Week of October 13, 2022
$1.00
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 156 | ISSUE 43
Inside Jeffco Kids First, and Ganahl’s furor over students BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Over the summer, the members of a Facebook group called Jeffco Kids First began shifting their concern away from pandemic policies in schools to identities it deemed disruptive to learning. A leading voice in the group told parents to empower their children to find “fur-
ries,” kids who dress up in animal accessories, and to record them. “If any of your kids would be willing to record anonymous audio of their experiences with furries hissing, barking, clawing, chasing, and how it affects their school day, please send to me or let me know ASAP!” Jeffco Kids First creator Lindsay Datko, a parent in Jefferson County Public Schools, posted.
Details like these have not been widely publicized because the Facebook group is private, meaning only members can see what is posted. After being denied entry to the group, Colorado Community Media gained access through a member who wanted the group’s content to be public. School officials say the group’s activities can be disruptive and harm-
Hail, hail, the gang’s all here!
ful to kids. But it has some strong backers, including Heidi Ganahl, the Republican Party’s nominee in this fall’s Colorado gubernatorial race. She’s also a member of the group. “Boy, Jeffco Kids First has been such an impactful and amazing community, and I’ve gotten to know SEE JEFFCO KIDS, P2
One dead, others injured after incident at Golden bar Two men arrested for suspected murder, assault BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Mines alumni celebrated Homecoming in Oredigger style — wearing blue and silver, packing Marv Kay Stadium and cheering the football team onto a victory. The university hosted a variety of festivities throughout the weekend,
One man has died and seven others are injured after a suspect drove a car into a crowd at a Golden bar early Oct. 9. Two men have been arrested and are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 14. Denver’s Ruben Marquez, 29, was arrested as the reported driver in the incident outside The Rock Rest Lodge at 16005 Mount Vernon Road. The vehicle’s registered owner, 25-year-old Ernesto DeJesus Avila of Denver, was reportedly a passenger at the time. He also was arrested as a suspected accessory, according to the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office. On Oct. 10, JCSO identified 26-year-old Adrian Ponce as the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
SEE HOMECOMING, P6
SEE INCIDENT, P5
Sam Mantle from Beta Theta Pi holds a large B to promote the fraternity during a tailgate party for the School of Mines’ homecomPHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG ing game.
Mines students, alumni reflect on Homecoming traditions BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Houston’s Chuck Wagner graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 1981, and hadn’t been back to
campus in 40 years. So, it was only proper that his first time back was on Homecoming weekend. On Oct. 8, Wagner, his family members and friends, and other
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
CULTIVATING HOME
Farm program helping Afghan refugees P16