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May 13, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 13
Property tax revaluation concerns county residents Rising numbers raise fears about effects of development BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The acquisition is the first for NTLN, a nascent nonprofit that seeks to leverage national foundation funding to buy and bolster local newspapers threatened by faltering business models and the encroachment of hedge funds and corporate conglomerates. The Colorado Sun, a statewide news outlet founded and run by former Denver Post journalists, will oversee daily operations at Colorado Community Media.
Elbert County’s latest bi-yearly property tax valuations were released on May 3, causing concern for residents and property owners. Elbert County residents are especially concerned about the rising assessed value of their homes. Residents are also concerned that the recent explosion of growth in Elbert County will continue to impact property tax valuations for years and decades to come. Jane Penley, former Elbert County agricultural assessor, shared her concerns for the future of Elbert County residents and property owners. “We’ll see the biggest impact in the 2023 revaluation,” said Penley. “People within the town of Elizabeth that are living in homes that are 20-25 years old, their value is going to be extremely impacted.” The Elbert County Assessor’s Office, run by Assessor Susan Murphy, is responsible for determining
SEE SOLD, P2
SEE REVALUATION, P7
Ann Healey, former co-owner of Colorado Community Media, speaks during a meeting announcing the sale of the print and digital news company. At right, former publisher and co-owner Jerry Healey and reporter Thelma Grimes listen. PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN
‘Tell stories that matter:’ Colorado Community Media sold to news entity Colorado Sun, national foundation to take the reins of two dozen Denver-area newspapers BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado Community Media, the company that produces two dozen newspapers around the Denver-ar-
ea suburbs — including the Elbert County News — and two shoppers has been acquired by a local and national partnership with the goal of building a sustainable business model for local news, its ownership announced on May 3. Jerry and Ann Healey, the couple who built the company over the past decade, sold the network of papers that now spans eight counties and dozens of communities to a joint partnership between the National Trust for Local News, or NTLN, and The Colorado Sun.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
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Apple cider lovers enjoy sampling season P16
2 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
We were blessed with the opportunities to tell your stories New owners are committed to our brand of journalism
O
ur journey in journalism started in the early 1980s, as recent college graduates — me, as a reporter at The Miami Herald, then one of the country’s largest papers; Jerry in the newspaper’s advertising department. Back in those days, rarely did editorial and advertising departments cross paths. If it hadn’t been for a company softball team, we might Ann Macari never have met. Healey After we married, we moved to Rhode Island to work for the Providence Journal-Bulletin. After a few years there, we thought: Why not run our own paper? We seemed like an ideal partnership. I had editorial covered; Jerry Healey Jerry, the business end. So we moved to Chicago to run a community paper for a friend’s father — to learn, to see how it felt, to find out whether we could make the
transition from larger publications to a hyperlocal endeavor. We decided we could. And after a year, in 1989, we rode a train to Denver, bought a small paper in Littleton and began a 22-year adventure that has defined much of our lives. Today, our company publishes 26 newspapers and publications in metro Denver and beyond. Journalism in any place and at any level — large, medium, small — is exciting and purposeful for those of us who ply the profession. But for Jerry and me, it also has been about our bond to our readers and advertisers. It’s personal. We have cared deeply about the quality of your lives and success of your businesses. We were called to tell your stories with truth, accuracy, fairness and compassion. We still remember the excitement of longtime Littleton residents at having local ownership of their paper. They understood, better than us at that time, how important it is for those who run newspapers to know the communities they cover, to understand the historic, social and economic narratives that shape a place and its people. Between 2004 and 2020 in the United States, at least 1,800 communities lost their local newspapers, according to a recently published report. That leaves these communities without a voice, without government accountability — whether it be schools or city hall — or reliable
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means to connect with each other. The death of journalism in any community is a tragedy and a crumbling of our democratic foundation. That’s not happening here because the new owners of our company — a joint partnership between the nonprofit National Trust for Local News and The Colorado Sun — are committed to the same brand of journalism that we have brought you. (Please see accompanying story.) They are talented, innovative and mission-driven. They will not only ensure the papers’ legacies in your communities continue, but also that community newspapers thrive in new and creative ways. And we ask you — our readers, businesses, advertisers and community leaders — to continue to support them as you’ve supported us. It is difficult to sum up this journey of ours in a few, good words. In the beginning, it was Jerry and me and a handful of passionate, part-time freelance reporters working out of a bookshop. When the opportunity arose to acquire the historic Littleton Independent and two other neighboring papers, we couldn’t find a bank to take a chance on us. Family stepped in and gave us a loan, like any bank, with interest and a strict, no-fudging repayment timeline. We stepped away for some years to explore other interests. But in 2011, the opportunity to help turn around a group of struggling community papers drew Jerry back. And little by little, more papers, some also struggling, were added. There were those who doubted the wisdom of investing financially and emotionally in an industry many have labeled as dying. And, certainly, some of the papers we acquired no longer had the reader and advertising support they once enjoyed. But they did have roots, deep roots, some going back more than 100 years —the Golden Transcript, for instance, is 153 years strong.
SOLD FROM PAGE 1
With the Healeys looking toward retirement and hoping to leave the company in good hands, publisher Jerry Healey said the deal was the best he could have hoped for. “We were looking for new owners who understand the purpose of community newspapers,” Jerry said. “Someone who believed in our mission to tell stories that matter in our communities, not just in sending profits back East. They have the heart and vision for what could be a way to preserve and grow local papers everywhere, not just ours.” Ann said she has total confidence in the new owners. “They’re in it for the right reasons,” she said, “and they really care about journalism.” The acquisition charts a new path forward for family-owned legacy newspapers, said Larry Ryckman, the editor and co-founder of the Colorado Sun.
How do you let such legacies go without a fight? The fight required perseverance, creativity, difficult decisions, a lot of energy for long days and — the key — a small army of editorial, advertising, production and business staff who believed fervently in community newspapers. Colorado Community Media’s success belongs to its people. Our staff throughout the years has been incredibly talented. They have worked together through good times and bad to deliver the news to you every week. Jerry and I are profoundly grateful for their dedication, contributions — and friendships. We feel privileged to have helped local businesses achieve direct access to readers. We feel rewarded that we told the stories that otherwise would not have been heard. There are so many, but a few in recent years include the joyful drive-by pandemic celebration of a woman’s 100th birthday. Economic challenges of local shopping centers. Black students confronted by racism. Comprehensive local election guides. The quest of a man dying of cancer to complete his dream. A year-long look at the state of mental health in one county. Families’ struggles to pay the rent when jobs were lost. High school graduations. And all those triumphs and defeats in our community sports pages. Jerry and I are leaving for a few reasons: We are nearing retirement. We would like to spend more time with our children and granddaughter. We would like to see what else is in store for us. But we also felt it was time for new energy and vision for our papers and the communities they serve. We feel fortunate to have found new owners who can bring that. For Jerry and me, that means we can say goodbye, feeling secure about these papers’ future, and blessed for having had the opportunity to tell your stories. “This is a cool opportunity to demonstrate to Colorado and the country that we can find a way to keep local journalism in local hands,” Ryckman said. “My expectation is we’ll hire additional people. Readers will keep seeing the journalism they trust and support, but we can breathe some energy into both the print and digital operations.” The approach will be gradual and thoughtful, he said. “We don’t want to come in and say how to run the shop,” Ryckman said. “I want to be humble and listen to readers and employees and figure out the best way forward. Job one is to not break anything.” Newspapers for sale The Healeys began quietly hunting for a buyer around Thanksgiving 2020, Jerry Healey said. He approached Laura Frank, the executive director of the Colorado News Collaborative or COLab, a nonprofit statewide network that works to strengthen local journalism, asking if she knew of any SEE SOLD, P4
Elbert County News 3
May 13, 2021
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4 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
SOLD FROM PAGE 2
potential buyers who would preserve and grow local news. Frank connected him to Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of NTLN. The timing was serendipitous, Shapiro said. Just over a month earlier, NTLN had published its concept paper through Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. The situation in local news nationwide is dire, the concept paper says. Though many small familyrun operations remain profitable around the country, they face serious headwinds from declining advertising revenue and print subscriptions. Digital advertising struggles to make up the difference, especially as corporate behemoths like Facebook and Google have gobbled up much of the available online ad revenue. Waves of consolidation and acquisitions have left a third of America’s newspapers in the hands of 25 companies as of 2018, the paper says, with more than 1,800 newspapers shut down in the last 15 years. “The most powerful newspaper owners are now private capital holding companies whose expectations for profit and return have strongly influenced local newsrooms’ size, quality, and resource levels,” the paper reads in part. Corporate ownership entangles newspapers in a “downward spiral” that slashes newspapers’ legitimacy
Jerry and Ann Healey, left, sold Colorado Community Media to a national and local partnership between the National Trust for Local News and the Colorado Sun designed to bolster local journalism. From left: Jerry Healey and Ann Healey, former CCM owners, Fraser Nelson and Marc Hand of the National Trust for Local News, Colorado Sun editors Dana Coffield and Larry Ryckman, National Trust CEO Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, and PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN Lillian Ruiz of the National Trust.
and capabilities, it says. Though some newspapers have been preserved by local “angel investors” or billionaires who take them on — as is the case at the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Colorado Springs Gazette — that model is not replicable on a large scale. NTLN draws inspiration from public radio, which in recent decades has built a diversified funding model built on grants, foundations, underwriting and listener support, while still retaining local control. “The new business model is ‘all of the above,’” Shapiro said. “It’s advertising, philanthropy and smalldollar giving. We’re pragmatists
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— let’s get the news funded as many different ways as we can. Multiple revenue streams preserve independence.” The CCM acquisition — the terms and price of which are confidential — brings together an array of funders. The deal was funded by FJC, a boutique public charity that specializes in nonprofit loans, Shapiro said. The loan is guaranteed by the American Journalism Project, a venture philanthropy organization; the Colorado Trust, a health equity organization; and the Gates Family Foundation, a philanthropic group with its roots in Denver’s Gates Rubber Company.
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A grant from the Colorado Media Project, a grant-funded initiative that advocates for journalistic innovation, supported a portion of the legal costs and connected NTLN to local funders. Operational support is being provided by the Knight Foundation, a national arts and journalism philanthropic group; the Google News Initiative, which partners with local news organizations; and the Democracy Fund, a nonpartisan foundation that seeks to strengthen civic engagement. None of the foundations will have any say over CCM’s content or editorial direction, she said. Acquiring CCM is an exciting chance to prove the NTLN concept, Shapiro said. “There has to be more to the story of American journalism in the 21st century than all the destruction we see,” she said. “This is setting up CCM for the long term. It’s not going to get sold to a conglomerate or hedge fund and shut down. We’re setting these papers up on strong footing, but it’s going to be up to the communities to keep them that way.” Here comes the Sun NTLN provided the funding for the acquisition and will provide consulting and business services, but the ultimate goal is to hand off control and ownership to The Colorado Sun, Shapiro said. The Sun was founded by former Denver Post journalists who left in 2018, following moves by Alden
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Elbert County News 5
May 13, 2021
To mask or not to mask? Confusing new mandate has Elbert County folks shaking their heads BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Gov. Jared Polis once again extended the executive order requiring Coloradans to wear facial coverings when in public places, adding another 30 days, extending the order to June 2. Polis’ new mandate includes some language that has Coloradans, including Elbert County residents, wondering what to do next. The mandate still requires school students and personnel to wear masks, as well as people in nursing homes, prisons or in public areas of state government facilities. However, an exception has been created for mask rules in public indoor spaces, saying “individuals are permitted to remove their medical or non-medical cloth face covering in Public Indoor Spaces if 80% of the individuals in the Public Indoor Space have shown proof of vaccina-
Advisories on when and where to wear masks keeps shifting as vaccination levels rise.
tion,” in the words of the public health order. Elbert County resident Dean Gerdan said he can’t imagine how that plan would be attainable. “In theory it’s good, the more vaccinated people the better,” said Gerdan. “But how are we supposed to know if they’re vaccinated? Asking for their vaccination
card seems like asking to see their “papers” to be able to go into restaurants and businesses. That’s a slippery slope that I don’t think anyone in Elbert County is going to go along with.” Elbert County Commissioner Chris Richardson said the mandate could have some benefits in theory, but that there is no way to
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enforce the mandate, and neither the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment nor the governor’s office have given any guidelines for enforcing the mandate. “It’s a reasonable hope, but there’s no way we can even consider enforcing it,” said Richardson. “There’s probably a valid scientific
method to the 80% rule, but there is just no legal way to know if someone been vaccinated. We can’t legally enforce that.” Elbert County commissioners have taken the stance throughout the pandemic that their residents will make good choices for themselves, and have preferred to inform residents and trust then to make right decisions. “Our position has always been that residents of Elbert County are responsible adults and make sure they are aware of the mandate and exemptions,” said Richardson. “We trust they will make the right decisions for them and their families.” Shelby Weiman, a spokesperson for Polis’ office, issued this statement in regard to how the mandate would be enforced. “Per CDPHE guidance: “Businesses or facilities should err on the side of assuming that people entering their indoor site are unvaccinated, unless they show proof of vaccination. An individual can show proof by showing their vaccination card, a picture of the vaccination card on a cell phone, or a copy of their immunization records.”
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If you choose, you can wait to repay your loan when you permanently leave your home. Although a reverse mortgage requires no monthly mortgage payments, you are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of your home, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and, if required, HOA fees. “Working with Jarred Talmadge and AAG was a very nice experience,” said AAG customer Angela Pendergraft. “No pressure or feelings of anxiety. He answered all our questions and concerns leaving us feeling comfortable with our decision to do a reverse mortgage.” If you want to learn how a reverse mortgage can specifically improve your retirement, AAG Market Sales Manager Jarred Talmadge, NMLS# 1842043, and his team are ready to assist you. Jarred can also address all your questions and concerns by calling (303) 957-3653 today.
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6 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
SOLD FROM PAGE 4
Global Capital, the newspaper’s hedge fund ownership, that slashed dozens of news staff and moved the newsroom from downtown Denver to the newspaper’s Adams County printing plant. Since its founding, the Sun has proven to be resilient and wellsupported, said Ryckman, the editor and co-founder. “Our business model is so simple it sounds naive,” Ryckman said. “Treat readers with respect. Don’t scam them with clickbait, autoplay videos or pop-up ads. Give them journalism worthy of their support. We’ve seen tremendous growth in readership and paying membership.” The Sun is in a growth phase, he said. “We started with 10 full-timers, and we’ll have 16 next month, and we’re aiming for 20 by midsummer,” he said. “We do have statewide ambitions, and our goal is to fill the gaps and do the stories others aren’t doing.” CCM fits nicely into that goal, he said. Like the Sun, CCM will be operated as a public benefit corporation, meaning while it remains for-profit, it has no obligation to maximize shareholder profits. “Strictly for-profit means you do whatever you can to make as much money as you can,” Ryckman said. “If that means layoffs or selling real estate, so be it. In a public benefit corporation, you need to treat it
Jerry and Ann Healey, left, sold Colorado Community Media to a national and local partnership between the National Trust for Local News and the Colorado Sun designed to bolster local journalism. PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN
like a business, but the first goal is to serve the public. Journalism is too important to be in the hands of strip-mining hedge funds.” Ryckman said he hopes to bolster CCM’s existing strengths and connections to the communities it serves. “CCM will remain independent, but we can find ways to help and collaborate on the business and news side,” he said. The two already have an established working relationship — CCM reporter Jessica Gibbs and Colorado Sun reporter Jesse Paul recently took home an award from the Society for Professional Journalists for a series on how COVID affected public health workers. “We can be great resources,” Ryckman said. “We’re run by journalists. We’ve got Pulitzer Prize winners on staff. The Sun is the most collaborative place I’ve ever worked, and
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that’s the spirit I want to bring to this endeavor.” It’s too soon to say what staffing will look like going forward, but Ryckman said they have no plans to fire anyone, and a new digital editor is likely. The Sun will also begin a search for a new permanent publisher for CCM, though Jerry Healey will stay on for a time as a consultant. The Sun’s leadership plans to listen to readers to figure out a path forward, said Sun editor Dana Coffield. “These are changing times, and we need to listen to what news consumers are telling us,” she said. “There’s great journalism being produced, but it may not be presented in the ways readers want to receive it. We’re looking at web platforms that are more reader-friendly, email newsletters, more of a social media presence. We’ll start with the basics, and can get more excited and ambitious from there.” That doesn’t mean print editions are going away, she said. “We hope to do print for a very long time,” she said. “But a robust internet product is important too.” In good hands For the Healeys, the deal is a great outcome for the crowning achievement of their professional lives. “We’ve taken this company as far as we can take it, and it’s time for someone else to take it to the next level,” Jerry said. The company wasn’t in danger of closing, he said, though the past year has been tough. Half the company’s advertisers
either backed out or cut ads last spring, and reporters each took a week of furlough. Several salespeople who left weren’t replaced. CCM received $255,800 in Paycheck Protection Program loans last year, according to federal records. “I’m not afraid to say PPP money got us through last spring,” he said. “The government stepped up. We would have gone into our savings to keep it going, but we wouldn’t have closed the newspapers. It gave us the ability to focus on the company and pay the bills.” The company had strong showings in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, Jerry said. “Advertisers were coming back, and I’m most proud of my management during COVID,” he said. The company stayed bullish, with the Healeys buying seven newspapers from Landmark Community Newspapers in October. Ann said the acquisition is a win for the newspapers, some of which date back more than a century — or in the case of the Golden Transcript, to the Gold Rush. But it’s also a win for readers, she said. “These days people can get lost in the cacophony of social media and snap judgments, and it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important,” she said. “We’re making sure these communities still have their voices heard through active, high-quality journalism. We feel like we’re just a small part of the history of these papers and these communities, but we’re so excited for this opportunity to hand them off and make them better and stronger.”
Elbert County News 7
May 13, 2021
TIME FOR A WORKOUT Memorial Day office closure Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, May 31, 2021. Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com
Behind on your rent caused by COVID-19 impacts? Douglas County residents, impacted by COVID-19, who are behind on their rent or utility payments may be eligible for assistance through the Douglas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Review eligibility details and apply at douglas.co.us/rentassistance
Free Electronics Recycling The Castle Rock Police Department and Mesa Middle School Bears took to the gym for a COURTESY PHOTOS unified kickball game on May 5.
Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora. Drop off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more information visit douglas.co.us/community-recycling
Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.com
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Buttercup, the new SRO K-9, was part of the audience when the Castle Rock Police Department and Mesa Middle School Bears played a unified kickball game on May 5.
REVALUATION FROM PAGE 1
the actual value of local property. The state of Colorado has frozen residential valuation at 7.15% of actual value while commercial property, agricultural land, agricultural outbuildings and vacant land has been frozen at 29%. The residential assessment rate moved from 7.2% to 7.15% for years starting on or after January 1, 2019. Even though there has been a small decrease in the rate, Elbert County homes are being assessed much higher this year as a result of increased development in the area and its effect on rising home values. To calculate your personal property taxes for this year, see the example calculation below: Actual home value $275,000 (Piece that is changing due to new assessment)
Residential assessment rate × 0.0715 (2021) Assessed value $19,662.50 Tax rate × 0.075541 Taxes due $1,485.32 Residents argue that they cannot afford to pay the property tax and already plan to dispute the new revaluation. “The assessor said my house went up $100,000 in value last year,” said local homeowner Carl Greenstreet. “I literally can’t afford to pay it so I’m going to dispute it.” When asked for his thoughts about the local impact of increased property taxes and whether they will benefit the county in some way, Elbert County Manager Sam Albrecht did not reply. For more information about the Elbert County property tax valuation process, including information on the appeal process, visit www.elbertcounty-co.gov/264/ Assessor.
Visit eight Douglas County Open Space or Park locations, and look for clues to crack the code. Pick up your 2021 booklet today, discover new places, and decode the secret of Douglas County Outdoors! Visit dcoutdoors. org/decode to start your outdoor adventure.
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8 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
‘Road Work’ features sculptures, drawings, paintings
D
enver artist Andrew Jensdotter will show new work in an exhibit called “Road Work.” The show features sculptures, drawings and paintings SONYA’S on the first and SAMPLER second floor of the K Contemporary gallery at 1412 Wazee St. in Denver. 303-590-9800, kcontemporaryart. com. “Road Work” will feature the signature carved latex paintings in a series of persona Sonya Ellingboe portraits which the artist terms “character icons.” Opening event 2-4 pm. on May 15; show runs through June 26. The gallery requests advance reservations due to capacity limits. ‘Loosen Up’ art workshop Bob Burridge is an award-winning industrial designer who left the corporate world to focus on painting every day. He will present a workshop via Zoom two half-days: April 30 and May 1 from 9 a.m. to noon for the Heritage Fine Arts Guild. His work is exhibited internationally and his workshops offer subjects for everyone. Cost: $100 for Heritage Fine Art Guild Members, $130 for non-members. Register at heritage-guild.com. Select Workshops. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the workshop. For additional information, contact
From left, “Artifex,” “Sarmenti Scurrae” and “Obliquatar” are paintings by Andrew Jensdotter that will be exhibited at the K ConCOURTESY PHOTO temporary gallery in Denver.
Mary kay Jacobus at mkstudio@ comcast.net. ‘Shout! The Mod Musical’ Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. in downtown Littleton, will present “Shout! The Mod Musical” by Phillip George, David Lowenstein and Peter Charles Morris — with safety protocols and precautions in place (which means limited tickets) May 21-30. Tickets: $37 to $52 at the box office, 303-794-2787 ext. 5. Director is Kate Vallee. Curtain times: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. townhallartscenter.org.
Opera at Hudson Gardens While Hudson Gardens is not presenting its summer concert series, it will be a summer home for Central City Opera this year, with “Rigoletto” by Verdi and “Carousel” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. See centralcityopera.org for tickets. Purcell’s hour long opera, “Dido and Aeneas” and the CCO’s annual Al Fresco concert series will be presented in the opera house gardens in Central City. Tickets at Central City Opera. Call for artists The annual All Colorado Art Show will be held at the Depot Art Gallery in Littleton from July 27 to Sept. 11, with a reception and awards ceremony scheduled on July 30 with the announcement of awards at 6 p.m. Entries in CaFE with a June 21 deadline. Jury notifications will be sent by email by July 25, delivery of artwork 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 27. (Juror not yet announced.) Open to all Colorado artists, this exhibit has long been part of Western Welcome Week in Littleton. CVA “Reconnect: MSU Denver Alumni Exhibition” opens May 21 and con-
tinues until July 17 at Metro State’s Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Jurors were Carlos Fresquez, Zoe Larkins and Natascha Seideneck. There will be a ticketed opening reception on May 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Reserve through CVA’s website. Call for gallery hours: 303-294-5207 or see msudenver.edu/cva. DMNS Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, will have “Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze” on exhibit, opening June 4, which will allow guests to lose themselves in a seemingly infinite repeating pattern of mirrors. Guests will interact with it ... The museum is also offering three one-day field seminars for educators with an optional overnight camping experience with astronomy. Teachers are encouraged to help students become environmental citizens. dmns.org, 303-370-6000. Six Word Story Contest Bemis Library in Littleton held its annual Six Word Story Contest: My favorite is the Teen winner: “Mirror Mirror on the wall: Shush!” by Lauren.
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Elbert County News 9
May 13, 2021
Program aims to help new moms Strong Mamas! Thriving Babies! to provide in-home, support group services BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, a local nonprofit is teaming up with a newborn specialty clinic to give 10 expecting moms health and wellness care after the baby is born. YANA M2M (You Are Not Alone Mom 2 Mom) is teaming up with Dr. Sonal Patel of NayaCare to provide postpartum care for new moms. The program, “Strong Mamas! Thriving Babies!” will focus on supporting moms, newborns, and families. In the program, both mom and newborn will receive complete newborn medical care, lactation support, maternal wellness, pelvic therapy, and maternal mental health. Making it even better, Nikki Brooker, director of YANA M2M, said all these
services will be provided in the comforts of home. NayaCare is a home health company specifically dedicated to elevating postpartum care. To fund the program, which is estimated to cost about $1,000 per participant, Brooker said they are relying on donations and grant funding. To date, they have raised $3,000. Before month’s end, Brooker said they need to raise another $7,000 to be able to accommodate all 10 moms. According to the American Psychology Association, in the U.S. one in seven women suffer from postpartum depression, meaning 800,000 new mothers are impacted each year. “After birth, postpartum depression is a catalyst to so many issues,” Brooker said. “We can effect change and impact postpartum depression in a positive way.” Brooker said the program is not slated to replace regular OB/GYN care. It is important for new moms to continue recommended follow-ups with their regular physicians. “Strong Mamas! Thriving
COURTESY LOGO
Babies!” is a program that will complement medical services women already receive. As part of the program, the new moms will receive two, one-hour home visits from a board-certified
pediatrician, neonatologist, and a breast-feeding specialist. Additionally, moms will receive a 30-minute individualized consultation from a pelvic physical therapist. Besides one-on-one appointments,
the program also includes lab draws, unlimited texts, phone calls and support. Besides the in-home care each month, the program will also connect new moms with others through a support group. Either online or in person, the support group will allow moms to communicate with each other about issues they are all going through. To donate to the program, visit the website at yanam2m.org/strong-mamas-thriving-babies/. Now in its fifth year, YANA M2M was created by Brooker, a Highlands Ranch mom. Brooker started the nonprofit after a local mom took the lives of her children and her own life in 2016, and two months later another mom did the same. After the two tragedies, Brooker saw a need to provide extra support to mothers. YANA M2M is not just a service for new moms, it is a program that helps all moms no matter where they are in the parenting stages. To learn more about the program, visit the website at yanam2m.org/.
to the Ben Franklin Academy Class of 2021! We’re very proud of this fun-loving, smart, curious, and supportive group of graduates. Many of them have been at BFA since kindergarten, but they happily welcomed some wonderful new students along the way. During their time at BFA, they explored new interests, began life-long friendships and grew into responsible, intelligent young adults. Graduates - We know you’ll continue to excel as you transition into high school and wish you the very best!
Introducing our exceptional eighth grade graduates: Aiden Ackerson Griffin Adams Cassandra Anhuth Justin Barwind Aaron Bayne Rylie Beers Callen Beggins Tristan Bettis Gabriela Boeckman Colby Borchert Luke Borgerding Samantha Bravo Addison Buehler Sydney Campagna Claire Campbell Joshua Caster Molly Citrin Donovan Clouse
Caleb Coffey Skylar Cregier Duncan Crespo Cassidy Curtis Logan Day Lauren DeRoche Preston Dethlefs Brooklyn Dunn Gianna Elsmore Eloise Emig Aubriauna Espinoza Jalen Estes Alexander Fabela Daniel Fabela Ryan Fletemeyer Elise Foss Isabella Garcetti Jorrin Gereaux
Noelle Gibson Janie Goldberg Arial Hackerott Danica Hamburger Tyson Haufschild Ashlyn Hayden Sophia Hays Ariya Heitman Adaley Heninger Austin Hibpshman Kyra Hochhalter Zoe Hochhalter William Hoffman Justin Holmes Gabrielle Keen Natalie Keillor Matthew Kimberly Ayden Kinley
Hansika Lakkireddy Evan Lang Anthony Ligrani Vitoria Longo Oscar Mackey Rohan Mansingh Sierra McCalman Rory McNally Daniel Menker Ella Miller Mya Mills Lucas Minner Austyn Modrzewski Grady Mullen Maria Mundackal Aidan Murphy Yasmine Nekouei Dane Overdorf
Kyle Pattison Isabella Phan Gavin Piatt Ellie Pierce William Pooler Peter Porterfield Dharmik Rasineni John Ricks Evan Roper Emily Rosenbaum Michael Salberg Dallin Sarver Megan Schwartz Lucas Serna Lastra Emily Sevinsky Lilyana Smith Matthew Smith Quinlan Smythe
Conner Sobczak Nidhay Somanchi Elise Steel Asher Stockton Glenn Sutherland Lane Taylor Matthew Thiessen Ashley Thompson Mason Van Wyk Sasank Vepa Gabriela Vigil Kaleb Weaver Rowan White Grant Wollert Joseph Anthony Yerxa
10 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
From the Misfits to ‘The Lucky Ones’
W
ith theater slowly coming back to life, many companies are finding themselves taking a different approach to staging shows. Misfits Theater Company COMING started bringing ATTRACTIONS stories back in the late summer with a personal approach, and now are embracing a truly unique (and fun) new stage — Deviant Spirits Distillery in Boulder. Clarke Reader “Our first show post-pandemic was “Reach,” a two-person show taking place post Hurricane Katrina, and it was performed in late August in my backyard,” said Emily Tuckman, actor and producer of the theater company. “We have shifted gears from performing in traditional theater spaces (or fully indoor spaces) to outdoor, and partially open air, venues for the safety of both our actors and our patrons.” The company’s latest show, Lia Romeo’s “The Lucky Ones,” is running at Deviant Spirits, 2480 49th St. E in Boulder, from May 15 through May 31. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Included in the ticket price is one to two cocktails. Directed by Debe Hultgren and featuring Tuckman, Damon Guerrasio and Shannon Altner, this is the show’s West Coast premiere. It’s about best friends Vanessa and Janie and explores how they deal with a devastating
illness. We chatted with Tuckman about the show and getting theater back on its feet. Interview edited for brevity and clarity. • How did you get connected with Lia Romeo, and what made you decide this was the show you wanted to put on? Lia Romeo’s agent, Samara Harris, went to summer camp with me close to 30 years ago. We reconnected during the pandemic and she told me Lia had just moved back to Boulder. I read all of her work and fell in love with this play. • What do you hope people who see the show come away with? I hope people leave the performance re-connected with the community; I hope they feel transported, connected, and alive. And I hope we motivate other artists to create safely in our community as well. We know that it’s a bit scary to re-enter society, even once vaccinated, after so much time away. We want to assure people that we are taking every precaution ... and we are ensuring that audience members are masked and socially distanced, except for sitting with those they arrive with. All of our actors and front of house are fully vaccinated. • What does it mean to you to have live theater back, even if it’s in a different way than normal? For me, it means everything. I think those of us in the theater know that it is a lifeline in terms of our creative energy, our con-
nection with others, and the emotional fulfillment performing gives us. As an audience member, going to the theater transports us into another world; it is an escape we all desperately need right now. And to me it is worth any amount of money, and added work in terms of safety precautions, to make that happen. Get tickets for the show at www. simpletix.com/e/the-lucky-onestickets-65559. Go hunting for history at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park Lakewood’s Historic Preservation Commission is hosting a virtual or in-person self-guided scavenger hunt for all of May (Historic Preservation Month) that encourages participants to seek out unique architectural elements and historic structures found at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. Created in partnership with the park, those who complete their scavenger hunt form will be entered to win a prize. The form can be found online or at the Visitor Center in Heritage Lakewood, 801 S. Yarrow St., on Fridays and Saturdays in May between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Completed forms can be dropped off at the Visitor Center during these times as well. Learn more at Lakewood.org/ HistoricPreservation. Clarke’s Concert of the Week — ‘Broadway Yesterday and Today’ The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is bringing back live music in a delightfully intimate approach with its openair outdoor cabaret concerts
under the glass at the complex. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, local married performers Marco Robinson and Adriane Leigh Robinson will be performing “Broadway Yesterday and Today,” accompanied by a string quartet from the Colorado Symphony Tickets are sold by table with the option of two to four seats per table. A limited number of individual tickets will also be available. Visit https://www. denvercenter.org/tickets-events/ outdoor-cabaret-concerts/ for a ticket. Streaming style — ‘Pose’ Nearly a year ago I wrote about FX’s “Pose,” the series that focuses on the Black and Latino trans, gay and gendernonconforming ballroom scene of New York City in the 1980s and 90s. At the time I wrote, “In a single episode, ‘Pose’ can shatter and dazzle you with the creative power of the human spirit. It really is that good.” As the show enters its third (and sadly, final) season, I’m pleased to say it’s held onto all of its power to devastate and thrill. The cast is uniformly spectacular and the talent behind the scenes is just as remarkable “Pose” is easily one of the bets shows of this century, and you can catch the first two seasons on Netflix and the final on FX. Don’t miss it. Clarke Reader’s column on culture apears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@ hotmail.com.
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Elbert County News 11
May 13, 2021
Douglas County picks health board member Kim Muramoto will represent county to Tri-County Health Department BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County has a new representative on Tri-County Health Department’s board of health after commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Kim Muramoto in an April 27 business meeting. Muramoto, a registered nurse and the trauma system director for Centura Health, has a master’s degree in nursing and a background in trauma, injury prevention and mental health programs. Muramoto, a Lone Tree resident, attended the meeting where she was appointed and spoke to commissioners. “Right now … you can see a lot of consequences of the pandemic,” she said in the meeting. “There’s a lot of stress, mental illness, a lot of intoxicant use, and that’s kind of areas that I’ve really worked on.” Muramoto added that she sees her role as looking at evidencebased approaches and using “accurate, valid data” to serve the community. “I’m really looking forward to
Kim Muramoto, the newest addition to the Tri-County Board of Health, spoke at the Douglas County commissioners meetPHOTO BY DREW BOUCHARD ing April 27.
this opportunity just to be able to serve and really seeking that collaboration and collegiality so that we can be as effective as possible,” she said. Muramoto originally applied for an open position on the voluntary board in February, but that post was filled by Dr. Linda Fielding. When another position became available recently, the commissioners reviewed the same group of applicants and selected Muramoto. The positions now held by Fielding and Muramoto were previ-
ously held by Marsha Jaroch and Paulette Joswick, who left the board amid their disagreements with the commissioners on issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, Jaroch and Joswick co-signed a Colorado Community Media letter to the editor urging the community to voice opposition to the commissioner’s then plan to split from the health department. Joswick resigned in February and Jaroch was terminated due to that letter to the editor, according to her termination letter. In the April 27 meeting where Muramoto was selected, Commissioner Lora Thomas recalled meeting Muramoto when she was a board member for the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council. “I thought ‘my gosh, this woman is a leader,’” Thomas said in the meeting. “This woman is going to be an excellent representative for us on the Tri-County Board of Health.” Commissioner Abe Laydon said Muramoto’s willingness to serve, background, education and her interview “just blew my doors off.” “The level of confidence that the board has in you to go to Tri-County health board and represent all of us in Douglas County, not just the (commissioners), is tremendous,” Commissioner George Teal said.
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12 Elbert County News
A
LOCAL
May 13, 2021
VOICES
It’s time for some Main Street magic
s the weather continues to improve each week and spring is in full bloom, it is the perfect time to visit and support our local Main Street, experiencing the magic that a beautiful walk down the center of town can provide. There are certain WINNING shops that just WORDS seem to provide us with those “feel good” moments. The local florists are usually a great place to start our journey, especially if we want to fill our senses with the fragrant beauty Michael Norton that fills the air in and around the shop. It’s also a wonderful idea to share a little demonstration of love by picking up some flowers for someone special in our life. I have heard it said that if you want to be happy, buy an ice cream shop. Well, the next best thing to owning an ice cream shop is to stop in and grab a frozen treat. It’s
almost impossible to visit an ice cream shop and not smile. One of my very favorite things to see is the joy of families and children sharing the joy that ice cream can create. And the ice cream faces of the children as they work through the deliciousness melting all over their hands, face, and clothes is always so much fun. And if it’s not the flowers or ice cream that helps create a little magic, I am pretty confident that pizza might do the trick. Or starting the day with a breakfast at one of the local diners, coffee shops, or restaurants. And if it’s a midday visit, our local eateries always have something to fill our hearts and bellies with sensational meals. And there is possibly no better way to wind down the day of shopping on Main Street than stopping in for a little liquid refreshment at happy hour or sticking around for the dinner specials created by our favorite local chefs. It is said that it is better to give than to receive. There is probably someone in our circle of friends or in our family that has a birthday,
anniversary, or other milestone coming up in and where a thoughtful gift is in order. As we stroll along Main Street, there may be a few shops that we haven’t visited in a while, and they just might have that perfect gift we have been searching for. Maybe it’s time for a manicure and/or pedicure, a haircut, the perfect day to treat ourselves to a massage, get our shoes repaired, pick up a new outfit, grab a new pair of summer flip-flops, drop by the bank, pick up our clothes from the dry cleaner, listen to the live music, and simply just take in all the magic that our local town has to offer. Should we find ourselves in the need of a good dose of fresh air, there is nothing like walking among the shops and doing a little window shopping. As we walk along the sidewalks, we will more than likely see people holding hands, looking through smiling eyes, and just taking in the magic of Main Street. These past 14 months have been really tough on all businesses,
and our local shopkeepers, restaurateurs, jewelers, manicurists, bartenders, stylists and barbers, and all those who have provided us with awesome service for many years, could really use our smiles. If we are masked, let’s show them the smiles in our eyes. If we can be unmasked, our smile can let them know just how grateful we are for all that they do and for being there for us through the years. Spring is in full bloom, so whether it is today, tomorrow, or this weekend, I hope we will do our best to embrace our local businesses, friends, and neighbors who are all a part of the magic of Main Street. As always, I would love to hear your story at mnorton@tramazing. com. And when we remember that it is better to give than to receive, creating magic up and down Main Street, it really will be a better than good year. Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.
Oscars telecast rated PG for pretty grim
R
atings for the 2021 Academy Awards telecast were down 58% from their lowest point in the 18-49 age demographic. The previous low was set last year. QUIET The Grammys fell 51% in total DESPERATION viewers in the 18-49 demographic. It would be easy to blame the pandemic. Certainly the inability for individuals to attend movies in person has had a dramatic effect on the entire Craig Marshall film industry. ParSmith ticularly theatres. We’re staying home to watch instead. I ingest films like vitamins, but rarely watch new ones which generally rely on special effects, extremes in violence and vulgarity-laden scripts. There’s more to it than that in my case. I don’t believe in awards shows to begin with. They’re invariably subjective, padded with peculiar performanc-
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es, and, in the case of the Grammys, pay tribute to music I abhor. There are too many of them. One a week. We love to give out awards. Frame a show around the idea. Get women to wear ridiculous clothing and parade them on a red carpet. I don’t care for them now, but once upon a time I did. But only for the majors, not hair styling, makeup, key grip, lighting, or cue cards. The nominees for best song were and are a bore. Now and then (Bob Dylan’s “Things Have Changed” in 2001) there’s one that is worth listening to. How many of the Oscar-nominated films have I seen? None. How many of the Grammy-nominated performers do I listen to? None. Theories vary about why the important 18-49 demographic has tuned those programs and other award shows out. They’re overlong, for one thing. As I said, “padded.” There have been some memorable and weird moments.
Just four years ago, the Academy Award for Best Picture initially went to the wrong picture. If I could be assured that glamorous stars would bungle the whole thing like a Marx Brothers movie, I might watch. Or if the banter between presenters had any naturalness, I might watch. Or if they’d just get all of those stars in the room, tell them the results would be mailed, then make them and the audience at home watch “Sunset Boulevard,” I might too. Every year, there’s a controversy. In the recent past: not enough women and minorities represented in the industry and in the nominations. This year, a presumptive Best Actor wasn’t and an 83-year-old actor not in attendance was. The inevitable grumblers grumbled. It doesn’t matter who wins. Sure, it will look good on your resume. And your salary might jump from $10 million to $20 million, but that’s about it. How many times have you rewatched these winners?
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“Shakespeare in Love,” “Crash,” “Chicago”? Kevin Spacey (remember him) won more Academy Awards for Best Actor than Humphrey Bogart. How is that possible? Bogart didn’t win for “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Big Sleep,” “Casablanca,” “To Have and Have Not,” or “The Caine Mutiny.” He won for his performance in “The African Queen.” Quick: Who won Best Actor for his performance in 1997’s “Life is Beautiful” and then ate the theatre on his way up to receive the award? Maybe we’re just rethinking many activities once thought to be meaningful and important. And entertaining. Waiting three hours to see Sacheen Littlefeather isn’t worth it. Winners are posted online immediately and highlights wind up on YouTube forever. That includes Littlefeather. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Elbert County News, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Elbert County News 13
May 13, 2021
Considering the steps to gun violence Q&A with David Kopel BY RYAN DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In the wake of the March 22 shooting in Boulder, Colorado Community Media reporter Ryan Dunn spoke to gun safety activist Shannon Watts about the state of firearm legislation in Colorado. To gain a more complete perspective on gun safety issues in Colorado, Dunn also spoke to David Kopel, research director of the Independence Institute and adjunct law professor at the University of Denver. Kopel is the author of 17 books — including “The Truth About Gun Control” and “Things You Can Do to Protect Your Gun Rights” — and more than 100 scholarly articles published in journals from Harvard, Yale, the University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Brown University, and others. He is also an adjunct scholar with the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, D.C., and the vice chair of the Colorado State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Their conversation has been slightly edited for clarity. The suspect in the recent King Soopers shooting in Boulder is a 21-year-old recent graduate of Arvada West High School. How does a young person carry out a shooting like this? David Kopel: It’s the same unanswerable question of why anyone chooses extreme evil. Why did dictators in the 20th century murder over 200 million defenseless unarmed victims? The answer isn’t “mental illness,” because the vast majority of people with mental illness — even severe schizophrenia — are not violent or homicidal. The answer isn’t “Islam,” because the vast majority of American Muslims are tolerant and law-abiding good citizens. The defendant has a criminal history and has been characterized as “mentally unstable” by family members. How was he still able to purchase a gun? Whatever the family knew was never communicated to authorities. It’s possible that if someone had come forward, an order might have been entered against him possessing firearms. Even then, people intent on mass murder are the most difficult to prevent from acquiring guns, because the crimes are usually planned long in advance, so there’s almost always time for a criminal to acquire firearms on the black market. The United States tried alcohol bans for decades, and those failed. The federal “war on drugs”
that started in 1911 is still going on and may have caused much more harm than it prevented. The prospects for success of gun bans are even dimmer, since there are over 400 million guns in the United States; alcohol and drugs are consumables that get used up and have to be replaced, whereas firearms do not. There are a lot of mass shootings that people have never heard about because a law-abiding citizen with a firearm shot the criminal before lots of people could be killed. The Boulder store that the criminal attacked happened to be in a community where the criminal’s risk of being confronted by an armed citizen was relatively low, compared to many other locations in Colorado. The defendant was found with nine magazines over the legally specified capacity of 15 rounds. How do over-capacity magazines work, and how do gun owners get access to them despite their legal status? “Over-capacity” is an incorrect term. Most of the magazines that are banned in Colorado are standard magazines that are made by the firearms manufacturer for the particular firearm — such as the 17-round standard magazines for the Glock 17 pistol. Lawabiding citizens choose standard magazines for exact same reason that law enforcement officers do: the lawful protection of self and others. I’ve filed briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, Colorado Supreme Court, and other courts on behalf of the National Sheriffs Association and most Colorado sheriffs. As the sheriffs explain, when defenders have less reserve ammunition, they must fire fewer shots. This increases the danger that the criminals will injure the victim. Even most defensive shots by law enforcement officers miss, and a single hit is usually not enough to stop a criminal immediately. Because criminals decide the time and place for attack, a victim has to be able to deter or repel multiple assailants solely with the ammunition available in a single magazine. The legislative sponsors of the 2013 magazine ban parroted the words of the gun prohibition lobbies by claiming that standard magazines “were designed to have one purpose and that is to kill large numbers of people quickly. and have “no purpose in our community. They’re used for war.” This is hate speech against the many good people, including law enforcement officers, who own and use such magazines for lawful defense. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected gun violence? The lockdowns, forced isolation, and replacement of human interaction with screen time have had
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deleterious effects on the mental health of many millions of people. Again, the vast majority of people with mental problems are not violent, but for the very small number who are borderline, aggravating their problems can push them over the edge. The same has been true for substance abuse, domestic violence, and other crimes, some of which involve guns and some not. How would you describe the current state of gun legislation and gun culture in Colorado? Colorado has a long and constructive culture of lawful gun ownership, going back to preterritorial days. Then, as now, plenty of good people owned standard magazines and used them for lawful defense against violent attackers. Cities such as Denver, which knew that local law enforcement couldn’t protect everyone all the time, recognized the right of people to protect themselves. The current anti-gun legislation is very Trumpian. After the San Bernardino murders, candidate
Trump announced his plan for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. This was malicious lashing out at an entire group that supposedly should be punished for the heinous crimes of two people. Some of the proposed new Colorado bills are in that same vein. This includes the bill to allow persecution of gun owners in cities where such persecution is politically popular. The proposal to prohibit lawful handgun carry on university campuses by licensed adults who have passed background checks and safety training amounts to turning Colorado schools into safe zones for rapists and mass shooters. The last time such a ban was proposed, in 2013, it was defeated by the testimony of Amanda Collins, who explained how the prohibition on licensed carry at the University of Nevada-Reno resulted in her being raped in a parking garage. Legislators who say they want to reduce sexual assaults on campus should think twice before depriving victims of the means of effective defense.
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May 13, 2021
A little hard-won wisdom from one who would know
Y
ou’ve got a tale to tell. Everybody does, but people believe that yours would sell. Write a book, they say, your story is interesting/ funny/exciting. BOOKWORM And so you start to imagine the crowds at your book signing. You think about the money you’ll make. You picture the life of a writer. You should read “Consider This” by Chuck Palahniuk Terri before you go any Schlichenmeyer further. Long before he was an author of novels, Chuck Palahniuk was a truck assembly line worker with a journalism degree, struggling to be a better writer through a series of expensive, ineffective workshops. Then he met Tom Spanbauer, who offered “less a class than a dialogue.” That, says Palahniuk, is what he hopes this book will be. “If you’re dedicated to becoming an author, nothing I can say here will stop you,” Palahniuk cautions. “But if you’re not, nothing I can say will make you one.” If you were Palahniuk’s student, though, he would tell you to pay attention to the “textures” in your characters’ conversations. Use textures as you would in normal
“Consider This” book cover. COURTESY PHOTO
Author Chuck Palahniuk.
COURTESY OF DAVID MACK
conversation; they’ll help your readers know who said what, they’ll bridge conversational gaps, and they help indicate time passed. “Establish… authority” to make your characters relatable. Offer real-world context; never, ever ignore fine details; and don’t worry about making people likable. Some of literature’s best-loved characters were despicable. If you were Palahniuk’s student, he’d tell you to “plant a gun” and an object that quietly returns again and again. He’d instruct you to surprise your readers and
raise tension, both correctly, and to avoid ping-pong conversations. You’d start to listen to other people’s stories because that’s where your novel lies. You’d know how to rescue a boring character and how to write dialogue that sounds authentic. And if Palahniuk were your teacher, you’d learn this: “Don’t overthink your creative process.” Great writers are not born that way. They are molded from a mixture of sweat, rejection, odd hours, tiny pieces of notepaper, antacids, and books like “Consider This.” Your readers have a short list of things they hate in a novel, and author Chuck Palahniuk shows you how not to do those things when writing your future bestseller. Replacing bad behavior with good is part of this book, including advice that makes so much sense that you wonder why you never thought of it before. (Hint: you didn’t because you’re not his
THE BOOK “Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different” by Chuck Palahniuk c.2020, Grand Central Publishing, $27, 256 pages student). On that note, Palahniuk will delight you as he instructs, by subtly using his own advice scattered throughout this book amid stories of his struggle to become a novelist and tales of booksignings that were held on his behalf. There are shout-outs to other authors that serve as a kind of reading list for prospective writers, and yes, you’ll find a few head-scratchers that may not make sense until you’re there. Writers who are readers will enjoy this book for its anecdotes. Readers who are writers will love it for the chance to watch a master in action. If you are both, “Consider This” tells the tale.
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16 Elbert County News
Cider makers keep creative juices flowing as popularity grows BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
I
magine it’s a hot Colorado day and adults are looking for alcoholic beverages to help beat the heat. Many seek out beer, seltzers and cocktails. But, for Sam Al-Jassim and many others, the answer is cider. This fruit wine has grown in popularity in the United States and Colorado over the last 10 years, and cideries, taprooms and tasterooms have recently opened across the Denver metro area. Unfortunately, the sugary national brands have given cider a bit of a bad reputation, but locals are working to correct that, saying there’s something for everyone. “We have seen people who don’t like cider try it and come back,” Al-Jassim, a manager at Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery in Idaho Springs, said. “I feel like there’s a cider for everybody.” Like wine, the drink has a range of dryness and sweetness, with some falling at either end and some in the middle. The industry also offers a variety of flavors — anything from Locust Cider’s mojito to Colorado + 49 Cidery & Pub’s blueberry lavender. Luke Furey, operations manager at Golden-based Colorado + 49, described how he thinks of cider as a happy medium between beer and hard seltzer, saying it’s the perfect crisp and cool drink to enjoy on a hot day. Of course, there’s no reason why drinks have to be mutually exclusive as there’s plenty of local craftsmanship to go around. Brad Page, owner of Denver-based Colorado Cider Company, pointed out that the British — the world’s biggest cider drinkers — often drink beer and cider in the same sitting. And some local cideries, like Clear Creek and Colorado + 49, keep beer on tap, offer flights of beer and/or cider, and can make beer-cider mixes. And, for those who don’t drink, local cideries also offer a variety of food options. So, whether people are diehard fans, casual drinkers or uninitiated, Page and his colleagues only ask
LOCAL
LIFE
CIDER SAMPLES Want to sample local cider? Here are the sweet details on some Denver-area cideries. Clear Creek Cidery & Eatery Location: 1446 Miner St., Idaho Springs Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day Offers: Nine Colorado ciders on tap, 14 in cans; full bar and full kitchen Founded: Restaurant and bar opened Feb. 22, 2019; in-house fermentation is forthcoming Clear Fork Cider (tasting room) Location: 4965 Iris St., Wheat Ridge Hours: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays Offers: Exclusive small-batch Clear Fork ciders along with others; snacks Founded: Initial location in downtown Denver opened about five years ago; moved to current location in July 2019 and opened tasting room that September Distribution: Some local restaurants and liquor stores Events: May 1 was launch day for new ciders; participating in Lakewood’s Cider Days Oct. 2-3 at Belmar Park Colorado + 49 Cidery & Pub Location: 1100 Arapahoe St., Golden Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day Offers: In-house dry-mediums to semisweet ciders; 29 taps with about half ciders and half non-Colorado beers; full kitchen with all gluten-free menu items Founded: June 25, 2018 Distribution: Growlers to-go at Golden location only that they keep an open mind and explore the world of flavor local cideries have to offer. A blooming industry Cider is made from fermented fruit — primarily apples — and is most popular in Britain and other parts of Europe. Page, a Colorado Cider Guild board member, said it used to be a common drink in the United States but fell out of favor shortly before Prohibition. However, as the craft beverage movement began in earnest, Page said it was only a matter of time until ciders saw a revival. When Colorado Cider Company opened in 2011, it was the first commercial cidery in the area. Now, there are probably 18 across Colorado, Page estimated. Cider’s gluten-free profile is one reason it’s become so popular. It also has less sugar than beer, in most cases, and is lower in alcohol content than liquor. Thus, it’s healthier
Events: Anniversary celebration on June 25 with staff members’ “tap takeover” to introduce new ciders Colorado Cider Company (tasting room) Location: 2650 W. 2nd Ave. No. 10, Denver Hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Offers: Variety of in-house ciders Founded: 2011 Distribution: Wide-ranging at Denverarea restaurants and liquor stores Events: Participating in Lakewood’s Cider Days Oct. 2-3 at Belmar Park Locust Cider (Belmar taproom) Location: 7260 W. Alaska Drive, Unit A, Lakewood Hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m. Sundays Offers: 16 Locust Ciders on tap and others in cans; wines; small-plate food menu and snacks Founded: Seattle-based Locust Cider opened its first Colorado location in Boulder in 2019; taprooms in Fort Collins and Belmar opened fall 2020 Distribution: Wide-ranging at restaurants and liquor stores; taproom locations also offer ciders to-go Events: Participating in Lakewood’s Cider Days Oct. 2-3 at Belmar Park overall than other alcoholic drinks, industry members posited. While the industry’s growth seemingly exploded between 2013 and 2018, Page said two things have hindered it recently. The first is the pandemic, which restricted capacities and forced many cideries to survive on to-go orders. The other is the rise of hard seltzer, which breweries can massproduce much cheaper than cideries can make their products. However, the overall movement toward craft beverages in general is helping, Page said, as many Coloradans want to support smaller producers and enjoy better quality drinks. Is there an untapped market? While Page was unsure whether the metro area will see more cideries in the near future, he said the existing ones are definitely growing. Furey was more optimistic, believing that more cideries will pop up over the next five years and that
May 13, 2021
they could eventually be on par with breweries as they gain more national popularity. The success of Seattle-based Locust Cider’s new Belmar taproom also seems to indicate the cidery market is relatively untapped. Despite opening last fall — among increasing COVID-19 restrictions and poor weather — business has far exceeded expectations, manager Sarah Mutch stated. She and Eric Smith, vice president of Locust Cider-Rocky Mountains, said they can’t keg the place fast enough sometimes. “It’s a good problem to have,” Mutch said. Unlike breweries, local cideries don’t have as much geographic competition. Both Furey and Mutch pointed out that their locations are the only cideries in Golden and Lakewood, respectively. Additionally, while some cideries like Wheat Ridge’s Clear Fork Cider distribute to local restaurants and liquor stores, others like Colorado + 49 only offer theirs on-site. Although the market is growing, it’s still relatively small so everyone knows and helps each other, Smith said. The better the industry does as a whole, the better for each cidery. Keeping history fresh For Rob Bayless, Clear Fork’s director of operations, the industry is as much about the drink itself as it is about the people who enjoy it. Bayless described how he takes pride in crafting cider, explaining everything from visiting local orchards to hand-pressing the apples to letting the juice ferment for several months. “When you go to make it, it always feels like alchemy,” he said. “You start with a sweet juice, and six months later, it can end up as a completely changed product. … It’s magical to see that transformation.” Along with the taste, people can also connect with the story behind the ciders, Bayless continued. Cidermaking is very much tied to Colorado’s agricultural and orchardindustry roots. Whether people have similarly deep ties or are relatively new to Colorado, he said, “I think people can relate to that history and that story … There’s a lot of (Colorado) pride around that.”
Contact reporter Corinne Westeman at 303-567-4491 or cwesteman@coloradocommunitymedia.com, and follow her on Twitter @cwesteman.
Elbert County News 17
May 13, 2021
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18 Elbert County News
LOCAL
May 13, 2021
SPORTS
Cherry Creek boys soccer team almost had it all Ranked as No. 16 seed Creek advanced to face Fairview, but fell 2-0 BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNTYMEDIA.COM
State tournament pairings are often debated and criticized when they are revealed by the Colorado
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High School Activities Association. That was the case for this season’s boys state tournament bracket when Cherry Creek was the last team selected for the state tournament and was the No. 16 seed. However, the Bruins beat topseed Regis Jesuit, No. 9 Boulder and fourth-seeded Grandview to advance to the state championship game, which was played May 1 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Second-seeded Fairview ended Creek’s magical playoff run with a 2-0 victory as the Knights claimed their first boys state soccer title. “Things just came together for us,” said Creek’s junior team captain Cyrus Gulati. “We had one practice just before playoffs that coach put us through that kind of brought us together. He made us run for two hours straight. That just helped us click for the playoffs. “A lot of people weren’t expecting us to be in the finals. We shocked everyone by being the 16thseed and made it to the finals. We beat Regis which was the first seed in the first round and that woke a lot of people up.” After the loss to Fairview (13-01), Creek finished the abbreviated COVID-shortened season with a 9-5 record. “The team played hard but first
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ccahec.org/refresher Cherry Creek’s Cyrus Gulati takes the ball into the corner during the second half of the state boys soccer championship game on May 1 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Fairview defeated the Bruins, 2-0.
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Cherry Creek’s Carsten Jones heads up field with the ball during the May 1 boys state PHOTOS BY JIM BENTON soccer game against Fairview. The Knights won, 2-0.
let me congratulate Fairview,” said Creek coach Wilmer Barrera. “Fairview was such a great team and they deserve it. We were the 16th seed and everyone said, ‘oh they’re gone in the first round.’ There was a group that criticized us saying ‘oh why are they in the playoffs?’ We proved why. I cannot be more proud of those boys and to be at Creek. At the end of the day it is all about the journey.” Creek goalie Knox Quarles and the defenders in front of him were sharp in the scoreless first half. The Bruins had a chance to take the lead when Cyrus Gulati was tripped in the penalty area in the 46 thminute. Carter Koui took the penalty kick for the Bruins but his attempt sailed high over the goal. Six minutes later Fairview’s Sebastein Mazur booted a high shot from 30 yards away that Quarles leaped for but the ball deflected into the net. Cherry Creek kept offense pressure on the Knights but Tristan Hird scored for Fairview in the 79thminute to seal the win which denied the Bruins a chance to win their seventh state boys soccer title. “I can’t say anything that our defense did wrong,” added Barrera. “Look at Fairview’s first goal, a 30-yard shot. It was a great shot. Soccer is about momentum. We we had momentum, we got the PK and we missed it. It would have been a different game at that point. Two or three minutes after that, they scored.
Louis Kehoe (11) of Fairview ties up Cherry Creek’s Cyrus Gulati in the corner during the second half of the boys state championship game on May 1. The Knights captured the school’s first boys state soccer title with a 2-0 victory.
“It’s part of the game. That’s what I love about this game, you never know.” During the semifinals, there was a sign taped to the railing in front of the Cherry Creek fans and students that read: Bracket Busters. And ,Creek kept its hot postseason run going with a 2-0 semifinal win over Centennial League rival Grandview on April 28 at Englewood High School. Carsten Jones launched a high free kick from the left side of the pitch and the ball went into the top right corner of the goal to give Creek a 1-0 lead in the 22ndminute. Macklin Riley pushed the Bruins ahead 2-0 on a deflected shot 30 SEE CREEK, P19
Elbert County News 19
May 13, 2021
Cherry Creek’s Carsten Jones heads up field with the ball during the May 1 boys state soccer game against Fairview. The Knights won, 2-0.
REFI
Cherry Creek’s Cyrus Gulati lay on the ground after losing 2-0 in the state boys soccer championship game on May 1 at Weidner Field PHOTOS BY JIM BENTON in Colorado Springs.
CREEK FROM PAGE 18
minutes into the game and then the Creek defense withstood heavy second half Grandview pressure to secure the win. “The first goal was the key,” said Barrera. “We knew that if we scored first that we are going
to have the mindset that we are here.” Grandview coach Brian Wood felt his team was tentative early and it was hard to comeback after Creek went ahead. “That first goal was huge,” he said. “We knew the first goal was probably going to be the difference in the game because both teams defend real well and once they got one, it was really hard to break
them down. “We played a little tentative in the beginning and I tried to loosen them up before the game but they were still a little tentative. That hurt us but Cherry Creek did a great job.” Grandview finished the season with an 11-2 record and both setbacks were dealt by Cherry Creek which beat the Wolves, 3-1, on March 23.
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20 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E
Libraries set to launch into summer reading Program begins June 5, goal would benefit land conservancy STAFF REPORT
The theme for this year’s Douglas County Libraries’ annual summer reading celebration is “Galaxy DCL” and the district is encouraging people to go “To Books and Beyond,” according to a press release. The program tracks the community’s reading over the summer and hands out prizes for those who reach certain goals. Kids who read for 900 minutes or who complete their own challenge set for themselves will get either a new book or a fanny pack, depending on their age. Kids who aren’t yet reading on their own can participate by being read to, according to the release. Pre-registration for this year’s summer reading program began May 1 at DCL.org and the program will officially kick off June 5.
“We’re thrilled to be open for summer reading,” said Kristen Kallio, special events supervisor for the libraries, according to the release. “It’s such a fun tradition for us, and a great way to spark new enjoyment of reading for all ages. This year we feel it’s especially important for kids and helping them maintain their educational achievements from a pretty unusual year of learning.” Kids who register by July 31 will get a coupon for Rocket Fizz, a candy and soda shop located in Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock. Adults who sign up will get a coupon for pizza and those who complete the 900-minute challenge will get a new, reusable book bag. Summer reading kickoff celebrations will be held June 9 through 11 at various locations throughout Douglas County, including the libraries and other outdoor venues, with ice cream, activities and special guests from the Space Foundation. SEE READING, P24
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Elbert County News 21
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22 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
Coach proud of girls’ state field hockey championship 7-on-7 overtime played to speed strength of the team BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Regis Jesuit coach Spencer Wagner was probably one of the few people who relaxed a little when the state field hockey championship game went into double overtime. He knew his team might have an advantage since the game went from 11-on-11 into a 7-on-7 situation in the second OT, and the Raiders could use their speed. Cherry Creek controlled play for most of regulation time but the Raiders dominated in the overtimes and pulled out a 2-1 double overtime win in the April 29 match played at the Stutler Bowl. It was the second state title for Regis (9-1) in the past three years and was the second win over Creek this season as the teams split two earlier games. It took just 38 seconds into the second overtime period for Ellie Johnson to charge into the middle on a penalty corner and get the ball to Cate Lord who tipped in the gamewinner. “This is what we’ve been working for and this is an amazing,” said Johnson. “We have a lot of speed and that translates into our game. So 7-on-7 really helps us.” Lord didn’t have much time before
Ella Pratt (4) scored Cherry Creek’s only goal of the game during the state hockey field PHOTO BY JIM BENTON championship game on April 29 at the Stutler Bowl.
before just in case it gets to that,” added Lord. “We just have really good connections moving down field so I think that was to our advantage.” Lily Castiglione put Regis ahead 1-0 with with 8:13 left in the second period but Creek’s Ella Pratt tied the game on a penalty stroke in the third period and the teams went into overtime. “I was excited to see what we could do 7-on-7 because we practice it,” said Wagner. “We looked good. We have a core of very strong players and they practice together. We put those same six players together over and over. I think that’s one of the reasons that 7-on-7 went in our favor.” Wagner admitted the game was “a little draining.” “This is more relief for me than celebration,” he continued. “It took a lot to get here. We’ve been quarantined, masked, canceled and snowed out. It’s been a lot. “I thought the game was phenomenal, and I thought Creek played phenomenal. Last time we scored four goals against them but they shut us down and kept us to one goal for 70 minutes until the second overtime. But we trained and prepared for it and got ready for overtime. I couldn’t be prouder.” Cherry Creek finished the COVID shortened season with a 10-2 record. “The hardest thing is watching
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STATE FROM PAGE 22
this team progress and be the best team in the state and lose the last game,” said Creek coach Clara Detrick-Yee. “I told them there was nothing more they could have done except put one more in and they were definitely the dominating team in the game. “The first overtime we had 10 really strong players. In 7-on-7 we just lose strength and definitely speed and quickness,” Regis, which won the 2018
state trophy with a 2-1 overtime win over Creek and was seeded fourth in this season’s state bracket, ushered out top-seeded Colorado Academy in one of the April 24 semifinals. Castiglione had two goals in the Raiders’ semifinal win while Lord scored the other goal for Regis. Creek, the No. 2 seed, got a 2-1 semifinal win over third-seeded Palmer Ridge. Alexandra Michelotti and Emily Sands had the Bruins’ goals as Creek advanced into the state finals for the eighth time. It was the school’s first title appearance since a 2007 state championship victory over Colorado Academy.
Regis Jesuit players were all smiles after a 2-1 double overtime win over Cherry Creek in the state championship girls field hockey game played April 29 at the Stutler Bowl. Regis coach PHOTO BY JIM BENTON Spencer Wagner is in the background.
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Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals City and County Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR FINAL PLAT FOR SPRING VALLEY RANCH, FILING NO. 6 (CASE NUMBER FP-18-0075) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SPRING VALLEY RANCH, FILING NO. 6 PROPERTY, LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF CR 174 and CR 21, SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH, RANGE 64 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO, SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR A FINAL PLAT, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF 247 DWELLING UNITS AND TRACTS A-K (11 TOTAL), PURSUANT TO ELBERT COUNTY REGULATIONS. FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROPOSAL MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE CDS DEPARTMENT OFFICE AT (303) 621-3136. THE HEARING IS TO BE HELD BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE 1st DAY OF JUNE, 2021, AT 7:00 P.M., OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE, BOTH VIA ZOOM AND IN-PERSON: • VIA ZOOM: o MEETING ID: 927 3180 4644; o PASSWORD: 123123; o PHONE: (720) 928-9299, 92731804644#, 0#, 123123# • IN-PERSON: IN THE ELBERT COUNTY AGRICULTURE BUILDING, 95 UTE AVENUE, KIOWA, COLORADO. – AND – THE HEARING IS TO BE HELD BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON JUNE 30, 2021, AT 1:00 P.M., OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE, BOTH VIA ONLINE AND IN-PERSON: • VIA ONLINE: o WEBSITE: HTTPS://ELBERTCOUNTY.GRANICUS.COM/ VIEWPUBLISHER.PHP?VIEW_ID=1 • IN-PERSON: IN THE ELBERT COUNTY AGRICULTURE BUILDING, 95 UTE AVENUE, KIOWA, COLORADO. PLEASE CHECK THE COUNTY WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE. CONTACT ELBERT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR MORE INFORMATION: (303) 621-3136. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: PARCEL ONE: PLANNING AREA G: A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH, RANGE 64 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO; SAID PARCEL BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 33, THENCE N50°08’42”E A DISTANCE OF 4813.59 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE N79°57’09”W A DISTANCE OF 648.93 FEET; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT HAVING A RADIUS OF 845.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 105°58’07”, A DISTANCE OF 1562.83 FEET (CHORD BEARS N54°10’41”W 1349.42 FEET); THENCE S72°50’17”W A DISTANCE OF 150.29 FEET; THENCE N15°27’34”W A DISTANCE OF 94.31 FEET; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT HAVING A RADIUS OF 430.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE
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OF 32°58’01”, A DISTANCE OF 247.41 FEET (CHORD BEARS N01°01’27”E 244.02 FEET); THENCE N76°54’05”W A DISTANCE OF 291.38 FEET; THENCE N45°09’38”E A DISTANCE OF 557.68 FEET; THENCE N23°54’55”E A DISTANCE OF 448.49 FEET; THENCE EAST A DISTANCE OF 1490.58 FEET; THENCE S37°35’12”E A DISTANCE OF 243.42 FEET; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT HAVING A RADIUS OF 430.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 07°53’39”, A DISTANCE OF 59.25 FEET (CHORD BEARS S48°27’59”W 59.20 FEET; THENCE S39°24’35”E A DISTANCE OF 196.77 FEET; THENCE S01°59’58”W A DISTANCE OF 675.03 FEET; THENCE S 19°38’37”E A DISTANCE OF 325.46 FEET; THENCE S01°10’03”E A DISTANCE OF 467.46 FEET; THENCE S17°35’05”W A DISTANCE OF 179.03 FEET, THENCE S69°15’27”W A DISTANCE OF 167.79 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES – APN: R120287
Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
PARCEL TWO: PLANNING AREA H: A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH, RANGE 64 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO; SAID PARCEL BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 33; THENCE N20°54’09”E A DISTANCE OF 3596.11 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE N04°14’22”E A DISTANCE OF 406.54 FEET; THENCE S84°08’18”E 15.19 FEET, THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT HAVING A RADIUS OF 535.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 23°01’25”, A DISTANCE OF 214.98 FEET (CHORD BEARS N84°20’59”E 213.54 FEET); THENCE N72°50’17”E A DISTANCE OF 462.69 FEET; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT HAVING A RADIUS OF 775.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 110°10’15”, A DISTANCE OF 1490.20 FEET (CHORD BEARS S52°04’36”E 1271.01 FEET); THENCE S03°00’32”W A DISTANCE OF 155.38 FEET; THENCE S87°41’15”W A DISTANCE OF 522.07 FEET; THENCE N84°04’52”W A DISTANCE OF 672.43 FEET; THENCE N57°02’21”W A DISTANCE OF 600.35 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO.
Legal Notice No. 24607 First Publication: May 6, 2021 Last Publication: May 20, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES – APN: R120288. Legal Notice No. 24609 First Publication: May 13, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of YUVONNE AUDREY SQUIRES, also known as YUVONNE A. SQUIRES, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR30017 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado or to the personal representative or to: Earl R. Squires, Jr., Personal Representative c/o Wolf Slatkin & Madison PC 950 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1520 Denver, CO 80246 on or before August 31, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred. Legal Notice No. 24603 First Publication: April 29, 2021
Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Rainey Arlie Gordon, aka Rainey A Gordon, aka Rainey Gordon, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR030019 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before September 8, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred. Mulvihill & Fruhwirth, P. C. Cheryl Mulvihill Attorney to the Personal Representative 19751 East Mainstreet #330 Parker, CO 80138 Phone Number: 303-841-2752
Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of CAROL BONHAM, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR030006 All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before August 29, 2021 , or the claims may be forever barred. Catherine Rose, Personal Representative 6825 Snowbird Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Legal Notice No. 24601 First Publication: April 29, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Maria Katharina Blouch, also known as Maria K. Blouch, and Maria Blouch, Deceased Case Number: 2020PR30047 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert, County, Colorado on or before August 30, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred. The original of this document is on file at the law office of Donald Glenn Peterson. /s/. Donald Glenn Peterson Donald Glenn Peterson – Attorney for Personal Representative 4100 E. Mississippi Avenue, Suite 410 Denver, CO 80246 Telephone: (303) 758-0999 Legal Notice No. 24600 First Publication: April 29, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Gwen Marie Listul, aka Gwen M. Listul, aka Gwen Listul, Deceased Case Number: 21 PR 30016 All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of
Elbert County, Colorado on or before September 7, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred. John Newsome & Associates, P.C. Attorney to the Personal Representative 516 North Tejon Street Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 Phone: (719) 246-7949 Fax: (719) 531-7113
35 days after service, if a claim has not previously been filed, may likely result in termination of your parental or your alleged parental rights to the minor child. The following documents are also served herewith: x Petition for Kinship Adoption x Petition to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship x Affidavit of Abandonment x Consent to Adoption
Legal Notice No. 24606 First Publication: May 6, 2021 Last Publication: May 20, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
Date: Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk
Name Changes
Legal Notice No.24592 First Publication: April 15, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
Public Notice
Public notice is given on March 29, 2021 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court.
JUVENILE COURT, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO 751 Ute Ave. Kiowa, CO 80117
The Petition requests that the name of Calvin David Cooke be changed to Calvin David Mullinax Case No.: 21 C 8
In re the Matter of the Petition of: LAURA PAIGE MCDANIEL and BYRON MCDANIEL, For the Adoption of a Child.
By: Jafeen Jenkins Deputy Clerk
GEM FAMILY LAW, LLC Attorney for Petitioners Ashley G. Emerson, #44867 Adeline M. Sulentich, #54548 650 S. Cherry Street Suite 500 Denver, CO 80246 Telephone: (303) 317-3239 Facsimile: (720) 438-7509 E-mail: aemerson@gemfamlaw.com asulentich@gemfamlaw.com Case Number: 2021JA1 Division: 1
Legal Notice No. 24602 First Publication: April 29, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
Adoption / Guardianship Public Notice JUVENILE COURT, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO 751 Ute Ave. Kiowa, CO 80117 The People of the State of Colorado In the interest of: A.B.M., minor child. Upon the Petition of: LAURA PAIGE MCDANIEL and BYRON MCDANIEL, And concerning: AUSTIN TIMOTHY MCDANIEL and ELIZABETH DODSON.
NOTICE OF HEARING To: Elizabeth Dodson Pursuant to §19-5-208, C.R.S., you are hereby notified that the above-named Petitioner(s) has/ have filed in this Court a verified Petition seeking to adopt a child. x An Affidavit of Abandonment has been filed alleging that you have abandoned the child for a period of one year or more and/or have failed without cause to provide reasonable support for the child for one year or more. You are further notified that an Adoption hearing is set on May 21, 2021, at 3:30 PM in the court location identified above. The Hearing will be conducted via WebEx.
GEM FAMILY LAW, LLC Attorney for Petitioners Ashley G. Emerson, #44867 Adeline M. Sulentich, #54548 650 S. Cherry Street Suite 500 Denver, CO 80246 Telephone: (303) 317-3239 Facsimile: (720) 438-7509 E-mail: aemerson@gemfamlaw.com asulentich@gemfamlaw.com Case Number: 2021JA1 Division: 1 NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROCEEDING AND SUMMONS TO RESPOND PURSUANT TO § 19-5-105, C.R.S. To the above named Respondents: You are hereby notified that a Petition for Adoption has been filed and if you wish to respond to the Petition, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 35 days after this Notice is served on you. Your response must be accompanied by the applicable filing fee of $192.00. Your failure to file a Response, or to appear, within 35 days after service, and, in the case of an alleged father, your failure to file a claim of paternity under Article 4 of Title 19, C.R.S., within
Join from a video conferencing system or application Or Click on: https:// judicial.webex.com/join/judge.gary.m.kramer Join by phone Tap to call in from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-720-650-7664 Access code: 927 598 250 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed) You are further notified that if you fail to appear for said hearing, the Court may terminate your parental rights and grant the adoption as sought by the Petitioner(s). Legal Notice No.24593 First Publication: April 15, 2021 Last Publication: May 13, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
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Elbert County Legals 5.13.21 * 1
24 Elbert County News
May 13, 2021
Robert Eilert’s artwork in new exhibit at gallery Retired emeritus professor finds joy in artistic avocation BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton Fine Art Guild members responded quickly to word that their beloved 1888 Depot Art Gallery could open again after a long, dark stretch. They found it freshly painted, with new lighting and a new system for hanging the art. (The City of Littleton owns the historic wooden building, similar to depots across the country.) The Member Appreciation Exhibit runs through May 22, to be followed by an Anniversary Show through July 24 — also of member work. Next will be the 37th All Colorado Show (see notice in my column), a celebrated part of
READING FROM PAGE 20
All participants who pre-register for “Galaxy DCL” will be entered into the library’s daily drawings
Western Welcome Week. Among Littleton Fine Arts Guild members is Robert Eilert, who said: “To work with eye and hand to create something is a blessing and a joy. I am a perpetual student and by extension a teacher.” Eilert, a retired emeritus professor of pediatrics and orthopedic surgery, grew up in Memphis, trained and served as a combat surgeon in the Air Force and Marines and then spent 43 years of his 55-year medical career in the orthopedic surgery department of Children’s Hospital of Denver. He cites fond memories of associate Dr. Frank Netter, “who was the Norman Rockwell of medical illustration and education.” “About 10 years ago, I became part of the Denver Art Students League. I worked through every studio in the building with teachers who are knowledgeable and generous. Three of my friends encouraged me to join the Littleton Fine Arts Guild, my important art
community today. “As a visual artist I have passed a series of milestones: selling to friends, selling to strangers, being accepted in juried shows and winning Best of Show. Even more important have been the friendships I have made in art. It is a gift to be able to follow my passion. “Today my avocation of painting has become a major daily event of my life in retirement as emeritus professor of pediatrics and orthopedic surgery.” He will certainly be among Colorado artists entering the annual All Colorado Arts Show, although it is open to all Colorado artists, not limited to guild members. (See “Call to artists” in my column on page 8, please.)
“Tying the Knot” is among artworks by Robert Eilert of the Littleton Fine Arts Guild. It recalls when his son, now 40, COURTESY PHOTO was an 8-year-old.
for prizes, including museum memberships, gift cards, LEGO sets and travel vouchers. The winner of the annual school contests for the most sign-ups — in elementary, middle, high school and other categories — will win $500. The community reading goal of
8 million minutes read, if met, will benefit the Douglas Land Conservancy with a $1,000 gift, courtesy of the Douglas County Libraries Foundation, according to the release. Kids Corners in the libraries are now open, and playscapes will
reopen this spring. The Parker location library will debut its brand-new playscape, U-Fix-It Pit Stop, this summer. More information on summer reading and other library events is available at DCL.org or by calling 303-791-7323.
IF YOU GO The Depot Art Gallery is currently open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 2069 W. Powers Ave., Littleton. 303795-0781, depotartgallery.org.
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Use a Reverse Mortgage to Fund Retirement Your Financial Assistance by Matt Witt
A
re you a According homeownerto62 or older? ccording author Have you ever found yourself Wade Pfau, PhD, CFA, financial having toresearch choose has between buying planning shown that food or medicine? about havingearly to coordinated use of aHow reverse mortgage in retirement outperforms “last resort”due put off a medical or dentala procedure reverse mortgage. to limited funds? If you have been faced
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loan, even your home Even meaning if you have badif credit, haveloses had value due to a market downturn, you or a bankruptcy, or a foreclosure, youyour are heirs can never be In “under not disqualified. mostwater. cases”there is a
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remedy past credit problems. And justfor to clarify—because I hearSo, thisdon’t a think youare can’t theone help you need. lot—you theget only who owns your home equity. The bank not. The Let usand helpitsyou navigate thesedoes difficult reverse mortgage is not repaid until the last financial times, call your local experts borrower leaves the home. at Silver Leaf Mortgage today at 720-458-4034 to see iftoaget Reverse You owe it to yourself the facts. Call Mortgage right you. Mortgage can me today tois see if afor Reverse help you fund your
Silver Leaf IMortgage, retirement. promise weColorado’s will never #1 pressure Reverse Mortgage Broker. you or guide towards a product that won’t meet simply answer your Matt your Witt,needs. NMLSWe’ll #1638881, questions and helpLeaf you determine President at Silver Mortgage if a Reverse Mortgage is right for you. in Centennial. Matt Witt, #1638881, Contact meNMLS at: 720-458-4034, President at Silver Leaf Mortgage or you can email me at: in Centennial. MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com Contact me at:is720-458-4034, * The homeowner still responsible for applicable property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, as well or you can email me at: as maintaining the property. MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com
720-458-4034
Located in The Streets at SouthGlenn 6972 South Vine Street | Suite 366 | Centennial, CO 80122
Don’t forget to vote for Silver Leaf Mortgage, Mortgage Company Colorado’s #1 Reverse Mortgage Reverse Mortgage Company Broker at Colorado Community MediaMortgage Best of Best 2021! Agent
Call within the next 30 days and choose one of these great offers: • A Free Appraisal • A Free Home Inspection • $1,000 Paid Towards Closing Costs Offer Code 0101CCM
Matt Witt
NMLS #1638881 Reverse Mortgage Specialist
720-458-4034
MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com
Matt Witt: Reve Mortgage Experse rt!
Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Show Hosted by Matt Witt Legends 810 and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSA 9News SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Regulated by the Department of Real Estate.