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Week of February 9, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 52
Elizabeth West area welcomes McDonald’s New addition to local commercial scene sparks mixed reactions BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
at Arapahoe Community College. I’m an anthropology major and I want to study biblical archaeology. It has always been a close thing to my heart. Isabelle Piche: I live in Castle Pines, Colorado. I’ve had family out in Elizabeth, so I’m very familiar with the area. I go to school at Rock Canyon High School and I’m going to be a senior next year. I don’t want to go to college, but I am going to go into the fire academy when I graduate. I am working on my EMT certification next year, so I’ll be a licensed EMT by December of 2024.
The much-anticipated and highly controversial McDonald’s opened in the Elizabeth West area on Jan. 26. The 24-hour location at 1950 Legacy Trail is the first McDonald’s in Elbert County and one of only a few fastfood locations in the area. The Elizabeth West McDonald’s was built in the company’s new contemporary style, offering a minimalist aesthetic that promotes selfservice with walk-up ordering kiosks and a table-based ordering system. Like many of the businesses in Elizabeth West, McDonald’s employs local residents, creating a stronger Elizabeth-based workforce. They also employ several Elizabeth High School students, giving teens local after-school work opportunities. “I like working here. All the people are really nice, especially the managers,” said Riley, a crew team member. “It has been really busy since we opened because people knew it was being built. We’ve had so many people come in already.” One of the managers said in a Jan. 27 interview that the Elizabeth West McDonald’s crew is already bonding and is building relationships with the community. “We’re doing really well so far. Everyone on staff is really tight-knit already. It’s been a pretty good and
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Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen Kyra Doud, left, and Attendant Isabelle Piche at the Casey Jones Park Rodeo Arena. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN SEWALD
Not just a pretty face Elizabeth Stampede Royalty discuss life, goals, excitement for 2023 BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The 2023 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty — Queen Kyra Doud and Attendant Isabelle Piche — recently sat with the Elbert County News for a wide-ranging interview about who they are, their experience at the 2023 National Western
Stock Show, their excitement for the year as rodeo royalty, and their post-reign goals. Sitting by the cozy fire at the Idyllwilde Fika Coffee House in Parker on Jan. 28, Doud and Piche eagerly shared their thoughts on all things rodeo, royalty, and their passion for the Western way of life. Here is the Q&A: Where are you from and where do you go to school?
Kyra Doud: I am from Parker, Colorado. I used to live in Elizabeth, but I recently moved back to Parker. I’m 19 years old and I’m a freshman
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12
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