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Week of October 13, 2022
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
JeffcoTranscript.com
VOLUME 39 | ISSUE 12
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-
Passionate beginnings and sorrowful endings engulf Baroque Chamber Orchestra’s audience
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
Homeless navigation program gives update BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Baroque Chamber Orchestra performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Oct. 9 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. COURTESY OF THE BAROQUE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Aspens may be turning yellow outside, but inside the Lakewood Cultural Center Oct. 9, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra presented all four seasons through the language of Vivaldi. The Orchestra began not with Spring though, but Vivaldi’s Concer-
to in D Major, bolstering even more expectation and anticipation for the season. But before Spring began, the soloist, Pauline Kempf began a prelude they created specifically for the occasion. Frank Nowell, founder and artistic director of the orchestra, challenged each soloist to create their own prelude to the concerto they’d be performing, and they suc-
ceeded with flying colors and intuitive passions. Kempf’s prelude to Spring brought the sounds of the season to life, with birds chirping, and a sense of pure curiosity, passionate beginnings and escape from a darker time. The excitement of something new perfectly began the season of new starts.
The Wheat Ridge homeless navigation program updated City Council Oct. 3 on its progress in housing homeless residents since its last meeting in February, also describing the Severe Weather Shelter Network starting for the season. Started in December of 2020, the program aims to put people experiencing homelessness in Wheat Ridge into homes. Rebekah Raudabaugh — the homeless navigator — directly supports those people, collaborating with local nonprofits and community resources, and Kory Kolar — the housing navigator — helps those who are “housing search ready,” or at risk of homelessness, find those homes. “I’m sure that you know many people are one missed paycheck away, so you can consider that as at risk of homelessness,” explained
SEE ORCHESTRA, P5
SEE UPDATE, P25
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 19 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
CULTIVATING HOME
Farm program helping Afghan refugees P16