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DISORDER IN THE COURTS

Local district attorney balks as Aurora lawmakers consider ending city court criminal prosecutions

Notes from Mesa County

Rocky Mountain Public Media, the home of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz, and TheDrop303 has developed a partnership with Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange to launch this monthly essay series, as part of our vision to co-create a Colorado where everyone feels seen and heard.These stories are sourced from community members across the state—told in their own words and selected from our 64-county community ambassador program. They are not editorial products of our journalism team, but are first-person reflections on life in Colorado - building bridges through empathy. To learn more about all of our brands and content, check us out at https://www.rmpbs.org/about.

Where Water Changes Direction: A Story Between Sea and Mountains

By Fernanda Wankel

There are decisions we don’t make with the mind, but with the heart.

After more than a decade living in the Mexican Caribbean, where turquoise waters taught me toadapt, to flow, and to find beauty in change, I met Ryan.

After sharing my beautiful Mexico with him through trips across different states, we realized we wanted to keep discovering everything together. So when I traveled to Colorado for the first time, he proposed in Loveland Pass, along the Continental Divide , that invisible line where water chooses its path: one side flowing toward the Pacific, the other toward the Atlantic. One origin, two different directions.

And that’s how we began our life in Denver.

Just like that, I traded turquoise waters for mountain peaks.

In many ways, my story began to mirror that same divide.

Two worlds live within me, two ways of being, of feeling, of belonging — and two languages through which I understand and express the world.

Ryan had already been living in Denver for several years, and he slowly introduced me to Colorado, opening the doors to his world.

In those landscapes, I began to understand Colorado’s deep connection to the land; from rural spaces to urban life. The water flowing from melting snow, and sometimes returning to the surface as warm hot springs after traveling deep within the earth, became a quiet reminder that it doesn’t matter where you come from; what matters is that you keep moving forward.

Turning 40 in Colorado felt like reclaiming something essential, a reminder that wildness is part of my nature. In the mountains, I connected with the essence of the wolves, trusting my instincts and hearing what lives beyond words.

In that stillness, something in me quietly changed. As I began dreaming in both English and Spanish, I realized I was becoming someone new — two worlds slowly coming together.

But belonging did not come easily.

I arrived in Denver after the pandemic, at a time when many social circles were already formed. People were focused on building their lives, and making space in those circles was not easy.

It took me more than a year to find friendships, real, meaningful connections with people willing to share time and presence.

For the first time, I felt what it means not to fully belong, to be reminded that I am not from here. Because of my accent. Because of my origin. Because I didn’t always understand the jokes. At the same time, the immigration process left its mark. Rebuilding my life on paper, proving who I am, forces me to look back; to reconnect with my past in order to begin again in a new country.

And that became one of the most important lessons of my life.

Learning to recognize my worth; not by how others see me, but by who I truly am. Colorado didn’t adopt me overnight. But little by little, it did. Today, I call it home, surrounded by a community where I feel loved and connected. And through that journey, Kuma and Ryan became my best companions, the ones I love sharing this life with.

Stepping outside of our comfort zone is worth it. It allows us to experience new ways of thinking, to connect with others, and to share cultures and traditions.

I come from warm, turquoise waters that taught me how to flow. And I now live among mountain waters that taught me how to choose my path.

A single drop, in community, can become an ocean. And today, more than ever, I believe this: together, we are America, not just a country, but a continent, a collection of stories, people, and journeys.

If you can, reach out to someone who is not from here, remind them they belong, that they are seen. Because sometimes, the smallest act of care is what transforms a place into home. Te amo, Colorado.

Businesses getting refunds for Trump’s illegal tariff scam. I want mine

Pour a big mug of schadenfreude and watch the federal government prepare to refund billions of dollars to businesses for taxes that never should have been imposed on them in the first place.

DAVE PERRY Editor

Importers this week can begin clawing back billions of dollars siphoned off by President Donald Trump’s reckless tariff scheme, a ruse the U.S. Supreme Court has now made crystal clear was not just misguided, but illegal.

Illegal is the key word here.

For more than a year, Trump bulldozed ahead with a tariff binge that defied history, ignored experts, mocked basic economic science and trampled common sense. Economists across the political spectrum warned exactly what would happen. Businesses pleaded for sanity. Consumers, whether they realized it or not, were already paying the price.

And now, after the damage is done, the courts step in and say, “Yes, this was unconstitutional. Yes, Congress and not the president holds the power to tax. Yes, those tariffs should never have existed.”

That’s nice. It’s also far too late.

The new refund system is expected to return a staggering share of the roughly $166 billion collected from more than 330,000 importers. Businesses can file claims, jump through bureaucratic hoops, wait months, and eventually see their money again. Maybe.

Good for them. Truly.

Many of these companies absorbed enormous costs, delayed investments, cut margins, and in some cases risked survival.

But the problem no one in Washington seems eager to solve is that businesses weren’t the only ones paying those tariffs.

I want my money back.

Despite Trump’s delusions, tariffs are taxes. They’re not clever negotiating tools or magical levers that punish foreign countries while Americans skate free. They are taxes, and like most taxes on goods, they get passed along. Maybe not all at once, maybe not evenly, but relentlessly.

The Trump administration insisted, against all evidence, that foreigners would bear the cost of tariffs. That claim wasn’t just wrong, it was willfully blind. Study after study, including real-time pricing data, predicted and then revealed the opposite. Importers paid the tariffs, businesses adjusted, and consumers got hit. Nearly all of the tariff burden landed right here at home, experts told the Associated Press this week and economist Alex Durante, writing for the Tax Foundation.

The data is clear. Prices on imported goods rose sharply, nearly 7 percentage points on average. Domestic goods climbed too, riding the same distorted wave. Clothing spiked. Furniture surged. Coffee, seafood, and building materials were all hit. Even when companies absorbed some of the cost, that didn’t spare consumers. It simply shifted the burden onto wages, jobs and investment.

Have you seen what’s happened to the price of apples? I spied some favorites over the weekend and was relieved to have to pay what I thought was only $1.89 a pound, as if even that were a bargain. It was $1.89 for one apple. One apple.

All told, American households have paid as much as $3,800 so far because of this tariff fiasco, according to an April 9 analysis by the Center for American Progress. That’s not theoretical. That’s real money out of real pockets, like yours and mine.

And that estimate doesn’t even require you to have bought a car or replace your dishwasher. If you did, however, you probably paid thousands more.

So businesses get a path to refunds. Consumers get, umm, what?

A shrug?

The current system doesn’t require companies to return a dime to customers. Some might. Many won’t. Why would they?

They already navigated the chaos, absorbed losses, and now have a legal right to reclaim what they paid, even if they collected some or all of it from you.

Meanwhile, a patchwork of class-action lawsuits crawls through the courts, hoping to force some accountability. Delivery companies like FedEx say they’ll pass refunds along. That’s commendable, but far from universal.

What’s missing is any coherent plan from the people who created this mess.

Now the courts have confirmed what should have been obvious from the start, that the entire scheme rested on a legal fiction, a Trump abuse of emergency powers to bypass Congress and impose sweeping taxes on Americans.

And yet, despite that ruling, there is no serious effort from Congress to make consumers whole. No mechanism to track who paid what. No rebate system. No accountability.

So millions of Americans are left holding the bag for one of the most ill-conceived economic schemes in modern history.

I want my money back.

Follow@EditorDavePerryonBlueSky, Threads,Mastodon,TwitterandFacebook orreachhimat303-750-7555ordperry@ SentinelColorado.com

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, April 2, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Aurora History Museum showcases Filipino American heritage

THE EXHIBIT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH A COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORT DESIGNED TO GATHER INPUT FROM LOCAL FILIPINO RESIDENTS ON HOW THEIR STORIES SHOULD BE REPRESENTED

It was more than 400 years ago that Filipinos set foot on the North American continent for the first time, historians and archaeologists say.

Filipino Americans are working across the nation to sustain a cultural footprint, and right here in Aurora, parts of the history are on display for the next year.

A new exhibition highlighting the history and cultural contributions of Aurora’s Filipino community will open April 21 at the Aurora History Museum.

“Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Filipino Community” is part of an ongoing series aimed at promoting understanding of the city’s diverse populations while incorporating their voices into Aurora’s historical narrative.

Museum officials said the exhibit was developed through a community outreach effort designed to gather input from local Filipino residents on how their stories should be represented.

Across the nation, many Filipinos are seeking their cities’ acknowledgment of “Filipino Towns” — a cultural district designation similar to Chinatowns, Japantowns and Koreatowns that highlights the contributions of expat and immigrant populations to a major city’s overall identity.

While the local population of 5,300 Filipino-American residents in Aurora, and about that many in Denver, is growing, Filipino Town isn’t on the horizon yet, officials say.

But the culture and community have made a lasting imprint on Aurora’s diverse community.

The Aurora exhibition explores elements of Filipino culture, including music, art, dance, religion and traditional foods, according to museum director T. Scott Williams. It also emphasizes the community’s contributions to the city’s history.

Displays will feature personal stories from residents and business owners, as well as cultural artifacts, archival photographs, interviews and interactive elements.

Items on display include a Congressional Medal of Honor, Indigenous Filipino-style textiles woven by a local artist and instruments used in the traditional rondalla music ensemble.

Organizers say the exhibit aims to provide residents and visitors with a

deeper understanding of Filipino American heritage and its role in shaping the local community.

An opening reception is scheduled for April 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the museum and will include Filipino cuisine, music and dance performances. Additional programming tied to the exhibit will run throughout its duration, including themed Friday night events, guided tours and workshops such as parol lantern making.

That recognition can be through landmarks, event support or even permanent signage.

Filipino culture rising to historic landmarks across the nation

Three years ago, Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown — first designated as a neighborhood in 2002 — constructed a gateway arch, and Little Manila in New York City’s Queens borough debuted an official street sign. Now, Las Vegas has joined the club.

An official “Filipino Town Cultural District” street sign was unveiled last fall to great fanfare — six months after Clark County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution affirming the distinction.

“That was a great day,” Rozita Lee, the original Filipino Town Las Vegas board president, recalled about the county’s approval. “A great day because we realized that the government actually recognized us Filipinos as a valid, solid entity here in Nevada. We

were all so happy.”

Lee, 90, has lived in Las Vegas for nearly 50 years. She has seen a 1.2-mile (1.6-kilometer) corridor east of the Strip blossom with Filipino small businesses, a radio station and chains like Seafood City supermarket and Jollibee. Last year, the Filipino Town board’s first step was to gather data to bolster their proposal. Filipinos are the largest Asian group in metro Las Vegas with over 200,000.

They also spread the word among business owners.

“We visited the people that were in the area because we had to knock on doors and let them know of the possibility of this area being named Filipino Town, and would they support,” Lee said. “Everybody said yes.”

Now resigned from the board, Lee is currently planning a Filipino American Museum.

Current board president Bernie Benito is looking forward to making Filipino Town a site that tourists will consider.

“What we’re going to try to do is just to promote it culturally. We’re going to entice developers, investors to come into the area in order to set up their businesses,” Benito said.

Filipino scouts on a Spanish galleon — a heavy, square-rigged sailing ship — landed on Oct. 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California, likely making them the first known Asian people to reach the U.S. It would be nearly 200 years until Filipinos settled here starting in Louisiana and the West Coast.

Pre-World War II, there were some

Filipino enclaves made up mostly of single men. They were not as prevalent as Chinatowns and Japantowns. A lot of them either were demolished or floundered as some men moved away, said Joseph Bernardo, an adjunct professor in Asian Pacific American Studies at Loyola Marymount University.

U.S. colonial rule over the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 led to Filipinos studying English and assimilating to Western culture.

“They have a command of English that doesn’t necessarily tie them to an ethnic economy to survive in the United States,” Bernardo said. “They can get jobs as nurses and accountants and lawyers and doctors, et cetera, with greater ease than other Asian immigrants.”

The U.S. Census estimates 4.5 million Filipino people live in the U.S. and less than half are immigrants. Registered nurse is the most common occupation, according to AAPI Data, a research and policy organization.

“More Filipino Americans care about cultural pride and want a community space to reflect that,” said Bernardo.

Today, there are several Filipino Towns, some more active than others. Stockton, California’s once vibrant Little Manila was torn down by a crosstown freeway in the 1970s. But there are historic walking tours hosted by advocacy group Little Manila Rising. In San Francisco, an artist-driven Filipino Cultural Heritage District known as SOMA Pilipinas includes a community center and public art works.

Toronto, Canada, also has an active Little Manila.

Filipinotown is part of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Besides restaurants and shops, Cabanilla hopes visitors stop to appreciate landmarks like the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, named after the writer who advocated for Filipino independence. Or Uncle Bob’s Place, an affordable apartment building named for local Filipino American civil rights activist Bob Santos.

Future goals for Filipinotown include an official sign, events like poetry sessions and a summer block party.

“Our primary vision is to bring back the solidarity that we had when the International District was in its heyday and it was a multicultural place,” Cabanilla said. “I need white people to understand it is not just Chinese, Japanese, East Asian stuff. It has always included Filipinos supporting and living in the district.”

Here in Aurora, the history museum exhibition will remain on display through April 2027.

The Aurora History Museum, is at 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, and open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 3 to 17.

Previous installments of the “Mosaic of Cultures” series have highlighted Aurora’s Ethiopian, Salvadorean, Mexican and Nepali communities.

—TheAssociatedPresscontributedtothisreport.

Sam Westerdale teaches government, political science, and African American studies at Rangeview High School in Aurora. Corey Christiansen / Aurora Public Schools

SENTINEL STAFF WRITERS

Aurora Councilmember Rob Andrews’ DUI case rescheduled for June

A court date for Aurora City Councilmember Rob Andrews, who faces an allegation of drunken driving, has been pushed back to June.

At a pretrial conference April 21, Andrews’ attorney said he had productive conversations with the prosecution and they are “working toward a resolution.”

The judge agreed to schedule Andrews for arraignment June 2.

Outside the courtroom, Andrews’ attorney said Andrews couldn’t answer questions while the case is ongoing.

Andrews was arrested Jan. 17 after police said he was driving a pickup truck erratically at about 9:30 p.m. in east-central Aurora. Police said he failed a roadside sobriety test and later was given a breath-alcohol test that registered a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.252, more than three times the legal limit for a charge of driving drunk.

Andrews initially shared a statement with the Sentinel the morning after his arrest, admitting to the charge, apologizing to the community and insisting he would accept the consequences and make amends. He also posted an apology on social media.

“Accountability has to be more than words,” he said in a social media post. “While this plays out, I am voluntarily registering for a restorative justice class, working on meeting with and working with MADD Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and taking proactive steps to ensure this never happens again in any form.”

The following week, however, Andrews said at a Jan. 26 city council meeting, appearing for the first time publicly since his arrest, that he’d been advised by counsel to limit his comments during his pending adjudication. Since then, he has not commented publicly about his case.

“I was pulled over by the Aurora Police Department and cited in connection with the DUI allegation,” Andrews said during the city council meeting. “It’s an active legal matter, so I cannot comment on the specifics.”

Andrews also said he didn’t believe some parts of the widely publicized allegations were accurate, but didn’t provide more specific details.

“I will say clearly, though, like every citizen, I have the right to due process, and there are parts of what has been claimed and documented that I don’t believe are true, including inconsistencies I am addressing through the proper channels,” he said.

In February, Andrews’ attorneys sought information about the arresting officer in the case, James Shupe, and his credentials for administering breath alcohol testing.

When asked by the Sentinel, Aurora police said that Schupe’s credentials were valid at the time of Andrews’ evidential breath alcohol test.

“Officer Shupe is currently certified and has retained his certification since Oct. 2023,” Aurora Police spokesperson Sgt. Matthew Longshore said in a statement. “His certification does not expire until June 2026 but can be renewed sooner. Additionally, the ‘refresher course’ is due by Dec. 31 of each year; it does not expire exactly 365 days after the course was last taken.”

In addition, users must enter their certification PINs each time a machine is used. If Shupe’s certification had lapsed, he would not have been authorized to conduct a test.

Longshore said that the test results produced by the Intoxilyzer 9000 on the day of Andrews’ testing include proof of the officer’s most recent certification,

which for Shupe was in December.

Aurora Police body camera video of the Jan. 17 initial contact and arrest of Andrews shows the officer approaching a pickup truck Andrews was driving. When the officer asks for Andrews’ driver’s license and car registration, Andrews immediately hands him his city council identification card, attached to a lanyard.

That moment, shared by many Denver area media outlets, drew allegations from Andrews’ critics that he was wrongly trying to influence the officer.

Andrews has not said publicly what prompted him to offer the city council ID, on a lanyard, rather than his driver’s license.

In the video, the officer hands the lanyard back to Andrews, and Andrews then hands the officer a driver’s license. The officer, in his police report, noted the council identification handoff.

A man Andrews said was his adult stepson was in the cab of the pickup during the arrest. Police can be heard telling him he could take the truck and Andrews’ belongings from where the truck was pulled over by police.

During the testing and booking process inside the Aurora detention center, Andrews appears calm and cooperative the entire time. The arresting officer appeared agreeable and professional during the process.

As the officer explains to Andrews the police and legal process about to take place, Andrews at one point tells the officer that “I am most concerned about the public not knowing about it,” as heard in the video recording.

The officer tells Andrews that police policy is not to proactively release the information about such arrests.

“We don’t tell anybody,” the officer says, but he explains that the arrest and information are public information and available upon request.

Andrews was released from the city’s holding facility the next morning.

He issued statements on Facebook, apologizing for the arrest.

“I take full responsibility for my decision. I am deeply sorry — to my family, to the people I serve, and to everyone who expects better from me,” Andrews said. “I am grateful no one was hurt. That does not lessen the seriousness of what happened. Driving when I was not fit to drive put others at risk, and that is on me.”

Andrews later said he was “cooperating fully” with police and prosecutors “and working closely with my family and counsel as this moves forward.”

Andrews is chairperson of the city council’s Public Safety Committee and represents the city at-large. He was among four new Democratic members elected to the Aurora City Council in November, allowing Democrats to take majority control, which Republicans had for the past four years.

— McKenna Harford, Sentinel Staff Writer

Aurora

residents asked

to weigh in on council meeting conduct and lawmaker behavior

The Aurora City Council is seeking feedback through the end of the month from residents on its decorum rules for council members, attendees and public commenters.

The Council Rules Ad Hoc Committee is reviewing the city council’s rules for decorum and virtual participation, with plans to review all of the council’s rules. The committee started with decorum and virtual participation because of the recent history of combativeness among council members and between public commenters and council members.

Heated meetings peaked in 2024 and 2025 after police shot and killed Kilyn

Lewis while he was being arrested in Aurora. At one meeting, council members fled the council chambers because of protesters, and Councilmember Stephanie Hancock called the protesters “terrorists.”

Former Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky was also known for confrontational and sometimes profane rhetoric, even cursing out fellow council members over text.

Since the 2025 council election, where voters did not re-elect Jurinsky and chose four new council members, meetings have had less conflict, but have not been entirely free of profanity and insults.

After the April meeting, the committee will draft revised rules on decorum and engage the community again for feedback ahead of its May 21 meeting.

Once the committee has finalized its recommendations for decorum rules, they will be heard at a city council study

session and then a city council meeting.

Residents can submit comments online at EngageAurora.org/Decorum through the end of the month or share them in-person at the rules committee meeting on April 27 at the Aurora Municipal Building.

— McKenna Harford, Sentinel Staff Writer

Maya Wheeler secures Arapahoe County Dem primary ballot, challenges Leslie Summey for commission seat Aurora activist and business owner Maya Wheeler has secured a place on the 2026 Democratic primary ballot for Arapahoe County commissioner in District 4, setting up a challenge to incumbent Leslie Summey in the race that will ultimately be decided in the November general

election.

Wheeler announced this week that she collected enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot, calling the milestone the result of sustained community support and engagement.

“I’m excited to share that I am officially on the ballot for Arapahoe County Commissioner, District 4,” Wheeler said in a statement. “Your support made this possible, and we are building real momentum.”

The Democratic primary will determine who advances to the general election, where the winner will face off with Republican challenger, Sonda “Sunny” Banka, a longtime and prominent real estate broker based in Greenwood Village, according to the Arapahoe County Republican Party.

Wheeler, a longtime healthcare equity activist, previously ran unsuccessfully in a Democratic vacancy committee contest

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

Property tax deadline approaching!

If you owe property taxes in Arapahoe County, the deadline for submitting the full payment is April 30, 2026. For payment information and options, visit: arapahoeco.gov/treasurer

What’s “Bugging” Your Garden Don't let pests take over your garden! Learn to identify and manage three infamous insects—grasshoppers, emerald ash borers, and Japanese beetles— with Arapahoe County Master Gardeners Elaine Davis and Jessie Asimus. The free class will be held at Eloise May Library on May 9, 10–11 a.m. Register at bit.ly/CSU_Buggin

The CSU Extension team within our Open Spaces Department is looking for a part-time Bilingual Educator to help connect with and support Latino, immigrant, and bicultural/bilingual communities through education and outreach. Learn more and apply: jobs.arapahoeco.gov Now Hiring

April is National County Government Month Join Arapahoe County in celebrating National County Government Month. Learn more about County government and the role it plays in your everyday life. Visit arapahoeco.gov/knowarapahoe

METRO

last year for a state Senate seat representing Aurora. She has also been a candidate for Aurora City Council and House District 41.

Her background includes work with the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange and Aurora Health Alliance, where she has advocated for expanding access to affordable healthcare. Wheeler has also served as chairperson of the Aurora Human Relations Commission and has held leadership roles with the African American Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party, the Colorado Black Leadership Coalition and the Good Shepherd Organization. She is the founder of the Wezesha Dada Center, which provides education and career resources for women and youth of color.

In her campaign announcement, Wheeler emphasized local issues she said residents consistently raise, including affordability, infrastructure and environmental concerns.

“As I talk with people across District 4, I keep hearing the same thing: Things feel harder than they should,” she said.

Among the priorities she outlined are affordable housing, reliable public safety, infrastructure improvements to keep pace with growth, environmental protections and support for seniors seeking to remain in their communities.

Wheeler pointed to what she described as gaps in coordination among existing county programs, saying housing, job access and business support systems are not sufficiently connected and can be difficult for residents to navigate.

“We cannot afford to keep doing things the same way,” she said.

Summey, a Democrat, is seeking re-election as she finishes her first term on the board. A U.S. Navy veteran and mother of five, she has highlighted her work on criminal justice and public safety issues, including chairing a county

subcommittee focused on racial equity in the justice system and serving as vicechair of the county’s Justice Coordinating Committee.

Summey has also cited collaboration with local partners, including the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department and the 18th Judicial District, to organize warrant-clearing events aimed at helping individuals resolve low-level, nonviolent offenses without arrest.

The District 4 race is expected to focus on how the county addresses growth, affordability and service delivery as its population continues to expand, candidates say.

The Democratic primary election is June 30.

— Sentinel Staff

Rep.

Crow offers bill

preventing families choosing between pets and public housing

Aurora Democratic Rep. Jason Crow is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers with new legislation aimed at ensuring families living in public housing can keep their pets, seeking to ease restrictions that often force residents to choose between housing and family dogs or cats.

Crow unveiled the “Pets Belong With Families Act,” which would limit public housing policies that ban dogs based on breed, size or weight. The measure would also cap pet-related deposits, addressing concerns that added costs can put housing out of reach for lower-income families.

“Pets are our family. No one should have to choose between their pet and a roof over their head,” Crow said in a statement. “Our bipartisan bill will prevent needless restrictions on animals in public housing so Coloradans and their pets can stay together, no matter where they call

home.”

Crow previously led an effort to ensure homeless shelters offer ways to allow pets and owners to come in off the street, and to offer grants for shelters to make the accommodation.

The PUPP Act, introduced last year, would direct the Department of Agriculture to award grants for temporary and long-term homeless shelters to make changes allowing residents to keep their pets. The bill would set aside $5 million annually for grants, with the program lasting for four years. The measure still awaits a hearing in a House Agriculture committee.

The new legislation has support from both parties and chambers of Congress. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., introduced a companion bill in the Senate, while Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., joined Crow in sponsoring the House version.

“No family should have to choose between keeping their beloved pet or having a roof over their head,” Schiff said in a statement, adding that current restrictions can force difficult decisions for families seeking stable housing.

Lawler said the bill takes a “more practical approach” by removing blanket restrictions while maintaining accountability for pet owners. He added that the measure could help reduce overcrowding in animal shelters and make housing more accessible.

Animal welfare advocates and legal groups have voiced support for the proposal. Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the legislation would help ensure that lower-income families are not separated from pets that provide “joy, comfort, and companionship.”

The bill is endorsed by a range of organizations, including the American Bar Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund,

Animal Welfare Institute, Best Friends Animal Society and the National Housing Law Project.

The latest proposal comes as housing advocates continue to highlight barriers faced by renters with animals, particularly in federally assisted housing programs. Lawmakers backing the bill say easing those restrictions could improve housing stability while keeping families and their pets together.

— Sentinel Staff

APS director Anne Keke makes Dem primary ballot in HD 41, challenging Rep. Jamie Jackson

Aurora Public Schools board member Anne Keke has qualified for the Democratic primary ballot to challenge State Rep. Jamie Jackson for Colorado’s State House District 41, according to state election officials.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office said Keke’s campaign submitted 1,133 valid signatures, surpassing the requirement of at least 1,000, to petition onto the primary ballot. Keke’s campaign submitted a total of 1,327 signatures, but 239 were rejected by the Secretary of State’s Office.

In a statement to the Sentinel, Keke said she is grateful to her supporters and doesn’t take the duty as an elected official for granted.

“I sought the nomination of the constituents of House District 41 through the petition process because, as imperfect as this process is, reaching out to the voters and earning their support directly is the democratic approach to governing that I hold dear,” Keke said.

At a March 7 county assembly, Keke did not win a spot on the primary ballot when she received less than the threshold

of 30% of delegate votes. Keke logged 23% of the delegate votes. Jackson logged 50% of the vote. Local activist and community activist Aly DeWills-Marcano won 27% of delegates voting that day. Jackson was appointed to represent the district last year when state Sen. Iman Jodeh was appointed to her current position, creating a HD 41 vacancy.

Keke said she is proud to have earned voter support and believes it’s important for voters to have choices on the ballot.

“I am excited to move on to the next phase of the campaign and to prove to voters why I am the best choice to represent us in Denver,” she said.

Keke said her campaign is focused on issues of affordability, housing and education. She has served on the Aurora Public Schools board since 2021 and was re-elected last year.

Keke told the Sentinel that if she is elected, she would consider stepping away from her role on the school board. She said keeping both seats would not be unprecedented, citing other representatives who have held two elected positions, including Rep. Jennifer Bacon, Rep. Michael Carter and Rep. Regina English. Keke said that if she does step down from the school board, she will “ensure that the vacancy process selects a champion for Aurora Public Schools because our families in APS deserve nothing less.”

“I have dedicated my time in public service to ensuring our students, parents, and teachers in APS are represented well, and none of that will change when I am the next Representative for HD41,” Keke said.

However, proposed legislation, SB26059, could prevent Keke from keeping both seats. The bill would prohibit members of the general assembly from serving in more than one elected role with a few exceptions, such as if the member has less than a year left in their other role.

Jackson said she is focused on community-driven leadership and tackling issues of immigration enforcement, health care accessibility and criminal justice reform. She said that her campaign is distinguished by her dedication to her constituents.

“My mind isn’t divided, my attention and time aren’t divided,” Jackson said. “I am really focused on continuing to deliver results to the community and live up to the responsibility and trust that my community has put in me. I don’t take this job lightly at all.”

House District 41 encompasses much of central Aurora between East Mississippi and East Hampden avenues.

Colorado’s primary election is June 30 and the general election is Nov. 3.

— McKenna Harford, Sentinel Staff Writer

COPS AND COURTS

Officer-involved shooting comes amid Aurora police focus on de-escalation

Hours after the Aurora Police Department promoted its de-escalation training efforts, touting that no officer-involved shootings had happened so far this year, police fatally shot a 23-year-old Black man who stabbed an officer during a mental health crisis.

Aurora police have been under state and public scrutiny for several years because of controversy over the department’s use of excessive force and officer-involved shootings, especially involving people of color.

During an April 9 presentation to a city committee, Police Commander Patrick Shaker said the department cleared the first quarter of the year without any officer-involved shootings.

A few hours after the presentation, officers responded to a mental health crisis call, where a man was threatening himself and others with a knife. While attempting to communicate with the man, he charged at police and stabbed an officer multiple times in the head, police said in a statement.

Police said officers on scene used a Taser and a 40mm less-lethal launcher, but neither stopped the attack. During the struggle, the injured officer shot the man, killing him.

The man has not yet been identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

The 18th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the April 9 shooting, while Aurora police are conducting an internal review.

Aurora police are under a state-imposed consent decree that stems from a state attorney general investigation that revealed “patterns and practices” of officers using excessive force, especially against people of color.

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain and Shaker updated the Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Policy Committee about the department’s efforts to improve its de-escalation training at the April 9 meeting.

Shaker reported there were 117 useof-force incidents to date in 2026. Of those incidents, 91 involved minor force and 13 were dubbed Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT, maneuvers on cars.

Shaker said the police department has embraced a “cultural shift,” prioritizing less lethal tools, including the 40mm launcher, to help de-escalate situations and reduce officer-involved shootings and uses of force.

“If they’re going on anything that is broadcast from Aurora 911 that would result or appear to come toward a conclusion of a use of force, they aren’t just having (the 40mm launcher) in their trunk,

they’re actually deploying with it,” Shaker said.

Officers receive about 137 hours of de-escalation training across 18 courses while at recruit academy, as well as additional in-service training after becoming an officer, according to the police department’s presentation.

Shaker said de-escalation training is immersive and can involve paid actors role-playing potential scenarios.

While presenting to the public safety committee, Chamberlain and Shaker said that officers are trained to de-escalate as much as possible, but added that de-escalation isn’t always an option.

“It is a two way street, it is not just officers,” Shaker said. “The officers are addressing what the suspects are presenting, and that is something that sometimes gets quite easily and frequently lost in discussions related to use of force.”

After the April 9 shooting, Chamberlain said officers arriving on the scene were prepared and properly staffed to deal with the potentially volatile situation involving a suspect with mental health issues, and in particular, “suicidal ideation.”

“We made sure that our officers didn’t haphazardly force this incident to occur. We did everything but force this,” Chamberlain said. “We actually stayed back, stayed in control and in containment, and we were working through the process of communication and de-escalation … The reason this contact occurred was because that suspect made a very conscious decision to make contact with our officers.”

Aurora police were criticized last year by outside experts and some police personnel who told Sentinel reporters that Aurora officers were unprepared for and mishandled a so-called “suicide by cop” call, where the unarmed suspect was shot dead by police.

Despite the allegations, the officer who fired the fatal shot was cleared by 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden of any potential criminal charges.

— McKenna Harford,

Sentinel Staff

Speeding driver dies after crashing into pole, tree Friday in southwest Aurora

An unidentified man was killed April 17 when his car crashed into first a light pole and then a tree in southwest Aurora.

Witnesses told police they saw the driver of a Chevrolet Camaro speed past them about 11 p.m. Friday in the 11500 block of East Yale Avenue, between Parker Road and South Peoria Street, police said.

“The vehicle left the right side of the roadway, hit a light pole and then a tree,” Aurora police spokesperson Joe Moylan said in a statement. “The adult male driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Other drivers on the road said the driver of the Camaro was driving at “a very high rate of speed.”

The identity of the driver will be released later by coroner officials.

— Sentinel Staff

Man shot, injured, while selling clothes outside his Aurora home, police said

A man selling clothing April 17 outside his home in central Aurora was shot and injured by the people he was trying to sell it to, police said.

Officials at a local hospital called police at about 10:45 p.m. to report that a man had come to the emergency room suffering a gunshot wound, Aurora police spokesperson Joe Moylan said in a statement.

The man told officers that he met

three men at their car outside his home in the 1100 block of South Sable Boulevard to sell them the clothing items.

“During the meeting, there was a struggle for the clothing, and the victim sustained a nonfatal gunshot wound,” Moylan said. “The victim was transported to the hospital by family.”

Police said all three of the men in the car had guns, and that the shooting victim did not know them.

No other details about the gunmen were available, police said, nor were there details about the gunmen’s car.

Police said anyone with information can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000, police said.

— Sentinel Staff

Liberal and moderate state Dems clash over transparency measure

An effort to bridge the divide between more liberal and more moderate Democrats in the state legislature has fallen apart.

The two sides were working on a bill to increase transparency around legislative caucuses in response to the Colorado Opportunity Caucus’ retreat at a hotel in Vail in October. The caucus is made up of moderate Democrats at the Capitol and doesn’t disclose all of its donors, though at least one of their funders is a nonprofit that has targeted liberal Democrats in primaries.

But now the two sides are no longer talking about their transparency effort and the more liberal faction last week introduced a very similar bill without their more moderate counterparts.

“I don’t believe in speaking for my colleagues as to why they aren’t on it or

their opinions about (Senate Bill) 108,” said state Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, who, along with state Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, represents the more liberal faction and has been leading the push for the transparency measure.

Opportunity Caucus Chair Lindsey Daugherty, a Democratic state senator from Arvada, said in a statement issued by a caucus spokesperson that she feels the proposal has devolved into an effort to require transparency for some but not all.

“You’d have to ask Sen. Weissman and Rep. Zokaie why they believe less transparency is what the people of Colorado deserve,” Daugherty said.

Senate Bill 108, the original measure brokered between both sides, would require caucuses to file monthly public reports with nonpartisan legislative staff detailing their fundraising and spending. That bill, introduced in February, is sponsored by Daugherty and the caucus’

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top House member, Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. It was also sponsored by Weissman and Zokaie.

The bill seemed to be a peacemaking gesture among Democrats, who have been sparring over the Vail retreat and the Opportunity Caucus’ refusal to reveal its donors. The caucus has received funding from a group, One Main Street Colorado, that has been heavily involved in Democratic primaries. Weissman and Zokaie are among the legislature’s more progressive members and have faced primary challenges from One Main Streetbacked candidates.

But Senate Bill 108 has been languishing in the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee for two months without a hearing.

The new bill — Senate Bill 168, brought by only Weissman and Zokaie — would require the same transparency measures as Senate Bill 108 with slight tweaks, like more narrowly targeting caucuses formed by lawmakers and changing reporting timelines.

Weissman said some colleagues expressed concern that the original bill could apply to nonprofits that lawmakers work for but are unrelated to their legislative work. The goal is to target only legislative caucuses.

“It was cleaner to resolve the drafting issues in a new bill,” he said.

Zokaie did not immediately respond

to a request for comment.

Camacho referred questions to Daugherty. Daugherty issued the comment through an Opportunity Caucus spokesperson.

“Rep. Camacho and I partnered with Sen. Weissman on Senate Bill 108 because we wanted to run a comprehensive bill that addressed money in politics, including legislators using their legislative power for financial gain,” Daugherty said.

She said the introduction of Senate Bill 168 was a surprise and argued that it has “significantly less transparency and accountability provisions” than Senate Bill 108.

The new bill would apply to legislative caucuses with two or more lawmakers “who organize themselves according to a common interest, ideology, issue, identity, or for any other reason.” The old bill applied to “any caucus, committee, club, organization or group” of one or more lawmakers, which could be interpreted to include organizations far beyond legislative caucuses.

Under the new bill, caucuses would have to begin reporting their fundraising and spending in January 2027 for the fourth quarter of 2026. The new bill would require quarterly reporting, whereas the old bill required monthly reporting.

Senate Bill 108 would also take effect immediately while Senate Bill 168 would go into effect sometime over the summer.

Neither of the bills would be retroactive to cover the time period of the Vail retreat. And there would be no enforcement mechanism or penalty under either measure for caucuses that don’t comply.

The state’s Independent Ethics Commission is investigating whether 16 Opportunity Caucus members, including Daugherty and Camacho, violated the state’s gift ban by attending the Vail retreat. Colorado Common Cause, a liberal-leaning nonprofit that advocates for an open government, filed the ethics complaints against the lawmakers.

The lawmakers say the Opportunity Caucus spent $32,000 on the retreat. They argue they didn’t violate the gift ban because donors to the caucus did not pay directly for things like hotel rooms.

They also argue the caucus is a state or local government entity and therefore exempt from the gift ban’s requirement that an organization only pay for lawmakers’ reasonable expenses if no more than 5% of its funds come from for-profit groups.

The Opportunity Caucus is a political nonprofit and does not have to disclose its donors.

The Opportunity Caucus, Daugherty and Camacho are being sued by political activist Derrick Blanton seeking documents related to the Vail retreat, including handouts, agendas, budgets, expenses, payments from attendees and a list of attendees.

dates and causes.

Senate Bill 168 was also assigned to the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. Its first hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet.

— Colorado Capitol News Alliance with Jesse Paul and Taylor Dolven

Colorado

lawmakers approve limits to immigrant health insurance program

Amid the hundreds of spending reductions in Colorado’s state budget for the next fiscal year are cuts to health care coverage that’s provided for low-income children and pregnant people regardless of immigration status.

Advocates worry about the impact to a program that has allowed over 20,000 children to see doctors, get dental cleanings and keep up-to-date on vaccinations.

“We — as a society, as a community, as Coloradans — believe that all children in our state and all pregnant persons in our state deserve access to health care, and it should be affordable,” said Nicole Cervea Loy, a senior policy manager at the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights. “As a community, it feels like we’re being attacked, on the federal level especially. We’re also not being defended. There’s no one standing up for us in this state.”

at 25,000 and eliminating long-term support services for new enrollees. The bill’s most recent nonpartisan fiscal analysis predicts a savings of about $16 million for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1 and about $30 million in annual savings beyond that.

“The primary users of this program are children … who came to our state because of their parents moving here. They probably had very little to do with the decision to come to Colorado, yet they have the needs for medical and mental health,” Joint Budget Committee member Rep. Rick Taggart, a Grand Junction Republican, said on the House floor April 9. “At the same time, I’m also cognizant that it’s a dollar figure that impacts our overall budget.”

The bill was one of the most heavily debated within the budget package. Throughout the legislative process, the House adopted an amendment that removed the child enrollment cap, but the Senate did not. JBC members said the cap is necessary to prevent over-expenditures that the Legislature would be obligated to pay, and makes the program more predictable to budget for.

“Enrollment could increase even more before the end of the year,” Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Brighton Republican, said. “If we go over what we appropriated, and the cap is not there, we have to true it up next year.”

A conference committee made of JBC members needs to reconcile the differences between the passed bills before it heads to the governor’s desk. That will happen this week.

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In response to Blanton’s records request, nonpartisan attorneys in the legislature’s Office of Legislative Legal Services said Daugherty and Camacho do not have any records to disclose, arguing they attended the retreat in a private capacity.

“CORA does not include records or information made or held by a public official in his or her private capacity, even if those records are created during the elected officials’ term in office,” wrote Ed DeCecco, director of the OLLS, on behalf of Daugherty.

Blanton is hoping a Denver judge will compel the lawmakers to produce the records.

Scott Moss, a lawyer, is representing Blanton in the CORA lawsuit. He’s also representing Common Cause in the ethics complaints it brought against the Opportunity Caucus lawmakers. Both Blanton and Moss are tied to liberal candi-

Cover All Coloradans officially launched in 2025 as a Medicaid lookalike program for children and pregnant people who would be eligible for government-subsidized health coverage if not for their immigration status. Membership cards look the same as those for the state’s Medicaid program, and providers don’t know about their patient’s immigration status. But a bill approved by the Legislature would rein the program in amid unexpectedly high costs. The Legislature had to close a $1.5 billion budget deficit this year, a gap largely driven by ballooning Medicaid costs.

When the program was originally enacted in 2022, fiscal analysts predicted it would cost the state roughly $14.7 million in its first full fiscal year. Those costs actually ended up at $104.5 million, making it a target for spending reduction during a difficult budget year. Those predictions were so far off, in part, because of the unpredictable influx of immigrants who came to Colorado in 2023 and 2024. There was also extensive outreach to people in the state who would benefit from the program.

“We really focused on community trust and community engagement,” Cervea Loy said. COLOR was part of a community ambassador program created in the 2022 legislation. “When we began these outreach efforts, a lot of it had to do with getting folks to trust in the state and to trust in this program.”

The impending program limits could greatly erode any trust built, she said.

Colorado is one of 14 states that have state-funded coverage for this population, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. House Bill 26-1411 won’t change that, but it will put a ceiling on it and limit future growth.

“What feels so hard and so harmful to us is that the community members who are having to bear the brunt of these fiscal realities are, in this case, immigrant kids and pregnant people — the community members who have the least options for coverage and are under the most attack,” Vanessa Martinez, the vice president of policy for COLOR, said.

HB-1411 was one of over 60 bills that ran alongside the main budget bill this year. It proposed making a series of limits on the Cover All Coloradans program, including limiting its dental benefit to $750 annually, capping child enrollment

“There’s been some rhetoric about expenditures and the program exploding, when really what it is, is that more people are getting access to care, providers are having less uncompensated care and less complex cases because they’re able to treat people in a more preventive manner,” said Isabel Cruz, the policy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

Advocates say the upstream, preventive care that Cover All Coloradans enables saves costs in the long run by catching disease early and treating illnesses before they become expensive emergencies. Pregnant people are more susceptible to gum diseases, for example, so treating gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis can mitigate the adverse health outcomes associated with poor oral health during pregnancy like a low birth weight and preeclampsia.

“If a pregnancy becomes difficult because of something as simple as periodontal disease, then we’re paying a lot more for services to maintain the viability of the pregnancy,” said David Navas, the policy and campaign manager for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

As of February, about 20,000 children and 8,000 pregnant people were enrolled in the program, according to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Pregnant people relied on it for postpartum care, lactation services and vaccines. Children mostly used coverage for dental services, routine health exams, immunization visits and care for upper respiratory infections.

“These are things that kids get into — the flu, broken bones, other boo boos,” Navas said. “It is cheap, preventative stuff that we want people to have access to. Colorado has been saying, from the get-go, the more people that are covered … the better public health in general, the better long-term health, less costly services and less emergency room visits.” Denver, Arapahoe and Adams counties have the highest number of enrollees, and 57 out of the state’s 64 counties have people enrolled in the program. — Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline

AURORA CONSIDERS ENDING CITY COURT CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

“The courts don’t have additional courtrooms or county court judges, where those already exist in Aurora.”

BY MCKENNA HARFORD, SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

BALKS

Aproposal to end sending any criminal cases to Aurora’s municipal courts comes as a rebuke to a recent Colorado Supreme Court ruling that prohibits local penalties for criminal charges from being more harsh than those imposed by the state, according to both proponents and supporters of the proposition.

The measure drew swift criticism this week from at least one district attorney serving Aurora.

“Not only do we need more resources in my office to do those cases, but the courts system needs additional resources,” 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden said in an interview with the Sentinel. “The courts don’t have additional courtrooms or county court judges, where those already exist in Aurora.”

Councilmember Françoise Bergan introduced the measure at an April 20 city council study session. It seeks to discontinue filing criminal charges in municipal court starting next year. City lawmakers postponed discussion of the measure until a May 9 city council workshop.

The resolution follows last year’s decision to stop prosecuting domestic violence at the municipal level, instead sending the cases to the appropriate district attorneys offices in Aurora’s three counties.

If the proposed resolution passes, criminal charges now handled at the city level, such as misdemeanor theft or trespassing, would be prosecuted by the district attorney’s office. Felony charges can only be heard by state district courts.

The resolution says the Colorado Supreme Court’s December ruling in People vs. Simons (Camp) limits policy control and sentencing at a local level, “which diminishes the benefit of local municipal criminal prosecution.”

The ruling stems in part from an Aurora case, where Danielle Simons faced up to a year in jail and up to $2,650 in fines under city code

for trespassing and motor vehicle trespass, while state penalties were much lower. Her case, and another similar case from Westminster, led the Supreme Court to unanimously decide that cities can’t enforce harsher penalties than the state for the same crime.

The resolution also points to an estimated annual cost savings of $7 million for discontinuing criminal cases at the municipal level, based on cutting public defenders and probation officers, as well as a reduction in prosecution case levels and court resources.

City Attorney Pete Schulte said the municipal courts prosecute around 1,900 criminal cases per year.

Municipal courts would continue to prosecute animal, traffic and zoning violations under the resolution, as well as hear all criminal cases filed before May 1, 2027 to completion, according to the proposal.

During Monday’s discussion, Bergan echoed the sentiments in the resolution, saying it’s a responsible financial decision to end municipal prosecution since the city no longer has the authority to impose harsher penalties.

“If we don’t have control over our penalties or sentences, then I think let’s just go ahead and not prosecute those cases,” Bergan said.

Other council members had numerous questions about how the resolution would be implemented and the potential impacts of the change to victims of crime and the district attorneys offices.

“As I think about victims, this creates a barrier for them, potentially, to seek resources and show up at court,” Councilmember Amy Wiles said, noting people would have to travel to the Arapahoe County or Littleton courts if the resolution passes.

Councilmember Allison Coombs sought more details about the potential financial impact and what resources the district attorneys offices would need to accommodate the change. She also posed the idea of completely repealing

the city’s municipal criminal code. Padden also said her office would need more resources to take on the cases from the municipal courts. To take on the domestic violence cases from Aurora, Padden said her office had to add 18 full-time employees, which Arapahoe County funded.

Padden said she would prefer the municipal courts continue to prosecute crimes.

In an emailed statement to the Sentinel, Elizabeth Cadiz, Aurora’s chief public defender, said she supports the reduction of policing and prosecution, but raised concerns that the decision could have negative consequences without proper planning. She also questioned the lack of specifics with regards to the $7 million projected savings.

“I fully support the end of policing and prosecuting my clients,” Cadiz said. “However, I do fear that the organizational and practical impact of such a substantial change without careful planning and consideration will bring about further burden that could actually have a negative impact on efficient and effective operation short term.”

Cadiz said the resolution seemed to misunderstand the Supreme Court decision as a “personal and targeted attack on municipal power,” noting that other cities have already aligned their codes with state penalties without abandoning prosecution at the municipal level.

Ultimately, Cadiz urged the city to take further action to repeal ordinances related to “discretionary, poverty related crimes” and end what she views as the over-policing and over-prosecution of her clients.

“My hope is that to the extent that the city intends to continue the filing and prosecuting of any adult for any violation under the code, it makes the required reforms, considers swift and warranted repeal of some sections, and also engages in a robust and informed discussion when appropriate regarding public safety spending overall,” she said.

Inside an Aurora city courtroom at the city’s municipal justice center/ Sentinel Colorado file photo

Aurora History Museum showcases Filipino American heritage

THE EXHIBIT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH A COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORT DESIGNED TO GATHER INPUT FROM LOCAL FILIPINO RESIDENTS ON HOW THEIR STORIES SHOULD BE REPRESENTED

BY SENTINEL STAFF WRITERS

It was more than 400 years ago that Filipinos set foot on the North American continent for the first time, historians and archaeologists say.

Filipino Americans are working across the nation to sustain a cultural footprint, and right here in Aurora, parts of the history are on display for the next year.

A new exhibition highlighting the history and cultural contributions of Aurora’s Filipino community will open April 21 at the Aurora History Museum.

Museum officials said the exhibit was developed through a community outreach effort designed to gather input from local Filipino residents on how their stories should be represented.

While the local population of 5,300 Filipino-American residents in Aurora, and about that many in Denver, is growing, Filipino Town isn’t on the horizon yet, officials say.

But the culture and community have made a lasting imprint on Aurora’s diverse community.

Displays will feature personal stories from residents and business owners, as well as cultural artifacts, archival photographs, interviews and interactive elements.

Items on display include a Congressional Med-

al of Honor, Indigenous Filipino-style textiles woven by a local artist and instruments used in the traditional rondalla music ensemble.

Organizers say the exhibit aims to provide residents and visitors with a deeper understanding of Filipino American heritage and its role in shaping the local community.

That recognition can be through landmarks, event support or even permanent signage.

>>>>Filipino culture rising to historic landmarks across the nation

over 200,000.

They also spread the word among business owners.

Now resigned from the board, Lee is currently planning a Filipino American Museum.

Current board president Bernie Benito is looking forward to making Filipino Town a site that tourists will consider.

“What we’re going to try to do is just to promote it culturally. We’re going to entice developers, investors to come into the area in order to set up their businesses,” Benito said.

Pre-World War II, there were some Filipino enclaves made up mostly of single men. They were not as prevalent as Chinatowns and Japantowns. A lot of them either were demolished or floundered as some men moved away, said Joseph Bernardo, an adjunct professor in Asian Pacific American Studies at Loyola Marymount University.

U.S. colonial rule over the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 led to Filipinos studying English and assimilating to Western culture.

The U.S. Census estimates 4.5 million Filipino people live in the U.S. and less than half are immigrants. Registered nurse is the most common occupation, according to AAPI Data, a research

and policy organization.

“More Filipino Americans care about cultural pride and want a community space to reflect that,” said Bernardo.

Future goals for Filipinotown include an official sign, events like poetry sessions and a summer block party.

Here in Aurora, the history museum exhibition will remain on display through April 2027.

Previous installments of the “Mosaic of Cultures” series have highlighted Aurora’s Ethiopian, Salvadorean, Mexican and Nepali communities. — The Associated Press contributed tothisreport.

A previous Filipino culture event in Aurora.

PHOTO VIA AURORA HISTORY MUSEUM

Tickets: Varies Information: thepeoplesbuilding. com or 303-739-1970

“Gregorio Uribe: Mad Cumbia Dance Party” at Manos Sagrados

scene & herd

“Holocaust Education Program: Propaganda and Memory” at Mizel Museum — Virtual

This in-depth educational program explores how propaganda was used to manipulate public perception during the Holocaust and how similar tactics continue to influence modern society.

Led by historian Dr. Shelly Cline, the presentation combines archival imagery, personal narrative and critical analysis to examine how misinformation can shape cultural attitudes and political outcomes. The program encourages participants to think critically about media consumption while emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory and defending democratic values in contemporary life.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 23, noon

Place: Virtual via the Mizel Museum

Tickets: Free

Information: mizelmuseum.org or 303-749-5016

“Angels in America, Part One” at Vintage Theatre

Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic unfolds against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in 1980s America, weaving together multiple storylines that explore love, illness, politics and spirituality. The play follows a diverse group of characters grappling with personal and societal upheaval, blending realism with dreamlike sequences and supernatural elements. This production brings emotional intensity and visual imagination to a work widely considered one of the most important pieces of modern American theater.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 23–May 10, curtains vary

Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.

Tickets: $20–$40

Information: vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830

“Clown Sex Ed” at The People’s Building

Combining physical comedy, satire and candid storytelling, “Clown Sex Ed” revisits the awkward and often inadequate ways sex education is taught. Performers use humor and exaggerated characters to explore themes of consent, identity and communication, creating a space where audiences can both laugh and reflect. The show balances absurdity with sincerity, offering a fresh perspective on a topic that is frequently misunderstood or avoided.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 24, 7 p.m.

Place: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Colombian singer and accordionist Gregorio Uribe leads a vibrant musical experience that blends traditional cumbia rhythms with contemporary influences such as jazz, pop and blues. The performance transforms the venue into an energetic dance floor, encouraging audience participation and celebration. Known for his charismatic stage presence and inventive arrangements, Uribe creates a joyful atmosphere that bridges cultures and generations through music.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 26, 7 p.m.

Place: Manos Sagrados, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Tickets: $14-$20

Information: manossagrados.com

“Studio Saturdays Artist Demo” at Denver Art Museum

Visitors can observe professional artists at work during this engaging weekly program, which highlights a variety of artistic disciplines including painting, sculpture and mixed media. Artists demonstrate their techniques while discussing their creative processes, offering insight into how ideas evolve into finished works. The program provides a rare opportunity to interact directly with creators in a museum setting.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 25, daytime hours

Place: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway.

Tickets: Included with admission

Information: denverartmuseum.org or 720-865-5000

“Wild Women: Hear Us Roar” at Su Teatro Cultural Center

This dynamic theatrical production celebrates the voices and experiences of women through a lively combination of storytelling, music and performance. Drawing from historical and contemporary narratives, the show highlights themes of resilience, empowerment and cultural identity. With humor and heart, the performers create an engaging and thought-provoking experience that resonates across generations.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 24–April 26

Place: Su Teatro Cultural Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive.

Tickets: $15–$30

Information: suteatro.org or 303-296-0219

“Colorado Symphony: Spring Concert Series” at Boettcher Concert Hall

The Colorado Symphony presents a series of concerts featuring a diverse repertoire of classical masterworks and contemporary compositions. Performed in Denver’s premier concert venue, the program showcases the orchestra’s range and technical excellence. Audiences can expect an immersive musical experience that highlights both beloved favorites and innovative new works.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 24–26

Place: Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex

Tickets: $19-$151

Information: coloradosymphony.org or 303-623-7876

“First Friday Art Walk” at RiNo Art District

This popular monthly event transforms the RiNo neighborhood into a bustling hub of creativity, with galleries, studios and street artists opening their doors to the public. Visitors can explore cutting-edge contemporary art, enjoy live music and experience large-scale murals that define the district. The lively atmosphere makes it one of Denver’s most anticipated cultural gatherings.

IF YOU GO:

Date: May 1, in the evening Place: RiNo Art District, Denver Tickets: Free Information: rinoartdistrict.org or 303-308-7100

“First Friday Art Walk” at Santa Fe Arts District

A cornerstone of Denver’s arts community, this long-running event features dozens of galleries and creative spaces showcasing new exhibitions each month. The walk offers opportunities to meet artists, discover emerging talent and experience a wide variety of artistic styles in a festive, pedestrian-friendly setting.

IF YOU GO:

Date: May 1, 5:30 p.m.–late

Place: Santa Fe Drive, Denver

Tickets: Free Information: denversartdistrict.org or 720-773-2373

“Aurora Quilt Showcase” at Aurora Center for Active Adults

This exhibition highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of regional quilters, featuring intricate designs that range from traditional patterns to modern interpretations. Visitors can learn about quilting techniques, meet creators and gain insight into the cultural significance of textile art. The showcase celebrates both creativity and community heritage.

IF YOU GO:

Date: May 2, 9 a.m.–noon

Place: 30 W. Del Mar Circle

Tickets: Free Information: auroragov.org or 303-739-7950

“Improv Comedy Night” at Rise Comedy

Local comedians take the stage for a fast-paced evening of unscripted performance, creating scenes and characters based entirely on audience suggestions. Each show is unique, blending quick wit, creativity and collaboration to deliver an engaging and often hilarious experience.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 24–May 2

Place: Rise Comedy, 1260 22nd St.

Tickets: $10–$20

Information: risecomedy.com or 720-420-0195

“Contemporary Photography Exhibition” at Center for Visual Art

This exhibition showcases the work of emerging and established photographers exploring themes such as identity, environment and storytelling. Through a range of styles and techniques, the featured artists offer compelling visual narratives that invite viewers to reflect on their own perspectives.

IF YOU GO:

Date: Through May

Place: Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Dr.

Tickets: Free Information: msudenver.edu/cva or 303-294-5207

“Poetry & Spoken Word Night” at Mercury Cafe

An open and inclusive event where poets and performers share original work in an intimate setting. The evening highlights diverse voices and perspectives, blending personal storytelling with performance art in a supportive community environment.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 30

Place: Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St.

Tickets: Donation-based

Information: mercurycafe.com or 303-294-9258

“Indie Film Screening Series” at Sie FilmCenter

Denver Film’s flagship venue presents a rotating lineup of independent, international and documentary films. Many screenings include discussions or special programming, offering audiences deeper insight into the filmmaking process and themes explored on screen.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 23–May 6 (various screenings)

Place: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.

Tickets: $10–$15

Information: denverfilm.org or 720-381-0813

“Modern Dance Showcase” at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre

This performance features contemporary choreography rooted in African American traditions, blending storytelling with movement and music. The program highlights both established and emerging dancers, offering a powerful and visually engaging experience.

IF YOU GO:

Date: May 2 and May 3

Place: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, 119 Park Avenue West

Tickets: $25–$45

Information: cleoparkerdance.org or 303-295-1759

“Chamber Music Concert Series” at Newman Center for the Performing Arts

This intimate concert series features small ensembles performing works from the classical repertoire, offering a close-up listening experience that emphasizes musical nuance and collaboration.

IF YOU GO:

Date: May 5 and May 6

Place: Newman Center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.

Tickets: $10–$40

Information: newmancenterpresents.com or 303-871-7720

Django Jingles — Jazz Manouche and more with the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra

Hot swing and spirited improvisation take center stage as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra presents Django Jingles: Jazz Manouche N More at Lakewood Cultural Center. Led by artistic director Drew Zaremba, the concert pays tribute to legendary guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, whose groundbreaking work with the Quintette du Hot Club de France helped define the vibrant jazz manouche style. Blending American jazz traditions with Romani musical influences, jazz manouche—also known as “hot club jazz”—is characterized by its acoustic instrumentation, driving rhythms and high-energy improvisation. The CJRO brings that sound to life with a dynamic ensemble featuring saxophonist Jared Cathey, pianist Ben Hall, guitarist Mike Abbott, bassist Eric Hitt and vocalist Marion Powers.

The concert also features special guest violinist Enion Pelta-Tiller, co-founder of the internationally recognized band Taarka. Known for blending Gypsy and Eastern European folk traditions with modern sensibilities, Pelta-Tiller adds a fresh dimension to the performance, honoring Reinhardt’s legacy while expanding the sound with her own distinctive style.

Organizers describe the evening as a celebration of rhythm and melody, capturing the infectious energy of early 20th-century jazz while showcasing the CJRO’s signature blend of tradition and innovation. The orchestra, one of the region’s premier jazz ensembles, continues to push boundaries with inventive programming and performances that highlight the depth and versatility of the genre.

IF YOU GO:

Date: 3 p.m. April 26

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway Tickets $36 – $38 www.coloradojazz.org or call 303-987-7845

Ari Lennox – “The Vacancy Tour” at Summit Music Hall

Celebrated R&B artist Ari Lennox brings her soulful voice and emotionally rich songwriting to Denver as part of her national tour. Known for her smooth vocal delivery and deeply personal lyrics, Lennox creates a concert experience that is both intimate and electrifying. Her setlist blends tracks from her latest album with fan-favorite songs, offering a journey through themes of love, vulnerability and self-discovery. Backed by a live band and thoughtful stage production, the performance promises to be a standout moment for R&B fans.

IF YOU GO:

Date: April 26 at 7 p.m.

Place: Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. Tickets: $66-$354

Information: www.summitdenver.com or call 303-487-0111

Legislators may keep the wheels of the RTD buses from grinding to a halt

There’s little argument that the Regional Transportation District has missed the bus on creating a widely usable mass transit system in the metro area and Front Range.

It hasn’t been for the lack of trying, or the lack of money.

Created in 1969, RTD has spent billions and billions of dollars to create a sprawling system that too few people actually want to ride, and, clearly, most people do not.

State lawmakers have stepped up with a measure that, at long last, attempts to revamp the district’s structure in hopes that more, focused attention by more qualified leaders leads to a bus and light-rail system far more people want to, and do, ride.

The state Senate’s approval of SB26-150 is a long-overdue acknowledgment that for a state and region that prides itself on growth, innovation and livability, its mass transit system is, by nearly every practical measure, a failure.

Start with the rider experience. RTD is too expensive, undependable and impractical. Commuters do not simply board a bus or train and arrive at their destination. They wait — and wait — for delayed buses and light-rail trains that too frequently run behind schedule. Even when service arrives, it rarely delivers riders where they actually need to go. Instead, many are left piecing together multiple routes, adding transfers and uncertainty to an already time-consuming journey.

For working families, it’s not a viable alternative to driving. It’s just another burden.

The problem is systemic. Despite more than 65 million annual boardings, overall ridership remains far below pre-pandemic levels, a clear sign that the public has lost confidence. When people who have options choose not to ride, and those without options are left frustrated, the system is failing both groups.

And yet, this is not a system starved for resources. RTD operates with a staggering $1.5 billion annual budget. That figure alone should end any argument that the agency’s struggles are simply a matter of funding. Taxpayers are investing heavily. Riders are paying fares. The return on that investment should be a transit system that is reliable, efficient and accessible. Instead, they are getting inconsistency and inconvenience.

The Senate’s proposed reforms rightly focus on governance. The current 15-member board is too large, too unwieldy and too often ineffective. Decision-making slows to a crawl when consensus must be built across a sprawling group, particularly when members represent vastly different constituencies with competing priorities.

Worse, the status quo has too often produced directors who lack either the expertise or the urgency to steer a complex, $1.5 billion transit system.

Shrinking the board to nine members — five elected and four appointed based on relevant expertise — is a sensible step.

A smaller board can act more decisively. Adding appointed members with professional qualifications introduces a level of competence that has too often been absent.

The change would not diminish democracy. It would ensure that those entrusted with oversight are equipped to do the job.

Compensation is another issue the bill attempts to address, but it deserves scrutiny. Paying board members just $1,000 a month has likely discouraged some qualified candidates from running. Public service at this level requires significant time and responsibility, and compensation should reflect that.

Raising board salaries alone will not solve RTD’s leadership problem — particularly when contrasted with the agency’s executive pay. The RTD executive director has been paid roughly $400,000 a year, a figure that is difficult to justify given the system’s performance.

Top compensation is often defended as necessary to attract top talent. But if that were true here, RTD would not be grappling with lagging ridership, persistent delays and declining public trust.

That disparity sends the wrong message — to employees working throughout the system, to taxpayers funding it and to riders enduring its shortcomings. Compensation must be tied to results, and right now, the results are not there.

If RTD is serious about rebuilding ridership and serving the 30% of households without reliable access to a car, fares must come down or, in some cases, be eliminated altogether.

This measure is by no means a guarantee that all RTD problems will be solved, but it’s a solid step away from decades of what got us here.

Colorado’s political lying season is already well underway

Politics is a game of narrative. Whoever controls the narrative wins. Sure, the truth is interesting. But truth doesn’t sell. It takes time to uncover, assuming people care enough to go digging for it.

Narratives are easier. They’re simple, comforting and come pre-approved by the crowd.

Groupthink isn’t just easy. It’s safe. The truth, on the other hand, requires work and enough bravery to risk being out of step with people who judge you.

And we’re busy. So, we outsource our thinking to the media, entertainment and schools, and go with whatever story they hand us.

Take this one: “Teachers are underpaid.”

It’s airtight. Say it at a cocktail party and everyone nods like they’ve just solved poverty.

But start factoring in full compensation packages, insurance, pensions with guaranteed lifetime payouts, a work calendar with summers off, fall and spring breaks, and two weeks for whatever they call Christmas these days, and suddenly the narrative gets…well, frayed.

Sidenote — studies confirm for an employee to afford a pre-paid retirement plan with the same guaranteed payout of a teacher’s pension, one’s salary would have to be increased about 27%.

Here’s another: “Fossil fuels are destroying the planet.”

That one has moved beyond narrative into religion. Question it and you’re not debating policy, you’re committing heresy. You will be canceled.

But here’s the part that never makes the sermon.

Roughly 2.3 billion people still cook over wood or dung. If we move them to portable propane stoves it would remove as much greenhouse gas as if we ended all air, rail and boat traffic combined.

Oh, not that it matters, but it would save women in impoverished nations about four hours a day toiling to collect fuel for the fire.

So, fossil fuels could save our climate. But the power of narrative will keep it “in the ground” choking our economy, potentially keeping the globe warming. But at least third-world chicks will never advance. So, we got that.

Narratives aren’t designed to inform you. They’re designed to manipulate you.

Which brings us to political lying season. Again.

The stories being planted right now as the legislature argues “budget cuts” will be set to bloom just in time for the fall election. And the anti-taxpayer choir is already warming up for its heart-render-

ing performance of “The State Needs More of Your Money.”

There’s a crisis. It’s urgent. It’s not their fault. And fixing it requires reaching deeper into your pocket.

A couple years ago, Kyle Clark from 9News was one of the first to poke a hole in that script during the Proposition HH debate.

“Governor,” he said, “We know you’re smart. I hope you don’t think we’re stupid.”

That moment mattered. It cracked the narrative just enough for others to question it. HH went down by 20 points.

Turns out, when the story collapses, so does the manipulation.

Which is why this year’s push will be all about getting the story right.

Ending TABOR refunds won’t be sold as a tax hike. It’ll be “for the kids,” even though school enrollment is dropping fast.

A graduated income tax won’t be about chasing Colorado’s most innovative to a low- or no-income tax state. It’ll be about “fairness.”

And don’t forget the transit undead. We need a round of statewide trolley taxes to get us a train named after a drag queen. “And on stage 3, give it up for CoCo!” Forget about two decades of neglecting our roadways. It’ll be about “the future of transportation,” somehow with technology from the 1800s.

The details don’t matter nearly as much as the storyline.

Their schemes stand no chance unless they can develop an unchallenged storyline: The budget cuts will hurt the most fragile, and the budget crisis wasn’t their fault.

They will make sure the budget cuts really do hurt the most fragile. And they’ll never take responsibility for bloating the Medicaid roles 200% with people who are not disabled.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is a spot when and how they and their allies develop and test their narratives over the truth.

Watch which programs get highlighted. Watch which words get repeated. Watch how quickly blame is redirected.

Because if the narrative holds, the tax increases follow.

But if it cracks, even a room full of politicians can suddenly discover fiscal restraint.

JonCaldaraispresidentofIndependenceInstitute,afreemarketthinktankinDenver.

JON CALDARA, GUEST COLUMNIST

Right: Regis Jesuit senior right-handed pitcher Hudson Alpert delivers a pitch during the first inning of a Continental League baseball game on April 18 at Regis Jesuit High School. In his first stint on the mound in 11 months as he continues to come back from an elbow injury, Alpert threw two shutout innings in a 9-0 win for the Raiders.

Below: Grandview senior Ethan Wachsmann fired a seven-inning no-hitter in an April 18 road game at Mullen which the Wolves won 1-0. Wachsmann’s no-hitter moved him to 4-1 on the season and dropped his ERA to just 1.00 on the season.

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY OAKES/AURORA SENTINEL

Two of the Colorado’s best prep pitching prospects hail from Aurora area prospects and one of them has been dominant, while the other looks to return to form.

Grandview senior Ethan Wachsmann and Regis Jesuit senior Hudson Alpert — both committed to Division I programs and potential Major League Baseball draft picks — are coming to the close of outstanding prep careers and looking to make the most the finish.

BASEBALL

Both had significant performances — for different reasons — on the same day last week as the season begins to wind toward the conclusion.

Call to arms

Wachsmann, a Wake Forest commit, tossed his second career seven-inning no-hitter April 18 in a 1-0 Centennial League road win at Mullen.

BY COURTNEY OAKES Sports Editor

The hard-throwing right-hander — who hit 98 miles per hour on his first pitch and 97 on his last one according to Grandview coach Scott Henry — needed just 87 pitches to no-hit the Mustangs. He struck out eight and allowed just one baserunner to get to third.

“Ethan was real quick and threw a ton of strikes,” Henry said. “He was in the upper to mid-90s the whole day, which is tough. Mullen did a pretty good job of putting balls in play, but he had his offspeed working and when that happens, he’s almost impossible to hit.”

Wachsmann had a breakout season a year ago, which included a seven-inning no-hitter against Cherokee Trail, plus two prime postseason performances in helping the Wolves reach the final four of the Class 5A Championship Series before a close loss to Regis Jesuit. He finished the season 8-1 with a 1.77 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. This season is on track to better in many ways. Wachsmann is off to a 4-1 start with a 1.00 ERA and 37 strike-

outs in just 21 innings. He has allowed just nine hits and his lone loss came when he gave up just two runs in two innings against Legacy.

The biggest changes Henry notes is in physical size, soaring confidence and an even demeanor, which has helped Wachsmann succeed even as a gaggle of MLB scouts descend to his every start.

“I think he’s up to maybe 6-foot-5 now and over 200 pounds, so physically he looks like a man,” Henry said. “He’s probably more in tune with his body than any athlete I’ve worked with. He knows how he should feel, how to recover, nutrition and how much sleep he needs. I think he’s feeling good every time he’s out there. His physical stuff is off the charts and he’s also been a student of the mental game. There’s some tiny things he’s tweaked mentally.”

That package combines to make Grandview (11-6 overall and 7-0 in the Centennial League through games of April 21) a concern to any potential team it might face in the upcoming postseason.

The challenge for Henry is what happens after Wachsmann, as pitching depth is vital to state title hopes, especially since the 5A Championship Series is double elimination. Senior Logan Hurtado (a right-hander who is 2-1) and senior lefty Seth Mittleman (2-0, 2.82 ERA) both have the lead when it comes to starting, while junior Diesel Bernosky is available to close. Grandview’s offense appears to be potent — with the exception of the Mullen game — which also helps.

While Wachsmann’s achievement was larger in pure pitching terms, Alpert’s two-inning stint on the mound April 18 against Highlands Ranch had massive overall meaning in the big picture.

The Vanderbilt recruit had been in the lineup for coach Matt Darr’s Raiders at second base and hitting cleanup, but he hadn’t thrown a pitch since May 23, 2025, when he had to exit a 5A Championship Series game against Arvada West because of discomfort in his right elbow. He was unable to pitch again as the Raiders went on to lose to Cherry Creek in the state championship game.

Alpert — Darr’s unquestioned go-to starter in big games for three seasons — turned out to need “Tommy John Lite” surgery, a stability repair which has a significantly shorter recovery period than traditional Tommy John operations, which often could sideline pitchers from a year to 18 months.

He dilligently went through his rehab as far a pitching, but was able to return the lineup for hitting and defense, as he wanted to “do anything I can to stay involved in the game, rather than just sit on the bench waiting to recover.”

Alpert was finally cleared to return to the mound with a pitch count and he checked a lot of boxes in a two-inning stint against Highlands Ranch in which he walked one batter and struck out three while not giving up a hit.

“Obviously we’re thrilled to have him back out there,” Darr said. “I talked to a few scouts that were there and he got up to 93. His secondary stuff looked better than last year, so I was thrilled. It’s obviously a nervous time for a kid in that situation, but he looked confident and comfortable. It’s a big boost for us to have him back.”

Darr said he will listen to Alpert’s doctors as far as how to work him back into a pitching staff that has blossomed in his stead due to the extra available innings, but expects Alpert to be on the mound once a week for the rest of the regular season. If he can build up, Alpert could again be a key piece on a potential run at a state title.

GIRLS TENNIS

Regis Jesuit qualiﬁes for 5A team state tournament

The Regis Jesuit girls tennis team is the lone area team to make the Class 5A team state tournament according to the bracket released by the Colorado High School Activities Association April 20.

The Raiders — who have a 9-2 dual match record — got the No. 8 seed in the 16-team field, which yielded a home match in the April 22 opening round. Regis Jesuit was to play host to No. 9 Legacy, with the winner set to advance to the April 24 second round against either No. 1 Ralston Valley or No. 16 Boulder.

Regis Jesuit won its opener in last season’s tournament before a quarterfinal loss to Valor Christian. Visit sentinelcolorado.com/preps for updated tournament scoreboard and schedule.

SIGNING DAY

Smoky Hill, Vista PEAK

Prep

honor sports signees

The latest National Signing Day for prep athletes came April 15, as Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK Prep hosted ceremonies to honor their respective groups, some of which had signed earlier.

Prep athletes used to sign National Letters of Intent for scholarship offers, but now agree to financial aid packages with their respective colleges.

Here’s a list of signees and their sports from each school: SMOKY HILL: Dillan

Ancheta, men’s volleyball, Lake Forest College; Grady Baker, lacrosse, Carthage College; Kiyah Enoch, track & field, South Dakota; Maria Pascual Francisco, women’s wrestling, Otero College; Russell Greenstein, swimming, Virginia Wesleyan; Tylen Haller, soccer, LaRoche University; Alyssa Ivaniszek, dance, Northwest Mississippi C.C.; Jason Jaster, lacrosse, Univ. of Dubuque; Eve Niemann, swimming, St. Bonaventure; Mya Noffsinger swimming, Minnesota St.-Mankato; Kiley Snyder, softball, Northeastern J.C.; Kevin Torres, soccer, LaRoche University; Jayda Vigil, basketball, Bethel College; Cameryn Walkup, swimming, Wyoming; VISTA PEAK PREP: Amelia Bacon, women’s wrestling, Colorado Mesa; Ian Bacon, men’s wrestling, Colorado Mesa; Canaan Barthlow, football, Wheaton College; Brody Brancato, baseball, Hamline University; Joshua Gallien, football, Northern Colorado; J’Niya Hernandez, cheerleading, Hope International; Amara Herrera, softball, North Platte C.C.; Emily Peabody, cheerleading, Davenport University; Jordan Ramirez-Jimenez, football, Vermillion C.C.; Abel Salinas, baseball, Eastern Arizona College; Tyrone Smiley, football, Northern Colorado;Isaiah Watson, football, Colorado State WEEK PAST

The week past in Aurora prep sports

MONDAY, APRIL 20: The Regis Jesuit baseball team rolled to a 17-4 Continental League road win at Douglas County as Cade Filleman earned the win and was backed by a 16-hit attack. Eli Shappee doubled twice and drove in six runs, while Deion Cesario-Scott had four RBI in Raiders’ offensive explosion.

...The Cherokee Trail baseball team downed Smoky Hill 14-4 in Centennial League play behind winning pitcher Connor Thrush, who allowed two hits and three unearned runs. Logan Kruse drove in four runs, Stone Harrison knocked in three and Thrush, Landon Ellis and Braden Anderson had two RBI apiece. ...The Cherokee Trail girls soccer team has won two in a row after a 9-0 non-league home win over Vista PEAK Prep. ...The Aurora West College Prep Academy girls soccer team downed William Smith 13-0 as Valeria Ibarra had three goals, while Maria Gutierrez Benitez & Arwal Mayoum added two apiece. ...The Cherokee Trail boys lacrosse team prevailed over Northfield 8-6 in a non-league road contest. ...The Eaglecrest girls lacrosse team snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 14-10 non-league home win over Pueblo West. ...Behind 13 kills from Zuriel Ofori plus nine from Ellis Cook and double-digit assists from Aaron Williams and Amol Rai, the Vista PEAK Prep boys volleyball team topped Hinkley 25-21, 25-13, 25-18. ...The Regis Jesuit girls golf team took sixth and Cherokee Trail tied for eighth among 17 scoring teams at the Mountain Vista Spring Invite played at The Pinery. The Raiders’ top score of plus-9 81 came from Claire Pariset, while the Cougars were led by Marisa Vialpando’s 85. ...SATURDAY, APRIL 18: Ethan Wachsmann fired a seven-inning no-hitter for the Grandview baseball team in a 1-0 Centennial League win at Mullen (see story, page 13) . The Wolves generated just four hits themselves — half from AJ Maroni —

For more on these stories, visit sentinelcolorado. com/preps

while Julian Bernosky scored the only run. ...Hudson Alpert made his pitching debut and had two strong innings for the Regis Jesuit baseball team in a 9-0 Continental League home win over Highlands Ranch. Chase Massey homered as part of a 3-for-3 day and drove in a pair, while Eli Shappee also went 3-for-3 with three RBI and four other players knocked in runs for the Raiders. ...The Cherokee Trail girls soccer team got back on the winning track with a 2-1 non-league road win at Fort Collins. The Cougars had gone 0-2-1 in three previous contests. ...Cameron Bell won the 110 & 300 meter hurdles, while Jaylyn Brothers Pogue Martin Jones and the 4x200 meter relay also won for the Eaglecrest boys track team as Raptors won the Cherry Creek Invite by nearly 20 points. The 4x400 meter relay went to Cherokee Trail, which tied for ninth, while Overland finished 13th and Smoky Hill 14th. ...The Eaglecrest girls track team won the Cherry Creek Invitational with help from wins by Malanya Gaines (400 meters) & Jenna Winn (1,600), while the 4x100 & 4x400 relays won for seventh place Cherokee Trail and 10th place Overland had an event winner in Lezlee Napier (200 meters). Joshua Gallien won both the 200 and 400 meters and Jaycen Harvell-Gibson took the long jump to help the Vista PEAK Prep boys track team to third place at the Northfield Nighthawks Invitational. Regis Jesuit finished in 7th place, while Gateway ended up 14th, Aurora Central 15th and Hinkley tied for 19th. ...

The Vista PEAK Prep girls track team finished third at the Northfield Night-

hawks Invitational with help from wins by Nabria Minor & Justice Ray plus the 4x100 meter relay, which was made up of Minor, Elazia Patton, Naomi Coleman and Jordyn Brewer. Sixth-place Regis Jesuit also had an event champion in McKenna Groen, who took the 1,600 meters. ... Will Van Der Bosch and William Wilson had three goals apiece, Will Cornell had a goal plus four assists and Ryan Olsen made seven saves for the Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team in a 9-4 win over Mountain Vista. ...The Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team topped Arapahoe 17-9 on the road as Natalie Chilton, Rhett Harris, Anna Hodges and Jasmine Lugo scored three goals apiece, while Amina Pope had a goal plus three assists. ... The Eaglecrest boys volleyball team defeated Grandview, Littleton Public Schools co-op, Poudre and ThunderRidge en route to the Legend Tournament championship. Dallin Anderson registered double-digit kills in two matches for Eaglecrest, including 11 against LPS, while Dillan Ancheta had three 20-plus assist performances in four matches. The Wolves were led by Alex Garcia, who had 39 kills in a 3-1 performance. ...The Vista PEAK Prep boys volleyball team posted a 2-2 record at the Douglas County tournament. ...FRIDAY, APRIL 17: The majority of contests for Aurora prep sports teams were canceled or postponed due to weather. ...The Cherokee Trail boys volleyball team earned a marathon 19-25, 25-23, 25-16, 24-26, 15-13 win at Ponderosa on a big day from Forrest Cornett, who had 14 kills, five aces and three blocks, while Quinn Trusler added 11 kills and Chase Cabuag had 10 kills and 20 assists. ...The Aurora West College Prep Academy

FAR LEFT: Eaglecrest senior Cameron Bell warms up before running the opening leg of his team’s 4x200 meter relay that won the boys event at the Cherry Creek Invitational April 18 at Stutler Bowl. ABOVE LEFT: Vista PEAK Prep senior athletes listen to coaches speak during a National Signing Day ceremony April 15 at Vista PEAK Prep. ABOVE: Senior swimmers Cameryn Walkup, left, and Mya Noffsinger smile as they see pictures on the scoreboard during a National Signing Day Ceremony on April 15 at Smoky Hill High School. Walkup is headed to swim at the University of Wyoming and Noffsinger is bound for Minnesota State-Mankato. BELOW LEFT: Eaglecrest junior Jenna Winn surged to a late victory in the girls 1,600 meter run at the Cherry Creek Invitational April 18 at Stutler Bowl. BELOW CENTER: Rangeview senior goalie Santiago Pina Martinez (98) raises his hands in celebration after the Raiders defeated Smoky Hill 7-6 in a boys lacrosse thriller April 16 at Rangeview High School. BELOW RIGHT: Regis Jesuit sophomore Will Cornell, left, beats a Mountain Vista defender during the Raiders’ 9-4 boys lacrosse home win April 18. RIGHT: Eaglecrest junior Will George (1) pounds a kill in the Raptors’ boys volleyball sweep of visiting Grandview April 16. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/Aurora Sentinel)

boys volleyball team downed Alameda 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 25-12 with a balanced effort. Fredy Felix tallied 10 kills, while Erick Uriarte had 32 assists and seven aces. ...THURSDAY, APRIL 16: Ryan Miley homered and joined AJ Maroni with four RBI apiece, while Ethan Wachsmann knocked in three and Kayden Bohmeyer had three hits in the Grandview baseball team’s 17-4 win over Mullen. ...The Cherokee Trail baseball team got the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning of an 8-7 Centennial League win at Smoky Hill. Connor Thrush had three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Cougars to earn a win in relief for Jayden Witkamp. ...Two threerun rallies for the Gateway baseball team earned a 6-5 Colorado League win over Aurora Central as Heber Almeida drove in three runs and Jose Soto had two RBI. Toby Sanchez tripled twice and had three RBI for the Trojans. ...Jerome Mestas got the win and had three RBI —as did Humberto Perez —as the Overland baseball team rolled to a 22-4 win at Thornton. ...Yarely Portillo and Sa’Mya Shazier each scored a goal for the Gateway girls soccer team in a 2-0 home win against Overland Katie Reynolds and Jayden Schwabauer were among the goal-scores for the Grandview girls soccer team in a 2-0 win over Overland Sierra Davis scored a goal and Emma Roberts made seven saves for the Eaglecrest girls soccer team in a 1-1 tie with Mullen. ...The Regis Jesuit boys swim team finished second, followed by Grandview in third and Cherokee Trail fifth at the John Strain Memorial meet hosted by Cherry Creek. Trevyn Krauss set the meet and pool record of 4 minutes, 34.01 seconds,

in the 500 yard freestyle and won twice, while Spencer Greene and Nolan Kohl earned wins for the Raiders. Tyson Walker of Cherokee Trail set the meet record of 1:52.01 in the 200 yard individual medley, while Grandview’s wins came from Greyson Connett and diver Hunter Bull The Rangeview boys lacrosse team held off Smoky Hill 7-6 in conference play behind Kayden Anderson’s three goals plus a goal and three assists from Jesse Long Sofia Cordova and Keely Graff each had four goals and a total of 15 players had goals for the Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team in a 23-2 win over Legend. ...In a local showdown, the Eaglecrest boys volleyball team swept visiting Grandview 25-21, 25-23, 25-19 with a balanced effort led by Will George’s eight kills, while Dillan Ancheta had 19 assists for the unbeaten Raptors. Alex Garcia had 15 kills and Devan Hall 23 assists for the Wolves. ...Ellis Cook’s 10 kills and three aces paced the Vista PEAK Prep boys volleyball team to a 25-18, 25-13, 25-15 win at rival Rangeview . ...Jayden Dotson and Sike Rot piled up 13 kills apiece for the Hinkley boys volleyball team in a 25-14, 21-25, 25-23, 25-27, 15-10 outlasting of Thomas Jefferson. Qwamarius Lake added nine kills and eight blocks. ... The Gateway boys volleyball team downed KIPP Denver Collegiate 25-22, 25-16, 10-25, 25-21 as Oscar Mejia de Haro racked up 16 kills and Arpan Subedi dished out 32 assists. ...The Regis Jesuit boys volleyball team swept Ponderosa 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 in a Continental League match. ...The Regis Jesuit girls tennis team earned a 7-0 Continental League win over Douglas County. ...Three doubles wins in addition to singles victories from No. 1

Johnson and No. 3 Megany Enkhaldar lifted the Vista PEAK Prep girls tennis team to a 5-2 win over Rangeview. Lauren Forte (No. 2 singles) and the No. 4 doubles team of Monica Hernandez and Lana Trice prevailed for the Raiders. ...The Smoky Hill girls tennis team picked up a Centennial League sweep of Overland. ...A plus-6 78 put Natalie Furgason third, while Molly Amann shot 81 for fifth for the Regis Jesuit girls golf team in a second-place finish at the Lone Tree Invite. ...Makenna Dossey took medalist honors and led the Gateway girls golf team to a one-stroke win over Thornton in the Colorado League minor played at Thorncreek G.C.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15: The Regis Jesuit baseball team scored five times in the top of the sixth inning and held on to beat Legend 6-4 in Continental League play. Lucas Stavenger got the win in relief, while Chase Massey, Brady Wright, Greyson Glasheen and Jack Manthey drove in runs and Deion Cesario-Scott had two hits. ...The Cherokee Trail boys lacrosse team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 13-4 league win over Kent Denver. ...In a weather rescheduled Centennial League girls tennis dual, host Cherokee Trail swept past Overland 7-0 as Cougars lost nine total games among seven matches. ...A singles sweep from Marin Shutter, Sydney Zimmerman & Chloe Clary combined with wins at Nos. 1 & 2 doubles for the Grandview girls tennis team in a 5-2 home dual win over Chaparral. ...The Vista PEAK Prep girls tennis team got a three-set win from Karla Rodriguez at No. 2 singles to complete a 7-0 City League dual sweep of George Washington. ...The Rangeview girls tennis team

swept singles and took all matches save for No. 2 doubles in a 6-1 dual match win over Hinkley. ...The Regis Jesuit girls golf team finished in fourth place at the Continental League tournament played at Lone Tree G.C. & Hotel. Emily Gott shot plus-9 81 to tie for 13th to pace the Raiders. ...TUESDAY, APRIL 14: The Grandview baseball team scored in five of its seven at-bats — including a six-run second inning — of a 12-10 Centennial League win at Cherokee Trail. Zach Muniz got the win in relief, while Ethan Wachsmann paced the offense with three hits and two RBI and AJ Maroni knocked in three. Landon Ellis went 4-for-4 and Ryan Chidester drove in four runs with three hits for the Cougars. ...Brian Moreland threw a complete game (plus had two hits) and Blake Anderson drove in two runs as the Eaglecrest baseball team earned a Centennial League season split with Smoky Hill with a 5-3 win. ...The Gateway baseball team had three significant rallies in a Colorado League home game against Thornton and secured a 13-3 victory. ...The Aurora West College Prep Academy girls soccer team got a hat trick from Marlen Cabral and two goals from Yosseline Silva Monsivais in a 5-0 win over Rocky Mountain Lutheran. ...Mabel Ramon tallied four goals and Josey Davis also scored for the Lotus School For Excellence girls soccer team in a 5-1 home win over Clear Creek. ...Emma Roberts made nine saves for the Eaglecrest girls soccer team as the Raptors and Cherokee Trail finished in a 0-0 Centennial League deadlock. ...Reese Crance scored with an assist from Kennedy Ranson in the second half as the Regis Jesuit girls soccer team played Castle

View to a 1-1 tie in Continental League play. ...The Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team picked up a quality 10-6 5A South League road victory over Heritage. ...The Eaglecrest boys volleyball team extended its undefeated start to the season with a 25-14, 25-22, 25-16 Centennial League home win over Valor Christian. ...The Grandview boys volleyball team needed five sets to defeat rival Cherokee Trail, as Wolves prevailed 21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-9 for sixth straight win. ...The Overland boys volleyball team snapped a four-match losing streak by outlasting Mullen 29-27, 25-23, 30-28 in a Centennial League home match. ...The Vista PEAK Prep boys volleyball team topped Thomas Jefferson 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 as Ellis Cook had 10 kills and nine digs, Sekou Dioubate had eight kills and five blocks and Aaron Williams had six kills and 16 assists. ...In a conference matinee, the Gateway boys volleyball team earned a 25-9, 25-18, 26-24 home sweep of Kennedy to retain share of lead in 4A City League ... The Grandview girls tennis team prevailed over Smoky Hill 5-2 in Centennial League play with help of a singles sweep (Marin Shutter, Sydney Zimmerman and Chloe Clary) plus three-set wins at Nos. 2 & 3 doubles. Brinnon Cook shot a plus-8 73 to earn a share of medalist honors and helped the Cherokee Trail girls golf team to 2nd place at the Centennial League tournament played at Springhill G.C. The Cougars finished two strokes ahead of Grandview. The Wolves were led by Jean Lim, who tied for third place and was joined in top 10 by teammate Charly Ashworth, who tied with Smoky Hill’s Erianna Perez and Cherokee Trail’s Averie Arritola for 7th.

Francesca

DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO

CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS FILED IN THIS COURT UNDER THE “UNIFORM DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE” AND “UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION” ACTS, due diligence has been used to obtain personal service within the State of Colorado and further efforts would be to no avail; therefore, publication has been ordered: CASE NUMBER PARTY NAMES CASE TYPE

D0032025DR001248

MELVIN LEWIS v TAYLOR ADAMS CUSTODY

D0032026DR000004

NATHAN THOMAS LESJAK v RUBY JO LOCKERT DISSOLUTION

D0032026DR030346

MARIA RAMIREZ PUENTES v BRIG-

GITHE HERRERA RAMIREZ et al CUSTODY

D0032026DR000248

HILARIO VELASCO SANTIAGO v LEONOR SILVA SANTOS DISSOLUTION

A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the above Court between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; failure to respond to this service by publication within thirty-five (35) days of the publication date may result in a default judgment against the non-appearing party.

SHANA KLOEK

CLERK OF THE COURT

7325 S. POTOMAC ST. CENTENNIAL, CO 80112

/S/ BENJAMIN SNODGRASS

Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO § 15-10-401, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30164

In the Interest of: Douglas Alexander Martinez Martinez

To: Jose Joaquin Martinez Guardado

Last Known Address, if any: Unknown

A hearing on Petition for Guardian of Minor for appointment of Ana Griselda Martinez Cruz as Guardian of Minor Douglas Alexander Martinez Martinez will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:

Date: June 10, 2026

Time: 9:00 am

Courtroom or Division: 305

Address:

1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601

The hearing will take approximately 1 hour.

Charles A. Nicholas 2000 S. Colorado Blvd., Bldg 1-2000-1059 Denver, CO 80222

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

INVITATION TO BID GREEN VALLEY RANCH EAST

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 10

AURORA 310 INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE #1

Notice is hereby given that the Green Valley Ranch East Metropolitan District No. 10 (“District”) seeks bids from qualified contractors for the construction of the Aurora 310 Infrastructure Package #1 Improvements in Aurora, County of Adams, Colorado (“Project”) as outlined in the Bid Documents for the Aurora 310 Infrastructure Package #1 Project, dated April 23, 2026, which can be obtained by contacting the District as follows:

Eric Kubly JJ Brandstatter

Mile High Development LLC

8350 E Crescent Parkway, Suite 200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 ekubly@milehighdev.com / jjbrandstatter@milehighdev.com

Eric (303) 435-5058 JJ (720) 486-7353

Sealed Bids are due by May 14, 2026, not later than 10:00 A.M. MT to the District at 8350 E Crescent Parkway, Suite 200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, and/or via email sent to ekubly@milehighdev.com. Bids not received by 10:00 A.M. MT will not be considered. Bids received will not be publicly opened and read.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: GREEN VALLEY RANCH EAST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 10

Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel INVITATION TO BID

The Sky Ranch Community Authority Board (hereinafter called the “Owner”) will receive sealed Bids for the Sky Ranch CAB Filing 9 Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC) Project (the “Project”) via electronic submission to The Connextion Group, LLC; by 1:00 P.M. MT on May 7th, 2026. Electronic copies of the bid documents are to be sent to Marrocco@ theconnextiongroup.com (please copy Guirey@theconnextiongroup.com). Attention is called to the fact that the Successful Bidder will be required to advance finds to the CAB in an amount equivalent

to the amount of the bid submitted in order to fund the Project (the “Project Advance”), and to enter into a capital finding agreement with the Owner to address the Owner’s repayment of the Project Advance to the Successful Bidder.

A description of the Work to be performed includes but is not limited to: Grading, erosion and sediment control services to the Owner for the Sky Ranch development, including, without limitation, monthly BMP maintenance for existing on-site BMPs.

Complete digital project bidding documents will be available electronically upon request after April 23rd, 2026. Send request for bid documents to Barrett Marrocco at Marrocco@TheConnextionGroup.com with copy to Guirey@theconnextiongroup. com.

Include company name, contact name and contact information in the request.

Bids shall be made on the forms furnished by the Owner and endorsed with the name of the Bidder. Also, Bidders shall submit in electronic form the Bid Documents, including a working file of the Bid Schedule (Excel format). Bidders must supply a list of Subcontractors and Suppliers providing $5,000 or more in labor and/or materials to the Project. If not provided earlier, Bidders shall be required to submit a completed AIA A305 Qualifications Contractor Statement, or equal, including all attachments. The Owner will not provide the form. Bidders are hereby advised that the Owner reserves the right to not award a Contract until ninety (90) days from the date of the opening of Bids, and Bidders expressly agree to keep their Bids open for the ninety (90) day time period. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive any informality, technicality or irregularity in any Bid, to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive, conditional or alternate Bids, to clarify contract terms with the Successful Bidder, to require statements or evidence of Bidders’ qualifications, including financial statements, and to accept the proposal that is in the opinion of the Owner in its best interest. Owner reserves the right to accept any combination of Bids which in Owner’s sole, and absolute judgment will, under all circumstances, best serve the Owner’s interests. Owner also reserves the right to extend the Bidding period by Addendum if it appears in its interest to do so. The Owner reserves the right to award multiple contracts to multiple Bidders.

All questions concerning this bid shall be directed in writing to:

Barrett Marrocco

The Connextion Group, LLC Engineer for Sky Ranch Community Authority Board 4785 Tejon St, Suite 101 Denver, CO 80211 E-mail: Marrocco@theconnextiongroup. com

Please copy Michael Guirey at Guirey@ theconnextiongroup.com on all correspondence.

Contacting the Design Engineer, District Representatives, Local Jurisdictions, or others involved in the development of the Project shall be reason for the Bidder’s Bid to be rejected. Responses to questions and clarifications shall be by written Addendum only, verbal responses are non-binding.

Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel

LEGAL NOTICE - I101/130, C112, C113 Rocky Mountain Self Storage Auction of Tenant’s Personal Property

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the person herein after named and to all whom it may concern. The contents of the following units are subject to our lien for non-payment of rent and other charges.

You are denied access to your unit. You can redeem such goods on or before 3pm on 4/24/2026. The goods you have stored after this time will be sold at auction to the highest bidder. The auction will run several days before and up to the date of the auction and will be held ONLINE at www. storageauctionsolutions.com. The facility/ auctioneer reserves the right to cancel a sale at any time for any reason.

Sloan Ronnie Howard, Unit I101/130 automotive tools, supplies Donald Gorton, Unit C112, C113 - furniture, household goods

Auctioneer: Storage Auction Solutions; www.storageauctionsolutions.com

Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT

Notice is hereby given that at 9:00 a.m. on May 11, 2026 the HM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1, of Adams County, Colorado will make final payment to;

M.A. Mortenson Company 1621 18th Street, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202 for all work done by said Contractor(s) in construction for work related to BOX ELDER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT – PHASE 1 (SECOND CREEK AND 60TH AVENUE) of said work being within or near the boundaries of HM Metropolitan District No. 1, County of Adams, State of Colorado.

Any person, co-partnership, association or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and in-

cluding the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim, to the HM Metropolitan District No. 1, c/o CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP., 2001 16th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado 80202, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release HM Metropolitan District No. 1, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

HM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 By: /s/ Gregg Johnson Secretary

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: April 30, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-10-401, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR112

In the Interest of: Christian Mota

To: Jose Santos Mota Rodriguez

Last Known Address, if any:

A hearing on May 27, 2026 at 9:30 am Estoy pidiendo Guardianship and conservator para Christian Mota. Mama murio y papa no esta siendo esponsable. Im asking for Christian Mota guardianship and conservator mom past away and dad is not responsible will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:

Date: May 27, 2026

Time: 9:30 am

Courtroom or Division: Webex App or by phone 7206507664 Access Code #2598388751 call one week prior for interpreter #3036456857 IImar 1 semana antes para intreprete code# divicion 06-03

The hearing will take approximately.

Marcela Roque Diaz Demetrio Talavera Martinez 1284 S. Troy St. Aurora, CO 80012

Date: May 27, 2026 Time: 9:30 am Courtroom: Webex App Address: or phone 720-650-7664 access code # 2598388751

The hearing will take approximately.

Marcela Roque Diaz Demetrio Talavera Martinez 1284 S. Troy St. Aurora, CO 80012

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that PODS Enterprises, LLC, located at 21110 E 31st Circle, Aurora, CO 80011, will sell the contents of certain containers at auction to the highest bidder to satisfy owner’s lien. Auction will be held online at www.StorageTreasures. com starting on May 7, 2026 and ending on May 14, 2026. Contents to be sold may include general household goods, electronics, office & business equipment, furniture, clothing and other miscellaneous personal property.

First Publication: April 16, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE OF SHREDDING OF RECORDS

If you were a patient of City Center Chiropractic at 578 S. Chambers, Rd., Aurora, CO 80017 until April 30, 2019 and would like your records, please call us at (303)751-1982.

Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S Case No. 2026PR209

Estate of Maurla K White aka Maurla Kleone White aka Maurla White, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 24, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Amy C White

Personal Representative 3345 S. Quintero St. Aurora, CO 80013

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR598

Estate of Kenneth J. Incorvaia, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 9, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Ryan Incorvaia

Personal Representative 370 17th St., Ste. 3075 Denver, CO 80202

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR0000075

Estate of James Henry Vaughn III, Deceased.

William H. Sutliff

Personal Representative 13191 E. Bethany Pl. Aurora, CO 80014

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR148

Estate of Douglas Richard Smith, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 20, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Michael K. Smith

Personal Representative 106 Poteat Pl. Franklin, TN 37064

First Publication: April 16, 2026

Final Publication: April 30, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR164

Estate of Adnan M. Babaa, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 26, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Ahmad I. Babaa

Personal Representative 32023 W. 14 Mile Rd., Apt. 204 Farmington Hills, MI 48334

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR181

Estate of Diane E. Ward, Deceased.

Christine Mitchell

Personal Representative 25480 E. Hinsdale Pl. Aurora, CO 80016

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR232

Estate of Thomas C. Hosea, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 24, 2026 or the claims may be forever barred. Jeffery A Hosea Personal Representative 10960 E Monte Ave, Unit 151 Mesa, AZ 85209

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30079

Estate of Nancy N. Morehead aka Nancy Morehead aka Nan Morehead aka Nancy Nell Morehead, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Co-Personal Representatives, Timothy Kirk Deal and Shelley Anne Corson, c/o, the Law Office of T. A. Taylor-Hunt, 501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80246,or the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 24, 2026 or the claims may be forever barred.

T.A. Taylor Hunt Law Office of T. A. Taylor-Hunt, LLC

501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100 Denver, CO 80246

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7 , 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30159

Estate of Gene Levy, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Denver Probate Court, Colorado, on or before August 15, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jeremy Levy

265 S. Locust St. Denver, CO 80224

Attorney for Personal Representative

David A. Imbler, Esq.

Atty Reg #: 52038

Spaeth & Doyle, LLP

501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700 Glendale, CO 80246

Phone: 303-385-8058

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30239

Estate of Ellen T. Synder, Deceased.

Attorney for Personal Representative

Harmon S. Graves

1950 W. Littleton Blvd., Suite 113 Littleton, CO 80120

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30274

Estate of Matthew David Ciurej aka Matt Ciurej, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 9, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. James Francis Ciurej

Personal Representative 321 North 248th Circle Waterloo, NE 68069

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30279

Estate of Kari Diane Mugavero aka Kari D. Mugavero aka Kari Mugavero, Deceased.

Personal Representative 111 S. Monroe St., Unit B102 Denver, CO 80209

Attorney for Personal Representative David A. Imbler, Esq. Atty Reg #: 52038 Spaeth & Doyle, LLP

501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700 Glendale, CO 80246

Phone: 303-385-8058

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30314

Estate of Bruce Jackson Horner, Deceased.

Thomas W. Burgess 7549 S. Cove Circle Centennial, CO 80122

Attorney for Personal Representative

Jennifer E. Jespersen, Esq.

Atty Reg #: 36295

8039 S. Oneida Ct. Centennial, CO 80112

Phone: 720-841-7771

First Publication: April 16, 2026

Final Publication: April 30, 2026

Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30316

Estate of Marguerite Anna Thompson, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 20, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Vicki Marshall

Personal Representative 275 Lost Shaker Way Hardeeville State, SC 29927

First Publication: April 23, 2026

Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR31371

Estate of Joe Roy Michael Nedbalski, aka Joeroy Michael Nedbalski, aka Joe Roy M Nedbalski, aka Joeroy M Nedbalski, aka Joe M Nedbalski, aka Joe Michael Nedbalski, aka Joe Nedbalski, Deceased.

Personal Representative 5807 S. Reed Way, #1411 Littleton, CO 80123

Attorney for Personal Representative David A. Imbler, Esq. Atty Reg #: 52038 Spaeth & Doyle, LLP 501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700 Glendale, CO 80246

Phone: 303-385-8058

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR490

Estate of David Joseph Martin, Deceased.

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or the District Court of Adams County, Colorado, on or before August 9, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Bailey Martin

Personal Representative 22 Evergreen St. Broomfield, CO 80020

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION

PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30161

Estate of Wanda Jo Meyer, aka Wanda J. Meyer, aka Wanda Meyer, aka Wanda Jo Lewis, aka Wanda J. Lewis, aka Wanda Lewis, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado, on or before August 24, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Ashley A. Geary, Esq. Jorgensen Brownell & Pepin 8001 Arista Place, Ste. 415 Broomfield, CO 80021 Phone: 303-678-0560

First Publication: April 23, 2026 Final Publication:

Publication: April 23, 2026 Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR228 Estate of Sherry Diane Goodteacher, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before August 24, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. April Lynn Goodteacher Personal Representative 1015 S. Joplin Way Aurora, CO 80017

First Publication: April 23, 2026 Final Publication: May 7, 2026 Sentinel

NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2026PR30158

First Publication: April 9, 2026

Final Publication: April 23, 2026 Sentinel