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Week of January 5, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
EnglewoodHerald.net
VOLUME 102 | ISSUE 47
Counties navigate future after Tri-County Health breakup Former system expired Dec. 30 BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The mask mandates implemented during the pandemic left a legacy in the region’s health care. They fueled
the breakup of Tri-County Health, the state’s largest public health agency, serving Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties for more than five decades. Douglas County officials took issue with mask mandates put in place by the health agency. Looking back, Tri-County Health Director John Douglas, a doctor, said masks were meant to protect the public as the
virus swept through the metro area. “I’m sorry the dynamics of the politicization of the pandemic put us in a place where we had to make choices, specifically referring to the mask mandate, that were going to create acrimony with Douglas County,” Douglas said. Tri-County Health Department’s choices were tough to make, he added, acknowledging some divided
public. Still, he stands by the agency’s decisions and, citing research, said masks helped slow the spread of COVID-19. Douglas County’s response was to opt out and create its own public health agency, which is now operating with a budget of its own. That means Tri-County Health SEE TRI-COUNTY, P4
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office deputy passes away Kraig Conger suffered a major heart attack while on duty BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
of renovations and a two-week soft launch, the owners said. The location has been home to several other bars and restaurants over the years, most recently the Copper Pot. By serving food that’s somewhere between standard pub fare and fine dining, Taaz Tavern is trying to be a little different from its competition,
An Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office deputy died from a major heart attack while on duty on Dec. 28. On Dec. 29. At 11:27 a.m., the sheriff ’s office posted a Tweet announcing the passing of Deputy Kraig Conger. According to the Tweet, Conger was 51 years old and was passionate about his job. In addition to working as a law enforcement officer, he mentored youth in the community and coached football, basketball and baseball. “There is no doubt he had a significant impact in this community and in his profession,” the sheriff ’s office wrote in a statement on Facebook.
SEE TAAZ , P2
SEE DEPUTY, P2
Andrea Charlson talks to patrons about mulled wine on a cold day from behind the bar at Taaz Tavern on Nov. 17.
PHOTO BY RACHEL LORENZ
Refurbished Broadway bar takes it up a notch Taaz Tavern open for business in former Copper Pot space BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
With decades of bartending and management experience between
the two of them, the proprietors of Taaz Tavern have set out to bring a better bar experience to bustling South Broadway. “We’re not just another bar,” Tom Charlson told Colorado Community Media. The new Englewood establishment belongs to him and his wife, Andrea Charlson. Taaz Tavern officially opened Oct. 1 at the corner of South Broadway and Amherst Avenue after a month
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17
SOCK IT TO ’EM Charity offering hosiery to homeless
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