Week of April 13, 2023
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | SPORTS: PAGE 20
Jeff Gaylord’s death shines light on life of strength and selflessness
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 20
Land-use bill authors stand by plan Opponents of proposal not swayed by claims of affordability, availability BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
service. “Many colleges were offering him a full-ride scholarship (for football) … Jeff chose Missouri.” In college, Jeff became a four-year letterman and was named All-Big Eight and All-American in the early 1980s. Jeff ’s success as a college athlete drew attention to him, inspiring the Los Angeles Rams to draft him in 1982. Released prior to the start of their season, he was picked up by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. With this team, he competed in the league’s championship game called the Grey Cup. He later played for the Boston Breakers and the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League and was named First Team
According to authors of the land use bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature, the primary goal is stopping communities from exclusionary zoning that prohibits the construction of multifamily housing. Known as SB23-213, the land use bill was unveiled in March by Gov. Jared Polis and Democrats as a solution to the growing housing crisis. While municipalities statewide are voicing opposition to the bill, authors are saying the 105-page document is vital to the state’s future in providing an adequate supply of affordable housing. In this case, affordable housing does not mean more single-family homes, but instead duplexes, triplexes, other multiplexes, townhomes, condos and apartments. According to the authors of SB23-213, some Colorado cities and counties have implemented zoning policies that decrease or completely bar the construction of multifamily housing. Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, co-authored SB23-213 with Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Arapahoe County, and Majority Leader Sen. Dominick Moreno, a District 21 Democrat covering Adams County, Commerce City, Federal Heights and Westminster.
SEE SELLFLESSNESS, P6
SEE BILL, P5
Photos, certificates and awards from Jeff Gaylord’s life on display at his memorial service at Southeast Christian Church. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
From pro sports to the streets BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
On March 15, a deceased man was found at the north bus stop at Englewood Parkway and South Acoma Street in Englewood. Officials said the man was “likely a transient” and that his death did not seem criminal in nature. Little did they know, the man was Jeff Gaylord, a prominent football player, professional wrestler, brother and friend. At his memorial service at Southeast Christian Church in Parker, dozens gathered to share stories of
Jeff ’s life and memories of their time with him. “As I’m looking around this room today, I see many familiar faces, as well as new ones,” said Angelia Anderson, executive director of a program called Treasure House of Hope that Jeff participated in. “This isn’t surprising to me because Jeff never met a stranger ... He always was so generous and outgoing.” Athletic history
Jeff, who was born in 1958, grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City as the middle child of five. From a young age, he was an impressive athlete, showing specific strengths as a discus thrower and football player during his high school years. “During his senior year, he was able to bench press 610 pounds,” his brother, Tim Gaylord, said at the
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