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Mike Mazenko will be unpacking his backpack on the east coast

Villager columnist Mike Mazenko is moving on. “The time just seems right,” he told us.

Julie and Mike Mazenko came to Colorado in 2003 for an opportunity to teach at a high school he was told would be a great fit. Former Cherry Creek High School Principal Kathleen Smith agreed. That began a 21-year career that included shaping the academic future of over 2,000 young people, including several whose last name is Miklin, as a teacher and administrator in a school he wrote about in his last regular column for The Villager that appeared on page three on March 28. He called it, “The Creek Mystique.” It included some great success stories of Creek alumni.

In addition to the attraction of teaching in a high school where kids were eager to learn and had families who supported that goal, the Mazenkos fell in love with Greenwood Village as a place to raise a family.

Now that Austin and Chloe, Julie and Mike’s offspring, are attending college in New York and Washington DC, that mission has been accomplished. Chloe is still in her undergraduate years at American University and Austin will be pursuing a Ph.D. in math at New York University. Neither is likely to be back in Colorado soon. Like all parents, the Mazenkos want to be near their children.

A highly accomplished journalist, Mike’s work has been distributed in a wide variety of publications across the country on subjects that include art, music, education, government, the classics, and philosophy. He plans to expand his writing career wherever he and Julie settle on the east coast, now that they’ll have the freedom that comes with stepping away from the demands of daily teaching.

Mike told us about a book idea he has been working on and that he recently presented a paper about at DePaul University in Chicago. “It’s on Henry David Thoreau and punk rock, weaving classic literature and pop culture together,” he explained, “something I’ve taught for years.”

Mike’s first column in this newspaper appeared on February 5, 2021. Dozens of our readers have told us they look forward to reading, “Unpacking the Backpack,” every week. It’s been good for him, too. Mike told us, “Writing a regular column

for The Villager has really fueled my writing. Having a deadline is motivating.”

The Mazenkos have lived in Greenwood Village during their entire time in Colorado. They’ve loved the way GV community events bring people together. “When we stopped renting and bought a house, it was in Greenwood Village. We were close enough that my kids and I always walked to school. It’s just been wonderful.”

“This is amazing!” adding, “As the kids got older, we took them to GV park and rec events like Art in the Park, Fun in the Sun.

During those years, we never missed a GV Fishing Derby, Fall Fest, or a holiday lighting ceremony. It came full circle because Chloe was a recreation aide for the city for five summers, starting after she finished eighth grade.”

He continued, “We went to our first Greenwood Village Day when Austin was two years old and thought,

Being an early GV resident included forming friendships with GV’s elected officials. Mike told us, “My council represen-

Arapahoe County Budget

tatives were Ron Rakowsky (who later became mayor) and Gary Kleeman. I taught two of the Kleeman boys at Creek. I got to know Nancy Sharpe when she was mayor.”

Mike even ran for GV City Council once. He shared, “I told Ron (Rakowsky) and Gary (Kleeman) that I wasn’t running to win. I ran to raise awareness about public safety in our area that is made up of townhouses. I also wanted to point out the importance of the SRO (student resource officer) program at the schools. The next year, GV made the decision to expand its police force by ten officers over five years. I felt like I raised awareness about security and support for the police and the city really listened.” He went on, “I loved and respected Ron, Gary, and

Nancy as city officials. I felt the same about Tom Bishop, T.J. Gordon, and Gary Kramer, who represented our area of GV after them.”

Mike’s closing reflections were, “Now the city has grown and there’s more traffic. Things have changed since the pandemic. People stay at home more. I hope that new families who move in will feel embraced and brought into the community the way we were. I hope they’ll be able to find housing they can afford and raise their families here the way we did. It is great when people who are part of the community, like teachers and nurses, can live where they work. And I hope GV continues to invest in its parks and recreation programs and the policies that enable families to thrive.”

fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Former Villager columnist Michael Mazenko

HORSIN’ AROUND

Many residents of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties love horses.

Among one of the most ardent horse fans is former school art teacher Vicki Dow who has had a love affair with horses from childhood.

BY BOB SWEENEY

Most recently Dow was reading The Villager newspaper and came upon Barb Wire Bob’s epic tale of riding a pinto pony bareback with no bridle or saddle. The story rang true to Vicky because that’s how she rode her pinto horse named “Champ,” named after Gene Autrey’s famous horse.

A decades’ long subscriber to The Villager and family friend, she called to relate her close association with my column and how we both had pinto ponies. The call resulted in breakfast at the new Morning Story restaurant in Belleview Square. The following notations she penned about her childhood riding habits.

Vicky relates, “Champ” was my first “Heart Horse.” When I was 9 or 10, my brother Stan, and I, accompanied our grandfather to the livestock auction. Coming out of the shoot came this beautiful brown and white pinto. Being a brat, I cried until I got that precious horse.

Her notes continue, “He was perfect, and he never reacted when cars would pass, honking, yelling, pounding on doors attempting to startle Champ. He paid no attention to them.”

“He always took care of me, and I would coax him

to the apple tree. I would climb up in the tree while he was snacking on an apple and then I’d jump on his back with no bridle, halter, or saddle. Then we spent our time wandering around the pasture.”

Vickie had another favorite horse later in life named “Dixie.” “He was a fantastic sassy horse, probably too much for me, but I had the good fortune to board him with a wonderful horsewoman, Maletha King, who gave me unbelievable courage and got me back to bare back riding and then gave me the courage to jump the crossbar bareback. During our years of living in the area we would see Vickie at social events and a guest at her home in Homestead. Often, she would be bruised, sometimes in a cast, from her many riding experiences.

Now reaching 82 years of age, and her last horse passing recently, Vicki has given her saddle and tack away and taken her last sunset ride. She laughs about naming the last “gilding” boy horse “Dixie.”

I loved my black and white pinto horse just like she loved her brown and white horse. People who own, and ride horses, know what we’re talking about; there is just something special about “horsin’ around,” with a wonderful horse, with or without a bridle or saddle. They are amazing equines. We both have fond horse memories.

udith Joy Smiley Girard died peacefully in her sleep at age 89 on April 7, 2024. She is now dancing in heaven with her husband Larry, who has patiently waited over two decades for her to join him.

Judith was born on June 1, 1934, of Vera Sullivan Smiley and Wallace Smiley of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She studied art at the University of Arkansas. Here, she met her future husband and love of her life, Larry Joseph Girard of Paris, Arkansas.

Judith was known for her sense of style, her outspokenness, and her love of cooking, flowers, and gardening. She had a deep fondness for dogs, the newspaper

(especially the weather), and all things red and sparkly (including a shiny crimson Jeep Cherokee she won at a Cancer League of Colorado raffle!). She had many friends and loved to socialize. When Judith wasn’t commanding the scene at a good party, she enjoyed playing bridge and Mahjong—and teaching others how to play so she would never lack for partners. One of Judith’s trademark talents was flower arranging, and she won many awards for her unique designs, often in the Japanese tradition.

For all of her adult life, Judith treasured her family—her singular focus and vocation. In recent years, nothing has brought her more joy than visits from her children and grandchildren (and grand-dogs!). Her sense of humor and willingness to

speak her mind endured to the end.

Judith is survived by three children, Clayton Edward Girard of Denver, Colorado, Cynthia Girard (Brian) Unwin of Roanoke, Virginia, and Steven Frederick Girard of Englewood, Colorado; two grandchildren, Kelly Unwin

(Brian) Andrews of Morrison, Colorado, and Emily Unwin of Edinburgh, Scotland; and three grand-dachshunds, Frankie, Elway, and Payton. She is also survived by one niece, Sandra Mitchell Moriarty, and two nephews, Phillip Mitchell and Robert Mitchell, all of Owasso, Oklahoma. The family would like to extend special gratitude to all of Judith’s caregivers, first at Someren Glen Assisted Living, and more recently at the Rocky Mountain Assisted Living Milwaukee House. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer League of Colorado or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial, Colorado, on April 23rd at 11 a.m., with viewing at the Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary from 4-6 p.m. on April 22nd.

Dressed for a date she gives “Champ” a carrot.

Vicki Dow riding her horse “Champ” bareback, without a bridle.

be in the know

BY FREDA MIKLIN

Centennial’s Robyn Carnes is running for State Senate District 16

Robyn Carnes, who was elected to a four-year term on the Centennial City Council in 2022, is hoping to make an early exit and move downtown to a spot under the golden dome.

A Republican, she has announced her candidacy for state Senate District 16. That position is currently held by Democrat Chris Kolker. Kolker was elected in 2020 from Senate District 27, but the statewide 2022 redistricting process put his home in SD16, which he has represented since January 2023.

Kolker is believed to be running for re-election.

SD16 includes Gilpin County, parts of Boulder and Jefferson Counties, and a small part of Centennial. Voter registration in

SD16 is 30% Democratic, 27% Republican, and 42% unaffiliated.

Carnes, who has lived in Centennial since 2003 with her husband and two sons, “manages a business dedicated to growing human performance, leveraging

13 years of experience in meeting facilitation consultancy.” She has served on Centennial’s senior commission, youth commission, faith counsel, and audit committee.

The future would-be state senator is also a chaplain and a real estate broker with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Arts degree from Denver Seminary.

Carnes believes in balanced government. She says, “Right now there is no balance down at the state. In fact, the Colorado Senate is one seat away from becoming a super minority which already exists in the House. This is no good.”

Colorado Concern and Advance Colorado join forces to control future property tax increases

On April 3, the Ballot Title Setting Board of the Colorado Secretary of State approved the titles of six separate ballot measures proposed by the leadership of Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern to lower property taxes across the state and limit their growth in the future. The six measures may be further consolidated before petitions are circulated for the November election.

The ballot measures that made it through the title setting process and would reduce Colorado property tax collections by $3 billion, are designed to:

• Lower the assessment rate for residential property from 7.15% to either 5.7% after deducting $55,000 from the actual value, or 5.3% with no deduction.

• Lower the assessment rate for nonresidential and personal property from 29% to 25%.

• Cap statewide growth in property tax revenues for “residential and certain nonresidential property to 4% over the prior year,” without voter approval.

Under Colorado law, county assessors evaluate real property every two years to determine market value for calculating property taxes. The valuation date, set out in state law, is June of the prior year. When assessors’ valuations started showing

up in mailboxes in April 2023, property values reflected on them were based on market values from June 2022, updated from the previous market values in June 2020.

Unfortunately, property values were at or near their peak in June 2022 and increases of over 30% were common. It also sounded counterintuitive to many taxpayers that they should be paying 2023 taxes in 2024 based on values from 2022, which had since come down.

The 2020 vote to repeal the Gallagher Amendment exacerbated the problem. Gallagher had kept residential property taxes artificially low for 38 years at the expense of business property taxes, which had carried more than their share of the tax burden.

With only weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, Governor Polis and the legislature passed a plan they called Proposition HH to reduce the amounts residents would have to

pay in 2024. The plan required voter approval. On November 7, 2023, voters said no, by a 20-point margin. The governor called the legislature back into special session to find another answer. They were successful in lowering property taxes due in 2024, but more needed to be done to change the system that had resulted in the financial emergency that was only resolved for one year.

Gov. Polis appointed a bipartisan task force comprised of elected officials, business, and community leaders to devise a long-term plan to avoid large fluctuations in property taxes in the future. Their final report has not yet been released.

Some in the community were reluctant to leave it to the governor’s task force to solve the problem. Advance Colorado (AC), a right-leaning policy and political action group led by Michael Fields, and Colorado Concern

(CC), a bipartisan statewide advocacy group of top corporate CEOs who “promote a pro-business environment through the political process,” led by Dave Davia, joined forces to address the problem, resulting in the ballot measures just approved by the Title Setting Board.

Last month, former state legislator and high-powered political consultant Josh Penry appeared at the regular meeting of the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club at Maggiano’s DTC to talk about how Advance, that campaigned against Proposition HH, and Colorado Concern, that was in favor of Proposition HH, came together on this issue.

Said Penry, “We really do have an affordable housing crisis in this state, but it cannot be addressed without restraining the growth of property taxes.”

Noting that, “the legislature has had three years” to solve this problem, Penry explained, “Since 2000, the Colorado economy, as measured by real GDP, has increased by about 150%, the state’s general fund has increased by 300%, and property tax revenue has increased by 300%.”

The goal of the changes proposed by AC and CC is to reduce total property taxes paid statewide to the amount collected in 2022, plus 4%.

Colorado Senate District 16

SD16 candidate Robyn Carnes

Colorado Concern’s Dave Davila

Advance Colorado’s Michael Fields Photo by Freda Miklin Josh Penry Photo by Freda Miklin

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office could lose $12 million in 2025

Addressing the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club at its regular meeting at Maggiano’s DTC on April 3, Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown said, “The Sheriff’s Office is looking at a $12 million budget cut next year,” due to strained financial resources at the county.

When someone asked the sheriff why there are so many vehicles on the street driving with no license plates or expired license plates, Brown said, “We write hundreds of tickets for expired license plates. The maximum fine is $100,” adding that his office would write more of those tickets if he had additional officers. “We’ve asked for more officers but it takes $473,000 to fully train and outfit a new deputy.”

Arapahoe County Commissioner Jeff Baker was in the room. He confirmed what the sheriff said about the costs associated with each additional officer and also the possibility of the office facing a budget cut.

Sheriff Brown shared that his office was re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies by (CALEA) in 2023 and that it is in the top 5% of 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country.

The sheriff said, “I was asked to talk about home invasion. Those things are rare. I can’t remember the last time I heard about one.”

Car theft was an important topic. Said Sheriff Brown, “Motor vehicle theft was a huge issue. We worked with the legislature to make all car thefts felonies. (Previously, if a stolen car was worth less than $2,000, it was considered a misdemeanor.)

Since the change, “Motor vehicle theft has been reduced 30%. We are positively impacting the community.”

Now in his second four-year term, Sheriff Brown attributed much of the property crime that occurs to drug addiction and he named fentanyl as the biggest culprit. He said, simply, “Addicts commit crimes to support their habit.”

A few years ago, possession of fentanyl was not a felony unless the amount was four grams or more. Everyone in law enforcement quickly realized that was a huge mistake and lobbied the legislature to fix the problem.

Sheriff Brown said, “I was the chief negotiator. I carried around a four-gram bag of sugar to symbolize that amount of fentanyl, which can kill 2,500 people. We got the amount reduced to one gram. One gram is better than four but we still support zero tolerance for fentanyl at the legislature.”

He went on, “In 2022, law enforcement seized 120,000 tabs of fentanyl. It was the largest haul ever. Two weeks later, 113 pounds of pure fentanyl was intercepted coming across the mountains on I-70 when the vehicle it was in got stopped for a traffic infraction.”

The sheriff also talked about therapy dogs, an important new tool being used by School Resource Officers that has made them even

more effective. “ We brought in therapy dogs with the help of Back the Blue, a volunteer group that supports law enforcement. We use the dogs inside the schools. Kids love the dogs and view the SROs as ‘the guy who walks the dog.’ These dogs have broken down boundaries with kids and built relationships.”

A similar program is the Mounted Patrol Program, which was designed for deputies to use horses to patrol parks and trails. These days, Sheriff Brown said you can often see an officer on a horse at Dry Creek Elementary engaging the students.

As always, the topic of homelessness came up. Sheriff Brown said, “If you’re willing to leave your tropical community (in Central America) in December to come and stay in a motel in Aurora, Colorado, it’s got to be pretty terrible where you come from. The situation has to be dire straits. But the impact that that is having on our community is tremendous and I’ve tried to talk to Denver Mayor Johnston about his plans. Centennial Mayor Pico and I have requested several meetings because what’s happening in Denver has a direct impact on what’s happening in Arapahoe County. We haven’t been able to have that meeting. I’ve requested it the appropriate ways. Now I’m just going to start putting

University College at the University of Denver partners with Ziplines Education

To Provide Digital Skills and Credentials to Busy Professionals, Empowering Them To Compete in Booming TechnologyAdjacent Jobs Market

A shortage of qualified workers for key positions remains a huge challenge for employers in Colorado. Recently, the Colorado Workforce Development Council revealed a two-to-one ratio of job openings to available workers, emphasizing the urgent need to address the skills gap, as evidenced by the state’s legislative and funding focus on workforce development initiatives. To support today’s ever-evolving workforce needs, University College, the University of Denver’s college of professional and continuing education, today announced its launch of several new online programs in partnership with Ziplines Education.

“Gaining the skills employers want in a competitive market can

be challenging for working adults, which is why we’re excited to introduce these industry-focused certification courses that are quick and affordable, and deliver industry skills and certifications,” said Teri Markle, University College’s Associate Dean of Continuing Education.

“By partnering with Ziplines Education, we are expanding our offerings to meet the needs of learners looking to upskill or reskill to better compete in today’s job market.”

The industry-certification program introduces pathways for learners and earners at all levels of education to grow professionally. Over a 10-week span, through online instruction, self-directed learning, and optional live sessions, learners will dive into real-world applications, data-driven strategies, and cutting-edge technology skills. The expert-taught and industry-driven curriculum, combined with an accessible schedule and without educational prerequisites, allows learners to build their skillset on their own time and work toward industry-recognized certifications.

Courses, which can be found at professional.du.edu/courses/industry-certification-courses, are focused on high-growth career disciplines, including digital marketing, business analytics, project management, and sales, and feature certifications from leading technology platforms.

Digital Marketing learners leave the program with foundational skills and industry-recognized certifications in HubSpot, Google Ads, and Google Analytics.

Business Analytics learners are grounded in the essentials of data analytics and earn Tableau micro-credentials.

Project Management learners earn a Jira Software Essentials Associate Certification and 23 hours toward the Project Management Institute’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification.

Sales Development learners obtain the employable skills, Salesforce Trailhead credentials, and real-world experience needed to launch a sales career and amplify earning potential.

“Motor vehicle theft was a huge issue. We worked with the legislature to make all car thefts felonies. (Previously, if a stolen car was worth less than $2,000, it was considered a misdemeanor.) Since the change, “Motor vehicle theft has been reduced 30%. We are positively impacting the community.”

– Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown

it out in the public sphere to see if we can apply pressure to see how we can all work together. We’ve seen too many times that Denver dictates how the rest of us respond and act. We all need to work together. We work well with the Denver Sheriff’s office. We work well with the Denver Police Department. We all collaborate together. Now we need to work together on the legislative side of things to address some of these issues. I want to make sure that we recognize that these people are in need. As bad as people say things are, this is still the greatest country in the world.”

Sales Operations learners obtain the strategic know-how, Salesforce Trailhead credentials, and real-world experience to increase sales productivity and revenue.

“As we continue to grow our footprint nationwide, we’re excited to partner with University College to offer several new programs, especially since we share the University of Denver’s well-regarded commitment to innovation and technology education,” said Sara Leoni, CEO and founder of Ziplines Education. “We are proud to collaborate with University College to expand its catalog of industry-focused courses, giving professionals affordable access to relevant digital skills that are in demand in their local communities.”

These industry-certification programs give learners a competitive edge, whether they’re seeking to strengthen their current role, move up the leadership ladder, or quickly learn impactful skills to launch a new career. Students will complete the program with in-demand practical skills, a strategic playbook to showcase their new skills to employers, and a non-credit certificate from the

University of

Denver.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown Photo by Freda Miklin

Balance and control government activity, which always tends to want more power. Force our government to live within the bounds of our Constitution. For the Constitution explicitly limits the power and scope of only the government. It does so to protect the inalienable rights and freedom of the individual citizen.”

Monetary Policy implementation is bipolar. The Federal Reserve tightens through interest rate increases and concurrently stimulates with excess money supply (liquidity). These two activities are diametrically opposed. Yet they happen by the hand of

one federal agency, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC.)

The net effect: Inflation, due to excess money supply, is decimating the buying power of the dollar. Simultaneously interest rates are bludgeoning business expansion through higher costs of debt. Financial institution margins compress due to the squeeze in spread

between long and short rates.

Long interest rates (market driven) have not gone up nearly as much as the Fed raised short rates (Fed Fund Rate). The yield curve remains inverted. Further suggesting a recession.

All recessions are a Monetary phenomena according to Milton Friedman and through economic observation. Why the Fed decided to put us into a recession is curious. Recessions hurt the private economy and citizen. Recessions don’t hurt bureaucrats or government workers. If the bureaucrat can’t get paid through raising taxes, they print money.

The excessive supply of money was created by placing our nation into massive debt (sale of Treasury Bonds). That debt will be paid back by every working citizen through taxes, further depressing the individuals ability to stand on his own. That debt was incurred because our government decided to create massive spending programs for entitlements, welfare, student loan forgiveness, COVID relief and green energy subsidies like EV’s.

If one believes that the government is the solution for every problem (Collectivists, Socialists, Communists, Fascists, Democracy, the Left), then why not crush the antithesis of the government, namely private enterprise and free citizens working in the private economy by causing a recession brought on by federal monetary policy. This is not a bias along party lines, many republicans exhibit these tendencies as do most democrats.

Would it not be more efficient to leave the majority of decisions and earnings in the hands of every free citizen rather than funnel it to the government through debt and taxation?

Foresight is a curse, because one can see the net ef-

fect of the path on which our nation walks. But convincing those without foresight is difficult. So look at the facts, bring order to the chaos. The answer is right in front of us.

The one solution to this recurring problem is, and always has been: Balance and control government activity, which always tends to want more power. Force our government to live within the bounds of our Constitution. For the Constitution explicitly limits the power and scope of only the government. It does so to protect the inalienable rights and freedom of the individual citizen. That freedom gave rise to the most powerful economic system the world has ever known, Capitalism.

Demand that politicians not only stop spending, but significantly reduce federal spending. Rescind the Chevron Deference to prevent bureaucrats from assessing fines on private business. If fines are to assessed, demand that Congress have the spine to stand up and be counted or be removed from office.

Regulators and bureaucrats were never intended to have the power they do. Our founding fathers had the foresight to know what would happen and built our Constitution for just that reason. It is up to free citizens to see that we keep our Constitutional Republic. A republic is a representative form of government in which the citizens govern themselves. It is time we re-assert our rights to freedom from excessive and self-serving government actions.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

opening this weekend you’re invited...

Little Man Ice Cream is Joining the Greenwood Village Community… Drum Roll Please!!

Come celebrate our Grand Opening with us Friday, April 12 at 6:30 pm at Belleview Square, 4940 S. Yosemite Street (King Soopers Center at E Belleview Ave)

The Cherry Creek High School Marching Band will kick off the festivities, followed by a ribbon cutting at 6:45 pm and first scoops at 7 pm. Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills movers and shakers Bob & Gerri Sweeney, owners of The Villager, will cut the ribbon along with one of the world’s

foremost climate scientists, Dr. Warren Washington and wife Mary. Dr. Washington has served under five U.S. Presidents. Whether young or old, they all have one thing in common. They love ice cream!

With 24 hand-crafted ice cream flavors daily, including many vegan and sorbet options, plus a “One-for-Here, Two-to-Go” freezer filled with ice cream sammies, pints, pies, and cakes, all of your ice cream dreams will be fulfilled!

hub with entertainment and events like bingo nights and live music, school fundraisers, and more.

Besides fun events to go with your scoop, Little Man can bring the magic to YOU. We cater everything from graduation parties and weddings to birthdays, office parties, and more.

Join us for our Grand Opening and say ‘hello’. We simply can’t wait to meet you!

Little Man Ice Cream Greenwood Village 4940 S. Yosemite Street, Suite E1 Sunday-Thursday: 11:30 am - 9 pm

Sterling Ranch announces newest community amenity, Prospect Park

The eight acre park will feature a fully inclusive design, including a pool, playground and turf field

Sterling Ranch, a 21st century master-planned community, is proud to announce the community’s newest amenity, Prospect Park. The eight acre park will feature a fully inclusive design, including a pool, playground, picnic areas, a multi-purpose turf field (for youth soccer, concerts and move nights) and basketball court. Upon completion it will be easily accessible via a network of existing and planned paths and thoroughfares. The playground and pool are designed to be inclusive, providing opportunities for those of varying abilities and ages to play and relax.

“Sterling Ranch is all about meeting the needs of our residents and Prospect Park’s inclusive design further emphasizes our community spirit of helping others who face unique challenges,” said Gary Debus, general manager of the Sterling Ranch Community Author-

ity Board. “We have been active participants in the ‘Helping a Hero’ program, and were part of a team that donated property and a home in Sterling Ranch to wounded warrior Corporal Ryan Garza. We’ve also been strong supporters of the Reynolds’ family’s annual ‘Miles 4 Madison’ fundraising race through Sterling Ranch, to provide recreational and educational opportunities to families with children with special needs. It’s efforts like these that define Sterling Ranch as a community of caring.”

“We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community in Sterling Ranch and I was honored to be part of the task force for the new park ,” said Sterling Ranch resident, Tracy Hoel. “We live right down the street and my daughter Caitlin will be able to be included and enjoy this all abilities park. My grandsons who live in the community as well are so excited that we can all

enjoy together as a family and with all our friends and neighbors!” Prospect Park is the latest addition to the growing list of community amenities and support already completed at Sterling Ranch, including:

The Sterling Center

A gathering place, hosting a number of vital neighborhood businesses including a coffeehouse, a family dentist, UCHealth primary and urgent care, along with Steadman Hawkins physical therapy, a credit union, an ophthalmologist, community events and rotating food trucks serving up unique eats.

Primrose School

A supportive, nurturing early education center for the young children of the Sterling Ranch community.

The Overlook Recreation Center

An all-important social and recreational hub for

Sterling Ranch community, The Overlook provides 4,900-square-feet of space, including a Great Hall with a catering kitchen, a fitness center, two outdoor pavillions and a pool.

Smart City Technology

Every Sterling Ranch home is equipped with smart-home technology and fiber Internet, giving residents lightning-fast speeds for streaming and downloading, along with the convenience that comes with the smart-home gadgets available today.

Open Space

Nestled between two state parks, Sterling Ranch’s pedestrian-friendly community features 30 miles of trails and nearly 40% open space, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of every sunny Colorado day. Sterling Ranch is the only community in Colorado to provide an annual Colorado State Parks pass,

making adventure and exploration even easier.

A Community Lifestyle Director

Plans intentional, enriching events for Sterling Ranch residents that foster connection with the outdoors and each other. All events cultivate a supportive culture, ignite new forever friendships, and offer opportunities to give back.

Douglas County will be helping with $2.5 million in funding for the park as a regional amenity.

“We greatly appreciate Douglas County and the County Commissioners for their assistance in making Prospect Park a reality,” said Debus. “We’ve invested millions of dollars into the amenities at Sterling Ranch, and are looking forward to adding many more in the years to come. It’s also been an investment of time and energy, working with residents to deliver the type of community they want. Prospect Park is our latest and greatest addition to Colorado’s most successful master planned community.”

For more information regarding Sterling Ranch, please visit www.sterling ranchcolorado.com.

Prospect Park Ground Breaking

Colorado native, Harold Smethills Sterling Ranch Founder

The Reynolds family, some of the first residents to belong to the Pioneer Club

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, Harold Smethills and Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon

Gary Debus, GM of the Community Authority Board

The Levinson Family

Many residents were present to support the exciting ground breaking

Sterling Ranch wishes to thank the residents on the Planning Committee for bringing the park to fruition

NOMINEES

Large Business of the Year

Nominees

• Automated Business Technologies

• Canvas Credit Union

• Club Greenwood

• Craig Hospital

• Ent Credit Union

• John Elway Dealership Group

Small Business of the Year

Nominees

• Adavanza

• Arvada Rent-Alls

• Centennial Airport

• Chris’ Garage Doors

• Guardian Pest Management

• MJ Fit

• Red Bigfoot IT

• SCP Insurance Group

• Simonson Team - RE/ MAX Professionals

Minority/Women Owned Business of the Year

Nominees

• Blush

• Comedy Works DTC

• Express Employment Professionals Littleton

• PostNet

Nonprofit of the Year

Nominees

• Backpack Society

• Christian Living Communities

• Crisis Center

• Junior AchievementRocky Mountain

• Nourish Meals on Wheels

• Project C.U.R.E.

• You Are Not Alone Mom

2 Mom

Chamber Champion

Nominees

• Cheryl Chiasson

• Ian Iringan

• Krista Simonson

• Mark Mais

• Nikki Brooker

• Peggy King

• Rhonda Lord

• Sabrina Wright-Hobart

Brian Vogt Community Leader Nominees

• Chris Tyrrell

• Christine Sweetland

• Mark Mais

• Rhonda Lord

• Sabrina Wright-Hobart

• Tony Salazar

CONGRATULATIONS

to all of our award winners who were announced at the Annual Business Awards!

✯ Large Business of the Year:

Ent Credit Union

✯ Small Business of the Year:

Simonson Team RE/MAX Professionals

✯ Minority/Woman-Owned Business of the Year:

Express Employment Professionals - Littleton, CO

✯ Nonprofit of the Year: Backpack Society

✯ Chamber Champion: Rhonda Lord

✯ Brian Vogt Community Leader: Tony Salazar

✯ Ambassadors of the Year: Sabrina Wright-Hobart & Ian Iringan

✯ Legacy Award: Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet

AWARD WINNERS

SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER TEAM MEMBERS Christianna Duthie, Cayman Lightner, Jeff Keener, Nick Eden, Marti Woo, Allison Crouder, Ashley Garcia, and Lori Gerlits.

Award winners L to R: Shane Koenig, Dale Abood, Ian Iringan, Sabrina Wright-Hobart, Jeff Keener, Rhonda Lord, Laura Linville, June Everett, Krista Simonson, Tony Salazar and Lone Tree Mayor Jackie

CNBC takes “Cities of Success” to new heights in Colorado for franchise’s second stop

CNBC’s “Cities of Success” travels to Boulder and Denver in Colorado and examines the cities’ growth in thriving industries from aerospace to natural foods, energy, tech, venture capital and more

For the second stop of the “Cities of Success” franchise, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, lands in Colorado to explore two Rocky Mountain destinations in “Cities of Success: Denver & Boulder,” the cross-platform program that uncovers how key cities have rebuilt themselves as centers of business and industry. The Colorado cities’ economies have thrived, but they are at a pivotal moment where they need to address significant challenges from an affordable housing shortage to a growing homeless population and an unprecedented flow of migrants.

On Thursday, April 11 at 10

Kevin Vick elected President of the Colorado Education Association

Kevin Vick was elected President of the Colorado Education Association (CEA) at the 98th annual Delegate Assembly. Delegate Assembly is CEA’s top policy-making body, composed of several hundred members across the state who are elected by their fellow members.

“I’ve served alongside Kevin Vick over the past six years, and his unwavering commitment to bettering the educational landscape in Colorado is unparalleled,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and President of CEA. “His proven track record of leadership, coupled with his profound understanding of the nuances of our education system’s strengths and challenges, uniquely positions him to steer CEA towards even greater heights of success and impact.”

Vick is a 23-year veteran high school social studies teacher and has served as CEA’s Vice President over the last six years. He will begin a three-year term in July of this year.

“I’m honored to be CEA’s president-elect and look forward to building upon the progress that

we’ve made as an organization over the past six years,” said Kevin Vick, president-elect of CEA. “Together, we have fought for better wages, fairer workplace conditions and a fully funded education system in Colorado. As president-elect, I am looking forward to harnessing the collective energy and passion of our nearly 40,000 dedicated members to propel our organization toward even greater heights of excellence and impact. I am confident that together, we will continue to champion the rights of educators, advocate for the needs of our students, and foster a culture of collective unity and strength.”

Liz Waddick was also elected to serve as CEA’s Vice President for a threeyear term beginning in July. Waddick is a Spanish teacher at Summit High School and is a member of the Summit County Education Association. Additionally, Ang Anderson was re-elected to serve as NEA Director for a three-year term, and Kathy Gustad was re-elected as the Equity Council AtLarge member on the CEA Board of Directors.

pm ET/PT, CNBC will air a onehour primetime special, “Cities of Success: Denver & Boulder,” that reveals how the cities have positioned themselves to evolve along with the U.S. economy while combating issues that could threaten their trajectories.

Anchored by CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla, the program features an expert roster of CNBC reporters and in-depth interviews with the region’s biggest leaders in government and business including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Buckley Space Force Base Colonel Heidi Dexter, Senator John Hickenlooper, Voyager CEO Dylan Taylor, Access Mode CEO Zaneta Kelsey, AgentSync Co-Founder & CEO Niji Sabharwal, Elevate Quantum Dan Caruso and more.

“Growing up in Denver and Boulder in the 1980s, I watched the cities’ economies handle some painful swings so it’s incredible to see how they’ve now diversified beyond energy and aerospace into tech, quantum computing, life sciences, venture capital and more,” said Carl Quintanilla. “It was exciting to go back to Colorado for this special and speak to the business leaders about how far Denver and Boulder have come and what obstacles they are facing for future growth.”

Tied to the “Cities of Success: Denver & Boulder” special, CNBC will also partner with Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success, to engage the community and educate students about personal finance,

timed to Financial Literacy Month. CNBC will visit the JA Dream Accelerator, an on-site program where Colorado-area high school students go through an interactive experience at the Free Enterprise Center, where they discover personal strengths, learn about legendary Colorado businesspeople, complete a reality check to align lifestyle goals with money, and explore steps to build their dream career. Senior Personal Finance Correspondent

Sharon Epperson will moderate a live panel, “In Pursuit of Success,” with five notable Colorado entrepreneurs featured in the Dream Accelerator experience at the Free Enterprise Center in Greenwood Village on Thursday, April 11. This community engagement with students is part of CNBC’s financial education initiative, CNBC Your Money, dedicated to helping people manage, grow and protect their money so they can live ambitiously.

Real women wear comfortable shoes

I didn’t see the Barbie movie, but I was happy to learn that by the end of it, Barbie had gone from being a doll in high heels to a real woman wearing Birkenstocks. I don’t know what it took to get those iconic arched feet into more practical footwear, but the lesson is clear to me: Real women wear comfortable shoes. April is National Foot Health Awareness Month and in honor of the new, real Barbie and other real women everywhere, I’m going to share the questions I ask myself before I buy shoes. Feel free to try them. The soles you save could be your own.

danger on the dance floor.

2. Could I walk a mile in these shoes? Better yet, could I run a mile in them? The answer to the latter is, probably not. I’m not sure I could run a mile in any shoe. But the point is, I not only want to be able to walk in my shoes, I want to be able to walk fast in them when I’m running late—which I often am. Feet are for walking and shoes are for feet. If I can’t walk in my shoes, I may as well use them for hammers.

1. Just because the shoe fits, will I want to wear it? Long ago I wore what I affectionately call “dumb girl shoes” for special occasions. Dumb girl shoes balance the weight of the entire body on heels the size of number two pencils and arch from heel to toe like a roller coaster. My feet don’t do that so whether or not the shoes fit, I didn’t want to wear them. I wound up taking off my shoes and spending the evening stocking footed. Not only did that make a mess of my feet, it was also a real

3. Can I stand on my own two feet in them? I know women who wear heels so they can look taller. I understand. There are things I’d like to change about myself too. Fortunately, my height isn’t one of them. And it’s a good thing. If I wore high heels, I’d have to sit because my feet hurt. Then I’d really be short.

4. Would I fall head over heels for these shoes? I’m not speaking metaphorically. I read that in 2019, there were more than 16,000 emergency department visits involving high heels. Remarkably, that number fell to 6,290 in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown. That proves what I’ve known all

along. I’m better off working at home in my bedroom slippers.

And falling isn’t the only danger of high heels. According to the American Osteopathic Association, high heels cause the feet to slide forward, squishing toes like pecans in a nutcracker, though I don’t think that’s the way they described it. High heels also redistribute weight incorrectly so that the body tilts forward, and we lean back and overarch our back to compensate. This strains our knees, hips, and lower back, but does look extremely attractive.

5. Can I put my best foot forward without breaking any body parts when I wear these shoes? I realize we can’t go around in sneakers all day every day. We shouldn’t wear them to weddings or job interviews. But shoes shouldn’t have to be dangerous to be presentable. The dangerous ones don’t always look that great anyway. I’ve seen high heel shoes that look more like decorative planters or large knick-knacks.

But if you really feel you want to toe the line when it comes to fashion consider this: Real Barbie traded in her high heels for Birkenstocks and she looks better than ever.

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Greenwood Village has been recognized by Tree City USA for 35 years

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

At the regular meeting of the Greenwood Village City Council on April 1, Carrie Tomlinson, urban forestry manager for the Colorado State Forest Service, presented an award to the city to honor its having attained Tree City USA status for 35 years. GV is one of only ten cities in our state to hold that distinction.

One requirement for a Tree City is to observe Arbor Day as a “tree planting holiday, an annual opportunity to recognize and renew our commitment to trees where we live, work, learn, and play,” she said, adding, “Each day, trees provide us many benefits. They make our communities healthier, providing shade, reducing noise, cleaning our air and water, and they provide beauty and opportunities to recreate.”

Greenwood Village will have a tree planting event in honor of Arbor Day at the Curtis Arts Center on April 19 at 10:00 am. The public is welcome to attend.

Tomlinson told the city

“Trees also provide us with climate mitigation and adaption. They are very sophisticated and majestic carbon factories. In 2023 and 2024, we had the hottest winter on record in over 200 years. This tells us we will most likely have a very hot summer (so) your trees are going to be working very hard this summer.”

– Carrie Tomlinson Urban Forestry Manager for the Colorado State Forest Service

council, “Trees also provide us with climate mitigation and adaption. They are very sophisticated and majestic carbon factories. In 2023 and 2024, we had the hottest winter on record in over 200 years. This tells us we will most likely have a very hot summer (so) your trees are going to be working very hard this summer.”

Our trees, she explained, will provide “a three-to-five-

degree difference in ambient temperature, not just under the shade of the tree, but in

the neighborhoods in which these trees exist.”

That temperature difference impacts “heat related illness and heat-related death,” said Tomlinson, noting that in 2022, when we had a particularly hot summer in Colorado, “Our heat related illness doubled,” thus, “Our trees are lifesaving.”

fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

Centennial Earns #6 Ranking in Stacker’s Best Suburbs to Live in Colorado List, Recognizing Exceptional Quality of Life

Exciting news from Centennial! We’re thrilled to share that our City has been ranked #6 in Stacker’s “Best Suburbs to Live in Colorado” list. This achievement underscores Centennial’s commitment to providing residents with an exceptional quality of life.

Stackerstacker.com, drawing upon data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live, meticulously evaluated numerous factors such as cost of living, educational attainment, housing affordability, and school quality to compile this prestigious list. Centennial’s impressive ranking serves as a testament to its allure as a highly

sought-after suburban destination. Explore more about Stacker’s list stacker.com/colorado/ best-suburbs-live-colorado.

“Seeing Centennial recognized in the top 10, despite its significantly larger population compared to other cities, fills me with immense pride. Centennial is an inclusive community with enduring built environments, memorable plac-

es, and experiences that bring people together. It is these qualities that have placed us on this esteemed list, and for that, we extend our gratitude to our residents, businesses, and partners for making Centennial such a remarkable place to live,” says Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko. With unwavering dedication to community well-being, educational excellence, and acces-

“Seeing Centennial recognized in the top 10, despite its significantly larger population compared to other cities, fills me with immense pride. Centennial is an inclusive community with enduring built environments, memorable places, and experiences that bring people together. It is these qualities that have placed us on this esteemed list, and for that, we extend our gratitude to our residents, businesses, and partners for making Centennial such a remarkable place to live.”

– Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko

sible housing options, Centennial continues to distinguish itself among Colorado’s premier suburban locales. This rec-

ognition underlines the City’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a thriving and vibrant community for its residents.

Daniel Kissinger, Urban Forestry Supervisor (left) and Dustin Hoff, Parks, Recreation and Events Manager (right) accept Tree City USA recognition on behalf of Greenwood Village from Carrie Tomlinson, Urban Forestry Manager for the Colorado State Forest Service. Photo by Freda Miklin

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• $17.99 PASTA OR PIZZA & SALAD LUNCH SPECIAL

• MONDAY: $1.25 FRESH - SHUCKED OYSTERS

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Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good cell phones for seniors? My 79-year-old mother needs to get a new mobile phone and has asked me to help her find one that she would like.

Searching Daughter

Dear Searching,

For older adults, choosing a cell phone is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Some seniors love the latest high-tech smartphones with high-megapixel cameras, while others prioritize simple phones with basic functions. So, the best cell phone for your mom will depend on her comfort with technology, priorities and budget.

Best Cell Phones

To help identify the best cell phones for older adults, I consulted Wirecutter, a product testing and recommendation service from The New York Times who recently tested 18 cell phone models.

Their testing focus was on three different areas, including

BY DONALD PETERSON

Dear Readers,

What are some steps to shield against bike theft?

Fast Facts:

• Every 30 seconds a bicycle is stolen in North America.

• Bike theft is a $500 million annual epidemic in North America.

• Over 80% of cyclists have lost a bike to theft, or know someone who has.

• 10,000’s of recovered bikes go to auction each year because the police cannot identify owners.

• Stolen bikes are often used to commit secondary crimes like theft from automobiles and breaking and entering.

• Over half of all stolen bicycles were unlocked or used only a cable lock.

• 80% of riders do not lock

best phones for older adults who are comfortable with technology and want to upgrade to a full-featured smartphone with robust accessibility settings; best cell phones for seniors who are not tech-in clined or who prefer a smartphone with fewer features, as well as those who are experiencing vision, hearing, or dex terity issues; and best cell phones for elderly seniors who need specific accessibility features due to physical or cognitive issues. Here are their top choices based on their tests.

features, including an off-grid SOS, a personal-safety check, and plenty of customizable accessibility options that help seniors with vision and hearing loss, as well as with speaking and/or dexterity problems. ($899, apple.com).

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

This is a great choice if your mom is comfortable with technology and willing to spend more for a top-tier smartphone with a range of accessibility, health, and safety features. The 15 Plus has an easy-to-read, large (6.7-inch) screen and the most robust health and safety

their bike in their primary storage location.

Locking Tips:

• Always use a high-quality lock designed for bicycles. Avoid inexpensive cable and chain locks.

• Always lock a wheel and the frame to a secure bike parking structure. This disables the bike from being ridden and makes it difficult to attack with tools.

• Add an accessory cable to your primary lock to prevent bike prowls. Attach it to your lock to secure the second wheel, helmet or saddle.

• Never rely on a cable lock as a primary measure to secure your bike. They are easily defeated in seconds.

• Never lock only the top tube of your bicycle frame. The thief may damage your bike trying to twist the lock apart, or the thief can ride away if they defeat the lock.

• Never lock only a wheel. Thieves will quickly remove it, attach a stolen wheel and ride away on your bike.

• Never leave your bike locked up outdoors overnight. Any lock can be defeated with enough time and the right tools.

• Never leave your bike un-

tures that can help seniors with vision impairment, hearing loss, hand tremors and more. And it costs significantly less than the new Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models. ($699, store. google.com).

Lively Jitterbug Smart4

Google Pixel 8

If your mom has been using an Android device and is more comfortable with this operating system, the Pixel 8 is a high-end, reasonably priced smartphone that tops their list for older adults. It too has a sharp, large (6.7inch) screen with an excellent camara and many health, safety, and accessibility fea-

locked in your garage, bike cage, balcony or on your car. About a quarter of stolen bikes are taken from these locations.

Registration and Reporting:

• Registering your bike is critical to ensure you have the information needed by law enforcement, insurance and the community to help recover your bike.

• Always report a missing bike to the police.

• File an official police report. This publishes all details across different police systems. It will also be required to get your recovered bike back.

• Never attempt to recover a stolen bike without police involvement.

• For more information, visit organizations/denverpolicedept/landing or contact Denver Police Dept. District 3 Community Engagement Program Manager at Christie.mochoruk@denvergov.org.

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

If your mom wants a simplified smartphone that’s very affordable, she might prefer this model. Like the Apple 15 Plus and Google Pixel 8, the Jitterbug Smart4 also has a 6.7-inch screen, but this phone comes with a list-based menu (no icons) that provides easy navigation. It also offers voice commands capabilities, and a number of health and safety services including a 24/7 emergency monitoring service. This phone would also work well for people with memory or vision issues. ($150, lively.com).

RAZ Mobility Memory Cell Phone

Snapfon ez4G

This is a non-smartphone if your mom doesn’t want or need all the functionality of a full-featured smartphone. This simple cell phone provides large buttons, big screen type and an SOS emergency button on the back of the phone that will alert up to five preselected contacts by call and text. ($100, snapfon.com).

This phone is specifically designed for seniors with memory issues or more-advanced cognitive decline. Its uncluttered, simple functionality allows users to stay in touch with family and friends while also reducing common problems such as unnecessary calls to emergency services, spam, and fraud. It also has a dedicated SOS link on the screen that can alert up to three contacts; has GPS tracking capabilities; provides caregiver controls and more. ($349, razmobility.com).

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 beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.

SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION

A Conversation with Dave Logan - Part 1 of 3

Today, Villager sports columnist Denny Dressman begins a three-week conversation-in-print with Cherry Creek High School football coach Dave Logan. In Part One he explores the 11time state champion’s once-unheard-of, but now common, role as a coach who isn’t a faculty member.

DD: When you starred in football, basketball and baseball at Wheat Ridge High School in the early 1970s, were your coaches all still teachers?

you in the school?

DL: A lot. Normally in the season, I get there most days mid-morning, and I’m there for the rest of the day.

DD: Wow! I doubt most people have any idea of the extent of your commitment. What do you do during that time?

DD: What’s the makeup of coaching staff?

DL: Yeah, they were. I played for Red Coates in football. He was a legend; won three state championships at Wheat Ridge after coming from Texas. Mike Frank was my basketball coach. Steve Bell was my baseball coach. Red was PE, for sure. I think Mike was PE. Coach Bell. I’m not sure. I don’t think Coach Bell taught PE.

DD: Did you ever think about being a teacher?

DL: No. I always thought about being a coach. My dad was a youth coach in football and basketball. We always talked, as a family, about the importance of sports, and what it can teach young people.

DD: Even though you’re not a faculty member, do you still feel part of the school?

Dl: Oh, I sure do. I just finished 31 years. So, if I didn’t feel like I was part of the school, I certainly wouldn’t be doing it. Players that I’ve coached, people that I’ve worked with, they know. They know, in terms of time and what the job requires.

DD: How much are

DL: Get ready for practice. Check grades. Deal with situations, if necessary, with players.

DD: That’s impressive. You’re as much a part of the faculty as if you were teaching.

DL: I just don’t think you can do it—do it the right way and be successful—if you don’t have the necessary time. There’s a lot to doing all those things you have to do . . . practice scripts, talking with coaches, watching film—I love watching film. But there’s also, you have to have a presence in the school. Kids see you and know they can come down to the office and visit. They’ll come down and have lunch from time to time. I think that’s important, as well.

DD: How many coaches do you have on your staff?

DL: The varsity coaches also coach the JV. We have probably a hundred and . . . let’s say ten, a hundred-and-ten . . . players, for both levels combined, and we have about 14 or 15 coaches to work with them.

DD: That’s a lot for you to keep track of. You’re not just dealing with the players, it’s the coaches, too.

DL: I’ve been blessed, because I’ve been able to keep the core group of my staff together. I’ve got five coaches that have been with me

DL: It’s a mixture. It’s hard to find quality high school football coaches, because you have to have the mix of being really good with kids, being able to not only coach them on the field but get involved in their lives and hopefully teach them some life lessons. You also have to have a certain amount of football acumen . . . and you have to be willing to work for about a nickel an hour. Those three things are mandatory to be part of the staff. If you have only two of the three, that doesn’t really work. I’ve had people, over 31 years, who, from a football standpoint, I would absolutely have hired. But they couldn’t dedicate the necessary amount of time. It’s not a job that you can show up at 4 o’clock and you’re done at six. Not if you’re going to do it the way we think you have to do it to give your kids the best chance.

for more than 20 years. They’ve seen it. They know how we want it to look. And, for the most part, they think like I think.

DD: What’s the makeup of coaching staff?

DL: It’s a mixture. It’s hard to find quality high school football coaches, because you have to have the mix of being really good with kids, being able to not only coach them on the field but get involved in their lives and hopefully teach them some life lessons. You also have to have a certain amount of

football acumen . . . and you have to be willing to work for about a nickel an hour. Those three things are mandatory to be part of the staff. If you have only two of the three, that doesn’t really work.

I’ve had people, over 31 years, who, from a football standpoint, I would absolutely have hired. But they couldn’t dedicate the necessary amount of time. It’s not a job that you can show up at 4 o’clock and you’re done at six. Not if you’re going to do it the way we think you have to do it to give your kids the best chance.

DD: What do your coaches do for a living?

DL: A variety of things: sales, financial services, construction . . . some own their own businesses. About half are teachers—not all at Cherry Creek. You’ve got to be very dedicated in terms of your time. Teachers, their day starts pretty early and, for the most part, their day is filled up until practice. So, when can they allocate time to watch film and look at the game plan and figure out how we implement the plan with these players.

There’s a balance, for those who aren’t in school, and for those who are.

DD: Who are those loyal coaches who have followed you from school to school for two decades or longer, and

what do they do for a living?

DL: Most of them are or were in education.

Jim Zajac (pronounced ZEYE-us) has been with me since I got the job at Arvada West in 1993. He’s retired PE.

Jeff Braun—his drive from his home way up in Arvada to Creek is probably 30 miles— came from Pomona in ’95. He was with me at A-West, Chatfield and Mullen, then was head coach at Lakewood for 6-7 years. He called me a couple years ago and said, “Dave, I’m done with this head coaching. You got any room for me?” And I said, “I’ll always have room for you.” He’s a career teacher, still teaching PE at Lakewood.

Det Betti was the head coach at Nederland and was going to go back to New York but joined me at Chatfield instead in 2000. He was a single guy, but he’s now married and has two kids. He has a son who’s on our team. He teaches PE at Creek.

Chris Vollmer started coaching with me in 2000, too. He’s a teacher in Jefferson County.. And James Walker joined me in 2001. His son had not been born yet, but he later played for us at Cherry Creek. James works at Denver Water.

Love kids . . . love football . . . loyal to their core. My love and loyalty for those guys is never-ending.

NEXT WEEK: Balancing act.

Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 16 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydress man@comcast.net.

NEW BUSINESS OPENING

Little Man Ice Cream Greenwood Village to open

APRIL 12 with a Ribbon Cutting at 6:30 p.m. at 4940 S. Yosemite St. at Belleview Square. Opens at 11:30 a.m. daily.

SPRING MIGRATION BIRDING WALK

APRIL 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve with parking at Belleview trailhead. Bring water , walking shoes, binoculars, and camera. RSVP: 720-767-2452.

CENTENNIAL ANIMAL SERVICES TO HOST OPEN HOUSE

APRIL 17, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 7272 S. Eagle St. Information on City’s rules & regulations around owning a pet - visit education stations. Centennial.gov/animalservices

GREENWOOD VILLAGE FIT BODY BOOT CAMP RIBBON CUTTING

APRIL 18, 5:00 p.m. in conjunction with South Metro Chamber. Located at 7475 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial. Discounts on enrollment and monthly rates. RSVP: 303-775-1225.

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING.

APRIL 18, 4-6 p.m., Morning Story, 4930 S. Yosemite, Suite D1C-Greenwood Village. $20 per attendee. Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres and cash bar. Election of officers, nominating committee members and Funds Allocation Committee Members for 2024-2025. RSVP: Laura Shipmen (4lshipman@gmail.com) or Barb Reese (barbarasreece@aol.com

COLORADO BALLET’S THE ONE GALA

Returns APRIL 18 at the Ellie Caulkins Oper. a House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Tickets: 303-339-1618 or COLORADOBALLET.ORG/ Gala

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN

LUNCHEON MEETING

APRIL 19, 11:00 a.m. Social Time, 11:30 a.m. meeting. Doubletree by Hilton, DTC - 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village. RSVP by April 4 at www.cherrycreekrepublicanwomen.org Cost $36. Speakers: Aurora City Council members, Danielle Jurinsky, Steve Sundberg, Stephanie Hancock.

FRIENDS OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

LUNCHEON

APRIL 20 11 a.m. at Cherry Hills Country Club. FON to award $113,000 to nursing students. Rick

Crandall will be the Master of Ceremonies. Tickets: 720-891-3412.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY WATER SUPPLY STUDY OPEN HOUSES

APRIL 24, 5-7 p.m. at Smoky Hill Library at 5730 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial. MAY 9 at the Kelver Library, 5855 Main St., Byers. Visit arapahoeco.gov/waterstudy

ANNUAL WAR MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN PRUNING WORKSHOP

APRIL 27, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free event. Bring a sharp pair of bypass primary shears, leather gloves and kneepads. BGrubb@ssprd.org 303-483-7014.

30TH MS COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT

APRIL 27, 2 p.m. For women age 60 plus. Event at Mizel Arts & Culture Center, Elaine Wolf Theater, 350 S Dahlia St., Denver. Hosts: Ms Senior America 2019-2020 Esmeralda Ybarra Hendrick; Ms Colo. Senior America 2008, Linda Holloway. Tickets at Mizel Arts & Culture Center Box Office. 303-3166360. ColoSRAmerica.com

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO HOPE

BALL

APRIL 27. Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Contact barbarasreece@aol.com for tickets.

MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ARTS LA

PRIMAVERA FESTIVAL

APRIL 28 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. Marjorie Park, 6331 S Fiddler’s Green Circle, Greenwood Village. Pancake brunch, live Celtic music, maypole dancing, basket making, yard games and more. Adult beverage bar. Will also premiere a latest permanent installation of local artist, Lonnie Hanson. Tickets at MOAONLINE .ORG

ARAPAHOE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX

DEADLINE

Full payment is due by APRIL 30. Visit arapahoegov/treasurer

WHAT’S NEW?

Cherry Creek Republican Women memberships are due. Annual dues are $40 per year for regular members. Info: sstsruna@comcast.net or call 303-913-1394.

OBJECTIONS TO REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATIONS & VALUATIONS

Beginning MAY 1, 2024 and no later than JUNE 10, 2024. Assistance: County Assessor’s office at 303-795-4600.

Please call me if you have room to board my trail riding horse. She can stay in a stall, paddock, and or pasture. Former Cherry Hills resident.

303-880-6222

PET & BABY SITTING

In your home. Pets $85/day; Child $20/hr. Exc. Ref. Eileen Murphy

303-704-8638 emm30000@gmail.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY WINE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL

4TH ANNUAL - MAY 18 & 19 at the Fairgrounds. Visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com

25TH VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE

MAY 25, 10 a.m. - noon at Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Honor servicemen and women who gave their lives in service and those that lost a battle with post-traumatic stress at home. View images and biographies of Colo. fallen heroes; show support for Gold Star families, military officers and Veterans in attendance. Free event.

MENTAL HEALTH OF COLO. UNMASKED

JUNE 8, 6 p.m. at Haven in the Pines, 463 E. Happy Canyon Rd., Castle Rock. Theme “Unmasking Discrimination.” Cocktail attire, heavy Hors d’oeuvres. Tickets 720-208-2220.

SOUTH METRO CHAMBER GOLF

TOURNAMENT

JUNE 10 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at Meridian Golf Club. 8:00 a.m. Shotgun start. Four player scramble followed by an awards reception. Light breakfast, BBQ lunch, hors d’oeuvres during the awards ceremony. RSVP: jKeener@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.

BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE COLORADO

HOSTS 22ND ANNUAL HOPE

CHALLENGE GOLF

JUNE 10. Tournament to be held at Colorado Golf Club Preservation Trail in Parker. Four-person

2024 Sienna SXE AWD Is Smart Drive

The 2024 Sienna is a well-designed and clever van type vehicle with sliding doors for easy entry and exit, a seven-passenger seating arrangement with awesome leg room in the second-row bucket seats and fold up seats in the trunk area. This is a great soccer mom or dad vehicle, perfect for sports and camping with two 120V power outlets with a 1500W inverter for outdoor usage.

The Sienna is assembled in Princeton, Indiana with a basic manufacturer’s suggested list price of $45,635. However, on this all-around passenger and cargo

van there is a long list of desirable options pushing the final price to $52,374. The options include a XSE premium package of multiple necessary fea-

leather trimmed heated seats, and other safety features adding a flat $4000 as the major option upgrade.

Fuel economy with a hybrid

scramble. Breakfast, 18 holes of golf, drinks,Dinner. RSVP: 720-524-2061.

COMING SOON

LITTLE MAN ICE CREAM in Greenwood Village at Belleview & Yosemite. Now hiring!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS STATE JUNE 2-8 FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS

Premier civic program in Sterling, CO. Applications: www.CoLegionBoysState.org

Sienna has the superior Toyota electronic variable transmission and on-demand allwheel-drive, so essential for Colorado winter driving.

tures that include the wireless charging stations, roof rails, premium audio JBL sounds speakers with subwoofer,

boost averaged 35 mpg with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine achieving 245 combined gas and electric horsepower. The

This is larger vehicle with a spacious cabin and large trunk area with the seats folded for rear storage capacity but easily raised for the seven-passenger capacity.

It is amazing how much power the development of the 2.5 engines possess. Along with the economy and stingy fuel mileage. these new hybrid combo-engines, and superior transmissions, are leading the sales over EV vehicles averaging less than 10 percent of total industry sales. The drive is easy, the ride comfortable, and the bright “Pearl Ruby Flare” and black leather trimmed interior add to the overall success of the Sienna

CLUBS: DENVER LIONS CLUB

MEETINGS

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 12 noon at the American Legion Hall, I-25 & Yale. Interested in joining? Call Bob, 720-313-9741.

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS

Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 p/m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway, Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

model smart drive.

The Sienna rates an overall five-star score that is valuable as a larger passenger vehicle. Loaded with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0… including rear cross traffic warnings and pre-collision safeguards.

With so many controls now in center console computers it is easy for drivers to scan console screens for seconds instead of forward traffic.

In driving remember to allow distance in forward traffic for quick stops, with many front-end collisions clogging highway traffic.

Overall, this is a strong contender for an all-around family vehicle with utility capacity for hauling additional freight items. The sliding doors are convenient in tight parking spots and for easy unloading of passengers.

A solid choice as a family or business vehicle.

By H. Throttle