Week of October 27, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastleRockNewsPress.net
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 28
County clerks report death threats amid election fraud claims Still fighting uproar after 2 years BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For the clerks and other people trusted to oversee elections in Colorado, these are tense times. Some face hostility, even violent
threats, a trend that continues in Colorado two years after the 2020 election, when former President Trump and his supporters alleged widespread voter fraud. Those claims, which fueled the Jan. 6 insurrection, remain unfounded. Yet in Arapahoe County, Joan Lopez, the clerk and recorder in charge of elections, says an atmosphere of intimidation lingers. She tells Colorado Community Media she has
received a threatening, handwritten letter with profanity and referring to her race. The letter writer also claimed to know where she lives. “You get concerned for your family and yourself,” said Lopez, a Democrat. She said law enforcement officials are investigating the case. The FBI says election officials across the country have reason to be fearful and says agents are commit-
Teachers across the metro area describe pay rates Douglas County looks to voters for 9% bump
ted to finding and bringing to justice those who would jeopardize the stability of free and fair elections. Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, says election officials around the state are worried. “Everybody’s bracing depending on how this election goes,” said Crane, a Republican former SEE CLAIMS, P13
Castle Rock to renovate Mitchell Gulch Park
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Lucy Squire just marked her 18th year as a teacher at Copper Mesa Elementary School in Douglas County. One of the things she has that many teachers here and around Colorado don’t is a home. Squire looks at what Douglas County School District teachers earn and doubts she and her partner today could afford the same home. That’s even considering her current salary as a veteran educator. “When I started interviewing and looking as a brand new teacher, all of the (school) districts were so comparable with pay,” said Squire, a third-grade teacher. “It didn’t matter where you ended up because they were so similar.” That was in 2004. Fast forward to today, and differences in teacher pay across Denver metro school districts are often stark. While teachers in many districts across the state say they are struggling to keep up — particularly amid rising inflation — in Douglas County, south of Denver, teachers
Castle Rock is investing around $7 million for updates to the town’s parks and recreation options, including a renovation of Mitchell Gulch Park. On Oct. 18, town council approved a number of resolutions related to investments in redeveloping Mitchell Gulch Park, designing a new recreation center and installing parking at the Metzler SEE RENOVATE, P5
Check out
School of Choice How much teachers across Metro Denver get paid depends on which school district SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE employs them.
Dream Big Dreams...
Special CD Rate
In this week’s paper!
3.07% APY
Special CD Rates ** Term * Term Or 2.74% APY 2.33% 16APYMonth 27 Month
* 10 Month
120 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock | (303) 660-4001
120 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock ♦ (303) 660-4001
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate of Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 9 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of October 7, 2022.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate for Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *To open the CD, $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 12 month CD with current rate at renewal. **To open the CD, $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 24 month CD with current rate at renewal. The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of 11/22/018.
Term