors with ties to our beautiful state.

If the nominee is inducted by the board, the author will receive an award and be celebrated in the upcoming

ceremony on September 18, 2021 at the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel, and be forever placed in the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame.® Last year’s 22 inductees

included authors such as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Miss America

By Day’s Marilyn Van Derbur, Jerry Jenkins, who created the Left Behind series, Amer-

Mission of developing the potential of women, improving literacy rates and providing access to books for children through the third grade in the Denver metro area. Visit mile highholidaymart.com to shop!

For information go to holidaymart@ jtd.org or call 303-692-0270

NOW OPEN Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York Street location is open with limited attendance numbers, timed tickets and strict social distancing guidelines. Admissions are capped at 250 people in two-hour increments. Make a reservation online for a specific date at botanicgardens.org. Tickets will not be available onsite. For information call 720-865-3500

Denver Zoo

All tickets must be purchased/ reserved online at DenverZoo.org/ Visit. The zoo will limit the number of visitors per day with staggered 15-minute entry windows to limit the number of guests at any one time. A one-way path around the entire campus has been created to allow guests to view a majority of its animal habitats and gardens.

All guests ages 3 and over will be required to wear face masks. For further information call 720-3371644.

ican Western writer, Louis L’Amour, fortune hunter, W. C. Jameson, and even Stephen King. After living in Colorado for a year to create The Shining, bringing the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park to prominence, King returned to Maine, to finish The Stand which is set in Boulder.

Many of last year’s inductees will be attending the 2021 ceremony to induct the new authors.

Nominations will be open until February 28, 2021. Only 12 authors will be nominated this year for induction.

To find the criteria and nominate an author, visit ColoradoAuthorsHallOfFame. org and click on the Nominate tag.

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • December 31, 2020

How to work together in 2021 as a unified community!

Subscribe to

Support our loyal advertisers Send in news tips Provide news announcements The Villager features a variety of thought-provoking and interesting contributing columnists!

Follow Freda Miklin’s journalistic award-winning local city council meetings, governmental reporting, and coverage of everyday life.

Read Scottie Iverson’s award-winning coverage of the non-profits and community events!

The Villager has the pulse on community happenings!

Be informed with 52 weeks of NEWS and ADVERTISING found NOWHERE ELSE! $52 print/digital or digital only Call 303-773-8313 x 301