Issuu

The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958

WEEK OF MARCH 27, 2025

FREE SAMPLE EDITION

FRIGID FUN

Welcome to the Canyon Courier!

t doesn’t seem that long ago that community news could be found everywhere. There were two scrappy daily newspapers that had hundreds of staffers dedicated to all parts of the metro area. There were community newspapers stacked in businesses or sitting in residents’ mailboxes or driveways. But as the economy changed, BROOKE newspapers became a casualty of technological disruption, and, as WARNER newsrooms shrank or disappeared altogether, readership and advertising dwindled. But while the model by which we fund our newspaper is changing, that in no way means that newspapers are failing. Studies show that more than three-quarters of Coloradans read print or digital newsExecutive Director papers every month, and it’s still an important part of readers’ decisions when they’re shopping and voting. That’s why I’m proud today to offer you this sampler of the Canyon Courier and tell you about our owners, the nonprofit National Trust for Local News. It’s a tenet of democracy that we ask questions of our leaders and of people who are entrusted to keep our communities safe. So when there are fewer journalists in a market, there are fewer people around to hold the government accountable, or to even just share the best of what communities have to offer. The National Trust believes in supporting community news and is putting resources on the ground to do this. From standing up a printing press in 2024 to continuing to find better processes and programs for our team, we’re committed to improving our connection to communities and sharing your stories. As executive director of Colorado Community Media, I’m proud to lead the staff as we work hard to preserve local integrity and keep your community voices strong. We’re providing stories, information and government accountability that people in this community can’t get anywhere else — all while connecting businesses directly with readers. Any support we get – through advertising, subscriptions or donations – goes directly to the journalism that informs our communities. That’s why we’d like you to take the time to read this sample copy of the Courier and see the great news and information that you can get delivered to you weekly. I promise that it’s more than worth the price to subscribe. If you have interesting news and tips that we need to hear, need to promote a business or event, or even have some critiques about the work we’re doing, then reach out to us. We are ready to hear it. We’ve been in your community for 66 years and look forward to being part of your lives for decades to come.

Evergreen’s annual lake plunge returns to kick off the new year BY TIM WEIGHART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

their department and community and symbolizes their new roles and responsibilities. “The badge is a cornerstone of our existence,” said Kris Kazian, EFR fire operations chief. “Our actions can shine that badge or tarnish it.” The badge is in the shape of a Maltese cross, with each of the eight points representing an occupational commitment, and symbolizes the willingness of firefighters to sacrifice their lives for others. “We are a family working together to give to this community,” Kazian said. “In people’s worst

New year’s day at Evergreen Lake this year had the perfect weather to bundle up and celebrate the holiday on the lake: blue skies, a vibrant sun and just a bit of chill in the air. However, for roughly 400 people from across the state, bundling up was only a temporary luxury as they prepared to jump into the ice-cold water. The annual Evergreen Lake Plunge is a longstanding tradition run by the nonprofit Active4All to raise money for its INSPIRE program, which aims to provide inclusive recreational activities to kids with disabilities. Last year’s plunge hosted a record number of jumpers who collectively raised over $40,000 dollars for INSPIRE. John DuRussell, president of Active4All, said INSPIRE hopes to use donated funds to build an ADA accessible playground and work on a skate park and amphitheater. While a few bold souls have been taking the yearly plunge since long before Active4All started running the event, many more experienced the grueling waters for the first time in 2025. “This is just one of the first challenges we’ll overcome this year,” said first-time-plunger Jeremy Salter from Strasburg. Jeremy and his daughter wore matching Bluey shirts as they jumped, getting in on the trend of wearing matching outfits or costumes when jumping into the lake. Other attendees wore onesies portraying animals or fictional characters, including Emily and Leo from Parker, who dressed as Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc., and Rosalie from Denver, another first-timer, who dressed as a shark.

SEE SWEARING IN, P22

SEE LAKE PLUNGE, P22

EFR Fire Chief Mike Weege swears in the organization’s new firefighters, including from left, paramedic Joe Black, Joe Rimkus, Nate Perdue, Harrison Leahy, Sean Ender, PHOTO BY JANE REUTER Joe Galindo and David Hughes.

Evergreen Fire/Rescue’s new teammates formally join foothills firefighting community Six paid firefighters and several others were recognized in badge pinning and oath-taking ceremony BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a ceremony that honored the traditions of the firefighter industry and Evergreen Fire/Rescue in particular, EFR formally welcomed its first paid firefighters Oct. 25. The event, which included a badge-pinning ceremony and oath, also recognized seven other EFR firefighters who recently earned promotions. The six men include four former EFR volunteer firefighters and two career firefighters. Their spouses, friends, children and babies gathered around each of them to pin the badge on their EFR uniforms. The firefighter pinning ceremony is a tradition that introduces new firefighters to

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

DENVER, CO PERMIT No. 2565 EDDM

SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS SEE PAGE 23 for a special subscription offer

Now offering snowplow services

We’re Just What The Doctor Ordered Mountain area specialists in Wildfire mitigation for Residential and commercial properties | Fully Insured

Bryan Nash - Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist 720-629-7033 | www.arborrxfamily.com