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Week of September 22, 2022
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 32
Elizabeth Stampede crowns royalty
Town mulls senior center
Kyra Doud will be 2023 queen, Isabelle Piche is chosen as attendant BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The 2023 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty competition was held on Sept. 10 at Casey Jones Park. It was a blustery, rainy Saturday for the four girls who competed for rodeo queen and attendant. Even during the rain, Casey Jones Park was alive with excited energy on competition day as the girls, their parents, the judges and the royalty committee were engaged in the day’s events. Three outside judges were brought in to judge the competition to eliminate any bias toward one contestant or another. Scott Candeleria, Kelly Sweigart and Karen Carter were judges for the day. This year, there were four enthusiastic girls trying out for either queen or attendant. The competitors included Kyra Doud of Parker, Isabelle Piche of Castle Pines, Madeline Williams of Elizabeth and Madison Montoya of Elizabeth. The competition is extremely rigorous, encompassing a wide range of skills and abilities. The competition is divided into multiple categories for judging. Half of the points awarded to each contestant come from horsemanship. The remaining points are awarded for personal interviews, a history test, a speech competition, modeling and group impromptu questions. The competition began with the horsemanship tack up where judges went around the damp lot to score the contestants, observing how they interact with their horses, their grooming practice, and how they handle the overall tacking-up process. The girls shared information
Elizabeth officials release survey to gauge interest in community BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Attendant-in-Waiting Isabelle Piche gives her speech at the 2023 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty competition on Sept. 10 at Casey Jones Park.
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For years, some Elizabeth locals have expressed their desires for a senior center, arguing that there are no facilities available for the aging population of Elbert County. Recently Elizabeth officials have been working with the University of Colorado Denver to gauge the need for and interest in a senior center for the people of Elizabeth and surrounding parts of Elbert County. They have released a survey to gather data. According to the survey website, the primary users for this project would be Elizabeth residents over the age of 50. However, it has the potential to engage various age groups. Unlike a residential facility, this project would be used by a variety of community members. • The current list of proposed amenities includes: • Great hall/banquet room/event space • Lounge/smaller gathering space • Telehealth office • Game room • Kitchen for Meals on Wheels preparation • Teaching kitchen • Outdoor patio
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELIZABETH STAMPEDE RODEO ROYALTY
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14
CHOOSING YOUR GOODBYE Doulas hope to help ease fears of dying
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SEE CENTER, P13