Canyon Courier June 12, 2025

Evergreen Metro reconsidering removal of fluoride

BY JANE REUTER

An earlier decision by the Evergreen Metro District to remove added uoridation from Evergreen’s water is undergoing further study.

Board members raised new questions on the idea that came after an Evergreen wom-

an brought concerns about both the decision and the way it was broadcast to residents during their May 28 meeting.

“Fluoride is one of the 10 public health interventions of the 20th century,” said Beth Kapner, a retired teacher and Evergreen resident. “To take it out, given its scienti c basis in reducing cavities and without

any public discussion, is just mind boggling to me.

“My concern is also the complete lack of advanced warning this was even being discussed.”

EMD general manager Jason Stawski said the chemical hasn’t yet been removed from Evergreen’s water, though the board did vote to do so in 2024

Schools consider financial literacy

— a decision based on both cost savings and sta safety.

After hearing from Kapner and seeing her ndings, the board is now seeking more information.

“I think there’s a chance that we won’t move forward,” Stawski said. “We’re still con-

Forget balancing a checkbook. Today’s teens need to know how to avoid identity theft, decode a credit score and gure out if that “buy now, pay later”

With a new state law requiring all Colorado high school students to complete a course in nancial literacy beginning with students in the 9th grade on or after Sept. 1, 2026, educators now face a practical challenge: how do you design a course that prepares 21st-century teens to make smart nancial choices in a world of skyrocketing rents, digital wallets, student loans and TikTok stock

e law, House Bill 25-1192, mandates a semester-long course in personal nancial literacy for every public school student, beginning with the class

But it leaves the details up to local school districts, many of which are still guring out what today’s students need most: the basics of budgeting and saving, yes, but also how to navigate the gig economy, manage online spending and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated nancial scams.

What the law requires, and what it doesn’t

While the law sets a content requirement, it allows schools to integrate the nancial literacy standards into an existing course rather than create a new standalone class.

But, students must understand and practice lling out the federal or state -

PeaceWorks’ fundraiser big boost for agency’s mission

Director calls money raised at event is ‘a lifeline for survivors’

BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG

e May 31 “Taste of Peace” fundraiser for PeaceWorks was a huge success, with the 128 available tickets for the evening selling out weeks in advance according to Peaceworks sta .

Held at the Evergreen Elks Lodge, it featured a catered dinner from Lone Tree-based Cranelli’s Italian restaurant, live music from Jon Lundberg & e Locals, a silent and live auction and conversations to create a safer, more supportive community for domestic abuse survivors.

e event raised about $26,000 for PeaceWorks, which provides shelter for domestic violence victims, and helps them recover and connect to needed services. PeaceWorks shelters those who need it in four-bedroom home on the Platte River in Bailey, and also provides

services to those who may not need shelter but still need assistance.

“As our rst major ticketed event, we weren’t sure we could sell 100 tickets — let alone 128,” said PeaceWorks executive director Sabrina Fritts. “Selling out 5.5 weeks in advance is a powerful testament to the support of our community and their belief in our mission.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the success of this inaugural event and deeply grateful to the volunteers and local businesses who made it possible through their time and generous auction donations. We look forward to many more years of ;A Taste of Peace’ to come.”

Fritts said every dollar raised directly supports the group’s emergency shelter, SafeLine crisis response, advocacy and wellness programs, and other resources that help survivors rebuild their lives.

In a typical year, PeaceWorks houses about 40 people — including some men — but it also helps many more who don’t stay at the shelter with transportation, hotel vouchers and other services. Its 24/7 SafeLine took more than 800 calls in 2024.

Upscale steakhouse coming to Morrison

Experienced Evergreen restaurateurs plan July debut of La Rocca Rossa

BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG

When Evergreen restaurateurs Ti ani and Rand Packer rst visited what had been Morrison’s Café Prague, they immediately felt its pull.

“We sat in that building and said, ‘ e answer is yes’,” Ti ani Packer said. ey plan to open an upscale steakhouse called La Rocca Rossa in the Bear Creek Avenue building about July 1. e name translates in Italian to “ e Red Rock.”

“It’ll be something completely di erent, a brand new culinary journey for the area,” said Ti ani Packer, who owns Marshdale’s Evoke 1923 restaurant with her husband and COO Chris Courtney. e three have extensive experience in restaurants and hospitality. In Evergreen, the Packers own Murphy’s Mountain Grill, Muddy Buck Cafe, Kiki’s Fresh Bowls and Espresso Evergreen. In Tampa, Florida they own Mekenita Cantina. e menu will feature fresh pasta daily, a range of meats grilled on an open ame, and “a great wine list from Italy and the surrounding regions,” Ti ani Packer said.   Evoke 1923 describes itself as having, “A stylish yet understated décor,” and “A sophisticated but down-to-earth dining experience” at which “guests are welcome in attire from black tie to just back from the trail.”

Its entrees range from $39 for a grilled, 16-ounce pork chop or wild mushroom chicken lasagna, to $56 for bison short ribs, and La Rocca Rosa will be similar. “ is will be on the same level as Evoke 1923 — really unique food, beautiful on the plate, very dimensional in avor. We believe in the ve senses and in creating that entire experience for our guests.”

Carrying the legacy

e opening of La Rocca Rossa will come about nine months after Café Prague, a 20-year Morrison business, closed abruptly. Its demise shocked regulars who loved the restaurant’s atmosphere and Czech food.

Evergreen resident Ti ani Packer, co-owner of Marshdale’s Evoke 1923, stands outside Morrison’s former Cafe Prague. She and her partners plan to reopen it this summer as La Rocca Rossa, an upscale steakhouse. JANE REUTER

Packer said she and her partners intend to build on Café Prague’s reputation.

“It was such a legacy,” she said. “For us to be able to carry that legacy, and bring that sense of culinary adventure to the town of Morrison — we are just so grateful.”

e Morrison town board unanimously approved La Rocca Rossa’s liquor license application during its June 3 meeting, and fellow business owners welcomed the new operators to town during the public hearing.

“On behalf of the Red Hotel, which will be right next door, we believe this will be favorable for the town,” said Krista Wallace, a member of the Root Architecture team building the hotel.

Tony Rigatoni’s and Rooftop Tavern owner Reza Ardehali, who also owns an Italian restaurant just a block away, said he’s delighted by the new business.

“I would like to welcome our neighbors,” he said. “I am absolutely overjoyed that that block is not dark because we have construction. We have a missing tooth there, and it will be lled. But I cannot be more grateful that our block is lit up again.”

State Patrol warns motorists to watch for wildlife

CSP enforcement ramps up for calving season

BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG

e Colorado State Patrol is stepping up patrols on Colorado State Highway 74 in Evergreen to protect motorists and local wildlife. e e ort is especially important in June and July during peak calving season for elk in the state.

e CSP’s “Give Me a Brake” campaign is being unveiled to increase enforcement and education about wildlife crossings, especially in Evergreen in Je erson County.

“Highway 74 in Evergreen, like so many picturesque areas of Colorado, is an example of a roadway that sees many wildlife crossings,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol in a news release.  “We want to warn drivers to slow their speeds and stay alert during this high activity season for new animals traveling with their mothers.”

While dusk and dawn are the most common times for wildlife-vehicle collisions, they can happen at all hours of the day –and they do. Colorado State Troopers will also be conducting weekly enforcement on Highway 74 this June to keep speeds down and increase knowledge on how to spot wildlife and what to do, the news release states.

Last year, animal-involved crashes

were the third most common crash factor among all crash types (fatal, injury, and property damage), the news release states. Troopers investigated 3,573 of these crashes. Ninety-six percent of the crashes caused property damage only for the motorist, but the wildlife often did not survive, the CSP states.

e State Patrol o ered practical tips from Wild Aware and their Wild Eyes Program can reduce the risk of motorist/wildlife collisions. ey urge drivers to scan roads or shoulders for movement and eye shine and ask drivers to use bright lights at night when safe and ash lights at oncoming cars to warn of wildlife on the road. Do not honk at wildlife in or near road if stopped and use hazard lights to warn other drivers.

ey also urge drivers to slow down and not to exceed the speed limit. Wildlife-vehicle collisions can be very costly to drivers, the CSP states. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the insurance industry pays out nearly $1.1 billion yearly in claims for all wildlife collisions nationwide. e average property damage cost of these crashes is estimated at over $3,000.

If you are involved in a crash with an animal, Colorado State Patrol wants you to call 9-1-1 just as you would in any other emergency. In addition, if you witness wildlife in distress from possibly being struck on or near the side of the road, call *CSP for the proper resource to be notied and sent to the scene.

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What I’ve Learned About Why Condominiums Are Getting Harder to Finance

Four years ago on June 24, 2021, part of a 12-story condominium building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed at 1:14 a.m. killing 98 residents and injuring 11 others.

But that’s only one event that has contributed to the increasing difficulty of selling and financing the purchase of condos across America.

Primarily because of severe weather, especially hail storms in Colorado, master insurance policies have gotten more expensive and their deductibles increased dramatically. When the deductible in a master insurance policy exceeds 5% of the insured value, units within a condo association become “non-warrantable” according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines — and over 90% of all loans are sold to those federal agencies after closing and must therefore meet those guidelines.

home for first-time homebuyers who are less likely to have that much cash. They could also go to a “portfolio” or “non-QM” lender, but those lenders don’t typically offer the low down payments of conventional or FHA lenders.



by a single entity

Fewer than 35% of the units are the primary or second home of the unit owner (FHA only)

The HOA has inadequate reserves

Every lender has its own condo questionnaire that must be completed by the association property manager. The questionnaire addresses the numerous concern areas of the lender. The loan could be rejected if:

Master insurance deductible is over 5%

Commercial space exceeds 35%

More than 15% the unit owners are 60 or more days delinquent on HOA dues

A construction defect lawsuit is pending Less than 10% of the HOA budget is allocated to reserves

There’s a lot of deferred maintenance

FHA does a lot of this analysis for lenders and will provide a 3-year certification which lenders can rely on, but the application process is tedious and many condo associations fail to apply for or renew their certification.

That FHA lookup website is https:// entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm

Here’s what the screen looked like when I searched for the Centennial condo featured with a price reduction in last week’s ad:

Sometimes it’s hard to know whether a unit is a condo or a townhome. The simple distinction is that a townhome owns the land under it, but even a standalone home could legally be a condo.

Buyers can pay cash, of course, but condos have long been considered the entry-level

More than 20-25% of the units are owned

NAR Dilutes Its Rule Against Hate Speech by Realtors

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis cop in May 2020, and the heated rhetoric, much of it racist, which followed, the National Association of Realtors enacted a “standard of practice” to go along with Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics, which bars Realtors from denying professional services based on “race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Inspired by demand for social change and an unprecedented number of complaints received by NAR relating to discriminatory conduct and language by Realtors, the Board approved Standard of Practice 10-5 with language that expanded Article 10 to include the prohibition against harassment and hate language generally and not just limited to a Realtor’s professional life.

SOP 10-5 was implemented by the NAR Board of Directors on Nov. 13, 2020, and read as follows: “Realtors must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs

based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Here’s the new language, which no longer enforces that rule on Realtors’ communications or actions outside their business life:

“Realtors, in their capacity as real estate professionals, in association with their real estate businesses, or in their real estaterelated activities, shall not harass any person or persons based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.” (Emphasis added.)

SOP 10-4 continues as follows:

“As used in this Code of Ethics, harassment is unwelcome behavior directed at an individual or group based on one or more of the above protected characteristics where the purpose or effect of the behavior is to create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating environment which adversely affects their ability to access equal professional services or employment opportunity.”

The search showed that this condo is approved by FHA for the 3-year period beginning July 24, 2023.

Although regulators have determined that the buyer’s agent, not the listing agent, is obligated to check whether a condo is FHAapproved, a responsible listing agent should, in my opinion, do the simple search described above and not list “FHA” as acceptable financing if the community is described as “rejected” or “expired” on that website.

Even if the website shows the association as approved, the lender will still require the long-form questionnaire from the association and study the budget, declarations, bylaws and more before approving a loan, so the lender should request those documents as soon as possible after the buyer goes under contract — certainly within a week.

The legal description can sometimes mislead a lender, broker or buyer as to whether they’re dealing with a condo or a townhome. Typically, the legal description should refer to a “condo declaration” and not have a “block and lot” description that is more appropriate to a parcel that includes land. Some legal descriptions which include the word “condo” are in fact townhomes, and vice versa. The title company can quickly research the full legal description and answer that question, which becomes critical to obtaining loan approval. Another clue would be if the association is on the FHA condo lookup database.

Back to the subject of insurance coverage and deductibles, a buyer who purchases a condo as a primary resident or second home should get an HO-6 “walls-in” condo insurance policy which includes a “loss assessment” endorsement, which would pay for the deductible which is assessed to each unit owner as the result of a hail or other claim. The annual cost of such a policy is far less than the insurance policy for a single-family home and can save you up to a 5-figure special assessment from the condo association.

If the master policy does not include roof, exterior, etc., the unit owner should purchase a more expensive HO-3 policy instead of the HO-6 policy.

FHA is favored because of its low downpayment requirement — as little as 3.5% — but with a higher down payment it’s possible the lender will only require a “streamline” review, which is quicker and less expensive. That requires a minimum 10% down payment for a primary residence and 25% for a second home.

It’s important for a buyer to hire an agent experienced in condo purchases and who can refer you to the best lender.

$560,000

This updated, 4-bedroom/2-bath, 1,586-squarefoot tri-level home at 6337 W. 68th Place is in a quiet, established neighborhood. Each level has been thoughtfully renovated. The vaulted main level has new luxury vinyl plank floors, and there’s new paint throughout. The galley kitchen has new cabinets, complemented by white appliances. The upper level has 3 bedrooms with new carpet and an updated full bathroom. The lower level has a spacious family room with a brick fireplace and above-grade windows. There is a 4th bedroom, laundry, and updated 3/4 bathroom on that level. The windows and siding were replaced in 2018, and a new roof was installed last month. A narrated video tour is posted at www. GRElistings.com. Call Kathy at 303-990-7428 to request a private showing.

Where to find free meals for kids this summer

School across metro Denver o er free meals to kids all summer

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG

When school cafeterias close for the summer, thousands of Colorado families lose access to a vital resource: free and reliable meals for their children.

Fortunately, public school districts across the state are stepping up to ll the gap through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to anyone 18 years old and under, with no registration or ID required.

Whether you live in Brighton, Fort Lupton, Golden, Westminster or the mountain communities served by the Canyon and Clear Creek Couriers, multiple locations are o ering nutritious meals all summer long.

Some locations o er breakfast and lunch each weekday, while others serve meals at parks, schools and community centers or provide grab-and-go options.

Below is a district-by-district guide to help you nd a free summer meal site near you. Be sure to check dates and times. Some programs start as early as late May and run through early August, but hours and service days vary.

Clear Creek School District

(Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Dumont, Silver Plume)

Monday to Friday June 3 – August 2

Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Carlson Elementary School: 1300 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs

Eligibility: Free for children 18 and under. No registration is required.

Note: Meals must be eaten on site. Adult meals may be available for purchase.

Je co Public Schools

(Golden, Edgewater, Lakewood)

Monday to Friday, Dates vary by location

Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Mount Evans brings recovery

Edgewater Elementary, 5570 W. 24th Ave., Edgewater June 2 – June 27, no service on June 19  Deane Elementary: 580 S. Harlan Street, Lakewood June 2 – July 31, no service on June 19 and July 4 Lumberg Elementary: 6705 W. 22nd Ave, Edgewater June 2 – July 3, no service on June 19 and July 4

Eligibility: Free for children 18 and under. Adult meals are available for $5.25.

Meals must be consumed on-site. You do not need to be a Je co student.

Additional Resources

USDA Summer Meals Site Finder (www.fns.usda.gov/summer/site nder): Locate nearby meal sites across Colorado Hunger Free Colorado (hungerfreecolorado.org/): O ers a Food Resource Hotline at 855-855-4626 for statewide assistance.

DRINKING WATER

ducting research about it.”

“As of today, the District is still actively dosing uoride and expects to deplete our remaining supply sometime this summer,” he said.

e metro district is updating its water treatment plant and Stawski said re suppression and HVAC upgrades required to continue housing the chemical will add another $500,000 to the cost of the upgrade. Sodium uorosilicate, the chemical used to add uoride to the water, is also toxic.

“It’s one of the nastier chemicals we have to physically handle, and it poses a bit of a safety risk for sta ,” Stawski said.

More than 72% of the U.S. population is served by a community water system with uoridated water, according to America’s Health Rankings.

Fluoride supplementation recently became a hot topic after comments from U.S. Health and Human Services

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Utah’s governor recently signed a bill banning uoride in public water systems, and Kennedy says uoride is linked to health problems.

Dental experts nationally and locally largely disagree, and Kapner submitted a letter to that e ect to the Evergreen Metro board signed by 10 Evergreen dentists.

“Even when common, uoride-containing healthcare products, such as toothpastes and mouthrinses are used, uoridated water reduces cavities another 25% among children and adults,” the letter reads. “Water facilities and water operators perform a valuable public service by optimally adjusting the level of uoride in water to improve the oral health of their communities.”

Stawski said Evergreen Lake — the source of the community’s drinking water — naturally contains 0.3 milligrams per Liter (mg/L) of uoride. HHS recommends 0.7 mg/L, a level it says is optimal for preventing tooth decay and promoting good oral health.

“We want to emphasize that even after uoride supplementation ends, Evergreen’s drinking water will continue to contain naturally occurring uoride,” Stawski said. “While this is below the US Public Health Service’s recommended level, it does provide some protection against dental cavities, especially when paired with other sources of uoride such as toothpaste, rinses, or prescribed supplements.”

But Kapner says the lake’s natural level isn’t enough, and argues adding the supplemental uoride to Evergreen’s water is the best way to get the recommended level.

“Fluoride is the most equitable and cost-e ective way of reducing tooth decay,” she said. “Yes, there are a uent people in Evergreen who can get the uoride rinses and treatments. But we have people in our community that should not be forgotten about that do not have access to the dental care some of us are fortunate enough to have.”

Notification concerns

Kapner is also troubled that the Evergreen community didn’t know about the issue before a decision was made. She’s circulated a petition to that e ect, and so far has 37 signatures.

“ is is a decision that impacts our overall community, and users should have been informed in advance,” she said. “ ere should have been time for comment. And we should be aware of changes that impact our health.”

Stawski said no secrecy or deception was intended.

“( e 2024) decision came after thorough deliberation and careful consideration of both health impacts and infrastructure needs,” he said. “Additionally, we reached out to public health agencies and the Colorado Dental Association to gather local data. Unfortunately, public health agencies didn’t have any data for us and the Colorado Dental Association never responded to our request for data and cancelled attending our board meeting.”

But he agrees EMD could have done a better job in informing its users.

“I feel Beth has a fair point regarding the communica-

tion,” he said. “The decision was made at one of the 2024 board meetings. We drafted a memo that was posted on our website in October. Recognizing that not a lot of people visit our website, we decided to send that same memo out to all customers via email and US Postal Service.”

Kapner said she received it April 18.

“I was made aware of this eight months after the board decision,” she said.

Stawski said that because the memo was dated October 2024, “It led to a little bit of confusion after the statement went out.”

Seven people, including Kapner, responded, he said. Some were confused about the memo’s October date, others upset about the decision itself.

“We weren’t trying to make this a non-issue (or) we wouldn’t have posted it on the website and sent it out,” he said. “The timing — I agree we could have done better with that. The intent was to let folks know; how we did that could have been improved.”

Design changes needed

The decision isn’t final yet, Stawski said, but must be made soon. The district is nearly 90% done with the design phase for its $4.5 million water treatment plant upgrade and construction is slated to begin in early 2026.

An updated design would need fire suppression and HVAC changes to accommodate having sodium fluorosilicate on site.

“It’s not an easy black-and-white decision,” he said, noting that not everyone supports adding the supplemental fluoride. “When we started adding fluoride, there was pushback from customers about not wanting additional chemicals in the water.”

EMD currently owns and oversees a wastewater treatment plant, three wastewater pump stations, a water treatment plant, eight water pump stations and 10 reservoirs. It also maintains a 300-mile wastewater collection piping system and another 300 miles of water distribution piping.

nancial aid form (FAFSA or CAFSA), unless they and their parents opt out.

Colorado has one of the lowest FAFSA completion rates in the country, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. is means Colorado students are missing out on signi cant amounts of federally available grant money.

e law doesn’t include a standardized curriculum or end-of-course exam. Instead, it points to existing high school standards, last updated in 2020, as the foundation. ose standards cover budgeting and saving, credit and debt management and understanding taxes. But they also include topics like risk management and insurance, fraud prevention and identity protection and nancial decision-making and planning for college.

Each district will determine how to implement the course, whether as a graduation requirement embedded in current o erings or as a standalone class

What’s useful for teens in 2025

Anneliese Elrod, chief operating o cer of Westerra Credit Union, says the curriculum must go far beyond “checkbook math” to prepare students for real-lifenancial challenges. at includes understanding how credit cards work, budgeting realistically and navigating everything from nancial aid to digital payment scams.

“Budgeting by available balance is one of the most common mistakes we see young people make,” Elrod said. “ ey don’t understand the di erence between their current balance and what’s pending. It can lead to overdrafts or worse.”

She said teens should learn how to

read a pay stub, build a credit score and avoid scams on payment apps like Venmo and CashApp. Lessons should also guide them through how to evaluate nancial decisions, such as whether to rent an expensive apartment or sign up for a “buy now, pay later” plan.

“Even understanding basic investing, like what a Roth IRA is or how to open an interest-generating savings account can give them a huge head start,” Elrod said.

Elrod said she was especially glad to see FAFSA covered in the new requirement.

“ at knowledge is something you just don’t intuitively understand, and it’s a very convoluted maze,” she said. “If we are doing it for that reason — bravo.”

Additionally, she emphasized that un-

derstanding FAFSA and student loans is crucial, as many students miss out on nancial aid by skipping the application process, which can leave them paying o debt well into the future.

While today’s teens may be more aware of traditional scams than older generations, Elrod said, they’re often more vulnerable to savvy marketing and highpressure sales tactics.

“Marketers are very good at making it feel good and immediate,” she said. “And kids are all about that.”

Keeping teens engaged in a dry subject

Teenagers may not be thrilled about taking a required money class, but educators can keep them engaged with real-

world scenarios, Elrod said. at starts with relevance.

“ ey’re not going to understand purchasing a house. ey are going to understand going out to dinner with friends or buying new clothes,” she said. “Making the examples relevant helps students connect the dots.”

Elrod’s team at Westerra Credit Union o ers a classroom simulation that gives students a job, a salary and bills to manage and then throws high-pressure sales pitches their way.

“It’s one thing to talk about budgeting,” she said. “It’s another to experience the consequences of blowing your budget on an apartment with killer mountain views and realizing you can’t a ord to eat.”

When students walk through those decisions, Elrod said, the lessons tend to stick. “You can tell them they need to budget, but letting them feel what it’s like to make the wrong choice is much more e ective.”

What parents can do at home

Financial education doesn’t have to stop at school. Elrod encourages parents to involve teens in family budgeting, talk openly about money and consider opening joint accounts or debit cards when they’re ready.

“Every student is di erent. Some are ready at 10, others not until 16,” she said. “ e key is creating habits early and making the conversation feel relevant.”

Elrod recommends apps that help families gamify chores, savings and spending. Some allow parents to set savings rules, such as automatically diverting one-third of every allowance into savings and help kids track their spending in real-time. “ e goal isn’t to lecture,” she said. “It’s to build con dence. When teens feel in control of their money, they make better choices.”

Je co schools consider deep cuts in 2025-26 budget

District may turn to voters for help but $39 million in cuts could be inevitable

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG

Faced with a looming $60 million structural de cit, the Je erson County school board reviewed the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget on June 4 and began a sobering discussion about what comes next.

In the upcoming school year, Je co is projected to spend more money than it brings in, relying on savings to bridge the gap.  e proposed budget relies on $39 million in one-time spending from the district’s fund balance, and Chief Financial O cer Brenna Copeland warned that without signi cant changes, reserves could dip to unmanageable levels by the 2027-28 school year.

e district has already shuttered 21 schools since 2021, resulting in $20 million in recurring cost savings. Yet, Copeland said the overall budget continues to grow due to in ation, compensation increases and special education needs.

“ is is not a proposal. is is a hypothetical illustration,” Copeland said as she walked board members through a series of bleak multi-year forecasts. “If we just keep doing what we’re doing, we do not right the ship.”

Accountability and long-term planning

e district is statutorily required to adopt a high-level plan to address ongoing shortfalls when using reserves to fund recurring costs. is year’s budget plan, presented in May and reiterated at the June 4 meeting, outlines a phased approach: reduce expenditures through program changes and sta ng cuts, avoid future cost increases where possible and consider asking voters for additional funding through a mill levy override.

e new forecasts assume modest revenue increases and enrollment declines over the next three years. e district anticipates losing 800 students in both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.

At the same time, it projects rising costs for salaries, bene ts, utilities and mandated services, such as special education. Copeland said the forecasts already include sta reductions aligned to enrollment loss.

“We are recognizing that when we lose 800 students, we do sta for fewer positions,” she said. “I get frustrated when people suggest that we’re not including reductions. We are.” Still, the projected gap persists. By 2027-28, Je co’s unassigned reserves and its designated fund balance for future use are expected to fall to zero, leaving no cushion for emergencies or midyear adjustments.

at, Copeland said, poses operational risks.

“I don’t know how schools would navigate a negative October adjustment without carryforward,” she said, referring to the reserve

balances schools typically rely on when enrollment numbers change.

Board confronts painful choices: job cuts likely

At the board’s request, Copeland presented three models showing how the district could close a $60 million shortfall.

Each hypothetical model involved signicant cuts to sta ng, showing that even steep cuts to software, supplies and other discretionary spending don’t go far enough.

One proposed a at 6% cut across all spending categories, totaling about $60 million. Another suggested a 6% cut to full-time sta , resulting in the elimination of approximately 564 positions. A third option varied the approach, cutting 5% to 10% in targeted areas while attempting to shield general instruction and school-based sta ng.

Board Member Danielle Varda asked why sta appeared to be the main target of cuts when some families might assume administrative or central expenses could be trimmed instead.

Varda said that if cuts to school-based sta are on the table, the district has a responsibility to explain why central services aren’t absorbing more of the burden.

Copeland explained that 84% of the general fund budget is tied to salaries and bene ts. at includes not only teachers, but paraprofessionals, counselors, custodians, transportation sta and others.

“Of the $60 million target, $49 million would come from reductions to salary and bene t accounts,” Copeland said. “ at’s where the money is.”

Board responds with urgency

“We’ve got to prepare our community for the fact that there are going to be signi cant reductions in force,” said Board Member Paula Reed. “ at’s going to be unavoidable.”

Director Michelle Applegate somberly agreed.

“Even small gestures to demonstrate we are tightening our own belts are important. We need to show our community we are taking this seriously.”

Je erson County Board of Education members and Deputy Superintendent Kym LeBlancEsparza listen intently during the June 4 budget discussion. Superintendent Tracy Dorland was absent from the meeting.

Applegate suggested implementing costsaving policies now, such as travel limits, caps on consultant contracts and leaving vacancies un lled.

Deputy Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza said stakeholder input will be critical to shaping district priorities and understanding what families value most.

“In three decades of education, I’ve been through downturns before,” she said. “We have to establish criteria, involve stakeholders, educate people on what’s in each category and identify what’s undesirable versus what’s impossible.”

e board agreed to form a working group, likely comprising at least two board members and district leaders, to develop that framework this summer.

Applegate and others said the district should begin community conversations about asking voters to approve a mill levy override. Without one, they said, the kinds of cuts needed in 2026 and beyond could reshape Je co schools.

“If we are going to ask the community to support a mill, we need to be speci c,” Varda said. “We need to be clear about what we’re protecting, what we’re cutting and what we’re asking the money to do.”

is year’s resolution will include that required plan, she said, and will outline broader strategies for reducing expenditures and possibly going to voters with a tax request.

e board will vote on the 2025-26 proposed budget on June 12.

Looking ahead, board members acknowledged that decisions must come soon. School budgets are typically built in November for the following year, meaning discussions about sta ng, programming and potential tax requests can’t wait.

“We have to start talking now about what we will do,” Reed said. “Not just what we won’t.”

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HAPPENINGS

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UPCOMING

Seniors4Wellness Wellness Class: Social Security, Medicare & other services, 1:30 p.m. June 12, Buchanan Recreation Center, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen.

David Clark with Representative Brittany Petterson’s o ce will speak on Social Security and Medicare. Space is limited. Register by phone or or text 720-835-8776.

Evergreen Rodeo: June 14 & 15, El Pinal Rodeo Grounds, 29830 Stagecoach Blvd., Evergreen. Kick-o party 6-9 p.m. June 13. Parade, 10 a.m. June 14. Rodeo, 5 p.m. June 14. Rodeo, 2 p.m. June 15. Muttin’ bustin’, booths, both days. evergreenrodeo.com.

Father/Son Charity Basketball Camp: 11:30 a.m. registration, camp from noon to 2 p.m.June 16, Evergreen High School, 29300 Bu alo Park Road, Evergreen. Father/son teams $125 each. Check or cash at registration. All proceeds will help provide basketball shoes for African Youth. Information at (321) 432-8707 or agoporo@stgeorgesports.org

Yoga in the Park with Cynde Denson: 6 p.m. June 19, Conifer Peace Park, 26215 Sutton Road, Conifer. Free. Bring a yoga mat and small ground cover.

Evergreen Audubon Birding Walk with MALT: 7:30 a.m., June 20, Sacramento Creek Ranch, 2234 Busch Run, Fairplay. Program for children under 5 with an adult. Free, registration is required. evergreenaudubon.org

CAE’s Back Porch Concert Series featuring Moors & McCumber: 7 p.m. June 20. Outdoor seating starts at 6 p.m. General admission $20, kids 10 and under free. 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org.

Evergreen Audubon Birding Walk: 9 a.m., June 17, Evergreen Lake, 27640 County Road 74, Evergreen. Program for children under 5 with an adult.. 2234 Busch Run, FairPlay, CO 80440. Free, registration is required. evergreenaudubon.org

Movies in the Park “Finding Nemo”: 4 p.m. June 18, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Lane, Evergreen. Inatables, food truck, ice cream, yard games. evergreenrecreation.com

Evergreen Audubon Living in a Watershed: 5:30 p.m. June 18, Evergreen Nature Center, 27640 CO-74, Evergreen. Gives participants hands-on experience caring for our watershed. Free, registration required. evergreenaudubon.org

Evergreen Audubon Raptor Walk: 9 a.m. June 21, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, County Road 70, Black Hawk. Geared toward beginner birders, but all welcome. No registration. Valid state part pass required for entry. evergreenaudubon.org

Evergreen Sustainability Alliance annual recycling event: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21, Evergreen High School parking lot, 29300 Bu alo Park Road, Evergreen. Collecting electronics, paint, block styrofoam, glass, barbed wire and scrap metal. sustainevergreen.org

A Night of Magic in the Meadow: 5 p.m. June 21, 59444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Mountain Area Land Trust’s annual gala with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, music, live auction. savetheland.org

EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. June 25, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Aleik Maddox. Free. evergreenrecreation.com

43rd annual Freedom 5K Run: 8 a.m. July 4, Evergreen Middle School, 2059 South Hiwan Drive, Evergreen. Proceeds support Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice. Register online at FreedomRunRace.org in person at the Mount Evans o ce.

Foothills Fourth: Noon to 4:30 p.m. July 4, Buchanan Park elds, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Familyfriendly community festival featuring music all day, community acts, carnival games, woodcarving showcase, log-rolling competition, food trucks and beer garden. Full schedule at evergreenrecreation.com

EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. July 9, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road. Sarah Bauer Band. Free. evergreenrecreation. com

8th Annual Evergreen Mountain Art Celebration: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 28 and 29, e Evergreen North shopping complex, near the Evergreen post o ce, 3719 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen. Juried ne art and ne craft show with 75 professional artists from Colorado and beyond. EvergreenArtShow.com

Movies in the Park “Wicked”: 4 p.m. July, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Lane, Evergreen. In atables, food truck, ice cream, yard games. evergreenrecreation.com

Coniferfest: 11 a.m. July 13, Our Lady of the Pines open space, 9444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Live Music from Who’s omas, e Midday Sons, Iron Roots Band and Double Life. Vendors, food trucks, beer, wine and margaritas. $5 entry, children under 12 free. Leashed dogs welcome, free parking. rotaryconifer.org

Andy Smith Sr. INSPIRE Golf Tournament: 7 a.m. July 14, Hiwan Golf Club, 30671 Clubhouse Lane, Evergreen. Fundraiser for the Evergreen Park and Recreation District’s INSPIRE program, Crutches 4 Africa, Resilience1220, and the Mountain Foothills Rotary Foundation.evergreenrecreation.com

6 p.m. July 19 & 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20, Buchanan Field, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. $5 at the door, kids 10 and under free Hosted by the Center for the Arts Evergreen with proceeds supporting year-round arts programs. evergreenarts.org..

EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. July 23, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. e Wrecklunds. Free. evergreenrecreation. com.

Elevation Celebration: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27 and 28, Conifer. Street fair, live music, local artists and vendors, 5K. mountainwomeninbusiness.com

Movies in the Park & Family Campout with “Shrek”: 4 p.m. Aug. 1, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Lane, Evergreen. In atables, food truck, ice cream, yard games. evergreenrecreation.com

Movies in the Park “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone”: 4 p.m. July 16, Buchanan Park eld, 32003 Ellingwood Lane, Evergreen. In atables, food truck, ice cream, yard games. evergreenrecreation.com

Evergreen Players drama camp: One week July 17 & 24. With camps for ages 5-16. Costs vary. Details: evergreenplayers.org

Evergreen Fire/Rescue evacuation workshop: 6 p.m. June 19, Evergreen Fire/Rescue, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. evergreen rerescue.com

45th Annual Summerfest: 10 a.m. to

31st annual Community Grove Sale: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2, Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 Hwy 73, Evergreen. Donations of gently used items accepted 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28 - July 30. Questions: 920-840-8158

EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. Aug. 6, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road. Steve Knight. Free. evergreenrecreation.com

Mountain Music Fest: Noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 16.Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Music and community event to support the mountain community school system. Featuring Sam Grisman Project with e Leslies, Flobots, and Christie Hu , YAN YEZ, Hand Turkey Band, and Non-Prophet. mountainmusicfest.org.

CAE’s Back Porch Concert Series featuring Crystal Visions: 7 p.m. Aug 22. Outdoor seating starts at 6 p.m. General admission $20, kids 10 and under free. 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org.

CAE’s Back Porch Concert Series featuring e 3eatles: 7 p.m. Sept 12. Outdoor seating starts at 6 p.m. General admission $20, kids 10 and under free. 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org.

The often-missed path to greater success

After decades of working in the personal and professional development space, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate businesses, teams, and individuals across a wide range of industries. Whether we’re conducting a classic SWOT analysis; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, reviewing assessment data on talents and competencies, or sitting down for interviews with key players, one thing becomes abundantly clear time and time again: when strengths and weaknesses are laid out side by side, far too many people zero in on the weaknesses. at focus makes sense, on the surface. After all, we’ve been taught to improve what’s broken. If a machine isn’t functioning, we x the faulty part. If a report is wrong, we nd the error. But when it comes to people, teams, and businesses, this singular focus on “ xing” weaknesses can back re, especially when it comes at the expense of building upon strengths.

Now, let’s be clear: acknowledging and addressing weaknesses is important. In fact, neglecting them altogether is a recipe for stagnation or decline. I make a point each year to take assessments that shine a light on areas where I need to improve. And yes, that list is always longer than I’d like. Without a plan to address those areas, they’ll only grow into bigger problems.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace, and what I hope you take away from this column: the real momentum, the kind that lifts us to the next level, comes from doubling down on our strengths. When we rene what we already do well, when we lean into our natural talents, repeatable behaviors, and reliable competencies, we nd traction. And that traction leads to tangible, repeatable success. ink about it. Professional athletes are the best in the world at what they do, yet they spend countless hours re ning their strengths. ey don’t stop practicing their signature moves because they’re already good at them. In fact, they practice them more, seeking that slight edge that will make them unstoppable. e same holds true in business, entertainment, and high-level leadership. Top performers rarely become top performers by trying to be great at everything. Instead, they become elite by identifying what they do best and doing it better than anyone else.

WINNING WORDS

is is a transferable truth. Whether we’re talking about a business unit, a leadership team, or a highpotential employee, there is incredible value in identifying the strengths and intentionally investing in them. at might mean assigning roles that align with natural abilities, providing tools that elevate alreadystrong performance, or simply encouraging more time and focus on the work that brings energy and results.

Let’s not forget the psychological bene t. When we only focus on weaknesses, our mindset often follows. We begin to feel like we’re always behind, constantly catching up, never enough. at kind of thinking can be toxic. But when we focus on strengths, we tap into con dence, momentum, and engagement. It’s a motivating force, one that propels us forward rather than weighing us down.

Ultimately, this isn’t an either-or conversation. It’s about balance. We absolutely must identify and work on our weaknesses, creating long-term strategies to grow in the areas that need improvement. But we must also capitalize on our strengths for near-term success and con dence-building wins. at balanced approach, acknowledging both what needs to change and what needs to be ampli ed, is the real key to unlocking potential.

So the next time you conduct a self-review, a team evaluation, or a strategic plan, pause. Before diving into all the things that need xing, ask: What’s already working? What strengths can we build upon? at might just be where your next breakthrough lies.

How about you? Do you tend to focus too much on what’s wrong? Or do you take the time to take inventory of your strengths and then leverage those strengths? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can learn to lean into our strengths to tap our true potential, it really will be a better-than-good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Finding joy to help overcome struggles

For 10 years as Assistant Principal at Eaglecrest High School, I had the privilege of overseeing the program for students with unique educational needs. at experience was transformational. One portion of my responsibility included a program known as the Integrated Learning Center, ILC. at primarily self-contained classroom included students with particularly unique learning needs. In the ILC, I observed new dimensions to the human spirit and courage to depths I did not know possible. I learned what fun a lack of inhibition can be for everyone around and about the joy of being recognized. I actually had to stand outside the ILC to listen to what the teacher was saying before I entered the room, so that the students’ learning was not disrupted by an inevitable chorus of voices saying “Hi, Mr. Roome!”

During that decade, the two most profound lessons I learned from students were about having an unwavering love of life and determination without bounds.

I watched students bounce with joy because they glimpsed a friend or grasped a favorite toy. I observed full-on belly laughs because of a word or a wink. In fact, I cannot think of a time when the room was void of smiles. It is not that life is easy or the road is clear for students in ILC.

In fact, just the opposite. Students’ lives can be lled with unimaginable hardship, and yet there is still time for drinking the joy of living. ere is a great lesson in that room for all of us. Why would we have been put on this earth if it were not to bask in the joy of living?  at bottomless well of joy sits next to determination, which outshines all other ideas in the ILC. Determination to live, to be, to thrive, determination to overcome. e goal might be to walk or to

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

No Kings protest in Golden June 14 ere is an upcoming No Kings protest in Golden at 10th and Washington (and spreading out from there) on Saturday, June 14, 3-5 p.m.

Golden residents, please support this protest. DOGE cuts to USAID have caused an estimated 300,000 deaths; 103 people an hour are still dying; and 1,500 babies a day are born HIV-positive. Shame on Trump, Musk, and Congress. ey were warned this would happen. In addition, DOGE cuts have harmed veterans. It’s important to mobilize.

So please join in supporting the No Kings

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

speak, or to share an idea. e size of the mountain does not matter, determination rules the space. We can learn from the students and ll our lives with the determination to overcome the mountains we encounter.

Six years ago, I stopped overseeing the ILC program. To the end of my days, thoughts about those wonderful students will bring a smile to my face and a resolve to my heart because of the joy and determination I observed in that space.

Whatever your struggle, my hope is that you, too, will nd a lesson in this story of amazing students and that you will ll your week with joy and determination, no matter the struggle.

You have got this.

I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim.roome@gmail.com.

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.

nationwide protest on June 14. e No Kings protest in Golden is part of a nationwide protest that will include a number of cities in Colorado. Golden residents, please come and bring signs if possible. Bring your neighbors too. is is not a matter of Republican or Democrat, right or left, or conservative or liberal. is is a matter of democracy versus “autocracy,” where the head of state acts like a king with absolute power. President Trump has ignored 9-0 and 7-2 rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court and thumbed his nose at the idea of separation of powers or the rule of law. He must be stopped. Tom Locke, Golden

BY STAVROS KORONEOS SPECIAL TO THE CANYON COURIER

Write and wronged

SOUTH JEFFCO – Lark was standing on the sidewalk in front of her house “writing something down on a piece of paper” when her least-favorite neighbor, Owl, got out of his car and demanded to know what she was doing. “ at’s none of your business,” piped Lark. “You’re a (biddy)” groused Owl.

A few minutes later, Lark was watering her owerbed when her other least-favorite neighbor, Jay, called to her from across the street. “What happened to you?” Jay wanted to know. “When did you become a (crank)?” Lark warned Jay that if he didn’t leave her alone she would surely call the police. “Do you need a phone to call them?” Jay asked.

Turns out Lark had the JCSO phone number on speed dial and wasted no time using it to accuse Owl and Jay of harassment.

Deputies introduced themselves to Owl and Jay and asked them if they’d recently gotten into a ap with Lark. Jay admitted calling Lark a (crank), but didn’t see how that amounted to harassment.

Owl admitted insinuating that Lark was a (biddy), but said it looked to him like Lark had been writing down the license plates of cars belonging to his immediate ock and he felt he’d been within his rights to ask her why.

ror, Girlfriend got the morning o on the wrong foot by accusing Boyfriend of “cheating on me.”

Boyfriend denied the charge, punctuating his position by smashing “a jar of sourdough starter.” Girlfriend responded in kind, breaking Boyfriend’s “bong” into stems and pieces. Fearing for the safety of his remaining paraphernalia, Boyfriend quickly gathered what he could carry and hauled it out to his car, determined to ee the scene before things got out of hand.

ings immediately got out of hand, as Girlfriend came storming out of the house holding a pistol and “discharged a round into the ground.” Fearing for his own safety, Boyfriend called JCSO. In her own defense, Girlfriend told responding deputies she “just found out I’m pregnant” and “my emotions don’t make a lot of sense.” Sympathetic, but their duty clear, o cers arrested Girlfriend on a weapons violation.

O cers advised Jay and Owl to avoid any future contact with Lark. “ at’s ne,” Jay chirped. “I don’t want her to contact me either.” Deputies passed Jay’s anti-wishes along to Lark, who wouldn’t say exactly what she’d been writing on that piece of paper, but promised there wouldn’t be any further fuss and feathers.

A crime against culture

EVERGREEN – eirs is a turbulent relationship under the best of circumstances, and the circumstances prevailing on the morning of Apr. 27 were far from optimal.

Already primed by a 48-hour argument regarding a busted rearview mir-

Kid lit

SOUTH TURKEY CREEK – In town for a wedding on Apr. 28, young Hannah Handful enjoyed the ceremony, the reception, and way more champagne than was good for her. ree sheets to the wind by midnight, Hannah nagled a festive ride back to her lodgings with a carload of similarly soused groomsmen.

Not liking where Hannah was heading, Uncle Killjoy and Aunt Buzzkill headed her o in the parking lot and “forced” her to come back with them to their Airbnb, along the way instructing her at length on the many ways in which her prior plan was perilously imprudent.

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SNELL

OBITUARIES

November 30, 1931 - November 6,

Bill (92) was a 60 year resident of Evergreen, Co when he passed away peacefully at home.

Bill had a brief relationship with Marjorie Drake which resulted in a son being given up for adoption, and the boy’s adopted family named him Bill Workman who resides in Utah. He was predeceased by his rst wife Mary Schelert, of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, his second wife Beverly Behen of Arvada, and his sister Beverly arpe of Albuquerque, NM. Bill’s sons John of Grand Lake Colorado and Donald of Red Feather Lakes Colorado also predeceased him.

He is survived by three children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Son John Snellgranddaughter Rachel, great grandchildren Rylee, Emerson; Son Donald Snell. Daughter Deanna Snell of Livermore, Co -granddaughter Laura, great grandchildren Ethan, Riley, Piper. Granddaughter Haley. Daughter Linda Snell of Evergreen, grandson Daniel, great grandchildren Marley, Andrew. Daughter Kristi (Snell) Goeringer of Westminster, grandchildren Heidi, Ian.

Bill’s great-great grandfather (maternal side) immigrated from Switzerland on the brig ship “Mary” in 1735.

Hannah didn’t like being taken to school any more than she liked being taken to Snoozeville, and she quickly became “confrontational” to the point that deputies were summoned. Plainly snockered, Hannah told o cers that Uncle Killjoy “beat” her, and then drifted south into a wandering recitation of other and ancient wrongs done to her by her parents.

Finding no evidence of a beating or any other reason to pursue the matter, o cers gave Hannah a courtesy ride to her hotel and closed the case.

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Bill’s great grandfather (paternal side) immigrated from Cornwall, England in 1883 and made it to Leadville Colorado in 1885 where he worked in the Leadville and Gilman Mines, then later worked on the Denver and Rio Grande and Union Paci c Railroads. Bill would get to ride in the cupola of the caboose on the coal/wood red steam locomotives and upfront with his grandfather the engineer.

Bill was born in Denver Colorado to Willard Arthur Snell, Sr. and Martha Lucille Brinker. His father was the City and County of Denver Treasurer for 60 years, and he lived to 101! Bill spent his summers in Aspen with his grandparents. He spent summers shing, hiking Aspen mountain, nding carbide lamps, pick axes, miner’s boots. Bill needed tools to x his bicycle, he was hired at the local hardware store at age 10 for 1 Silver Dollar a day!

Bill graduated from South High School in Denver. He was part of the JROTC shooting club, learned gun safety and how to shoot in the high school basement range! When he was 12 he started working early delivering the Denver Post on his bicycle, in high school worked at the Alameda, Orpheum, and Ogden Movie eaters for 40 cents an hour! He worked at the Denver National Bank and when they wouldn’t let him get a loan for a new Cadillac he quit!! Bill started working at the Hoover Company selling Hoover vacuums where he always made his quotas so he could go skiing on Fridays - he bought that Cadillac! Bill inherited a 10th interest in the Historic Kenmark Hotel in Denver and learned to run the hotel. He became a real estate investor early on and bought 86 Grant - a 28 unit apartment building in Denver, a 7 unit in Englewood, a condo in Evergreen, invested and bought 300 acres of land in Parker, subdivided, and sold it all in 5 acre plots. Bill and Beverly bought property in Evergreen. ey built the house while living in the old one room 1895 barn! Bill was a local plumber for many years, then became a printer with an old hand set type letter press, also produced photo typesetting for an Evergreen print shop. Bill became an amateur radio operator “ham” at 14 years old, his morse code ability let him communicate with people all over the world. Bill re-learned Spanish and gave back by creating a Paltalk chat room (Espanglish) where he taught English and Spanish to people in many countries worldwide! Bill loved to ski, snowmobile, sh, hunt, play golf. He nally became an avid reader of old west novels as a senior. While splitting wood he loved to sit and admire wildlife, the river, and looking at his house across Upper Bear Creek. Bill and Beverly’s friendship and loving marriage of 55 years always speaking kind words and skillfully working hard on various projects together. He always had a twinkle in his eye and had a joke or story to tell. His motto in life was “plan your work and work your plan”. We will miss you every day Dad.

Ruth Marie (Hershberger) Salter passed away on May 31, 2025 at the age of 91. Ruth was much loved by her family; and is survived by her daughter Anne Miller (Ken), daughter-in-law Natasha Ryadovaya, her son’s rst wife Sarah McAdams, grandchildren Preston (Emily), Jake (Marin), Kate, Annie, William and Matthew, her great grandchildren, stepsons Je Salter (Jen), Gary Salter (Stephanie) and Doug Salter (Katie), her nephews, and their families.

Ruth grew up in Racine, Wisconsin with her sister Marilyn, the daughter of Rachel and Roger Tasker. After graduating from University of Wisconsin, Ruth married William (Bill) Hershberger and pursued a career in occupational therapy, working at Mass General in Boston. She and Bill moved to Denver after Bill graduated from law school, and then built a home in the Hiwan Hills neighborhood of Evergreen, which was completed in 1971. It had been Ruth’s dream since she was a child to live in the mountains of Colorado, and once settled in Evergreen she lived there for more than fty years. It was a point of pride that she had one of the license plates that started with SE – establishing her bona des as a long time resident.

A bird enthusiast ever since she fostered an injured crow named Skeeter as a child, Ruth was a long standing member of the Evergreen Audubon Society. She also had a deep love for

hiking, wild owers and the outdoors. She participated in in numerable trips with hiking groups, and went farther a eld on trips with the Cloud Ridge Naturalists, all of which brought her great joy and the company of wonderful friends.

After raising her two children Anne and Bob, she worked for 16 years as an Occupational erapist for Mount Evans Home Health Care and Hospice, covering a territory from Bailey to Silver Plume. Ruth was a charter member of the Je erson County Historical Society, decorating the Hiwan Homestead for Christmas the rst year after the Historical Society took possession of it. In the late 1970s Ruth was one of seven founders of Evergreen Bootstraps, an organization that provides mentoring and interest-free student loans to ensure that Evergreen High School graduates would be able to pursue higher education.

After losing Bill to cancer, she married Jack Salter in May 2004, and they had many happy years together, making the rounds of Evergreen events, and keeping up with a wide circle of friends and family. Ruth loved spending time with people and made it a point to stay in touch and up to date on their lives. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of owers, please give to the Evergreen Animal Protective League or the Mountain Area Land Trust.

Survival rates of Colorado’s reintroduced wolves are falling below a critical threshold

Wildlife o cials to review ‘translocation protocols’ after a string of recent deaths

BY CHASE WOODRUFF

COLORADO NEWSLINE

It’s been a week of bad news for supporters of Colorado’s voter-mandated efforts to reintroduce gray wolves.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife o cials announced Friday that agents had shot and killed wolf 2405, a yearling male belonging to the rst litter of wolf pups born in the state since reintroduction, after a series of livestock attacks in Pitkin County. at news was followed Monday by CPW’s announcement of the death of a recently reintroduced wolf, 2507-BC, in northwest Colorado on May 31.

e latest con rmed death means at least ve of the 15 wolves relocated from Canada in January have now died. Two of the animals traveled north into Wyoming, where wolves are largely unprotected under federal and state laws; one was killed by federal o cials after livestock attacks, and the other is widely assumed to have been legally hunted — Wyoming wildlife o cials have invoked a hunter con dentiality law when asked for details. e causes of death for three wolves found dead in Colorado are all under investigation by CPW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

and Wildlife Commission in 2023, anticipated that survival rates for reintroduced wolves would range between 70% and 85% in the early years of the program.

Early survival rates were listed among the benchmarks CPW said it would use to measure “short-term success.”

Roughly 20 other adult or yearling gray wolves remain alive and in the wild across the state, and advocates and CPW o cials hope that an unknown number of pups born this spring can soon be con rmed and added to the total.

But for now, with a small population working to establish itself in the early stages of the program, the deaths of one-third of the individuals reintroduced this year have pushed Colorado wolves’ survival rate below a critical threshold outlined in CPW’s formal reintroduction plan.

Citing research derived from other states’ wolf management plans and the federally-led e ort to restore wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s, that plan, adopted by the Colorado Parks

“A survival rate of less than 70%” for reintroduced wolves within six months of release, the plan says, “would initiate protocol review.”

“An unusually large number of losses during the rst year of releases or following any modi cation to established protocols will prompt a full review of management procedures,” the document continues. “To assure high initial postrelease survival, the project may be suspended at any time until likely cause(s) of problems are identi ed, and acceptable solutions can be implemented to resolve the problem(s).”

CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan con rmed to Newsline Tuesday that the agency would review its procedures, but not until causes of death for the animals

are established.

“Out of an abundance of caution, CPW will assess the mortalities of wolves translocated in 2025 to determine if any translocation protocols should be modi ed,” Duncan said. “ is cannot occur untilnal determinations from the USFWS necropsies have been made on the cause of the mortalities.”

A decades-old benchmark e 70% target in CPW’s plan comes from a 2015 technical report by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife assessing that state’s wolf population. e Oregon report, in turn, cited three previous studies from wildlife biologists who found that wolf populations can be sustained with mortality rates as high as 25% to 30%. Crossing that threshold, the report’s authors wrote, results in an “increased risk of conservation failure and biological extinction.”

e target also roughly aligns with benchmarks set by planners of the rstever managed wolf reintroduction pro-

gram, undertaken by the USFWS in and around Yellowstone National Park beginning in 1995. Federal o cials projected that the restoration e ort would be successful if overall mortality could be limited to 20% — 10% from authorized killings of wolves due to livestock con icts and another 10% from “natural causes, acci-

e 1990s e orts near Yellowstone met or exceeded those expectations, successfully reestablishing sustainable wolf population in two di erent areas ahead of the predicted schedule of three to ve years. In the Yellowstone area, 24 of 31 relocated wolves survived the program’s rst two calendar years, along with 19 of 23 their pups, for a total mortality rate of 20%. In a parallel e ort in central Idaho, wolves fared even better. Although no pups were born within the rst year of reintroduction, 30 of 35 relocated individuals survived the program’s rst 20 months, a 14%

CPW biologists will have a better understanding of the state of reintroduction once the number of pups born in Colorado in 2025 is con rmed. e agency says it’s monitoring four “potential dens” of breeding pairs.

But it’s clear now that Colorado’s restoration e ort is falling short of the successes experienced in the northern Rockies in the 1990s: Including three deaths con rmed in 2024, eight of the state’s rst 25 relocated wolves have died, a mortality rate of 32% — with more than half of calendar year 2025 left to go.

e state’s plan calls for winter releases of 10 to 15 wolves annually in the program’s rst three to ve years, with an initial target of a stable population of at least 50 animals within the state. Without a turnaround in survival rates and pup production, however, that timeline could be in jeopardy.

“CPW is developing plans for the coming year’s translocation e orts, so Colorado’s wolf population will continue to grow, leading toward a self-sustaining population,” the agency promised in a press release this week.

is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.

LIFESTYLES

AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

| VOL. 17 ISSUE 6 • JUNE 2025

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

If you’ve driven past our showroom recently you may have noticed something: ags, ags, and more ags! We decorate our building every year to celebrate the holidays. Not the traditional holidays, but the ones that are focused on love for our country.

ese holidays are Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

What the Four Spring//Summer Holidays

Mean

Armed Forces Day, May 17, 2025 (third Saturday of May)

Armed Forces Day honors and expresses gratitude to the men and women currently serving in all branches of the United States armed forces.

Ronald Reagan said in 1988, “You may have heard me say before that one of the things I like most about my job as President is visiting and talking with our young men and women in uniform. I’ve met them all over the world … And everywhere, I’ve seen that their commanders are right: ey’re the best we’ve ever had. I mention this because today is Armed Forces Day. Yes, this is the day for all of us to salute the soldiers, sailors, marines, and aviators who stand sentry on the frontiers of freedom all over the world … One last thought for Armed Forces Day and every day: If you see someone in uniform, would you go up, shake their hand, and thank them.”

Memorial Day, May 26, 2025 (last Monday of May)

Memorial Day honors and remembers the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. A visit to any national cemetery is an incredibly powerful experience. Even more so at Arlington National Cemetery, where the verdant rolling hills of Virginia are the nal resting place for over 400,000 men and women and rows upon rows of graves stretch as far as the eye can see as a somber reminder that freedom isn’t free.

Memorial Day sometimes seems like just a good weekend to buy a mattress but, it’s really a time to remember that freedom isn’t free.

Some notable thoughts about these holidays include:

“ e willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground. And I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American

From Page 13

hero.” — Ronald Reagan, May 31, 1982.

“My fellow Americans, on this Memorial Day, let us commit ourselves to a future worthy of their sacri ce.” — Bill Clinton, May 25, 1998.

“ e day will come when no one is le who knew them. When no visitor to this cemetery can stand before a grave remembering a face and a voice. e day will never come when America forgets them. Our nation and the world will always remember what they did here, what they gave here, for the future of humanity.” — George W. Bush, May 27, 2002.

“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay, but we can honor their sacri ce, and we must.” — Barack Obama, May 30, 2011.

“ is is the mission of our time. Our

memorial to them must not be just the day when we pause and pray. It must be a daily commitment to act, to come together, to be worthy of the price that was paid.” — Joe Biden, May 30, 2022.

“ e cost was everything to them and to their families. Our debt to them is eternal, and it does not diminish with time. It only grows and grows and grows with each passing year,” Donald Trump, May 26, 2025

“Memorial Day is not a happy day. Memorial Day is not for those who served and came home. It’s for those who served and didn’t.” — VP J.D. Vance, 2025

Flag Day, June 14, 2025

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the rst national ag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Flag Day is a day to honor what the U.S. ag represents: independence, unity, and American ideals. is year on Flag Day, we also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the forming of the United States Army.

In 1917, Woodrow Wilson said, “We meet to celebrate Flag Day because this ag which we honour and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation.”

Independence Day, July 4, 2025

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It marks the birth of the United States as an independent nation. e holiday symbolizes the American ideals of freedom, independence, and patriotism.

Here’s what some notable patriots and politicians had to say about our freedom:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare,

Please see SERVICE, Page 18

When It Comes to Interests Rates… Mortgage Loan O cer Grant Brewster

Has Your ‘Best Interests’ at Heart

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Grant Brewster, a Colorado Foothills native and mortgage broker with Edge Home Finance Corporation, has over 30 years of experience helping clients navigate the mortgage process. As an independent broker, not a bank employee or a liate, Grant has access to a broad network of lenders and loan products that might suit a variety of borrowers’ needs, including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, second and/or home equity loans.

Whether you are buying a house or making home improvements, Grant Brewster knows the world of loan nancing can be di cult to understand. With thirty-plus years proven experience in the industry, Grant Brewster is an intermedi-

Unlike a bank, a mortgage broker represents YOU, the customer, not the lender.

ary who helps his clients explore competitive loan packages and loan term options. He recognizes the importance of obtaining the right loan nancing that will meet your goals so you and your family can continue your journey to enjoy milestones and build memories in your “home sweet home.” Interest rates and loan options vary based on individual quali cations. Grant

listens, provides clarity when needed, and has your back when challenges arise. Located at Flow eory Coworks, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Grant Brewster’s has your “best interests” at heart for all your home nancing needs. Contact him at (720-668-4183) or online (grant.brewster@ edgehome nance.com/www.grantbrewster. com).

ArborRx Family Tree Service Understands that Fire Mitigation MATTERS!

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Since 2010, ArborRx Family Tree Service has served its residential/business/commercial customers in Evergreen/Conifer/ Denver, and beyond. e all-season company o ers tree/plant prescriptive treatments, wellness care and more, pest alleviation/reduction, snowplow services, storm damage repair, and re mitigation.

‘Wildfires are a

which is why

matters’

Bryan Nash ArborRX Family Tree, LLC

“Wild res are a year-round threat in our Foothills, which is why re mitigation matters,” said Bryan Nash, Certi ed Fire Mitigation Specialist, member of National Fire Protection Association, and co-owner (with his wife Jennifer) of ArborRx Family Tree Service.

ArborRx Family Tree Service can deliver re mitigation services to residents and re/rescue/forest groups to harden homes/properties and create a defensible

space to enhance the safety of residents/ property and wildlife. e company’s Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Review assesses your property’s strong points and resolves any weaknesses. e Immediate Zone represents from 0-5 feet of your home, the Intermediate Zone extends 5-30 feet past your home, and the Extended Zone stretches 30-100 feet beyond your home’s boundaries.

“We also have a tract-steer mounted masticator (similar to a woodchipper) that moves through a forest to grind/chip/or break apart into small pieces fuels such as brush, small trees, and slash,” said Bryan Nash.

For services/more information/appointments, contact ArborRx Family Tree Service (720-629-7033 or https://arborrxfamily.com) and follow them on Facebook.

How to Turn a Fireplace Renovation from To Do to Ta-Da!

We love relatively minor home renovations that pack a big punch.

We think a house isn’t a home without a re feature - including those with replaces that never get used: ugly outdated replaces, wood stoves that spew smoke like a volcano, or cold, dra y replaces. But the thought of a big renovation can mean replace projects sit on the To Do list forever.

A replace renovation can completely transform the way you enjoy your home. Here are some ideas that can be ready in time for replace season!

Boost E ciency With a Wood or Gas Stove Insert

Rejuvenate an old wood- or gas-burning replace with a new insert. It will be more stylish, much more e cient, easier to use, and safer than decades-old models! An insert uses an existing chimney so no expensive demo is required. Keep your existing tile or stonework, or update it. And yes, you can switch from wood to gas or

vice versa.

Room Upgrade: Add an Electric Fireplace Electric replaces are simple to install in almost any existing interior or exterior wall without the need for a chimney. Cozy up a dreary corner. Add luxury to a boring dining room. Boost the warmth in a cold basement. Add romance to your bedroom. Put a replace where you never thought you could!

Add Heat & Ambience Where You Want It

With a Freestanding Stove

e biggest advantage of a freestanding stove is that you can put it almost anywhere. Traditional replaces were o en installed in formal living rooms. A freestanding stove can be installed where you actually live! Gas stoves add heat in a convenient design that can be vented through the wall to expand your design possibilities. Wood stoves o er the charm of a wood re in a highly e cient package that minimizes emissions while adding

signi cant heat.

Give Your Fireplace a New Face Don’t replace a functioning replace just because it’s dated! Reface it instead. No more ugly louvers or ‘90’s brass, just a clean modern look. We can reface both wood-burning and gas-burning replaces or inserts. Let us show you the possibilities!

Combine a new face with a new surround for a very satisfying aesthetic upgrade at a fraction of the cost of a new replace! Check out the before-and-a er gallery on our website, www.mthnp.com, to see some dramatic transformations.

Transform a Wood-Burning Fireplace with a Gas Log Set

Nobody wants to gather around an unused replace, especially in winter when frigid dra s make the surrounding space unwelcoming. A gas log set consists of a detailed faux log arrangement with gas burners and decorative media. It is made to mimic a traditional wood re but with the

convenience of gas, and transforms a dra y wood replace into a cozy focal point.

Ta-Da!

ere’s incredible satisfaction in a beautiful and functional nished project. e best part? We handle everything from start to nish! Kick back with a glass of wine and enjoy someone else doing the dirty work. We’ll help you choose the best solution. We’ll handle all project planning and logistics. Our expert installation teams come ready to rock and roll (most installations are done same-day), and operate under a NO MESS GUARANTEE to minimize disruption to your home. We hope these ideas will help you turn an overwhelming To Do to a hugely satisfying Ta-Da without extensive renovations. Get inspired at our website, www. mtnhp.com, which has tons of inspiration. Stop by the showroom at 7001 Hwy 73 in Marshdale, or give our friendly experts a call at 303-679-1601!

From Page 14

and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” — Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

“ e essence of America—that which really unites us—is not ethnicity, or nationality, or religion. It is an idea—and what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. at it doesn’t matter where you came from, but where you are going.” — Condoleezza Rice

“So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”— Martin Luther King Jr.

“Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.” — Margaret atcher

Our United States

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” — omas Je erson

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”

— John F. Kennedy

As we remember those who made this country possible, let’s come together as Americans in the spirit of unity: or community. In this incredible melting pot, in a democracy unlike any other, we must never take our freedoms for granted.

During these holidays that focus on our great nation, let’s rise above our di erences. We’re in this together. Let’s make our fallen, retired, and active servicemen and women proud.

Semper Fi!

From the dedicated men and women of Mountain Hearth & Patio

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BY ISABEL GUZMAN IGUZMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a softly lit room in Centennial, Lilly Cadillac Unger shu es her tarot cards with practiced hands. e space, lled with gentle natural light, is the heart of her business, Altered Arcana. On the table, a classic three-card spread — past, present and future — unfolds a story. Among the cards drawn: Death, the Six of Cups and the Nine of Wands.

“I see here that there was some kind of huge transition,” Unger said, pointing to the Death card.

e card’s reputation, she said, is the most feared and is more Hollywood than reality — its real message is transformation and rebirth.

Unger’s journey with tarot began at age 12, sparked by curiosity and the little guidebook included with her rst Rider–Waite deck — the most popular tarot deck, she notes, and one she’s mis-

placed more times than she can count.

For Unger, tarot isn’t about predicting the future.

“Tarot really should tell you about your present,” she said.

e Rider-Waite tarot card deck, rst published in 1909, was created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of occultist A.E. Waite. e deck consists of 78 cards — 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana — with each card featuring symbolic illustrations designed to evoke intuitive and emotional responses.

Distinctive for its fully illustrated Minor Arcana, the Rider-Waite deck’s imagery draws from esoteric traditions that embrace practices that involve secret or hidden knowledge, Christian mysticism and the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society that studied occultism and metaphysics, according to the University of St. omas.

Kate Kettelkamp, who reads tarot cards from her Denver o ce, also starts

with the three card spread that displays the past, present and future. After she shu es, she has the person receiving the reading pull three cards.

“I like people to choose their own cards,” Kettlekamp said. “Di erent tarot readers have di erent rules. I like people to select the cards because I feel like you bring your own energy to it.”

When the cards are pulled and laid out as reversals — meaning the card’s art is upside down — Kettlekamp said that can signify an energy blockage.

Looking towards the card that represents the past, Kettlekamp observed the Nine of Cups, reversed.

“Cups are water, so it has this emotional, imaginative quality to it,” she said. “With it reversed, it can (signify) wanting to move something forward but having some obstacle.”

When Kettlekamp moved from California to Denver almost 10 years ago, she said everyone she met in the new city knew their astrology signs and

owned a tarot deck, inspiring her to dive into the metaphysical world. She currently studies consciousness in a graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

In the program, Kettlekamp studies culture, the human journey, the soul and the environment, which she said sets her up for inquisitive knowledge for reading tarot.

“I like to approach (tarot) from a place of inquiry. Some people ask, ‘should I break up with my partner?’ But I nd that the tarot doesn’t answer deterministically,” she said. “ en they’ll pull the Death card and I’ll say, ‘well, possibly, what do you think? It’s up to you.’ at could just be their current energy that is creating a trajectory towards breaking up.”

Florentino re ected on the readings she’s done that the cards portray a potentially negative message, and how she communicated it to her client.

Kettlekamp said the cards do not tell the future but can give insight into what struggles someone may be currently facing. She said it’s important for readers to uphold ethics when doing a reading.

“I’ve had people come into my o ce who have been disturbed from prior readings because they’ve been told things that make them anxious. So I do think that there’s some responsibility on the reader’s part to not induce anxiety by giving a deterministic prediction about someone’s life,” she said.

When the cards convey a negative message, Rachel Florentino from Bridge the Gap Tarot in Westminster said she views the cards as morphable.

“It’s not set in stone. ( e cards) are something we can bring to the present and change if we want to,” she said.

“ ere was a client that desperately wanted a baby … When I looked at her present, the problem was, she worked 80 hours a week and she wasn’t listening to her doctors telling her, ‘no, you cannot sustain that type of lifestyle while you’re pregnant,’” she said. “It hurt me because she wasn’t going to do that. I had to tell her she has to listen to people.”

Something Florentino did not always do at the beginning of her reading journey — even when she met the woman who wanted a baby — was shielding. In an e ort to protect herself from her clients’ energies, sometimes Florentino will imagine herself wearing a cloak that acts like a shield.

During another reading, Florentino pulled the Tower card in a past, present and future spread — with the Tower card in the future pile, she said it’s the harshest card of the deck.

“It’s because there’s things that you should be doing that you’re not doing and so the universe is going to make it happen. It can be harsh because it can no longer be in your control,” she said.

According to Florentino, the Tower card can show up when someone may be losing a job if they continue down their current trajectory.

“It’s de nitely a warning of: what do we know we need to be doing but we haven’t done yet?” she said.

Regarding the seemingly worrisome card — the Death card — Florentino said the image of the card, which typically displays a grim reaper-esque skeleton with a sword, scares people, largely due to Western society’s perspective of death.

“I think Hollywood has done a great job in scaring us with (death). In the United States, we’re not open about death and don’t view it as a rebirth but as the end of something. In a lot of other cultures, death is looked at as a deathrebirth process,” she said.

Regarding the online popularity of tarot card readings — from mass-collective tarot readings on YouTube to online psychic chats — Kettlekamp and Unger suggest looking at reviews to avoid being scammed.

“I would recommend for people to nd someone that has reviews because there are people who will take your money,” Kettlekamp said. “Anybody that has a physical location, not that that’s necessary, but it can indicate how much time they spend practicing.”

For Unger, reviews and having a connection with a reader are two ways to prevent scams.

“You just have to be honest with yourself about if it resonates, and I think you should be careful who you go to,” she said. “I think at the end of the day, getting reviews, and maybe just really asking yourself: ‘who am I being led to and why? Am I being led to this person because I saw something online that said: he’s thinking about you? And is that what I’m seeking?”’

ARTSWEEK GOLDEN Highlights Community Importance

Summer is the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy beautiful public spaces, and if you can add some artistic touches to the mix, so much the better.

at’s just what visitors can do as part of the Foothills Art Center’s annual ARTSWEEK GOLDEN, which runs from Monday, June 16 through Sunday, June 22 at various locations around Golden. “ e event was launched in 2018 by Foothills Art Center to bring creativity into Golden, showcase artists and build community through the arts,” wrote Maura Adamson, executive director of the Center, in an email interview. “At its core, it’s about celebrating creative expression and directly supporting artists by allowing people to engage, connect and buy original work.”

Art fans or budding creatives can participate in a range of events, including a Wearable art class from10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 17 in the Foothills Art Center’s Astor House Courtyard, 1133 Arapahoe St. Attendees will work with professional artist Dyanna Csaposs on the art of natural dyeing and painting on silk. ere is also an opportunity to create your own tarot cards from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on ursday, June 19 at Golden City Brewery, 920 12th St., Building No. 2. Participants will tap into the symbolic power of tarot and how it helps parse the variety of life experiences. All mediums welcome. ere is also Modern kintsugi from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at Golden City Brewery. All materials will be provided for this experience, which will walk people through this ancient Japanese craft.

Benefitting:

• Charlie’s Place spay/neuter fund

• CCMRD Youth Scholarship fund

• Mount Evans Home Health & Hospice

community.

Additionally, places like Bob’s Atomic Burgers and e Golden Mill will be donating a portion of their sales to Foothills Art Center.

e capper is the ARTSWEEK GOLDEN Festival, held on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 20 in Parfet Park, 719 10th St. It will feature more than 70 artist booths selling original work, live demos and a local beer garden.

“ is year feels especially exciting. We have moved the festival to Parfet Park, right in the heart of downtown Golden,” Adamson wrote. “ e park o ers grassy space, shade from trees, and a central location that encourages visitors to stay, explore downtown and support local businesses throughout the weekend.”

Supporting local businesses and artists is the driver of the whole event, because these are the things that make a community unique.

“Local artists and creative nonprofits don’t just make beautiful things, they shape the culture and identity of Golden,” Adamson wrote. Supporting them through events like this ensures creativity stays visible, valued and sustainable. When you buy a piece of art or donate to the cause, you’re directly supporting someone’s craft, their small business and the cultural health of Golden.”

e aim is no matter what event a person attends, they come away invigorated and eager to stand behind the creative

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025

“We hope everyone leaves feeling inspired and ideally taking home something handmade,” Adamson wrote. “Whether it’s a painting, jewelry, a bowl, a story, or just a renewed connection to art, we want people to walk away feeling like they invested in something genuine. ARTSWEEK GOLDEN is our mission in action, ‘We create stronger community through art.’

For the full schedule and more information, visit foothillsartcenter.org.

Catch Julia Stiles’ Directorial Debut on Amazon

As part of the annual Denver Film Women+Film Festival, actor and director Julia Stiles was at the Denver Botanic Gardens on June 30 to introduce her directorial debut, “Wish You Were Here,” and the lm is now available for streaming everywhere through Amazon

It’s a lovely, quiet lm based on a book by Renee Carlino and examines the enduring power of love, despite the challenges it presents.

“ is is a total dream come true because the story means so much to me,” Stiles said at the screening. “I think this kind of story is necessary in our world today.”

Watch the lm at Amazon.com.

Learn About a Crucial Resource at the South Metro Water Festival

While water is important all year round, during the summer it is more evident just how much we rely on this resource for enjoyment and to keep our daily lives going.

To teach families about its importance, South Metro water organizations are

hosting the South Metro Water Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at the Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock. e event’s aim is to teach people about where their water comes from and attendees can learn everything from the internal workings of a toilet and how a watershed functions to using a water meter to nd a leak and more. ere will be science experiments, song and other activities, plus food vendors and a beer after-party.

For more information, visit the events page at https://www.crgov.com/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week

— James Taylor at Red Rocks

As someone who has experienced it in person several times, you really should see legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor at Red Rocks at least once in your life. e musician behind immortal songs like “Fire and Rain,” Carolina in My Mind” and “Sweet Baby James” stops at the venue almost every summer, and it’s always a performance full of warmth and topnotch musicianship. is year’s concerts are at Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 and he’ll be joined by alt-folk group Tiny Habits. It’s the perfect blend of artist and venue, so don’t miss this quintessential summer evening. Get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

Sell Practical marketing solutions

Documentary details Denver ‘70s band Sugarloaf

Brighton man, Evergreen shop owner to star in upcoming rockumentary

JANE REUTER

Neither Brighton resident and Morrison bartender Cory Pearman or Evergreen business owner Eric Martinez had been born when the iconic 1970s Colorado rock band “Sugarloaf” was in its heyday.

Today, both men have been cast in an upcoming movie about the group.

Pearman is depicted on the movie’s website among the lead cast as singer/ songwriter Bob Yeazel, and Martinez has a part as bassist Bob Raymond’s adult son Aaron.

e movie “I Got a Song” is being lmed locally, including a scene shot at e Little Bear in Evergreen April 11 and more in Denver later this summer.

Sugarloaf, known for hits like “GreenEyed Lady” and “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You,” was named after Boulder’s Sugarloaf Mountain. e movie promises to share “compelling details of the group, the unique members, how they came together and what tore them apart.”

Pearman, frontman for local bands “Float Like a Bu alo” and “ e C Minuses” and a bartender at the Morrison Holi-

day Bar, is not just playing the lead vocalist, but singing Sugarloaf’s songs as well.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “Diving into ‘Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You’ … I don’t have a very high-pitched voice. I had to learn that and struggled when I did it.

“Bobby was also apparently the wild man, so I’m excited about that. I get to push some boundaries.”

Yeazel was with the band for a short but prominent time, Pearman said. e group formed in 1969, and Yeazel joined them in 1971 for their second album, Spaceship Earth. He wrote or co-wrote many of the songs, including “Tongue in Cheek.”

He left the group in mid-1972 saying he was “disillusioned” with the group’s direction. Sugarloaf o cially disbanded in 1978. Yeazel, who joined the FreddiHenchi band and later wrote songs for the still-popular Chris Daniels and the Kings, died in 2016.

Sugarloaf band was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

Both Pearman and Martinez said the movie centers around bass player and founding member Bob Raymond. As Raymond’s son, the actor Martinez struggles with his father’s 2016 death and later

his son Bailey’s emergence in the music industry.

new to acting. Martinez, who owns Evergreen’s Java Groove had a lead role in the holiday movie “Mocha and Mistletoe”, which was lmed in Evergreen in late 2024 at his urging. Sugarloaf’s documentary will be the fourth movie in which the 43-year-old has played a part, in addition to a couple of commercials and a truecrime reenactment podcast.

He saw the casting call for ‘I Got a Song’ on Facebook and auditioned in March.

“Sugarloaf was a bit before my time, and I didn’t know (much about them) before I saw the callout,” he said. “I went back and listened to their music, and I love it. And knowing their story, the way they got together, and how passionate they were about the music, makes listening to it even cooler now.”

As a young man, Pearman moved to Los Angeles to “chase the dream of being an actor.” While he had some success, he quickly realized the Hollywood lifestyle wasn’t for him. After strumming his rst guitar in 2016, “I never looked back.”

‘I Got a Song’ director Kyle Lamar had also directed some of Pearman’s music videos and asked Pearman to play Yeazel.

“He said, ‘I think you’d be great for it. You look like the guy,’” Pearman said, laughing and stroked his beard, and adding that he had to dye some of the gray

hairs that have lately appeared there to match his otherwise reddish-blond hair.

“I’m 47 playing a 25- or 26-year-old. I’m lucky I still look youthful.”   Pearman and Martinez met brie y at a June 1 cast/crew mixer and movie fundraiser at Aurora’s Rock restaurant. Martinez, who will shoot his rst scenes in June as well, also met Aaron Raymond at the fundraiser.

“I got to meet the real person I’m playing,” he said. “Not everybody (from the band) is still with us. But he is.”

Both men are open to more acting roles, though Pearman is dedicated to his musical career rst and Martinez is equally devoted to running his well-loved downtown Evergreen co ee shop and raising a family.

“Right now, I’m just leaning into it,” Martinez said.

“I’m having a blast,” Pearman said. “If it leads to more and I don’t have to move anywhere and can keep doing music, I’d be interested.

“I’m getting a little bit overwhelmed. But I’m still having fun doing it. It’s the life I chose for myself.”

‘Float Like a Bu alo’ just released a new album, and sets o on a Northwestern U.S. tour in mid-July. But before it does, the funk band will help Evergreen celebrate the Fourth of July at Foothills Fourth, playing at 3:30 p.m. on the stage at Buchanan elds.

Housing proposal at odds with Wild Animal Sanctuary

Sanctuary supporters downplay threats of violence by fans

BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An attorney representing two landowners in Weld County is accusing the supporters of an iconic wildlife sanctuary of issuing death threats against the two women for resurrecting plans to put a housing development on 40 acres of land adjacent to the facility.

Jeremy Brett Daz Fletcher also says that recent comments made by Pat Craig – executive director of Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg – via social media posts criticizing the development could be libelous and are interfering with an earlier contract between the sanctuary and landowners. e death threats have also been elded by real estate agents handling the sale of the eight home sites, said Fletcher in his letter to Craig.

“As we have expressed in our earlier statement,” Fletcher states in the letter, “we were saddened and disheartened that you chose to proceed in the manner you have. at statement remains true.”

Craig rejected the claims about death threats from backers of the sanctuary and an o er from the development group to sell the acreages to the sanctuary for $4 million.

ere is no proof anyone has threatened the two owners – Sherry Boris Wigaard and Velois Smith – nor their agents, said Craig, who opened the 33,000-acre sanc-

tuary over 31 years ago.

“Who really thinks someone is going to travel to Florida and try to nd these ladies to hurt them? Our core demographic is women 45 and older, with most having Masters or PHD’s and (who) are wealthy. Is that the kind of crowd that threatens to kill other women?” Craig said.

Craig said via email that Fletcher has not acknowledged the two women refused to communicate with the sanctuary for nearly seven months.

“Everyone seems to skip over this important fact. Had they been willing to

keep the lines of communication open we would not be in this position today,” Craig said.

He also termed the buyout o er as ridiculous as the owners - who live in Florida - are not trying to cover their expenses or even the projected sales of the sits. ey originally o ered the land to the sanctuary 10 years ago for $2 million. “We couldn’t a ord that either,” Craig said.

Fears of being forced out e sanctuary is home to over 550 animals including lions, tigers and bears. ey were rescued by Craig and others

from mostly roadside zoos and basements and were badly abused by the people who kept them in captivity.  In 2023, sanctuary o cials rescued animals held at the abandoned zoo in Puerto Rico, which drew international attention. e sanctuary largely depends on donations to help with the sanctuary upkeep and rescue work.

Craig fears that the housing development and the resulting complaints from homeowners will eventually force the facility out of the area.

“When we moved to rural Weld County 31 years ago, there were wheat elds and open farmland for miles around – with the nearest house miles away,” Craig said. But as more people moved into the area around the sanctuary complaints started piling up.

“Year after year we would see people moving here with romantic ideas of what life would be like living next to a wildlife sanctuary – but eventually coming to terms with some of the realities that exist,” Craig said.

e issues that come with living near the sanctuary, according to Craig, include; e thousands of seagulls that scavenge food and y to adjacent properties where they sometimes drop or leave food behind…. And poop on buildings, cars and houses, said Craig. e bald eagles (21 of them) that stay here year-round and scare people who think they will snatch up their “little foo-foo dogs or cats,” Craig said. e smells from the animals (they consume 100,000 pounds of food per week), so they also defecate an enormous amount, Craig said.  “We clean their habitats, but there

SEE SANCTUARY, P31

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

BERGEN PARK CHURCH

Bergen Park Church is a group of regular people who strive to improve ourselves and our community by studying the Bible and sharing our lives with each other. On Sunday mornings you can expect contemporary live music, Children’s Ministry that seeks to love and care for your kids, teaching from the Bible, and a community of real people who are imperfect, but seek to honor God in their lives. We hope to welcome you soon to either our 9:00AM or 10:30AM Sunday service. Search Bergen Park Church on YouTube for Livestream service at 9:00am 31919 Rocky Village Dr. 303-674-5484 info@bergenparkchurch.org / www.BergenParkChurch.org

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

28244 Harebell Lane

Sunday Service & Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Wednesday evening: 7p.m: (Zoom only Nov.1st-Mar. 31st.)

Visit: www.christianscienceevergreen.com for more information and ZOOM link

Reading Room: 4602 Plettner Lane 303-674-5296

OPEN: TUES-SAT 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

Serving the mountain community from the heart of Evergreen Worship 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Richard Aylor

O ce Hours: Tu-Thur 9:00 - 4:00; Fri 9:00 - noon Bu alo Park Road and Hwy 73 www.churchofthehills.com

CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPAL

In-Church: Sunday Communion Quiet Service 8:00 am & with Music 10:15 am 10:15 am only Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017266569

In-Meadow: 2nd Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. --June through September— 27640 Highway 74 – ¼ mile east of downtown Evergreen at the Historic Bell Tower www.transfigurationevergreen.org

CONGREGATION BETH EVERGREEN (SYNAGOGUE)

Reconstructionist Synagogue

Rabbi Jamie Arnold

www.BethEvergreen.org / (303) 670-4294 2981 Bergen Peak Drive (behind Life Care)

DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Reverend Dr. Knut Heim, pastor, Sunday Worship 10 AM

Located one mile west of Pine Junction just o Rt. 285 966 Rim Rock Road, Bailey (303) 838-6759 deerparkumc.org

All are welcome to our open/inclusive congregation!

EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH 5980 Highway 73 + 303-674-4654

Rev. Terry Schjang

Join us for worship in person or on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EvergreenLutheranChurch Sunday Worship held at 9am. www.evergreenlutheran.org + All Are Welcome!

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH – EPC 1036 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen – (303) 526-9287 www.lomcc.org – o ce@lomcc.org

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m., with communion every Sunday “Real Church In An UnReal World”

A community empowered by the Holy Spirit which seeks authentic relationships with God and others to share the good news of Jesus with Evergreen, the Front Range and the world. Come as you are, all are welcome!

PLATTE CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH

Located: 4954 County Road 64 in Bailey.

O ce hours MWF 8am-1pm 303-838-4409, Worship & Children’s Church at 10am

Small group studies for all ages at 9am

Transitional Pastor: Mark Chadwick

Youth Pastor: Jay Vonesh

Other activities: Youth groups, Men’s/Women’s ministries, Bible studies, VBS, MOPS, Cub/Boy Scouts.

ROCKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH

“Connecting all generations to Jesus”

Please check our website, www.Rockland.church, for updated service times ¼ mile north of I-70 at exit 254 17 S Mt. Vernon Country Club Rd., Golden, CO 80401 303-526-0668

SHEPHERD OF THE ROCKIES LUTHERAN CHURCH

Missouri Synod. 106 Rosalie Road, Bailey, CO 303-838-2161 Pastor John Graham Sunday Worship Service; 9 a.m., Fellowship Time; 10:15 a.m., Sunday School & Bible Class; 10:45 a.m. www.shepherdoftherockies.org

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN Rev. Sarah Clark • 303.674.4810

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10. A recipe base of onion, celery and carrots. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Landscape & Garden

Jefferson County Expenitures

Jared Polis signs bill aimed at reducing Colorado’s rape kit backlog

Law will increase oversight, try to decrease turnaround time of evidence kits

BY LUCAS BRADY WOODS THE COLORADO SUN

Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law June 3 launching new e orts to cut down on the state’s delays in processing sexual assault evidence kits, including by increasing oversight over the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Currently, it takes 554 days for the CBI to process DNA evidence kits from sexual assaults, which has left 1,369 cases in limbo as victims and investigators wait for results, according to the agency’s latest available data.

One of those victims is Democratic state Rep. Jenny Willford of Northglenn, the leading lawmaker behind the new bill.

Willford says she was sexually assaulted over a year ago and led a police report. But her case was one of the many swallowed up by the backlog.

“Living this reality is really heavy,” said Willford at the bill signing ceremony Tuesday. “It’s disorienting and it’s dehu-

SANCTUARY

is still a smell just like a large dairy operation might have,” he said. e large number of ies and other bugs that come to bene t from the food as well. e coyotes, raccoons, fox, and other wildlife… that also increase due to the food supplies. e sounds of the animals – especially lions roaring, as people think it is great to hear lions roaring until they hear one roaring at 2 a.m. on a still summer night and are convinced the lions have escaped and are right outside their bedroom window, Craig said. e sights of all our heavy equipment and commercial supplies being stored or parked together, as people complain to the county about their views being disrupted, he said. e carnivore sounds that scare their dogs, horses, cows and pets – especially when the wolves howl or the lions roar.

People often shoot o guns and highpowered ri es near the sanctuary dispensing thousands of rounds of ammunition just yards away from animal habitats. Fireworks are also set o near the sanctuary borders, Craig said.

Homeowners also host parties where people come up to the fences at night to make noises and shining ashlights at the animals.

“ is has resulted with us nding beer cans and trash in the habitats in the next

manizing. It’s like being frozen in time while the rest of the world moves on without you. And no survivor should ever be made to feel this way ever, because that’s not justice.”

Law enforcement  nally issued an arrest warrant for Willford’s alleged attacker last month, more than a year after the incident, after they received the test results from her evidence.

e new law is named the “Miranda Gordon Justice for Survivors Act of 2025.” Gordon is a vocal advocate for sexual assault victims who helped call attention to the backlog, after waiting more than a year for the results of her own sexual assault evidence kit.

e measure, Senate Bill 304, directs the attorney general’s o ce to create the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Review Board to oversee kit processing and make recommendations for how the state can better address sexual crimes.

e group will convene by Aug. 1 and will be made up of sexual assault victim advocates, medical forensic experts and members of law enforcement.

e law also creates a 60-day turnaround goal per DNA evidence kit, three times faster than the state’s current 180day guidance.

Polis said he would like to see even fast-

morning,” Craig said.

Weld County made the property owners, and the sanctuary enter into a contract as one of the conditions for approving the development ten years ago, Craig said,

e requirements included building a tall privacy fence to be built along the common border between the subdivision and the Sanctuary’s property. A 20-foot bu er from the privacy fence would prevent any building in the zone, Craig said.

e contract would also require a threeperson board of directors for the development’s HOA.

“ is was intended to help give a seat to a sanctuary representative so we could help manage certain behaviors or acts that might negatively a ect the sanctuary,” Craig said.

e sanctuary also required an in-person interview with any prospective buyer, Craig said.

“ is was required so a sanctuary representative could be open and honest about the historical issues that had already caused issues – just so the people considering a signi cant purchase would have a chance to hear the potential issues they could face,” Craig said.

e two women signed the contract in 2011 but then ended up moving to Florida not long after the approval was given by Weld County.  In 2024 they suddenly resurrected the project without contacting the County to inform them of the new work being done.

my goal would be to turn the tests around in even quicker than 60 days,” Polis said. Sexual assault victims will also be entitled to updates on their pending evidence kits every 90 days under the new law.

Speaking at Tuesday’s signing ceremony, Democratic Sen. Mike Weissman of Aurora, the measure’s lead sponsor in the Senate, said the bill is about getting sexual assault perpetrators o the street as well as justice for victims.

“We can get lost in processes and abstract terms like ‘kits,’ but what we’re talking about here is bringing forward evidence by which we can arrest people who have committed hideous crimes and subject them to appropriate consequences,” said Weissman. “Without moving through this backlog, we don’t have that evidence, there cannot be accountability.”

er turnaround times.

“We always appreciate some room in statute to achieve as much as we can, but

Craig said when the sanctuary sta noticed the construction began in mid2024, he contacted the women and their Realtor.

In a meeting, the women expressed how they did not want to follow several of the contract terms.

“ ey stated the interviews might scare o potential buyers, which we responded that all we cared about was making sure people were realistic when considering a purchase,” Craig said via email. e property owners also did not like the requirement that the sanctuary could help pick any replacements on the HOA’s board of directors.

“We explained that once they were either gone or moved away, the sanctuary would still need a pro-sanctuary person on the board,” Craig said.

Marketing is underway

e women have since declined to meet with Craig to iron out the outstanding issues with the contract. In the meantime, Realtors are marketing the development as being so close to the sanctuary.

“Now open! Boasting a prime location in Keenesburg and showcasing an impressive array of new homes with open layouts and designer details, Vista West is a must-see for house hunters in Weld County. Residents will appreciate close proximity to Fort Lupton, Brighton, e Wild Animal Sanctuary and Denver International Airport. Several thoughtfully

Weissman said he and Willford plan to continue to work on speeding up the backlog reduction during the legislative interim and bring further ideas to the 2026 legislative session. He also suggested the General Assembly could take up the issue during a special legislative session should one be convened in the coming months. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

designed ranch- and two-story oor plans are available, some of which o er RV garages. You’ll love our professionally curated xtures and nishes!” says an online advertisement.

Fetcher’s letter says that Craig will receive notice of every meeting of the association and that the developers are “committed to a long-lasting relationship with the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary.”

Julie Marshall, Colorado Director for Animal Wellness Action, blasted the move by the developers.

“ is is a most egregious example of thoughtless, non-collaborative development against local Colorado values. ere will be undeniable damage to longstanding wildlife protections, local business and statewide Colorado values,” said Marshall via email.

“ e Wild Animal Sanctuary is an integral and cherished part of Colorado, and Pat is our hometown hero, who has spent decades to create what is undeniably the world’s most successful and renowned sanctuary like no other,” Marshall said. “Local children and families go here year-round to marvel and be educated about lions, tigers, bears, wolves, bobcats and a host of wildlife — every single one saved from the thoughtless, sel sh acts of humans. Weld County Commissioners must ensure these out-of-towners adhered to their own signed contract with government and stand strong to support our local icon.”

The Family of Rotary

Rotary Club of Evergreen is excited to share a peek into our past year! From meaningful community service projects to fun social events, our club has stayed active and engaged throughout 2024 and into 2025. We’ve hosted book club gatherings, lively lunch and dinner parties, and even hit the highway for clean-up days to keep our mountain roads looking their best. We also dedicated new benches around town as part of our commitment to making Evergreen an even more welcoming and walkable community.

Of course, it hasn’t all been work - we know how to have a good time, too! Our country music and dance fundraiser was a huge hit, bringing folks together for a great cause and a great time. We rolled up our sleeves for our annual Community Recycle Day, volunteered at local events, and continue to nd ways to support and connect with our neighbors. Whether you’re looking to give back, make new friends, or both, we’d love to have you join us. There’s always room for one more at Rotary! Our membership is open to all people of all ages and all backgrounds – more info at EvergreenRotary.org

Our club has more than 100 members from all walks of life. We like to have fun and we organize social functions throughout the year.

• We meet once a week on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast. There is no meeting commitment

– attend as many or as few as you like.

• Our meetings, events, location details and speaker schedules can be found at EvergreenRotary.org, along with details about our local and international committees and projects.

• Our membership is open to all people of all ages and all backgrounds. More info at EvergreenRotary.org

We are proud to support the mountain community.

Please feel free to stop by our o ce at 3112 Evergreen Pkwy to discuss questions you may have regarding your insurance policies.

We are open M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Michele & Team (Leann, Janet, Karla, Logan, Maddie,