WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2024
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 3
Joshua Rivero takes his seat as Parker’s eighth mayor
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A look back at 2024: In photos
Applications open to fill vacancy on town council BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Parker’s Town Hall erupted with excitement on Monday night Dec. 16 as family members, Parker Chamber of Commerce staff and others welcomed Joshua Rivero as Parker’s eighth mayor. “It has always been my goal to serve my community,” Rivero said after taking his seat as mayor. “I was the guy that owned a coffee shop — and I’ve said it countless times — wore shorts every day and was nowhere close to being a politician.” Rivero reflected on the moment from 12 years ago when he realized he had a bigger passion to serve the community and decided to run for town council. His service to the community extended to the State capitol earlier this year when he was selected to serve on the Colorado Municipal League Executive Board to represent Parker among 270 cities and towns. The board works to improve municipal governance. With several previous Parker mayors in the room, Rivero thanked them for their guidance. He also presented outgoing Mayor Jeff Toborg with a street sign with his name on it as well as a gavel. “A good man won in Parker and on Nov. 5, Parker won,” said Toborg. “It’s not an individual, it’s not me, it’s not Josh. It’s the continuity of government that serves you and that’s what’s important.” The race between Toborg and Rivero was one of the tightest in Douglas County this election season. As ballots continued to be counted in the days after Nov. 5, the margin between the candidates slowly closed in. The town announced on Nov. 18 that Rivero had won with 50.73% of the vote, less than a point difference between the two. Incumbent Councilmembers John Diak, Laura Hefta and Todd Hendreks were also sworn in to serve another term on the Parker Town Council, and will continue to serve with Councilmembers Anne Barrington and Brandi Wilks. Hefta said that despite it feeling like it was a long campaign season, she is filled with joy to get to serve again. Hendreks SEE RIVERO, P12
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Describing himself as “rough around the edges” and “an old-school metalhead who is a coffee and soda connoisseur,” Dan Klehm opened his passion project, Convict Coffee Company, on Parker Road in April. After years of being in the correctional system, Klehm believes incarceration is not an effective way to change someone, unless rehabilitation is included. His hope is that Convict Coffee can provide youth a safe place to hang out PHOTO BY HALEY LENA and keep them out of trouble. BY COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA’S DOUGLAS AND ELBERT COUNTY REPORTERS
From cheering on a local Olympian to approving a school-construction bond in Douglas County and hearing Elbert County’s first-ever official song, the news from 2024 is something to remember. With new elected officials taking office and new land developments getting underway throughout the south metro area, here is a look back at some of Douglas and Elbert counties’ most memorable stories.
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | PUZZLES: 18
Highlands Ranch mom and sheriff call for stricter laws, more traffic safety after funeral for Alex Mackiewicz
In March, Alexander Mackiewicz,13, was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing Highlands Ranch Parkway. Two weeks later, his mother Victoria Cegielski and stepfather, Owen Cegielski, were joined by Douglas County Sheriff ’ Darren Weekly at the Highlands Ranch substation to talk about Alex’s character. In addition to establishing a permanent memorial at the intersection where Alex was killed, the family and Weekly called
for tougher traffic safety laws. In Lone Tree, mayor’s race sparks excitement for first time in a generation
For the first time in 16 years, the City of Lone Tree had a contested mayoral race between two experienced city council members, Wynne Shaw and Marissa Harmon. With their campaigns revealing similar values, the candidates received varying levels of support from residents and other elected officials, SEE LOOK BACK, P8
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