Life Above 7000 February 2026

Arts in the Community

Evergreen – An Official Colorado Creative District!

Evergreen is officially stepping onto Colorado’s creative map. The Evergreen Creative District (ECD) has received State of Colorado Creative District certification, recognizing the powerful role arts, culture, and creativity play in our mountain community. As the only unincorporated community in the state to earn this designation, Evergreen’s certification highlights something residents have long known: creativity is woven into the fabric of daily life here.

Perched at the top of the historic Lariat Loop Scenic Byway, Evergreen has served as a haven for artists, musicians, performers, and cultural organizations for generations. The Evergreen Creative District exists to empower and sustain that creative energy for current and future generations. Through programs, partnerships, professional support, and opportunities for connection, ECD helps creatives and arts organizations thrive while strengthening the quality of life that draws people to this place we call home.

Creative Districts across Colorado are intentionally designed to fuel economic vitality through the arts. The statewide program recognizes communities where creativity contributes to jobs, incomes, and investment. Certified districts attract artists and creative entrepreneurs, infusing new energy and innovation into local economies while strengthening civic pride and cultural identity. These districts become gathering points for

expression, storytelling, and shared experience, helping to build healthy and resilient communities.

In Evergreen, ECD’s early programming reflects this vision. Community-wide celebrations of live music highlight the town’s deep musical roots, while workshops and conversations support musicians at every stage of their creative journey. Interactive arts experiences invite people of all ages to make, move, listen, and participate, reinforcing the idea that creativity is not something to observe from afar, but something to step into together. Healing-focused arts programming further underscores the role creativity plays in connection, wellness, and belonging.

The district’s membership represents a rich cross-section of Evergreen’s creative ecosystem, including Center for the Arts Evergreen, Ovation West, Evergreen Players, Evergreen School of Ballet, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, Evergreen Children’s Chorale, along with individual artists, musicians, performers, and community organizers.

Led by Executive Director Ron Isaacson and President Sarah Hess, both longtime arts advocates, the Evergreen Creative District creates new opportunities to increase participation and collaboration throughout Evergreen and the surrounding mountain communities. With state certification in place, Evergreen is poised to celebrate its creative legacy while investing thoughtfully in what comes next.

Planning Ahead: A Smarter Way to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

You may not be thinking about selling this year—but what about next year, or five years from now? Take a look around your home and you can probably already spot a few things that need updating or fixing. So why not start now? To be honest, selling a home can be exhausting: repairs, sprucing, decluttering, packing, cleaning… and that’s before the sign even goes up. A little planning now can save you time, money, and a fair amount of stress later.

Start by having an experienced agent (like the Madison agents in this magazine!) assess your home and recommend updates that offer the best return on investment. Then, instead of tackling everything at once, space those improvements out over time. You get to enjoy them now— while knowing that your home will be much more attractive to potential buyers when you do sell.

High-ROI improvements often include new front doors, garage doors, and overall curb appeal. Minor kitchen updates also go a long way, and if you’re going to do them anyway, you might as well enjoy them for a few years. In the foothills, air conditioning is becoming a major selling point, and will be something you’ll appreciate long before you ever sell. Refinishing scratched wood floors or replacing worn carpet with luxury vinyl can also make a big difference.

Can you sell a home without making updates or fixes? You certainly can, but homes that show well tend to sell well, i.e., for more money. Our job as real estate agents is to present your home so buyers are excited to walk through the door. While some buyers love a fixerupper (at the right price), typically most

buyers aren’t so keen on the money, time, and effort it takes to do a lot of updates or repairs.

Ultimately, how much work or money to invest before selling is a personal decision. A good agent will help you weigh the costs and benefits of each improvement. And by thinking strategically—one, two, or even five years ahead—you can avoid the frantic lastminute rush and enjoy a calmer, more successful selling process. Give us a call!

TOP ROI PROJECTS

Flooring

Kitchen Remodel/Minor Updates

Garage Doors

Bath Remodel

Landscaping/Curb Appeal

Minor updates like replacing light fixtures and painting

Christiana Hill Hamlin Motto Mortgage Mavens Broker Owner

Battling the Beetle

It’s here in full force, another mountain pine beetle outbreak. What’s different this time is that it’s taking hold in a major way on the Front Range, including Evergreen, Conifer and surrounding areas. We can already see pockets of beetlekilled trees in our communities. The battle will continue as Federal forecasts show the beetles will begin to spread aggressively over the next five years, as warmer temperatures, drought, and lack of sustained cold periods have created the perfect condition for the beetles to spread.

The infestation is serious as the Front Range is the most heavily populated region of Colorado. Gov. Polis has created a special task force to develop strategies to protect our communities and to “seek to extend and boost wildfire mitigation and beetle kill tax incentives, …and draw on larger federal funding streams.” Pine beetle infestations occur every 10-20 or so years, and have their purpose in the cycle of nature, but given this outbreak’s location in the front range, beetle killed pine trees will greatly increase fire danger,

increase insurance costs, impact beauty and recreation, and potentially home values. A local resident with 40+ acres along old Hwy 40 has been managing dead pine beetle trees for years, but has seen it grow from perhaps 10 or so stricken trees to 500 trees in the last two years.

POTENTIAL BARK BEETLE

What can we do? First, know that the pine beetle feeds under the bark of the pine tree, and carry’s the spores of a blue fungus that infects the tree and disrupts of the flow of water, which causes the tree to die. The larvae feed throughout the winter into early spring. In June and July, larvae turn into pupae, adults emerge and exit the tree, and infest new trees from June to midSeptember.

Here is a brief recap of ways to battle the beetle, but please see more specific instructions at the resources below, or speak with an expert at one of our excellent local forest mitigation companies.

It’s important to take action early, before the infestation turns unmanageable.

Now is the time to have a professional identify infected trees. Infected trees will have popcorn-shaped masses of resin, called pitch tubes, on the

trunk that may be brown, pink or white. Remove, stack and cover the trees by April 15th. There are very specific instructions for how to stack, turn and cover the logs so that larvae are destroyed. Another option for destroying the larvae is to chip or masticate the logs.

Once early spring is here, and up to June 15th, high value trees can be treated with insecticide. This kills or deters attacking beetles. However, it’s important to make the decision knowing and understanding the impact of insecticide on wildlife, other plants and pets.

Another option is pheromones. This repels beetles before they burrow but does not kill the beetles. Packets are stapled to trunks of trees and remain active for 90-120 days and need to be used from late May to June 15th. Know that effectiveness is impacted during times of high beetle populations.

Long term, thinning dense stands, and/or creating a mixed species forest instead of our ubiquitous ponderosa pine is a good preventative practice.

Of course, all of this costs money. This is where collaboration with neighbors, something we are good at in our mountain towns, becomes important. Purchasing the insecticide in volume with neighbors and sharing a sprayer is one way to combine resources, as well as scheduling professionals together. Collaboration is crucial because if one party puts in effort while the other doesn’t, the overall impact is greatly reduced.

Next steps? Be responsible stewards of your land by staying proactive and knowledgeable, partnering with professionals as needed, and working together to do what we can to preserve the health and beauty of our foothills. And, let’s also do a snow dance and hope for a long-term cold spell this winter!

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Armato’s Clock Watch & Jewelry Repair of Lakewood CO has opened a new location in Evergreen

Making Connections Above 7K

Finding your Tribe

Making friends used to feel effortless. We met classmates in school, coworkers on the job, or other parents at our kids’ activities. But in today’s digital-first world, those organic moments of connection are becoming rare. School and work often happen remotely, behind screens, from the comfort of our homes. Convenient? Absolutely. But it also chips away at something essential—real human connection. And when you add the natural solitude of mountain living, that gap can feel even wider.

So how do we find each other again?

That’s exactly what we’re exploring in our new series, “Finding Your Tribe in the Foothills.”

The foothills communities are full of opportunities to meet people if you know where to look. Our local recreation centers, the Center for the Arts Evergreen, and the public library offer an impressive lineup of classes and workshops for all ages. New social groups are popping up that host meet-ups, hikes, happy hours, book clubs, men’s groups, and more. Both the Evergreen Newcomers and the Conifer Neighbors organizations have an amazing variety of Activity groups on their website. And whether you love it or hate it, social media can

actually be a helpful tool to plug in. You can also subscribe to community calendars so you never miss something that sparks your interest.

Recently, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and signed up for a 4-week evening art class at the Center for the Arts Evergreen. Their class offerings are truly something for everyone. What surprised me most was how naturally a connection formed. Guided by a talented instructor, five women from totally different backgrounds spent the evenings creating, laughing, and cheering each other on. By the last session, we were exchanging phone numbers and making plans to keep painting together.

If you’re searching for a new hobby, want to enjoy your hobby with others, or simply craving genuine human connection, I encourage you to explore the incredible resources and groups our mountain community has to offer. You might be surprised by the friendships waiting for you.

Explore local opportunities: www.evergreenarts.org www.evergreenrecreation.com www.jeffcolibrary.org www.evergreennewcomers.com/ activity-groups/ www.coniferneighbors.org/interestgroups/

by Kris Hoffman kris@pandorajohnproperties.com

Community

Finding Common Ground

Many moons ago I addressed the question, “How do we, as a people come together when ideologically we come from so many different places? In other words, if community is likemindedness, and we are all-over-the-board with diverse ideals and opinions, how do we get to a place where we can truly be community and live harmoniously?

We are a melting pot of varying values, viewpoints and priorities.

We come from different places with differing makeup, educational backgrounds and experiences. We have unique spiritual, philosophical and political paradigms. We are a collection of nature lovers, recreation freaks, God-seekers, party people, travelers (Pandora), homebodies (John), family folks, fitness junkies, artists, musicians, actors, business owners and on & on.

I know this is not an easy subject to broach, and there are no simplistic answers, but it’s time to go deeper so we can go higher and further as a people. The pilot article asserted that though we may have opposing paradigms, we can create good community when we join forces to make good things happen… that coalescing around wholesome common causes can break down ideological walls and build a world worth having. And God be thanked, that we at life above 7000 are seeing greater

grassroots leadership, increased nonprofit involvement, more philanthropic giving and a shared joy from accomplishing things together.

We are blown away by the collaboration between EPRD, Jeffco, the State of Colorado, the Evergreen Chamber, ELF, OV Consulting and contractors who made the beautiful north trail at the lake a reality in such short order. Just think of MALT’s preserving the land, Wild Aware’s saving the animals and EChO’s efforts in providing food & social services to so many hurting people. Consider the strength Resilience 1220 gives to our youth, the solid Inspire Program Maren has created for our special needs population, the effort that has gone into Conifer’s Library, the success of Center for the Arts Evergreen, the recent accreditation of the Evergreen Creative District, the very visible accomplishments of the Evergreen Legacy Foundation, the unity and resolve of the Boogie Brain Trust and the community & churches rallying around Evergreen Strong when the need was greatest.

The next generation is stepping forward and taking the baton from those who have laid the foundation. The vision and efforts set forth by the likes of Hank Alderfer, Linda Kirkpatrick, Peter & Peggy Eggers, John Ellis, Dick Wulf and even further back to Eugene & Barbara Sternberg and others are being realized. The fruits of Leadership Evergreen are clearly evident with

so many grads jumping in.

I’m walking on eggshells here, but let’s briefly go deeper and in this sequel propose that mostoften there is common ground to be found with those who oppose our way of thinking and doing. We have friends on both sides of the aisle, spiritually and politically. We can debate the pros and cons of multiple positions and do so in a civil way. We can agree to disagree on basic tenets and then move forward together to accomplish something that’s going to make a difference. We can learn and grow together. We can break bread and drink wine together. No name-calling, “us against them” or Facebook pot-shots are needed. We really do have more in common than not, and it behooves us to make the effort to find common ground. Yes, it’s easier to hang with those who believe the same, and sometimes it’s necessary to distance from chronic troublemakers, but in most cases, if we can keep our wits about us, we can find peace in the war that’s going on around us.

Let’s do the hard work and make peace so we can be community.

by John Erlandson John@PandoraJohnProperties.com

WHAT’S GOIN’ ON

2/07 Chill Out Winterfest, 8 am – 7 pm www.evergreenrecreation.com/

2/12 Valentine’s Day Art Show (5 pm) & Concert (6 pm) Gene Morris & El Javi, Center Stage, Evergreen

2/12- CAE Exhibition: Oh the Places You’ll Go 3/14 Center for the Arts Evergreen

2/13- EPIC Winter presented by Epic Improv 2/14 Center Stage, Evergreen, 7:30 pm

2/14 Clay Date: Wheel Throwing Create & Sip Center for the Arts, Evergreen, 6 - 8 pm

2/14 Cass Clayton Band LoveFest 2026 Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen, 6:30 pm

2/20- Songs for a New World 3/08 Center Stage, Evergreen 6:30 pm

2/22 Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Winter Recital St Laurence Episcopal Church, 3 - 5 pm

2/26 CAE Film Series #2: Keeper of the Mountains Center for the Arts, Evergreen, 6 - 8 pm

2/27 Owl Prowl with Evergreen Audubon & MALT Sacramento Creek Ranch, Fairplay, 6 - 8 pm

2/27 Mt Evans Hospice Benefit Gala Mt Vernon Canyon Club 5:30 pm

3/04 Conservation Trends in the West MALT (Mountain Area Land Trust), Evergreen, 9 - 10:30 am

3/06- An Immersive Murder Mystery - Evergreen Players

3/22 Hiwan Homestead Museum, Evergreen, 7:30 pm Friday & Saturday, Matinee 2 pm Sat & Sun

3/13 EPRD Father Daughter Dance Lake House, Evergreen, 6 - 8 pm

3/15 Celebration of Glory, Evergreen Chorale Rockland Community Church, 3 pm

3/17 CAE Art Bar: Fused Glass Garden Plate Center for the Arts, Evergreen, 6 - 8 pm

3/19 CAE Film Series Finale: Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia Center for the Arts, Evergreen, 6 - 8 pm

3/20 Decade Duos Costume Contest Echo Mountain Ski Hill, Evergreen 11 am - 8 pm

3/20- CAE Exhibition: Colorado Pastel Society Show 3/25 Center for the Arts, Evergreen

3/21 Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Prelude to Spring Rockland Community Church, 3 - 5 pm

3/21- Evergreen Audubon Nestbox Sale 3/22 Evergreen & Conifer King Soopers, 9 am - 3 pm

3/27 Blue Sky Showcase Concert John & Pandora’s in Evergreen, 6 - 9:30 pm

4/3 Faces All-Vocal Rock Band Concerts 4/4 Center Stage, Evergreen, Fri 7:30 pm | Sat 4:30 pm

4/10 Evergreen Chamber “An Evening with Our Stars” (formerly Sparkle & Shine) Business Awards & Gala Evergreen Lake House, 6 - 9:30 pm

4/11- Foothills Home & Garden Show 4/12 Conifer High School, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm Sunday 10 am - 3 pm

4/16 Meet Author & Photographer Jackie Crivello MALT (Mountain Area Land Trust), Evergreen, 3:30 - 5 pm

4/25 Spring Boogie Concert Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen

4/30- Exhibition: Women’s Caucus of Colorado 6/6 Center for the Arts, Evergreen

Wendi Richardson has been rockin’ our world for over 40 years. You’ve probably experienced her energy up on-stage with BandKamp, singing leads and harmonies to 80’s hair-band songs, playing keys, acoustic & electric guitars or mandolin and sometimes gyrating & belting out tunes front-and-center on top of a subwoofer. She’s got a lot of grit and hutzpah, and it shows.

Now, Wendi is dedicating herself to visual arts, inspired to paint like never before. You’ve possibly seen her art over the years, as they have been shown at Evergreen Gallery, CAE Shows, Denver Gallery Shows and Summer Tent Shows. Her art can be described as mixed media with an oil overlay to finish. She is eclectic, not pigeon-holed into any one subject or form. And she is spontaneous, ever experimenting and delving into the new.

Born and raised in a small Connecticut hamlet, she realized at the early age of 5 that art was her thing, and pursued that desire through college, graduating with a Fine Arts Degree. Her love of the mountains and hiking brought her to Colorado in 2017.

Of late, she has struck gold with a series of 30”x48” women rockstar paintings that are displayed in Las Vegas. Exhibited are interpretations of Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Stevie Nicks and Pink. They are incredible and capture the essence of very strong activist women performers that have made an impact on the rock scene and the world. The paintings are powerful, and I suggest they demonstrate the excellence that can be created when an artist believes to the deepest part in their subject matter. Wendi advocates for women and respects the strength she feels from these icons that have shaped her life. – John E.

Midnight to Morning: The Climb to the Cotopaxi Summmit

We go a little further afield in this issue’s View from the Top – to Ecuador to be exact. This is the view from the summit of Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s 2nd highest peak at 19,347 feet. It’s one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, also known for its beautiful symmetrical shape. For this little hiker, the smell of wafting sulphur in the air was sheer excitement, as it meant we were nearing the top. Starting at midnight, with headlamps, crampons, and ice axes in hand, and all roped up for safety, our team slowly trudged our way up the mountain in the dark, summiting at dawn to a beautiful sunrise and the gaping crater ...and to a few emotional tears of relief and joy! A lot of training, time, and preparation predicated this one moment. As with all mountaineering, weather, altitude sickness and other factors could have meant the summit was not in the cards. We were lucky - preparation met opportunity.

So why Cotopaxi? For this Colorado hiker, getting to new heights – literally - had been a long time goal. Now at the age of 65 (yipes!), it seemed now or never, and I was ready for a challenge, something to get out of the comfort zone. I worried…am I training enough? Do I have the right equipment? Am I too old? Our group had many philosophical conversations on the trip, and realized that there are multiple ways to get out of one’s comfort zone. Oft times the physical accomplishments get a lot of accolades, but there are plentiful ways to push the envelope…writing that book, doing something solo, going for the new position, making a move … it’s all about embracing discomfort and getting through fear of failure. It’s all a means to growth.

THINKING OF AN ALPINE CHALLENGE?

Cotopaxi, Orizaba (Mexico), Mt. Ranier… so many choices!

Guide Company: Mountain Madness: www. mountainmadness.com

Training Program: www.alpineathletics. net

It takes dedication though. A member of our climbing group hailed from Ohio, and the only way to train, other than the gym, was one 100 ft. high hill. Yep,

100 ft. He did that tiny hill with a heavy pack thousands of times, one day going up and down for eight straight hours! Popping up to Loveland Pass for a high altitude hike sure was more rewarding in comparison.

Even with the training, I didn’t just fly into Ecuador and run up Cotopaxi. Our group was there with a guide for 5 days, doing two acclimatation hikes to 15,000 ft and 17,000 ft, sleeping at 15,000 ft one night in a rustic stone hut, but also had several nights in lovely hotels at lower elevation (hike high, sleep low!). Combined with our physical training, this all made the actual Cotopaxi climb doable, and not nearly as miserable as I thought it would

be. It was essentially to go slow and steady – pick up the pace or waste some effort and the heart started to pound and breathing got labored. Clothing mattered too – I was in love with my huge down coat in that cold alpine air!

That teary moment at the top? All about gratitude . . . for a healthy body, for the means to do a trip like this, for a supportive spouse… and for the incredible beauty around me and the chance to experience a place in the world so magnificent.

Step up and into the discomfort – you’ll be glad you did!

By Pandora Erlandson Pandora@Pandorajohnproperties.com

This data covers the entire foothills area, from I-70 on the north to Bailey on Hwy 285 on the south. What’s happening in your particular neighborhood and price point will vary from these overall figures, which is why it is important to contact your Madison broker for specific information.

What a year 2025 was! Let's break it down. It was more like a tale of two markets in the foothills: homes that sold, and homes that sat. This was more to do with strategy, flexibility and being realistic. And it wasn't necessarily all about price (though that did have a major impact); it was also largely about presentation and how price and presentation teamed up with strategy.

New listings in the foothills surged to 4,819 for 2025—a 38% increase year over year—giving buyers more options and confidence to slow down, and creating a softer market for sellers. Closed sales still rose 4%, proving demand didn’t disappear; it simply became more selective. The listings that offered the best value moved more quickly than the ones that were not priced according to condition, updates, features and location, or didn’t present as well (i.e., staging, cleanliness, photography and the like).

With more inventory, timelines stretched. Average days on market increased from 44 to 58 days as buyers compared more homes and rewarded listings that were positioned correctly from the start. Pricing reflected that shift. Seller concessions widened to 5.8% from 4.1% last year, signaling softer negotiations overall. This wasn’t about falling values, but precision—homes that missed the mark felt it quickly while for the most part, well-priced listings continued to move.

Despite adjustments, values held steady. The average sale price reached $1,011,142 in the foothills and the median price closed at $843,500, both up 2% year over year, reinforcing that smart positioning protected value even in a tougher environment. This is really good news for the foothills, as the overall metro Denver market slipped a bit with the median home price dipping .51% since December 2024.

Looking back, one theme defined 2025: pricing mattered more than ever. Homes that sold within 15 days captured 98.5% of their original list price, while those on the market over 60 days averaged just 86.5%. Momentum paid. Testing the market did not. As we head into 2026, the takeaway is clear, those of us living “life above 7000” are in a comparatively steady, predictable market, albeit just taking a bit longer to sell. If you are thinking of selling, start preparing today –strategy, experience, and the work you put in makes the difference. The moral of the story? Who you work with matters!

Dean Dalvit

Dean Dalvit has never officially run a marathon. But when he commits to something—relationships, business, or community—he approaches it with longdistance resolve.

Dually licensed as both an architect and an engineer, Dean founded EVstudio in downtown Evergreen in 2006. What began as a small local practice has grown into a multi-office firm with nearly 100 staff across four states, now headquartered in north Denver. Despite that growth, Evergreen remains central to his story.

When his children spent afternoons at his downtown office, they became familiar with the quarter-mile stretch known as Main Street, wandering off for cookies, haircuts, or ice cream. Through those everyday moments, Dean became rooted in the downtown environment. As a member of the Evergreen Downtown Business Association (EDBA), he gained a firsthand understanding of what it means to have “boots on the ground.”

“Being a landowner in downtown, we felt like we had an opportunity to make a difference,” he says. That belief led him to help form a committee focused on infrastructure, an early step toward a long-term civic commitment.

As Dean leaned into the challenges of Evergreen’s unincorporated status, a moment involving his daughter sharpened his focus on safety. While accompanying her and a school group on a walk from Wilmot Elementary to the library, one child climbed along the rock wall through the Narrows and fell just feet from the roadway as a car rounded the curve. The incident became a turning point.

“I had no idea how complex it would be to work with CDOT and Jefferson County, who own the rights-of-way throughout Evergreen,” he recalls. “I thought getting a sidewalk would be easy. It wasn’t.”

Determined to better understand downtown’s challenges, Dean walked its full length—from the tunnel near Center Stage to the dam—photographing conditions along the way. That work informed foundational planning efforts, including the Jefferson County Trails Master Plan and the Urban Land Institute Downtown Evergreen study. It also supported a grant application to explore Evergreen’s future as a creative district, a designation realized in 2025 through the leadership of others.

Dean later played a key role in forming the Evergreen Local Improvement District, leveraging earlier planning work. The district was officially designated by the Jefferson County Commissioners in 2020, and through it, 17 projects were funded with support from the Evergreen Legacy Foundation. “I am very passionate about this mission,” he says.

What began as a small committee evolved—through several name changes—into the Evergreen Legacy Foundation (ELF). Over its first 14 years, ELF focused on infrastructure and safety improvements while building relationships with county and state agencies. In 2025, the organization transitioned into a broader community foundation, expanding its reach beyond downtown to serve Evergreen more holistically.

‘I thought getting a sidewalk would be easy. It wasn’t.’

Encouraged by an influx of young families, Dean is optimistic about Evergreen’s future leadership. “I’m incredibly encouraged by the potential for new leaders—people who will take what we’ve done and move it forward,” he says. His own volunteer journey began in his 30s.

A graduate of Columbine High School, where he attended with his wife Dana, Dean has remained connected to local schools. After the tragic shootings at Evergreen High School, ELF partnered with the school’s parent-teacher group to create a fund to accept donations and distribute support to those impacted.

Outside of work and civic life, Dean has played mandolin and guitar since high school, performing with bands including 40 Gallon Still, Open Space, and currently The Midday Sons. His home in The Trails is known as “Base Camp.” Having served roles from Scout leader to baseball coach, and now as a grandfather, Dean remains grounded in one simple priority: family comes first.

by Linda Kirkpatrick

A Legacy Lived: Vision, Community and Alderfer Ranch

John and I had the honor of living in the Alderfer Ranch house for over 11 years. We didn’t know Hank and Barbie Alderfer when we moved in, so we invited them to breakfast soon thereafter. They hadn’t been inside the home, where Hank was born and raised, for over 25 years, and seeing it again sparked stories and memories.

Amidst those stories and laughter, they gave us their opinion on our plan to change the 1950’s maroon floral wall paper in the dining room. Barbie was hesitant, citing the history and good times in that dining room, but Hank said, “It’s time.” We ultimately changed it, but working with six layers of wall paper and plaster and lathe walls was not easy!

Shortly thereafter we invited the Alderfer’s to our first annual fall open house, and Hank settled into a chair by the fireplace, just like his dad EJ used to do, and regaled our guests with stories. Then he quietly motioned us into the pantry. There, penciled into the wall, were decades of family history: height marks and names documenting the Alderfer’s and friends growing up in that house. Hank wanted our names added too. We were deeply touched.

Hank and Barbie were thrilled we were opening up their old ranch house to the community, and even more pleased that we were going to open up the Alderfer Barn, in partnership with EPRD, for the first Boogie at the Barn. Hank, as always, was all about community – he wanted his beloved ranch house and barn to be shared with others. Our friendship blossomed.

The Alderfer name is ubiquitous to Evergreen. Born and raised at Alderfer Ranch, built around the late 1890’s and purchased by his parents EJ and Arleta in 1946, Hank left an incredible legacy as a rancher, builder, conservationist, writer, historian and leader. His mark is everywhere in Evergreen. From the creation of Alderfer/Three Sisters Open Space in the late 1980’s, to serving on the EPRD board and his deep involvement in building the Evergreen Lake House, to the preservation of Noble Meadow (now part of Elk Meadow Open Space) to his role as a founding member of Mountain Area Land Trust. He had an unmatched knowledge of the land and a rare gift for bringing people together to protect it. Hank

was always forward moving with goals and projects in mind, using his vast knowledge to see how pieces could fit together, and who could make the next steps happen. He was gentle, kind, generous and a man of impeccable character. In today’s language, we’d call Hank a gifted connector, always linking people and ideas for the benefit of the community he cherished.

For years, Hank chronicled Evergreen’s history in his Canyon Courier column, later compiled into his beloved book Yesteryear. At Hank’s book release event in 2016, Hank asked John to read a story about Rosalie, Bierstadt, Gov. Evans and the interesting naming of what is now Mt. Blue Sky. The book contained so many other stories . . . naming the Three Sisters, stories of ranches and pioneers whose names Ralston, Bergen and Stransky and others we still see, the history of downtown Evergreen, and tales that included John Ellis, best buds with Hank growing up together in Evergreen.

Living in the Alderfer house, we never took for granted this special, magical and historical place. From full moon hikes and gathering around the fireplace, the ability to walk out the door to hike, bike, and snowshoe, to backyard parties and singer/songwriter concerts with the sun setting over the park, to our wedding in the ponderosa grove next to the house…we cherished every moment.

Hank’s vision and presence was and is everywhere. —from the quad maps of Evergreen lining the garage loft ceiling, the 1,103 open space acres out our back door, the magnificent Alderfer Barn, to the handwritten names in the pantry. When we eventually moved out, we covered those names with plexiglass so they’d never be painted over. They are, after all, part of Evergreen’s story—just like Hank.

Who are the next visionaries and change-makers in our beloved town?

Hank Alderfer 1947-2025

By Pandora Erlandson

The latest news

As a facilitator working to effect the disposition of Bergen Meadow Elementary School Campus for community use, we can report plans are moving forward:

‣ The Jefferson County Schools Board of Education accepted our proposal, offering to sell the 13-acre parcel to Jefferson County at the price stipulated by the Board of Education.

‣ Jefferson County will subdivide the land with a portion going to the Evergreen Park and Recreation District to retain athletic fields and playground equipment, reserving a space for a potential community center; additionally, a portion will go to Foothills Regional Housing to construct ~120 units of senior housing (apartment rentals considered affordable housing).

Acting as a conduit, Evergreen Legacy Foundation solicited and has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Ackerman Trust specifically to fund the water feature in the Inclusive Playground at Buchanan Park.

In the wake of the school shootings on September 10th, and partnering with the Evergreen High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association, ELF has collected more than $150,000 for the #EvergreenStrong Community Recovery Fund and continues to supervise the distribution of those funds.

your community foundation....

Curb Appeal: Why it Matters and How To Do It

A well designed entryway makes a dramatic impact on how buyers perceive a home before they even walk through the door. Why? Because first impressions are everything. A great first impression typically means the property is well cared for and move-in ready. When guests feel welcomed from the moment they arrive, they’re more likely to form an emotional connection, view the rest of the home favorably, and justify a higher offer. In competitive markets especially, an inviting entryway can be the subtle difference that helps a home sell faster and for top dollar. Here are some quick tips to get started:

• Refresh the Front Door: A fresh coat of paint on the front door and trim in a welcoming, on-trend color instantly elevates the entryway. Don’t forget sleek hardware!

• Upgrade the House Numbers: This goes for any outdated address numbers, doorbell and door knocker. Make sure they match the vibe of your home!

• Lighting: Add some statement sconces, landscape lighting and pathway lights to upgrade curb appeal after dark.

• Symmetry Matters: Matching planters on either side of the front door create balance and make the entry feel rich with a designer touch. Choose plants that match the season and the climate

• Tidy Landscaping: Trim up shrubs, edge up the beds and refresh mulch or landscaping stones. This is a quick fix to make the exterior feel maintained.

• Style the Porch with Purpose: Make it feel like an additional living space with a chair, bench or a welcome mat that makes the

space feel inviting. This “provides hospitality before they even cross the threshold.” (Housebeautiful.com)

• Define the Walkway: This guides guests to the front door and improves flow from the yard to the home. You can define a path any number of ways: from stone, to concrete to brick.

By Jenna McMenaman Jenna@madisonprops.com

What does 2026 have in store for mortgage interest rates

A new year brings a chance to reflect: what do we want to carry into 2026, and what do we want to leave behind?

If there’s one thing I’d love to leave in 2025, it’s mortgage interest rates above 6.0%.

Will we get there? The early signs for 2026 are encouraging. After several years of elevated rates, meaningful opportunities are starting to emerge. Here are the key factors to consider:

The Federal Reserve

Minutes from the Fed’s December 10th meeting were telling. Most voting members expect additional short-term rate cuts in 2026— currently projected at 2–3 cuts. While the Fed controls short-term rates, these moves often have a positive downstream effect on long-term mortgage rates. The Fed has also been clear: future cuts will be driven primarily by inflation, with unemployment as a secondary factor.

Inflation

Although inflation remained “elevated” into late 2025, it is expected to gradually decline

Marie Lynch

BROKER ASSOCIATE, REALTOR®

toward the Fed’s 2.0% target by Q2 2026. This is supported by easing rental costs. Apartment List’s December report showed rents fell 0.8%, marking the fifth consecutive month of declines—an important signal as housing costs are a major component of inflation.

Unemployment

The U.S. unemployment rate declined to 4.4% from 4.6% in the most recent BLS report. At the same time, recent job growth has been concentrated in less economically sensitive sectors such as education and healthcare. As a result, many Fed members anticipate a gradually softening labor market in 2026, which further supports the case for rate cuts.

So what does this mean for housing and mortgage rates?

Opportunity.

As interest rates stabilize and trend lower in 2026, housing demand is likely to increase, placing upward pressure on home values. Cotality reported in December that home prices

Buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s personal. With over 25 years of experience as a REALTOR®, I focus on reducing stress and bringing clarity to every step of the process. Whether it’s staging your home to shine, negotiating top dollar for your home, finding the right lender, or tracking down the perfect place, I’m here to guide with calm expertise and genuine care.

Though I was born in Cheyenne, I’ve called Colorado home since the first grade. I love its lifestyle — from hiking and running to sewing quilts and getting lost in a good mystery novel. I also proudly serve my real estate community through leadership roles and DEI work, because I believe everyone deserves to be seen and supported.

At the heart of it all, I believe: Life is Good. And your home journey should be, too.

could appreciate by 4.3% in 2026, significantly higher than earlier forecasts from Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, which projected appreciation between 1.1% and 2.5%

If Cotality’s forecast proves accurate, the implications are compelling. A buyer purchasing a $500,000 home could gain approximately $21,000 in equity in just one year. With a 10% down payment, that’s nearly half of the initial down payment recouped through appreciation alone

For sellers, the combination of easing rates and continued equity growth may finally provide the motivation to move off the sidelines and into their next chapter.

2026 is shaping up to be a year of renewed momentum—and meaningful opportunity—for both buyers and sellers.

by Robin McGlone Regional Manager, Select Lending Services, LLC

The Three Shepherds vs. Odin the Oversized Oaf

A Formal Complaint by Three Small But Mighty Australian Shepherds:

Listen up, hoomans: We are three miniature purebred Australian Shepherds — small in stature, enormous in dignity. Our days were once filled with orderly barking schedules, synchronized couch rotations and pristine, meticulously placed territorial markings--then he arrived.

Odin.

A mixed-breed German ShortHaired… something or other. A giant. A menace. A walking, barking, fourlegged heap of chaos and drool.

Let us outline the injustices:

1. Scent Sabotage

We carefully mark our furniture with our hair… HAIR. Soft but powerful. A perfect sprinkling of eau de “this is ours.” And what does Odin do? He struts over on his skyscraper legs and fully marks as high as possible. As if altitude and bodily function equals authority. His bladder has more storage than a warehouse. Outside, we mark the corner of the flowerpot — he marks the entire zip code. Rude.

2. Space Theft

We used to fit perfectly on the couch. Now Odin lounges like he pays rent. He stretches out across three cushions while we cling to the edge of one like tiny shipwreck survivors.

3. Sound Pollution

Our barks are a perfected art: sharp, classy alarms.

His bark? A foghorn stuck in a trash compactor. And he uses it constantly.

4. Playtime Bullying

We roll a ball--he steals the ball. We chase the ball--he outruns us with legs longer than our entire bodies. We protest--he thinks we’re playing tag. We are not playing tag.

5. Attention Theft

Humans: “Look how big and handsome Odin is!”

Us: We literally heard your emotions daily, Jenna.

In conclusion, we demand justice. Or at least higher step stools so Forti can mark farther up the wall. Either works. Next time you humans agree

to dogsit, check in with us first… our answer is unequivocally and unanimously “no.”

Signed with tiny paws and massive indignation, Bindi, Carni & Forti — The Rightful Rulers of This Household

Unearthing Colorado’s Steamy Soak Spots

It’s winter in the foothills, snow blanketing the mountains, and you’re craving something primal—a soak in earth’s bubbling cauldron. Forget the spa-day clichés; Colorado’s hot springs are raw, geothermal rebellions against the cold, each with its own quirky history and hidden charms. Come on along with me as we explore these portals to relaxation amid rugged Rockies splendor.

Let’s start next door at Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs! This 1865 relic taps Ute sacred waters—steamy caves where vapors swirl, optional swimwear midweek for that free-spirited dip. Hit the tropical pool amid banana trees or mud up in Club Mud. Reservations essential; $30-40 entry.

Two hours west: Glenwood’s Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 16 pools at 99-108°F along the Colorado River. Iron-tinted waters promise ache relief; 21+ section mimics global icons like the Blue Lagoon. $48-76 admission; cocktails at the café seal the deal.

South two hours: Mount Princeton near Nathrop, 30+ creekside pools cascading amid 14ers. Infinity views, summer slides, adults-only zen. Day pass ~$35; full-moon yoga adds magic.

Northwest 2.5 hours: Hot Sulphur Springs, 20 chemical-free pools at 98-112°F. Ute legacy, no-frills vibe; $30 entry, massages available. Sulfur scents linger like victory.

Three hours north: Strawberry Park in Steamboat, forested stone pools. Clothingoptional after dark; $20 cash, 4WD winter access. Watsu massages for ultimate melt.

Be sure to check weather, pack towels and flip-flops, and always try to book ahead. These gems aren’t just soaks—they’re your threshold to Colorado’s untamed warmth. Dive in; worries dissolve in the steam.