6-15-23 Villager

One truck, two roads

My husband and I have a new baby. Not really. What we have is a new truck, or rather a gently used truck. But it may as well be a new baby the way we treat it. And by “we” I mean “he.”

We see automobiles very differently. I admit that I’ve named mine. And that I talk to it and pat its dashboard when it’s done a good job. But when I’m not in it, I hardly give it a thought. As much as I like it, my car is just a way to get me places that are too far to walk to.

He hasn’t said so, but I

think my spouse sees vehicles as toys—the kind you collect all 500 of. If we ever win the lottery, we’ll need a football field for all of the vehicles he’d buy.

As it is, all we need is a garage.

But I don’t buy lottery tickets because I’m afraid I’ll win.

What we look for in a new vehicle is different too.

His vehicle must be tough enough to pull our little camper. It should get good gas mileage and it should have plenty of get up and go. That’s all very reasonable. But he also likes a

vehicle that’s fun to drive. At least that’s what he says. But I can’t think of a single vehicle he wouldn’t think was fun to drive, from Lamborghini to go cart to horse and buggy.

The new truck, a Toyota Tacoma, is apparently fun to drive—more fun than a go cart, but probably not as fun as a Lamborghini. It also has some high-tech features he likes. For example, it beeps when it crosses the centerline. This is handy if you doze off when you’re driving. But dozing off while he drives is one of the things I like best about traveling and the beeping wakes me up.

In fact, one of the things I look for in a vehicle is how comfortable it is to nap in— when he’s driving, I mean. I try

not to nap when I’m driving.

I also like a good radio and heated seats. I like my backside to be as warm in the summer when he turns the air conditioner up as it is in the winter when he turns the heat down. His new truck doesn’t have bun warmers which is a strike against it. But it does have a backup camera which I appreciate in a vehicle. So does everyone who parks behind me.

At this point in his relationship with his new truck, my husband drives it more often than is necessary, keeps it clean and parks far from everyone else to avoid door dings.

I don’t suffer from doording dread when I have a new vehicle. Someone once plowed into the side of my new-to-me car and left the scene. I couldn’t even open the driver’s side door. Door

Littleton Elks donate first aid items to high school project

Littleton Elks Lodge #1650 donated first aid items to a local high school project to support homeless and at-risk youth.

A group of 10 students from Columbine High School in Littleton assembled

dings don’t seem like a big deal after you’ve had to decide whether to pay your insurance deductible or your tax and license first.

And I don’t drive any more when I have a new vehicle than I would have if I still had the old one. If it’s still clean, that’s only because I haven’t driven it much yet.

I certainly don’t think about my vehicle when we’re apart. On the other hand, on a recent road trip in my car, my husband commented that he couldn’t wait to get home and drive his new truck. I couldn’t wait to get home and see our cat.

Dorothy Rosby is the author of ’Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate; Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand and other books. Contact her at www.dorothyrosby. com/contact.

first aid kits to be donated to Movement 5280, a program that supports homeless and at-risk youth. Their goal was to assemble 50 kits with items such as band aids, hand sanitizer, gauze, sunscreen etc.

Due to the Littleton Lodge members amazing response in donations, the group of students was able to assemble 200 first aid kits.

“Littleton Lodge is very excited to have had the opportunity to join Columbine in this important annual event,” said Amy Jo Berg, PER. “Both organizations look forward to continuing the first aid kit project as well as finding other projects to collaborate on.’

Issac Berg, Columbine High School student and son of Amy Jo Berg, PER, and member Aaron Berg, starts assembling the first aid kits to support homeless and at-risk youth. The Littleton Elks Lodge #1650 provided many items needed for the kits.

Arapahoe County is considering going around TABOR to continue to fund its programs

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

The expansive Arapahoe County Fairgrounds at 25690 E. Quincy Avenue was the setting for the 2023 State of the County breakfast, sponsored by Xcel Energy, on June 7. “Where Good Things Grow” was the theme of the event that drew over 250 elected officials and leaders in economic development, business, and the non-profit sector, along with community members.

Carrie Warren-Gully, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), introduced the commissioners and Arapahoe County Coroner Kelly Lear, M.D., Clerk Joan Lopez, Sheriff Tyler Brown, Assessor P.K. Kaiser, and Treasurer Michael Westerberg, then focused on some of the board’s major accomplishments during the past year, lead by the formation, “on time and on budget,” of the new Arapahoe County Public Health Department that opened on January 3, 2023 “with 180 new employees providing critical services that our residents and businesses expect.”

She also pointed to the revision of oil and gas rules to incorporate new industry standards and measures of accountability, along with the expansion, currently underway, of the Detention Center (Arapahoe County Jail) to add 37 new beds for medical and behavioral observation, which will increase the level of care and safety for both inmates and staff.

The pervasive theme of the hour-long program was that virtually every new or expanded program undertaken by the County during the past two years related to people, businesses, and infrastructure has been funded with American Rescue Plan Act dollars. According to the County’s website, as of August 23, 2022, Arapahoe County had already allocated $78 million in ARPA funds:

• $6 million to vulnerable populations

• $13 million to business support

• $23 million to housing and homelessness

• $6 million to mental health

• $13 million to county operations

• $11 million to education

• $ 3 million to water/sewer infrastructure

• $ 2 million to physical health

• $ 1 million to COVID-19 response

Many of the programs, the commissioners explained, have borne empirical, positive results, and it is important that they be continued.

BOCC Chair Pro Tem Jeff Baker, serving his second term, and the only Republican on the five-member BOCC, said, “ARPA funds are running out. We’re at a point where we need

to make tough decisions on where and how to apply our limited budget. Current revenues will make it challenging to meet the needs of our community, projected to grow to

almost 800,000 people by 2030. Essential services like public safety, human services, mental health programs, and road maintenance are at risk. We must stabilize our funding sources and

modernize our finances.”

After explaining that the county’s general fund is “almost entirely reliant on property taxes for providing all services,” he pointed out that the County “receives about $430 from the average tax property bill to provide everything from repairing county roads to protecting the most vulnerable residents and providing public safety and motor vehicle services,” with no voter-approved

“TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) restrictions limit our ability to do what we need to do on a daily basis--much less address a growing backlog of infrastructure repairs (which are) historically underfunded by $15 million annually…The BOCC has used emergency, one-time federal funds to provide critical services over the past few years (which is) not sustainable… We will evaluate all our options, including the potential to ask voters to remove the revenue cap of TABOR, commonly known as ‘de-brucing.’ Of Colorado’s 64 counties, 51 of them have de-bruced, including our neighbors to the north and south in Adams and Douglas Counties.”

– Arapahoe County Commissioner Jeff Baker

C NVERSATIONS

tax increase since 1995.

He continued, “TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) restrictions limit our ability to do what we need to do on a daily basis--much less address a growing backlog of infrastructure repairs (which are) historically underfunded by $15 million annually…The BOCC has used emergency, one-time federal funds to provide critical services over the past few years (which is) not sustainable… We will evaluate all our options, including the potential to ask voters to remove the revenue cap of TABOR, commonly known as ‘de-brucing.’ Of Colorado’s 64 counties, 51 of them have debruced, including our neighbors to the north and south in Adams and Douglas Counties.”

Commissioner Leslie Summey focused on the work of the county’s human services staff, pointing out that, “The Community and Child Support Services division met 100% of the state’s timeliness measures for public

Continued on page 5

The Villager publishers spent a large portion of Friday and Saturday attending the Western Conservative Summit with this year’s theme, “WESTERN STRONG.”

And strong it was at the sparkling clean and friendly staffed Colorado Convention Center with the large blue bear peeking in the window at visitors coming to the event hosted by the Centennial Institute, a non-profit public policy think tank at Colorado Christian University.

a large group of CCU students.

BY BOB SWEENEY

Throughout both days educational and informative workshops were conducted by conservative leaders on education, public land policy, parental rights, electric grid challenges, second amendment court issues, school board elections, biblical values, faith, and technology. No political advocacy was conducted for the election or defeat of any candidates for public office.

The Western Conservative Summit is one of the largest gatherings of conservatives in the western United States. Average attendance over the past 14 years has been 2,300 with this year breaking records of attendance, teaming with Wyoming Family Alliance patriots and many Western States attendees.

The Summit was founded by Cherry Hills resident and U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong and former State Senator John Andrews in 2010. During the two-day period over 50 state and national leaders spoke about challenges facing the state and nation. After leaving the U.S. Senate, Armstrong served several decades as Colorado Christian University President. CCU becoming one of the top Christian Universities in the nation, founded on support of “Faith, Family, and Freedom” under his leadership.

The Conservative Summit is managed by Cherry Creek high school alumnus and CSU graduate, Jeff Hunt, Centennial Institute Director, and co-chair, Dr. Donald Sweeting, now Chancellor at CCU.

The two-day session focused on common sense, not “nonsense” playing out daily in Washington D.C. Many speakers are prominent leaders in Colorado and the nation. Among the lengthy list of speakers were Governor Asa Hutchinson, announced candidate for U.S. President; U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, Missouri; Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, Congressmen Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn. Coffey Anderson, an acclaimed country music star, performed for a very receptive audience and

Three of the speakers have recently received national attention in the media, including former Congresswoman and presidential candidate, Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard is a combat veteran with deployment in the Middle East and Africa. She currently serves as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. She served eight years in the U.S. Congress and served on the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees. She was a major speaker at the Saturday night event, expressing her fears about America’s future.

Lightening up the serious speakers Saturday evening was Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, advocate of political satire that has placed him on the front lines of the battle for freedom of speech. He displayed some very funny satire on a screen including U-Haul trailers leaving California as a leading state industry.

The new President of Colorado Christian University Eric Hogue briefly welcomed the packed Bellco Theatre audience as he takes over the presidency of CCU following in the footsteps of Armstrong and Dr. Donald Sweeting. Hogue has served as vice-president of University Advancement since 2018 and his wife Tammy is an award-winning educator in Christ-centered higher education. Hogue moved into the presidency of CCU ten-days prior to the Western Summit.

The highlight of the evening was the lead-off event with Wil Armstrong, son of the late Senator and CCU President, presenting the annual Willian L. Armstrong Award to recipient Kristen Waggoner.

The Western Summit’s highest honor was presented to Waggoner for her leadership as CEO, president, and general

counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, one of America’s most successful advocates for life, liberty, and family. ADF, under Waggoner’s leadership and participation has won 15 U.S. Supreme Court victories.

One of the victories was Colorado based Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. (A cake was presented after the award by the bakery owners with samples for all).

Waggoneer oversees the efforts of more than 400 ADF team members in seven global offices as well 4,500 network attorneys engaged in litigation, legislation, training, funding, and public advocacy. ADF also provides legal

resources to nearly 4,000 churches and ministries through the Ministry Alliance program and defends prosecuted churches in dozens of countries.

Arapahoe County State Representative and former County Commissioner, Rod Bockenfeld, was honored for his work in the legislature this session and presented a Western Summit Freedom Award along with other outstanding state legislators.

To see and hear session events and view programs visit CCU websites/#WCS23 Colorado is on the map and no longer a fly-over state.

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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 wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and didn’t speak up because wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”

2020 Member

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with. – W. C. Fields

Rod Bockenfeld, Arapahoe County State Representative HD #356 (R) honored for his work by Jeff Hunt.

Wil Armstrong presented the William L. Armstrong award to Kristen Waggoner, followed by an interview.

Kristy and Wil Armstrong announced the Winner of the William L. Armstrong award.

State of the County

Continued from page 3

large county to have done so in all 12 months of 2022.

She pointed to the ARPA funds used for emergency rental assistance that kept over 3,800 families in their homes who would have otherwise faced potential eviction, along with $12 million in ARPA funds used for, “critical relief to 367 businesses to keep them in storefronts and support local economic recovery.”

So as to support making housing more attainable, Summey said, Arapahoe County, “Updated (its) land development code to reduce planning application fees for affordable housing projects, permit smaller residential unit sizes, and allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in most residential districts.”

Warren-Gully talked about Generational Opportunities to Achieve Long Term Success (GOALS), “a four-to-nine month structured residential program for families seeking to gain and enhance the skills and resources needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency,” to bring them from homelessness to economic and housing security.

Projects include an under-construction $2 million early childhood education center in Aurora for clients in that residential program and in the surrounding areas. The county has also committed $1.2 million to another early childhood center on the Oxford Vista campus in Englewood, home of the GOALS program.

These two projects, as well as the Ready to Work Center in Englewood, also part of the county’s “homelessness toolbox,” have all been funded with ARPA dollars. Ready to Work’s Aurora and Boulder locations, Warren-Gully shared, “have a high graduation rate to mainstream employment and housing, as well as an 85 percent, one-year retention rate.”

The County has also partnered with four of its cities that are committed to addressing the homelessness population—Centennial, Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan—to form the Homelessness Coordinating Committee “to fund dedicated staff to support municipal needs (addressing homelessness) under the county umbrella.” She emphasized, “But

for these one- time federal ARPA funds, the county would be unable to convene the committee and coordinate this important work.”

Other projects in the County to support residents struggling with emotional and mental issues include a planned new Crisis and Acute Care Center at Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, to which the BOCC has pledged $5 million in ARPA funds.

Commissioner Campbell-Swanson talked about the diverse housing types within the County, “From dense suburban areas with apartments and townhomes, to establish neighborhoods and transit-oriented development,” noting that there are 108,500 units in the pipeline,

“Ready to be built in Arapahoe County today.” Still, she pointed out, “One in three of our residents pays more than 30% of their income” for housing and half are spending morea than 50% of their income for housing.

To ease the pressure, she explained, the County plans to amend its land development code to “support more affordable housing options,” by Establishing mixed-use and multi-family zone districts; Streamlining the planned unit development process for affordable housing projects; Creating incentives for afford-

able housing in transit-oriented development; Expanding the use of modular and manufactured homes. Without specifically mentioning SB23-213, the land use proposal that failed in the legislature this year, Campbell-Swanson said, “We appreciate the state’s focus on these connected pieces and look forward to working with our legislative and city partners to identify meaningful solutions that further outcomes towards our shared goal of affordability and smart growth.”

Pointing to the ARPA-funded 37 new beds for medical and behavioral observation being built at the Arapahoe County Jail, Campbell-Swanson noted that the detention center, “is the largest mental health provider in the county,” along with being, “one of the most glaring examples of the county’s aging infrastructure needs.”

Finally, she talked about the county’s “$500 million backlog in deferred maintenance and capital projects” related to its roads and bridges, repeating the theme that, “The County’s current revenue stream can’t address this backlog -- we need to find new ways to address these critical projects.”

Commissioner Bill Holen

noted that the County maintains two veterans’ services offices, in Littleton and Aurora, with help from Adams County and the City of Aurora. Arapahoe County has the second largest concentration of military veterans in the state thus each of its officers serve over 12,000 veterans, resulting in a seven-week backlog, since the County receives only $30,000 from the State of Colorado to support this operation.

Commissioners Summey and Campbell-Swanson also shared about current projects funded by the County’s one-fourth of one percent Open Spaces Sales Tax.

The just-opened, newly reno-

vated 4.6-acre Cheyenne-Arapaho Park at 9200 E. Iowa Avenue includes a new community garden built in partnership with Denver Urban Gardens, picnic shelters, Native American-Inspired artwork, a community shade shelter, and a play area for children, Summey said. This was a $2.7 million oneyear project of the Open Spaces Sales Tax.

An $18-million improvement plan for Dove Valley Regional Park is currently underway, to be completed next year, that will include, “New athletic field upgrades, new street access, additional parking, a new shade pavilion and new multi-use community lawn, along with a dog park and skate park on the 40 acres to the east of the existing ball fields. A second phase of the project is planned that will include a lighted championship field with artificial turf, builtin seating and shade structure, restrooms and a concession building and additional youth fields,” Campbell-Swanson told the crowd.

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The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the posting of the colors by the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.

We caught up with (front) Yangson Baker and Commissioner Jeff Baker, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, and (back) Centennial Mayor Pro Tem Rick Holt.

Arapahoe County Clerk Joan Lopez, Deputy Clerk Karl Hermann, and Arapahoe County Treasurer Michael Westerberg listened carefully to the commissioners.

Centennial City Council members always show up for community events. Pictured here are Christine Sweetland (standing), Don Sheehan Tammy Maurer

Walking trail at Cheyenne-Arapaho Park, whose official name is Tsistsistas-Hinono’ei Park in honor of the Plains Native American tribes.

Photo courtesy of Arapahoe County.

Arapahoe County Commissioners (from left to right) Jessica Campbell-Swanson, Jeff Baker, Carrie Warren-Gully, Leslie Summey, and Bill Holen talked about the future of the county.

No shortage of spirit at Arapahoe County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner

Under the leadership of veteran planner Lynne Cottrell, Andi Allott, Karen Blilie, Evie Ashmore, Caroline Cornell, Jewell Hargrave, Jimmy Sengenberger and Carol Waller put on quite the event. Arapahoe County GOP staged an evening of fun, auctions, games, dinner and a book signing/presentation by former FBI agent Thomas J. Baker (who had plenty of inside information to dish). “ Saying the Durham Report was worse than Watergate might be an understatement,” he began. With 33 years of experience, he felt the Durham Report echoed his own feelings. “The Bureau needs to be restored to a law enforcement agency. We first have to recognize the problem. It’s a threat to our civil liberties and affects Democrats as well as Republicans. Bad apples have spoiled the FBI.” He feels Congress can make a reform, although challenging, and encouraged reaching out to elected officials.

Baker worked for two FBI directors and credits the “fall” as a cultural change with no respect or regard for the First Amendment, but rather “freewheeling WOKE.” He shared many exciting elements of his career explaining how the culture got so “off track.” “But we shouldn’t lose hope,” he said. He quoted President Ronald Reagan: “It’s always morning in America!”

Book sales were brisk when keynote speaker, former FBI agent and acclaimed author of The Fall of the FBI, Thomas J. Baker personally autographed while assisted by volunteers Kori and Oswaldo Salazar

Photos by Scottie Iverson

Arapahoe County Republican Party Chair Anne Rowland had the honor of presenting the prestigious Dorothy J. Vogt Award to Nancy Sharpe

RIGHT: Steering Committee Chair Lynne Cottrell with hubby Bo with Rebecca and Tom Kim (former candidate for Colorado Senate)

Emcee Jimmy Sengenberger (710 KNUS host), Danielle Jurinsky and Edie Marks, who for the second consecutive year won the “Heads or Tails” contest garnering a $500. gift certificate from American Furniture Warehouse

From Aurora – Jono Scott (Aurora City Council candidate) who gave the invocation, Councilwoman Francoise Bergan and Mayor Mike Coffman who is running for reelection

From Centennial - Councilman Don Sheehan, Mayor Stephanie Piko and Councilman Richard Holt (Mayor Pro Tem)

Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz, former Greenwood Village Mayor and former Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, Arapahoe County Commissioner Jeff Baker

New Arapahoe County GOP candidates and those running for reelection were introduced gathering interest around the state

In addition to plenty of Arapahoe County attendees for the sold-out crowd at DoubleTree by Hilton DTC, there was plenty of interest and support of guests from other counties including Douglas, Jefferson and Denver.

Also in the spotlight was Nancy Sharpe who received the prestigious Dorothy J. Vogt Award. Sharpe began her public service to Arapahoe County years ago on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Greenwood Village. Next, she was elected to its city council and later became mayor.

She wasn’t finished serving and was elected a county commissioner and served for 12 years. This past December, Commissioner Sharpe was honored by Human Services Directors from around Colorado for her work advancing health and human services programs. As a commissioner, she served on local and state committees including: National Association of Counties, Human Services and Education Steering Committee; Colorado Counties, Inc. Health and Human Services Steerinfg Committee; Governor Appointee, Colorado Executive Leadership Council on Child Welfare, the Works Allocation and Child Welfare Allocation Committees; Governor’s Appointee - Colorado Elder Abuse Taskforce. Nancy’s friends say that one key to her successful leadership is that she is generous with her time, she listens carefully and takes what is said to heart. Arapahoe County is lucky to have had her leadership! Congrat-

Nancy!

ulations,

Talented Anne Rowland and daughter Dani sang the National Anthem

Singer Stephanie Hancock, billed as one of the Arapahoe County GOP Musicians is also a candidate for Aurora City Council

ABOVE: Having a blast on stage Aurora Councilwomen Danielle Jurinsky and Francoise Bergan with Councilman Steve Sundberg

LEFT: Jimmy Sengenberger always entertains with his harmonica

RIGHT: Former Arapahoe County GOP Chair Dorothy Gotlieb and former CCRW President Andi Allott managed the guest check in

LEFT: Jonathan Finer and Margo Radich make their way to dinner after purchasing beads for the popular fundraiser “Heads or Tails” game

ABOVE: Standing: T. Murray, Antonette and Jeff Smith, Janet Guilliland Seated: Birthday girls Didge Pedicord (90), Shari Gillespie (92) with Lynda Schram

RIGHT: From Greenwood Village: Roy and Lyn Drake, Heidi Wiesner and hubby Greenwood Village Councilman Paul Wiesner, Jill and John Peterson

Recent Opioid settlement will mean another $270 million for Coloradans

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

On June 9, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a final agreement with opioid manufacturers Teva and Allergan, along with retailers CVS and Walgreens, for $17.3 billion to be paid out across the country for their share of the responsibility for the current opioid epidemic.

Of the total, “Colorado will receive approximately $270 million over 15 years, which is in addition to the approximately $400+ million Colorado has begun receiving from prior opioid settlements,” according to Weiser’s office.

“Holding the companies that created and fueled the opioid crisis responsible continues to be a top priority for me and my team,” Weiser said, continuing, “Just like with previous settlements secured by our department and other attorneys general across the country, this money will go directly towards supporting the people and commu-

nities in Colorado who continue to battle the harms of drug addiction and misuse. Colorado’s framework for the investment of these funds, on a local and regional basis, is a national model and was recognized by the Johns Hopkins Public Health School as the top such system in the nation.” He was referring to the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC).

The State Department of Law worked with local governments to create the COAC in 2022 to fairly distribute the funds from opioid settlements and ensure compliance with all rules set out in settlement agreements to which Colorado was a party and/or beneficiary. The COAC works with the 19 Regional Opioid Abatement Councils around the state to distribute opioid settlement funds,

The big property tax scheme

They fooled you once. Don’t let them fool you again!

In November you are going to see a ballot initiative called Proposition HH. It is nothing more than a scheme. A scheme designed to disguise your future Taxpayer Bill of Rights refund as government subsidized property tax relief.

Yes, Governor Polis and his swifty advisors are taking money out of one of your pockets and handing it back to you as property tax relief. Why not? It worked once before. Remember when he took your Taxpayer Bill of Rights refund, gave it to you early as inflation relief and called it Colorado Cash Back? It sounds like the government is giving you a gift doesn’t it? Nope, they took your money and handed it back to you. I’m sure he won votes with that scheme.

If you want to learn more about how the state govern-

ment has been playing constituents as fools, I highly recommend that you go online to see the short videos from the Independence Institute’s property tax series by Ben Murrey. He lays everything out quite clearly.

In the meantime, I will briefly explain here:

In 2020 the legislature placed a measure on the ballot to eliminate the Gallagher

which are largely required to be used for substance use disorder treatment, recovery, harm reduction, law enforcement, and prevention/education programs. The COAC consists of seven members appointed by the state and six members appointed by local

governments. Current members of the COAC include attorneys general from Douglas, Larimer, Weld, Moffat, Archuleta, La Plata, and San Luis Counties, as well as commissioners from Jefferson, Mesa, Alamosa, and Yuma Counties, along with the

physician director of outpatient substance use disorder treatment at Denver Health.

Opioid settlement funds are distributed:

• 10% directly to the state;

• 20% directly to participating local governments;

• 60% directly to regions;

• 10% to specific abatement infrastructure projects.

The state will also receive approximately $2.5 million of a nationwide $102.5 million settlement of 42 states with Indivior Inc., the manufacturer of Suboxone, Weiser’s office announced on June 2.

The suit that led up to that settlement arose from Indivior changing the form of Suboxone, used to treat opioid addiction to avoid or reduce withdrawal symptoms, from pill to film form. That change was viewed as anticompetitive.

fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Amendment. This amendment to our state constitution was the only thing that we had in place to protect homeowners from hyper-inflation. In order to entice you to vote for the measure, they had to manipulate the language. The ballot measure stated, "Without increasing your tax rate". To many, that meant without raising your taxes. Of course, the measure was passed by the voters. Property values rose and taxes were bound to increase. Proper language for the ballot measure was originally proposed by staff but was later modified by legislative leadership. As a current member of Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee, I saw early on that the big government legislators and the Governor were going to go after our Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Initially, they were going to tie their scheme to education. They know how strongly you feel about prop-

erly funding education.

Then the hyper-inflated property tax bills came out. With emotions high, voila! the shift was made to create Proposition HH. The shift was made so quickly that they had to cram this bill through the legislative process in the last three days of the session.

Why does the Governor and the big government legislators want to destroy the Taxpayer Bill of Rights? Because they do not want you to get used to refunds. Both the Legislative Council economist and the Governor’s own economist are predicting refunds into the next couple of years and beyond.

For thirty years, the Taxpayer Bill of rights has served us well. It has not financially constrained government as many have claimed. As a matter of fact, the Governor is now running around bragging how Colorado carries such strong reserves.

Now, let's get to the fix. Instead of running another scheme, the Governor needs to call a special session of the legislature. One that deals with real property tax relief measures such as reducing the assessment rates. He knows that he and the big government legislators created this mess. Now they need to clean it up.

They fooled us once. Don't let them fool us again.

Call the Governor’s office now (303) 866-2471.

Rod Bockenfeld is a Republican. He serves as a legislator in the Colorado House of Representatives and his district includes eastern Arapahoe County. He is also a member of the state's Joint Budget and House Appropriations Committees. He previously served for 12 years as an Arapahoe County Commissioner.

Rod can be contacted at Rod@Bockenfeld.com.

Rod Bockenfeld State Representative HD # 56 (R)

This graphic shows the sources of Colorado’s $743 million in opioid settlement funds.

Source: Colorado Attorney General’s Office

HOAs cannot limit water-saving landscaping in single-family home neighborhoods

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

On May 17, Gov. Polis signed into law SB 23–178 Water-wise Landscaping in Homeowners’ Association Communities. It states that HOAs in single-family detached home neighborhoods: Cannot prohibit the use of non-vegetative turfgrass in the back yard of a unit owner’s property.

Cannot unreasonably require the use of hardscape on more than 20% of the landscaping area of a unit owner’s property.

Allow a unit owner an action that consists of at least 80% drought tolerant plantings.

Cannot prohibit vegetable gardens in the front, back, or side yard of a unit owner’s property.

The new law also requires HOA’s “to permit the instal-

lation of at least three garden designs that are preapproved by the Association for instal-

lation in front yards within the common interest community. To be preapproved, a

garden design must adhere to the principles of water-wise landscaping or be part of a

water conservation program operated by a local water provider.”

Before the new law was passed, HOAs were permitted “to adopt and enforce design or aesthetic guidelines or rules (for) non-vegetative turfgrass and drought tolerant vegetative landscapes,” and “regulate the type, number, and placement of drought tolerant plantings and hardscapes…on a unit owner’s property, on a limited common element, or on other property for which a unit owner is responsible.”

The bill passed the state senate 30-5, with all the no votes coming from five of the chamber’s 12 GOP members. Republican Sen. Perry Will (R-5) was a prime sponsor of the law.

In the House, Arapahoe County’s Rod Bockenfeld, along with 16 other Republicans, voted no on this bill. It was supported by the Democratic caucus and two members of the GOP, Rep. Gabe Evans (R-48) and Rep. Anthony Hartsook (R-44). fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

Example of drought-resistant landscaping

The

contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must 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. Letters deadline 10 am Monday. Please limit to 300 words.

“So much to see”

Susan Sweeney Lanam representing The Villager Newspaper having fun supporting belleview station, the market and the local unique vendors. “Shop local!”

Gay and Bob Warren having fun supporting the local vendors!

Evey K. Fashionliner, owner Evelyn Knuckles (Evey K) Chic mobile boutique

YMCA RIBBON CUTTING

New YMCA center now open in Streets at SouthGlenn

YMCA and City of Centennial partner on multi-generational center

YMCA of Metro Denver and the City of Centennial have announced the soft opening of a new “Centennial YMCA Center of Generations” to offer a range of programs for all ages.

The 6,345 square foot center, located in the Streets at SouthGlenn 6851 S. Vine Street, will build community by bringing together youth and older adults in a multi-generational space. The Center of Generations will be open to the public and initial offerings will begin in early May with plans to be fully operational in summer 2023.

“The City is excited to partner with the YMCA to develop senior and youth programming for Centennial residents,” says Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko.

“Centennial’s Senior and Youth Commissions have shared the desire and need for a place for both age groups to gather and enjoy various programs and the YMCA has the capacity and experience to make this happen. The City looks forward to continuing to work with these Commissions along with the Y, as additional opportunities for community involvement become available.”

The YMCA of Metro Denver will operate and establish programming at the center, including fitness activities – like Silver Sneakers, a wellness program for older adults – and an array of other programs such as cooking classes, esports and a Youth in Government program.

“The YMCA specializes in providing a safe place for multi-generations who want to meet up with friends, or make new friends, and engage in activities that are interesting and fun,” said Kimberly Armitage, YMCA Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Mission of Metropolitan Denver.

Learn more about the new Centennial YMCA Center of Generations on the YMCA of Metro Denver website at denverymca.org/centennial-cog.

The Delta Sonics

Centennial Mayor Piko and CENTENNIAL City Council WELCOME and CELEBRATE the partnership between the City of Centennial and the YMCA of Metro Denver to the Streets at Southglenn.

Mayor Piko emphasized, “Relationships matter!”

Photos by Susan Sweeney Lanam

Mario J. Vaiano and Emily Hunter of Ting

Someren Green’s Steve DeBelle and YMCA’s Angela Green Urbaczewski

Julie Alm and Tobias Henderson of the City of Centennial

State Senator Chris Kolker, Arapahoe County Commissioner Jessica Campbell-Swanson and Council Member Christine Sweetland

Kimberly Armitage and Veronica Torsney of the YMCA

Richard Holt getting energized on the bicycle

Jeff Keener, Candace Moon, Jessica Campbell-Swanson and Robyn Carnes offering positive speeches of welcoming the YMCA!

The Preisinger family.

Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, Candace Moon and Jessica CampbellSwanson

President and CEO of YMCA, Sue Glass, President and CEO SMDC, Jeff Keener and Mayor of Centennial, Stephanie Piko.

Chris Kolker, Christine Sweetland, Tammy Maurer, Mike Sutherland and Richard Holt

South Metro Denver Chamber supporters: Allison, Sabrina, Cindy and Julianne

RELATIONSHIPS Closing one door and opening another

SUBMITTED BY JONEEN MACKENZIE

Our team at the Center for Relationship Education (CRE) was saddened to learn we would be vacating our office space after 15 years at Marina Square in Denver. Shea Properties informed us that they were planning to redevelop the complex, and the hunt began for our company's new home. The Center for Relationship Education is a curriculum and certification company that instructs educators, counselors, clergy, therapists, and other professional community leaders to utilize its proprietary REAL Essentials relationship skills training curricula. We are living in an increasingly disconnected world, and social isolation continues to increase among both children and adults. CRE is committed to providing a proactive, root cause solution to teenage relationships as a priority with engaging, life-changing learning.

Since its founding in 2003, the Center has grown exponentially in its offerings and

impact. The organization was established on the belief that all individuals regardless of age, or life experience, can experience healthy thriving relationships, which are essential to health, happiness, and life success.

The vision of the Center is that individuals of all ages will experience positive relationships that are thriving. The REAL Essentials curriculum addresses the human need and longing for acceptance, love, belonging, respect, dignity and to be known and connected to others in healthy ways. We have had our non-profit headquarters in Marina Square since 2004. During this tenure,

CRE has expanded its reach to 47 states, training thousands to prioritize and protect the health of their relational well-being.

Not only is CRE moving in our mission, we are also moving our office location. Thanks to the amazing assistance from Newmark realtor, Ben Klemish and new landlord with Kelmore Devel-

opment Company. Mr. Bob Koontz and Donald Siecke, principals of Kelmore Development, the CRE team has set up its new home.

On June 5, the Center for Relationship celebrated our new office space with a Grand Opening Welcome. If you missed it, it’s not too late to come visit. You can find The Center for Relationship Education at 7939 E Arapahoe

Rd, #285 Greenwood Village, CO 80112. Our doors are right to the right of Pindustry in Greenwood Village.

Many colleagues, friends and well-wishers joined us with festive food, beverages and décor. Please stop in and meet us. We would love to get to know you and develop a relationship. joneen@myrelation shipcenter.org

Editor’s note:

The Villager congratulates The Center for Relationship Education on their new home to keep spreading the positive goodness of healthy relationships.

The Villager appreciates our personal and working relationship with Joneen for being an outstanding, knowledgable and heartfelt Villager contributing columnist for over 10 years! Thank you Joneen!

Cafe Brazil-Denver Restaurant Review

BY LISA J. SHULTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I love different types of ethnic foods, and I had heard Cafe Brazil was a restaurant worth visiting. I arrived on a Saturday night for my first experience to what was described as a family run site for dinnertime fiestas with flowing rum, robust Brazilian flavors and folk art.

The ambiance is festive and lively upon entering. Dishes are from Northern Brazil in the region of Bahia. I started with the rum cocktail Caipirinha. It was sweet but not overly so.

I had both the appetizer special and the dinner special. The appetizer was four round balls with sweet potatoes and other ingredients of which I cannot recall, but I remember they were delicious. The entrée I selected was grouper with shrimp, and I ate every bite.

Located at 4408 Lowell Blvd in Denver, Cafe Brazil is open 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. I look forward to returning to this restaurant again! Find out more about them at cafebrazildenver.com

Lisa J. Shultz is a Denver native. She loves to inspire exploration of Denver in her book Essential Denver. Find out more about her and her book at EssentialDenver.com or call her at 303-881-9338.

Photos by Lisa J. Shultz

Daughter, mother duo

Summer Crostini’s 6 Ways

I wanted to share this recipe from an amazing woman, Tieghan Gerard. She lives here in Colorado and her website is www.halfbakedharvest.com I started following her before she even moved to Colorado. Her recipes are not for any type of diet, but I like to share her website because she makes REAL food. She uses lots of fresh herbs, vegetables and meats in various ways. You will be very impressed with her site. This one was something she put together before the 4th of July one year. You don’t have to make all these different crostini’s, or do and have your friends or family tell you their favorites!

Crostini 1: crusty grilled sourdough bread, smashed avocado, charred corn, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, crumbled feta, lemon zest, kosher salt + pepper. This one is basically summer on toast. You can’t beat its simpler classic flavors. Everyone love it.

Crostini 2: crusty grilled sourdough bread, fig preserves, burrata cheese, prosciutto, fresh fig, fresh thyme + basil, flaky salt + pepper and a drizzle of honey (or honeycomb). Possibly my favorite combo of all, this one is just mouth-wateringly GOOD.

Lose a dress size or pant size

Crostini 3: crusty grilled honey whole wheat bread, goat cheese, fresh cherries, fresh basil, aged balsamic vinegar, olive oil, flaky salt and pepper. Umm, YUM… cherries all summer long…

Crostini 4: crusty grilled honey whole wheat bread, melted cheddar cheese, blueberry jam, fresh thyme + honey + fresh blueberries for garnish. Promise this one is not as weird as it may seem. It’s surprisingly delicious, and if you love the combo of sharp cheddar to sweet fruit you will love this toast.

Crostini

5: crusty grilled sourdough bread, blue cheese, grilled peaches, chipotle honey + toasted pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle of flaky salt. OK, I lied, this one might just might be my favorite. The combo of bold blue cheese, to sweet grilled peach, to smoky sweet chipotle honey is truly one of the best things ever. DO IT.

Crostini 6: crusty grilled sourdough bread or honey whole wheat bread, melted Brie, fresh strawberries, basil, aged balsamic vinegar, sweet honeycomb (or just a drizzle of honey) and a pinch of flaky salt. )

It’s Melinda Luke, Integrative Health Coach. After supporting women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome for many years I wanted to have a space to help women with weight-loss on a local level.

At Castle Rock Contouring I have the most advanced, pad designed Red Light Technology to target arms, abdomen, back, thighs, and face in EACH SESSION!

Contour Light is FDA cleared which means they ac-

knowledge that a reduction of at least 2 inches will happen with each session. It is liquifying the fat which releases into waste.

The pads have a reflective surface which traps and redirects light energy into the tissue.

There is no other LED based system available on the market that delivers and retains more mid-600 nm and

infrared light energy.

At Castle Rock Contouring you will get free health coaching with your sessions, and I offer a 30-day natural supplemental pack to help with losing weight where I am documenting how I’m doing on the weight-loss pack on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ castlerockcontouring/. Want to try it? Contact me below!

Melinda Luke Integrative Health Coach

Best over-the-counter hearing aids for older adults

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good over-the-counter hearing aids for seniors on a budget?

I’m not sure what to get or where to buy them.

Hard of Hearing

Dear Hard,

The new FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that hit the market last October have become a very attractive alternative to millions of older Americans with hearing impairment.

These new hearing aids can be purchased at pharmacies, consumer electronics stores or online without a hearing exam, prescription, or appointment with an audiologist. And the savings are significant. The average cost of an OTC hearing aid is about $1,600 per pair, which is about $3,000 less than the average price of a prescription hearing aid.

But sorting through all the different options and styles can be confusing. Here are some tips along with a reliable resource that can help you choose the right aid for you.

Check Your Hearing

Your first step to getting a hearing aid is to get your hearing tested. Be aware that OTC hearing aids are designed only for people with mild to moderate hearing loss (signs include trouble hearing speech in noisy places, in groups, and during phone calls).

The best place to get your hearing tested is through a hearing care provider like an audiologist. These in-person tests are usually covered by private medical insurance, and as of this year, Medicare will pay for general hearing evaluations without a doctor’s referral.

You can also assess your hearing at home with a good app-based hearing test like Mimi (mimi.health) or SonicCloud (soniccloud.com).

If you find through your test that you have severe hearing loss (signs include being unable

to hear spoken words even in a quiet room or trouble hearing loud music or power tools) then OTC aids aren’t the right solution for you. You’ll probably need a prescription hearing aid, which you must get through an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist.

Choosing an OTC Aid

If you decide that an OTC hearing aid may work for you, here are a couple pointers to help you choose.

First, you need to know that OTC hearing aids come in two types: self-fitting and preset. Self-fitting aids typically use a smartphone app to setup and adjust the device to suit your specific hearing needs, which makes them better suited for seniors who are technologically inclined. While preset hearing aids are much simpler devices that come with a number of set programs for different levels of

hearing loss, and the controls are directly on the hearing aid.

Also, because OTC hearing aids have a learning curve, it’s very important to know the level of customer support you’ll have access to. So, before you buy, find out how long the company provides support after your purchase, and what sorts of experts will be providing the support.

You also need to find out about the company’s return policy. It can take weeks to get accustomed to wearing hearing aids and figure out whether they’re really working for you or not. So, make sure to choose a brand that offers a minimum 30-day free trial period, or money back return policy.

Best OTC Hearing Aids

To help you cut through all the different options the National Council on Aging (NCOA), which is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for older Americans, recently assembled a review team who collectively spent more than 5,000 hours researching, testing and

interviewing customers about OTC hearing aids.

They came up with a list of nine winners based on such criteria as affordability, style and fit. Their best OTC hearing aids for 2023 in their nine categories include:

• Best for Seniors: Jabra Enhance (jabraenhance. com)

• Best Invisible Fit: Eargo (eargo.com)

• Most User-Friendly: Lexie (lexiehearing.com)

• Most Affordable: Audien (audienhearing.com)

• Most Financing Options: Audicus (audicus.com)

• Best Remote Customer Service: MDHearing (mdhearingaid.com)

• Best Rechargeable for the Money: Go Hearing (gohearing.com)

• Best Variety: Lucid (lucidhearing.com)

• Best Earbud-Style: Sony (electronics.sony.com)

To learn more, see NCOA. org/adviser/hearing-aids/bestotc-hearing-aids

BY DONALD PETERSON

Dear Readers,

Who decides about the disposition of your last remains in Colorado?

We would all like to think that our relatives and loved ones will be in agreement as to what is to happen to our last remains at the time of our passing. Unfortunately, it is quite possible that this will not be the case. As a result, Colorado has what is known as the Disposition of Last Remains Act.

Under this Act, final disposition, or body disposition, refers to how a dead body is handled after death. Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, you have the right to direct in writing who should control what happens to your last remains after your death. This direction must be in writing. If there is no such writing, your verbal directions do not have any legal standing and are not enforceable. Stating your wishes in a written declaration under the Act provides guidance and directions, which can comfort family and friends in a time of confusion

and grief. This written declaration may direct your wishes regarding your last remains, including whether you wish to be buried, cremated, or have your remains donated to medical science. It may also include your directives regarding interment or ash scattering. The declaration may also direct what funeral, religious, or other ceremonies you wish to have after your death.

If you do not have a written declaration as to the disposition of your last remains, the individual who has authority to decide how to dispose of your last remains will be determined in the following order:

The appointed Personal Representative or Special Administrator of your estate;

1. A nominated Personal Representative under your Last Will and Testament;

2. Your surviving spouse or partner in a civil union;

3. The majority decision of your adult children;

4. The decision of your surviving parents or legal guardians;

5. Any person assuming the legal and financial responsibility for the final disposition of your last remains; or

6. The Office of the Public Administrator in your judicial district.

It is preferable to consult with an experienced estate plan attorney regarding preparation of appropriate, custom-tailored estate plan

documents to achieve your goals, including with respect to preparation of a written declaration about the disposition of your last remains, in compliance with the Colorado Disposition of Last Remains Act.

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 24: Medical Advanced Directives, Michael A. Kirtland, Esq.), which is a copyrighted publication and may be accessed and downloaded for free at: www. cobar.org/For-the-Public/Senior-Law-Handbook

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

Here’s a teaser: Which title is hardest to win?

With the Nuggets now the talk of the town, I have a question.

Of the four major pro sports, which championship is the most difficult to win?

It’s not as if fans here haven’t experienced these ultimate sports highs already.

Denver feted the Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche this time last year, and Broncomaniacs honored the Super Bowl 50 champs not that long ago. The Rockies stoked frenzy in the 2007 World Series.

All have commending features. But, which are most persuasive?

To help you decide, here are points to consider for each one:

World Series: At 162 games, teams play far more often, and over a longer stretch—six months—just to qualify for the right to try to advance to what once was the most captivating climax in all of sport.

Granted, fewer teams make it to these playoffs, and the top finisher in each league gets a bye into the second round, so the winner faces one fewer opponent.

But, unlike the other postseasons, the baseball equation changes by the day. “Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher,” said Baltimore’s Hall of Fame manager, Earl Weaver, who led the Orioles to four pennants and the 1970 World Series title in 17 seasons.

And the challenge is “by the day” because, in the World Series, teams don’t get multiple days off in between games unless it rains, a lot.

Super Bowl: Nothing attracts as much attention in this country as the National Football League Playoffs, culminating with the Super Bowl.

Yet as pivotal as the quarterback has become in this sport, teams don’t start a different one each game unless forced by injury

Football requires strength and skill and speed to prevail when the best butt heads. (And no other sport butts heads like football.)

However, there’s at least a week in between games to recover from the pounding, and the regular season is a tenth the size of baseball in head-to-head action, not to mention a couple months shorter.

And, like baseball, the top regular-season finisher in each conference gets the

first week off in the postseason.

Stanley Cup: This is the oldest prize among the four major sports, first awarded 10 years before the inaugural World Series (though not by the NHL until 1927).

Some would say the high-speed play in any Stanley Cup round is more intense and physical than even the head-butting in pro football.

(The participants in those two high-stakes competitions can argue which is tougher.)

What can’t be denied is that the action in ice hockey is virtually non-stop, compared to football, which pauses after each play, or baseball, which allows at least two minutes between each half-inning.

No other sport requires such a high level of dual proficiency as puck-handling while skating.

Yes, baseball players might debate this, pointing to hitting, fielding, throwing and baserunning. But none of that is as continuous as the up-and-down of chasing the puck.

NBA Finals: Like hockey, pro basketball demands stellar play for four rounds—16 victories—to claim the title.

One only need watch the Nuggets, though, to realize that it doesn’t take a village to win this title.

Denver’s fate rose and fell on the play of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, complemented, of course, by six

other guys—all important to the overall team and outcome, but not as spectacular as the record-setting Triple-Double Duo.

An argument can be made that pro basketball, especially in the Finals, is plenty physical. It’s a fact that these guys don’t wear ANY padding.

But again, the teams have days in between their jousts—time for the bruises to at least start to heal.

Home Advantage: Of the four sports, I’d have to say NBA teams have the greatest edge. Fans at courtside and factors that influence shooting accuracy favor the hosts.

Baseball teams win more in their park than on the road, but the best teams are usually able to adjust to raucous fans, different hitting backgrounds and playing-field quirks.

Home field—especially crowd noise— is a factor in the games that lead up to the Super Bowl. But the championship is decided at a neutral site.

Home ice? Overrated, though ice conditions can and do vary. Nonetheless, the Avs, for example, were home for four of seven when they lost in the first round this year to upstart Seattle.

So, which sport’s playoffs are the greatest test?

You tell me.

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 15 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at denny dressman@comcast.net.

ONE CHERRY LANE

EXQUISITE RANCH IN ONE CHERRY LANE GATED NO-MAINTENANCE COMMUNITY, GREENWOOD VILLAGE. Dramatic,completely updated. Main floor primary bedroom plus second bedroom and study, Fabulous finished basement with theatre, restaurant sized bar and 2 additional bedrooms. 2 patios. $2,150,000

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THE

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9 SUNRISE DRIVE, THE RESERVE IN CHERRY HILLS: ON 1.72 PARK LIKE ACRE. INCREDIBLE ENTRY LEVEL PRICING FOR CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CONTEMPORARY STYLING, PRIMARY BEDROOM WITH HIS AND HERS PRIVATE BATHS. SOLD $2,221,000 BUYER NEED : HOME IN CHERRY HILLS ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE AREA, APPROXIMATELY ONE ACRE. UP TO $3,500,000. CALL ME WITH INFORMATION BUYER IS READY TO BUY!!

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Her birthday gift

Life is never the same after a loved one dies. A broken rhythm of a 5-minute check-in call on the way to the office or the celebration of a birthday are jarring reminders of her passing. Grieving is universal, but what is grieving exactly. Is it a process, a skill, or a pathway to something?

Some experts choose to describe grieving as a form of learning or creating new habits around a loss. Grieving involves creating an adaptation mechanism in the heart and the brain. First, the wave of intense emotions gives rise to memories and the inevitability of change. Change is manifested in what we miss.

What I miss is the constant pep talks she gave me. “Honey, you are changing the world one person, one relationship at a time.” Don’t let them get you down.” “Stand strong.” “Follow your heart.” “You are smart.” Because of her positivity and strength, even though I long to hear those words, they are embedded in my spirit. I feel like she is duct-taped to my skin and that comforts my soul.

Neuroscientists opine that when one experiences

a loss, they do not need to be cheered up, they need to emote, remember and be listened to with compassion and kindness. They need words of healing and support. These words surround the brain in a warm bath of calmness and connectedness which reduces sadness and anxiety. Being anticipatory about little blessings and miracles is also helpful for healing.

Recently I was coming home from a speaking engagement in Columbus, Georgia on my mom’s birthday. I had a three-hour layover at the airport and there was

a Brighton store close to the ladies’ restroom. During the time that I was caring for Mom in my home, I had somehow misplaced my way-too-expensive sunglasses. In the store was a pair of lovely sunglasses. I grappled with paying a hundred dollars for sunglasses that I lose. I argued with myself and then went, sans glasses, to the gate. Since I had to use the ladies’ room again, I stopped into the store just to take another peak. Nope, I would not buy these and dutifully went back to my seat. There seemed to be a force pulling me back to the shop. I went into the store one more time, tried on the glasses and silently made a pledge to never take them

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2023 has been submitted to the Westray Business Improvement District (“District”). Such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 669-254-5252 and enter Meeting ID: 160 446 2375 and passcode: 739864.

A copy of the proposed 2023 budget is available for public inspection at the offices of SpencerFane LLP. Please contact Stephanie Net by email at snet@spencerfane.com or by telephone at 303-839-3712 to make arrangements to inspect the budget prior to visiting the foregoing office. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to final adoption of the 2023 budget, file or register any objections thereto.

WESTRAY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

By: /s/ Nicole Peykov, District Counsel

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11237

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 3, SERIES 2023

A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, COLORADO, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND APPROVING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR A STREET PAVING PROJECT AND A CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS STUDY

Copies of the Ordinances are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023 Legal # 11236

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Nicolas Pattirane, Deceased

Case Number 2023PR30557

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before October 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred. Bryan Pattirane 4506 Amaorsa Heights, #308 Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Published in The Villager

First Publication: June 1, 2023

Last Publication: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11230

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Frank L. Watson, a/k/a Frank Watson a/k/a Frank Lewis Watson Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30570

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before October 16, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred. Gabriel Gelman 8480 E. Orchard Road, Suite 5000 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Published in The Villager

First Publication: June 8, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Legal # 11235

NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ILIFF AVENUE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1-905, C.R.S. that one or more vacancies exists on the Board of Directors of the Iliff Avenue Metropolitan District, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. Qualified eligible electors of the Iliff Avenue Metropolitan District who wish to be considered to fill a vacancy must file a letter of interest within ten days of the date of publication of this notice. A letter of interest may be filed on or before 5:00 p.m., June 25, 2023, with the Board of Directors of the Iliff Avenue Metropolitan District, c/o Fritsche Law LLC, 3900 E. Mexico Avenue, #300, Denver, CO 80210 or electronically to joan@fritschelaw. com.

ILIFF AVENUE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ FRITSCHE LAW LLC

Attorneys for the District

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11238

NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OAK PARK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1-905, C.R.S. that one or more vacancies exists on the Board of Directors of the Oak Park Metropolitan District, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. Qualified eligible electors of the Oak Park Metropolitan District who wish to be considered to fill a vacancy must file a letter of interest within ten days of the date of publication of this notice. A letter of interest may be filed on or before 5:00 p.m., June 25, 2023, with the Board of Directors of the Oak Park Metropolitan District, c/o Fritsche Law LLC, 3900 E. Mexico Avenue, #300, Denver, CO 80210 or electronically to joan@fritschelaw.

out of my car and to take care of them. I did it. Yikes, I just bought them. With sunglasses in hand, I rested in my seat ready to get home. I took out the change purse that belonged to my mom. I used it to store my earbuds. She had a little cross in a tiny handknit holder. When I went to get my earbuds out of the change purse, the cross had fallen out, and it was replaced with a tightly folded one-hundred-dollar bill. That was not there before. I was so moved, I started to weep. My mom bought me an extravagant gift on her birthday! I love miracles!

joneen@myrelationship center.org

com.

OAK PARK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ FRITSCHE LAW LLC

Attorneys for the District

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11239

NOTICE OF HEARING ON 2022 BUDGET AMENDMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an amendment to the 2022 budget has been submitted to the Southeast Public Improvement Metropolitan District (“District”). Such budget amendment will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 12:00 p.m. on June 20, 2023 at the offices of Denver South Economic Development Partnership, 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 315, Englewood, CO. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing online at https://southeastpublicimprovementmd.colorado. gov/ or by contacting Laurie Tatlock, by email at laurie@mulhernmre.com. A copy of the amended 2022 budget is available for public inspection at the offices of Mulhern MRE, Inc., 188 Inverness Drive West, Suite 150, Englewood, CO 80112. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to final adoption of the amended 2022 budget file or register any objections thereto.

SOUTHEAST PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Walter Koelbel, Jr., President

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11240

NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VALENTIA COURT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1-905, C.R.S. that one or more vacancies exists on the Board of Directors of the Valentia Court Metropolitan District, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. Qualified eligible electors of the Valentia Court Metropolitan District who wish to be considered to fill a vacancy must file a letter of interest within ten days of the date of publication of this notice. A letter of interest may be filed on or before 5:00 p.m., June 25, 2023, with the Board of Directors of the Valentia Court Metropolitan District, c/o Fritsche Law LLC, 3900 E. Mexico Avenue, #300, Denver, CO 80210 or electronically to joan@ fritschelaw.com.

VALENTIA COURT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ FRITSCHE LAW LLC

Attorneys for the District

Published in The Villager

Published: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11241

COUNTY TREASURER

NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to SCOTT STROUP, CAM BUI

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 1st day of November, 2018, A.D., the then County Treasurer of the County of Arapahoe, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to FIG CAPITAL INVESTMENTS CO13 LLC, the following described real estate situate in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit:

E 250

TO BEG

RANGEVIEW aka 7087 S WINDERMERE ST and said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to FIG CAPITAL INVESTMENTS CO13 LLC; Whereas, the said FIG CAPITAL INVESTMENTS CO13 LLC did, on the 15th day of November 2022 duly assigned the certificate of the sale of the tax lien on the property as aforesaid, and all its rights, title, and interest in said property, to BUFFALO PLAINS 22, LLC.

That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2017;

That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of SCOTT STROUP and CAM BUI for said year 2017;

That said BUFFALO PLAINS 22, LLC, on the 15th day of November, 2022, the present holder of said Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate;

That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said BUFFALO PLAINS 22, LLC, on or about the 26th day of September, 2023, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed.

Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed.

Witness my hand this 25th day of May, 2023, A.D.

Michael Westerberg Treasurer Arapahoe County

Published in The Villager

First Publication: June 1, 2023

Last Publication: June 15, 2023

Legal # 11228

PARK MEADOWS SUMMER

SUNSET SERIES

Thursdays, 4- 9 p.m. JUNE 15, JUNE

29, JULY 13, JULY 27 AUG. 10, AUG. 24. Enjoy a summer sunset stroll in the Vistas at Park Meadows with a cocktail in hand, live music, shopping, photo ops, activities for kids and a chance to win a summer get away.

DENVER NUGGET PARADE

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 10 a.m. Celebrate the championship trophy with a parade & rally. Starting at Union Station (17th & Wynkoop) proceeding East down 17th St. to Broadway, then South to Civic Center Park for the rally.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

CHEYENNE-ARAPAHO

PARK GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Tsistsistas-Hinono’ei Park) has new amenties. Free food, kids activities and more. 9200 E Iowa Ave. (Half-mile north of Parker Road). Visit arapahoegov.com/ openspaces

MADAM LOU BUNCH DAY & FAMOUS BED RACE IN CENTRAL CITY

SAT., JUNE 17, 12 noon-8 p.m. on Main Street, Central City. Free admission. Join the 49th celebration including the famous bed race, costume contests, live music, Madam and Miners’ Ball and more. Enter your team in the bed race by visiting Facebook.com/mmadamloubunchday. Fees apply for bed race teams. Sponsored by Main Street Central City.

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUNE 19, 2023, The Ridge at Castle Pines North.

UPCOMING WARD VI TOWN

HALL MEETING

JULY 19, CAPSTC. Info: call 303-739-7015 or visit AuroraGov.org/Town Meetings

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

JUNE 22, the movie “Encanto” JUNE

29, “The Secret Life of Pets.” Pre-movie themed games & activities, giveaways, and live entertainment. Screenings are in partnership with Arapahoe Libraries. Tickets are $5 online/S$7 at the door. 2 and under FREE. Tickets: www. arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/ picturesontheplains

YELLOW ROSE BALL

JUNE 24, 4:00 p.m. hosted by the Central City Opera. A ticketed event that benefits the opera organization, which began in 1932. Musicians, flower girls dressed in matching gowns & opera patrons in the area of the Teller House. The event will start the Central City Opera’s summer season, opening with Romeo & Juliet.

POOL TOURNAMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER’S

JUNE 24, 10 a.m. at Willowbrook Place, an Anthem Memory Care Community in Littleton- sign up- with the tournament at 12 noon. Funds raised for the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Colorado. Raffle prizes, a silent auction $500 shot game and a player exchange auction. VNEA rules, double elimination and alternate break. Tournament fee, $30 per player. The player exchange auction is $25. Contact Anna Cusic at 719-640-5532 or acusic@ anthemmemorycare.com

ART SMART SUMMER

JUNE 26-JULY 24. The Children’s Art

2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is Colorado proud

I enjoyed test driving the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport SUV this week. It was sporting a powerful 285 hp 3.5L/V6 engine linked to a tenspeed transmission. No need for a turbo boost, it wasn’t needed.

The all-wheel drive had multiple modes; normal, eco, sport, and off- road selections of tow, trail, and sand. To accommodate the many driving selections the TrailSport had 18” alloy wheels and “rugged” terrain tires.

The appearance was spartan with a gray shaded “Diffusion Sky” paint, similar to the grayish rain cloud that we’ve had this month.

The panoramic roof showed the raindrops falling, but fortunately no large hail stones. A rare feature was a heated windshield and heated outside mirrors with turn indicators.

The interior is spacious, the Pilot is a larger SUV with captain seats in front and second row, with fold down third row seating, capable of extending the large trunk capacity.

School invites young artists to a summer of creative discoveries. Three hour morning and afternoon sessions at 2290 South Clayton St. in the University Park neighborhood. Info: visit www.artcreates. org

VETERANS STAND DOWN

JUNE 30, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed to help staff the event. Visit arapahoegov.com/ volunteer for details.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR

JULY 27-30. Be a volunteer! Visit arapahoegov.com/volunteer for details.

DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD

DLOG SUMMER PARTY

AUGUST 12. A French-themed Luncheon at Columbine Country Club. Tickets available at the DLOG website in mid-June.

SAVE THE DATE!

TAPS: TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

WESTERN-THEMED GALA

SEPT. 9 at Wings Over the Rockies. Founders, Lynne and Bo Cottrell, in 2005 will be honored. The Cottrell’s will be stepping down as directors of the event. The event raises funds for military survivors. Featuring country legend Pam Tillis and singer/songwriter Gary Morris. Also a special performance by Frank Moscato, an American Idol Gold Ticket winner. INFO: visit TAPS.org/Colorado

WHAT’S NEW?

Denver Nuggets Center, Nikola Jokic (15) of Cherry Hills Village picks up the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after a 94-89 win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 in Denver.

By H. Throttle

The drive was the best part of the Pilot with the powerful engine, smooth versatile transmission, firm suspension, and comfortable bucket seats.

The Pilot has not been safety rated but is loaded with the latest safety features, including the newer lane keeping assist and lane departure mitigation, both designed to keep the Pilot in the proper lane while fumbling with the center console applications.

Loaded with the latest navigation and communication features, that including smart phone charger, a very flexible 9” color screen, and a selection of camera view selections. I’ve become very fond of the rear cross traffic alerts with people racing out of grocery store parking lots.

The Pilot is loaded with

many special features and options with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $48,350 that includes all the options except the “Diffusion Sky” paint adding $455 to the price.

The Pilot has been around for a long time, a best seller and especially practical here in the Rocky Mountains. It is rugged, built for offroad and winter conditions. Fuel economy is overall 20 mpg that falls short of the new hybrid SUVs.

Made in the USA by Honda, with the final assembly in Lincoln, Alabama with both engine and transmission made in the United States.

Honda is making some exciting sedans and SUVs and the Pilot is a very solid, well built, versatile SUV made for Colorado country.