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Smart 25 pilot to improve traffic on I-25 is coming to this area BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

Last month, officials of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) presented a pilot project designed to significantly lessen traffic back-ups on I-25 to the Greenwood Village City Council. Called the Smart 25 Managed Motorways plan (Smart 25), its purpose is to “improve travel time, reliability, and speed performance on I-25,” as well as minimize the cost of deployment of the system. If it works as expected, its impact on traffic will be equivalent to having added an entire new lane to I-25. The work on this effort began in 2016, when a 14-mile span on I-25, consisting of 14 highway exits, was selected to conduct the pilot project. The area goes from University Blvd. on the north to RidgeGate Parkway on the south. Problems in procurement, followed by the pandemic, delayed construction. In addition to those I-25 highway exists, the project will also include freeway to freeway system

ramps on I-225, C-470 and E-470 because they connect to I-25 in the project area. Scott Pitera of WSP, a transportation operations consultant to CDOT, explained that Smart 25 will employ ramp metering technology that responds to actual traffic conditions (volumes, speeds, etc.) in real time to manage traffic on I-25. Originating in Australia, this is the first installation in North America. This “intelligent system optimizes flow along the entire route by using algorithms to resolve complex traffic problems” so as to prevent congestion. The data from all system entry ramps in the project is coordinated so that the ramp meters “talk to each other” to “balance queues and wait times” to most efficiently “utilize ramp storage across the system” simultaneously. Although all entry ramps will have traffic-light type signals, they will only go on when they are needed based on traffic volumes. The signals will receive and process data from all the other ramps in the system that will cause them to change their timing

based on actual conditions every 20 seconds. The most significant costs of the project consisted of the installation of 40 new highlydetailed vehicle detectors. All costs were paid by CDOT. When this system was employed in the M-1 Motorway in Melbourne, Australia in an area that is similar to the I-25 corridor, it “increased throughput by over 25 percent, which is the same as adding an additional lane of traffic for a very, very small fraction of the cost. They were able to improve speeds drastically, improve reliability because they prevented bottlenecks from forming, and very importantly, they were able to prevent back-ups onto arterial adjacent roadways,” according to Pitera’s PowerPoint presentation. The plan, which began in June, is to collect data for three months on the existing CDOT system, then employ the pilot demonstration system for six months, followed by a performance evaluation report and stakeholder workshop. Pitera made clear that if anything goes awry during

the pilot, it will be seamless to fallback to the existing CDOT system. There will be a “soft launch” of the system in August and it will become fully operational in October. CDOT staff overseeing this effort are Zach Miller, project manager, who can be reached at zachary.miller@state.co.us, 720-382-6381 and Steve Sherman, resident engineer, at steve.sherman@state.co.us, 720-341-1895. The project website for this program is: https://www.codot.gov/ projects/smart25pilotproject. After the presentation, GV Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kerber, told Pitera, Miller, and Paul Jesatis, CDOT region one transportation director, that because, “We don’t know if people are going to be coming back to work in the Tech Center here…I would suggest… that any data you take isn’t going to be right...It’s not going to be normal conditions… You waited five years already. If you’d wait six years, at least we’d get a chance to get some normal situations.” Councilmember Donna Johnston wanted to know, “How long will someone be

waiting on Orchard to get on I-25 if there is perhaps more important roads that are backed up? I mean, would we suffer perhaps on Orchard Road waiting because there’s more of a back-up, up the road? Is that factored in somehow?” Pitera responded, “The number of lanes on each ramp and the length of those lanes and the total storage of each ramp, they’re very different throughout the corridor. That’s something that we’ve measured as part of the system…The way that the system works is that they try and balance wait times throughout the whole corridor…The system adjusts every 20 seconds.” Councilmember Judy Hilton added, “The speed that people travel on I-225, then merging into I-25, then you add in the afternoon sun in your face, it’s just something to keep in mind, I know it’s not a part of this study, but it’s something that we ought to be mindful of because it’s a problem.” fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

Parents speak out to the Cherry Creek School Board BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

The final Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) Board of Education meeting of the 2020-2021 school year began at 7:00 p.m. on June 23 and ended at 1:20 a.m. on June 24. It drew hundreds of community members, some of whom were seated in an adjacent overflow room. It also drew about a dozen men who just stood around near the entrance of the building dressed in military-style garb. They did not engage with the people who came to the meeting. A

Almost four hours of the board meeting was spent receiving public comments from community members, each of whom were strictly limited to three minutes. The Villager was there for the first three hours of the meeting and has listened to and reviewed the testimony of the first 30 speakers. Of that group, five voiced objections to what they believed were the plans and policies of the school district in revising its social studies curriculum to include contributions to our history of Americans who were descended from African American, Latino, American Indian,

or Asian cultures, along with members of the LGBTQ community (the groups named in the law passed by the general assembly in 2019). Several speakers conflated the district’s plans with critical race theory (CRT). The remaining 25 speakers voiced their support of the district’s announced plans in revising its social studies curriculum to include the contributions of Americans in those groups. Schumé Navarro, a CCSD parent who told The Villager that she is also the secretary of the Arapahoe County Republican Party, was first to speak, and said, in part, “To F

be controlled by the teachers’ union or the political parties that be and allow our children to be abused in your care is a terrible thing to aligning children to ideals that teach them that they are either oppressed or oppressors.” Shelley Stancer, who has been teaching social studies in CCSD for 15 years, observed that, “Seventh-grade social studies covers civilizations of the eastern hemisphere, Africa, Asia, and Europe. For many years, the only civilization we talked about in Africa, the second biggest continent by size and population, was ancient Egypt. That clearly N

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does not give a full history of Africa. How are we educating kids if we don’t also look at the many great civilizations from Sub-Saharan Africa, those created by black people before slavery and colonialism, and what happened to them, and how Africa got to where it is today?” She continued, “During last month’s board meeting, I was struck by a parent’s concern that this bill (HB19-1192) could leave out important history if kids are learning about other cultures, but these aren’t other cultures, they are our cultures—the cultures and histories of the students sitting in my classroom…” Brian McKinney, a black father of two CCSD students, questioned why discussions about race were being termed divisive, saying, in part, “Do we think it’s divisive to our indigenous folks to teach curriculum that says that Europeans discovered this land? Do we think it’s divisive to minimize the impacts of slavery, the cruelty of slavery?” He added, “CRT is not being taught in this district, it’s not even being taught in this country to K-12. They know it’s not being taught. The only reason they are talking about CRT is to stop all equity work in this district…Let’s talk about race…Let’s talk about how only 19 percent of black eighth graders are proficient in math. We’re dedicated to excellence? Whose excellence are we dedicated to?” A person who said she Continued on page 7

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Permanent Olympic cities In 1972, via a statewide referendum, the people of Colorado rejected funding for the 1976 Olympic Games, becoming the only city ever awarded the games to turn down the chance to host. While that decision shocked the rest of the country, as well as many around the world, it wasn’t a surprising move for anyone who knows the taxpayers of the Rocky Mountain state. In fact, knowing what we know now about the structural challenge and fiscal nightmare the Games can be for some cities and countries, it was a surprisingly prescient and prudent move. Hosting the Olympic Games is an incredible honor and opportunity for a country to shine on the international stage, but it’s also a significant financial and structural investment saddled with huge risks. The Olympics generally cost tens of billions of dollars to stage while providing only a fraction of that in terms of revenue. Host countries must invest heavily in building a vast infrastructure of sites to hold the events, housing for the teams and guests, and transportation and security systems to manage the people. While these can certainly upgrade a city, they are rarely necessary to maintain following the games and often end up in disuse and decay. Additionally, any benefit from the event is often overshadowed by the corrupt history of the bidding process at the International Olympic Committee and the potential for bloated budgets prior to the event followed by blight afterwards. The scandals plaguing the entire hosting process are extensive, ranging from bribes and extortion to graft and highly orchestrated doping programs which have tainted vast numbers of events and athletes. It often seems the Olympic Games, an international institution intended to honor the individual pursuit of excellence, are more trouble than they’re worth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, the international community should establish permanent locations for the Olympics, where all countries contribute to maintaining the sites as the premier athletic facilities in the world. The fields and tracks and stadiums could serve as hosts for an endless number of world championships at all levels, and they could also serve as training grounds and research locations to serve all manner of individuals and organizations committed to honoring and promoting the highest levels of athletic achievement. Choosing permanent locations would obviously be a significant challenge, though certainly not more problematic than the current bidding pro-

cess. It’s reasonable to have host cities across multiple geographic regions, and it makes sense to consider places which held successful games and

maintained some of the original infrastructure. Athens is the obvious choice for one permanent summer location, while Barcelona, Seoul, and Sydney are solid choices as well. Salt Lake City and Lillehammer are good bets for the Winter Olympics, though a strong case can be made for both Vancouver and Turin. Obviously the city

and host country must want the honor and responsibility and be willing to trust the rest of the world to support the plan. This idea is not new, having been discussed for years among commentators, athletic groups, and political leaders. In fact, at the end of the 1896 Games, which launched the modern era, King George of Greece called for Athens to be the permanent “peaceful meeting place of all nations,” and many delegations signed a letter endorsing the idea. Now, news out of Tokyo indicates nearly 80% of Japanese people oppose holding the Olympics there next week, as the surge in Covid cases unsettles residents even as officials still consider allowing fans to attend. Obviously, the pandemic which delayed the Games for a year is a huge factor in the national sentiment

of Japan, though it’s worth noting that in 2016 nearly twothirds of Brazillians worried the Rio Olympics would bring more harm than good to the country. Currently, host cities are already established through 2028 when Los Angeles will host its third Olympic Games. And perhaps that’s enough. Before any more bidding happens and planning begins, the public should discuss the idea of permanent host cities. Once the idea is floated to athletes and voters, political and business leaders should take the discussion to the IOC and make it happen. With many future games already assigned and planned, there is plenty of time to develop and implement this logical change to the Games. Michael P. Mazenko is a writer, educator, & school administrator in Greenwood Village. He blogs at A Teacher’s View and can be found on Twitter @mmazenko. You can email him at mmazenko @gmail.com

Athens is the obvious choice for one permanent summer location, while Barcelona, Seoul, and Sydney are solid choices as well. Salt Lake City and Lillehammer are good bets for the Winter Olympics, though a strong case can be made for both Vancouver and Turin. Obviously the city and host country must want the honor and responsibility and be willing to trust the rest of the world to support the plan. This idea is not new, having been discussed for years among commentators, athletic groups, and political leaders.

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The Villager

PART IV: Many faces of the Soviet Union Meeting Russians Hardliners The Russians, in the past, and present, have a fear of losing their vast lands to the West. This paranoia has some merit with even the United States invading Russia on Sept. 4, 1918 at Archangel in the Vladivostok region. The attempt was made to quell the Bolshevik revolution and our 4500 troops were quickly defeated by the Red Army. It is a matter of history and related in part to the First World War with Russia engaged fighting against the Germans. This war was very unpopular in Russia and boosted the rise of the 1917 Lenin led Bolshevik revolution. It is all in the history books with extensive coverage of the unsuccessful U.S. military conflict in Siberia. Our group of 12 U.S. exchange journalists and two

State Department officials continued our extensive tour of the USSR in October and November of 1975. Since I came from rural Colorado, and a small town, I was more comfortable than most of my traveling companions who were critical of food, lodging, and life in general. I was there to learn, not to judge what I would see and hear. For several weeks, since I was still in the army reserves, I think the Soviets thought I might be a spy. They learned that this was not the case and I was accepted by our communist hosts. I witnessed some American tourists who were not respectful; not happy with rooms, food, and service. This was the case then, and still can abound today; we tend to be pretty picky about lifestyles. In 1975 at the time of this journalist exchange, times were tough in the USSR.

Food was in short supply; meat was sold in meat markets where the butchers would hoist the meat offerings that included chickens and ducks. Vodka was abundant and the Soviets knew how to toast and consume the entire glass in one drink. Alcoholism was considered a national challenge and most social issues stemmed from Soviet crowded living conditions exacerbated by crowded apartment complexes built in conclaves near the rail and subway facililies. The subway system was well constructed and neat as a pin. The first real rude conflict that we endured during the trip was surprisingly with fellow Soviet journalists in the editorial board room of Izvestiya, the largest national newspaper. It took about 10 minutes to catch a lot of grief from Lev Nickoleyevich Tokunov, the editor in chief of the newspaper and a communist

central committee member. He was by far the toughest “hardliner” that we encountered on the entire trip. He appeared “polite,” peering through his colored glasses as he told us we were corrupting our children, that crime and violence had overtaken our nation, and that our literature was not fit for any of their citizens or children to read. My thoughts after that meeting was that it was this type of man that Kissinger and Ford must deal with and that certainly must not be an easy task. We now know that under President Reagan the Soviet empire collapsed. Just as a side note, Denver newspaper publisher Dean Singleton, while serving as president of The Associated Press in the early 2000s, visited Moscow to advise the Russians on how to have a free and independent press. Something not found around the world today with newspapers shuttered and silenced in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba and now Hong Kong. To Be Continued.

Office: 8933 East Union Ave. • Suite 230 Greenwood Village, CO 80111-1357 Phone: (303) 773-8313 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by the Villager Publishing Co., Inc. Available for home or office delivery by U.S. Mail for $52 per year. Single copies available for $1 per issue. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, CO. A Colorado Statutory Publication CRS (197324-70 et al). Postmaster: Send address changes to The Villager, 8933 East Union Ave., Suite #230, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-1357 Deadlines: Display Advertising, Legal Notices, press releases, letters to the editor, 4:00 p.m. Friday. Classified Advertising, noon Monday.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Gerri Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com NEWS EDITOR Gerri Sweeney 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

My good neighbor and friend Larry McLaughlin, retired Air Force academy graduate, came by Sunday morning to make sure that my sprinkler system is working properly. Being mechanical minded Larry assists me in keeping my lawn green, even with cranky sprinkler controls. Doesn’t help that I back my car over one of the sprinkler heads. We both expressed our concern over the western state’s severe drought and the approaching demands upon dwindling water supplies. All of our water here in Colorado comes from mountain snowfall and storage. A few shortfall snowy winters and we are in big trouble. The western slope is suffering from lack of snow and this leads to trouble downstream with Lake Mead at record lows. This lake provides electricity and water for Las Vegas and Phoenix, along with farmland crops. Larry believes, and I agree, that water is going to be one of the most scarce and valuable commodities in the very near future. Thank heavens for the Aurora and Denver water departments that have done a masterful job of obtaining water for the growing metro area. However, their success depends totally upon winter snowfall in the mountains. Water conservation should be at the top of the list for all residents and elected leaders. We might add transportation to a fix/it list with the annual weekend traffic jams

heading west and return trips. The highway heading west is in poor repair with ruts and potholes along with traffic creeping for hours. Meanwhile we have some express lanes closed in both directions. These express lanes are a bad joke, including the new one on the stretch of highway by Highland’s Ranch. Since all taxpayers support the roads why do we have toll road lanes for the affluent? Seems unfair and a useless waste of already crowded highway space. *** As one of the top tourist destinations in the world we should have a clean, beautiful state with immaculate highways. Maybe some of the future road and bridge reclamation will improve the situation. But, even with the funding, where do we find the labor force to do all of the intended work? *** One of my best friends is Doctor Bronwyn Bateman, the ophthalmologist who came to Denver from UCLA in the 1990s and worked with the Lions Clubs of Colorado and Wyoming to start the Rocky Mountain Eye Institute at Fitzsimmons. It was the first building to be constructed at that Aurora military site leading the movement out of Denver to that Aurora military base in the early 1990s. Dr. Vince Fulgineti and Dr. Bronwyn Bateman led the initiative to move the medical campus from landlocked Colorado Boulevard to Fitzsimons.

The rest is history and the generosity of the Anschutz’s families, both Sue and Phil, have been historic and massive in their generous foundation grants to the now CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The location now hosts Children’s Hospital, the new VA hospital, and the vast CU medical campus along with hotels and new area business firms. The once doomed army base has blossomed, once again thanks to the brilliant leadership of many people including the many doctors and nurses at the Sue Anschutz Eye Center and CU hospitals. *** I’m especially pleased with service clubs. Larry, aforementioned, is an active Rotarian where the local club is now having their annual Palisade peach drive to aid in funding world polio prevention. Order Rotary Club peaches at: centennial rotarypeaches.com In having lunch with Denny Dressman, our new sport’s editor. We discussed the popularity of sports and how sporting events bring us all together. The nation is so politically polarized at the moment that we can hardly discuss politics openly. But, we can stand and cheer for the Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Broncos united in team support. I hope owners and leagues will endeavor to keep politics out of sports and we don’t need two national anthems. The same with service clubs, we just don’t talk politics and it is amazing the good works that

can result in all of us working together without regard to political persuasions. *** Coming up this coming weekend is the annual Arapahoe County Fair, east of town at their great fair facilities. It’s time for some fun, games, food booths and prize animal exhibits. Get the full schedule at araphoecountyfair.com *** Littleton Business Association is continuing downtown events on weekends with music, outdoor dining, and entertainment. When you plan on dining out, support the family-owned restaurants in that community. Wherever you reside, support your retail business firms. Small business is the backbone of our American free enterprise system and these firms have been hard hit with COVID-19. Some have failed, but most have prevailed through hard work by dedicated owners who have fought valiantly to save their businesses. It’s great to have them open again and tip those servers well, they are truly essential workers who we highly respect! *** The Villager is contemplating new office headquarters on a ground level location. We can share space as an option. We notice many signs around the DTC area with offices for rent or lease. Please call me if you can assist. 720-3139741. bsween1@aol.com

DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 sharon@villagerpublishing.com Linda Kehr — 303-881-9469 linda@villagerpublishing.com Valerie LeVier — 303-773-8313 valerie@villagerpublishing.com Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Susan 720-270-2018 PHOTOGRAPHER Stefan Krusze — 303-717-8282 octaviangogoI@aol.com EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The Villager is an award-winning, locally owned, independent newspaper. All letters to the editor must be signed. The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must also accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.

Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”

2020 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK QUOTE of the WEEK

If you fell down yesterday, stand up today. H. G. Wells

Sports

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

Bridgewater QB starter? History asks, Why not? The Broncos begin training camp next Wednesday for the expanded, 17-game 2021 National Football League season, and I still don’t understand the skepticism and doubt about Teddy Bridgewater as possibly Denver’s starting quarterback. It’s interesting that many of the same people who deride Drew Lock and are certain he’s not the long-term answer to lead the Denver offense nevertheless question Bridgewater’s capability to be an upgrade. Nothing against Lock, but Bridgewater was a budding star with Minnesota before leg and knee injuries effectively cost him three seasons (201618). His performances during the years he wasn’t dealing with injury, suggest that he is fully capable of leading a team to the post-season, perhaps more so than Lock. Let’s look at the record: Bridgewater completed 551 of 849 passes in 29 games his first two seasons—that’s 64.9%—for 6,132 yards and 28 touchdowns (21 interceptions). Lock, by comparison, has completed 345 of 599 passes—69%— in his first two seasons, for 3,953 yards, 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Bridgewater averaged 11.1

yards per completion those two seasons; Lock, 11.5. In Bridgewater’s first two seasons, his quarterback ratings were 85.2 and 88.7. Lock’s were 89.7 and 75.4. So, their first two seasons are pretty comparable. Statistically. But the Vikings won the NFC North in Bridgewater’s second season, with an 11-5 record. Last season, Lock’s second, the Broncos were 5-11 and were dead last in the AFC West. In 2019, when Bridgewater was finally healthy again and the great Drew Brees was out for five games with a thumb injury that required surgery, Bridgewater merely went 5-0 filling in. That tells me that if you surround him with good players, he won’t drag them down. (And, at least before the first pass that counts is thrown this season, the Broncos appear to have accumulated enough talent to be playoff contenders.) In 2019, when he replaced Brees for a third of the Saints’ games, Bridgewater completed 133 of 196 passes for 1,384 yards.

He threw for nine touchdowns and only two interceptions, and his quarterback rating was 99.1. That was impressive enough to land a three-year, $65 million contract from Carolina. The 2020 Panthers, though, weren’t very good. They matched the Broncos’ 5-11 record and finished next-to-last in the NFC South, one win better than Atlanta. Still, he threw for 3,733 yards, exactly 800 more than Lock. Before this year’s college draft, the hapless New York Jets convinced Carolina to take their latest quarterback of the future, Sam Darnold, so they could choose Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson to be their QB of the future. It remains to be seen if Darnold is an improvement over Bridgewater, but the move made Bridgewater and what remained of his big contract available, if not an albatross. New Broncos General Manager George Paton, who got to know Bridgewater well in Minnesota, was happy to snap him up for a sixth-round draft pick. And here we are. Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who will never be called loquacious, effusive or glib, hasn’t de-

The killing fields of Denver

don’t cause crime waves.” Consider instead calls by many leading Democrats to defund the police after highly publicized cases of police shootings, from Michael Brown of fabricated “hands up don’t shoot” fame in 2014 to George Floyd last year. Many prominent Democrats, particularly in big cities, call for police defunding. As an aside, this is an opportunity for any Colorado Republicans to step up. Cory Gardner campaigned using insipid shower commercials rather than discussing Denver crime, police defunding, homelessness, sanctuary status, and other issues relevant to Coloradans, and not surprisingly he lost what should have been an easy reelection. Denver activists have called for defunding the police but fortunately Mayor Michael Hancock opposes any such measures. Denver instead is using health care workers rather than police to respond to mental health cases. While that may free up police for law enforcement activities, these encounters can quickly turn violent. The bottom line is that Denver is changing. Homelessness is on the rise, as any drive into Denver will highlight. Violent crime is also increasing. If this is what they call “urban sophistication”, many will take a pass and stay out of downtown Denver.

Colorado Tourism’s official website describes Denver, “The Mile High City — is where urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure. Denver is an outdoor city known for its world-class cultural attractions, thriving craft breweries, chef-driven dining and red-hot music scene, all within easy reach of the Rocky Mountains.” All true but the description is missing something new, homicides and shootings. Perhaps this is what is meant by “urban sophistication meeting outdoor adventure”? The Denver Post recently reported, “For second year in a row, Denver homicides and shootings on pace to meet levels of bloodshed not seen in decades.” Headlines like this aren’t for Denver, instead for real crime-ridden cities like New York, Detroit, or Chicago. But it seems Denver has joined the big leagues. Per the article, “In the first six months of this year, 43 people were killed in Denver homicides — a few more than the 39 people killed in Denver in the same period last year.” On the surface this doesn’t sound too bad. This could be a typical Chicago weekend. July 4th weekend in Chicago saw 104

shot and 19 killed. Homicides are also up in New York City. How does the Mile High City compare to the Big Apple? Rather than absolute numbers, which are meaningless given the difference in population between the two BY BRIAN C. cities, let’s look at JOONDEPH murders per 1000 residents. Denver recorded 95 homicides in 2020 according to the Denver Post. With a population of 738,200 in 2020, this calculates to a murder rate of 0.13 per thousand. New York City had 462 murders in 2020, with a population of 8.3 million, providing a murder rate of 0.06 per thousand, half the rate of Denver. Imagine that. The homicide rate in Denver is twice that of NYC. Beyond homicides, 305 individuals were shot in Denver in 2020, a 51 percent increase from the previous year, per the Denver Post. This year, “On average, a person was shot in Denver every 36 hours.” A shooting a day keeps the tourists away. Why the sudden rise in murder and mayhem? Some blame economic uncertainty and stress due to COVID shutdowns and economic consequences. Did we see a spike in crime during the Great Depression? Actually not. As NPR noted, “Bad economies

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“The key to winning is to take action!” – Pamela Benigno

CFRW President and DCRW President - Barbara Piper and Colorado GOP Secretary Marilyn Harris, who is also NFRW special committee member and recently nominated for NFRW secretary

Keynote speaker Pamela Benigno and CFRW District 6 Director Evie Ashmore Elbert County Republican Women President Andrea Richardson and VP Carol Hinds Photos by Scottie Iverson

What is Critical Race Theory and what can we do about it?

ouglas County Republican Women (DCRW), Elbert County Republican Women (ECRW) and Cherry Creek Republican Women (CCRW) combined talent to cohost the 2021 Annual Meeting of District 6 (roughly corresponding to the congressional district) Colorado Federation of Republican Women (CFRW). Throughout the meeting women were praised for their contributions to the GOP. Membership numbers are up, related CFRW President Barbara Piper. As a member of a local Republican women’s club, a member is automatically

a member of the state organization and the national organization which equates to 59, 000 women of like minds who love their country.”We’re going to take back Colorado!” said Piper. Elbert County representatives brought their monogrammed caps echoing that message as well as campaigning for real meat. CFRW District 6 Director Evie Ashmore introduced the keynote speaker - Independence Institute’s Director, Education Policy Center - Pamela Benigno. The former teacher is an expert in the field of education, author and co-author who speaks local-

ly and nationally and provides radio and TV commentary. She advises Republican legislators on education and educates parents. Benigno has immersed herself in a subject that is now being taught in schools – Critical Race Theory (CRT). The subject is being discussed often - even on national news shows. Benigno expressed that she saw a room full of soldiers concerned about their country and the social and emotional learning in schools. “You give me hope! Even young white children are being told they are oppressors and must see everything through a racial lens and do something about it,” she said. “If you are of color, you are a victim, have not been

treated fair and just and school will help.” Teachers are being trained for WOKE. Universities are educating future teachers on CRT. There is pressure for white children to admit white privilege and teachers walking students through over 100 steps of what it means. There are lots of theories. CRT has roots in Critical Theory that began in the 20s and 30s. She cited several books and more theories leading to CRT. Among them - in the 70s, it was Critical Legal Theory (influenced by Marx) at Harvard – that laws favored those who made them. One of the keys of these theories is focusing on and classifying groups. (The goal – overturning capitalism for communism.)

America was founded on individualism! The heart of Western Civilization is at risk. “Knowledge is power! Parents are standing up,” she said. The answer is: “No, that’s your ideology.” U.S. history and civics (where CRT is inserted) are required to graduate from high school, but other subjects are coming hard and fast to fall in line with CRT. Some in this movement want Asians placed in the White category because of their academic and economic success. School board elections are critical. They are passing equity policies. Suggested resources are The Heritage Foundation, www.SchoolChoice forKids.org, kidsfirstDCSD.org or email:pam@i2i.org.

LEFT: Event committee members included Evie Ashmore, Jeanette NewVille, Judy Bohn, Judy Allen and Jewell Hargrave

FAR LEFT: Holly Kluth, candidate for Douglas County Sheriff LEFT: 1st VP CCRW Andi Allott

RIGHT:

Karen Blilie helps award door prizes

Dozens of special door prizes

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

More good news at the MLB All-Star Week in Denver The $50,000 check presentation to TAPS - Lynne Cottrell, Director of TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic, Diana Hosford, VP Sports & Entertainment, TAPS; Ken Monfort, Owner, Colorado Rockies; Kevin Moss, Senior Manager of Community Affairs, Major League Baseball; Jim Kellogg, VP of Community and Retail Operations, Colorado Rockies; and Miles Cortez, Executive VP & Chief Administrative Officer, Aimco and Member of the TAPS Board of Directors

LB’s All-Star Week welcomed some very special guests families of America’s Fallen Heroes through TAPS. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national nonprofit organization providing hope, healing and resources to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one. As the guests of Major League Baseball and the Colorado Rockies, TAPS was a recipient of the Military Community Grant, which will help provide essential services to the families they support. During the week’s events, TAPS children were invited to participate in a clinic, where they found community with their peers and created new lifelong memories while having the opportunity to honor their loved ones. Lynne and Bo Cottrell are directors of the Colorado Celebrity Classic annual fundraiser taking place on Saturday, September 11, 2021. The unique event, bringing in national Nashville talent, has raised millions for TAPS.

TAPS Kids at MLB All-Star Clinic

Parents speak out Continued from page 2

has taught English for 22 years in CCSD said was “compelled by her faith” to speak up. “When I began my culturally responsive instruction training, I embraced examining my racial identity and understanding how my identity impacted my teaching…I soon realized that my way of teaching didn’t recognize the diverse backgrounds of all the students sitting in my classroom… because kids connect to the curriculum when they see their story within it. They find relevance in learning. Culturally responsive instruction makes me address how the units I prepare will honor the multiple perspectives in my classroom,” she said. A parent pointed out, “It can be hard to talk about (some) facts. Jim Crow is a fact. Segregation is a fact. Housing discrimination, the treaties the United States broke with indigenous nations are facts…These are critically important facts that shape and influence what is happening in our country right now. As a white man, it can be hard to talk about these facts…I’d much rather talk about America saving the day in World War II. I want my kids to think critically about American society so they need to know these facts. Teaching children about the history of redlining that happened right here in our state is not anti-white just like teaching

kids about Hitler is not anti-German. It’s just reality and this country desperately needs to have a better shared understanding of reality.” Bill Vander Lugt, a CCSD parent who holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University, a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School, and has clerked for a federal judge, talked about CRT. He told the board that after hearing what parents at a previous CCSD board meeting said about CRT, he researched the topic and found that “the phrase CRT is being carelessly tossed around as a bogeyman, even by the best- informed conservative writers that I could find, but more often by pundits who have never bothered to read a single word. Given the embarrassingly lack of rigor in their critiques, it seems clear that the phrase is being deployed largely as a weapon to shut down any kind of serious, informed conversation about race, especially in our public schools. If our children are to succeed as workers in a complex globalized economy and as citizens in a complex, multi-racial democracy, they will need to show much more curiosity, much more intellectual rigor, and much more critical thinking to admittedly hard conversations about race.” Ashley Andrews saw things differently. Politely and respectively, she said, in part, that, “CRT and the 1619 Project are politically motivated

programs and designed to cancel American history and democracy itself. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator and our nation is based on the understanding that all men are created equal. I implore you not to implement any of these programs and to do so as the other districts have done around them and throw them out…” Well-known parent leader Colleen Chan, who studied at Columbia University and holds two masters’ degrees in education, addressed the question of, “what culturally responsive education is and what it is not.” She explained, “It is an attempt to course correct, to include the history and story of all Americans and not just some Americans. It aims to bring awareness outside of ourselves, outside of our own bubble…to critically analyze and reflect upon the complete history of our nation so we can heal the divisiveness and injustices that are tearing us apart…It is a vision of America truly united…That is multicultural education…Multicultural education is not CRT. CRT is an esoteric topic studied in grad school…CRT will not be taught in schools…and the people who want to insinuate that the two are synonymous, they’re gravely mistaken, or they’re purposely twisting the term to incite fear, anxiety and anger in order to attain their own personal agendas…I was shocked when I walked in today and there were militia… standing outside.” fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Under Further Review Continued from page 5

fended Bridgewater’s honor or justified the team’s belief that he could be the starting quarterback. But he knows, from firsthand experience. Recognized as one of the premier defensive minds in pro football, Fangio was the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2015 when Minnesota finished first in the NFC North with Bridgewater running the offense. In their first meeting that year, a 23-23 Vikings victory in Chicago, Bridgewater directed a seven-play, 84-yard drive in just over three minutes to tie the game on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Stephon Diggs with 1:49 left to play. Then he drove Minnesota 48 yards in the final minute to set up a game-winning 36-yard field goal. He was, literally, unstoppable. Later in the season, in

Minnesota, Bridgewater torched Fangio’s defense for four touchdown passes and a near-record 154.4 quarterback rating in a 38-17 rout. Bridgewater isn’t some aging veteran, well past his prime, who is looking for one last hurrah. He’ll be 29 on November 10—coincidentally, the same day Drew Lock turns 25. (Yes, both quarterbacks were born on the same date, four years apart.) The Broncos’ first of three preseason games is August 12 against, fittingly, Bridgewater’s original team, the Vikings. Games against the Seahawks and Rams will follow. It should be interesting. 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 13 books, seven of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at info@comservbooks.com.

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • July 22, 2021

Central City Opera Guild commends Scottie Taylor Iverson

I would so like to commend you, Scottie, for attending the recent Guild’s Membership event at Wellshire Event Center. You did a fabulous job in

covering this very successful event. I enjoy reading your column and thanks for the beautiful job you did in covering this event. Barbara H. Ferguson Central City Opera Guild Founding President

Traditions are worth preserving This rendering of the new fast casual restaurant shows the “app-through” window.

Shake Shack is expected to open in GV this year

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

t their first meeting in June, the Greenwood Village City Council approved the site development plan for Shake Shack, which is being built speedily on the western side of the 1.87-acre parcel of land at 7979 E. Arapahoe Road. It was the home of Macaroni Grill before that building was torn down in recent months. The eastern portion of the property will house another food and beverage operation, most likely Starbucks, but that will require a separate site development plan and will likely come after Shake Shack is finished. What looks like a drivethrough lane at this fast casual food restaurant will actually be an “app-through” lane, meaning that customers will only be able to use it to pick up food they have previously ordered on the Shake Shack app, according to representatives of Verdad, the construc-

tion contractor that appeared at GV City Council to shepherd through the approval. There were no representatives of Shake Shack present. That was obvious when GV City Councilmember Jerry Presley pointed out that this new restaurant and building could have qualified for the sales tax rebate provided in the Arapahoe Entertainment District if they had asked for it. Verdad representatives said they were just there to make sure construction got started as soon as possible. The rebate allows owners of new businesses in the AED, where Shake Shack is located, to keep 100 percent of the incremental three percent city sales tax generated by their business during their first year of operation, declining to 80 percent, 60 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent over the next four years, to the extent of their costs for new outdoor capital improvements that have been deemed qualified by the city for reimbursement. GV previously approved sales tax rebates for the new 30,000-square foot enter-

tainment venue, Pindustry, of up to $2.3 million and for The Grange food hall for $300,000. Both properties are in the same development as Shake Shack. Pindustry opened a month ago and has been bustling with activity and The Grange is well on its way to completion. Shake Shack will consist of 3,000 square feet on one story in a 30-foot-tall building. It will have 44 parking spaces. Its seating will be split half and half between inside and outside the restaurant. After receiving assurance that all required studies for drainage, traffic volumes, lighting, etc. were in proper order, the city council gave the project unanimous approval. Verdad representatives told The Villager that they plan to get started on the building immediately and expect to have it open before the end of the year. The construction fence appeared on the property less than 48 hours later and building is well under way. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

Do you find yourself wondering how we got so off track? Do you ever get mad at your cell phone and wonder if we were better off not being so available? Do you wonder how it became normal to shout at a faceless disk like Alexa or Google Assist to ask a question. If you are one of those people, you might be considered old-fashioned. I was having dinner with a friend who was telling me about her nephew getting married. She snarled her nose while explaining that the couple were living together, which has become the new normal. She was a bit apologetic, and exclaimed, “I wish I weren’t so old-fashioned.” I told her that instead of thinking herself old fashioned, perhaps a better descriptor for her would be a traditionalist. Being traditional is being wise to what works and what does not work. Tradition takes hold when activities or behavior get passed down through generations not because they are fashionable, but because they work. Even author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame who was a marriage skeptic, researched marriage around the world through the ages and made peace with the institution of marriage. Due to her intellectual curiosity, she discovered that marriage is the optimal relational structure for healthy connections, peace, healing, wellness and lifelong commitments. The CDC Family Structure Study goes a bit further and determines that marriage and family structure is essential to the health and well-being of children and adults. Being a traditionalist can

be a great thing. It is a traditionalist that uses the phrases “Sir” or Ma’am” when addressing an elder or someone of great stature. Regular use of this language allows one to stand out of the crowd. Those who are being addressed with this reverence feel respected and honored. This trait could be considered old fashioned, but it is delightfully kind and charming because it makes the receiver feel so important. Handwritten notes could be considered old fashioned, but those who are on the receiving end will never forget the thoughtfulness of the extra effort. Asking someone out for a date in person is an old-fashioned construct. While “Wanna hang out?” texts are the usual mode of getting together, the traditionalist delights in face-to-face interaction with flowers and a plan for the evening. Dressing up for a court appearance, not being vulgar, having young children address you by your proper surname, consistently demonstrating etiquette and manners or not drinking too much at a party can be considered old-fashioned. Yet, they are traditional and conventional because they have stood the test of time and we, who honor these classic traditions, find they make life more pleasant for all concerned. These pleasantries will never go out of style even though many social mores have changed. It is not that difficult to stand out of a crowd, honor others, and be an exceptional human being. It is easy to be above average by being a bit old-fashioned. For more information contact, joneen@ myrelationshipcenter.org

Lara Kremer of Centennial a part of Alabama Astrobotics Team

This rendering of the new Shake Shack coming to 7979 E. Arapahoe Road is from the parking lot.

For the seventh time in nine years, the University of Alabama Astrobotics team won NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition. “I’m very happy to have UA Astrobotics recognized by NASA as the 2021 Robotic Mining Competition: Lunabotics national champion,” Dr. Ken Ricks, electrical and computer engineering

associate professor and team adviser said. “The Astrobotics team overcame many obstacles during a challenging year to represent UA and the College of Engineering in the highest manner.” Local UA Astrobotics team members include: Lara Kremer of Centennial, Aerospace Engineering major

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

proudly introduces

Earth Guardians For the past 29 years, Earth Guardians has given youth around the world a voice and direction to become effective leaders and make measurable change in their communities. Who started Earth Guardians Englewood and why?

Arian Agarwala, Ethan Schnathorst and Logan Rollins

This group was formed in 2017 by Arian Agarwala and Ford Springer, who then were students at Aspen Academy, as the The Environmental Education Group (TEEG for short). As kids, we knew that environmental degradation (the plight of the bumblebee, the soil health crisis, etc.) were going to affect our generation the most. Starting TEEG was our way of being upstanding citizens to the place we all call home.

What and possibly who inspired each of you? Boyan Slat––the Dutch inventor and entrepreneur. He started a project called the Ocean Cleanup aimed at eliminating the Great Jake Fanale and Pacific garbage patch. His solution Arian Agarwala was a floating system that used the current of the ocean to capture floating trash. The idea of solving complex man made problems with simple and feasible solutions was very inspiring to us.

What are the goals with Earth Guardians Englewood and what is the message you want readers to know? Our goal is to bring daily, actionable solutions to environmental issues that everyone can follow. In doing so, we hope to spread awareness around the simplistic nature of solving complex environmental issues. We hope to deliver the message that every individual has the ability to make a positive impact on the environment––big or small. Despite the severe state of environmental issues, we believe action and optimism are the keys to protecting our planet.

What’s the purpose and benefits of composting and is it easy to learn? Composting reduces household waste by 70%, removes more than 132 lbs of carbon from the atmosphere/year, and turns trash into soil that will boost garden productivity. Composting is extremely easy to learn; it’s simply a matter of making it a habit.

Tell us what you learned in school about What does it personally mean to have the environment and climate change? the community support of this project? The unfortunate truth is that we learn little to nothing about environmental issues and how they will greatly affect our generation in school. Earth Guardians hopes to educate the world on these problems and provide solutions to the most pressing issues.

What is the business model of the Compost Project? We provide a starting point for those interested in householdcomposting. In addition to the setup of your compost bin, we will hold a Q&A with clients and provide flyers concerning maintenance and harvest upon installation. As we are a nonprofit organization, customers are only paying for the materials (tax and delivery fees included).

The soil health crisis is real––we only have 60 years of farmable soil left. If we are to ensure food security in the future, we must all become experts in composting. We have set a goal of 25 compost bin installs by the end of this year, but we can only get there with the support of the community––our future depends on it.

Where can people get more information and/or reach you? Email: main@egenglewood.org Phone: 720-697-9551 Website: egenglewood.org/compostproject

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • July 22, 2021

Aurora City Council is at a stalemate

position effective June 14 to move her family to Colorado Springs. With Johnston gone, there remained five Democrats and four Republicans on the council. However, when a new councilmember must be appointed to fill a vacancy, the rules recognize the sitting mayor as a voting member of the council and Mayor Coffman was a former state and federal Republican elected official. On June 28, the council met to appoint a successor to Johnston to represent Aurora district 2. After 12 separate attempts to choose someone to fill out Johnston’s term that ends in November, the vote remained five-to-five, so no candidate was selected. Councilmembers Allison Coombs, Allison Hiltz, An-

gela Lawson, Juan Marcano and Crystal Murillo all voted each time to appoint Ryan Ross, PhD, associate vice-chancellor for student affairs equity and inclusion, Colorado Community College System, to Johnston’s seat. Councilmembers Françoise Bergan, Marsha Berzins, Curtis Gardner, Dave Gruber, and Mayor Mike Coffman voted each time to appoint Steve Sundberg, owner and general manager of Legends Sports Grill of Aurora (except on the first vote, when Curtis Gardner supported Robert Hamilton before switching his support to Sundberg. That first vote didn’t result in a decision because no candidate received a majority of the votes cast).

With no prospects of reaching a decision, the council decided to defer the question until its next meeting on July 12, when the pattern repeated itself, this time during the course of 41 separate roll-call votes. Once again, the council had no alternative other than to delay the decision until its next meeting, which is scheduled for July 26. At that time, it will have been 42 days since Johnston’s resignation became effective. Aurora’s city charter requires the remaining city council members to make an appointment to a vacated seat within 45 days, however it is murky as to who would file a complaint about the failure to do so and what possible sanction would be imposed on the council for not making an appointment, having tried multiple times to fulfill its responsibility. In the event the current council is successful in reaching a majority vote to fill Johnston’s seat on July 26 or afterward, the appointment would only last until the November 2 general election, when the position will be open to anyone who lives in Aurora district 2 and is otherwise qualified to run. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

The Constitution – how it works

ernment, if Congress, which is the only branch allowed to make laws, went beyond the few powers enumerated, its act or “law” would be ineffective and would amount to no law at all. As Chief Justice Marshall wrote (in a case titled Marbury v. Madison) “a law repugnant to the constitution is void.” The meaning of the Constitution today is exact by what it was when it was ratified by the people in the States. Therefore, it is not difficult to see whether a law is authorized and binding, or not. We read the Constitution to see if it says the government is authorized to do something in particular. If not, then the government in Washington, D.C. has no power to deal with the particular subject matter at all. No authority, no power. For example, let us ask whether the federal government can pass a law providing for school loans to college students. We read through the 18 short paragraphs of Article I, Section 8 and find nothing concerning either education or loans. Then, we have the answer. Since there is no power to make laws concerning either education or loans, Congress cannot make any law providing for school loans to college students. The key is that the Constitution means exactly what it says and it says exactly what it means. All we have to do is read it. To understand why this is so we might consider the purpose behind drafting the

Constitution in the first place. About 200 years ago, a young journalist asked an old militiaman to tell him why the Americans had fought the British in the Revolution. Was it for liberty or justice? the reporter inquired. No, the old timer said, it wasn’t that. Was it for equality? the reporter persisted. No, no, it wasn’t anything like that, answered the old man. Well, what was it then? said the journalist. You see, answered the aged patriot, we had been on our own over here for a long time and had gotten used to governing ourselves … but “they” didn’t think we ought to. Assuming the old patriot had it right, then the Revolutionary War and the Constitution which created the government that followed the Revolution were mainly about preserving self-government. When we think about it, that is the essence of American freedom – the right of the people to govern themselves. If we appreciate that fact, then the carefully worded language of the Constitution restricting and binding the government makes sense. Limiting the powers of the government in Washington, D.C. to only a few that were specified was intended to ensure the freedom of the American people to rule themselves forever. Bill Banta is a Colorado lawyer in Arapahoe County. He practices commercial law and litigation, real estate law, probate law, and estate planning. billbanta@msn.com

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

lthough people who run for the city council in Aurora do so on a non-partisan basis, as is the case in most cities, there is a partisan quality to the Aurora city council that is hard to miss. Many council members tend to vote in consistent groups that are discernibly from one side of the aisle or the other. One of the Democrats on

Ryan Ross, PhD, pictured with his family, is the preferred candidate of the Democrats on the Aurora City Council to replace Nicole Johnston.

Photo courtesy of Facebook/DrRyanRoss4Aurora

the Aurora City Council, Nicole Johnston, resigned her

Steve Sundberg, pictured with his family, is the preferred candidate of the Republicans on the Aurora City Council to replace Nicole Johnston. Photo courtesy of sundberg4aurora.com

BY BILL BANTA

During a conversation a few years ago, my wife asked me how the Constitution actually works. I thought it was a good question and not just because my wife asked it. The way the Constitution works is this: unless the Constitution says that the government in Washington, D.C. has the power to do something listed in the 18 short paragraphs of Article I, Section 8, then the government in Washington, D.C. has no legislative authority to deal with a subject. If a subject is not mentioned, it is beyond reach of the government’s enumerated powers. When you read the Constitution (it’s only four pages long in the original) you will see how few powers the federal government really has. In fact, most general powers of government, are held by each State individually, not by the government in Washington, D.C. The Constitution only gives enough powers to the federal government to militarily protect the States from foreign nations that might otherwise

threaten them. And there are a few other national powers that the Constitution specifies, namely to: print money; regulate business between States or with Foreign nations; foster national citizenship; enact bankruptcy laws; set up post offices; encourage patents, copyrights, and trademarks; and establish Washington, D.C. for a national capital. But the main idea of a federal government was to protect the States in a Union, the United States of America. The first 3 Articles (out of 7 altogether) of the Constitution divide operations of the government in Washington, D.C. into three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The remaining 4 Articles variously provide for: certain rights of States or Citizens; amending the Constitution; oaths of office; and ratifying the Constitution. All other rights and powers are retained by the people or reserved to the States (unless prohibited) or to the people themselves, as the 9th Amendment and the 10th Amendment confirm. The other 8

Amendments (of the original 10 which are known as “the Bill of Rights”) either emphasize some of the innumerable reserved rights of the people such as speech, assembly, religion, press, and bearing arms, or prescribe judicial procedures that protect the people such as lawful searches; seizures of property; self-incrimination; double jeopardy; due process; speedy trial; jury trial; excessive bail; and cruel and unusual punishments. As for importance, the Constitution declares itself to be the supreme law of the land. Thus, no other law can affect it and only an Amendment that is proposed and ratified according to the requirements of the Constitution can alter or change the Constitution in any way. In addition, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote (in a case titled M’Culloch v. Maryland) that the Constitution is “intended to endure for ages to come, and, consequently, to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs.” Because the Constitution carefully limits the powers of federal gov-

Submit your letters online to: gerri@villagerpublishing.com or call 303-773-8313

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m 58 years old and working on a plan for my retirement. I’ve read that I need to check my Social Security statement every year to validate its accuracy. How do I go about doing this? Planning Ahead

SAVVYSENIOR

Why you should create a “My Social Security Account” Here’s what you should know.

Online Statements

In 2017, as a cost cutting measure, the Social Security Administration stopped BY JIM MILLER mailing paper Social Security statements to everyone under age 60. The only people who still get statements in the mail Dear Planning, are those over age 60 who Checking your official Soaren’t yet getting benefits and cial Security statement every who haven’t set up an online year is smart move to make account. (Paper statements, sure your posted earnings are however, are still available to correct, which will ensure you anyone on request by submitget the benefits you’re entitled ting form SSA-7004.) to. But most Americans don’t If you haven’t done so, you do it. In fact, most U.S workshould create a “my Social ers have never even created Security account” which will a digital “my Social Security give you instant access to your account” so they can access personal Social Security statetheir statement information. ment so you can check your

may also need to address basic financial management issues for the ward. This is an exception to the general rule that a Guardian does not manage the financial affairs for the ward. A Guardian is also allowed to manage the ward’s government benefits, if there is no Conservator. BY DONALD PETERSON

Dear Readers, What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Guardian in Colorado? A Guardian may make decisions for the ward as allowed within the scope of the Guardian’s authority, as set forth in the Order of Appointment issued by the Court. Any limitations on the Guardian’s authority should also be stated in the Letters of Guardianship that the Court issues. A Guardian is required to see that the basic daily personal needs of the ward for food, clothing and shelter are met; however, the Guardian is not personally responsible for paying for the ward’s care. Often, the scope of a Guardian’s authority includes determining where the ward should live and arranging for and making decisions regarding the ward’s care, medical treatment and other services. If no Conservator has been appointed and the ward has limited assets, the Guardian

The Guardian should make decisions after consulting with the ward, taking into account the ward’s wishes and personal values, to the extent that it is reasonably possible to do so. The Guardian should encourage the ward to participate in decision-making. The Guardian’s scope of duties and responsibilities should be crafted to reflect the ward’s limitations. In addition to encouraging the ward to participate in decisions, the Guardian should encourage the ward to act on his or her own behalf and to develop or regain the capacity to manage his or her own personal affairs. However, the Guardian is ultimately responsible for making the decisions on behalf of the ward. 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

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

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

earning record and get estimates of your future retirement benefits at full retirement age, as well as at age 62 and age 70. Your statement will also let you know how much you would qualify for if you become disabled, and how much your family members will receive in survivors benefits if you die.

How to Create an Account?

To create a “my Social Security account,” go to SSA. gov/myaccount. When you open the account, you’ll be asked to enter your Social Security number and birth date, and you’ll also be prompted to answer a series of multiple-choice questions that might include inquiries about financial products you own and previous addresses

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. 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 26: Guardianship of Adults, M. Carl Glatstein, Esq.), which is a copyrighted publication and may be accessed and downloaded for free at: www.cobar.org/For-the-Public/ Senior-Law-Handbook.

to confirm your identity. Then you’ll receive a code by either email or text, which you will enter online to complete the process. If you have a problem creating an online account, call 800-772-1213. After you establish an account, you’ll get an annual email reminder to log on and review your statement. If you have a security freeze on your credit report to help ward off fraud, you must lift it temporarily to set up your online Social Security account. Specifically, you’ll need to thaw the freeze at Equifax, the company the administration currently uses to help verify users’ identities. Creating an online account is also a good idea to prevent someone else from fraudulently creating one first and using

it to steal benefit payments in the future. Given the number of security breaches in recent years, it’s possible someone may be able to illegally obtain your sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number, and use it to set up an account in your name. Once you get access to your statement, compare the earnings listed on your statement with your own tax records or W-2 statements. You have to correct errors within 3 years, 3 months and 15 days following the year of the mistake. If you happen to spot a discrepancy within that time limit, call 800772-1213 to report the error. Some corrections can be made over the phone, or you may need to schedule an appointment and go in with copies of your W-2 forms or tax returns to prove the mistake, or you can mail it in.

Office: 303-773-3399

Cell: 303-905-0744

CALL EDIE FOR A SHOWING

521 MADISON ST. $1,295,000 SOLD

NEW AND COMING

o COMING BELL MOUNTAIN RANCH Handicap accessible Walkout ranch on over 6 acres. Panoramic views, elevator, theatre. Rare opportunity! $1,250,000. o CHERRY CREEK CONTEMPORARY PERFECTION ON MADISON Main floor master, Walk out basement, vaulted ceilings, light and bright, total frontage of a duplex. $1,295,000 SOLD. o CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMING - UNDER $3,000,000 o COMING CENTENNIAL RANCH Exquisitely updated ranch in Centennial. $610,000. UNDER CONTRACT AND SOLD o 4081 CHESTNUT, THE PRESERVE Exceptional quality and styling. Bedroom on main floor. European ambiance. $2,895,000 SOLD. o CHERRY HILLS PERFECTION: 5000 S ALBION ST. Exquisite walkout ranch backing to the Highline Canal. Superb attention to detail, spacious, flowing floorplan. $2,995,000 SOLD. o PINE VALLEY ESTATES: 8533 MONMOUTH PLACE Exceptional tri-level. Hardwood floors, designer baths, extraordinary landscaping and outdoor kitchen. $650,000 SOLD. o 10955 E CRESTLINE PLACE, THE HILLS AT CHERRY CREEK. Fabulous 2 story, 3100 square ft, 2 story stone fireplace in living room, new kitchen and baths, hardwood floors. $950,000 SOLD.

o THE PINNACLE IN CASTLE PINES NORTH: MAIN FLOOR MASTER AND THEATRE, SOARING RUSTIC BEAMED CEILINGS, PHENOMENAL WATERFALLS. EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY. $1,500,000. SOLD. o 5055 S. HOLLY CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE Best Buy. $2,350,000. With $100,000 allowance for additional garages. SOLD. o RANCH NO MAINTENANCE VILLA IN THE MEADOWS AT CASTLE ROCK - $515,000 SOLD. o 467 ADAMS ST. CHERRY CREEK NORTH - $2,195,000 SOLD. o THE PRESERVE Exceptional executive home. $3,000,000. SOLD. o THE PRESERVE ON OPEN SPACE. 4810 PERRY PARKWAY $1,750,000. SOLD. o SUNDANCE HILLS. BEAUTIFUL REMODEL $785,000 SOLD. o OBSERVATORY PARK $2,000,000 SOLD. o 37 CHARLOU IN CHERRY HILLS - $1,700,000 SOLD. o 5816 S. VILLAGE WAY - $2,560,000 SOLD. o 19 S. FRANKLIN CIRCLE - $3,550,000 SOLD. o ONE OF A KIND ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE.RANCH LIVING GREENWOOD VILLAGE $1,680,000 SOLD. o 5775 S FOREST ST, THE PRESERVE. $1,739,000 SOLD. o LANDMARK 11TH FLOOR PENTHOUSE $1,040,000 SOLD. CHECK OUT MY INDIVIDUAL HOMESITES at www.DenverRealEstate.com E-mail me at emarks@DenverRealEstate.com

BUYER NEED NOW: $3,000,000 TO $6,000,000 QUALITY, UPDATED HOME DENVER OR CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE .6 ACRES OR MORE. PLEASE CALL EDIE MARKS 303-905-0744 IF YOU ARE AWARE OF A PROPERTY NOT CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET !! #1 DENVER BOARD OF REALTORS 12 YEARS STRAIGHT • TOP 1.5% OF AGENTS IN THE USA #44 OF 1,350,000 AGENTS IN THE USA (THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)

PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • July 22, 2021

Local resident is standing strong in the fight against lung cancer BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

Longtime Greenwood Village resident Heidi Nafman-Onda, a 17-year fitness instructor and lifelong health enthusiast, was 55 years old and right at 60 minutes exercising on a Stairmaster when she got a phone call telling her that a test for an unrelated condition had resulted in an incidental finding that she had stage 3A lung cancer. She had never smoked and had no cough or other symptoms usually associated with lung cancer. But there was a mass in the upper lobe of her left lung that lit up when she got a follow-up pet scan. A biopsy soon disclosed inoperable lymph nodes. Her doctor recommended that she get her affairs in order. Fortunately, Heidi was referred to an oncologist who told her about an immunotherapy treatment that she could get after receiving chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy, Heidi told The Villager, is a method of teaching the immune system how to fight cancer cells. Although she doesn’t talk about being in remission, she is doing well and shared that, “There was no evidence of cancer on my last scan in May.” Heidi is traveling around the country to bring attention to The White Ribbon Project that she began to raise awareness about lung cancer in non-smokers, something to which she is devoting her immense energy. This disease is not well understood by many people because smoking accounts for the majority of lung cancer deaths. Heidi told us, “Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer around the world and the number one cancer killer in the United States. It kills more people than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined and it has done so for decades. Even though it has the highest mortality rate,” she continued, “it is the

“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Research matters. Most importantly, there is hope.” – Heidi Nafman-Onda

least funded of all cancers.” She wants people to know, “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Research matters. Most importantly, there is hope.” The American Cancer Society (ACS) agrees that there is hope, saying, “Long-term declines in mortality for the four leading cancers have halted for prostate cancer and slowed for breast and colorectal cancers, but accelerated for lung cancer, which accounted for almost one-half of the total mortality decline from 2014 to 2018.” Still, “Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States... Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, followed by breast cancer (among women) and prostate cancer (among men). More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women.” ACS predicts that 22 percent of all cancer deaths in 2021 in both men and women will be from lung cancer. Figures show that it will claim twice as many men as will prostate cancer and 47 percent more women then will breast cancer. Even when she was getting chemotherapy and radiation, Heidi did well. “I listened to everything the doctors and nurses told me to do. I never experienced nausea or vomiting and I didn’t lose my hair.” She feels like the immunotherapy treat-

– The American Cancer Society (ACS)

Heidi Nafman-Onda holds a white ribbon to symbolize her White Ribbon Project to raise awareness through education about lung cancer.

ment, made by AstraZeneca, has been extremely helpful in getting her to where she is today. Heidi told The Villager that she feels lucky that her cancer was caught at stage three, since most present at stage four. She believes it is an epidemic in young women right now who typically present with an allergic-type cough and are treated with allergy medicine before the right diagnosis is finally made. Heidi’s husband, Pierre Onda, M.D., medical director of employer services and product development at Kaiser Perma-

nente, Colorado has taught many other primary care practitioners how to recognize the signs of silent lung cancer. Heidi also wants people to know that radon exposures is the number leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and people who haven’t been continuously exposed to secondhand smoke. In her case, it was brought to her attention by her son, who is an environmental engineer. He suggested they check the radon level in the Greenwood Village home they have lived in

Multitasking to save the world

sibly a couple months of yours as well. And I know I’ll spend way more than 43 days of my life on hold, since that’s how I spent the entire month of June. Even if you don’t believe everything you read on the internet, and it’s probably best that you don’t, it’s clear we’re wasting a lot of time. How will we ever make progress as a species if we only have 78 years on average, and we spend so many of them doing so little? We have met the enemy and he’s sitting on the couch eating chicken wings and binge watching NCIS reruns. It’s easier to think positively when you get 26 years of sleep though, and I do see a ray of hope. I think researchers have failed to consider the amazing ability of us average folks to watch television and eat lunch at the same time. Plus, everyone I’m standing in line with

BY DOROTHY ROSBY

I don’t hold out much hope for humanity anymore, not since I read the following startling statistic: The average person will spend more than six years of their life on social media—six years debating politics, envying their friends’ vacations and drooling over pictures of other people’s lunch. Not only that, if we’re average, we’ll spend more than eight years of our life watching Naked and Afraid, Jerry Springer reruns and other inspirational television programming. Actually, I don’t know what everyone’s watching, but I will say this: When Karl Marx described religion as the opiate of the masses, he’d never seen cable news. The point is, if we’re av-

erage, we’ll have around 78 years on this planet and we’ll spend almost 15 of them on drivel. Before you go thinking that leaves us with more than 60 years of productivity, let me remind you we’ll spend around 26 years sleeping. One third of our lives gone, poof, and we haven’t even gotten out of bed yet. Then we’ll get up and eat for around four years, which is a really long lunch—even for me. We’ll walk around for a full year looking for our reading glasses, car keys and whatever else we regularly misplace. We’ll stand in line for five years of our life and we’ll spend 43 entire days listening to recorded messages asking us to please hold because our business is so darned important. I couldn’t find any evidence

“Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States... More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women.”

to back this up, but I figure we’ll spend the remainder of our precious time on earth deleting spam and blocking robocalls. But I found the rest of these shocking statistics on the internet. And it took me approximately 12 years to do it because I kept getting sidetracked by fascinating headlines like “The Best Tacos in Every State” and “Are You Making This Huge Mistake with Peaches?” At any rate, if my math is correct, and there’s no guarantee of that, the most productive thing we’ll do for almost 50 years of our life is sleep and eat—and maybe find our reading glasses. Mind you, these are averages. I’m sure I’ve used my allotted one year looking for misplaced items, and quite pos-

for over 20 years. When they did, they found it was 8 pCi/L. Any radon level of 4 pCi/L or above should be immediately mitigated. Heidi’s family mitigated immediately, but she believes it was the cause of her cancer. She recommends that everyone test the radon levels in their home annually with a kit that she told us can be found in a hardware store. She also hopes more research will be done to gain an understanding of the connection between radon gas and lung cancer. Heidi believes lung cancer patients can receive great emotional support by reaching out to an organization called Notes of Encouragement. It is a place through which people who have lung cancer can receive notes from survivors “with tips about how to get through this, how to find support groups,” she shared. Heidi Nafman-Onda and her husband Dr. Pierre Onda have three adult children who attended public school in the Cherry Creek School District. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com for five years is staring at their smartphones, probably going through their social media feed. And while, if we’re average, we’ll waste seven years of our lives trying to fall asleep, I’m sure many of us are watching TV and tweeting while we’re doing it. That may explain why it’s taking seven years to fall asleep. But that means all those years sleeping, eating and standing in line are running concurrently with our TV and social media years. Thanks to multitasking, we still have plenty of years left over to save the world—or play computer solitaire. Way to be productive, average person! Dorothy Rosby is the author of several humor books, including I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better. Contact drosby@rushmore.com.

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

Girl Scouts announces 2021 Denver Metro Women of Distinction 10 Extraordinary Women Honored

who serve as mentors, guides, and examples of leadership to inspire our girls.

The Women of Distinction honor is bestowed annually upon 10 exceptional women in our community. This year’s honorees were selected by a committee of their peers led by Selection Chair Becky Takeda-Tinker, Woman of Distinction ‘18, and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. These women join a network of more than 500 alums and are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leadership, who serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow. The Women of Distinction event combined with the newly formed Women of Distinction Network brings together a network of outstanding women

2021 Class of Women of Distinction

Akasha Absher, President, Syntrinsic Investment CounselNamed to the Who’s Who in Impact Investing and one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women, Akasha has put her finance background to work consulting for nonprofit organizations and philanthropic private clients. She has influenced investment decisions for $500 million in assets by educating and empowering clients and their Boards of Directors. Dr. Katie Bakes, Medical Director and ER Physician, Denver Health and Hospital Authority- Dr. Katie Bakes is an

emergency physician at Denver Health and a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Her work as an emergency physician in Colorado’s primary safety net institution fostered her efforts in the areas of violence intervention and prevention, children’s needs, diversity, and social justice.

Kristen Blessman, President and CEO, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce- Kristen spearheads the organization’s mission of advancing women in business; she was hired in 2017 to bring value to membership through innovation, brand awareness and long-term vision. Through the creation of a new leadership program, mentoring program and unique peer group programming, Kristen has

overhauled programming and curriculum at the CWCC and brought a new value proposition to CWCC members and the community.

Kristin Bronson, City Attorney, City of Denver- As the chief legal officer for the City of Denver, Kristin provides policy and legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, the City Auditor and the Clerk and Recorder, all city agencies, departments, boards and commissions. She is the final decision maker on critical legal decisions facing the city and manages the Department of Law, a public law firm of more than 220 attorneys, paralegals, victim advocates, and staff. Katie Kramer, President and CEO, Boettcher Foundation- Katie was selected as a

Boettcher Scholar in 1993 and has been at the foundation in various roles since 1997, including as the director of the scholarship program and vice president — a title she assumed at the age of 26. She’s been recognized as one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women, is known as an expert in the field of scholarship, and has served the community on various boards. Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod, Vice President Community and Government Engagement, Cigna- Named as one of Colorado’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women, Kasia is known as a visionary community thought leader, successfully cultivating relationships across private, public and nonprofit sectors. She leads the expansion of Cigna’s community engagement activities Continued on page 14

DA Kellner launches diversion program to address adult addiction Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney John Kellner announces a new pilot program to keep some adults charged with drug possession out of the criminal justice system and instead get them into substance abuse counseling. “There is no question that too many people in our community struggle with addiction issues. Rather than see them in and out of courtrooms, it makes more sense and is more compassionate to find a way to get them help in addressing the underlying problem,” said DA Kellner. “This pilot program is a first step in testing a way to do more of that.” He added: “Drug overdose deaths increased 29 percent nationwide in 2020 during the pandemic. The CDC reports that in Colorado, our numbers increased more than 37 percent, to 1,512. Now is the time to take action to address addiction and possibly save lives.” The Recovery Diversion Program targets adults with limited or no criminal history who are charged with possessing a small amount of illegal drugs. These cases will be identified and the defendants will be notified that are eligible for Recovery Diversion. The defendants who opt in will be responsible for contacting our community mental health partner, AllHealth Network, to schedule a screening for substance abuse treatment. Defendants who follow with recommended treatment – typically the screening and 3-6 appointments, as determined by AllHealth Network – will get the benefit of Diversion, and the charges will be dismissed. “We know that success-

ful treatment works in addressing addiction issues in juveniles,” said Diversion Director Sarah Ericson. “I am excited to be able to expand our efforts to eligible adults. If we can work with them to get help, they can avoid a criminal record and perhaps start down a new road that doesn’t include arrests and prosecutions.” The pilot program started with 20 participant slots and will add capacity every couple weeks. A three-year sample of cases in the jurisdiction identified between 800 and 1,000 cases that might have been eligible for Recovery Diversion. Metrics will be collected to track completion rates, recidivism, connection to care and how long the participant continued with a treatment provider. The exact eligibility criteria for Recovery Diversion and details of the program can be found on our website: https://www.da18. org/specialized-court-units/ diversion/recovery-diversion-program/ Recovery Diversion is an additional option and does not replace our existing Adult Diversion or the 18th Judicial District’s Recovery Court and other problem-solving courts. Defendants are responsible for the cost of the program, which should be covered by most health insurance plans including Medicaid. For those who may need financial assistance with co-pays, funding is available through Colorado’s Office of Behavioral Health. We look forward to partnering with AllHealth Network in this capacity with the goal to add further community treatment and substance use providers as the program grows.

2021 Toyota brings back superb Supra BY H. THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST

This past week driving the new Toyota GR Supra was super-fun. What a dashing sport’s car Toyota has engineered, once again returning this popular name to the sport’s car auto world. The new Supra is “super” in appearance and performance with a base price of $42,990. Add the safety sense and technology packages and the price jumps to $47,615, still a bargain for this attractive and desirable two-seat coupe. The “turbulence gray” paint graces the sloped hood and the unique doors with the side panel air scoops cleverly designed. This is an “eye catching” car that turns pedestrian heads as they stare at this sleek design. A fellow traveler at a gas station asked to look inside, another took a photo, my neighbor came to ride in the car. It is truly a “best seller” and should receive the accolades it deserves. The appearance is eye catching, but the performance equals the styling. Never has so much power and acceleration been developed from

a 2.0L/four-cylinder engine creating 255 horsepower. The secret is the addition of twin-turbos to the compact engine that rests snugly under the hood. Toyota makes the best transmission in the auto industry. The Supra has an eight-speed variable transmission with steering wheel paddle shifter. Great for ascending and descending Floyd Hill using a lower gear rather than constant braking. Brakes are upgraded single piston caliper disks for extra stopping power for the rear drive Supra. The coupe rides on 18inch cast aluminum 10-spoke wheels with Michelin pilot super sport tires. To handle the speed, engineers used McPherson double joint multilink strut suspension. Steering is precise with sports calibrated electric power steering. The Supra glides around curves with ease along with unique aerodynamic underbody panels. Toyota engineers made some economic cuts to hold down pricing that includes mechanical seat controls, but with very comfortable black “Alcan Tara” leather bucket seats. A handle moves the

seats back and forth and a knob adjusts height levels. Another economic adjustment is manual opening and shutting of the minute trunk that challenges room for golf clubs or large luggage items. The car door level is low and easy to hit one’s head on door frame, ouch several times. The final assembly of the Supra is in Graz, Austria. The heated outside mirrors are well designed and the Supra has pedestrian and lane departure warnings and pre-collision safety systems. Six-lens LED lighting auto-leveling abounds with daytime running lights, front and rear. The standard 4-speaker system can be part of the upgrade options with the additional sports package, well worth the extra pricing. The engine purrs quietly with dual chrome tipped exhausts peering out of the powerful designed rear view saying “goodbye” to trailing traffic. After a week driving in the “sport’s mode” I’m a believer this “super” Supra is going to probably be in short supply. Toyota can add to their motto, “Let’s Go Places... Quickly.”

PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • July 22, 2021

FIRST PLACE Best Public Notice Section

2017 FIRST

2018 NNA Better Newspaper

PLACE — Best Section

Advertising Contest Award-winning Newspaper

ARAPAHOE COUNTY Arapahoe County Allocation of 2021-2022 SCFD Funds NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN that the Arapahoe County Cultural Council (ACCC) of Arapahoe County, Colorado will hold a virtual Public Hearing on August 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the calendar permits, in order to obtain the opinions of citizens, public agencies and other interested parties regarding the ACCC funding recommendations for 20212022 SCFD Tier III funds benefiting local art, cultural, scientific, and historical organizations in the amount of $2,282,528.68. These funds are derived by the 1/10th of 1% of sales tax collected by SCFD from Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties. The public is invited to participate in the public meeting by calling 1-855-436-3656, and pressing *3 on the telephone keypad to be entered in the queue for general or item-specific comment. The meeting can also be viewed online at: https://www. arapahoegov.com/1617/MeetingVideos-and-Live-Broadcast . Published in The Villager Published: July 22, 2021 Legal # 10324 ___________________________ ARAPAHOE COUNTY NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County, Colorado shall make final settlement with KC Construction Inc. for its work completed for Arapahoe County on the project identified as Arapahoe County Administration Small Conference Room. The work generally consisted of CM/GC services to include construction of a small conference room on the lobby level of the facility. Final Settlement will be made on August 10, 2021. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by KC Construction Inc. or any of its subcontractors, or that has supplied rental machinery, tools or equipment to the extent used by KC Construction Inc or any of its subcontractors in or about the performance of the work done for the above-described project whose claim therefore has not been paid by KC Construction Inc or any of its subcontractors may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid with the Arapahoe County Attorney’s Office (on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners) at 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120, at any time up to and including August 9, 2020. This Notice is published in accordance with Section 38-26-107

of C.R.S., and all claims, if any, shall be filed in accordance with this statutory section. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement and/or claim prior to the aforementioned date for filing claims shall release Arapahoe County, its officers, agents and employees from any or all liability, claims, and suits for payment due from KC Construction Inc. Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board Published in The Villager First Publication: July 22, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Legal # 10325 ___________________________ ARAPAHOE COUNTY NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County, Colorado shall make final settlement with Gerald H Phipps for its work completed for Arapahoe County on the project identified as the 2021 Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Arapahoe Plaza Gated Patrol Parking. The work generally consisted of General Construction services that included new fencing and two new motorized vehicular gates, two new man gates, and card access control that enclosed approximately 28 secure parking spaces at the Arapahoe Plaza parking garage. Final Settlement will be made on August 10, 2021. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by Gerald H Phipps or any of its subcontractors, or that has supplied rental machinery, tools or equipment to the extent used by Gerald H Phipps or any of its subcontractors in or about the performance of the work done for the above-described project whose claim therefore has not been paid by Gerald H Phipps or any of its subcontractors may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid with the Arapahoe County Attorney’s Office (on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners) at 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton CO 80120, any time up to and including August 9,2021. This Notice is published in accordance with Section 38-26-107 of C.R.S., and all claims, if any, shall be filed in accordance with this statutory section. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement and/or claim prior to the aforementioned date for filing claims shall release Arapahoe County, its officers, agents and employees from any or all liability, claims, and suits for payment due from Gerald H Phipps.

COURTS DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 649-6355 Telephone PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO In the Interest of: GEZYAH NEVAREZ-BATH AND AVY’ANA NEVAREZ- BATH, Children, and concerning ALYSSA NEVAREZ AND SAMUEL BATH, Respondents. Heather L. Tomka, Esq. #50963 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: 303.636.1895 Case No: 21JV137 Division: 22 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding Respondent Father, SAMUEL BATH is set for July 26, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code. Date: July 12, 2021 Heather L. Tomka, Esq. #50963 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: 303.636.1895

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Published in The Villager Published: July 22, 2021 Legal # 10327 ___________________________ DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 649-6355 Telephone

Published in The Villager First Publication: July 22, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Legal # 10326 ___________________________

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner, In the Interest Of: BABY BOY SMITH,

Child,

Aurora, Co 80012

and concerning

Published in The Villager Published: July 22, 2021 Legal # 10328 ___________________________ DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial Colorado 80112 (303) 649-6355 Telephone

TIERNEY ROUNDS AND CHARLES SMITH, Respondents. Kiley Schaumleffel, Esq. #46107 Attorney for Petitioner 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Telephone: 303.636.1308 Case No: 21JV266 Division: 22 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding Respondent Mother, TIERNEY ROUNDS and Respondent Father, CHARLES SMITH is set for August 30, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code. You are further advised that the Petitioner may request the Court enter an order finding that you are the legal parent of the above named child(ren), entering a judgment for child support debt pursuant to §1414-104, C.R.S., medical support, and to grant such further relief as the Court deems proper. Due to COVID 19, the Arapahoe County District Court is holding some hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/or audio participation. Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link: • https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ don.toussaint • Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are). You will then be in the virtual courtroom. • Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below. If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico by deepening civic and governmental relationships, and developing a philanthropic strategy that deploys local community investments where the need is greatest. Roberta Robinette, President, AT&T- For more than 20 years, Roberta has been a leader in the telecommunications industry and business community, with extensive experience developing and executing public policy strategies for large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. As president, Roberta leads AT&T’s government and community af-

fairs and supports their new technology deployment and infrastructure investment.

Lola Salazar, President, Salazar Family Foundation- Lola, with her husband Rob, founded Salazar Family Foundation in 1999 with a mission to encourage Denver-area students to achieve their educational dreams. The Salazar Family Foundation has supported hundreds of organizations through scholarships, literacy programs, and classroom grants, totaling more than $20 million gifted to our community. LaDawn Sullivan, Director, The Black Resilience in Colorado Fund, Denver Foundation- LaDawn has

Petitioner, In the Interest of: JAXON ELI THOMAS Children, And concerning: Respondents. LANA HUMISTON AND AUSTIN THOMAS Heather L. Tomka, Esq. #50963 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: 303.636.1895 Case No: 21JV164 Division: 22 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding Respondent Father, AUSTIN THOMAS is set for October 11, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code. Date: July 12, 2021 Heather L. Tomka, Esq. #50963 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: 303.636.1895 Published in The Villager Published: July 22, 2021 Legal # 10329 ___________________________

Date: July 12, 2021 Kiley Schaumleffel, Esq. #46107 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr.

2021 Denver Metro Women of Distinction Continued from page 13

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO,

organized and supported social justice and racial equity through her various roles at The Denver Foundation for more than 23 years. She created and directs the recently established Black Resilience in Colorado Fund. She also leads programs that support emerging leaders of color including the Executive Directors of Color Institute, The Landscape Project, and national Black philanthropic networks. Sylvia Young, President and CEO, HCA Healthcare and HealthONE- Sylvia, a veteran of hospital administration since 1985, has been named both an Outstanding Women in Business in health care and a Most Admired

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE Public Notice of Contractor’s Final Settlement Pursuant to C.R.S. 38-26-107, notice is hereby given that on/ or after the 5th day of August 2021, final settlement with Hamon Infrastructure will be made by the City of Cherry Hills Village, for the High Line Canal Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Construction, Project # 2020-006, and that any person, co-partnership, association, company, or corporation who has an unpaid claim against any of the contractors for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors, or any of their subcontractors, in or about the performance of said work may file at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement on/or after August 5th 2021, a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the City Council of the City of Cherry Hills Village, at the office of: City Manager City of Cherry Hills Village 2450 E. Quincy Avenue Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 Failure on the part of a claimant to file such statements prior to such final settlement will relieve said City from all and any liability for such claimant’s claims. CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE STATE OF COLORADO Published in The Villager First Publication: July 22, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Legal # 10330 ___________________________

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Charles Lester Duvall aka Charles L. Duvall, Deceased Case Number 21PR30570 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, on or before November 11, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred. Barbara A. Duvall c/o Scott J. Atwell 5673 S. Fulton Way Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Published in The Villager First Publication: July 8, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Legal # 10319 ___________________________

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CEO. As president and CEO, Sylvia oversees 10 hospitals, 9 freestanding emergency departments, 20 ambulatory centers, and dozens of physician care and urgent care clinics. In 2019, Sylvia was appointed At-Large Trustee of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Girl Scouts of Colorado will welcome the Class of 2021 honorees on September 29 at the Denver Botanic Gardens from 4:30 - 8 p.m. The event has been reimagined with honorees and guests invited to engage in a comfortable, outdoor setting, allowing for safe social distancing. “I am honored to welcome this year’s class of Women of Distinction. They are strong, bold, empowered women who represent the leadership

and excellence that powers today’s world,” said Leanna Clark, Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Chief Executive Officer. Proceeds from the event will support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s crucial leadership development programs in entrepreneurship, outdoors, STEM, and life skills for more than 20,000 members across Colorado. Event chairs are Kelly Brough, Women of Distinction ’14, Donna Evans, Women of Distinction ’09, Luella Chavez D’Angelo, Women of Distinction ’05, and M.L. Hanson, Woman of Distinction ’15. For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado. org/ or contact Ashley Walsh at ashley.walsh@gscolorado. org

July 22, 2021 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

NEWS BRIEFS DENVER ZOO CELEBRATES 125TH WITH PERFORMANCE FROM COLORADO BALLET

THE GREAT COLORADO AIR SHOW

August 20 from 6-8 p.m. Colorado Ballet will feature two original contemporary works; Sean Omandam’s “Yeah, It’s About That” and Sara Thomas’s “Embrace It or Race It.” Performances included in the price of daily admission to Denver Zoo. Tickets, visit DenverZoo.org/Events.

October 16 & 17 at Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland. Featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying the team’s new aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornet which is 25% larger than their predecessor jet. Tickets go on sale July 6 and sold online through The Great Colorado Air Show. Tickets will not be available on site during show days. Visit www.greatcoloradoairshow.com

AURORA CHAMBER ARMED FORCES RECOGNITION LUNCHEON

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR JULY 22-25

Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hotel Denver, 3203 Quebec St., Denver. Visit www.aurorachamber.org

AURORA CHAMBER TO HONOR COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

“We’re All in This Together.” Nominations of individuals or businesses can be made at www. aurorachamber.org Honor champions that have played a major role in assisting society throughout the global pandemic. Double Tree by Hotel Denver, 3203 Quebec St., Denver. Oct. 15,11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER’S 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Sept. 24, 6-11 p.m. at Wings Over The Rockies. Honorary Chair, Brian Vogt, former SMDC President and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Botanic Gardens. Tickets: 303-795-0142

Carnival rides, rodeos, public competitions, fireworks and more! arapahoecountyfair.com

CENTENNAIL SUMMER SOCIALS

July 29 6 - 8 pm at Centennial Center Park; E. Peakview Ave., north of S. Revere Pkwy. Live music, family-friendly activities, display your lawn game skills, food and beverages from onsite food trucks for purchase. Blankets and chairs encouraged.

HELP CARE FOR THE HIGH LINE CANAL Volunteer opportunities for the 71 mile canal. Sign up at Highlinecanal.org/stewardship. Info: www.highlinecanal.org

MEET THE 17 MILE HOUSE BEEKEEPERS

Learn the basics of honeybees, beekeeping, and bee-friendly gardens,hands-on-learning

activities for youth. Free event but registration is required. Visit www.arapahoegov.com/17milehouse.

CENTRAL CITY OPERA PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH FOR SUMMER FESTIVAL

Central City Opera’s 2021 Festival presented at The Hudson Gardens & Event Center. July 3 - Aug. 1 for four-week extravaganza of storytelling & Powerful voices, featuring classical music’s biggest talents, the Central City Opera Orchestra and rising stars from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program. The musical Carousel and Rigoletto will be produced in the open-air. Info: visit centralcityopera.org. Tickets: Call 303-292-6700 or email boxoffice@centralcity opera.org

2ND ANNUAL MILESTONES FOR MAXWELL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Thursday, July 29 at Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden. Register for golf, sign up to be a sponsor or donate an item for the auction. Info: Kim Fry kreeman3@gmail.com or Todd Griffin at underpar@yahoo.com. Money raised will go towards Freed’s rare neurological disease contracted at age 2 diagnosed as SLC6Al. A gene therapy is being developed at the Univ. of Texas so they are in a race against time. “Milestones for Maxwell Happy Hour” after golf from 5-7 p.m. at Milwaukee St. Tavern in Cherry Creek North. No registration required for the Happy Hour.

WEEKENDS ON LITTLETON MAIN ST.

Main Street will be closed the second Sat. of every month for “Second Saturdays” on Artisan Market. Handmade market 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Handmade jewelry pottery, clothing, fine art, candles, accessories and more. Pickletown Flower Company’s truck will be providing live music.

LITTLETON TWILIGHT CRITERIUM & BIKE FEST

July 31, 3-10:30 p.m. in downtown Littleton. Free - with eight races, two under the lights with the nation’s top professional racers. Live music, food, beer garden, cycling exhibits and the Strider course for the kids.

DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR & RODEO

August 5-8. Bulls, Pro Rodeo, outdoor activities, Old West Town & Salon, carnival, exclusive Vendor Marketplace and 4-H Jr Livestock sale.

ENGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHTS

Use Happy Jack® Kennel Dip as an area spray to control deer ticks and stable flies. At Tractor Supply. (www.kennelvax.com)

Sept. 11, 5:30-9:45 p.m. at the Grove Family Ranch at Cherry Creek, 6225 S Fraser St., Centennial. Remembering the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 for the loved ones of those who served and died. Saluting our Fallen Military Heroes. Nashville Singer-Songwriters Show & Dinner. Since 1994 the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) has helped more than 100,000 children, teens & adults grieving a military death. Services are provided free-of-charge and TAPS receives no government funds. Tickets: 303-696-0450

CLOTHES TO KIDS OF DENVER BLUE JEAN BASH

Aug. 5 from 4-8 p.m. at Jason Park - 4299 S. Jason St. Aug. 19 at Denny Miller Field - 3600 S. Elati St. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks will be there.

BRASS RING 5K & KIDS FUN RUN/ WALK

“GATHER FOR HOPE” WITH ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN CASA

August 7. Presented by Empower Retirement.

Now, more than ever, we all feel the Optimism! For 45 years the Monaco South Optimist Club has enriched the youth of Southeast Metro Denver

SERVICES

COLORADO CELEBRITY CLASSIC (TAPS)

Aug. 12, 6:30 -10:00 p.m. Cielo at Castle Pines, 485 W. Happy Canyon Rd., Castle Rock. 6:30 Gourmet Food Stations & Silent Auction: 8:00 p.m. Program, live auction & dessert. Info: Valerie - 303681-5054 or val@clothestokids denver.org

JOIN OUR CLUB

Classified Advertising

Barbara David Center patients, loyal supporters, and running enthusiasts to run for the cure for type 1 diabetes with proceeds to The Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. https://www. childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/event/run-forthe-ring-virtual-5k-kids-fun-run

FRIDAY BREAKFAST MEETINGS AT AMERICAN LEGION HALL Reach out and learn more: Call Phil Perington 303-668-7031 • Monacosouth.org

Aug. 21, Save The Date. Cielo at Castle Pines

COLORADO UPLIFT GUILD’S FASHION SHOW MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Sept. 27, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Colorado Uplift students will model fashions. At Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel. Questions: rachael.uplift@gmail.com

AID TO AGENCIES APPLICATIONS OPEN JULY 15 Annual grant program provides servicelegal funding for human services, health and wellness and crisis intervention agencies. Visit araphoegov.com/aidtoagencies

tfn

Handyman who can do it right the first time. Local repairman. Call Doug at 303-756-5655

FOR RENT

2 bdm., 2 bath in Windsor Gardens. 1300 s.f. Garage avail. (Opt). Lift on 3rd floor, garden

view, quiet area. $1,725/mo. Call 303/888-5667. tfn

HELP WANTED

Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Airport is currently accepting applications for a dependable fulltime Maintenance Technician I to perform a variety unskilled and semi-skilled general labor tasks associated with the maintenance and operation of the Airport’s property and light to heavy equipment. Must be fluent in written and spoken English and be able to communicate via radio transmissions; flexibility to be on-call during inclement weather and to work alternate shifts including weekends for snow removal, mowing and

other special projects that may arise. Typical work schedule: 7 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday. A valid Colorado Driver’s license and HS diploma or GED required. Experience in building or construction maintenance including heavy equipment operation a plus. Hourly hiring range is $21.00 - $23.00. Excellent benefits after 60 days. Apply in person to the Airport Authority at 7565 S. Peoria St., D-9, Englewood, CO 80112 or obtain an application at www. centennialairport.com. EOE tfn

Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Airport is currently accepting applications for a dependable full-time Maintenance Technician II for Fleet Maintenance to perform a variety of skilled and semiskilled labor duties associated with operating and maintaining Airport vehicles, equipment, and property. Must be fluent in both written and spoken English and be able to communicate via radio transmissions; have the flexibility to be on-call during inclement weather and to work alternate shifts including weekends for snow removal, mowing and other special projects that may arise. Typical work sched-

ule: 7 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday. A valid Colorado Driver’s license and HS diploma or GED required plus 6 months vocational training in automotive or diesel repair plus one-year vehicle maintenance experience including heavy equipment operation or equivalent combination of experience and training. Hourly hiring range is $25.00 to $27.00 depending on experience level. Excellent benefits after 60 days. Apply in person to the Airport Authority at 7565 S. Peoria St., D-9, Englewood, CO 80112 or obtain an application at www. centennialairport.com. EOE tfn

I AM JANE DOE, ONE OF 11,418 CHILDREN REPORTED ABUSED IN DENVER COUNTY EACH YEAR. DENVERCAC.ORG/SAVEJANE

Join us on Friday, July 30th at City Park Pavilions, as we spread awareness about this critical issue while highlighting DCAC’s expert response and encouraging our community to join in our work. DONATE TODAY TO HELP JANE DOE.

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • July 22, 2021

American Museum of Western Art

BY LISA J. SHULTZ

his treasure trove of western art is located at 1727 Tremont Pl., in the iconic Navarre Building. The building, which is a historic landmark, was built in 1880 and began as a school for girls, which later turned co-educational. In 1889, the school closed, and it became a gentleman’s club, with dining, gambling, and a bordello. In 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel was built across the street, and legend has it that there was an under-ground tunnel connecting the two buildings allowing discreet movement between the two structures. In 1904, Denver Mayor Robert Speer put an end to gambling and prostitution in Denver, and the Navarre became a respectable dining club. In the 1960s, the building became a jazz club. The space then evolved into a museum in the 1980s. Finally, the American Museum of Western Art was founded in 2010. This nonprofit museum is the permanent home for The Anschutz Collection, a formerly private collection of paintings that surveys the art of the American West from the early 19th century to the present. I recently toured the three floors of the museum and was in awe of the collection. The paintings are arranged chronologically, so I began with a vision of life in the west before settlers arrived. Moving forward in time, the art depicted life of the American Indian, settling of the frontier, and clashes between settlers and Native Americans. There was also a variety of styles of art such as impressionism, contemporary realism, and modernism. History came alive for me as the art transported me back in time to glimpse what life might have been like in the west during 1800s before and after white settlers arrived. With over 300 paintings and sculptures on display, a return trip is a must for me to fully appreciate the vast collection in

this museum. An audio tour is available, and guided tours will return soon. Learn more about the museum and plan your visit by visiting Anschutzcollection. org. Lisa J. Shultz is a Denver native. She loves to inspire exploration of the city’s treasures in her book Essential Denver. She features the American Museum of Western Art on page 76. Find out more about her and her book on her website LisaJShultz.com or call her at 303-881-9338.

Second floor parlor of the American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection.

Exterior view of the historic Navarre Building, home of the American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection.

Installation view of the American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection.