Laurenz Busch, Author at Yellow Scene Magazine

2022 Election Guide

Laurenz Busch — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 17:00:18 +0000

Every year, Yellow Scene Magazine publishes an exhaustive Election Guide taking hundreds of human hours of work from August 30th, 2022 to the day it is published. Because we are “old-school” and still believe journalism is important, we do not allow email interviews and require a 15-minute call with each candidate. They are all asked the same six questions our Editorial Board outlined at the start. The only exceptions are races that these questions don’t make sense for such as Board of Education, CU Regents, Coroner, etc. After all interviews are completed, the YS Editorial Board reconvenes and decides on their final endorsements.

The Editorial Board is made up of Thomas Rutherford, Steve Nelson, Laurenz Busch, Robin Gross, Austin Clinkenbeard, and Zoe Jennings with contributions by Katrina Greenwood-Stroud, Shay Castle, and Michelle Mead.

Click on the individual candidates in the Table of Contents or scroll down, (keep scrolling past the black box, there were a LOT of interviews – nearly 100), for the full Election Guide Q&A with each candidate. We secured approximately 80% of all interviews, but over 90% of major races. Additionally, we researched 26 Ballot Issues outlined here.

QUESTIONS:

* = Some writers focused on single aspects of the question

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH*

In light of Uvalde as well as evidence that shows SROs do not prevent violence in most cases, and in fact increase the arrest of marginalized children. What is your stance on SRO’s in schools?
How do you see arming teachers?
In 2019 YS published a story about the minimal mental health and trauma support services in our local schools. What would you do to support more mental health programs in schools (which may also help reduce school shootings.)

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS*

How do you see gun legislation working in Colorado in light of the new Supreme Court decision as well as the lawsuit against Superior, Colorado AND Boulder, Boulder County, Louisville?
The far-right militia movement has gained visibility in Colorado over the past year after its members appeared at protests across the state. Additionally, the FBI has reported the infiltration of police departments by militant members. What do you think Colorado should do to curb the continued rise of these often violent groups, also known for disinformation?

ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE CHANGE/WATER/FIRE*

Colorado’s environment has been greatly impacted by wildfires over the last four years. What plans do you have to make sure that future wildfires are not as devastating as the ones we’ve witnessed since 2016? How will you help communities impacted by wildfires rebuild?
Congress recently passed a $4 billion aid package to address the drought in the Colorado River as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Do you think this funding is enough to address the water challenges Colorado faces? Would you support investing more state or federal dollars toward reducing the drought, or is there another solution for Colorado?

FENTANYL

900 people died in 2021 as fentanyl use and availability continued to skyrocket. The recently passed bill increases penalties for possession and the intent to distribute but it leaves in place a 2019 bill that allows possession of up to 4 grams of almost any drug. Critics say even 1 grams of a fentanyl compound can be dangerous. Is increasing penalties the right move? What else needs to happen?

HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness is growing in many cities and rural areas in Colorado, and across the country. What will you do to help people experiencing homelessness find safe and sanitary homes?

INFRASTRUCTURE

Colorado’s roads are in a constant state of disrepair. How do you plan to improve local infrastructure without significantly impacting the wallets of taxpayers?

COVID

With a plethora of coverage about COVID, we chose to focus on legislative matters.

GOVERNOR

(D) Jared Polis – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I believe in more counseling/counselors instead of SRO’s. We should focus on Behavioral Health and counseling. I am against arming teachers. I support imatter.org, a program that offers free counseling sessions for 18 and under.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: The Red Flag Law removes guns from people in mental crisis. Communities should decide gun safety measures. I will defend all laws currently in place. I support free speech but condemn hate speech/speech that advocates violence.

ENVIRONMENT: I support $145 mil. investment in prevention and mitigation. I will raise funds for rebuilding. We need to provide a victim aid center. The Inflation Reduction Act will help with drought as will allocating state funds. I will increase efficiency in urban and agricultural practices.

FENTANYL: It’s poison. Get it off the streets. Penalties are part of the solution but we must also provide resources for addicts to get clean and test strips be distributed.

HOMELESSNESS: I support American Rescue Act Funds. The state will invest $200mil over two years for job training, housing, and addiction counseling.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act will equal billions of dollars over next ten years for improvement. I signed the State Bipartisan Infrastructure Act which provides $5bil over next 10 years. I am investing in public and alternative transit.

ROE V. WADE: We need to empower women and doctors to make decisions. Birth control should be widely available. Empower sex ed. Protect nurses and doctors.

ADDITIONAL

ENERGY: Colorado is moving towards 100% renewable energy by 2040. Date certain on closure of all coal plants in CO and will be replaced with solar and wind energy. I am pursuing geothermal energy as well.

(R) Heidi Ganahl – TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

(L) Kevin Ruskusky

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: SROs are misuse of resources. School shootings are a result of mental health issues. I don’t support arming teachers. I am still forming my plan for mental health issues. More programs does not mean more progress.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I didn’t know about the lawsuits. We need more mental health support. It is an American right to own firearms. More laws are not the answer. Colorado is a diverse state with diverse needs. I have no knowledge of militia infiltration and support the right for militias to exist.

ENVIRONMENT: I will focus on mitigation and education and make sure our wells are full. I am not in government so I am unsure of what else can be done. We should monitor the HOA, stop wasting water on sprinklers and lawns, address old treaties, and curb Kentucky bluegrass.

FENTANYL: Penalties don’t work. We should focus on mental health and education.

HOMELESSNESS: Make mental health services available. Make housing affordable. We need better paying jobs. Take power away from billionaires.

INFRASTRUCTURE: More small contractors. I need to do more research. We should have people in the communities do the work.

ROE V. WADE: I never thought of the abortion issue in terms or education and resources. More sex ed in schools. The decision is between mother, father and their god. Government shouldn’t fund Planned Parenthood but it should help women in need.

(UP) Paul Fiorino

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: The arts are essential, kids need the arts. Dance is in every culture, you can teach every subject in dance. Dance would lend itself to physical education and mental health.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We have to battle white supremacy Christianity. Our Christianity has been stolen. And you know, who instigated it? You know who I’m talking about, he brought us out of Afghanistan.

ENVIRONMENT: We need someone that is going to address a real opportunity for change and transformation. The environmental movement will grow at leaps and bounds, it has been hindered by party politics. We’re using way too much water in our fracking industry.

FENTANYL: This is just from the pit of Hell, killing our kids

HOMELESSNESS: It’s going to take good Samaritans, people who have been there, that have a heart, and compassion, and the means to be able to assist.

INFRASTRUCTURE: More people are talking about the drivers paying a tax, you have cyclists, skaters, everybody uses the road. As a third party i want to see if you can find funds, the savings, without party interference.

(I) Ralph Tingle – RADIO SILENT

(AC) Danielle Neuschwanger – RADIO SILENT

ATTORNEY GENERAL

(D) Phil Weiser – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: A lot of times the misuse of SRO’s are because school administrators are misusing them. It’s not fair to paint with a broad brush. There are wonderful SRO’s and there are also some not as well trained.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need to continue to advance smart gun safety approaches. It would be a real disaster if gun safety protections are undermined by the Second Amendment.

ENVIRONMENT: We have droughts and wildfires that are not going away. I’m committed to the breadth of this job, making sure that we use this office to fully support and protect people.

FENTANYL: We need more drug treatment and recovery programs, to build that capacity. I sued irresponsible drug companies and we got $500 million back to build more drug recovery [programs].

HOMELESSNESS: Enabling people to access drug treatment and recovery services is a critical tool in addressing homelessness. When someone’s released from prison with no money, no place to live and no job, they end up homeless.

ADDITIONAL

POLICE REFORM: We need more police with mental health funds to ensure that we’re able to help them deal with trauma to improve the quality of policing, to put emotional awareness in a central position.

2020 ELECTION: This is a scary time we’re living in. Threats to our democracy are real and demand our attention, our vigilance and concern.

(R) John Kellner

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We set up a hotline to leave a tip about something so they know there’s a place to provide information that they will be confident is followed up on. It’s important because people who committed these atrocities had warning signs.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I will defend Colorado’s gun laws. My opponent and I disagree on one recent law: He supported the bill that allowed convicted felons to possess guns, including car thieves and drug dealers. I did not. We need to fix that for the safety of police officers and all Coloradans.

ENVIRONMENT: We need smart forest management, rational federal delegations, and make sure we’re taking care of our national forests in a way that’s not creating a future tinderbox.

FENTANYL: One of the things that I’ve done last year is use the power of the statewide grand jury in my local district to build a case against drug trafficking organizations.

HOMELESSNESS: As we head into winter, every year becomes a life threatening situation. We can provide shelter, resources, and give them a helping hand whether it’s mental health treatment or job training.

TREASURER

(D) Dave Young – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I run a program called BEST, a grant matching grant program to repair buildings around the state. These are serious health and safety problems.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: YS did not conduct this question of Treasurer candidates as it does not apply.

ENVIRONMENT: It doesn’t make sense to develop affordable housing if you have no water for the residents. If I can get a really solid conversation going I will consider that a win.

FENTANYL: YS did not conduct this question of Treasurer candidates as it does not apply.

HOMELESSNESS: I have a sister who’s disabled. Somebody that vulnerable did not have any options where to live. I discovered funding was at the core of the problem so I joined the Joint Budget Committee.

INFRASTRUCTURE: People have a very narrow definition of infrastructure and these other things never get addressed. We have great needs across the state and we don’t have enough structures financially in order to respond.

ADDITIONAL

RETIREMENT FUND: Everybody deserves a sustainable and dignified retirement. There is a possibility for a multi state partnership, states like New Mexico are looking to Colorado as first in the nation to offer a multi state approach.

(R) Lang Sias

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We’ve hired administrators at four times the rate we’ve hired teachers, and five times the rate of increases in students. I have Department of Education data that shows student growth has increased 6%, teacher growth by 8% and administrators by 34.6%. I don’t view this data as a “gotcha”, but something to start a conversation with.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: YS did not conduct this question of Treasurer candidates as it does not apply.

FENTANYL: YS did not conduct this question of Treasurer candidates as it does not apply.

ENVIRONMENT: We saw green building codes be passed last year, and who doesn’t want a cleaner and safer environment? But when those things are actually analyzed the average home price is going to go up. We should have a conversation about that.

HOMELESSNESS: We had single party rule in this state since 2018, this has become a very expensive place to live. We need to restore some balance there and I’ve got a record of doing that in a prudent, bipartisan way.

ADDITIONAL

SCHOOL CHOICE: The bottom line was school choice really helps equalize funding for kids in our public school system within their districts.

US HOUSE 2ND DISTRICT

(D) Joe Neguse – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I support the use of school resource officers. I do not support teachers being able to concealed carry. I have and will continue to support increased funding for mental health services.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We must expand background checks and ban the sale of firearms to those under 21. The best way to combat extremist violence is to support the efforts of law enforcement in doing so.

ENVIRONMENT: Federal relief must be given to those affected by wildfires, we must transition to renewable energy to stop climate change, and more funding has to go to addressing the drought in the Colorado River Basin.

FENTANYL: I’ve introduced the Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act, which if passed will use unexpended COVID-19 relief funds to purchase Naloxone and fund educational programs about the fentanyl crisis.

HOMELESSNESS: Congress needs to work with state and local governments to expand access to affordable housing, and I have introduced several bills to do exactly that.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We must ensure that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is implemented appropriately so that Colorado receives its share of funding. I support bipartisan reform of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(R) Marshall Dawson – TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: School resource officers are a valuable asset. Teachers who are willing to undergo training should be allowed to conceal carry on the job, and federal funds should be reallocated toward mental health resources for students.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: The Second Amendment must not be altered. Far right violence does exist, but it is not nearly as large of an issue as left wing violence.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to take a hands-on approach to maintaining our national forests by removing invasive plant species and incentivizing water conservation on an individual level.

FENTANYL: I support the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act, which would move several fentanyl variants to the Schedule I category and increase penalties on possession and distribution.

HOMELESSNESS: Giving out free money to homeless individuals leads to more drug overdoses. Instead, we should fund organizations with a proven track record of getting people off the streets and successfully rehabilitating them.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Most infrastructure decisions should be left up to states, but the federal government should be investing in repairing our national power grid and considering the possibility of nuclear power.

(AC) Gary Nation – TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Schools being designated gun-free zones and not having resource officers has invited violence. I’m not opposed to arming teachers, if they were properly trained.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We should restrict ownership of firearms for those under 21, but states should have to recognize other states’ concealed carry permits. Right-wing militants are under control, and now it’s time to stop left-wing violence.

ENVIRONMENT: Mountain land must be kept clear, and trees should be a certain distance from the mountain homes to avoid property damage. Droughts are inevitable, but inter-state agreements to limit usage can be helpful.

FENTANYL: Fentanyl is produced in China, and it’s coming across the southern border. If you want safer cities, we’ve got to get control of our borders.

HOMELESSNESS: Increased drug usage has created a larger homeless population. We should provide shelters for the homeless, but those shelters need to be contingent upon not allowing drugs or violence within them.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Raising gas taxes on a local level would help, but the federal government should not be involved. Wind and solar power are unreliable and shouldn’t be mandatory. Instead, I would support investment in nuclear power.

(CCP) Steve Yurash — TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: School resource officers are the best way to prevent violence, teachers should be allowed to conceal carry on the job, and more funding should be sent to mental health services in schools.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need increased background checks for people under 21 and strict enforcement of red flag laws. The threat of far right violence is over exaggerated. The biggest threat for most people is petty crime.

ENVIRONMENT: The federal government should provide additional firefighting resources to limit strain on state budgets. Droughts occur naturally, but they are exacerbated by overpopulation due to immigration.

FENTANYL: Instead of increased penalties for possession, we need a more heavily guarded southern border and more counseling services for addicts, up to and including forced rehab for drug offenders.

HOMELESSNESS: Those who are homeless purely due to financial reasons should get free temporary housing, but those with addictions or mental illnesses should be relocated away from big cities and rehabilitated by state programs.

INFRASTRUCTURE: State governments need to be encouraged to divert funding away from nonessential areas and into infrastructure. Illegal immigration deteriorates infrastructure due to overpopulation, so heavier border control will help the infrastructure crisis.

US HOUSE 7TH DISTRICT

(D) Brittany Pettersen — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We have a lot of fallout from policies that have not prioritized investment in our kids. Unfortunately it has been on the chopping block for decades because of conservative ballot measures that have stripped away funding for critical services.

GUNS: We need common sense legislation at the national level. People in Colorado support gun safety legislation. It is deeply concerning how radical the Supreme Court is. It’s an unelected body not reflective of the American people

ENVIRONMENT: You don’t have a fire season anymore, it’s year-round. That’s the reality.We need to work on water conservation and building communities that will be resilient.

FENTANYL: My mom had a substance abuse disorder, my brother struggled with mental health issues and fell through the cracks. We lost my older brother to suicide. These are preventable deaths with the right support.

HOMELESSNESS: This has a cascading effect not only to that individual and their life but also the community. We need to invest in housing, providing substance use disorder treatment, and recovery services.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We passed a comprehensive transportation package last session, investments are coming. We are utilizing federal dollars to invest in roads, bridges, sewer lines, and access to safe drinking water.

(R) Erik Aadland – TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

(L) Ross Klopf – QUALIFIED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: School resource officers should be used at each school board’s discretion. Properly trained teachers should be allowed to conceal carry. We should fund mental health services in schools and reevaluate the Common Core system.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: All gun legislation needs to be safety oriented and careful to not violate the Second Amendment. We need increased security at government facilities to prevent a repeat of the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot.

ENVIRONMENT: We should invest in reforestation to repair damage done by wildfires. Individuals and corporations must take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and stop climate change while the federal government funds green energy research.

FENTANYL: Safer drugs need to be legalized so that users can buy them without having to worry about fentanyl lacing. The FDA needs to seriously reconsider which drugs should be approved for medical usage.

HOMELESSNESS: We need to get rid of lumber tariffs to decrease building costs on homes and cut spending to stop inflation, which is causing many to become homeless.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Recycling materials such as asphalt helps the environment and keeps costs down. We need to fund maintenance of existing infrastructure first before funding any new building projects.

US SENATE

(D) Michael Bennet – Refused interview

(R) Joe O’Dea – TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

(L) Brian Peotter – TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I don’t think it’s a coincidence that school shootings happen. Because they are gun free zones, people who are mentally deranged find them.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Governments at different levels are doing things they know are illegal. If I create a rule knowing it will be thrown out of court, that’s not a rule of law society.

ENVIRONMENT: Declaring an emergency gives you access to funds that you otherwise didn’t have so we don’t manage our lands until there is an emergency. Selective harvesting of timber inside our forests restricts private industries.

FENTANYL: Putting someone in jail for possession of drugs, they don’t come out of the system fixed in any way. I would end the Drug Enforcement Administration on the federal level, just make it a local enforcement issue.

HOMELESSNESS: At the federal level, the war on poverty is an abject failure, we lost. I prefer to localize at the state level and end this failed war on poverty.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The future may include robo taxis and I think billion dollar investments in trains is an inefficient waste of money. Get rid of the Federal Highway Administration and let the states manage their own roads.

ADDITIONAL

2020 Election Stolen? Absolutely. Potentially legally. I don’t think anyone’s gonna go to jail over it, the system was manipulated to produce an outcome and they succeeded.

(AVP) Frank Atwood

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Disclaimer: I’m not the answer. I’m the solution to get to better answers. With regards to roads, water and education, we’re ignoring voters to begin with and then surprised that we’re not getting the solutions we want.

ENVIRONMENT: No, I’m not going to take a stance. I’m hoping approval voting will push towards alternative thinking and compromise.

FENTANYL: I am so grateful that my own family is not impacted by fentanyl. I want people treated as adults. I don’t want children harmed. To find that balance I think requires moving beyond polarized thinking.

HOMELESSNESS: Denver is conducting experiments with money for the homeless. Traditionally Instead of Republicans saying no more money and Democrats saying yes more, we could be running a controlled experiment moving us beyond two party thinking.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I trust voters. In a country where independents say a new party is needed, yet we only see 2, 3 or 4 percent voting for new parties, there’s a disconnect.

COLORADO SENATE

DISTRICT 8

(D) Yadira Caraveo — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: In state legislature, I have supported increased mental health programs for school kids because of and informed by my experience as a pediatrician. I will carry this work forward on the federal level. I understand the concerns around SROs but I believe we can affect the necessary changes through better mental health programs and not focus on law enforcement.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I have worked hard on gun reform legislation in our House and greatly look forward to carrying that work to the federal level, where I believe we can effect the most comprehensive change. Colorado’s work on gun reform is an example all states can benefit from. I think we should delve into these groups weakening our democracy to see how we can effectively combat them and ensure they have no influence in public service.

ENVIRONMENT: I believe action on our various climate woes, including wildfire victims, can be created on the federal level with strong bipartisan support. This action can be done on a holistic level to approach the issue from many angles. I have done much work on this important topic in our state legislature and will work on the federal level to increase funds for water management throughout the entire West, taking things we have learned in Colorado to a broader scope. I believe we can create and maintain affordable housing for all through various grant programs, etc on the federal level and I am looking forward to helping make safe, affordable housing for all, thus continuing the work I have done so far in the state legislature.

ADDITIONAL

ROE V. WADE: I believe every person should have access to all the information available to them before making a decision that is very personal, and the topic of abortion is healthcare only and should not be handled in a legislative setting.

(R) Barbara Kirkmeyer – Incumbent, TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

DISTRICT 24

(D) Kyle Mullica — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We need to be conscious of the school to prison pipeline. I faced homelessness as a child. I’m here today because of the community that rallied around me. SROs have a place in our schools to ensure that our students are protected

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Over the last years we’ve seen an increase in divisiveness. I’m hoping to at least be a part of some of that healing. We’ve seen an increase in gender bias attacks and racial attacks. We need to have civil discourse.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to make sure that individuals are appropriately covered under their insurance. Climate change is real, we need to continue having the conversation of what it looks like toe having the conversation of what it looks like to create a cleaner and healthier community.

FENTANYL: Give our DA and police resources, make sure consequences come from bringing poison into our communities. Addiction is a disease, we need to treat it that way. I see it in ER and in my community firsthand.

HOMELESSNESS: Partnering with our local communities, each one is unique. The first thing is meeting these individuals where they’re at, making a legitimate investment to make sure we’re getting them into a safe place.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Continue to make investments and be transparent that those investments are going into local communities. The more people are on the roads, the longer they’re stuck in traffic, that’s less time with their family.

(R) Courtney Potter – TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: The number one thing is get parents engaged and involved. Building confidence, supporting parents, being a part of the conversation, and just believing parents from the get-go.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: In light of the recent Supreme Court gun rulings and lawsuits against Colorado cities who have implemented new gun restrictions, I hope proposed legislation would honor the constitutional right to own guns and the safety of our communities.

ENVIRONMENT: People can’t afford to rebuild their homes because of regulation. We have to address that.

FENTANYL: We did see a correlation with the rise of fentanyl with decriminalization. There’s other factors as well, we’re seeing a lot of people cross from the border.

HOMELESSNESS: I support encouraging private organizations to help with those issues, they typically tend to manage resources better than the government.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The budget has been raised over the past four years and on top of that, you have rising housing costs, higher property taxes, it’s hard for me to believe that there’s no money.

DISTRICT 25

(D) Faith Winter – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Make sure that we are integrating community health centers with our schools. Also de-stigmatizing access, how do you make it okay to walk in say, I need some help?

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: A lot of that [far-right] rhetoric is against democracy. My job is to ensure that every person in my district has access to accurate information, can easily vote, and feels safe.

ENVIRONMENT: We have a small fee on insurance so that we have local funds for communities to do wildfire mitigation. Then addressing the core issue which is the climate emergency. I do think it’s an emergency.

FENTANYL: Increasing criminalization doesn’t solve the problem and it disproportionately impacts low income and communities of color. We really need to go after the supply chain, the drug cartels that are providing these substances.

HOMELESSNESS: In my community I know we have a lot of single moms couch-surfing. They’re sleeping in their cars. There are a lot of invisible homeless, especially in the suburbs.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I was the author of SB 260. There’s going to be a Highway 70 expansion. It is unsafe. Congestion is awful, it’s impacting our economy and workers. SB 260 is a significant step forward that has bipartisan support.

(R) Melody Peotter

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Our kids coming out of COVID are really struggling. We have had some programs offer free sessions to families, they’re at capacity. It’s a clear sign to us that we need more mental health support.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We have a lot of gun control laws in place, it’s not decreasing the violence issues. How can we prevent people from getting to that breaking point?

ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE CHANGE/WATER/FIRE: We can get ahead of wildfires by getting underbrush out. People affected by wildfires can’t rebuild their homes because of all the red tape, eliminating some of that is going to be key.

FENTANYL: I don’t think four grams of possession should be allowed, it’s way too dangerous. We need to really look at why people are turning to these substances to begin with, and really address mental health as well.

HOMELESSNESS: In talking to law enforcement we’re able to see we have a two fold issue. We do have resources available but we are finding that a lot of people don’t want to utilize those resources.

INFRASTRUCTURE: It’s not a matter of more money, it’s really prioritizing which roads are important. Looking at the high density areas where we have a lot of traffic and congestion is going to be key, keeping in mind our rural people. We need to be more careful with regulations we push onto our home builders. Being fair to them will help balance things out a bit while providing resources to people that are trying to get into homes.

COLORADO HOUSE

DISTRICT 10

(D) Junie Joseph — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Having police officers in schools is not ideal. Schools are not prisons; kids go to school to learn. But ultimately, it’s a conversation that the community and parents need to have.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need legislation but we have to hit them in their pockets. We have to find ways to make guns unprofitable for them. I agree on background checks and on the waiting period.

ENVIRONMENT: The way we build homes has to change. We’re living in different times; everything is intensified because of climate change. We need to retrofit our homes and provide support to homeowners.

FENTANYL: I disagree with criminalizing possession because we are punishing the end users. We need to go after producers, we need to ensure that wherever this fentanyl is coming into our community, we stop it.

HOMELESSNESS: We need to ensure that people have access to housing and jobs. If you give someone housing but not a job or a sense of community, I don’t know what you expect from them.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I don’t think there’s any infrastructure project that costs little money. Telecommunication might be where we have the most impact to help a lot of marginalized people.

(R) Bill DeOreo

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I support school resource officers in schools. I would make sure that there was no bias going on and that they didn’t become agents of the classroom to prison pipeline. That’s not acceptable.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I don’t support a statewide ban on semi-automatic rifles. I’m a supporter of concealed carry permits. I would support raising the age to buy firearms and I support criminal background checks.

ENVIRONMENT: Active protection (such as barriers) is really important. We have dead wood everywhere, so I definitely want to take a careful look at better management of these lands.

FENTANYL: I support increasing penalties. I would support repealing our status as a sanctuary state and I would strongly advocate for better security on our southern border to stop this invasion.

HOMELESSNESS: Encampments have to be regulated, controlled, and well-policed. Cities have to enforce laws. We then offer addiction treatment and connect them with their families. If they show a desire to integrate, we should help them get set up.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I feel that the state energy system infrastructure is being dismantled and we’re headed for what I call an energy cliff. I will advocate strongly for advanced nuclear power.

DISTRICT 11

(D) Karen McCormick – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: This depends on the individual school systems, school boards, and how those positions are set up and how they are fostered. I see the benefits and the downfalls.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I am bringing forward another gun violence prevention bill this year to create grant funding for nonprofits that recycle guns that are turned in anonymously. It’s not a gun buyback, it’s a gun recycling program.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to get ahead of the areas that have been mapped out by experts where the biggest dangers are. Homeowners need to be able to make their homes defensible. We need affordable technology and materials.

FENTANYL: We do not want to criminalize possession; we have to do better. (HB22-1326) was not perfect, but I don’t want us to lose focus on all the harm reduction pieces of that bill.

HOMELESSNESS: If we don’t see the entire picture: helping folks with their mental health needs, misuse needs, job transition, budgeting and finances, we’re not solving the whole issue.

INFRASTRUCTURE: SB21-260 will be put into place over the years. If we ask companies to come to our city, if they employ 100 people, we should discuss what is going to be their contribution to help with housing.

(R) Tara Menza – QUALIFIED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I’ve seen SROs work. I haven’t seen any SROs doing anything negative towards discipline or towards any particular child based on their race. They’re a huge asset to our schools and to our communities.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I want to focus on gun safety versus gun control. We should encourage responsible gun owners to help educate the public about firearm safety; and more mental health support; and start holding criminals accountable for their crimes.

ENVIRONMENT: Colorado needs better land management, provide funding to rehabilitate and control the pine beetle destruction, and add in more fire breaks to protect our homes.

FENTANYL: It is a crisis. We have to outlaw these drugs. But we can’t just throw people in jail because they’ve committed crimes because they’re addicted. We’ve got to have some addiction treatment centers; we have to have mental health support.

HOMELESSNESS: There are some incredible programs out there that we should model. We can utilize nonprofits to help and assess each individual and try to figure out the root cause of their homelessness.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We need to better use funds from marijuana taxation and infrastructure bills—So, we’re not pulling money out of the pockets of our constituents.

DISTRICT 12

(D) Tracey Bernett – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: SROs need to reflect the values of the local community. SROs can be very positive. We need to be very sensitive to the local communities, the local issues—the relationships that SROs have with them.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Most gun owners are responsible but the issue needs to change from gun rights to gun safety. I consistently voted on improving gun safety by safe gun storage and the red flag laws.

ENVIRONMENT: We need insurance reform and improved fire codes. People are terrified that if they build with more fire resistance, if their neighbors don’t, it’s an issue. I want to improve our emergency communications.

FENTANYL: We want to make sure the people who are distributing and selling are held accountable but we don’t want to victimize the victims. Education is a lot of it—that young people learn to be very careful.

HOMELESSNESS: I agree with housing first. A person experiencing homelessness in the community can be expensive, but if you get them into permanent supportive housing, with wraparound services, it can be a quarter of the cost.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The recent federal bills will help. Roads and transportation are important but also broadband and sustainable infrastructure. Colorado is an ideal place for wind and solar energy.

(R) Anya Kirvan

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Until we get the mental health crisis taken care of, we’re going to have shootings. We’re going to need to have some sort of (well-trained) mitigation at our schools. I hope it won’t be forever.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I support the Second Amendment.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to have really good land management and forest management policies. We need to keep our forests really clean. We need to pull out the dead brush and have controlled burns.

FENTANYL: They have to re-criminalize it as a felony. You cannot have even one gram—they need to re-criminalize, that’s going to be the thing that’s really going to create change.

HOMELESSNESS: I do not support housing first. Groups have found that it doesn’t work. Until people get clean and off drugs, they’re not able to make the choices to make their life better.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I care about the environment. We can have clean energy, like nuclear. But we need to turn on the oil and gas as we innovate and see if these alternative fuels really work and can store the energy.

DISTRICT 19

(D) Jennifer Parenti – ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I have known many SROs and while some are good, most need better education, bias training, and to recognize they are not always beneficial. We must increase mental health care for all Colorado’s children, and increase access as well so children can see a therapist during school hours.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We have done good work on this issue, but there is a lot more to do: expanded safe storage laws, legislation to hold gun owners partially responsible if their weapon is used in the committing of a crime, and how insurance can play a role in creating more safety for guns and gun owners. As a veteran I can attest to the infiltration of our military and not only law enforcement by extremists and extremist groups. This must be examined and questioned to decipher the depth of infiltration, and at a national level, not just local.

ENVIRONMENT: Our legislature did good work on addressing wildfires and how to support victims of such this last session, but we should always do more to address the topic of how climate change negatively impacts our communities and how we can mitigate it. I also turn to the experts for guidance. I do not think the funds designated to address our drought conditions from the recent aid package are enough, and we must find other ways to find funds to address this growing concern. We need to have hard discussions about water and how we can conserve it. This includes how we can support water for our people while still having enough for agriculture and industry. This should include ideas on how to restrict growth so we maintain enough water for safe and sanitary living conditions.

FENTANYL: We have learned our lesson already about criminalizing drug users, and it does not work. It fails the people that need help, so we need to invest heavily in treatment for addiction. We also need to expand our mental health services so people can treat the reasons for their drug use and prevent addiction before it starts. If we want to stop people from doing drugs we must give them hope.

HOMELESSNESS: A very hard issue, especially in our district where housing prices have skyrocketed. Our communities must come together and have hard discussions and make a moral decision to create housing available and accessible for all. There are many ways to address this, from rent stabilization, protection for mobile home owners, and facing the difficulties with HOAs and Metro District taxes.

ADDITIONAL

ROE V. WADE: We need to recognize the vast number of people coming to CO from out-of-state to access healthcare. One state’s ban is another’s burden, so the healthcare aspects of this issue must be handled on a federal level. This does not mean we shouldn’t invest more heavily in healthcare access for all anyone who needs it. Pregnancy prevention programs, access to contraception, and ensuring we have enough infrastructure to treat our population are topics to investigate.

(R) Dan Woog –TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

DISTRICT 29

(D) Shannon Bird – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Many SRO’s are part of identifying abuse happening towards children. I support increased investment in additional mental health support for our youth.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: People have the right to free speech, but that doesn’t mean they have the right to harass and intimidate others.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to better monitor our forests to increase fire response time. Key sectors of the state economy should work together to protect our water.

FENTANYL: Increasing penalties is the right thing to do.

HOMELESSNESS: We need to create partnerships with local governments and nonprofits to provide shelter and programs to help people struggling with addiction and mental health problems. I support expanding the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We must invest in affordable public transportation.

(R) Venessa DeMott

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I support SRO’s, potentially arming teachers, and increased mental health services.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Raise the legal age to purchase a firearm to 25 and increase mental health services.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to mitigate open spaces to prevent brush fires.

FENTANYL: I believe police intervention and incarceration can help lead addicts to sobriety.

HOMELESSNESS: Invest in Homeless Navigators Program that helps homeless individuals and offers interventions. Help incarcerated individuals get back into the workforce.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The budget and Department of Transportation need to be constantly assessed. We need to work with municipalities to ensure our roads are usable.

DISTRICT 31

(D) Said Sharbini — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: SRO’s do more harm than good. We need to focus on mental health evaluations and providing treatment.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Supports common sense gun regulations such as universal background checks. Police officers should be required to get a college education.

ENVIRONMENT: Focus on renewable energy, electric vehicles, and forest mitigation. We need more aggressive climate legislation and to work with surrounding states to solve our water conservation problem.

FENTANYL: I do not support an increase in penalties. We need to end the war on drugs, it’s not working.

HOMELESSNESS: We could create stop gap housing that helps people get into hotel rooms temporarily. Mental health, drug addiction, and employment programs need to be provided.

INFRASTRUCTURE: TABOR is a hindrance to providing usable roads as it prevents enough money from getting to where it needs to be.

(R) Heidi Pitchforth

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I support SROs, arming teachers, and more counselors in schools.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Criminals will always have guns and law-abiding citizens should not be penalized from carrying a gun. It doesn’t matter what political ideology these militant groups have: if you break the law, you break the law.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to groom our forests and remove all the deadwood that may cause a wildfire. We have enough water in Colorado, we just have to keep it local and limit its access to other states.

FENTANYL: There has to be penalties for distribution and I think addicts need treatment.

HOMELESSNESS: We need to have resources available for the homeless, provide treatment for the mentally ill, and get them into permanent housing where they are contributing to society.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Using the tax dollars we have right now in the transportation program would be a great start.

ADDITIONAL

DEI: CRT (Critical Race Theory) and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) are ideologies that divide people into groups and fosters a victim mentality.

DISTRICT 33

(D) William Lindstedt — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: SROs are really an issue that’s best left to local school districts. SROs might be a part of that solution but I think school districts need to make that decision locally.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Colorado has made strides with comprehensive background checks and magazine limits, our red flag law. There’s a lot of guns in this country—it’s a public health crisis and needs to be addressed head on.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to give our communities adequate resources to maintain their open spaces and support fire departments. But, it’s about climate change. It’s going to be about meeting our greenhouse gas emissions goals.

FENTANYL: Criminalization isn’t a way to get people to get clean and sober. HB22-1326 provided funding for harm reduction. But it’s a problem that the bill isn’t going to solve and we need to take more actions.

HOMELESSNESS: We need resources to find long-term housing. The biggest thing we can do is prevent people from becoming unhoused. We need to make sure that we’re building enough housing.

INFRASTRUCTURE: SB21-260 funded improvements to our transportation system and I’m watching to see how it unfolds. We haven’t funded our infrastructure system sustainably enough to accommodate all the growths we’ve seen in Colorado.

(R) Stacie Dougherty – Radio Silent

DISTRICT 34

(D) Jenny Willford — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I’m somewhere in the middle. I want more community interaction and trust-building with law enforcement. That we’re implementing (SB217) reforms in a way that’s transparent and reflects the direction we’re going as a nation around policing.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need to ban assault rifles. Despite legislation that authorized local control in the past, the issue is a statewide concern—when you’ve got different regulations in different parts of the state it complicates issues.

ENVIRONMENT: Addressing climate change and reducing emissions—that can help with wildfires and air quality. We need more resilient homes and improved fire mitigation across the state recognizing that the Marshall Fire could happen anywhere.

FENTANYL: Penalties are part of the equation and the fentanyl epidemic is ripping communities apart. The answer is somewhere in the middle: penalties will help, but we need to be investing in treatment.

HOMELESSNESS: We need case management to build relationships and trust. Affordable housing is a huge issue but folks have so many other obstacles too—we should explore opportunities to break through some of those barriers.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Tabor really hamstrings what we’re able to do. Without additional funding, I don’t know how we’ll meet these challenges. We want to invest in our infrastructure, because when we do, we create good paying jobs.

(R) Kevin Allen

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We need to fund our police to address crime and keep our schools safe. I would be in favor of having SROs—I’m an advocate for local control and want the individual school districts to decide.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Protecting the Second Amendment is my first priority. Continued education of gun ownership is key to making sure that our streets remain safe because an armed society is a safer society.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to have better forest management—we are still recovering from the beetle kill. I want to work with our state and local partners to unify building code standards across the state.

FENTANYL: HB22-1326 did not go far enough and HB19-1263 was a mistake. I would re-criminalize fentanyl and work to stem the flow of illicit drugs across the border and educate our citizenry on why drugs are unsafe.

HOMELESSNESS: It’s more complicated than one solution. It has to do with mental health, taking care of veterans, getting drugs off the street, providing police resources, having job training and people available to help transition off the street.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We have to prioritize our budget. I want to work towards making sure that we’re allocating enough money to improve our roads and bridges and keep them safe.

DISTRICT 49

(D) Judy Amabile – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Boulder Valley school board voted against SRO’s. We need to substitute with more counseling. I have worked to allocate $100 million for children, youth and families to get mental health resources and $100 million for mental health grants.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: People want common sense gun regulations. I have worked to pass gun violence prevention bills and have another coming soon that will institute a waiting period.

ENVIRONMENT: I helped pass fire mitigation bills and bills insuring homeowners against wildfire damage.. More climate legislation is needed at a state and federal level.

FENTANYL: Focus on drug education. More funding should go towards medication assisted treatment, providing test strips, and making Narcan nasal sprays should be available in public bathrooms.

HOMELESSNESS: I helped pass a bill that puts $200 million towards homeless services, half towards drug and mental health treatment and housing and the other half will go towards grants for local governments and nonprofits.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Uber and other delivery services are now required to pay for transportation fees to help roads. We must maintain the infrastructure that we already have and create more public transit in places that need it.

(R) Katie Lehr –TOO EXTREME

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I can’t imagine not having an SRO officer would have been beneficial. Uvalde is a gateway for cartels. That school had been on lock-down many times prior to that incident. The people killed in Uvalde were minorities, killed by a minority, and officers on site were of Hispanic background.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: People convicted of domestic violence or with a history of mental instability should not be able to obtain firearms. I am confused as to why a far right militia member might be a hindrance to a police force.

ENVIRONMENT: The county has an obligation to maintain this open space, before it serves a kindling for a grass fire. Keep Colorado’s water in Colorado.

FENTANYL: Increase penalties. Put addicts in jail, give them treatment, and try to help them when they have served their time in prison. The state of Colorado should help find employment post incarceration.

HOMELESSNESS: I would not do anything on homelessness. City voters have spent millions of dollars on shelters and the homeless are service resistant.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The government is wasting tax money and is not sure how to fix CO’s roads.

ADDITIONAL

ROE V. WADE: I’m glad Roe v. Wade was overturned. Sex education should be gender-segregated. Boys shouldn’t have to learn about menstruation, because the girls are embarrassed to have their periods.

(L) Daniel Lutz

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Create inexpensive programs that give Veterans jobs with the purpose of defending schools. Supports arming teachers. Use local resources, such as child counselors, to improve mental health programs.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: More organizations to educate community members with gun safety regulation. People in law enforcement need to learn to work together despite political differences.

ENVIRONMENT: PILT: Payment in Lieu of Federal Tax money, which allows counties to have federal lands and never sell them for private use. More money to stop drought is not the answer. We should put more effort into reflecting shortwave radiation from the sun.

FENTANYL: Less penalties, more treatment programs. Stronger regulations on lacing other products with fentanyl.

HOMELESSNESS: Get rid of laws that prevent organizations and individuals from helping others with rent.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Spend half of the cannabis tax money towards improving infrastructure and give the other half back to the taxpayer.

DISTRICT 27

(D) Brianna Titone – Incumbent, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: SRO’s put a lot of fear into kids, especially in schools with a lot of marginalized people. Passed a bill that allows kids ages 12 and up to be able to talk to a counselor. More counselors in schools.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Second Amendment outdated. Police and safety officers should protect everyone and not favor anybody.

ENVIRONMENT: Give fire departments more resources and improve mitigation. More water recycling, getting rid of turf grass, and learning from drier states on how to conserve water.

FENTANYL: Passed a bill last year to help people identify fentanyl in their drugs. Prison is not the answer. Need to empower people to get the help that they need.

HOMELESSNESS: Need to better equip housing shelters to assist addicts, as well as bringing them back to self-sufficiency.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We need to get more people on public transportation and alternative forms of transportation. We can put more resources at people’s facilities to help them get around better.

(R) Lynn Emrick – RADIO SILENT

(L) Jacob Luria

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Support staff and teachers being armed. Improve children’s mental health by restricting screen time during lunch.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: Gun legislation should be determined at local level. Local marches have more influence than the Supreme Court. Supports free speech unless a group is violent or damaging.

ENVIRONMENT: Forest management is extremely important, as is private conservation. States should also be banding together to raise money to fight drought in the Colorado River.

FENTANYL: Decriminalize all drugs. The War on Drugs has failed and decriminalizing drugs is the best way to keep Mexican drug cartels from coming into the country.

HOMELESSNESS: Find better ways to encourage homeless addicts to shelters. Can’t force people to enter these shelters against their will, but that leaves a lot of addicts on the streets.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Some of the roads should definitely be privatized and sent back to localities. Let local areas be responsible to fix their roads.

SECRETARY OF STATE

1. Election security is vital to our democracy, fortunately Colorado has some of the safest elections in the country – how will you maintain safe elections for our state and what are your top priorities for ensuring election security?
2. How will you encourage voter registration in Colorado and what do you see as the most important areas of improvement for encouraging voter registration?
3. How will you improve the process for reporting a campaign-finance complaint, what issues do you see with the current process that could be improved?
4. The position of Secretary of State has become increasingly political in recent years, how will you maintain election integrity?
5. Closing thoughts: please provide any closing thoughts for readers or any issues you would like to cover that we haven’t.

(D) Jena Griswold – Incumbent, ENDORSED

1. In a second term, I will continue to innovate and respond to emerging election security threats. I will enforce the laws and rules we have in place that make Colorado a leader in election security.
2. I’ve led the largest democracy reform package in the nation. That included automatic voter registration reform, which led to more than 350,000 eligible Coloradans registering to vote.
3. I have led legislation that shines light on dark money, prohibits foreign political spending, and requires disclaimers on political ads. We also set up campaign finance enforcement, so that the rich and well-connected could not sidestep the rules.
4. I have increased voting access and protected the right to vote for all voters, Republican, Democrat and Unaffiliated. I have passed numerous bipartisan bills this legislative session, and if reelected, I will continue to work across the aisle, with all political parties.
5. I will continue to ensure that every eligible voter — Republican, Democrat, and Unaffiliated alike — has access to free and fair elections. That’s how democracy works. One person, one vote regardless of party.

(R) Pam Anderson – QUALIFIED

1. I will launch the Citizens Election Academy. I will work to restore the cybersecurity team and resources directed to elections operations, not for commercials to raise my political profile. I will continue to lead on unbiased and experienced professional leadership for Coloradans.
2. I’ve led on supporting voter registration modernization. We need to be transparent in the safeguards and processes that ensure everyone’s vote is accurate and valid.
3. I will delegate the office’s authority to the nonpartisan staff and return to professional rather than political evaluations. I will work with the legislature to eliminate gotcha rules used by all sides for partisan political reasons, and will institute published guidelines to how decisions on penalties are determined to increase transparency.
4. I will restore professionalism and keep moving the ball on standardizing and improving election best practices in Colorado. I am a better elections official by listening to those with valid concerns, not dismissing them.
5. I have the proven track record of serving as a fair referee and a history of working across the aisle with legislators on both sides to best serve our voters.

(UP) Gary Swing

1. I was the vice chairman of the Colorado Coalition for Fair and Open Elections back in the 1990s. I’m a former national advisory board member for the Center for Voting and Democracy. Colorado elections are technically secure. It’s the job of election administrators to maintain and update security measures.
2. I support expansion of automatic voter registration. Why would people vote in a system that excludes them from representation? In the US we’re stuck with our system that was originally designed to preserve slavery. Proportional representation encourages voting and making every vote count.
3. There is too much money spent on political campaigns that fail to provide fair representation for a diverse population. Campaign finance laws are set up to bleed money from inexperienced candidates who are on a shoestring budget.
4. As a political issue, election integrity has been used to distract attention from the real problems with elections. My top priority is to implement proportional representation voting. The U.S. political system is designed by two cartel parties to exclude political minorities of all types from representation.
5. I support a proposal to use hybrid proportional representation to elect a 185 member unicameral state legislature. I support ballot access reform. We have the most restrictive ballot access laws in the world designed by two cartel parties to exclude other parties from participating in the process.

LONGMONT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ELECTION

Local races are bipartisan, therefore YS does not include party affiliation.

Sean McCoy — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: We need an expert on dealing with students and families and then bring in police officers when it’s absolutely necessary.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need to demand that people who have guns have insurance and liability insurance. People would be a lot more careful with their guns and not allow people that are too immature to have them.

ENVIRONMENT: We have to start looking at what we can do in our communities to be more resilient. How do we deal with zoning issues about the type of siding that we put on our houses?

FENTANYL: It’s an educational thing of how dangerous it is. Longmont could arm people with Narcan—our best move is trying to educate people.

HOMELESSNESS: Longmont might need to help by providing a piece of property to be used for housing (for homeless outreach). People feel their county government is not doing enough—we need to do more.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Longmont’s in pretty decent shape. I am a strong believer in solar gardening on most city buildings and properties to lower electricity costs. We need more people composting and being more sustainable.

Mitzi Nicoletti – QUALIFIED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Students of color are disciplined more aggressively—in those cases, it would not make the situation better. It may be different from school to school, but it’s not always helpful. It causes problems.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: The community needs to have a discussion for a resolution. It’s important to look at background checks. Gun safety is critical and people should feel safe in the community.

ENVIRONMENT: Every city should have a fire emergency plan and everyone should be properly insured. Managing our natural resources is critical and looking at how we’re building our communities.

FENTANYL: Fentanyl shouldn’t be on the street. It should only be in a controlled medical setting and additional mental health services would help this critical situation.

HOMELESSNESS: Our solution is going to provide shelter for the unhoused—including wraparound services and counseling, which will help them transition to permanent housing. That’s a top priority.

INFRASTRUCTURE: We should go after any money that might be in the recently passed infrastructure bill. Especially when it involves renewable energy projects, which could affect the schools and some of the commercial buildings.

Gary Hodges

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I support SROs. I don’t think I would have any influence or say on that. My understanding is that it’s going to be a school board and not a local governance issue.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: If I’m fortunate to be elected, I wouldn’t bring forth any ordinance or resolution nor would I support any ordinance or resolution that restricts your gun rights in Longmont.

ENVIRONMENT: We could look at fire breaks and landscaping. I would encourage people to have adequate insurance. Adequate firefighting. The architecture of homes, different roofs, materials on the houses might be valuable.

FENTANYL: I would like to talk to our Chief of Police how we might be able to insulate our city from the liberalization of criminal offenses. I’m all for doing whatever we can to reduce the amount of fentanyl use in the city.

HOMELESSNESS: I disagree with the idea that housing first is an effective solution. The vast majority is vagrancy. I would take a firm but compassionate approach to deal with the vagrancy-end of homelessness.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Longmont has a long-standing .75% tax that goes directly to maintenance and upkeep of roads, sidewalks, etc. We have a steady reliable source of income. I don’t have any complaints.

SUPERIOR CITY COUNCIL

Local races are bipartisan, therefore YS does not include party affiliation.

Mark Lacis – Unopposed, ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Superior doesn’t have a school district so I don’t think the question applies. We need to curb the availability of guns. Mental health services should be available to children.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: We need to stop catering to the NRA. I support the bans. I don’t respond to intimidation.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to focus on renewable energy. I have passed oil and gas regulations. We need to preserve open spaces and implement more wildfire prevention measures. I’m happy to see the funding to fight the drought but it’s not enough.

FENTANYL: I don’t agree with the criminalization of drugs. The war on drugs is a failure. We should be spending on Narcan, test kits, and education.

HOMELESSNESS: Superior hasn’t really been affected. We should focus on affordable housing, fire mitigation, mental health and drug use.

INFRASTRUCTURE: I support small sales tax increases, weep businesses thriving, invest in public and alternative transportation, and encourage electric vehicles.

Jenn Kaaoush – ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: I don’t agree with SROs. We should increase awareness of the support systems that exist, normalize mental health awareness, and support mental health initiatives.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I support gun reform. We need to make sure all members of the community are included in decisions. I believe in gun safety. Action should be taken against militias so a precedent is set. Leadership should shine a light on them.

ENVIRONMENT: I am the director of Superior Rising which develops ways for prevention and rebuilding. Finding resources is a priority. We need to curb flammable fencing and plant life around homes. The money is not enough to fight the drought.

FENTANYL: Penalty doesn’t stop usage. We need more resources to stop it entering communities and focus on mental health, education, addiction services. Stop it at home with teens.

HOMELESSNESS: I volunteer with Bridge house, an organization that helps the unhoused find work and provide housing. We need to fund more resources.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Let’s focus on rezoning and development. There’s not a lot more room for development in Superior. We need to focus on finding other available resources and traffic mitigations.

ADDITIONAL

ROE V. WADE: I’m pro-Roe. The more sex and reproductive rights education and resources, the better.

Neal Shah – ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: Listen to parents with kids in schools. I support cutting down SROs. We need to fund mental health initiatives.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I support the laws already in place, common sense gun laws, and finding middle ground. We need to make sure language is clear in legislation. I am unaware of militia infiltration in Colorado but believe more training should be implemented in police departments.

ENVIRONMENT: I co-founded Superior Rising. We need to listen to the community and keep it informed and more affordable resources. I support responders. The money for drought is a drop in a bucket. Stop wasting water on unnecessary grass. Reduce energy usage.

FENTANYL: Increase access to narcan. Penalties don’t do enough.

ADDITIONAL

ROE V. WADE: Despite the Supreme Court, nothing has changed in CO at a state level. I support more education for kids and access to birth control.

ROE V. WADE: I support age appropriate sex education for boys and girls. We need to increase awareness of the potential consequences of sex. I support Planned Parenthood and other low-cost providers.

Bob McCool – Refused interview

BOULDER COUNTY

COMMISSIONER

(D) Ashley Stolzmann — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: School districts should decide on SRO’s. I support school districts providing mental health programs and these services should be more widespread across the county.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I’m proud of the community for passing the assault rifle legislation. It’s important that law enforcement knows how to identify white nationalists and to make sure that they’re not hiring them.

ENVIRONMENT: We must continue mitigating public lands and private property, rebuild using more resilient materials, and practice regenerative agriculture. Keep water in the stream and improve our conservation laws.

FENTANYL: End the war on drugs. Improve our programs to stop addiction and to have more community conversations about addiction to break the stigma.

HOMELESSNESS: Boulder County housing program needs more resources. Multi-pronged approach to provide more resources faster. Encourage collaboration between towns.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Unincorporated roads in poor condition in subdivisions. Equity issue because cities in Boulder County are paid to maintain their roads while incorporated area subdivisions are neglected.

(L) Bo Schaffer — Radio Silent

SHERIFF

(D) Curtis Johnson — ENDORSED

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH: School districts should be the ones who decide whether they want SRO’s. I don’t support arming teachers. Mental health programs in schools are important to students’ well-being.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I am frustrated by federal inaction on gun legislation. Local communities are taking it upon themselves to pass ordinances. Must be extremely careful in our hiring processes and in our background checks.

ENVIRONMENT: I am working hard to look at ways to mitigate fuels to lessen the opportunity for such damaging wildfires. We must make sure communities have the right resources to fight fires.

FENTANYL: I support penalties for people distributing drugs. We need to take an aggressive approach to dealing with addiction.

HOMELESSNESS: We need to stop relying on law enforcement to deal with the unhoused. I am committed to working with human and housing services to ensure the homeless stay out of the criminal justice system simply because they’re unhoused.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Continue the current transportation tax in Boulder County to address infrastructure needs without raising new taxes. Provide better alternative transportation options.

(R) Lee Stadele – Radio Silent

CLERK & RECORDER

(D) Molly Fitzpatrick — Unopposed

QUESTIONS:

– As someone who maintains records of real estate and mortgages, how do you think politicians should combat the rise of homelessness in Colorado?
– How important is the Respect for Marriage Act? How has it impacted Boulder County?
– What precautions are you taking to protect our elections this season?
– How are you getting people to vote this election season? What other programs have you coordinated in the past?

ANSWERS:

HOMELESSNESS: We are working to develop information for the public that describes some of the common questions that we get from first time homebuyers. We want to break down the jargon so new homebuyers can understand.

RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT: It’s very important that that legislation is passed. Our office has an important history in the fight for marriage equality that I have every intention of continuing in my role as clerk.

PROTECT ELECTIONS: Protecting the right to vote right now is an important priority for our office. We worked with the Colorado legislature on bills that enhance security procedures for local election offices. We produced a 20 page election security report that details why the public can feel confident about our elections process. We do tours so the public can see what election operations look like. There was no election fraud in the 2020 election in any state.

VOTING: I’m proud of our High School Voter Registration Awareness Week. I worked with the Colorado legislature on a bill in 2019 that increases access to voting centers for college students and increased drop boxes across the state. Part of that legislation included removing drop boxes from police stations. I serve on a committee that promotes early voting. Make sure the community is confident in our voting processes.

TREASURER

(D) Paul Weissman — Unopposed

QUESTIONS:

– On December 9 of 2021, Buller county adopted a $549.8 million budget for 2022. Much of its funding went towards forest health and wildfire mitigation. Do you think enough money was funded for these programs?
– Do you believe there should be an increase in taxes to improve Boulder’s infrastructure? Are there any particular areas in regards to infrastructure that need improvement?
– What is your stance on active military property tax deferral?
– Do you think the proposed library district will become an asset to the community? Or will it cost the community too much tax money?
– Since your reelection in 2018, what negative and positive changes have you seen in Boulder County’s funding?
– What should Boulder County residents keep in mind during local midterm elections?

ANSWERS:

WILDFIRES: I’m not intimate with the budgets of Boulder County. What I do is get them the money for it. I don’t think Boulder County could have done it alone. I think the federal government should work in tandem with the state.

INFRASTRUCTURE: What I’d do is make a deal or cut ties with the local RTD. Let them handle regional transportation and we will build our own transit infrastructure.

MILITARY PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL: I think it’s a good policy. A lot of times when you’re called for duty, the last thing you need to do is scramble to try to figure out your property taxes.

LIBRARY DISTRICT: In an ideal world, the library would be funded by the city. Libraries are one of the first things to scale back financially when economic issues are encountered. The city relies on sales taxes which causes libraries to get the short end.

POSITIVES/NEGATIVES: We’ve increased the numbers of people that are paying property taxes online. We’ve been open and accessible to the community and the governments we collect for which will continue to grow.

MIDTERMS: Know that there are ballot issues that will affect you. People that are less engaged tend to see sales taxes rising and get upset because they don’t know why.

COUNTY ASSESSOR

(D) Cynthia Braddock — Unopposed

POLICE/SCHOOLS/MENTAL HEALTH I think SROs are absolutely essential. I don’t agree with arming teachers. Our office doesn’t deal with policy making but I would support any legislature regarding mental health services.

GUNS/MILITANT GROUPS: I’m not anti-gun but I think it’s too easy for people to get guns. I think there’s a type of gun that should not be in the hands of anybody but the military. I don’t think police departments should tolerate far-right activity.

ENVIRONMENT: We need to have more money and more programs available to help people keep their properties in safe condition. We need to make sure the people in our communities have their properties insured. I think that the government has a role in providing help and support to people not only in recovery, but also in preparation.

FENTANYL: I think we need huge improvements in our social network and our mental health support for people. I think criminalizing this behavior doesn’t really stop it.

HOMELESSNESS: In my political position, I can’t do a lot. But personally, I think that we need to do more. I think the solution really is in addressing this as a social concern and funding that better so that we can meet people where they are and help them come out of the situation.

INFRASTRUCTURE: It’s not what I do as assessor, but I certainly would support measures that move it into mass transit, buses, high speed trains, light rails. We should make it affordable to be subsidized. Everybody should be able to access mass transit. I also support other transportation modes such as biking and electric vehicles.

CORONER

(D) Emma R. Hall — Unopposed

WELD COUNTY

COMMISSIONER

Scott James – Unopposed, Refused interview

SHERIFF

Steve Reams – Unopposed, TOO EXTREME, Refused interview

CLERK AND RECORDER

Carly S. Knoppes – Unopposed, Refused interview

COLORADO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

1. Why are you running and what are your highest priorities?
2. Do recent NAEP scores have any policy implications?
3. School safety – what further measures, if any, do you support?
4. What do you understand about DEI and what more should elected officials be doing to ensure racial justice?
5. What is your view of charter schools and school choice?
6. Should for-profit schools receive public funding?
7. In light of the recent SCOTUS case, must Colorado provide public support to religious schools?
8. What should be schools’ approach to education about sexuality and gender?
9. What role do you see for parents in schools, including having a voice in curriculum and/or choice of literature or subject material?

(D) Kathy Plomer – ENDORSED

1. I care about public education. It’s been a passion since my oldest child started kindergarten. Well-resourced classrooms with up-to-date curriculum, broadband internet connection and a diversity of course offerings. Address teacher shortages.

2. More one-on-one attention or credit recovery options. How do you use the resources available to now address the issue?

3. Three levels. Prevention. We need to understand if kids are in crisis and they are ready to hurt themselves or others. Making our buildings safer and procedures that lessen the risk. Coordinated relationships with law enforcement.

4. To advance as a country we need to have an honest study of the past. You cannot talk about the Civil Rights Movement without talking about racism and slavery.

5. Every student deserves a school that parents can feel confident about; some at public charter schools, some at neighborhood schools – magnet schools, innovation schools.

6. No.

7. Since they’re not public schools it’s the same answer.

8. Every child who comes to the door needs to be seen for who they are, needs to be treated with dignity. Kids who identify as LGBTQ have higher rates of suicide, stress and anxiety. We can have those conversations in our classrooms.

9. They already have a voice. Whenever a school district has a new curriculum, those materials are put out for parents to view. It’s a partnership.

(D) Joseph Shelton – ENDORSED

1. I decided to run because Steve Durham has been in this seat since 2014 and hasn’t shown up in his community. I want to make sure we’re building an education system that prepares our students for a future.

2. More on practice than policy.

3. Reasonable security measures, but not armed guards or armed teachers.

4. Diversity equity and inclusion is making sure that everyone’s getting a seat at the table and we’re getting the best support systems possible. My number one plan is to build a Community Coalition.

5. I support Charter Schools. I support a parent’s right to choose where their student goes to school.

6. No.

7. If it’s a public institution. I don’t believe that religion should play any part.

8. As an openly gay man, gender and sexuality studies and support for LGBTQ students are very important – the kind of education that really supports our youth, especially those who are at high risk of suicide. Talking about LGBTQ issues doesn’t hurt anyone.

9. They should be able to choose what classes their child takes. If a parent doesn’t want their kid in sex ed, they should be able to say yes or no.

(D) Rebecca McClellan – ENDORSED

1. I’m running for re-election to continue the work of supporting academic growth and achievement for all students. Implementing the READ ACT – evidence based literacy – is very important.

2. The impact of interruptions to in person learning are reflected in the latest scores. The value of professional teachers delivering in person instruction cannot be overstated.

3. When we prioritize respect and humanity for every student, our schools are safer. This includes prioritizing mental health support and protocols for identifying and stopping bullying.

4. The State Board can support diversity, equity and inclusion by following the terms of HB19-1192 as we revise the Standards. We should include the contributions of people from diverse groups, as the law now indicates.

5. The majority of charter school applications are approved locally without State Board involvement.

7. I believe in the separation of church and state. I would find a shift to public funding of religious schools concerning.

8. Opting out of sex education is allowed. It should be factual and comprehensive so that students can gain accurate understanding.

9. Colorado is a local control state and our constitution forbids the Legislature and the State Board from prescribing textbooks. The teacher is the best person to talk with.

(R) Peggy Probst – QUALIFIED

1. Literacy levels have plummeted – 40 percent leave third grade without reading. I want to address the declining academic performance. We are seriously jeopardizing our kids.

2. If they can’t read, they can’t do any other content area. We must have literacy specialists who understand the science of reading.

3. Perhaps retired military or law enforcement who volunteer their time. Arming staff or teachers could be considered.It should not be a mandate.

4. Education is the great equalizer. A conscientious effort to improve the level of academic achievement is the best way to approach equity.

5. I support parents’ choice because every child is different.

6. Some charter schools have a chartering entity that is for-profit. They have management companies that help run them.

7. In Colorado we receive some federal funding, state funding and local funding, Money could be tied to the child without strings attached from the government. I think all of us are looking very closely at what’s going on in Arizona to see if that experiment works.

8. We have science-based health and sex education.. There should be a parental right to opt in or out and/or provide instruction at home.

9. The State Board of Education sets standards, but we don’t dictate curriculum. That is left to local school districts.

(R) Molly Lamar – Radio Silent

(D) Rhonda Solis – Radio Silent

(R) Dan Maloit – Radio Silent

(R) Steve Durham – Refused interview

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO REGENTS

1. What are your highest priorities if elected/reelected?
2. How would you define the purpose of higher education?
3. What is your view of affirmative action and the SCOTUS case that will be argued this fall?
4. Colorado funds higher education at one of the lowest rates in the nation. Only 6 states are worse. How can the system increase revenue or control expenses?
5. The Regents have been widely criticized for the CU presidential searches. Can that process be improved?
6. Do you believe free speech restriction is a problem on Colorado college campuses?

(D) Wanda James – ENDORSED

1. Higher education should be a pathway to success from a traditional four-year student learning from great books at one campus to an older adult gaining new skills for career advancement at another.

2. Diversity, diversity, diversity. As the first Black woman on the Board of Regents in more than 4 decades, I wish to see the diversity of our state reflected in the student body, faculty and administration.

3. It is a shame that affirmative action is threatened. This “campaign”dates back to the Carter administration when Ward Connerly, a Black Regent in the University of California system, began a long crusade to eliminate affirmative action, which he saw as a form of racial discrimination.

4. I believe we are 49th or 50th! Unfortunately, there is little that Regents can do but work with the legislature to encourage more support.

5. I support the appointment of Todd Saliman. The recent searches have been well-conducted. If there had been more transparency, the public perception problems might have been avoided.

6. The political rhetoric around this issue is not supported by real experience. I’m not aware of any student whose conservative viewpoint has been repressed in the classroom.

(R) Frank McNulty – QUALIFIED

1. Higher education is to help build better people; to allow them to experience things that they haven’t experienced in their lives.

2. My top priority is to make sure that we have diversity of thought and experience throughout the system. We need to prioritize the Athletics program to make sure that it’s resourced at the very highest levels.

3. Students benefit from learning from others. Experiences we share help make us better people. Diversity makes for a stronger University system.

4. It is important for the legislature to better fund our education system. It is the largest unprotected pot of money in the state budget. Regents must make the case well and make it loudly.

5. I was involved in the presidential search that recommended Mark Kennedy. Partisans outside of the Board got a hold of that nomination and decided to sink him. I don’t think that the process is fundamentally flawed.

6. Cancel culture exists on college campuses. Conservatives are the ones most concerned. Regents need to set an example that we can have productive, respectful discussions of philosophical ideas. That example should carry through to the administration, the faculty and the students.

(D) Jack Barrington

1. The purpose of higher education is to enhance people’s abilities to function in our society, become better, contributing members of society.

2. To make sure that the people are taking care of the students, the faculty and the staff. I’m going to be considering the effect on people, more than I will be on political expediency.

3. As long as there has been and are still roadblocks or gatekeeping done to keep minorities from accessing the same services and resources as others, we do need some way of balancing.

4. Since I haven’t gotten to the position yet I can’t speak specifically on any point.

5. My opponent had been heavily involved in forcing through the previous president who was basically run out of town on a rail. I would try to bring in as many of the varying Community leaders to seek out candidates so that we could have a larger candidate pool of qualified people, regardless of their race, sex, creed or religion.

6. It really is more of a legal question as to what kind of limits can the university put in place on any kind of speech being funded by the government.

(R) Ken Montera – QUALIFIED

1. Higher education is there to not only establish specific skills based on a major but it’s also there to foster one’s ability to make decisions, based on critical thinking skills.

2. The cost of education;Making sure the money that is provided to the university is moving to the areas that are most important. Reaching more students within our state.

3. It’s not just about people of color or people of a certain identity, but it’s also about political thought and representation from rural communities, farming communities, and places that are harder to reach.

4. Only 5.5 or 5.7 percent of our budget comes from state funding and that has a significant impact on the cost that gets passed on to the students. Our donor levels are at all-time highs. When you have a $5.2 billion operating budget, there will be opportunities to evaluate expenses.

5. It’s very difficult for anyone to come out of a contentious search. It was unfortunate for President Kennedy to go through that. This time I think we ended up in a pretty good place.

6. I’m a strong proponent of free speech. If you believe in free speech you’ve got to believe that it offers the same opportunity for everybody.

(R) Mark VanDriel – ENDORSED

1. To prepare students’ minds for all the awesome possibilities life offers. Education should provide good value as students move on to work and life after college.

2. The highest priority is to make higher education more affordable. As I have had a career in higher education, I know the value of a strong advising system and this should be a priority.

3. Affirmative action has been a crude tool with good intentions. If affirmative action is not permitted, CO might look to workable strategies developed elsewhere, i.e. programs that guarantee admission to the top tier of students at all high schools.

4. Even if CO reached the median, it would be only about $2,400 more per student. We might lower costs by partnering with 2 year colleges to reduce the time and expense at CU. Administrative costs can be reduced.

5. The biggest credibility gap arose from having only one final candidate.

6. Restriction of speech at Colorado campuses doesn’t seem to be a real problem.

(D) Ron Casados – Radio Silent

(D) Yolanda Ortega – Radio Silent

BALLOT ISSUES

State

Amendment D | In 2020, the state legislature passed a law creating the 23rd Judicial District out of the existing 18th Judicial District. A ‘yes’ will initiate a definitive mechanism for transitioning judges currently living within the new district boundaries into their seat position in the 23rd Judicial District. Amendment D amends the state constitution requiring the Governor to reassign judges from the 18th Judicial District the the 23rd Judicial District. | YES
Amendment E | Colorado currently offers the Homestead Exemption to spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans when the veteran dies. A vote ‘yes’ to extending the Homestead Exemption to Gold Star spouses would reduce property taxes for homeowners who are the surviving spouse of a military service member who died in the line of duty or a veteran or who died from service-related injuries or diseases. | YES
Amendment F | A ‘yes’ would allow non-profit organizations to operate in Colorado for a minimum of three years instead of five years, the current requirement, before applying for a bingo-raffle license. A ‘yes’ would also allow, but not require, a member of the non-profit organization working as the bingo raffle operator to receive compensation up to the minimum wage before a complete repeal of compensation restrictions on July, 1, 2024. | YES
Proposition FF | A ‘yes’ will create the Healthy School Meals for All program. Along with additional federal funding, funding would come from an increase in income taxes owed by households with federal taxable incomes over $300,000. Any school meal provider can participate in the program, which will feed any student regardless of income at a participating school. Beginning in the 2024–25 school year, the program will also fund purchasing products grown, raised, and processed in Colorado, increase wages for employees who prepare and serve meals, and fund education and collaboration between schools, communities and local food growers and non-profits. | YES
Proposition GG | A ‘yes’ would require petitions and ballots from citizen-initiated measures to include a tax information table listing the change to average individual income tax rates for taxpayers in eight specified income categories. The measure would increase information technology costs in the Secretary of State’s Office to modify ballots to include tax information. The measure will increase costs for county clerks to include the new tax information on printed ballots and would increase printing and mailing costs. | YES
Proposition 121 | A ‘yes’ would reduce the state income tax rate from 4.55 percent to 4.40 percent for individuals and corporations for the tax year 2022 and after. State government currently collects more taxes than it is legally allowed to spend, as mandated by the constitutional revenue limit (TABOR). If passed, 75 percent of taxpayers will receive a tax cut of less than $63 a year. On average, households and corporations with incomes over $1 million are expected to save almost $7,000 per year. In years when the state revenue is below the constitutional limit (TABOR), the measure would reduce the amount of general funds to be saved or spent. | NO on 121
Proposition 122 | A ‘yes’ amends Colorado statutes to require the state to create regulations and a system for accessing psychedelic mushrooms for those 21 and over. The measure would allow the supervised use of psychedelic mushrooms for those 21 and older at licensed facilities that follow a state regulatory structure for operation. A ‘yes’ also expands the types of substances used in licensed facilities to include more plant-based psychedelic substances including dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, and mescaline. The measure would decriminalize personal possession, growing, sharing and use of psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, and mescaline for those 21 and over. Local governments may not ban licensed facilities, services and use of natural psychedelic substances but can regulate the time, place and manner of these operations. There will be an established penalty for those over 21 who possess, use or transport natural psychedelic substances and for those who allow underage access. “This initiative would give Coloradans access to a new, promising, and research-based treatment option for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, in a safe, careful, and beneficial way,” Kevin Matthews, representative for Natural Medicine Colorado said, according to their website. “These medicines can be transformative for people who have suffered for years and struggled to find help.” | YES
Proposition 123 | A ‘yes’ would allow a portion of annual state income tax revenue to go toward affordable housing programs, which could possibly result in less money returned to Colorado citizens in their TABOR tax refund. The state already uses over one billion dollars in federal stimulus funds for affordable housing. From lack of affordable housing options in metro areas to people working in resort towns not being able to afford to live in the community they work, 86 percent of Colorado citizens list housing and the housing crisis as a top issue, according to a poll conducted earlier this year by the Colorado Health Foundation. The money collected from tax revenue will run through both the state division of housing and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. Those entities will put the funds into land banking, affordable housing equity, concessionary debt, affordable home ownership, homesllessness assistance and local government capacity building. Local cities will have the obligation to make a commitment to growing their affordable housing stock, as well as expediting the planning review for affordable housing developments, according to Brian Rossbert, Executive Director of Housing Colorado. The funding would increase building of affordable housing units from around 3,000 units to a goal of around 10,000 units a year, Rossbert said. The voter-approved investment into affordable housing, which doesn’t increase taxes but uses existing tax revenues, is the first of its kind in the U.S. “Right now there isn’t a ton of incentive for market rate developers to develop affordable housing because they are able to build, sell, or rent the units that they’re building at market rate,” Rossbert said. “With rents and home prices increasing, the affordable market might start to go away.” Groups like Advance Colorado Action oppose the proposition. “There is nothing ‘affordable’ about taking $300 million of our TABOR tax refunds for a flawed housing measure,” said Michael Fields of Advance Colorado Action. “To fix our state’s housing crisis, we need to build more, not tax more. Coloradans are struggling — and they want their full TABOR refund in upcoming years.” Yes on 123
Proposition 124 | A ‘yes’ would allow retail liquor stores to open additional locations from the current law of two stores to three stores between 2023 and 2026, four stores between 2027 to 2036 and unlimited stores starting in 2037. The campaign behind the proposition, Coloradans for Consumer Choice and Retail Fairness, has raised millions of dollars and is backed by David Trone and his brother Robert Trone who co-own the national corporation Total Wine. “These large out of state corporations want it because changing the laws will meet their business model and help them increase their profits, so they’re essentially trying to buy a change of law that they were not able to get done at the legislature,” said Bruce Dierking of Keeping Colorado Local and Colorado Licensed Beverage Association (CLBA). The CLBA estimates that about half of all independently owned liquor stores, majority owned by minorities, would be out of business within five years if this proposition passes. “[Colorado laws] have been this wonderful low barrier to entry opportunity for people of modest means to own their own business and to provide a nice middle class income for their families,” Dierking said. “We’re at risk of losing that to corporations who are just going to chuck the profits back home to other states and pay them out to shareholders, wealthy CEOs and executives at the expense of these Colorado families.” | NO on 124
Proposition 125 | A ‘yes’ would allow grocery and convenience stores that already sell beer to be able to sell wine. “Colorado is known as one of the best alcohol markets of any of the states in the nation,” said Dierking of CBLA and Keeping Colorado Local. “We have one of the most robust craft industries. Every community has their own unique stores that are different. It’s not like every county you go to has the same stores. When you look at states that have gone to chain licensing in more of what the corporations want, you got a lot more homogeneity and uniformity. Every town you go to has the same stores. When you go from town to town you might see that the only liquor stores are Total Wine and More and it’s not like down in Pueblo there’s Big Bear, and in Colorado Springs there’s Cheers, and Denver has Argonaut, and Fort Collins has Wilbur’s. Everybody’s a little different and they’re all owned by families. Instead it might be that every community has the exact same store. Exactly the same selection, and we’re all owned by out of state corporations.” | Tentative Yes on 125
Proposition 126 | A ‘yes’ would allow alcohol takeout and delivery from bars and restaurants, which is currently set to be repealed in 2025 and also allow third party companies, like Doordash and Uber Eats, to deliver alcohol to customers. Third party entities would be able to deliver alcohol from establishments that have a liquor license. There would be no regulation mandating the third party delivery services to check for underaged alcohol purchases. “[Alcohol] is not like every other consumer product,” said Dierking of CLBA and Keeping Colorado Local. “It should be regulated. A lot of these big out of state corporations want deregulation because their corporate model makes more money when they don’t have to follow the rules. It really is about money. It’s about greed.” | NO on 126

Boulder County

Ordinance 8542 | Yes on 8542
Ordinance 8534 | NO on 8534
Ordinance 8539 | Yes on 8539
Ordinance 8540 | Yes on 8540
Ordinance 8546 | Yes on 8546

Louisville

The Louisville Fire Protection District Board of Directors election | Residents within the Fire District will receive a mail ballot election for its Board of Directors. The Fire District is a separate governmental entity from the City, which is not conducting the election. If you have questions, please contact the Louisville Fire District at 303.666.6595 or visit https://www.louisvillefire.com/about/contact/.

Erie

Ballot Question 3E | A resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie to submit a ballot question to possibly form a Home Rule Charter Commission to the Town’s Registered Electors at the November 8, 2022 Special Election, and list candidates for the Charter Commission. A ‘yes’ on Resolution No. 22-104 would mean that Erie would be governed based on a charter written by its residents as opposed to following the state’s statutes. This will mean that the community will be governed by its residents. | Yes on Resolution No. 22-104
- Candidates endorsed: Bob Braudes, Ken Martin, Ashraf Shaikh, Ben Hemphill, Adam Haid, Sarah Kornerly, Lisa Cunningham, Brian O’Connor and Chelsea Campbell

Full disclosure: YS’s publisher lives in Erie, CO and supports Home Rule. She is involved in supporting the Yes for Erie Home Rule Committee and feels these candidates have the best interest of Erieites in mind.

Ballot Question 3D | A ‘yes’ on Resolution 22-103 will extend funding to protecting natural areas along Coal Creek and Boulder Creek, conserving scenic landscapes, creating and enhancing hiking trails, protecting wildlife habitat, acquiring more natural areas, and maintaining trails. This resolution would not increase taxes. Funds would come from the existing Four Mill Property tax, which was approved by voters in 2004. This resolution would extend the tax until Dec. 31, 2024. The intended uses of the funds will include slightly broader intended uses than agreed upon in 2004. No more than four percent of revenue will be used on the administrative costs that come with the annual citizen advisory board and independent audit. | Yes on Resolution 22-103

Longmont

Amended by revising Sections 2.4, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 7.1, and 13.7 of the City Of Longmont Charter | A ‘yes’ on amending 2.4, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 7.1, and 13.7 on the City’s Home Rule Charter will remove outdated language and allow for modernization of how city business is conducted. | Yes on revising Sections 2.4, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 7.1, and 13.7 of the City Of Longmont Charter
Resolution R-2022 | A ‘yes’ on this resolution would allow City Of Longmont Revenue Bonds to fund St. Vrain project improvements. Without imposing new taxes or increasing existing taxes, the City would borrow up to $20,000,000 for the purpose of financing storm drainage system improvements, including improvements to the St. Vrain Creek drainageway from Sunset Street to Hover Street to protect downstream areas from future flooding. The proof of the borrowing would be through bonds, loan agreements, or other financial obligations payable solely from the City’s storm drainage enterprise revenues. | Yes on Resolution R-202

City of Boulder

Research on Boulder County and the City of Boulder Ballot issues provided by Shay Castle, endorsed by YS editorial board.

Ballot Issues 2A + 2B: Climate Tax and bonds | Yes on Resolution 2A & 2B

Together, these measures will combine two climate change-fighting taxes into one, increase them a bit and extend them to 2040 (2A). 2B will allow the city to borrow money against the revenue, so it can make large, upfront investments into things like infrastructure (think solar and other renewables, electric vehicles and/or chargers, microgrids, replacing natural gas systems in buildings with electric appliances, etc.).

Money from it will go toward efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the impacts of climate change: flood, fires and other extreme weather, etc. Much of this work is ongoing; additional money will help pay for work to prevent and fight wildfires.

PROS

Urgent climate action is needed, and almost all of it costs money. The city is currently reducing emissions by about 1.3% per year, and will need to increase that to 5.88% to meet its climate goals.
The ability to borrow money against the tax will give the city a way to spend money upfront on bigger projects, something they can’t do with current climate taxes.
This tax also includes money for wildfire prevention and mitigation, another critical need that is expected to grow as the climate dries and warms.

CONS

This is a tax increase, and a big one for businesses. The tax is a charge on energy consumption: How much your bill will increase depends on how much electricity and/or natural gas you use, but the city calculated the following average rates and increases:
- Residential: $49.66/year (+ $6.71 / year, or 15.6%, over current CAP + UOT)
- Commercial: $487.37 (+ $194.95 or 66.7%)
- Industrial: $1,806.85 (+ $722.74 or 66.7%)

Ballot Question 2C: Repeal of Library Commission and Tax if Library District Created | Yes on Resolution 2C

This measure addresses language in Boulder’s charter related to the Library Commission, the group of residents city council appoints to “govern” the library. If a library district is created, the commission will no longer be needed — a district is its own government entity, and it will be governed by an appointed Board of Trustees, similar to RTD or school boards.

More importantly, 2C gives city council the authority to repeal a dedicated library tax of 0.333 mills that has helped fund the library since the early 1900s. It brings in about $1.4 million each year.

If voters approve the library district and associated property tax, this dedicated tax will no longer be necessary. 2C allows that tax to stop being collected, providing a bit of a tax break to property owners within the city of Boulder.

The passage of 2C is dependent on the passage of the library district measure. That is, if voters reject a library district and tax, 2C becomes null and void, regardless of how people vote on it.

PROS

If a library district is created, all the language in Boulder’s charter related to the library becomes pointless. This helps keep the charter clean, up to date and free of conflicts that could cause confusion or legal challenges.

CONS

There really aren’t any to this: It only matters if the library district is approved by voters.

Ballot Question 2D: Charter Clarification of Candidate Issues | Yes on Resolution 2D

This measure cleans up charter language related to the 2020 voter decision to directly elect Boulder’s mayor beginning in 2023.

It has four parts:

Prohibiting a candidate from running for council and mayor simultaneously
Allowing a sitting council member to run for mayor without resigning
Defining how vacancies are filled if a sitting council member wins the mayoral seat
Changing the swearing-in date for new council members

Let’s look at each issue separately:

Candidates may run for council or mayor, but not both

The rationale here is that it reduces conflicts in the event of a popular candidate winning the mayoral seat and a spot on city council. (Which would need its own set of rules: Do they take the mayoral seat or the council one? How do we fill either the council spot or mayoral seat they one in that case?)

The posts are essentially the same. Boulder’s mayor has no more powers than an ordinary council member, though s/he does have certain ceremonial and representative duties.

PROS

Reduces confusion for voters
Eliminates the possibility of a double win and attendant issues
Conforms with state law that prohibits candidates from seeking more than one office at the same time; kinda. It’s complicated. Additionally, Boulder is a home rule city, meaning it can (mostly) make its own election rules.

CONS

Some argue that this will reduce the number and quality of candidates, assuming most people would prefer a four-year seat to the mayor’s two-year term.

Council members can run for mayor

This is how things are done now, when council members choose the mayor themselves. This means that a council member could continue serving if they run for mayor and lose.

PROS

It helps keep experienced members on council and reduces turnover (which is hard for good governance).

CONS

Provides a bit of a safety net for elected officials and may result in them not being entirely focused on their jobs (as some have argued).

Filling vacancies

The way council fills vacancies now is to simply go down the ballot; the candidates with the most votes get those seats. If there are 5 seats, the top 5 vote-getters are elected — the top 4 to four-year terms, and the fifth to a two-year term. If there are 6 seats (as has happened in the past with resignations) the sixth-place candidate will fill whatever is left of that term.

2D would apply that process if/when a sitting council member is elected to mayor, filling their now-vacant seat with the fifth or sixth candidate in terms of votes.

Why you might want to vote for this

It’s the way things are done now, and honors the will of the voters (in that the most popular candidates will be elected).

Why you might not want to vote for this

Some have argued that if a sitting council member runs for mayor, then voters should be allowed to choose an additional candidate in case they win.

New swearing-in date

Newly elected council members currently take office the third Thursday of November. (It’s actually Tuesday, but council meetings recently moved to Thursdays, so this would also change charter language to reflect that.)

The problem? Election results aren’t official by that point. It hasn’t been a problem; the results are typically pretty clear. But this would ensure that newly elected officials don’t take office until the first Thursday in December — after the results are certified.

PROS

See above.

CONS

There really aren’t any, as the date for swearing in is only one week later (the last Thursday in November being the Thanksgiving holiday, there are no meetings)

Ballot Question 2E: Change Regular Municipal Election to Even Years | Yes on Resolution 2E

Boulder’s city council is currently elected in odd-year elections (2019, 2021, etc.) This would move city council elections to even years — when far more people vote.

On average, 30,000 more people vote in even years than odd. Even when looking solely at local ballot measures, 17,000 more people, on average, have voted for the down-ballot local measures on even years over the past decade.

While ballot drop off doubles in even years (to 8%, on average), the loss in voters is not enough to offset the gain by moving away from odd years.

Studies of moving local elections to even years in other jurisdictions (primarily California) show that even-year elections bring a greater diversity of voters. That is reflected in the candidates they represent.

However, studies also suggest this effect is limited in majority-white places like Boulder. Turnout is still more diverse in even years, but gains are not as great as in cities with more diverse populations.

PROS

More people voting
More diverse voters
More representative government
Demonstrable ballot drop-off offset by overall gains

CONS

This may exacerbate decreases in voter turnout on odd years and create “orphan” elections such as school board races.
It could also strengthen the dominance of interest groups in odd years for whatever elections remain — the fewer the voters, the more power these groups have.

Ballot Question 2F: Repeal of Ordinance 8483, regarding the annexation of CU South

This would undo the city’s annexation of the land known as CU South, 308 acres south of the city (along U.S. 36) owned by the University of Colorado. (Annexation = officially adding the land to city limits, which provides access to city services such as water and sewer.)

The land is owned by the University of Colorado, who plans to build a southern campus there. In exchange for annexation, CU is donating land for Boulder for flood protection.

This spot was identified as the most optimal by a 2015 study of South Boulder Creek, given the number of homes and businesses downstream and the waterway’s history of flooding.

The annexation agreement includes much more, including limits to the amount of housing and traffic the campus can generate, plans to donate and sell open space to Boulder, requirements for affordable housing and options for Boulder to buy the land should CU choose to sell and not develop.

Ordinance 8483 was passed by a 6-1 vote of city council in September 2021, approving the annexation.

PROS

If you are opposed to development at CU South, this would likely delay that by many years. It probably won’t stop indefinitely.
There is an agreement that surrounding towns (Louisville, Lafayette, Superior) won’t annex the land into their boundaries, but that expires in 2029. Even if it remains unincorporated, some building can occur there (a handful of very large homes).

CONS

A yes vote on 2F would delay flood protection for for several years. Boulder does not own the land; CU does, and as a state government entity, it outranks Boulder (making condemnation unlikely if not impossible).
There is no backup plan for flood mitigation; 2,300 downstream residents would be left unprotected. The process that identified this as the best site was completed in 2015. All the work that has occurred since then — preliminary design, studies, consultations with permitting agencies — would have to be repeated once a new site was selected.
Boulder would also lose the other benefits of the annexation agreement, including donated open space and plans for wetlands restoration.

Boulder County

Research on Boulder County and the City of Boulder Ballot issues provided by Shay Castle, endorsed by YS editorial board.

1A: Countywide Wildfire Mitigation Sales and Use Tax and Revenue Change | Yes on Resolution 1A

This would create a new sales tax to fund wildfire prevention and response, through four primary focus areas:

(a) Strategic forest and grassland management projects;
(b) Community partnerships and programs to help residents prepare for wildfires, create defensible space around homes, make homes more fire resistant, and provide technical assistance and rebates to homeowners;
(c) Fire mitigation staffing; and
(d) Other projects and services to proactively address the increasing risk of climate-driven wildfires.

Community partnerships refers to an expansion of the Wildfire Partners program into the eastern part of the county. The program provides assessments, recommendations and certification for fire mitigation at private properties.

The sales tax is 0.1%, equal to 1 cent for every $10 purchase.

PROS

The county doesn’t have a dedicated source of funding for fire, despite the widespread and increasing risk. This would provide one, and in perpetuity. That’s appropriate, given that the threat of fire is not one that expires.
Expanding wildfire programs into the eastern plains makes sense. The Marshall Fire showed how vulnerable everyone in the country can be, regardless of location.

CONS

It is a tax increase, to be charged in perpetuity.
Sales tax is regressive (meaning low-earning people pay a greater percentage of the income, on necessities like food and clothes).
There are other sources of funding for wildfire, including another county tax (1B) and state and federal funds. However, it’s worth noting that local officials say this won’t be enough, and that local money is necessary to apply for state and federal grants.

1B: Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax and Revenue Change | Yes on Resolution 1B

This would create a new sales tax to pay for emergency services (ambulances, fire response and open space search-and-rescue teams) in areas of Boulder County not already served by various cities.

This money will be used to supplement all the aforementioned emergency services with additional staff and equipment, including:

Extended contracts of currently part-time, seasonal wildland firefighters
Funding first responder training
Providing multilingual dispatch services
Purchasing radios and other communication equipment, vehicles and personal safety gear
Supplementing funding for mountain and rural fire districts

Funds will also provide staffing and shuttle services to address congestion and traffic concerns at trailheads.

It includes beefing up search-and-rescue resources. Boulder County contracts for these with volunteer organizations Rocky Mountain Rescue Group (primary contractor), Boulder Emergency Squad, Front Range Rescue Dogs, and Mounted Search and Rescue, which provides horseback searchers and assists with large animal evacuations.

Of this tax’s initial revenue, ~$17 million will help build a (county-owned) facility for Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to use as a home base for equipment maintenance and testing, outdoor safety education, meeting space, sleeping quarters for out-of-town responders assisting with large missions, and storage space for county and RMRG equipment.

The tax would be 0.1%, or 1 cent on every $10 purchase, declining to half a cent for every $10 after the first five years.

PROS

There is no dedicated tax for emergency services or search and rescue. Paying for these services in rural areas is difficult owing to the low number of property owners to contribute taxes.
Coverage has typically been provided by contracts with units serving nearby cities. As those cities shift services in-house, towns like Lyons and Hygiene are uncovered by ambulances.
Demand for search and rescue operations has increased along with visitation to open space. Their current headquarters is inadequate for current needs, and equipment stored outside has been stolen. The county will maintain ownership of the facility, providing flexibility for future uses.

CONS

This is a tax increase, one that will be paid in perpetuity. It’s also a sales tax, which is regressive.
In this case, however, a sales tax might actually be more equitable given that, unlike property tax, it is also paid by visitors and non-residents — including many users of open space. This does mean property owners in rural areas will be paying twice (in property tax and sales tax) but they will get more services in return.

1C: Transportation Sales and Use Tax Extension and Revenue | Yes on Resolution 1C

This is an extension of an existing tax, one that funds transportation programs and services. The 0.1% sales tax (a penny on every $10 purchase) raises $11 million per year.

The tax expires in 2024; 1C would extend it in perpetuity.

PROS

This is not a tax increase — you’re already paying it.
The tax is the only source of funding for any improvements to or construction of new facilities, including roads, bridges, pedestrian underpasses, sidewalks, multi-use paths, new road shoulders or transit routes.
The first 15 years of revenue will go to:
- 55% Roadway safety and resilience (Road shoulders, flood resilience and creek restoration, intersection safety, mountain road repair)
- 15% Regional trails and and commuter bikeways (Recreational trails connecting Longmont, Boulder, Superior, Louisville, Erie, Lyons and Nederland; bikeways along major corridors; multi-use paths connecting neighborhoods)
- 15% Transit service and programs (Fixed route and on-demand transit services from Boulder to Lyons, Gold Hill, Fort Collins and throughout Boulder County)
- 10% Regional corridors (Multimodal travel improvements connecting communities, including transit, bike and pedestrian facilities, and safety)
- 5% Community mobility programs (Services for vulnerable and underserved populations of all ages and abilities, including education and support programs)

CONS

There aren’t really cons to this measure. There is more transportation money floating around than usual, but as mentioned above, having a source of local revenue will help secure federal and state grants.
It does extend the tax forever (unless repealed by voters), but transportation is an ongoing need.

Special districts

6C – Library district | Yes on Resolution 6C

The Boulder Public Library is currently the responsibility of the City of Boulder. This would create a library district — a separate government entity similar to RTD or school districts — whose sole purpose is to run the area’s libraries. It would be funded by a property tax.

The property tax will be 3.5 mills for a large part of Boulder County. For residents within the city of Boulder, it will be 3.167 mills, once a 0.333-mill dedicated library tax is repealed. (That’s measure 2C on City of Boulder ballots.)

The city has developed a searchable map so property owners can see how much their property taxes will increase (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8f0fafc66c7f4d0e9aba1084e37de9b7) but generally it’s $230 per year for a $1 million home outside the city of Boulder, or $208 for one inside the city (again, assuming the repeal of the current dedicated library tax).

Commercial properties will pay more, due to the Gallagher Amendment: $976 per year for every $1 million of commercial property outside the city of Boulder, and $884 per million inside.

Of note: This is on the assessed value of a home — that is, the taxable value — not the market value, or what it could sell for.

Also similar to RTD or schools, the library district will be governed by a five- to seven-member board of trustees appointed by Boulder City Council and Boulder County commissioners.

PROS

The library is underfunded according to several measures Patronage has increased while staff has decreased. The library was particularly hard-hit during pandemic-related budget cuts, and has still not recovered completely. Private nonprofit Library Foundation — not the city — pays for 90% of the library’s programs, and even covered staff salaries during COVID.
All locations are operating at reduced hours, the Carnegie Library for Local History is still open by appointment only, there is very little programming at the Canyon Theater and the makerspace is open only 2.5 days per week. There is also a more than $3 million maintenance backlog, for things like leaky roofs and outdated HVAC systems.
A library district was identified as the best way to fund the library by multiple library commissions (the city-appointed group that helps govern the library) and recommended in the 2018 library master plan.
That’s in part due to the stability of property tax revenue, which has increased exponentially along with property values in Boulder County. Most of the library’s budget today is funded by sales tax, which fluctuates along with economic health.

CONS

This is a sizeable tax increase, one of several taxes on this year’s ballot. The cost is particularly steep for businesses, which is part of why the Boulder Chamber is opposing the district.
It also creates a new government entity, though their powers are fairly limited to running the library and asking voters for money.

5A – BVSD bonds | Yes on Resolution 5A

This would increase taxes to Boulder Valley School District by $32 million per year and allow them to borrow $350 million, primarily to repair buildings and other facilities (like playgrounds). It would also pay for two new school buildings: A replacement for Vista High School and a new elementary school in Erie.

Lastly, it would expand BVSD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) job training programs.

Taxes would increase by about $120 per year for a home worth $600,000 and $840 per year for a commercial property worth $1 million.

PROS

Many of the district’s buildings are old and in need of upgrading or replacement. Vista High School, for instance, is 70 years old.
Additionally, BVSD’s sole Erie elementary school is already over-capacity. Given the planned housing development in the area, population (and enrollment) will likely continue to increase.

CONS

This is a sizeable tax increase, and comes not too long after voters passed the largest-ever school district bond measure for BVSD in 2014: $576.5 million for some of the very same issues voters are being asked to fund today.
Quoting from a Daily Camera article at the time: building New Vista High School, constructing a new school to relieve overcrowding in Erie and money to support CTE. It also comes at a time of declining enrollment in the western part of the district.

The post 2022 Election Guide appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Best of the West 2022: Readers Choice

Laurenz Busch — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 23:15:15 +0000

Contributors: Shavonne Blades, Laurenz Busch, Deborah Cameron, Robert Davis, Brian Heuberger, Kristi Hill, Ashley Kay Mauer, Mollie McCoy, & Thomas Rutherford

When we say Readers’ Choice, we mean readers choose. No prompts. No drop-down menus to vote from. Just a wide open ballot for you to have told us what you love. Yellow Scene Magazine is the only local publication that keeps the Readers’ Choice ballot up to the readers with the area’s only write-in answers. After weeks of voting, we have the results, presented in 9 main categories and 111 sub-categories.

Click on each category to skip to that section, and go back or press “Back to top” to return here.

Restaurant • Drink • Entertainment • Health & Beauty • Shopping • Home • Services & Misc. • Sports • Education

2nd – Lulu’s: When you’re in Louisville and you want Southern barbeque you head to Lulu’s. Lulu’s fans know to get there early – some favorites like brisket or burnt ends are so popular they run out. But if you can get either of them, the combination of smoke and meat are memorable.

Boulder

1st (TIE) – West End Tavern: West End Tavern is a cozy, comfortable classic place to tuck into, just off of Pearl Street. Once you open a menu, locals know not to skip anything that comes out of their smoker. Wash it down with a choice of any of their 20 plus craft beers, mules, or hard-to-find premium whiskeys and bourbons.

1st (TIE) – KT’s BBQ: KT’s is Boulder’s choice for fast, delicious Memphis-style barbeque that makes you want to lick your fingers after each bone. Their June Bowl is a favorite that keeps locals filling the seats. It’s everything you like about barbeque – sides, sauce and a choice of meats (including brisket) – layered up in a bowl.

2nd – Moe’s Original BBQ: When locals are hungry for something smoked and realize they’re passing a Moe’s BBQ, they’re likely to pull over, park the car, and head inside. There they have their pick of Southern, smoked, fried, and sandwiched specialties like pulled pork and catfish. Pick any of their sides and don’t forget a serving of their moist, sticky, crave-able cornbread.

Breakfast

East County

1st – Tangerine: It doesn’t matter if it’s Boulder, Longmont, or Lafayette. We have breakfast at Tangerine at least once a week. Chef Alec’s creations are divine and at each location, the Head Chef makes their own house specials. What they are really known for are their varieties of Benedicts, mimosas, pancakes, huevos, and really anything breakfast.

2nd – Morning Glory: You might never have enjoyed Morning Glory unless you knew it was there. Known for serving fresh, healthy, organic cuisine for Boulder County since 2010, Chef Jules Lieb is classified as a Top Chef of BOCO. This top female chef has been featured in YS almost as much as Morning Glory has won.

Boulder

Boulder

1st – The Sink: The Sink is a well-known, longtime Boulder establishment. In fact, it is so old that most people don’t even remember it used to be called Summer’s Sunken Gardens and from that name derived the nickname “The Sink” that it formally adopted in 1940. They are proof that something being old doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced because they are still making Boulder’s best burger today.

2nd – Dark Horse: This iconic Boulder restaurant has been around since 1975 to both fill you with burgers, wings, and drinks and to confuse you if you need to go to the bathroom. When one door says “Women” and points to the other which says “Men” and points to the first, be sure to follow the signs to end up in the right place, or just laugh it off if you don’t.

East County

1st – Efrain’s Lafayette: I can’t stop thinking about the green chile and that tasty margarita with a splash of brandy. If you’ve been, you probably know what I’m talking about. Lo and behold, Efrain’s is the best green chile in East County.

2nd – Santiago’s: Not just another green chile favorite, Santiago’s is a Colorado favorite. Known for their burritos that come mild, hot, or ½ and ½, get their green chile on a burrito, as a plate combo or in a bowl. Whether you’re going for breakfast or dinner, Santiago’s has a multitude of options.

Boulder

Efrain’s Boulder: One of the reasons Efrain’s wins Best Green Chile is their recipes are the ones this family-owned restaurant got from their elders, and theirs before them.

Healthy Meal

East County

1st – Morning Glory Café: Fresh, organic, and vegetarian-friendly, this place features bright, healthy breakfast options, local artists selling their wares, and basically just a general attitude of positivity. You might notice the sun shining just a bit brighter once you’re done.

2nd – Cavegirl Coffeehouse: As soon as you walk through the bright green entrance, you know that you are in for a delicious, brewed treat. Lori, a.k.a. The Cavegirl, created the coffee house to give the community an alternative to the standard syrupy coffees offered elsewhere. All drinks are organic, gluten-free, and clean. Enjoy the house-made paleo granola along with a Nitro Cold Brew when you visit.

Boulder

1st – Leaf: Exclusively vegan and vegetarian, even those more carnivorously inclined should give this place a shot. Their menu is inspired by a wide variety of cuisines and should appeal to any culinary enthusiast.

2nd – Scratch Kitchen: Scratch Kitchen is unique as it only offers either delivery or pickup, no dining in here. This shouldn’t hold you back as they take care to ethically source all their ingredients and offer tons of options for salads, sandwiches, and comfort foods like fried chicken.

East County

LANDSLIDE – Busaba: We have family that’s lived in Thailand for several decades and even visited a few times. These melt-in-your-mouth family recipes easily win Best Thai in all of CO. Their take-out needs to be ordered by 4pm on the weekends and they just opened a Boulder satellite location with take-out and online ordering only.

Boulder

1st – Aloy Thai: Not only does Aloy Thai provide some of the most authentic and delicious Thai food in the area, but their staff treats everyone like family. Their drunken noodles have locals raving over and over again.

2nd – Khow Thai: Many advantages enabled Khow Thai to be voted as BOW runner-up for best Thai restaurant in Boulder. Located by campus, service is excellent, and the meals are delicious. While some people stop by for a quick lunch between classes or shifts, others enjoy going at night to have a nice dinner. The meals are all mouth-watering, but the drunken noodles are a fan favorite.

Vietnamese

East County

1st – Pho Café Lafayette: You gotta love a little variety and Pho Cafe has it in spades. It features a massive menu replete with spicy Thai curries, noodle dishes, rice platters, meat platters, and of course, pho. Come hungry, ‘cause the portions are huge.

2nd – Saigon Express: There’s no need to fly around the world to have delicious Vietnamese pho and noodle bowls. Saigon Express serves piping hot authentic dishes for lunch and dinner. Known for their combination appetizers and array of curry dishes, takeout is a popular option

Boulder

LANDSLIDE – Chez Thuy: Though its service may have a reputation for being a bit abrasive, there’s no denying Chez Thuy’s commitment to serving authentic, tasty, high end Vietnamese food. Maybe check out the menu beforehand so you show up ready to order.

Chef

East County

1st – Hugo Meyer (Piripi): Born in Argentina, Chef Hugo has brought his award-winning culinary expertise to locales such as Germany, Spain, and throughout Europe. Lucky for us he landed in Erie, Colorado.

2nd – James Cordova (Sugarbeet): Sugarbeet isn’t a new kid on the block for Longmont diners. Cordova has ensured it passes the test of time winning Best of the West multiple times. From starters like polenta bites to pasta and steaks, familiar food is special. The fact that it uses fresh, seasonal ingredients like butternut squash and fresh peppery greens is what keeps us coming back to see what’s new.

Boulder

1st – Hosea Rosenberg (Blackbelly & Santo): People come from everywhere just to eat what Chef Hosea Rosenberg serves. Years into his career, the native New Mexican, who rose to fame on Top Chef, keeps delighting diners. From his traditional food at Santo to his carefully sourced, well-made nose to tail meat cuts at Blackbelly, his place on this list was well earned.

LANDSLIDE – Hazel’s Beverage World: Home of Boulder’s largest selection of wine, beer, spirits, and more, it’s no surprise they have been voted Boulder’s Best Liquor Store eight years running. They haven’t gotten too big for their britches. However, they are still here to help you out with their bottle count calculator and wine tasting PDF’s on their website as well as their customer service.

Wine Shop

East County

1st – Atlas Valley: Atlas Valley has three wine experts on staff selecting and purchasing their wine. Jake Sheehy likens wine to a story, “Each bottle contains the history of its name, the passion of its creators, and the hard work of all those who worked on crafting it.” When you pick up a bottle of wine, you are helping it write its next chapter.

2nd – PJ’s Wine & Spirits: PJ’s has an incredible sense of community in and out of the store. When one customer leaves a less than satisfactory review, there are other customers there to defend PJ’s before the store even has to. These return customers know what’s good and they will accept no slander against their favorite liquor store.

Boulder

1st – Boulder Wine Merchant: Brett Zimmerman is not only the owner, he is one of 274 master sommeliers in the world. As such, he personally selects each product on the sales floor. If you’re interested in fun facts and expert tips, you can subscribe to their newsletter and take baby steps each month to becoming a master sommelier yourself.

2nd – Pettyjohn’s: For over 50 years Pettyjohn’s has been a staple of the Boulder community. They take pride in their employees that have over 100 years of alcohol related experience between them. You can be a part of their Wine of the Month club or they can special order items for you if you already know exactly what you want.

ENTERTAINMENT WINNERS

Arcade

East County

1st – Tilt: With 50 games and pinball machines, Tilt offers a great space for any day of the week fun! They even have party options if you’re celebrating. Enjoy a full bar, food, and even leagues to take your pinball or table tennis to the next level. Whether you’re looking for The Black Knight or Mortal Kombat II, their selection is stunning.

2nd – Quarters: Luke and Emily started Quarters in 2019 and today they’re serving up a self-serve bar and arcade for all to enjoy. Outfitted with an RFID wristband if you’re 21+, you’ll be good to go to have a good time playing games such as pinball, Skee-Ball, or Pong.

Boulder

Press Play: Boulder’s best arcade is teeming with games! A well-established bar and lots of games lining the walls, Press Play is fun, fun, fun. Their specials are great with a specific one each night! Notable events are Trivia on Thursdays, rotating DJs Friday and Saturday, and $3 U-CALL-ITS on Sunday.

Pumpkin Patch

1st – Anderson Farms: Pumpkin season is months away, but there’s no time like the present to start planning for those Fall adventures. Anderson Farms is providing classics such as a pumpkin patch and a corn maze, while offering 40 campfire sites for rent. Face your fears and take on a zombie paintball hunt, then relax while you enjoy the concessions and much, much more!

2nd – Cottonwood Farms: Located in Lafayette, another great pumpkin patch in the local vicinity! Family activities, two mazes, historic steam engines, and all for just a 5$ entrance fee (5 and under and 65+ are free). It’s recommended that folks prepay, especially for weekends.

Local Celebrity

John Lehndorff: John is a local food writing legend. Having transplanted to Boulder after attending McGill University, he made his way through the food scene at various publications (he even used to write and edit for YS), be it as a writer or an editor. He’s also the host of Radio Nibbles at KGNU 88.5 FM and has appeared in numerous local and national publications.

SHOPPING WINNERS

Fashion Boutique For Women

Boulder

The Farm: Offering a beautiful array of glass pipes, water pipes, rigs, and their own line of apparel, this half dispensary-half boutique provides a unique atmosphere. The Farm budtenders are highly appreciated for always taking the time to fully explain the details of each item and help the customers find the optimal products.

HOME WINNERS

Old Town

Stonum Automotive: Quality and reliability are the two primary features that drove Longmont’s Stonum Automotive to become the 2022 BOW winner for Best Auto Repair. The expert staff possesses advanced knowledge and superior skills required for almost any repair. Their reliability is also an appeal for its loyal customers as Stonum is known for establishing clear timeframes for repairs.

Boulder

Pellman’s Automotive: Getting to know the Pellmans is like getting to know Boulder. The shop first opened in 1995 with Brad as the mechanic and Lisa as the office manager. Because of their unfaltering commitment to exceptional service and expertise, they have grown to one of Boulder County’s largest repair shops. Even more impressive is they have maintained their local roots the entire time. In addition to doing a great job at maintaining vehicles, they also excel with maintaining the environment as a Leeds Certified green and solar-powered business.

Place to Buy a Car

East County

Green Eyed Motors: Located in Frederick, the environmentally responsible practices of Green Eyed Motors has led them to become the 2022 BOW winner for Best Place to Buy a Car in EC. The dealership empowers customers to reduce climate change by purchasing electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient cars. The expert staff also ensures each car they sell to be chemical free and technically sound.

Boulder

Boulder Toyota: This family-owned dealership is highly respected for having the most modern Toyota models on the market. Boulder Toyota is a BOW winner due to their extensive selection of used cars and an award-winning service repair department. The leasing department gets extra praise for their eagerness to help customers obtain their ideal car while accommodating budgetary needs.

Lawyer

East County

SPORTS WINNERS

Recreation Center

East County

(TIE) – Erie Community Center: This category often is a battle between Bob Burger in Lafayette and Erieites. This year they share the crown with a tie. Erie Rec is a great place to host a birthday party, cookout, or get your groove on in a Zumba class. The facility has everything you want in a rec center and its event planners can help make sure your event is one to remember.

(TIE) – Bob L. Burger Recreation Center: Named after former Lafayette mayor Bob Burger, the rec center has been serving the residents of Lafayette for two decades. It has an indoor pool, waterslide, jacuzzi, gymnasium, and even a skatepark. This year, they added a pickleball court and provided emergency shelter for those impacted by the Marshall Fire.

Boulder

1st – North Boulder Recreation Center: Great spot on Broadway. Dance away your stress at a dance & fitness event or take care of your mental health during a restorative yoga or walking meditation session. No matter what you need, the North Boulder Recreation Center is truly a place where community is created.

2nd – Valmont Bike Park: This 42-acre natural surface cycling terrain park has challenges for all ages and skill levels. From cross-country trails to asphalt jumps and gravity trails, this park is a great place to hang out with friends or family. And the bonus? There is plenty of parking.

Ski Resort

Day Trip

Eldora Mountain Ski Resort: It’s good to get out of the house every once in a while. Brave the long and steady winds with more than 40 kilometers of terrain and enjoy the small feel of the resort itself. It’s conveniently located just 30 minutes outside of Boulder and has a little something for everyone, including cross-country skiing and learning the slopes.

Overnight

Steamboat Ski Resort is considered one of the best resorts in Colorado because of its “champagne powder,” as the Steamboatians call it. The big sky overhead will take your breath away, whether you’re new to skiing or are a seasoned pro. The resort also offers free live music and fireworks on Fridays.

Martial Arts Center

East County

Bennetts Karate: The Bennett family has been teaching martial arts in Colorado since 1996. Sensei Richard opened Bennetts in Erie in 2009, and currently teaches three different disciplines: Uechi Ryu Karate-Do, Matayoshi Kobudo, and Aikido. Classes are held in many different venues, which makes Bennett’s a convenient place for disciples of all skill levels.

Boulder

Tran’s Martial Arts & Fitness: Tran’s gives its customers a solid foundation for their lives. This isn’t a fancy fitness center with hundreds of confusing machines. It’s a place where adults and kids can go to learn the meaning of hard work, respect, and self-discipline without being judged. Say “Osh” to a new workout that will get you into the best shape of your life.

Yoga Studio

East County

Soul Tree Yoga: Soul Tree opened in January 2010 and has quickly become BOCO’s go-to yoga studio. The studio has hosted community events including the recent vigil for those impacted by the Marshall Fires. Its instructors focus on teaching appreciation, mindfulness, and body awareness– all things we need to be more of as we reemerge from the pandemic.

Boulder

Boulder Bikram Hot Yoga: With more than 50 years of teaching experience, Radha Garcia and the instructors at Boulder Bikram Hot Yoga are passionate about your health. The studio offers both in-person and virtual classes for every skill level. Just one session with these highly-skilled instructors and you will have the real deal hot yoga experience.

Pilates Studio

East County

Pilates 4 Bodies: Elleene’s new studio in Lafayette is next-to-none. Her exercise classes can help you overcome some physical ailments while lengthening and strengthening your muscles. No matter if you sign up for individual classes or prefer the discounted package deal, Elleene and her instructors will give you one of the best workouts BOCO can offer.

Boulder

The Pilates Center: Established in 1990, sisters Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Sege brought The Pilates Center to Boulder through the lineage of Joseph Pilates, the founder of the practice. They’re not only focused on their customers’ health, they also help teachers become better instructors.

EDUCATION WINNERS

Place to Play With Kids

East County

WOW! Children’s Museum: Children beaming with excitement while learning led their parents to choose this East County BOW winner. The perfect combination of education and entertainment provides multiple opportunities to learn. Here, kids can embrace science while making bubbles, exercise creativity in the ArtSpace, or cultivate plants in the Discovery Garden. And where else could a child want to hone their social skills than on a pirate ship?

Boulder

Valmont Bike Park: Owned by the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department, the Valmont Bike Park has won the Boulder BOW for Best Place to Play with Kids. This 42-acre park features long tracks for biking, huge jumps for tricksters, and a new section for skaters. The size of the park and versatility of the options makes the Valmont park conducive for all age-groups and skill-levels.

Private School

Dawson School: Exceptional teachers and long-lasting relationships are why Dawson is the BOW winner for Best Private School. Parents can trust their children will emerge from the school with excellent critical thinking skills, an advanced knowledge base, and powerful creative abilities. These important qualities are typically attributed to the remarkable teachers in the classrooms and the comprehensive curricula of the programs.

Public School

East County

Centaurus: Many new parents deliberately choose to buy their homes and raise their families in East County due to the quality of the public school system. BOW voters agree that the exceptional education that children receive in the county is best embodied by Lafayette’s Centaurus High School. The top-tier graduation rate of the school and the high performance levels of the students make it an ideal program to prepare students for college, and the diversity of the student population helps the classrooms represent the multitude of races and ethnicities that enrich our society.

Boulder

Flatirons Elementary K-5: Flatirons Elementary is the BOW winner for Best Public School due to its ability to effectively integrate students into academia. Teachers receive extensive training to ensure they successfully equip students to understand the lessons and develop a passion for knowledge.

Summer Camp

East County

1st – YMCA: The YMCA for East County children has earned the BOW award for Best Summer Camp in the region. Various locations make it convenient for parents to find their local program while the countless activities cater to kids with diverse interests. Camp specialties include arts, science, team sports, and hiking missions.

2nd – School of Rock Broomfield: Way back before the pandemic, School of Rock was the hit of the YS SuperKids Expo. This summer camp was quick to successfully maneuver around COVID and switch to online sessions and lessons. Their students have recorded with Skip Marley and even played at Red Rocks! This little red schoolhouse has proven they have what it takes to keep on rockin’ and rollin’, even in a COVID world.

Boulder

1st – Thorne Nature Experience: Every kid in BOCO should experience Thorne at least one summer in their life. Formed in 1954 by Dr. Oakleigh Thorne II, the goal was to help build Earth stewardship in youth. Thorne awards in excess of $500,000 in camp scholarships and offers subsidized school programs to more than 7,000 low-income youth. Each year Thorne strives to fill the gap so that all youth have an opportunity to connect with nature.

2nd – Renaissance Adventures: Many kids dream of becoming noble heroes with powers of greatness. Renaissance Adventures wins the Boulder BOW summer camp award for allowing kids to fulfill this dream. Featuring role-playing adventures, children learn how to work together to complete difficult quests, solve complex problems, and find hidden treasures. While it’s exciting to role play, the cognitive and social benefits also help prepare them to reach greatness in the real world.

Music School

East County

School of Rock Broomfield programs are so good, they also won Best Music School in EC. When kids are learning with legends and playing at Red Rocks while being supported by Fender, Zildjian, and Roland… you know they are receiving top education in rock music.

Boulder

Parlando School of Music Arts: The superior quality of the music education this school provides has resulted in the community singing their praises for this 2022 BOW award winner. Their expert teachers instruct students to excel at any instrument, including piano, guitar, or string. On the theatrical stage, students learn to sing, dance, and act while performing for live audiences.

The post Best of the West 2022: Readers Choice appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Gun Ownership in America: How liberal-leaning gun clubs are supporting safety and community defense for marginalized communities in Colorado | Home & Hood

Laurenz Busch — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 02:09:08 +0000

Photo: ARM

Gun ownership in America has increased over the past two decades with a dramatic spike occurring at the beginning of the pandemic. The leading demographics of gun owners are white people, males, and conservatives, but… liberals also own guns. In Colorado, liberal leaning gun groups have gained traction as they seek to empower marginalized communities by advocating for and practicing their Second Amendment rights.

Errynn Rodgers is the founder of ARM, a liberal gun group that has been operating in Colorado since 2019. “ARM is dedicated to training marginalized people in the use of firearms and self-defense,” she says. They also offer medical training. Rodgers continues that ARM’s mission is “to provide access to training and knowledge that is difficult to come by.” By overcoming access barriers, they are providing training that allows those that have never handled or fired a gun, those that own a gun, or those that have access to a gun, the ability to stay safe while promoting their right to self-defense. (Editor’s Note: Errynn Rodgers, interviewed for this piece, has previously written for Yellow Scene Magazine.)

Arm Your Friends was founded in response to the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor in the summer of 2020. The Colorado Chapter first met in 2021 and is largely a decentralized group run by volunteers. They organize via Instagram and Reddit, provide basic training, range days, and medical courses – such as Narcan training. A member of the Colorado Chapter of Arm Your Friends, who goes by the alias Berkman, believes that it’s his responsibility “as an able bodied individual to be… proficient with weapons and medical training, so that I then may be a better asset to my community.”

Unlike larger groups such as the Liberal Gun Club or Arm Your Friends (AYF) – which have a national presence with a Colorado Chapter – ARM is only focused on the needs of the communities they serve within Colorado. Both ARM and AYF serve underrepresented and marginalized communities, but allow allies, or those who are not of marginalized communities, to join. ARM has special days on which allies may join but they are asked to pay a fee. For others, the events are free. The founder of Arm Your Friends, who goes by the alias Flight Risk, explained that, “our primary goals from the outset was to ensure that we could be financially sustainable.” Therefore, Arm Your Friends charges all event attending participants a fee, but does offer the “Medusa Project,” which provides assistance to those who need it. They look for instructors from marginalized communities and compensate them for their time.

Photo: Arm Your Friends

Groups such as ARM and AYF work to help marginalized communities because they are, and have historically, been underrepresented in gun culture, and disproportionately experience violence in America. According to the Washington Post, for example, Black Americans account for 13% of the population and are killed twice as often as White Americans.

The Tenacious Unicorn Ranch, though not a liberal gun club but an anarchist commune that has taken up arms as a means to protect their members, was also interviewed for this article. The ranch is another example of how marginalized communities are arming themselves. By creating a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, this alpaca ranch provides work and accommodations for those willing to commit for an extended period of time. The founder, Penny Logue, long time gun owner with a military background, explained that their need to arm themselves was due to harassment. When “the harassment started and the death threats became more earnest, we evolved the range of gun ownership to not just ranch guns, but also defensive weaponry,” Logue said.

ARM is dedicated to training marginalized people in the use of firearms and self-defense.

Gun Ownership

According to 2017 data from the Pew Research Center, the leading categories of the 30 percent of the country that owns guns are men, white people, the south (by a small percentage), and rural areas. A new study from Northwestern and Harvard reported by the New York Times in May 2021 showed that 39 percent of the country now owns guns: “63 percent were male, 73 percent were white, 10 percent were Black and 12 percent were Hispanic.”

Berkman sees liberal gun ownership as having to do with safety, saying, “we’ve seen a massive mobilization of not just state sanctioned violence against minority groups, but we have also seen an uptick in right-wing violence at demonstrations and protests.” Community and personal defense are what Berkman believes to be the rationale for gun ownership. “It’s not because there’s been an uptick in hunters or farmhands needing rifles.” Gun owners that belong to the Democratic Party increased by 3 percent since 2020 according to data released by Gallup. 2017 Pew Research Center data shows that Democratic gun ownership has increased by 5 percent. Republican gun ownership has stayed the same since 2020 but increased 9 percent since 2017.

Photo: Arm Your Friends

The U.S. has a lot of guns. Is more better?

According to the Small Arms Survey, there are 393.3M firearms in civilian possession in the US, or 120 firearms per 100 civilians. Part of the increase, as reported by the Washington Post, was “fueled in part by fear of a federal crackdown on gun ownership that never materialized,” during the Obama administration. Gun violence is also up. The Trace reported that “in 2020, police recovered almost twice as many guns with a short ‘time-to-crime’… than in 2019.”

When asked whether training more people to safely use and own guns exacerbates the issue, Rodgers said, “I don’t have an issue with the number of guns in the US. I have a problem with who has the guns in the US. She says that, “putting guns in the hands of marginalized people and giving them above and beyond training will only protect marginalized people.” For Rodgers, the issue has more to do with shifting power from those that have a monopoly on delivering violence towards marginalized communities. “Things are not in the right people’s hands. The power’s not in the right people’s hands. The use of violence isn’t in the right people’s hands. The justification to defend yourself isn’t in the right people’s hands either.”

Black Americans account for 13% of the population and are killed twice as often as White Americans.

Second Amendment Advocacy in Liberal States

Northwestern and Harvard reported by the New York Times in May 2021 (survey of 19,000):
• 39% of the country now owns guns: 63% Male; 73% White; 10% Black; 12% Hispanic

Gun owners have often claimed self-defense and recreational use for owning a firearm, but Second Amendment advocacy is on the rise. As reported by The Brink, a Boston University study showed that liberal states tend to have far more Second Amendment activism than their more conservative counterparts. The study acknowledges the two commonly understood sides of gun culture – recreational use and self defense – but adds Second Amendment activism as a third, finding that “this so-called “gun culture 3.0” has increased the most in states that have strengthened their gun laws to the greatest degree, suggesting it may be triggered by perceived threats on individual liberty by the government.”

For Flight Risk, the reasoning to bear arms is plain and simple: “everyone in this country has a right to.” He continues that “self-defense is a human right, so seeking tools that make self-defense more effective is justified.” Another member of AYF who asked to remain anonymous says the Second Amendment isn’t “just for white conservatives. It’s important that there are groups where people who are curious about guns – no matter what their motivation is – can at least learn how to safely handle guns and interact with firearms in a safe way.”

Gun ownership in America has risen during the pandemic and liberals – and those with liberal leaning ideologies – are amongst them. For various reasons, be it a need or desire to be able to defend themselves or their home, for recreational use or ranch work, or to advocate their right to the Second Amendment, Americans continue to purchase firearms. Liberal leaning groups are taking it upon themselves to help members of marginalized communities have access to firearms, learn safe handling, and practice their right to bear them as well as a way to shift power and to fight back against oppression.

The post Gun Ownership in America: How liberal-leaning gun clubs are supporting safety and community defense for marginalized communities in Colorado | Home & Hood appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Home Products: The Best Gear to Defend Your Home | Home & Hood

Laurenz Busch — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 02:01:20 +0000

Home defense isn’t just about actively defending yourself in a dangerous situation. It often comes down to proper preparation and prevention. It’s an unfortunate reality that crime still exists; yes, even in Boulder County. There has been an uptick in residential burglary in recent years, with 123 instances in 2020.

Overall, crime rates in Colorado continue to increase, according to the Common Sense Institute, “Colorado had the highest increase in its property crime rate between 2011 and 2020. Partly due to the pandemic, policy restrictions and resulting economic disruptions brought further stress to society, which exacerbated problems related to crime.” Nonetheless, Colorado’s crime rate had continued to climb before the pandemic hit.

We’ve compiled a guide to provide increased safety for your home by improving two key factors: visibility and entry-way security. We’re talking floodlights, cameras, high-tech doorbells, and fire-resistant doors. Read up and find what’s best for your home – and budget.

Colorado Safe Room – $15,000 – $40,000

Colorado-based. They’ll take any space in your home and convert it into a safe room. Described as a ‘walk-in vault,’ these rooms are designed to safeguard your valuables or can serve as a place to hide while the police are called. Many of their clients come with different needs, whether it’s to protect valuables or to simply sleep better at night, they’ll work with you to fortify your home to the level and degree that fits you. Their lower end builds will run you about $15-20k and the moderate builds run $20-40k.

mike@cosaferoom.com | chris@cosaferoom.com | 303-909-3375 | cosaferoom.com

ProSteel

ProSteel is a Utah-based safe and fortified door manufacturer that might be most well-known for being ‘the exclusive manufacturer of Browning ProSteel Gun Safes’. They also produce heavily fortified doors to improve your home’s defense. The best part is, these doors look almost like any other door you would expect in your home – besides the six to twenty bolts that lock them in place. Purchase them through one of their dealers – Colorado Safes in Denver is the closest to Boulder County. Here are two options they offer:

1. Vanguard Storm and Security Door – With concealed hinges, a 12-gauge steel door frame and outer panel, and electronic or biometric handle and lock, the Vanguard Storm & Security Door has FEMA 320 compliant tornado and hurricane rating, and is NFPA 252 compliant as fire resistant.

2. Ultra Security Door – Step it up to the next level. Twenty 1 ¼” bolts, straight brass handle, steel door, 12-guage outer and inner panels, 1” fire resistance insulation, and electronic or biometric lock that can be positioned up to seven feet away, the Ultra Security Door is the safest option they offer before you get a straight up vault door.

www.prosteel.us/prosteel-security-doors/doors

Ring

Ring Indoor Cam – $59.99 (on sale for $44.99)

An almost unnoticeable camera with a sleek, pleasant design to keep an eye on your home when you’re away. It comes in a single pack, or 2, 3, and 8-piece sets to allow you the set up you want and save some money while buying it. With similar features to many of their other products, the Indoor Cam comes with two-way talk, night vision, and motion-activated notifications.

ring.com/products/mini-indoor-security-camera

Ring Doorbell 3 – $179.99 (on sale for $139.99)

This generation of the Ring Doorbell comes with more security features to allow you the ability to know whose at your door at any time. Whether you are expecting a package, having friends over, or want to see who’s ringing the door when you aren’t expecting someone, the Ring Doorbell 3 provides you many features. Two-way talk, motion detection, night vision, phone connectivity and more, allows you to protect yourself and simplify your life.

ring.com/products/video-doorbell-3

Wyze

Wyze Cam Pan V2 – $39.99

With 360°, see the entire room in less than three seconds. The Wyze Cam Pan V2 allows you to secure your home with night vision, an automatic tracking feature, and 2-way audio. Whether you want to tell your dog he’s a good boy, or want to check in with family while you’re away, your home is more secure with help from the Wyze Cam Pan V2.

wyze.com/wyze-cam-pan.html

Wyze Cam Spotlight – $49.96

Add some brightness to your security camera and help provide visibility around your home. Providing peace of mind while walking home or allowing for more security to scare off potential intruders. The Wyze Cam Spotlight is there to provide you the security you want for the outside of your home. Weather and dust resistance, phone connectivity, motion-activated light and continuous recording means Wyze is sure to provide an upgrade to your home defense needs.

wyze.com/wyze-cam-spotlight.html

The post Home Products: The Best Gear to Defend Your Home | Home & Hood appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Month in Review | Dec. 2021 – Jan. 2022

Laurenz Busch — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:30:15 +0000

Photo: Patrick Kramer

2021 ended with the start of the horrific Marshall Fire that destroyed 1084 homes and damaged 149. • Biden unveiled his new COVID-19 plan to protect more Americans in early December – Boosters, At-Home Testing, and Treatment Pills are some steps to take on Omicron; the first case in Colorado was found around the same time. An increase in children 0-9 and those 10-19 was seen in late December and the flu is making a comeback nationally. • The city of Denver extended their mask mandate through February 3. Fauci suggested that mandating vaccines for domestic travel would encourage inoculations, and according to Governor Polis and State Epidemiologist Dr. Herlihy, boosted Coloradans are 9.7 times less likely to get COVID-19 and 47.5 times less likely to be hospitalized. • A 60-year-old died in a crash at Eldora Ski Resort. • One person died in an avalanche near Cameron Pass on the 24th. • A rare wolf kill of a cow calf occurred in Colorado. It’s suspected to be the first in over 70 years. The farmer will be reimbursed. • Colorado continues to provide support as Afghan refugees resettle, planning to support up to 2,000. • In other news, Melania Trump has entered the crypto and blockchain realms and launched her very own Non-Fungible Token (NFT), Melania’s Vision, of which shares were available for purchase for 1 Solana (about $171). • Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver, was sentenced to 110 years due to a crash that killed four on I-70 in early December. Governor Polis reduced his sentence to 10 years later in the month. • Denver parking meters received a price increase doubling them to $2 an hour. • The Patterson Inn Hotel in Denver will soon open a lounge for smoking marijuana. • Rain Hanuman faces charges in connection to a fire on CU Boulder’s East Campus. • Lyndon James McLeod, the suspected shooter that killed five people in Denver was also killed in a gunfight with police • The alleged shooter of the mass shooting at King Soopers in Boulder was determined mentally incompetent to stand trial. • Boulder County adopted a $549.8 million budget and proposed ending a moratorium on lethal control of prairie dog populations that extends from March 1 – May 31, which is the breeding season. • CU Boulder switched to a remote start for the spring semester due to the Marshall Fire and COVID-19. The campus also faced a power outage which impacted final exams. • The 140 year-old Old Main Cottonwood tree will be removed due to safety reasons.

Small Talk

“As we learn more about Omicron’s ability to spread and the severity of disease it causes, the highly transmissible and potentially more deadly Delta variant continues to be the dominant form of COVID-19 in Colorado,” “We are seeing the clear impact of getting a booster dose. If boosted, you are 9.7 times less likely to become a COVID case and 47.5 times less likely to be hospitalized than if you have no protection at all. We must continue leveraging the effective tools we have at our disposal and move forward with getting eligible people in Colorado their booster doses.”
– Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

“Our administration has built up robust testing capacity and we’re grateful to all of the team members at our state lab and local partners for discovering variants of concern quickly. As we approach the holiday season and New Year, it’s still the Delta variant that is taking Coloradans from us before their time so we urge Coloradans to get vaccinated,” “Get vaccinated and boosted at one of the many community vaccination sites across our state because no one wants to bring COVID-19 with them into 2022.”
– Colorado Governor Jared Polis

“From a staff perspective: one of the things that we feel would… the removal of the moratorium would do would be that in the end it would result in fewer deaths of prairie dogs and provide better overall control.”
– Jeff Moline, Resource Planning Manager, Boulder County Parks & Open Space

“The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. It’s being supported by experts from the forest service who are experienced and highly talented in investigating major fires in other states.”
– Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff

COVID (by the numbers) – as of Jan. 04, 2022

1909

new/total cases

<10

deaths

585.23

case rate per 100k

102

new hospital admissions

11.35

% positivity

48.9

% of population equal to or greater than 5 years of age fully vaccinated

The post Month in Review | Dec. 2021 – Jan. 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Locavore Adventure Gift Guide 2021

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 21:01:25 +0000

This 2021 holiday season – after a year of being cooped up – we’re all about adventure, going fast, and shopping local. And we’re here to help you find the perfect gift for the thrill seeker in you (or in your life). We found everything from local adventure kits to snowcat skiing in Steamboat. We even found a company that has motorized snowbikes (it’s a real thing) that look incredible, and another in Southwestern Colorado that offers dogsledding. So whether you’re looking to tear it up on a snowmobile, get heli-dropped at a backcountry summit to shred untouched Colorado pow, or you’re just looking for a good place to shop in Boulder County, we’ve come up with a list of 21 gift ideas to get you ready for the holidays.

GEAR

Photo: Steve Greer

Big Agnes Shield 2

bigagnes.com

Based in Steamboat Springs, Big Agnes has been providing us with trustworthy tents for any occasion for over 20 years. And because winter is upon us and you may be thinking of heading out into the cold for a night under the stars, you’re going to need a tent that will withstand the elements. Made with lightweight nylon, this sturdy tent is light to carry and provides you enough space to comfortably stay out. You can even buy a vestibule to add a covered entrance area to store gear. This one’s for the winter adventurer in all of us.

Mountainsmith Scream 55 and Zerk 40

mountainsmith.com

Colorado-based Mountainsmith focuses on the lightest packs available without sacrificing capacity. The Zerk 40 was co-designed by The Real Hiking Viking, a famous thru-hiker and is great for those looking to amplify their ultralight experience. The Scream 55 is for the rest of us, who like to carry a couple extras. At just 2lbs 13oz, the Scream 55 is still super lightweight and made for life on the trail. Whether you’re snowshoeing in the winter or backpacking in the summer, either of these packs are great options for the ultralight hiker in our lives.

MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoe

msrgear.com

You know how quiet it gets after a heavy snowfall but you’re postholing and really wishing you had some kickass snowshoes to stay afloat on a winterized weekend stroll in the woods? Well those days are over. The Revo Ascent are fantastic snowshoes to help you get out there even in the depths of winter. Not only will they allow you to stay on top of the snow and make snow travel easier, they only weigh a little over 2lbs each and are sturdy enough to be put to the test. Whether it’ll be their first time snowshoeing, or they’ve been stomping pow for years, these are a great choice.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme

seatosummitusa.com

It’s all about R-value – which is what companies use to measure a sleeping pad’s ability to keep you warm. The higher, the warmer. Coming in at an R-value of 6.2 (6 is for extreme cold), this pad will surely help during winter expeditions, from camping at basecamp, or crashing on the floor of a yurt because you pulled the short straw, the Ether Light XT Extreme is a soft place to land.

Skratch Labs Lemon Lime Sport Hydration Mix

skratchlabs.com

Hydrate. You’ll literally feel better. Skratch is local and helping us stay active by providing the electrolytes necessary to take on the day. Whether heliskiing in the San Juans, ice climbing in Ouray, or biking to work, be sure to replenish yourself well. With quality ingredients and less sugar, Skratch has been changing the way we see electrolyte drinks and we’re loving it.

Photo: Ralf Dujmovits

SlingFin Crossbow 2 Four-Season

slingfin.com

SlingFin is shining bright these days with their innovative designs and high quality constructions. The Crossbow is made to survive winters and light enough to want to bring it along. With ample ventilation and protective covering, the Crossbow is here to keep you dry and warm, all winter long. Moisture is always a problem when camping, even more so in the winter, when it’s cold outside and warm in the tent, the Crossbow 2 is made to protect you from the outside world while mitigating condensation within.

Wazoo Adventure Kit

wazoosurvivalkit.com

Local and wicked cool, Wazoo is all about being prepared and we dig it. Even if you’re not trying to be a survivalist, it’s mandatory that whenever you’re out and about you’re prepared and able to take care of yourself. Containing 23 tools and compatible with some of their other products, this kit is a compact, easy to bring along option for being prepared in the wilderness and it’s great for any adventurer.

Zeal Lookout Goggles

zealoptics.com

Boulder-based Zeal is helping us see on those bluebird days and on those we rather not still be skiing type days when the sun don’t shine. Helmet compatible, easily removable lenses, and everclear anti-fog only add to the coolness with common sense practicality. Pick up some Lookout Goggles for this snowy season.

GUIDES

Colorado Adventure Guides

coloradoadventureguides.com

Since 1994, this small group of dedicated guides has been making sure people stay safe and have fun whether backcountry touring, ice climbing, or snowshoeing. They also offer backcountry education to make sure you’re ready to take on the backcountry on your own and they even offer free 101 clinics. There’s a whole world beyond the resort, but you need to be ready and you need to know what you’re doing, so don’t hold back, get out there, and adventure, but get yourself a guide to show you the ropes. Check out Colorado Adventure Guides – the backcountry is calling.

Georgetown Outdoor Discovery

georgetownoutdoordiscovery.com

Kimberly Knox has an extensive history with the outdoor community, has adventured all over the world, and now she’s sharing her knowledge and experience with us by taking us out and providing us with professional and fun outdoor excursions. From guided hikes and snowshoeing, to cross country skiing and personalized coaching, Knox is one of Georgetown’s best options for getting outside year-round. She even does custom tours for group events and team building experiences! Knox’s decades of experience and her newly found business is there for you to adventure and is providing Georgetown with new and exciting guided opportunities.

Grand Adventures

grandadventures.com

Snowmobiling at nearly 12,000 feet! From beginner to advanced tours and five different locations, Grand Adventure is lifting the bar for winter adventures to a whole new level. What could be better than spending the day with friends or family taking in the beautiful scenery of Colorado on high-powered snowmobiles? And if you join them in Grand Lake, you have a vast selection of over 100 miles worth of trails to choose from. Ride solo or in tandem, Grand Adventures surely has something for everyone to enjoy.

Photo: Ober Skinner Photography

Jones Pass Guides

jonespassguides.com

Located just off I-70 on US 40, Jones Pass Guides is providing Colorado with incredible backcountry skiing and boarding adventures. Snowcats will take you to new heights for up to 14 people, while their backcountry touring trips will provide you the knowledge and experience to make sure you stay safe and have fun. Their courses include Backcountry 101, 201, and an advanced course. They also offer workshops and other ed opps. Along with Snowcat trips comes lunch, demo skis, backcountry safety gear, an Après social, and you’ll get to ski 10-14 runs through a variety of terrain. And you can have them photograph you for a bit extra.

San Juan Sleddogs

sanjuansleddogs.com

Dogs! Sleds! Dogsledding! A professional team of dog sled guides are here to take you on a mushing adventure. They offer a 2-hour experience which includes educational instruction, transportation, photography, and some warm drinks and snacks. What’s better than hanging out in wonderful Southwestern Colorado? The answer is clearly hanging out in Southwestern Colorado with a bunch of cute dogs! Great for dates, family adventures, or get togethers, dogsledding is a unique and exciting way to explore the winter wilderness.

Steamboat Powdercats

steamboatpowdercats.com

When on-piste (typically groomed, marked trails) just isn’t enough the snowcat will take you where you need to be. Untouched powder, backcountry goodness, and a group of cats as cool as the machines they drive—Steamboat Powdercats is providing the fun. Ski Buffalo Pass, which often has Colorado’s deepest snowpack, or choose from Levels I, II, and III to find exactly what you’re looking for. They also offer backcountry touring trips, avalanche education, and are planning on hosting trips to South America for custom backcountry adventures. If you’re looking for a gift for that special loved one who’s in need of some of Colorado’s best skiing guided by some of Colorado’s most professional guides, look no further.

Photo: Kane Scheidegger

Telluride Helitrax

helitrax.com

High adventure, high altitude, and high reward. Heliskiing is the ultimate in backcountry fun and Telluride Helitrax is here to take you to the next level by providing you “tailored, personalized guest experiences” in some of the most pristine and beautiful mountains in Colorado, the San Juans. For those of us who are in need of six solid runs covering up to 14,000 vertical feet, this is the place, and for those of us who rather skip the skiing and still ride in the helicopter, this is STILL the place, because they also offer scenic trips. This may very well be one of the best ways to see, experience, and feel the absolutely stunning might of the San Juans.

Vail Backcountry Tours

vailbackcountrytours.com

What’s better than snowshoeing through a lovely forest on a bluebird day? Ripping down a designated snow path on a snowmobile or a snowbike, of course! Take your winter adventure to the extreme with Vail Backcountry Guides. Offering 2-hour, half-day (not for snowbikes), and private tours to provide you the thrill of speed while exploring some of Colorado’s most beautiful areas. With so many trails to explore, you’re sure to have a great time with views of distant peaks, wonderful snow-covered forests, and the exhilarating thrill of going fast. Vail Backcountry Tours is providing an exciting and exhilarating way to spend a trip to the mountains.

ACTIVITIES

American Paintball Coliseum

americanpaintballcoliseum.com

Who says winter adventure has to include snow? Paintball, airsoft, laser tag, and a virtual reality arcade, this place is great for groups of any size. They also offer events such as bachelor and bachelorette parties, team building, and holiday parties. Pretend you’re in your favorite video game as you make your way through the field and have fun with friends. Best of all, for those of us who don’t want to be in the cold, it’s indoors – they do however have an outdoor field for the summer time.

Photo: Todd Powell

Frisco Adventure Park

townoffrisco.com

The Frisco Adventure Park offers lots of different activities, from cross-country skiing to snowshoeing, but we have to give a special shout-out to the Tubing Hill that’s open for reservations. With the first day of the season coming up on November 25th, it’s time to make your plans and get out to Frisco for a family fun day of tubing. Three lanes to choose from with a variety of steepness and there’s even a lift, so kick back, relax, and tube the day away. Whether you only go for the tubing, or enjoy some of the other activities they offer, you’ll have a blast. Check out downtown Frisco, or Breckenridge, to make it a fully packed day trip.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

cograilway.com

Choo-Choo! If you’re looking to comfortably ride up the side of the iconic 14,000+ft. Pikes Peak, the Cog Railway is the ONLY way to do it. With several tours a day, make this holiday season special, with spectacular views and the glorious warmth of high altitude sunshine. Tickets for winter are only available until January 3rd, so don’t wait! There’s something magical about riding up a 14er on a train and, as a gift for a special someone or a group of people, it’s even more special. Winter is even supposed to be when you can see the furthest; with the help of the sun and some clear skies, it’s sure to be a great experience.

SHOPS

Angles Sports

anglessports.com

With a brand new location at 463 Main St. in Longmont, Matt Burditt and Ryan Kazee have taken their shop to a whole new level and are supplying us with all the great gear and gifts we could need. Not only does this local business have a great selection of winter gear for sale like snowshoes, skis, snowboards, and even rentals, they’ll also make sure you’re ready to go come fly fishing season.

Crystal Ski Shop

www.crystalskishop.com

Local ski shop that specializes in all things ski and snowboard care and rentals. Whether you’re looking to get some rentals or hoping to remove all that rust that’s built up on the edges, Crystal Ski shop will make sure you’re ready to hit the slopes. It’s a great place to get ready for the winter season or gift someone a rental. They also have backcountry setups and safety gear.

JAX Outdoor Gear

jaxgoods.com

So. Much. Gear. And with lots of locations to choose from, JAX is a go-to stop for all your outdoor needs, be it kayaking, camping, fishing, you name it. Whether you’re looking for cooking gear, shoes, clothing, a new hat, or some layers to stay warm, JAX is a great place to get all your gifts in one place for those outdoorsy adventurers in your life. They even have farm & ranch equipment, goods for life at home, apparel, and great gifts for this holiday season.

The post Locavore Adventure Gift Guide 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder County Open Houses 2021

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:38:38 +0000

CU Science Discover (taken before COVID)

The Boulder Valley School District has no information at this time, and have not provided Yellow Scene with detailed information. Prospective families are encouraged to reach out to the schools directly. We will update when this info becomes available.

Alaya School
3340 19th St, Boulder – (303) 449-5248

Open House (Register Online):
Contact to arrange tour

Bixby School
4760 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder – (303) 494-7508

Preschool and Kindergarten Open House:
Tuesday, December 7, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

All School Open House:
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 9:30am – 10:30am / 4:00pm – 5:00pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 9:30am – 10:30am / 4:00pm – 5:00pm (Virtual)

Boulder Country Day School
4820 Nautilus Ct N, Boulder – (303) 527-4931

Preschool and Elementary Open House:
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Middle School Open House:
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

All School Open House:
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Saturday, January 22, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten
4072 19th St, Boulder – (303) 541-0671

Call for a virtual tour.

Friends School
5465 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder – (303) 499-1999

Preschool Open House (Virtual):
October 22, 2021, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
November 15, 2021, 4:45pm – 5:45pm
January 21, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Elementary Open House (Virtual):
October 19, 2021, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
November 30, 2021, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
January 26, 2022, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Middle School Open House (Virtual):
October 20, 2021, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
November 18, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00pm
January 20, 2022, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Horizons K-8
4545 Sioux Dr, Boulder – (720) 561-3600

Open Enrollment Events (Virtual):
Monday, November 15, 2021, 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 6:00pm
Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 9:00am

Mackintosh Academy
7018 South Prince St, Littleton – (303) 794-6222

Open House (Virtual or In-Person):
Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00pm – call to schedule
Open House (TBD Virtual or In-Person)
Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 7:00pm

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy
9447 Niwot Rd, Niwot – (303) 652-9162

All Open House:
November 2, 2021, 9:00am
January 25, 2022, 9:00am
February 15, 2022, 9:00am
March 1, 2022, 9:00am
April 5, 2022, 9:00

Kindergarten:
January 19, 2022, 8:45am

Middle School:
November 11, 2021, 6:30pm

St. John the Baptist Catholic School
350 Emery St, Longmont – (303) 776-8760

Prospective Family Open House:
Any Wednesday in October 2021
November 17, 2021, 9:00am – 11:00am
January 30, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Preschool Tours:
Every Tuesday from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Middle School Information Day:
October 21, 2021, 9:00am – 11:00am

Tara Performing Arts High School
4180 19th St, Boulder – (303) 440-4510

Virtual Open House:
Contact to schedule

Tara Curriculum Sampler Day:
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Vista Ridge Academy
3100 Ridge View Dr, Erie – (303) 828-4944

In-Person or Virtual Tour:
Contact to Schedule

Watershed School
1661 Alpine Ave Boulder – (303) 440-7520

Open House:
Sunday, October 17, 2021, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

> St. Vrain Valley School District

>> Middle School Open House Dates

Soaring Heights PK-8
3280 Co Rd 5, Erie – (303) 702-8020
Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 4:15pm

Coal Ridge Middle
6201 Booth Dr, Longmont – (303) 833-4176
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 6:00pm

Erie Middle
650 Main St, Erie – (303) 828-3391
Thursday, October 21, 2021, 5:00pm

Mead Middle
620 Welker Ave, Mead – (970) 535-4446
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 5:30pm

Longs Peak Middle
1500 14th Ave, Longmont – (303) 776-5611
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 6:00pm

Trail Ridge Middle
1000 Button Rock Dr, Longmont – (720) 494-3820
Monday, October 25, 2021 5:00 p.m.

Altona Middle
4600 Clover Basin Dr, Longmont – (720) 494-3980
Tuesday, November 30, 2021, 5:30pm

Sunset Middle
1300 S Sunset St, Longmont – (303) 776-3963
Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 6:00pm

Lyons Middle Senior
100 McConnell Dr, Lyons – (303) 823-6631
Monday, November 8, 2021, 6:00pm

Thunder Valley K-8
600 Fifth St, Frederick – (303) 833-2456
Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 6:00pm

Westview Middle
1651 Airport Rd, Longmont – (303) 772-3134
Monday, November 29, 2021, 6:00pm

LaunchED (Virtual)
619 Bowen St, Longmont – (303) 702-8800
Thursday, November 11, 2021, 6:00pm

>> High School Open House Dates

Erie High School
3180 Co Rd 5, Erie – (303) 828- 4213
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 6:00pm

Lyons Middle Senior High School
100 McConnell Dr, Lyons – (303) 823-6631
Monday, November 8, 2021, 6:00pm

Innovation Center
33 Quail Rd, Longmont – (720) 494-3969
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 4:00pm
Thursday, December 2, 2021, 4:00pm

Skyline High School
600 E Mountain View Ave, Longmont – (720) 492-3741
Monday, November 15, 2021, 6:00pm

Longmont High School
1040 Sunset St, Longmont – (303) 776-6014
Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 6:00pm

Niwot High School
8989 Niwot Rd, Niwot – (303) 652-2550
Monday, November 1, 2021, 6:00pm

Mead High School
12750 Co Rd 7, Longmont – (720) 494-3940
Thursday, November 4, 2021, 6:00pm

Silver Creek High School
4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont – (720) 492- 3721
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 6:00pm

Frederick High School
5690 Tipple Pkwy, Longmont – (303) 833-3533
Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 6:00pm

The Career Development Center
1200 S Sunset St, Longmont – (303) 772-3333
Wednesday, December 4, 2021, 4:00pm

New Meridian High School, and the Career Elevation and Technology Center
1200 S Sunset St, Longmont – (303) 772-3333
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 4:00pm
Thursday, December 2, 2021, 4:00pm

St. Vrain Virtual High School
1200 S Sunset St, Longmont – (720) 494-3975
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 4:00pm

The post Boulder County Open Houses 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Winter Camp Directory 2021

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:37:35 +0000

Food Lab

> GENERAL INTEREST/RECREATION

Larger organizations that are providing after-school, school break, and day-off camps for young people. Whether they’re at the YMCA, the museum, or at the Jewish Community Center, they’re bound to have fun and learn something along the way.

BVSD School-Day Off and Holiday Classes
Email: jordan.kaseeska@colorado.edu
Phone: 303.492.0771
Website: colorado.edu/sciencediscovery/programs/bvsd-school-day-and-holiday-classes

Town Of Erie – Activities and Programs
Email: geninterest@erieco.gov
Phone: 303.926.2797
Website: erieco.gov/220/General-Interest-Programs

Lafayette School’s Out Camps
Email: becca.mack@cityoflafayette.com
Phone: 303.665.0469
Website: lafayetteco.gov/1950/Schools-Out-Camps

Jewish Community Center
Email: Teen After School Programs – tzuria.malpica@boulderjcc.org; Elementary School Programs – julia.paeglis@boulderjcc.org
Phone: 303.998.1900
Website: boulderjcc.org

Lifelong Learning, BVSD, Superior
Email: lifelong.learning@bvsd.org
Phone: 720.561.5968
Website: bouldervalley.augusoft.net

YMCA of North Colorado – School Day Off Camps
Email: afterschool@ymcanoco.org
Phone: Mapleton – 303.442.2778; Arapahoe – 303.664.5455
Website: ymcanoco.org/toddler-to-teen/bvsd/school-day-off-camps

Boulder Parks and Recreation – School Day Off
Email: langerakm@bouldercolorado.govv
Phone: 303.253.4271
Website: bouldercolorado.gov/services/youth-camps

Winter Kids Camps and Classes, Longmont Museum and Cultural Center
Phone: 303-651-8374
Website: longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/education/summer-camps

> ANIMALS, NATURE, & SCIENCE

Museums, and zoos, and birding, oh my! If it weren’t for COVID, there would be many others to choose from. Check back routinely for any updates. The great outdoors through the lens of a scientist provides young people the skills and tools necessary to take on the world!

Winter Safari Camp, Denver Zoo, Denver – CLOSED due to COVID
Email: guestcare@denverzoo.org
Phone: 720.337.1400
Website: denverzoo.org/winter-safari-3

> CLIMBING

What strengthens the body, spirit, and mind? Climbing, of course! An excellent experience in trust building, communication, analytical route assessment, and all around fun. Climbing provides the perfect place for young people to spend their days off, after school, or vacations.

Boulder Rock Club – Camp/School Day Off, Boulder
Email: frontdesk@boulderrockclub.com
Phone: 303.447.2804
Website: boulderrockclub.com/programs/youth/day-off-school-camps

ABC Kids Climbing – School Holiday Camps, Boulder
Email: info@abckidsclimbing.com
Phone: 303.443.5437
Website: abckidsboulder.com/school-holiday-camps

> GYMNASTICS/MARTIAL ARTS

These top notch facilities are providing young people the resources they need and the instruction required to develop the discipline needed for athletic achievement. Whether they’re working on their full twist or learning the art of kick-boxing, they’re sure to have fun in a safe and educational environment.

Easton Training Center, Boulder
Email: boulder@eastontc.com
Phone: 303-938-1275
Website: eastonbjj.com/boulder/schedule/

Airborne Gymnastics – School’s Out Gymnastics Camp, Longmont
Email: frontdesk@airbornegym.com
Phone: 303.684.3717
Website: airbornegym.com/camps

Mountain Kids Gymnastics and Movement, Louisville
Email: fun@mountainkidslouisville.com
Phone: 303.720.7617
Website: mountainkidslouisville.com/events

> ROLE-PLAYING/ADVENTURE/DRAMATIC ARTS

Hear thee, hear thee! Is this cliché over-saturated yet? We promise that you don’t have to speak Medieval English to join, but you might want to bring your imagination and a strong expectation for adventure, because this category is F-U-N fun!

Rocky Mountain Theater For Kids – Classes Only, Boulder
Email:info@theaterforkids.com
Phone: 303.245.8150
Website: www.theaterforkids.net/fall_classes

Renaissance Adventures, Boulder
Email: info@renaissanceadventures.com
Phone number: 303.786.9216
Website: renaissanceadventures.com/registration

> SEWING

A truly underrated art form, especially in today’s fashion world where vintage still reigns supreme. Whether you’re stitching together your patched jean jacket or wanting to sew a pillow for your grandmother, a day spent sewing is a day spent well.

Common Threads Boutique – School Day Off Camp, Boulder
Email: boulder@shopcommonthreads.com
Phone: 303.449.5431
Website: shopcommonthreads.com/schedule/school-day-off-camp-oct-11

> SOCCER

It’s the world’s most popular sport, and rightfully so. The U.S.A. has been lagging but the sport is gaining traction in the professional sphere. Plus, it’s basically 90 minutes of non-stop running, which they say is a good outlet for anyone.

Boulder Indoor Soccer – Winter Holiday Clinics, Boulder
Email: info@boulderindoorsoccer.com
Phone: 303.440.0809
Website: boulderindoorsoccer.com/camps-clinics/holiday-clinics

FC Boulder, Lafayette
Email: drew.campbell@fcboulder.com
Phone: 720-788-9196
Website: fcboulder.com

> CREATIVE

Make! Build! Create! Put your imagination to the test as you join in on the fun of preparing food, building things, crafting pottery, and putting your crafting skills to the test.

Food Lab, Boulder
Email: becca@foodlabboulder.com
Phone: 303-952-8364
Website: foodlabboulder.com/kids-day-off-school-workshops

Tinker Studio – Day Off and Holiday Camps, Boulder
Email: tinker@tinkerartstudio.com
Phone: 303.503.1902
Website: tinkerartstudio.com/holiday-camps-21

Kid Create Studio, Broomfield
Email: broomfieldco@kidcreatestudio.com
Phone: 303-578-8060
Website: kidcreate.com/broomfield/classes/camps

The post Winter Camp Directory 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Yellow Scene Election Guide 2021

Laurenz Busch — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:37:21 +0000

Local elections are critically important, in fact, it is said we have more power over our local political landscape than national.

Unfortunately, many of our local races are being influenced by outside money, with a concerted effort to take over school boards and city councils by larger, national influences.

However, on the flip side, there is a LOT of new blood running. It appears the 2021 races could be quite interesting. Out with the Vanguard and in with the new? There is a new generation inspired to make their community better and are ready to step up. But not all are running for the right reasons. Pay attention to your school boards, and who is running for the city council. It does matter. These are local elections and should be policy-forward.

While we offer our endorsements, we leave conclusions up to our readers by providing the answers in our interviews. However, there were several races where we truly had a difficult time choosing.

Longmont has four really great candidates running for two seats. We loved Shiquita Yarbrough, Aren Rodriguez, Tallis Salamatian, and Sean McCoy. We hope all four can serve on council together sometime in the future, but for this year there are only two seats. We had a very difficult time narrowing Longmont down to just two, and know that all four of these would do a great job for the community. We ultimately weighed in but strongly think Longmont should work to get all four of these elected in the future.

Boulder was also difficult to choose among, but it always is. This year Boulder has 10 candidates for 5 seats with only one incumbent on the ballot. Many have similar-sounding messages.

However, we do know we are not endorsing Ballot Issue 302 (Boulder), Steve Rosenblum (Boulder City Council), Natalie Abshier (SVVSD School Board) or Kara Awaitha Frost (Boulder Valley School District).

Read on and study your candidates wisely. Know who you are voting for and why. The day of races being uncontested are over. Your local election is where voters have the most power.

YS staff interviewed just about every candidate running, we asked the hard questions, and are reporting those results here. Unfortunately, in a digital world, not everything goes as planned. In a few cases our transcription was lost to a new phone that had technical difficulties. In those cases, we provided links to their website, and our understanding of each candidate. As transcripts are able to be salvaged we will upload them here.

Boulder | City Council

Matt Benjamin (Endorsed)

Background: I have lived in Boulder for over 20 years and live in South Boulder with my wife, and two kids. I formally taught astronomy and managed Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder. I am now a photographer and science educator.

Infrastructure and Transportation: We are simply not meeting the call on climate action to remove cars and to reduce our dependence on vehicles. We have a very cycling-friendly town, and we’re not building the protected safe bike infrastructure that’s necessary.

Housing: We have completely neglected middle income housing over the last ten, perhaps even twenty years or more. Most of our housing is zoned single-family and that means that we simply don’t have zoned into our codes the ability to build many duplexes, triplexes or quadplexes.

Economic Growth: I think we can really help [restaurants] with financial assistance… keep West Pearl closed, we allow and we make permanent the opportunities for restaurants to have parklets and to be able to expand out onto sidewalks or into the right of way of parking areas.

DEI: If we did fair pay for council, I know that we could attract an even greater diversity of people. Their choice to run for council doesn’t have to be an economic decision.

Final Remarks: I’m going to try and get us away from criminalizing being unhoused and build a more empathetic and compassionate approach that’s more housing first and service based approach to actually get them the resources they need.

Michael Christy (Endorsed)

Background: Family lawyer by trade, Air Force Veteran, deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan shortly after 9/11, certified mediator and collaborative law lawyer. Serving on the Cannabis Licensing and Advisory Board for City Council

Infrastructure and Transportation: I would eventually like to see Boulder and our neighboring cities create their own regional electric bus transit system. Within the city, I’d like to see improvements on the biking infrastructure. There is a need for having safer biking paths [and] more north to south biking corridors.

Housing: I don’t think by just increasing supply you’re going to reduce cost. Let’s look at rezoning some of the older dilapidated strip malls around town, for mixed commercial housing use and provide a wide range of housing options for people at all stages of their life.

Economic Growth: People cannot afford to live here, so instead of commuting into Boulder they are trying to obtain work where they live. [Continue to] provide affordable housing for workers, continue to support local businesses. I also think public safety is an issue for our businesses.

DEI: There are obstacles in place that don’t make it easy for people to get involved and proportionately those tend to be people of underrepresented communities. There needs to be more outreach into underrepresented communities. There’s a lot more we can do than just creating a racial equity plan.

Final Remarks: I don’t pretend to have all of the answers but I do believe that given my background and my experiences that I can add value to the conversations around the issues that we’re facing.

Jacques Decalo

Background: Born and raised in Boulder, Jacques went to Western Washington University, Fairhaven College, and has ‘a vision of Boulder becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world.’

Infrastructure and Transportation: We have to build with sustainable materials, we have to implement greywater recycling to reduce the cost of utilities. We have to implement solar and battery pack storage to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and reduce the dependence on excel.

Housing: High density housing allows more people to access housing while minimizing space impact. We have to look into duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes. We have to work with neighborhoods and residents in order to establish areas where the whole neighborhood can be comfortable with the change.

Economic Growth: City reserve funds are needed for catastrophes such as this pandemic. We have to be able to help out businesses and stimulate [them] …and make sure their workers are taken care of.

DEI: We have to look at ways to be more inclusive. One of my ideas is to put QR codes around the city and have the option [for] citizens to scan the QR code [and] submit something that they feel the city could improve upon.

Final Remarks: My main platform is that I guarantee no one will fight harder for climate activism than me. We have to take advantage of [100% renewable and sustainable technology] before these huge gas and oil and power and electric companies come in and try and monopolize green energy.

Lauren Folkerts (Endorsed)

Background: A sustainable design architect by profession, Lauren has been a resident of Boulder for ten years and currently serves as the Chair of Boulder’s Design Advisory Board.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Having 60% of our workforce live outside of city limits is causing a large amount of traffic and congestion. We need to press for a free bus system within city limits. Scooters and e-bikes provide great options. Incentivize pushing those alternative mobility options.

Housing: Our co-op ordinance is written so tightly that we have seen almost no new co-ops since its implementation. Most of the co-ops have just been the legalization of existing projects. [I’d like to] look at relaxing some regulations around duplexes and triplexes around transportation hubs.

Economic Growth: City council needs to be pushing at the state and federal level to make sure that we’re getting our fair share of benefits for our community. Housing is [still] a big portion of this, lacking workforce housing means that it is harder for our businesses to hire.

DEI: We miss out on some really qualified people in our community being able to run for [elected] positions. I would push for a liveable wage for city council members. It’s important for us to value people’s work and the work they do for our community.

Final Remarks: None.

Steve Rosenblum

Background: Steve Rosenblum is an economist and a mathematician with a twenty-year career investing in communities, analyzing government budgets, and creating housing for the elderly, disabled, and the unhoused.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Invest in transitional housing, much better mental health support, [and] mental health and social services professionals. I also want to focus on improving our roads and making them safer for alternative types of transports – bikes, ebikes, pedestrians – and making them work better with a new electric mass transit system.

Housing: CU student population grew by 40% [since 2000] and hasn’t built adequate housing; the city has been forced to accommodate. Focus on… and all of our 70’s and 80’s strip malls and shopping centers – redevelop those into communities with [a] mix of housing options.

Economic Growth: City needs to be more vocal about the distribution of rental assistance. I’m going to do all I can to help maintain our local businesses. Putting [them] at the front of the line for permitting processes, looking at property tax abatements for commercial landlords, and listening to the community.

DEI: We need to… increase representation both in our city government and how we make investments as a city. We need to recognize we have a regressive tax system, funded through sales tax which has an…impact on people who are most struggling to live here.

Final Remarks: We’ve fallen prey to the worst parts of our national political discourse. I’m going to work to try and solve that by bringing people together and having discussions about the way to move forward on the big issues like housing, homelessness, and climate.

Nicole Speer (Endorsed)

Background: I’m a scientist, parent, businesswoman, and champion for inclusion. I am running for Boulder City Council to help our community rise to the challenges of housing, equity, and climate change.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I would really love to see our city start focusing on designing in a way that doesn’t center cars quite as much. Designing our neighborhoods [so] that it’s easier for people to bike and walk around and to take public transportation rather than having to rely on a car for transport.

Housing: Rethink the way that we do zoning. A majority of our residentially zoned land is single-family. That does not mean that I want to build giant apartment buildings. That means giving people more options like [turning] their single family home lot into a duplex or triplex.
Homelessness: We are currently moving our services to the outskirts of the city, where they are harder for people to get to and access. That really needs to change.

Economic Growth: This comes down to an issue of housing and wages that enable people to live here in Boulder.

DEI: The biggest thing I can do is listen to the voices of people of color. I’m a privileged white person. I’m not the person that should be generating the ideas; rather, I’m a person that should be helping to implement the ideas of the people who are being affected by racial injustice.

Final Remarks: I’m really trying to elevate climate resilience, and not just from the perspective of protecting us from extreme weather, but from a perspective of ‘how are we building up our communities in a way that is strengthening the social connections that we have to each other?’

David Takahash

Background: David Takahashi not only asks the world to leave no trace, but he walks the talk. David is involved in regenerative organizations at the individual, neighborhood, city, regional, state, national, and global levels.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Our jobs/housing imbalance encourages commuting, resulting in 60,000 single-occupancy vehicles streaming into and out of Boulder each working day. By providing a diverse housing palette, Boulder could turn some of these into inhabitants free to use alternate modes of transportation.

Housing: My solution is to encourage housing in under-utilized low-contest areas such as church parking lots, declining strip malls, declining shopping centers, and other places that are relics of our automobile-centric building codes.

Economic Growth: The first thing is providing affordable workforce housing. Second, we must consider weatherizing and making our 44,000 dwellings energy efficient. Third, I would ensure that building these new housing options is done in a walkable mixed-use style, encouraging smaller, locally owned, community-enhancing businesses that create meaningful and community-building jobs.

DEI: The roots of racial discrimination go so far back as attempts to alleviate its expression in our 14th Amendment are so unsuccessful that I grieve to discuss this. Education that furthers embracing cultural differences rather than cultural intolerance will be better than the alternative of ignorance.

Final Remarks: We are in a code-red climate emergency. It is a time to act and not vacillate. I have been working with the council, city staff, and boards for over six years and have established relationships the other candidates will have to begin building.

Mark Wallach (Incumbent)

Background: Mark Wallach is currently a member of the Boulder City Council and is running for a second term. He has previously worked as an attorney and a real estate developer. Mark has been with his lovely wife, Joan, for 35 years.

Infrastructure and Transportation: [Our] needs are various and pressing, everything from road and bridge maintenance. We have highly inefficient buildings and rec centers that need to be deeply retrofitted to be more energy efficient.

Housing: The core answer is we have to build more affordable housing. Boulder Housing Partners has been doing a great job. There has to be some degree of realism here… Boulder is a desirable place to live. You can’t build yourself out of the problem.

Economic Growth: We’re always trying to increase economic vitality. Just as we did with the outdoor dining, which we’re going to extend to 2022. My only comment is that the economy is stimulated and is recovering. It’s been a very strong end of year for Boulder in terms of sales tax collections.

DEI: The city has adopted an equity lens. It’s a relatively new program, so I don’t know what the results are going to look like [or] whether we have to take further steps, but our city government has been very much on top of these issues.

Final Remarks: I don’t want us to lack experience on the council. It takes several months to know which end is up and having too many rookies on the council I’m not sure that’s going to be good for process or substance.

Dan Williams (Endorsed)

Background: Dan Williams wants to make Boulder a place for all of us. He’s focused on the climate emergency, social justice, housing, and open space.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I’m for exploring ways to make the bus in Boulder free; make it something people incorporate into their daily routines and [free] actually speeds up the buses. The city should be subsidizing or even giving away e-bikes to front line workers who are living in town.

Housing: The missing middle housing crisis is the result of failed policies; we just haven’t built enough housing. There was a time when people could do things, like subdivide lots and build more housing in currently single family neighborhoods. We can make it a lot easier to build multi-family housing.

Economic Growth: Some of the emergency measures just need to continue, [such as] keeping Pearl Street closed from 9th to 11th. The amount of outdoor seating we have has been great. Those are things we can make permanent even though we may have a modest reduction in parking spaces.

DEI: The exclusion of BIPOC communities in Boulder – historically – was intentional and we can intentionally deconstruct that… with more inclusionary housing policies. One of the things I hear from communities of color is that we’re policing in an unfair way. That’s completely unacceptable.

Final Remarks: I’ve loved living in Boulder for the last fifteen years. I can’t imagine living anywhere else and I’m committed to working to make Boulder a brighter place that’s more welcoming and inviting for all of us in the future.

Tara Winer

Background: Tara has developed an expertise in forming partnerships, listening to people, understanding problems, and developing solutions in both her extensive public service here in Boulder and as a small business owner for over 25 years.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I strongly approve of [Issue 2I] because to me infrastructure is vital, that’s one of the primary jobs of the city, to have good infrastructure. I would like to see lighting in the bike tunnels and more protection on the bike lanes.

Housing: The problem with permanently affordable housing is the developers have to pay for [it] with cash in lieu or them adding a few units of affordable housing to their market rate housing so that’s slow going… but at least it’s something and we’re definitely adding.

Economic Growth: We have a big mess on our hands in this country. [Business owners] can’t seem to hire employees, and then we have people that can’t find jobs. Why is there a disconnect between those [groups]?

DEI: I feel [it] was great, that the city [held trainings on DEI], and [that] they continually work on their racial equity plan and continue to really push it in every way that I’ve seen. They always put racial equity and inclusivity and diversity first.

Final Remarks: One reason I am running is because post-COVID all cities have really had some challenges – budget-wise, safety, environmentally – and I feel it’s very important, going into the next few years, to have people that are balanced and think for the whole of the city.

Broomfield | Mayor

Kimberly Groom

Background: Kimberly has proudly served as Broomfield Ward 4 Council Member, has over 25 years progressive corporate experience, earned two master’s degrees, and served on the Board of Directors of Senior Resources of Broomfield.

Infrastructure and Transportation: It’s our east-west corridors that are most important to build out and support the growing transportation needs. What we need to do – to get the funding – [is] work with the state because this northern region is not getting their fair share of transportation dollars.

Housing: My hopes for attainable housing is [that] a dual family income can still live here… and that’s what I think affordable housing needs to equate to.

Economic Growth: [Small businesses] cannot get people to work. They can’t open their business at full capacity because of employee employment issues. I do see Broomfield being able to play a role in that through our current workforce center. There’s a lot of resources available.

DEI: We’re a very accepting community. However, there are chances you can have a blind side and I think by having a staff dedicated to diversity, it will help us ensure that we don’t have blinders on. I support making sure that everyone in our community feels included.

Final Remarks: We need to make business decisions and ensure that our 34 square miles [are] built out appropriately to sustain our financial future. We need to make sure that we have economic diversity in each of our communities.

Guyleen Castriotta (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

Background: Guyleen was the first openly lesbian candidate elected to the Broomfield City Council and was unanimously appointed to Mayor Pro Tem in 2019.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Our transportation has been woefully underfunded in Colorado. We’re hopeful to be able to get some of that funding to improve Highway 7. [It] is our biggest pinch point right now. We are a transit desert and it’s not equitable for people who can’t drive.

Housing: [When Broomfield was first planned] there was never a focus on workforce housing. We need to be flexible, work with developers, allow more variances, allow more smaller footprints, and allow the density and height that it’s going to take to fill these gaps.

Economic Growth: I support helping people who are still looking for work. I believe the way out of this is to lift people up from poverty and increase wages. They haven’t increased with the cost of living. We’ve got to do a better job investing in people.

DEI: In 2018, we passed the charter amendment with 75% of the vote to replace the male-only pronouns with gender neutral pronouns and titles. We are working toward [an] equitable environment for our staff and our residents. It is definitely one of my priorities.

Final Remarks: I want to encourage people to get vaccinated to protect each other. It’s not about the ‘me’. It’s about the ‘we’. That’s what we’re all about. We want to lift each other up. We want to take care of each other.

Broomfield | City Council (Ward 1)

James Marsh-Holschen (Endorsed)

Background: After receiving my law degree from Georgetown in 2013 I moved to Broomfield, worked for the public defender’s office, and now I work with a company doing financial compliance and anti-money laundering work. I also serve on the Health and Human Services Board and the Community Justice Partnership.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Redesigning streets with traffic calming devices can prevent dangerously fast driving. Developing a circular road network can alleviate traffic. Establish mixed-use developments on unused parking lots. Transition away from cars by providing biking and pedestrian lanes, offering multimodal transportation capabilities, and developing a bus system that reaches all main points of the city.

Housing: Help individuals afford homes by raising wages to keep pace with costs of housing. Provide property tax deductions for landlords who rent at affordable prices, offer tax credits for low-income homeowners, and modify our ordinances to increase stock of affordable houses and ADUs.
Homelessness: I support voucher programs that give homeless people access to hotel rooms, and assistance programs to provide them with the services they need.

Economic Growth: With people working remotely and many office buildings vacant, we can redevelop those spaces into commercial properties. Only attract companies to Broomfield that pay high wages, and we should provide them with incentives to move into empty existing spaces rather than creating new buildings.

Pandemic: The narrative that people are sitting at home because they are lazy is not supported by the data. The workforce decreased as the economy changed; companies need to pay higher wages to attract workers. Support small businesses by using COVID funds to help them recover and adjust to the economy.

DEI: Working in the government or living in a community requires us to work together despite disagreements. But there is no compromise on issues of diversity, equality, and human rights. We’re fortunate that Broomfield has been good about increasing its minority population and embracing its diverse residents.

Final Remarks: Property crime has been rising in Broomfield. It’s most likely due to the increased struggles caused by the pandemic. We can work with law enforcement and neighborhood watches to help reduce the rates of property crimes and to make everyone in the community feel safe.

Chriss Hammerschmidt

Background: I’ve lived in Broomfield for 24 years, and throughout my scientific career I’ve worked for NASA and ITS. But I disagree with some decisions of the city council, so I’ve been attending meetings, conducting research, tracking resolutions, and now I’m running for office.

Infrastructure and Transportation: We have to upgrade our main thoroughfares; traffic is increasing as the city reaches build-out. We should redesign Midway Blvd, complete the construction loop around Highway 7, and fund infrastructure projects for the roads connecting to northern Broomfield.

Housing: Have homebuilders develop affordable options, including small home communities and ADUS. Reduce zoning restrictions and building regulations to optimize the efficient use of our land and decrease the overall costs of our homes.
Homelessness: Help by providing facilities and nonprofits that can take them off the street, improve their lives, and help them at a community level.

Economic Growth: We should encourage small and large businesses to operate here, mix stores better within our residential areas, and revitalize our existing commercial areas, such as the Flatirons Crossing Mall and the Broomfield Town Center.

Pandemic: The unemployment benefits have to stop because it’s discouraging people from getting back to work. However, rather than ending it all at once, we should phase it out gradually so the recipients can still afford to make purchases during the transition.

DEI: I’m happy that Broomfield has a diverse community with residents from very different backgrounds. I’ve never seen any group be disrespected or excluded here, so we should avoid introducing a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

Final Remarks: Public safety is a big issue. Restrictions on police departments have reduced the police presence on the streets, and this has increased property crimes throughout the communities. But we can also reduce crime by alleviating the angry rhetoric, fearful attitudes, and divisive tendencies in our society.

Broomfield | City Council (Ward 2)

Brent Hultman

Background: I’m a nonprofit volunteer, leadership coach, army veteran, published author, and I’m solution-focused based on what makes sense and how we can achieve the best outcome.

Infrastructure and Transportation: We have problems with our aging water and sewage infrastructure. Constant leaks are wasting exorbitant amounts of water, so modernizing our water and sewer systems need to be a top priority. Regarding roads, we need to repair and improve the conditions of the surface streets running through and around the city.

Housing: The construction defect rule and risk of litigation prevents condo development. I would encourage our mayor to pressure state legislators to address that issue. I would collaborate with developers to create a wider variety of housing styles, and modify height restrictions / density limitations to increase our housing inventory.
Homelessness: I support the hotel voucher system in place.

Economic Growth: We need the tax revenue from the business side rather than the residential side. I would communicate with our small and big businesses, provide the resources they need to flourish, and I’d also provide an inviting atmosphere to make it easy and advantageous for new companies to operate here as well.

Pandemic: We should give access to trade schools and technical training opportunities, so workers can meet the needs of companies, and we should provide match-maker programs that connect skilled workers with hiring employers.

DEI: It’s important that we can be honest and candid about everything. But we all have to unite together rather than polarize further apart, so I love MLK’s vision of us all coming together despite our various differences and then moving forward together as a unified community.

Final Remarks: The basis for my campaign is safety, affordability and quality of life. Quality is the big bucket that everything else goes into, so we must identify how to maximize the conditions of our lives and the quality of our community.

Austin Ward (Endorsed)

Background: I was born and raised in Wyoming. I’ve lived in Denver metro for the past 10 years; Broomfield for the last three. I’ve been an RTD bus operator since 2016. I volunteer for the Colorado Rail Passenger Association. That lets me advocate for expanded rail service and increased public transit.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Effectively bring people in by completing the B-Line and FasTracks, and by increasing public transit. Implement a local bus service or municipal shuttle system. Improve our multi-modal infrastructure by creating wider lanes that can be used to walk or bike to our shopping centers or office buildings.

Housing: I support mixed use developments and high-density neighborhoods that would add housing without stretching infrastructure. I want to eliminate single-family zoning for new builds, pass an ADU ordinance, and eliminate parking minimums, so we can use the empty space to construct new housing.
Homelessness: Increasing funding for mental health services, providing stable housing opportunities to improve their lives and alleviate the issue.

Economic Growth: Attract big businesses by increasing transportation infrastructure, making sure we have housing to support employees, and having beautiful stretches of open spaces. Mom and pop shops are the heart of the city; we must provide better support for them by offering assistance programs that help them get started.

Pandemic: The pandemic gave people the ability to reassess their lives. Increasing the wages of workers could belie the scope of the labor shortage. Unemployment benefits should not have relaxed; vulnerable people are struggling and immunocompromised people are unable to work.

DEI: We should all support each other because we’re all interconnected and the success of our neighbors benefits the rest of the community. Though we have to make more progress, especially with equal housing, DEI has been helpful in improving the treatment of immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ communities.

Final Remarks: Sustainability and environmental problems are plaguing our society and destroying our world. I would increase the use of solar panels, electric vehicles, and composting programs. We’ve run out of time, and so incremental solutions would be ineffective; instead we need dramatic transformations.

Broomfield | City Council (Ward 3)

Deven Shaff, (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.deven4broomfield.com

In a news release, Shaff stated he wants to continue the progress the City Council has made the past three years and through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am proud of my record of supporting the Broomfield community, enhancing the creative economy, improving our local and regional transportation systems and ensuring the public health and safety of our residents,” Shaff stated in the release.

The release cites Shaff’s role in helping implement the mural at Highway 128 and U.S. 287 designed to shine light on mental health and diversity, as well as his work to build support and foster communication surrounding the 2021 transportation funding bill.

“As a father of two students at Kohl Elementary School and a substitute teacher, I interact with Broomfield residents on a daily basis,” Shaff stated in the release. “In these conversations, I listen and take note of how to show up and respond. I offer transparency and inclusion of ideas on all matters important to them. As we move to a new normal in our community, I look forward to spending more time with constituents and continuing the work of the people.”

Brian Peotter

Did not return multiple requests for an interview.

Broomfield | City Council (Ward 4)

Mindy Quiachon, Uncontested

Background: I am a small business owner of two successful UPS Stores, a mother, volunteer, and resident of Broomfield for 20 years. I believe in our residents and local business owners, and will passionately serve our community, listen to and take action on resident concerns, and put Broomfield first.

Infrastructure and Transportation: It is imperative that we spend on non-recurring expenses such as our sewer and water. In addition, Broomfield is growing faster than it can meet demand with expanding roads and addressing public transportation issues. I will advocate for timely, efficient solutions.

Housing: Member of the Broomfield Housing Advisory Committee.We need to explore and prioritize all options to see what works – tiny homes, duplexes, or higher density, mixed use developments. There is a shortage of affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and the disabled. Our economy and smart growth go hand in hand.

Economic Growth: I understand the need to support, recover, and invigorate our local business economy to provide good paying jobs and opportunities for all Broomfield residents. I will be a champion for new and existing businesses, and will support economic growth to stimulate innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

DEI: I care about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. I wish for every resident to succeed and live with dignity. I will advocate to bring people together. Broomfield is an incredibly compassionate and giving community. I care about making sure Broomfield is diverse in providing the best services, amenities, and opportunities.

Final Remarks: My priorities are providing a safe community, economic vitality, and smart growth. I have 3 kids and retired parents here. I am committed to being a voice for, and engaged with, residents. I am a leader invested in the future. I believe in Broomfield and will get it done for Ward 4.

Bruce Leslie

Background: I have been Cheryl’s husband for 52 years. We have three children and eight grandchildren, two attending CU and one a senior in BVSD. My career as a community college president has given me skills in strategic planning, accountability, fiscal management, academic quality and student success. My skills are in collaboration, goal achievement in politically complex environments, accountability and strategic planning. I am currently Treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Performance Excellence Board.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Ward 4 residents are concerned about Route 7 and the need to widen and improve the road in light of the on-going growth in the region. Residents want to preserve if not expand open spaces and ensure that our water assets are secured and air quality, especially related to drilling. Collaborating with developers will be an important focus of my work. Increasing arts and cultural assets, such as the relocation and expansion of the Butterfly Pavilion and stem school.

Housing: More affordable housing must be built to provide homes for our teachers, firefighters, police and other critical members of our community. My vision is that our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be able to afford to work, live, and raise their families here. Thus, starter homes, alternative energy and related sustainability measures must be pursued. Our issues, whether affordable housing or homlesness, are best addressed regionally.

Economic Growth: Affordable housing, cultural amenities and a well trained workforce are assets that attract corporate and small businesses. By maintaining our open spaces, building adequate housing stock, increasing cultural amenities, improving transportation, providing secure water and energy as well as strengthening education, Broomfield can attract the companies that align with our values and goals.

DEI: A strong society is one that values everyone, educates and trains everyone and provides access to jobs, business ownership and includes their voices. I’ve received diversity awards at each college I’ve served, for both me and my institution. I’ve expanded access and success for all cohorts of students, equalized student success and assertively employed faculty, staff and administrators who looked like our students.

Final Remark: I am experienced in leading large, politically complex organizations. I have gained substantial leadership skills over my career and have the fortitude, experience and capabilities to serve Broomfield. I have proven my capabilities, empathy, creativity and innovation. I am retired so I have the time and desire to continue my career of service to our city. I have no interest in higher office. I am unaffiliated in this non-partisan race, wishing to serve my Ward 4 neighbors with the best representation possible.

Broomfield | City Council (Ward 5)

Grayson Hofferber

Background: Grayson is a small business owner that moved to Broomfield in 2015, ran for City Council in 2017, and was the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Board of Equalization.

Infrastructure and Transportation: The biggest challenge will be two-fold. First, making sure our transportation access is multimodal. We’re [also] going to have to continue to be ahead of the curve in terms of thinking about what future transportation looks like, especially when it comes to autonomous vehicles.

Housing: [One of the biggest issues is] making sure that the city and county has the vision and the planning necessary to zone specifically for smaller footprint housing… and allowing for our builders to bring forward these projects in a way that’s timely and cost effective.

Economic Growth: The biggest thing that we can do is provide market competition for wages. Bringing good commercial projects… that are going to provide high paying jobs will set the market tone for businesses to continue to pay above a fair market wage.

DEI: Our role as policy makers here, locally, is to make sure that we provide equal opportunity for all of our residents. [We need] to make sure that we are setting a level playing field in the policies that we create.

CRT: Critical Race Theory at its core is not appropriate for our school-age children. I do think it is the role of families and parents to raise their children in such a way that their children grow to embrace differences.

Final Remarks: My goal is to have a more moderated voice on City Council, making sure that differences of opinion are met and understood with the idea that we need to have compromise.

Todd Cohen

Background: Todd was appointed to Council in 2021 after serving on the Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee. He is an AVP at Regis University and previously was at Great Outdoors Colorado.

Infrastructure and Transportation: We’re looking at improving our bus systems as well as providing better bike and other transit [infrastructure]. Specific to electric cars, one thing we can do is require a certain number of electric car charging stations in developments.

Housing: We’re having a particular shortage in homes that the average income person can afford. It’s going to take a public-private partnership to make a significant dent and that might mean acquiring land for affordable housing or acquiring existing developments to prevent them from being redeveloped into more expensive units.

Economic Growth: We’re going to be focused particularly on the Flatiron Crossing Mall because it’s been a significant source of our revenue in sales tax. We need to provide jobs in Broomfield. We’re going to have to recruit as best we can to bring more businesses into the community that have living wages.

DEI: Inclusivity is very important. I want every member of the community to feel welcome and safe. We need to make sure that there is ample representation on all our advisory committees and everything else.

Final Remarks: [It’s] very important that Broomfield continue to have progressive leadership on the council so that we are productively addressing our growing pains as well as climate change. [The] city is still growing and we need to make sure it develops in a way that’s safe and healthy for everybody.

Lafayette | City Council

Brandon Stites (Endorsed)

Background: I got interested in local government in high school while earning my Eagle Scout Badge and fulfilling citizenship missions. After college I began working as a software engineer, established Lafayette as my home, and began attending city council meetings because I’m passionate about the community and want to participate with the process.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Traffic congestion is a problem with the corridors of Arapahoe, South Boulder Rd, and Baseline. I support Lafayette’s comprehensive plan, but we also need to create auxiliary side-road options to reduce traffic on major roads, and connect RTD and bus routes to our networks to increase mass transit options.

Housing: Reduce the number of residents who are cost-burdened. Develop Willoughby Corner to provide 400 affordable houses, encouraging ADUs, and rezone single-family areas to allow attractive duplexes to accommodate households.
Manage homelessness with free access to mental and physical healthcare, with support programs to help them escape the homelessness cycle.

Economic Growth: To stimulate growth, I would employ experts to increase business growth while maintaining the intimate atmosphere of the community. To fund the government, I would support a ballot to increase property taxes on wealthy homeowners whose house values have skyrocketed and who can help fund the programs we need.

Pandemic: I strongly support unemployment benefits and rental assistance for people who couldn’t attend work due to the pandemic. The hiring difficulties reflect a larger problem in which employers have been underpaying working citizens for too long, so we need to raise the wages of workers to match the expensive [cost of living] of the area.

DEI: I support the DEI movement entirely, and I also believe that schools should teach history honestly so we can alleviate racism effectively.

Final Remarks: Although fracking can create jobs for workers and revenue for the city, we must protect the community by restricting any drilling near schools, homes, parks, and water sources.

Enihs Medrano (Endorsed)

Background: I grew up in Lafayette, went through its schools, and now I’m in my third year at CU Boulder studying sociology. I was on the Youth Advisory Committee in HS. At CU I joined many programs that entailed social justice work, that equipped me with knowledge of social issues, and strengthened my skills with local governance.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Make transportation more accessible; reduce rates for bus passes, offer rideshare or carshare capabilities, and programs to encourage people to use public transit. This would also reduce pollution. I support continued efforts to create safe streets for people to walk or bike while traveling around town and fulfilling various activities.

Housing: Lafayette isn’t accessible for some families. I live in one of the mobile home parks. Partner with the BOCO Housing Authority to help people go from renting affordable units to owning. I support the city acquiring land to build affordable housing and complete diverse development projects.
Homelessness: I strongly support the needs of the homeless. Add more job opportunities, offer more housing options, and provide services to prevent people from losing their homes.

Economic Growth: The growth of small businesses is crucial for economic development. Support those businesses by distributing grants that enable them to thrive, increase employment opportunities, improve domestic comfort of families, and create more tax revenue for the town.

Pandemic: I support the financial assistance provided for vulnerable residents. We definitely need workers to keep the town running and sustain economic growth. Addressing workplace conditions would be beneficial, as making sure the workplaces are safe, that they’re following COVID protocols, and that residents have access to health care can help alleviate their fears and make them comfortable returning to work.

DEI: The DEI movement is great. Its concepts might be hard and uncomfortable for some, but it is important to provide the right training for people. We must continue the movement and improve the training to effectively serve the community and accommodate all residents.

Final Remarks: Being only 20 years old and almost finishing college influences my perspective. I grew up in this town, the community shaped who I am, and my hope is that people will see that I am excited to reinvest in my community and to represent groups that aren’t being represented.

Nicole Samson

Background: I’m currently on the Adams County Planning Commission, the Northwest Parkway Authority Board of Directors, and I filled a vacancy on the Lafayette council in 2019. My 17 years working in local government has equipped me with broad experience regarding economic development, recreational management, grant administration, housing programs, ordinance codes, and policy issues.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Water infrastructure is important. We need to fix cracked pipes and replace old pipes. I would consider establishing a new broadband network for the entire community (deal with frequent outages). With transportation, we can improve the safety of highway 7 and the flow of highway 287. It’s important to also increase public transportation, fulfill commuter rail projects, and ensure bus routes connect to those rails.

Housing: Provide downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers, offer tax credits for low-income residents, and modify municipal codes to increase ADUs and mobile home options. Use grant funds to give developers subsidies when they build both luxury units and affordable houses with their projects.
Homelessness: work with nonprofits to determine what resources we can provide and what strategies we can implement.

Economic Growth: Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We have brilliant people who are ripe with innovative ideas, so we should offer support and work with the chamber to help small businesses grow and new startups flourish.

Pandemic: The problems facing this new economy are perplexing. We should have the chamber facilitate discussion groups that would let experts offer advice, businesses express their needs, and the city determine what resources can help keep companies alive and workers employed.

DEI: Lafayette prioritizes being an eclectic and diverse community. I love having people with different backgrounds, experiences, thoughts, and ideas enhance my perspectives of the world and enrich the diversity of Lafayette.

Final Remarks: I love this city, the community, and its residents. My personal mission is to leave this world a better place, and that’s why I want to be a city council member here in Lafayette.

Brian Wong (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

Background: I’ve lived in Lafayette for over 14 years. I work as a human resource director. I got into local government by serving on the Planning Commission for seven years, four as Chair. I learned about land use, planning, development, and then jumped into city politics and spent the last two years on city council.

Infrastructure and Transportation: We made progress with RTD, the Lafayette shuttle for all residents, and the call and ride program. We still need to increase public transit to help residents travel around Lafayette and connect to Boulder. We need to improve our high speed internet, especially with adults working from home and kids learning remotely.

Housing: Work with developers; incentivize them to build affordable housing. Increase the density. Our mobile home parks need support with zoning/policy changes to enable parks or the city to purchase mobile homes that go up for sale. Tiny home communities are efficient ways to use open land and provide affordable units.
Homelessness: solve at a regional level by collaborating with other partners to determine how we can address the issue and apply our resources.

Economic Growth: We lured Medtronics to build a new campus, which means that in a year the largest employer in Boulder County will be in our city. We need to decide what to build on the land that King Soopers vacated. We need to support our small businesses, identify what they need to grow, and make sure that they are effectively integrated into our community.

Pandemic: I’m proud that the city offered two grants to assist small businesses. Further amplify our support for these companies by hosting job fairs as community events or offering perks for hired workers. But building recreational facilities or community amenities can also attract tourists to visit our city and support our businesses.

DEI: As an HR professional, this issue is at the forefront of what I’m doing. I’m glad our community has been addressing injustices in society. After the George Floyd incident, our police chief facilitated multiple forums to encourage citizens to gather together, share thoughts, and engage in open and honest dialogues.

Final Remarks: I am privileged and honored to be given my first term. With COVID and the cyberattack there is much more that I want to do. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve another term for Lafayette, and I would be eager to continue building an amazing culture for our residents.

Tonya Briggs (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

Background: I own a plumbing company, I’ve lived here for 13 years, and I’ve been on council the last two years. I volunteered for East Boulder County United, which enabled me to advocate for the banning of oil & gas activity, and I’m an animal lover so I volunteer for animal rescue organizations.

Infrastructure and Transportation: RTD is failing us despite our efforts. Work with Boulder County to increase taxes to fund a public electrified transportation project to protect the environment, and is reliable and free for all residents. Our new multimodal transportation and environmental sustainability plans would create more lanes for bikers and pedestrians.

Housing: Protect our affordable housing, especially the mobile home parks. Implement policies to require developers building single-family homes to also provide a reasonable percentage of permanently affordable homes.
Homelessness: We need more funding to provide rental assistance to prevent people from losing their homes, and mental health services for people already entrenched in that situation.

Economic Growth: Our King Soopers is about to move to Erie, so placing a performing arts theater in that massive empty space would provide an exciting new feature for the city, an artistic venue for our residents, and tax revenue for the government as people come to see the shows and then spend money at our restaurants. Medtronics will create over 2,500 jobs, and then I’d also like to partner with other companies that match our values, protect the environment, and benefit the community.

Pandemic: Benefits were crucial for helping people and preventing homelessness, and we should continue the assistance because many people are immunocompromised. We’re putting together grants for the small businesses that need them most, and we should also help to connect skilled workers with ideal companies.

DEI: DEI is a necessary movement that connects to everything. We should embrace all residents, make all groups feel welcome, and ensure the lens of equity and the views of diversity are considered in all decisions that we make as a community.

Final Remarks: I love Lafayette, and I’m very excited to get to some of our initial priorities. Although the pandemic put some issues on pause, I look forward to returning to the issues of environmental stewardship and affordable housing while also helping our community recover.

Longmont | Mayor

Gregory Harris

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.greg4mayor.com

From his website: We all know Longmont will grow. Businesses want to come to Longmont. To meet this need, we must support the construction of Middle-Class apartments and houses for those employed in Longmont.

Without addressing our infrastructure, our current growth is unsustainable. It will increase our vehicle emissions, especially during commuting hours with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Longmont has many roads that go North and South, but East and West we only have Highways 66 and 119. In 1957, the fences on Highway 66 were moved back to expand into a four-lane highway — but it never happened. Then we were taxed for a train from the south, but it was never built and we didn’t get our money back.
I oppose all excessive policies, codes, regulations and any fees attached to new construction since they would add to the costs for consumers.
I oppose any increases in water rates, connection fees or tap fees.
If it’s necessary to fund some city program, the money should come from the general funds.
Longmont has an inclusionary housing ordinance. I oppose any expansion of the ordinance.
I oppose all efforts to limit residential growth. We must support all efforts to substantially increase the number of homes built in Longmont.
I support increasing the budget for public safety and oppose any effort to defund the police.
The City and State should not decide which businesses should close and which stay open. I think the recent action by the Boulder County government requiring masks everywhere was excessive government overreach. As Mayor, I will do what needs to be done to keep all businesses open.

Joan Peck, City Council Member

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.joanpeckforlongmontmayor.com

From the website: As a proven advocate for Longmont’s vibrant community and a strong supporter of programs popular with our city’s residents, Councilwoman Peck intends to continue her work and complete projects around the major issues that originally won her a seat on City Council. These issues include:

Securing the RTD/FasTracks build-out by holding RTD accountable for tax dollars already contributed
Achieving pragmatic, safe solutions for services to the unhoused
Meeting affordable housing challenges
Addressing climate change
Supporting early childhood education
Taking decisive steps to defend Longmont’s rights to clean air and water

Proven Leader

Longmont needs experienced, proven leadership to ensure that these issues are skillfully addressed. Peck has already established a record of collaboration and creativity. As the vice-chair of the Northern Area Transportation Alliance (NATA), she has worked diligently with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), with Commuting Solutions, and with Longmont’s two RTD Directors.

In 2016, Joan was elected to City Council as an at-large candidate. One of her reasons for running was to bring the RTD FasTracks Northwest Corridor commuter rail to Longmont.Through these efforts, Longmont Council and staff have successfully created an alliance of the five NW cities, Longmont, Boulder, Broomfield, Louisville and Westminster, to develop the ‘Peak Service’ Commuter Rail plan for the NW corridor.

Through her second term which began in 2018, Joan continued her work, holding RTD accountable to build the rail to Longmont. When elected Mayor, Joan will work with all the Mayors of the cities on the RTD NW corridor, our two RTD directors, AmTrak and the Front Range Passenger Rail to complete the project.

Serving Unhoused and Disadvantaged Residents

Joan and her husband served as Soup Angels for H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement) for seven years and she continues to be involved with efforts that support unhoused residents.

As a Councilwoman, Peck led an initiative to bring together city staff with developers, the Longmont Chamber of Commerce and the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP) to give their perspectives on an affordable housing ordinance.

Councilwoman Peck led another initiative for community service leaders to inform Council about services available for unhoused, marginalized and disadvantaged residents. Out of those meetings, safe lots for residents living in cars and sleeper vehicles emerged. Longmont now has two safe lots for residents waiting for housing. Also, housing vouchers are now available for residents living in vehicles. What Joan Peck works on gets results.

Environmental Stewardship

In 2012, 60% of Longmont’s voters passed Proposition 300 to amend the City Charter banning fracking within the City of Longmont. Peck led the petition drive to put the proposition on the ballot and launched Longmont as a leader among area municipalities banning fracking. Her commitment to clean air and water led to a contract with scientist and researcher, Dr. Detlev Helmig, to monitor Longmont’s air quality at Union Reservoir and at Vance Brand Airport — and to the Council’s acceptance of a resolution for 100% renewable energy by 2030!

STEAM: Science, Technology, Education Arts and Music

Joan knows that the actuality of a robust RTD commuter rail will be a precursor to development along HWY 287. As mayor, Joan Peck envisions that through the STEAM Project, Longmont stands to become a hub for economic development which includes a future performing arts center, an expanded college campus, a hotel, as well as affordable housing.

Tim Waters (Endorsed)

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.timwaters4mayor.com

From his website:

Economic recovery, growth, and resilience

Every municipality in the country is focused on a rapid recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The question for all of us is, what will differentiate Longmont from every other municipality with similar ambitions?

To be certain, we will continue collaborating with Longmont’s Economic Development Partnership, Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Development Authority. These associations and relationships are instrumental to the recruitment of primary businesses to Longmont and supporting Main Street businesses through challenges like the ones faced during the pandemic.

Beyond compliance-based planning

We need more than compliance with zoning, the imagination of developers, and coincidence to shape Longmont’s future.

New development and redevelopment of land and property in Longmont needs to be more vision and less compliance based. Decades of compliance with zoning ordinances have produced results that, in many cases, fail to meet our standard of “highest and best use” of land and opportunity.

Examples of vision-based development opportunities include Longmont’s Main Street corridor plan and our Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) area. Both efforts reflect the aspirations of Longmont residents and possibilities for development and/or redevelopment of land that rises to the standard of “highest and best use”. Summaries of the Main St. corridor and STEAM area projects can be reviewed on the city’s Engage Longmont platform.

Why should we care about these initiatives? Because these are creative and vivid approaches for signaling to developers what Longmont leaders wish to see proposed for development. They go beyond basic compliance with zoning requirements to reflect the best hopes of the community. We will also want to hear the ideas of Longmont’s developers for development and/or redevelopment of our land.

Currently, the leadership of Longmont’s Downtown Development Authority describes the downtown area are vibrant, clean, and safe. When fully developed, the Main Street plan will result in a corridor from HW 66 to Plateau Rd, that takes vibrant, clean, and safe to new levels.

As the vision for the STEAM area is translated from possibilities to planning, proposals and then to projects, Longmont’s entire lower downtown will be transformed. Amenities will be developed that will benefit generations of Longmonters for years to come. Imagine never having to leave Longmont to access and enjoy world class education programs and facilities from pre-school through post-doctoral degrees. Imagine best-in-class performing arts and conference venues and 21 ^st century library facilities and services.

Sugar Mill to Vance Brand Airport

Along with the Main Street corridor and STEAM area vision-based planning already underway, we deserve clarity on how we will proceed with development when property that has been in a flood plain is removed from the flood plain along St. Vrain River. Completion of the next stretch of the Resilient St. Vrain Project (RSVP) will present unprecedented opportunities to reimagine responsible, environmentally sensitive, planning and development that will extend from the Sugar Mill to the Airport.

The City is already engaged with the Urban Land Institute to assess and evaluate possible land use from County Line Road to Martin Street. The STEAM project offers a vision of possibilities from Martin Street to Main Street.

$140 million in local, state, and federal funding will eventually be invested in restoration of the St. Vrain river corridor. Following restoration, protection of this natural amenity, along with a commitment to “highest and best” use of land that will be removed from the flood plain, should be captured in an effective vision for the corridor. When flood restoration work between Main St. and Hover is completed in in 2023 or 24, 800 acres of land will be out of the flood plain and we will be presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset expectations for development of the corridor.

Among the many development opportunities we need to “get right” is the Vance Brand Airport. The airport should be instrumental to Longmont’s future. It should be a driver of economic development and prosperity. This is only possible if our community shares a vision of a regional airport that becomes a leader in research and development of green/quiet aviation.

Both private and government investment in research and development of electric powered aircraft is rapidly increasing. Municipalities, along with private sector partners, are positioning to take advantage of investments in research, development, manufacturing of electric aircraft. Electric airplanes can also become assets in a regional transportation system. If we want to quiet the skies over Longmont, attract capital, create high-end jobs, recruit talent, connect Longmont with other future-focused cities in a the 21^st Century world, and create a new hub of robust economic activity in the post-pandemic era, it’s time to get started.

Housing

Housing Insecurity

Too many Longmont residents are one automobile accident, health crisis, or lost job away from losing their homes.

Housing, and reducing housing insecurity, remains a significant challenge to municipalities throughout the country. Longmont, located in Boulder County, rated as the 7th most expensive location in the country for housing costs, faces a more challenging situation than most.

Too many Longmont homeowners are housing burdened, which means they spend more than one third of their monthly income on housing costs. This leaves too many Longmont residents one medical emergency, one auto repair, or one layoff away from losing their homes.

Housing insecurity is a precursor to homelessness. If we want to prevent homelessness, we must reduce housing insecurity. To reduce housing insecurity, we must continually update ordinances that lower the initial costs, and total costs, of home ownership.

Affordable Housing

Every Longmont resident who wants safe, stable, permanent housing should be able to find it and afford it.

Reducing homelessness was a challenge before the Covid-19 pandemic. It is likely to become a much more daunting challenge in the post-pandemic era. Homeless can only be reduced or eradicated when every Longmonter who desires to live in safe and secure permanent housing enjoys access to it. We cannot house the homeless without developing more affordable housing options in Longmont.

In December 2019, the City Council adopted an Inclusionary Housing ordinance that was a positive step toward creating more affordable (subsidized) housing for residents who qualify for subsides. This was a necessary, but wasn’t a totally sufficient step in the right direction.

Work remains to be done to grow Longmont’s inventory of housing options for eligible residents. To assure, with confidence, that all Longmont residents are unburdened in safe, secure, and permanently affordable housing, we must leverage every available resource, both public and private. This means optimizing Longmont’s housing authority, courting investors in tax credit funded housing development, and partnering with developers of affordable housing.

This also means working with business owners and neighborhoods on the design of affordable housing projects, so they are congruent with neighborhood design standards, even as housing options are more diverse.

Attainable Housing

Home ownership and child-care are the two biggest expenses for many Longmont families. Affording both should be achievable for working families in Longmont.

If Longmont is to be a community in which young individuals or couples can purchase a home, start their careers, raise their families, invest in the community, and mature along with their children, then housing stock must be available and attainable for them. These are individuals or couples who do not qualify for subsidized housing but aspire to purchase a home, raise their families, and build equity in the city in which they work.

Today, the housing stock in shortest supply is what housing experts refer to as “attainable” housing. This is housing priced so working families, earning $85,000 to $115,000 can qualify to purchase market rate homes priced between $375,00 and $400,000. This combination of income and housing costs requires no more than one third of homeowner income being obligated to mortgage, interest, and fee payments.

Here is the problem. There are very few homes in Longmont available for sale in Longmont in this price range. The median family income in Longmont is $75,000. This is why 20% of homeowners in Longmont are considered “housing burdened” and so many young families who want to live and work in Longmont are unable to do so.

There is a direct correlation between City Council adopted housing ordinances and the development of attainable housing inventory. The interests of teachers, City of Longmont employees, entrepreneurs, and other young professionals aspiring to own a home in the city in which they work have not been served well by Longmont’s housing policies. More imagination, creativity, learning, and willingness to work with builders of attainable housing is needed if Longmont is to avoid becoming older, less diverse, and less vibrant.

Just as a relationship exists between City housing policy and available, attainable housing stock, a relationship exists between housing policy and Longmont’s carbon footprint. Prior to the pandemic, 60% of people who work in Longmont commute from outside of Longmont into the city. Understanding that the total percentage of commuters into Longmont each day may change slightly in the post-pandemic era, we need to make it feasible for people who work in Longmont to live in Longmont. Living near where one works decreases the use of automobiles and reduces traffic congestion. Biking and walking to work increases.

Economic recovery, growth, and resilience will be, at least partially, tied to the success of Longmont’s primary employers. Primary employers located in Longmont note that current housing costs and the shortage of attainable housing is an obstacle to recruiting talent. In the post-pandemic era, we should be able to differentiate Longmont from other Front Range municipalities based on a variety assets. Attainable housing needs to be among them.

Talent Recruitment

Child-care

Talent recruitment is essential to our community if we are going to recover economically. Potential new, talented employees are unlikely to locate to communities without high quality, reliable, affordable child-care options.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, high quality child-care and early childhood education was understood by economists to be a solid investment in human capital with a return on investment anywhere from 7 to 16 times the cost of child-care and early learning opportunities.

High quality child-care and early learning opportunities was understood by educators as essential for children to be “school ready” by the time they enter kindergarten. School ready children are far more likely to succeed in school and graduate from high school than children who are not.

High quality child-care and early learning was understood by military leadership as a national security concern. Children who experience high quality child-care and early learning opportunities are far more likely to qualify for military service as young adults and are better equipped for the personal disciplines required for success in the military.

Now we’ve seen what parents of children younger than 5 years old have always known. Every sector of the American workforce is dependent on access to high quality, reliable, affordable child-care and early childhood education programs. When access to child- care is not an option for working parents, parents of young children are not an option for employers.

Child-care and early childhood education options for parents simply disappeared during the pandemic. If our local economy is going to recover quickly, with resilience, and grow in the post-pandemic era, working parents of young children must be able to access high quality, affordable, reliable child-care.

The 2020 and 2021 City of Longmont budgets included funding to salvage (in 2020) and grow child-care capacity (in 2021). Building on these investments, Longmont’s economic recovery, growth, and resilience into the future will depend on the capacity of our child-care and early childhood education industry.

City government cannot do this alone. In partnership with Longmont’s Early Childhood Community Coalition, Longmont’s Economic Development Partnership, our Chamber of Commerce, the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, the Bright Eyes Coalition, and the St. Vrain Valley School District, we will continue leveraging opportunities to grow and sustain a “best in class” child-care and early childhood education system.

There is no question that child-care is critical to economic recovery in every community. The same can be said about attainable housing. The combination of costs for housing and child-care account for a majority of monthly income for most young families. Add costs for ongoing education and training and it is easy to understand why the Building STEAM vision includes bringing a four-year college or university campus to Longmont along with growing Front Range Community College’s presence. If we want to attract the kind of talent that carries Longmont into a productive future, we need to grow affordable, high-quality, child-care, attainable housing, and education options in Longmont sooner rather than later.

Reduction of Longmont’s Carbon Footprint

Every municipality in the world must commit to reduction of their carbon footprint. We owe this to future generations. If not now, when? If not us, then who?

Sustainability Plan

The best time to implement Longmont’s Sustainability Plan was 25 years ago. The next best time is now.

Longmont’s Sustainability Plan is thoughtful and comprehensive. While it addresses a variety of environmental concerns critical to Longmont’s future, my focus remains on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the strategic, consistent, and effective use of the Sustainability Evaluation System (SES). The SES is an organized collection of criterion and standards for evaluating potential development projects. It was initially developed to evaluate City of Longmont projects. We are now positioned to use it to evaluate private sector development proposals.

When considering approval of development projects, the SES evaluation process should ensure that future projects contribute to the “triple bottom line” of people (social equity), planet (the environment), and profit (to developers and broader economic benefits to the community).

Climate Action Taskforce Recommendations

If sustainability plans represent what we need to do over the next 25 years, then our Citizens Climate Emergency Taskforce recommendations are what we need to do now so we can think about Longmont 25 years from now.

In the summer of 2020, recommendations from the Citizens’ Climate Emergency Taskforce were accepted by City Council. Priorities were established for 27 recommendations based on their impact on the reduction of Longmont’s carbon footprint, the cost to implement, and the time required for implementation. The most promising of these recommendations are:

deployment of state-of-the art meters
public education and engagement
development of a beneficial electrification plan to be phased in over a 10-year period
Benchmarking of commercial buildings
Distributed energy resources
Commercial efficiency and rebates
Building codes
Low-income residential efficiency

The next Mayor and Council will need to remain disciplined in listening to members of the taskforce along with all Longmont residents in setting budget priorities for implementing the recommendations with the greatest impact on reduction of Longmont’s carbon footprint while mitigating potential negative, unintended impacts, on vulnerable members of the community.

Local Public Transportation Options

We need a clearer, shared, future-focused understanding concerning the future of local transportation.

Longmont needs a local transportation plan that integrates with a regional plan and that reflects the future of transportation. A sustained public engagement process, to educate all Longmont residents on the future of local transportation, should be implemented in 2022.

Current efforts are underway to consolidate transportation recommendations from multiple studies into a “transportation roadmap”. This effort needs to be vetted through a vision of the future of local transportation. This is likely to include autonomous electric vehicles, ride hailing or subscription services, and smaller electrified buses. All of these support living in Longmont without dependence on car ownership.

Regional Transportation Options

Mid-sized cities like Longmont deserve transportation plans that seamlessly connect them to both centers of commerce and transportation hubs.

Commuter rail to Longmont is long overdue. The only way to make this happen in the relatively near future is through a thoughtfully developed and effectively executed political strategy. Longmont needs to play a pivotal role in strategy development and implementation. If this is going to happen, Longmont’s Mayor must provide serious, focused, and persistent leadership along with City Council members in Longmont and the other municipalities in Boulder County.

Funding required to meet regional transportation solutions promised in the 2004 RTD “FasTracks” vote is unlikely to materialize any time soon. Longmont, along with RTD and other Boulder County municipalities, must organize and prepare to compete for additional (federal) funding. In addition, we need to recruit private sector investors, to deliver state-of-the art regional transportation solutions to Longmont. If FasTracks is not feasible in the near-term, then work needs to be done with other Boulder County elected officials, the RTD board, and others to identify and pursue creative alternatives.

Solid Waste Diversion

Longmont’s current efforts to divert solid waste from the landfill to recycling and composting centers are necessary, but insufficient for future reduction of our carbon footprint.

Longmont has made substantial progress in recent years on diverting solid waste from our landfill through our recycling and composting initiatives. It’s a good start. But, it’s only a start. The next Mayor and Council must work effectively with City of Longmont staff members, Longmont residents, County Commissioners, and service providers to create regional partnerships and solutions. This includes commercial landscapers, builders, the hospitality industry, and multi-family dwelling properties to divert solid waste from the landfill to commercial composting and recycling centers. Regional options for “hard to recycle” items in addition to demolition waste, building materials, and commercial composting, will have a meaningful impact on our zero-carbon goal.

Platt River Power Authority’s Integrated Resource Plan

PRPA is critical to achieving the City Council adopted goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Platt River Power Authority (PRPA) supplies Longmont with electricity. PRPA is critical to achieving our goal of 100% of electrical energy consumed by Longmont residents being generated by renewal energy sources (wind, solar, and hydro) by 2030. PRPA’s Integrated Resource Plan, which will be updated by 2025, needs to reflect their commitment to this goal. The City of Longmont is obligated to continue informing residents about progress toward the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and the composition of RRPA’s Integrated Resource Plan as it prepares the 2025 update.

Longmont | City Council (At-Large)

There are four strong candidates running for two seats. We have endorsed all four because they would all bring to the city the energy needed, however, we narrowed it down to our two top choices with an * by their name.

Tallis Salamatian (Endorsed)

Background: I started my first business when I was 19. Later I served as CEO of an aerospace company. I’m now devoted to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, as I taught at CU Boulder, published a book on business, hosted a TV show on public media, and volunteered with Energize Colorado to host business community events.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I’d like to expand the routes of public transit to reach Denver, Boulder, the airport, and the trailheads of our open spaces. We should also create multi-use paths for bikes, implement green technology for buses, and improve digital infrastructure for neighborhoods.

Housing: Attainable housing is beneficial for resident living conditions and workforce productivity. Increase stock of attainable homes by using smart development with new technology, and by converting office buildings into condos.
Homelessness: I work with the Our Center in Longmont, and I support programs that equip the homeless with the skills and training required to find available jobs and earn living wages.

Economic Growth: Extend the runway at our airport to bring in more flights and support more travelers. Promoting small business growth is also crucial. I would establish a unique startup environment in Longmont by using the strategic resources, manufacturing capabilities, and funding mechanisms that are already available.

Pandemic: Broaden the scope of which businesses qualify to receive assistance. Many startup companies that have raised hefty investments, but that have not yet generated revenue were excluded. Small companies need support to fulfill their potential, create their products, and advance our society.

DEI: As an immigrant of color, I strongly support diversity and oppose racism. But we need to also let every citizen express their opinions and foster a free exchange of ideas so we can engage in intellectual conversations about the topics.

Final Remarks: The anti-growth movement in Longmont is regressive and unsustainable. We can debate how or where to grow. But we must always strive to stimulate vibrant growth so we can improve our community, thrive in the future, and accommodate the younger generation of families and workers.

Jeremy Dejuan Johnson

Background: I’m originally from Alabama, but I’ve been a Longmont resident for ten years. I’m a veteran of the US Army. I worked in oil & gas for 16 years, and I own an insurance business. I also coach high school basketball, and I’m passionate about supporting the youth in our community.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Longmont is growing at a rapid rate that outpaced our current roadway system. The funding to expand Highway 66 should help. We need to add lanes and improve the stoplights at Highway 119 to reduce congestion during rush hours. We should allocate more funds to restore downtown Longmont and add more multi-use buildings to the area.

Housing: The affordable housing initiative lowered the amount of attainable homes available. Many workers have an income level that doesn’t qualify for subsidized homes. We need a happy medium between attainable and affordable, so workers can live here and we can benefit from their tax dollars.
Homelessness: Use taxpayer dollars to increase funding for organizations that provide support.

Economic Growth: Longmont was founded on small businesses. Family and community businesses are crucial. We’ve lost track of that, and so we need to let small businesses know that they’re needed in the community and that they’re pivotal for our survival.

Pandemic: People pay a certain debt to society, so if they qualify for unemployment they deserve assistance. For Longmont we need to help small businesses hire more people, ensure workers feel safe going back to work, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

DEI: I’m a true-born Christian, and God said that we were all created equal. Regardless of someone’s religious beliefs, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or financial status, in God’s eyes we’re all equal and our society needs to go back to those roots of treating people how we want to be treated.

Final Remarks: I don’t owe anything to any group, and instead I owe everything to the citizens of Longmont. I will always listen to their issues, create plans to solve their problems, and make sure our children know that we have them set up for success with our schools and recreation centers.

Aren Rodriguez (Incumbent) **(Endorsed*)**

Background: Born and raised in Longmont, I was a performing opera musician until 2012. Then I began running a real estate appraisal business. I served as the leader of the outreach and inclusion team for the BOCO Dems. I was then appointed as Zoning and Planning Commissioner. I’ve been on the council for the past four years.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Infrastructure is important, and water is a big issue right now. Modernize the water infrastructure system, and provide rebates for people installing low-flow toilets and taps. Upgrade our electric grid to handle increased power required for renewable energy. I’m dissatisfied with the poor service from RTD and support a supplemental municipal bus service.

Housing: Aim for 12 percent (+) affordable housing stock. Establish policy with an inclusionary zoning ordinance to get more funding. Then convert existing properties into affordable residential, get more land to build new dwellings, and update our designs to build a diverse range of aesthetically pleasing units.
Homelessness: Struggling, since we don’t have a camping ban. Address homelessness from a regional perspective to create universal strategies. Partner with non-profits to provide resources and shelters.

Economic Growth: Longmont is in a strong position. We don’t have commercial linkage fees, our commercial lease rates are more affordable, and so we have interest from many companies to relocate here. We should only provide economic incentives to companies that pay high wages. We should have new companies move into vacated spaces.

Pandemic: I was a proponent of unemployment benefits. Some employers aren’t willing to pay the necessity of the living wage, and seeing those wages finally go up has been a net positive from the pandemic.

DEI: As a former leader of the outreach and inclusion team, promoting DEI concepts has been a big priority. Our council deployed cultural brokers to identify the specific needs of groups and to help Longmont become an equitable community in all aspects of governing, including hiring, planning, development, energy, and water.

Final Remarks: In such divisive political times, it benefits the community to think about what community means. We’re all neighbors, we eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same stores, we’re all going through our issues and facing challenges, and so a little respect and kindness would go a long way towards bringing people together.

Diane Crist

Background: I’m a business growth professional, I’ve worked with small businesses for over 25 years. I typically help them develop business strategies, manage money, fulfill aspirations, and actualize dreams. Now I’d like to apply those strategic and financial skills to help the city implement new projects and achieve goals.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Longmont needs to get on board with hyperloop. The high-speed, magnetic, passenger pod system would go 700 mph (fastest rail system in the world). The hyperloop would solve many problems; allowing residents to travel quickly to other cities, enable people to also reach Longmont, and minimize traffic congestion on the roads and greenhouse gases.

Housing: Rapid population growth and limited house building has increased market prices. Building more units and keeping taxes low can help reduce costs on landlords, rates for renters, and prices for homebuyers.
Homelessness: It’s best to identify why they became homeless and then solve those problems. Some fell beneath the poverty line, so we should equip them with jobs, while others were harmed by drugs or mental issues and so we should provide them with treatment.

Economic Growth: All the parts relate to community growth like a symphony. We should be attracting big companies to the city, and cultivating exciting small businesses so they can grow. But we should locate the businesses in pockets where people live because letting everyone walk to the shops and restaurants enhances the camaraderie of the neighborhoods, the profits of the companies, and the revenue for the city.

Pandemic: The pandemic was hard on small businesses because receiving assistance was difficult; many local companies worried they would go bankrupt. Small businesses badly need the support and that keeps all of their money in the town; we should provide those similar financial incentives, land deals, and tax breaks to small businesses.

DEI: I support DEI. I love that my neighborhood is an immigrant community with diverse races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and ages. This inclusive atmosphere is a trend throughout Longmont. I hope the DEI movement can create that same sense of diversity, compassion, and camaraderie throughout our entire society.

Final Remarks: We’re a military family. My husband was military, and so were both of my sons. This is my way of serving my community. I’m very passionate about Longmont and I love its residents, but we’re under distress so I want to help address our issues and improve our city.

Shaquita Yarbrough **(Endorsed*)**

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.shiquita4loco.com

From the website:

I have spent most of the last decade deeply investing my time in the Longmont and Boulder County community. From serving on nonprofit Boards like KGNU Community Radio to the League of Women Voters, to supporting racial equity work with my role at the YWCA of Boulder County, my commitment to this community is evident.

In addition to the many organizations I work with, I’m also a single mom who has struggled to find affordable housing. When I moved here in 2012, it was hard enough. I often filled the financial gaps by working two jobs or earning supplemental income, just to make ends meet. Now, when I should be established, when it should be getting easier, it feels just as hard. I know it feels that way for so many families in Longmont who I will fight for on city council.

Housing: Accessible and affordable housing must be a priority for this community to thrive.

Transportation: We must ensure that public transit is available for all Longmont residents, not just commuters.

Youth: Hearing from the young people in our community, the next generation of leaders, is what will create a strong future for Longmont.

Current Work Experience

Founder, Yarbrough Consulting: Providing training for nonprofits and small business on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promote personal growth in anti-racism through racial equity retreats.
Co-Founder, Families of Color Colorado: Providing families of color with opportunities to express and share cultural values, struggles, and successes
Director of Community Engagement and Equity, YWCA of Boulder County: Coordinating community events, trainings, and forums for continued dialogue and learning on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Current Volunteerism

Board Member – League of Women Voters of Boulder County (January 2015 to Present)
Board Member – KGNU Community Radio (August 2017 to Present)
Board Member – Longmont Housing and Human Services Advisory Board (2019 to Present)

Sean McCoy (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.mccoyforlongmont.com

From the website:

I am a 56 year old Longmont native. I attended Central Elementary, Longs Peak Junior High, and graduated from Longmont High in 1984. I have an undergraduate degree in political science, masters in education, and I am only a pesky dissertation away from a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Colorado. I have been married to my wife Maureen O’Brien-McCoy for 29 years and we have two beautiful adult daughters Claire (Silver Creek, class of 2014) and Mollie (Silver Creek, class of 2018).

I was a Longmont city council member from 2007 to 2011 and fought for many issues throughout my term including affordable housing and the right for the public to speak at council meetings. I had been on multiple boards and commissions prior to serving as a Longmont City Councilperson, including

Longmont Housing and Human Services Commission
Longmont Planning and Zoning Commission
Longmont Police Standards board
Boulder County Open Space commission

While on council I continued my service, including

Longmont Museum Board
Liaison to the Art in Public Places commission
Golf Board
Longmont Housing and Human Services Board
Longmont Youth Council.

I have earned a Bronze Level Certification from the National League of Cities for the professional development courses I took while serving the community of Longmont. After my council term I served on the

Historic Preservation Commission
BVSD District Accountability Committee
Colorado State Future Business Leaders of America Board of Directors representing District 2 FBLA Business Programs (SVVSD, BVSD, Westminster, and the Denver Metro Area)

I teach US government at Monarch High School and believe as a teacher. I believe I would bring to the City Council a strong grasp of the serious issues concerning Longmont’s residents, including transportation (RTD or AMTRAK rail lines), affordable housing and homelessness. During the past year these important community issues have become more prevalent than ever before. With COVID many people have had to go outside of our community to gain a livable income, without access to a rail in between commuter communities from Longmont to Denver this challenge of commuting to work to many has become insurmountable. With access to public transportation throughout the front range we would be able to help our fellow citizens gain access to higher paying jobs in outside communities for their field and bring in new talent from other communities as well. With layoffs and wage cuts from 2020 still showing its true repercussions we are entering an era of extreme need for affordable housing. As individuals struggle to make a living wage we as a community must lift our neighbor up, and help them to have a place to lay their head. We don’t only want to give them a place to stay but also a place to raise their families and help to hopefully contribute to the end of generational poverty. The first way to end homelessness and poverty is to give people a house, and the tools they need to succeed.

Longmont | City Council (Ward 2)

Marcia Martin (Incumbent/Uncontested)

Background: I’m a software engineer. I was the first woman to become a research fellow at the Storage Technology Corporation. I joined Smart Grid Communications to work with renewable distribution technologies. When I joined the council four years ago, the city was transitioning to renewables and I was uniquely qualified to help facilitate that transition.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I was the (‘19) liaison for the Climate Action Task force to help the city set goals to lower greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewables, and now we’re implementing those recommendations. Many areas of infrastructure need upgrades. We must improve the water, sewer, and electric distribution.

Housing: Affordable homes for single families might be out of reach for low-income residents. Use multi-family arrangements such as duplexes, condos, and townhouses. Reclaim asphalt being wasted as unused parking lots to build affordable multi-family units.
Homelessness: Low-income housing would reduce homelessness. Ensure that people who need city services to stay housed know how to utilize those. Provide transitional housing for people trying to escape the homeless lifestyle.

Economic Growth: Increasing our urban density and building workforce housing can help us attract more companies and generate more revenue. We should also build recreational amenities and entertainment venues to bring tourists and increase the profits of our businesses.

Pandemic: I advocated for unemployment benefits. The biggest problem was that the pandemic broke day care, as many day care services had to close due to health issues, staff shortages, and COVID protocols… which prevented many parents from being able to return to work. Increasing day care capabilities can help alleviate workforce problems.

DEI: I don’t oppose anything about the DEI movement except for the ‘defund the police’ phrase. We have an exceptional police force that is in good shape and that doesn’t need reform. But we should always strive to improve hiring practices, training programs, and DEI education.

Final Remarks: My contribution to policy and implementation is that I’m a big picture thinker. When it comes to solving Longmont’s problems we’re all in this together, and all the parts fit together regarding urban density, traffic congestion, the housing market, and economic growth.

Louisville | City Council (Ward 1)

Keith Keller (Endorsed)

Background: Education – engineering degrees and MBA. Work experience – 25 years technical project management. Community service – served 2 years on city historical commission and 1.5 years on historical preservation commission

Infrastructure and Transportation: Repair aging roads and bridges, add pedestrian underpasses throughout the city to provide safe passages for pedestrian and bicycle traffic crossing railroad tracks and busy highways.

Housing: Update city zoning laws to allow creation of smaller residential lots with smaller, more affordable homes. Allow accessory dwelling units (ADU) on existing residential lots which would increase the inventory of available dwelling units within the city.

Economic Growth: Repurpose vacant commercial property in the city (such as Sam’s Club, Kohl’s, Alfalfa’s market) for new residential developments. These empty buildings are no longer providing a service or tax revenue for the city.

DEI: I support equality and fair treatment of all residents, regardless of nationality, gender, skin color, or sexual orientation. This applies to education, occupation, and housing opportunities.

Final Remarks: My primary objectives are to promote more affordable housing options and environmentally-friendly city policies.

Chris Leh (Incumbent)

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.lehforlouisville.org

From their website:

Sustainability

Climate change and the threats it poses to the planet and our City are real. We have limited time to make prudent, meaningful progress in reducing greenhouse gases. Our City has an important role to play. That’s why I voted for and continue to champion the Sustainability Action Plan. I’m also strongly supporting the bag tax on the Louisville ballot in November. I also look forward to ensuring that our land use decisions reflect our community’s commitment to sustainability.

Reduction of Aircraft Noise & Disruption

Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) is located about 6 miles from Louisville. It has become Colorado’s third busiest airport. But that growth has come at the expense of our community, which has suffered disproportionately from aircraft overflights and noise. RMMA is an important regional economic engine. But we need to continue to work with the newly-formed Airport Community Noise Roundtable, and our regional, state, and federal partners to reduce to promote voluntary noise abatement procedures. We also need to engage the regional FAA and the federal Air Traffic Control to permanently route air traffic away from residential and commercial areas.

Protection and Maintenance of Open Space, Parks & Trails

Louisville has an extraordinary collection of Open Space properties, parks, and trails. Most recently, Council played a crucial part in the purchase of the Mayhoffer property, which for many years was the most sought-after target of our Open Space acquisition strategy! At the same time, we need to improve substantially our maintenance of existing trails and parks. Finally, I intend to encourage the construction of several smaller dog parks around the City to take some pressure off the Davidson Mesa and Community Park dog parks.

Affordable Housing

Louisville provided a diversity of housing options for many decades. That is partly responsible for building the small town character we treasure. More recently, housing prices have skyrocketed throughout our region.

We owe it to residents who soon may not be able to afford to live here anymore. We owe it to those who would contribute to the richness of our community but cannot afford to move here. One way to do that is to increase the supply of permanently affordable housing. Along with other Boulder County municipalities, Louisville jointly committed to increase the supply of permanently affordable housing over the next 15 years. Our City is almost built out. It will take a creative, multi-faceted, and strategic approach to achieve the goal. We should consider allowing affordable housing in some areas, such as those that are likely to be redeveloped or are near public transit. Providing targeted incentives, such as expediting review of some land use applications and waiving some fees and design rules Twill be useful to consider. The upcoming revision of our City’s Comprehensive Plan will give us an opportunity to have a robust public discussion about affordable housing.

Open for Business

Louisville businesses supply us and the world with goods and services, create jobs, and generate a large portion of our City’s tax revenue. That helps us to maintain roads, provide clean drinking water, ensure safety of our residents and others, and so much more. We need to be mindful of the crucial role that the business community plays. We should demonstrate that our City is welcoming to business activity. Consistent with other City policies, we should ensure that our City’s ordinances and regulations, decisions, and actions help foster their success and growth. We should sustain an ongoing dialogue with the business community in order to encourage their continued positive contributions to Louisville.

Underpasses & Connectivity in the City

Some of Louisville’s major arterial streets generally serve us and the region well, but they can and do inhibit connectivity between different parts of our city. This has adverse impacts on safety of kids and adults alike, whether they are pedestrians and cyclists who use our walkways and trails for getting to and from school or work, shopping at stores or eating at restaurants, for traveling between our community and others. Because of these challenges, I have supported the construction of underpasses to help improve safety, energize commercial activity that comes with greater connectivity, and enable the completion of our trail system and its use for recreation and for travel as an alternative to driving. I also support the bond issue on the November ballot – its passage will enable Louisville to build additional underpasses, including at Main/South Boulder Road, Via Appia/South Boulder Road, South Street/Highway 42, and Bullhead Gulch in Steel Ranch, and make at-grade improvements.

City Manager Selection

One of the most important responsibilities City Council is choosing our City Manager, who carries out the policies and directives of the Council. Our City Manager recently stepped down after 4 years of outstanding service to Louisville in that position and more than 20 years overall. A nationwide search for her successor is underway. The City Council will then interview and then select a candidate. I believe we need a new City Manager who will communicate and collaborate well with Councilmembers and carry out the priorities it sets; will deeply value our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion; will be visible to the community; and will lead City staff to help Louisville to become an even better play to live, work, and visit!

Louisville | City Council (Ward 2)

Maxine Most

Running unopposed.

Learn more: www.most4louisville.com

From the website:

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

The unmistakable impacts of climate change can no longer be ignored. We are seeing this on a global, national, and local scale. Louisville should be a leader in all aspects of sustainable living….

From government processes and infrastructure, to retail and commercial spaces, to our schools and homes.

I will fight to make Louisville a beacon for what is possible while helping make our little corner of the world a better place for generations to come.

THRIVING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

Louisville is a great place to live, work, and play. To keep it this way, we need to maintain our small-town character and feel while prioritizing:

Parks and open spaces
Infrastructure that works us all.
Support for the arts, entertainment, innovation, and entrepreneurs.
Retail that meets community needs and provides a strong sales tax base.
Inclusive support of all community members regardless of age, race, religion, ability or disability, gender identity, orientation, or family status??

I believe our City Council and professional staff – driven by community values – should strive to create the highest vision of what our community can be.

SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL BEING

Let’s make sure Louisville continues to be one of the best places in the state and the nation to raise a family, be a young professional, or retire with security and dignity. This means:

Safe routes to school and other expanded pedestrian and bike access.
Minimizing greenhouse emissions.
Quiet and peaceful skies and neighborhoods
Maintaining and expanding community, recreational, senior, and special needs services and facilities.

I am committed to approaching these issues, and all the challenges we face, with honesty, integrity, innovation, and compassion.

Kyle Brown

Running unopposed.

Learn more: https://kyleforlouisville.com

From the website:

I grew up in Louisville and have been a member of this community nearly my entire life. I want the best for my family and all families in Louisville. I am a lifelong public servant and my experience sets me apart. I am currently leading efforts to provide new, high quality, affordable health insurance options to people in Louisville and all Coloradans. I have advised two Colorado Governors as well as senior U.S. Senators, crafting legislation and advocating to protect health coverage for everyone.

A Vibrant Economy

Attracting and retaining local businesses.
COVID-19 relief to Louisville businesses totaling $1 million.
Expanding economic development efforts including implementing a new strategic plan.

Sustainability

Taking climate action by securing 100% of our electricity from renewable energy.
Expanding open space by using our open space fund to preserve and protect properties.
Reducing plastic bag use by implementing our new, voter approved fee.

Protecting our small town

Ensuring that new developments are consistent with the small town we love.
Preserving our historic old town through landmarking of properties
Fighting airport noise and excessive traffic, while promoting quiet zones.
Supporting the library and our historical museum while expanding opportunities to celebrate Louisville through the arts.

A Louisville for All

Making housing in Louisville more affordable.
Assisting those most impacted by the COVID-19 economic downturn, by providing utility assistance and other economic assistance through community organizations.
Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and promoting policies that make sure everyone is welcome in Louisville.

Westminster | Mayor

Anita Seitz (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

Background: I have been on city council since 2013. I have served as the Environmental Advisory Board liaison, the Planning Commission, and the Youth Advisory Panel. I was formerly the president of the Colorado Communities for Climate Action, director of the Denver Regional Council of Governance, and treasurer for the North Area Transportation Alliance. I’m proud of my record and the progress of the city.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Some of our infrastructure needs to be upgraded. Our new comprehensive transportation plan integrates multimodal capabilities into the city, such as additional stations for public transit, increased lanes for biking, and enhanced walkability. I understand concerns about water rates, but we need a new treatment center for our water, and so we created a three-tier system that enables households who use less water to also pay lower bills.

Housing: We implemented the city’s first housing plan. We added over 700 affordable housing units. Affordable units will also be included in the new downtown. We want to preserve the beautiful atmosphere of our open spaces. I got $1.4 million in the budget for open space acquisition.
Homelessness: We have professional navigators who can meet with homeless people, connect them with services, and ensure access to mental health vouchers, food meal services, and nonprofit shelters.

Economic Growth: We’ve brought over 20 new businesses to Westminster, added over 4,000 new jobs, and generated substantial revenue. We’re implementing a holistic development plan. This focuses on economic resilience to support small businesses, cultivate entrepreneurs, and promote placemaking investments.

Pandemic: The unemployment benefits were crucial for the economy, and I’m glad we chose not to furlough any city employees during the crises. But the pandemic facilitated a transition in which many people are reshaping their careers and modifying their priorities. We recently raised the minimum wage to $15 in the city, and companies will likewise need to increase the wage rates and improve the working conditions to meet the demands of this new workforce.

DEI: We have DEI consulting to guide government operations, an Inclusivity Board to understand the needs of different groups, and a mental health program in the police department to de-escalate situations. Some people might be uncomfortable with cultural changes or increased diversity. But change is always uncomfortable, and we must be more considerate, thoughtful, and inclusive as a society.

Final Remarks: In every decision I make I try to focus on sustainability so I can really understand how our decisions and actions impact the social, environmental, and fiscal strength of our community now and in the future. I’m proud of my track record on the council, and I’d like to keep working with all of Westminster into the future.

Nancy McNally

Background: I was Mayor of Westminster from 2004 – 2013. I taught leadership development for 20 years and trained women. I’m a facilitator for Christian churches in Westminster. I’m running for mayor to offer my leadership skills, solve problems that I see happening, and train the next generation of council members to be exceptional leaders.

Infrastructure and Transportation: FastTracks isn’t going to happen in our corridor. We have good bus service. Regarding infrastructure, our roads have become a mess over the last 8 years, our residents are angry about the high water rates, and so we have to address those two issues.

Housing: Developers can build affordable houses, but we need to account for longevity. We need contracts to ensure the prices of the houses stay low in the future.
Homelessness: For the homeless, we need churches and nonprofits to offer food so they don’t starve and shelter so they don’t freeze.

Economic Growth: With the pandemic, I blame the panic-stricken doom-and-gloom people for scaring everyone about the virus and for discouraging us from going out. Our businesses suffered from that, so now we need to host roundtables to learn what businesses need, what changes we can make, and how we can help them recover.

Pandemic: I resent that the government was giving people more than they were making on their job. That removed any incentive for them to ever return to work, and now every store I see has a “help wanted” sign on the window.

DEI: For Westminster, I support us being a welcoming community, showing compassion for everyone, and remaining civil even when we disagree.

Final Remarks: I want every resident of Westminster to know that their voice matters in this city, we have a lot to offer for everybody, and I urge people to get involved with any matter they are passionate about and to become part of the solution.

Westminster | City Council

Kristine Ireland

Background: I’ve lived here for 35 years. I have management experience in retail, and my husband and I have run several small businesses. I’ve also been on the HOA as treasurer. I kept dues down because I used money wisely, and that’s what I would also do on the city council.

Infrastructure and Transportation: City planners focus on high-density housing but infrastructure can’t sustain the high volume of people coming to the city, and the high-density housing is occupying a substantial amount of our open space. The water situation: we have outrageous rates, make sacrifices to compensate for the costs, and many neighborhoods have brown lawns.

Housing: Corporations are buying up neighborhoods to flip the houses, which makes it impossible for first-time homebuyers to purchase. It should be illegal. We should offer low-income housing for residents who are trying to better their lives by attending school or fulfilling jobs.
Homelessness: Provide people who want help with the resources they need to become self-reliant.

Economic Growth: We should focus more on retail and less on high-density housing. We don’t have enough parking spaces because high-density housing developments don’t provide enough spots, so the difficulty of parking can discourage people from shopping at our centers.

Pandemic: Unemployment benefits were good during the pandemic, but now that the pandemic is subsiding we should end the benefits to encourage people to go back to work and help companies find employees.

DEI: I don’t think most Americans are racist, so I don’t think that they want that implication perpetuated throughout society and I don’t think we should be teaching children that they’re racist in our schools. The divisiveness is bad for the country, and there are issues we can all come together on.

Final Remarks: I got into this race because I love the city of Westminster. I’m disappointed to see the problems that are occurring. I want to help develop solutions to our problems and improve the conditions of our community.

Kathryn Skulley (Incumbent) (Endorsed)

Background: I’ve lived here for 29 years, and I’ve worked at Front Range Community College as a professor, advisor, and director. My experience on council and community longevity enhanced my knowledge of our history and visions for our future. My biggest qualifications are the ability to conduct research, analyze information, and determine good pathways.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Maintain our roads, fix problems, and provide efficient transportation. We should create a system where we can instead walk, bike, and bus. With water, rates are high, but we live in a desert city where water is scarce, our treatment center needs to be replaced, and we must ensure that all residents can access clean water.

Housing: We have to spread out affordable homes and ensure they are placed near transit, schools, and open spaces. Our council added 800 new units of affordable housing, and mid-level and luxury housing, and the new downtown will also include twenty percent affordable housing.
Homelessness: I’ve been working with our two counties and neighboring cities to put in homeless navigators that track the homeless population and ensure services, food access, and shelters.

Economic Growth: We alleviate costs on residents by having the lowest property tax rates (city level) in the metro area. For sales tax, our majority source of income, bringing Ball Aerospace, Max Mart, and Trimble into the city helped provide jobs and revenue. We attracted them by providing transportation and housing for workers.

Pandemic: We worked with experts to keep businesses open and workers employed. We facilitated non-profit food pantries, outdoor restaurant dining, outdoor library systems, testing and vaccination sites, and funding to open spaces so everyone could enjoy the parks during the pandemic.

DEI: I’ve always advocated for minority rights and we have an LGBTQ member in the family. Equity relates to everything, including housing, infrastructure, education, and employment. We must achieve equity by providing our most marginalized populations with opportunities to use their skills, fulfill their goals, earn a living, and remain included.

Final Remarks: We shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the challenges we need to overcome. I call it the ‘wheel of concern.’ We should take each issue one step at a time so we can ensure that all citizens have equity, food, water, safety, roads, and everything they need to thrive.

David DeMott (Incumbent)

Background: I work as an IT professional at the executive management level, I also teach part-time to instruct the next generation, and I have been serving on the city council for the last four years.

Infrastructure and Transportation: Expensive water rates hurt our neighborhoods. It’s important to maintain the infrastructure so the water is safe to use, but ensure affordability. Improving our roads is another main issue. Our paving index has dropped, so we need to use our tax revenue to increase the funding and improve the quality of our roads.

Housing: Partner with builders to increase the affordable units. Spread these units throughout the city and mix them with other properties to increase the socioeconomic diversity. Offer affordable stock for both young families and retiring seniors.
Homelessness: Identify the challenges regarding mental health and substance abuse, provide resources, and balance their needs with public safety.

Economic Growth: We have to continue our relationships with the big businesses in the city. But small businesses are crucial because they create the jobs, help the community, and provide the tax revenue that helps us maintain our parks and provide our water. Thus, we must remove all barriers to make it easy for big businesses to move here and for small businesses to succeed here.

Pandemic: The length of unemployment has made it hard for companies to find workers. But I support the city helping businesses operate during the pandemic by providing necessary resources, protective gear, and updated information.

DEI: I’m a big believer in liberty as the greatest aspect of the country. Liberty means we should allow other people to live the way they want without society obstructing their lifestyles, but liberty also means we need to accept other people even when we disagree with their views.

Final Remarks: We live in a representative government, which means the government answers to the people. It’s been a pleasure to represent Westminster for the last four years, the interests of the city are my only priority, and I would appreciate representing the city for the next four years as well.

Kathleen Dodaro

Background: I have 35 years of experience working as a human resource manager and organizational leader in various industries, including oil & gas, health care, and manufacturing. I’ve started three businesses. Now I teach as a full-time professor in the master’s program at Regis University.

Infrastructure and Transportation: I am committed to conducting research to identify what areas of infrastructure can help us best manage controlled growth. Be transparent regarding the budget, be judicious regarding how we allocate funds, and prioritize which areas require the most attention and which projects can most effectively solve the given problems.

Housing: Collaborate with builders to establish low-income housing. The city claimed they were going to build low-income housing, but the prices wound up being $1,700 a month. That’s not conducive for low-income residents. We need a new plan to build low-income houses and place them in ideal locations.

Economic Growth: We need a comprehensive plan to attract all kinds of businesses to move and operate here. The plan needs to cater to small, independent, and big businesses so we can ensure that diverse companies are successful in the city and that we have lucrative tax revenue to fund our services.

Pandemic: We can overcome the pandemic by increasing sustainable work opportunities for residents, by supporting the businesses in our city, and by providing the companies with the resources they need to achieve success and hire workers.

DEI: We need to value each other. I prioritize diversity as an absolute necessity in any community or organization, and I have experience in achieving that goal through the work I’ve done teaching diversity and through my time serving as an affirmative action officer.

Final Remarks: I’m a lifelong resident of Westminster. I care about the community, I’ve been a successful leader for organizations in the past, and now I want to apply my leadership skills for the city as we forge into the future.

Karen Kalavity

Background: I’m a landscape architect and site planner. With the high water rates being such a huge problem in Westminster, my unique knowledge and beneficial skills regarding effective and inexpensive water treatment methods are highly conducive for the needs of the city at this moment.

Infrastructure and Transportation: The city is stealing water from reservoirs and open spaces. Now they’re building an expensive infrastructure system with outdated water treatment methods. We should use holistic, progressive, and biological water treatment methods to improve water quality and reduce bills. For transit, redesign downtown to be walkable, and implement a shuttle system so people can get around town.

Housing: Rent control is the biggest problem. We’re allowing rent to be raised by 20 percent every year. We should change that policy and restrict annual rent increases.
Homelessness: The 2008 housing crisis, the ensuing recession, and the lack of affordable housing have all exacerbated homelessness. We can best manage the problem by providing more affordable condos and rent-controlled apartment units.

Economic Growth: We should change our priorities regarding commercial development. We emphasize large retail chains and fast food restaurants. Focusing instead on small businesses, local companies, and exciting shops would attract larger crowds downtown and provide more tax revenue for our city.

Pandemic: We should encourage residents to support locally owned shops. However, the vaccine mandates have been detrimental for businesses and are unnecessary for our community.

DEI: I’m glad that our society is finally recognizing the abuses and prejudices inflicted upon minorities and immigrants. But we should also address the Native American community that often gets neglected and that needs more resources.

Final Remarks: I want to represent Westminster because I love the city, I love the people, and I love the beauty of our open spaces and mountain views.

Sarah Nurmela (Endorsed)

Background: I have 20 years of experience working for cities in urban planning, economic development, and city management. I worked for Westminster for eight of those. I helped plan the new downtown, where I managed real estate by establishing the hotel, office, commercial, and affordable housing for the site.

Infrastructure and Transportation: A lot of our infrastructure is aging out of its life span. We need to improve city infrastructure. For transportation, we need to develop creative solutions with regional partners to provide public transit options, expanded bus services, and extended rail lines.

Housing: Provide ownership opportunities so residents can accumulate wealth, achieve generational stability, and invest into our community. Forming partnerships with the county and private developers would enable us to build mixed-use, affordable, and senior units to accommodate diverse income levels and unique housing needs.
Homelessness: Meet the immediate needs by supplying food and shelter. Address causes so we can provide them with assistance and connect them to services before they become homeless.

Economic Growth: This new economy is going to be more local and based on small businesses. Form partnerships with financial institutions, enable local companies to access capital funds, and provide loan programs so residents can open small businesses and entrepreneurs can develop innovative products. Diversify our revenue stream by capitalizing on the sales tax revenue from marijuana dispensaries.

Pandemic: Job security is a quality that workers value most and that was absent from the previous economy. The city should encourage companies to provide increased job security, higher wage rates, and better employee benefits to more effectively attract available workers.

DEI: We need to remove the racial inequities in our system. We need to focus on providing all groups with equal access to high-quality education, homeownership capabilities, and other wealth building opportunities. The message of inclusivity and equity in the DEI movement will increase compassion among citizens and enhance the camaraderie of our society.

Final Remarks: I’m also on the Westminster Environmental Advisory Board, so I want to see us make better strides on sustainability to protect our environment, mitigate climate change, and conserve our resources.

Bruce Baker

Background: I went to high school in Lakewood, graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Pharmacy, and then I spent three years as a lieutenant in the Army and another 38 years as a retail pharmacist.

Infrastructure and Transportation: The exorbitant price of water is damaging the city. They want to increase the population, but we don’t need an increased population because the growth just raises water rates and reduces open space. We don’t need to focus on mass transit; we’re a suburb that should embrace cars.

Housing: I don’t support population growth and so I don’t support new housing, affordable or luxury. We have finite limits, and we shouldn’t be jamming in apartments while water is being taken away from residents.
Homelessness: We should not enable homelessness, and now our programs are enabling it by giving them food, clothing, and shelter. They think they’re doing a good thing, but in the long run they’re not because it’s like giving alcohol to an alcoholic.

Economic Growth: We stimulate growth by making Westminster a desirable and beautiful city with green lawns in the neighborhoods. The incentives the government gives out increase the greed of developers. We should stop the incentives, and businesses should come here because it’s pretty, safe, and easy to get around in cars.

Pandemic: People need a reason to work. For many people work is part of their identity, and for other people it’s to make money. But if you have a pleasant place for people to live, it will be a pleasant place for people to work.

DEI: Westminster recently engaged in an abusive instance of depriving voter rights. In 2020 a group gathered signatures for a recall. The council clerk used city lawyers and money to throw out signatures, challenge the petition, and drag out the process. I think it was a blatant wrong to suppress the voters and obstruct the recall.

Final Remarks: If we don’t have enough water for people to water their front lawns, how can we have enough water to build new apartment complexes?

BVSD School Board Director (District B)

Nicole Rajpal

Background: MS in Curriculum & Instruction. Worked as a Dietitian at Children’s Hospital and as Adjunct Faculty at FRCC. Parent of 2 BVSD students, volunteered in their schools over [the] past 8 years. Served on the School Accountability Committees (SAC) (two schools) for 9 years. Represented those schools on the BVSD District Accountability Committee for 6 years, two as chairperson.

Pandemic: Rely on recommendations from our public health partners. I believe the layered approach, and high rate of vaccine participation, has allowed in-person learning to occur as safely as possible. If cases rise, I would like BVSD to consider increasing the frequency of its school-based coronavirus screening program.

Infrastructure: BVSD relies on bonds and mills, or the BEST Grant to support improvements; PTOs are stepping in to purchase furniture and equipment which is inequitable. Top of mind projects include: upgrades and expansions of high school facilities, electrifying our bus fleet, athletic facilities and grounds maintenance.

Students and Staff: Ensure that our students have equitable access to high quality courses and programs. Implement the Strategic Plan and Unified Improvement Plan. Continue to leverage parent engagement groups. Build on relationships with local governments and organizations. Ensure district staff is supporting and training our teachers so they can meet student needs.

Sustainability: Think about transportation, facilities, and green building practices. BVSD is working to improve and promote safe walking/biking routes, and is encouraging carpooling. Work with localities to improve bus routes and include electric busses. I would like to see all 56 BVSD schools participate in the Green Star Schools program.

DEI: Our staff should be teaching standards adopted by the state and district; CRT isn’t one of them. Students and staff should see themselves, their families, and the richness of their ancestral histories reflected. It is important to have honest, age appropriate, conversations about our histories and to challenge discrimination and bias.

Final Remarks: I have spent 8 years meeting with, learning from, and advocating for BVSD. I understand the varying issues and perspectives. I care deeply about the success of BVSD. By working together, elevating historically marginalized voices, and leveraging talent we can create the conditions for BVSD to flourish.

William Hamilton (Endorsed)

Background: Former bilingual elementary teacher. Served on the board of trustees of two schools. Currently serves as the Vice President of Foothill Elementary PTO. Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and MBA in International Marketing. Transitioned to the business world and worked as a technical educator and project manager. I have two young children.

Pandemic: The best way to ensure that students can learn in-person, without masks, is for everyone who can get vaccinated to do so. Science shows that masks work to lower transmission rates indoors. BVSD should maintain masks inside until Boulder and Broomfield Health Departments determine that they are no longer necessary.

Infrastructure: The “digital divide” needs to be addressed to reduce the achievement gap. The district needs to look at Information Technology across the district to ensure that all students have equitable access to devices and internet access. This includes getting internet access to students when they are outside of school grounds.

Students and Staff: Teachers need training on how to assist struggling learners, especially teachers in schools with high levels of inequity. BVSD needs to provide extra support (specialists and paraprofessionals) to English language learners to ensure they do not fall behind in coursework due to a language barrier.

Sustainability: BVSD needs to transition all buses to electric. I would also like to see solar panels on all schools that have roofs to support it. The district also needs to look at school boundary lines to reduce or remove the drive times for families.

DEI: We must include honest conversations about America’s history on our campuses. A shared, honest understanding of the past bridges divides. Students must be taught the history of race to understand how legal systems and policies (e.g. Jim Crow laws) came about. Trust kids to make up their mind about the facts.

Final Remarks: My experience as a teacher, technical educator and project manager will allow me to make the best decisions for BVSD. As a married gay man with two mixed-race children, diversity is key to my life and my campaign. I will provide a diverse voice to the Board of Education.

Gala Orba

Withdrew from race.

BVSD School Board Director (District B)

Beth Niznik

Background: I have been in education for over 15 years; as a special education teacher, school psychologist, and special education administrator. I work with CDE as a special education conflict mediator. I am the parent of a first-grader. My professional experience on every level prepared me to serve.

Pandemic: I am pro-in-person learning, with layered measures of protection until otherwise directed by health experts. I would support vaccines for students as well. We need to have a good relationship with the state to facilitate seamless support, open communication with teachers and parents, and school board leadership that can be responsive.

Infrastructure: We have a bus driver shortage and with increasing concerns around climate we need to incentivize students to take alternative means of transportation. We must do this with an eye to safety. This is not consistent across BVSD; not all students have a safe path to school.

Students and Staff: Declining enrollment will be a major challenge. Fewer students means less funding. Priorities lie in creating a sustainable budget. We have a staff shortage on multiple levels. We need to attract, hire, and retain the most talented, diverse workforce possible. We need to support policies that narrow the achievement and opportunity gaps.

Sustainability: I think reducing the carbon footprint for BVSD requires coordination between the district and the city in the area of transportation. I would support electrification of our buses, incentivizing alternative modes of transportation (e.g., bike to school), and finding novel ways to increase the efficiency of our current transportation infrastructure.

DEI: I am in favor of taking a look at BVSD’s curriculum and approach to race relations education. It is undeniable that we have issues to address. I support rewriting the narrative to represent history more accurately. As a board member, I would rely upon the recommendations of the Equity Council.

Final Remarks: I am prepared and I am willing to put in the work to represent all of BVSD. My tagline is “we’re all in this together”. A vote for me is a vote for collaborative leadership, for someone who can bring a broad level of experience to our board and address the challenges ahead.

Deann Bucher (Endorsed)

Background: Boulder County resident for 35 years. Boulder Valley teacher for 27 out of my 31 years in education. I am licensed as a teacher and a principal and have a Master’s degree in Information and Learning Technology. I have been an instructor at CU Boulder and Jones International University.

Pandemic: Support wearing masks so that we can offer in-person classes. Students are struggling with focus, following directions, and working with others. As the number of students, staff, and teachers with the vaccine increases, the more schools can return to normal.

Infrastructure: BVSD has done a great job adding security to all schools and AC to many older schools. The infrastructure problems of the future will involve analysis of shifting demographics in the district. The result of these demographics could involve closing some buildings and sharing the resources of the school district.

Students and Staff: Expand the reach of the district to make partnership agreements with local healthcare providers. Expand our offerings of tech ed/vocational training. Address the achievement gap. Resolving this gap will take not only a monetary commitment but implementation over years to come.

Sustainability: Schools need to be role models in chasing energy work! Making a commitment toward replacing outdated HVAC and transportation equipment, reducing traffic to schools, and providing access to programs that allow students to pursue careers in this field are imperative.

DEI: I have been working for 20 years to make the curriculum more inclusive and diverse. My work with the Boulder Latino History Project has been pivotal. I work with the NAACP Boulder Education Committee to the continued advancement of social justice in the world.

Final Remarks: My daughter graduated HS in 2020 and I simultaneously retired from teaching. I had the rich opportunity to be an out member of the LGBTQI community while in the profession. I aim to be the first out school board member for BVSD, where we can continue pursuing educational equity for all.

Kara Awaitha Frost

No transcript available due to recording error.

BVSD School Board Director (District F)

Kitty Sargent

Running unopposed.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/sargentforbvsd/

From the landing page:

As a former teacher and BVSD parent, Kitty has always been passionate about children. Her involvement with BVSD began in 1993, when her older daughter entered kindergarten, and lasted until 2012, when her younger daughter graduated from high school. During those years she was very involved at the school and district level. Kitty volunteered in the classroom and spent plenty of long nights helping her kids (and their friends) with homework and extracurricular activities.

After several years as a stay at home mom, Kitty attended graduate school, earned a Master of Social Work, and embarked on a career of child abuse prevention. During that time she worked all over Boulder County teaching classes on mandatory reporting laws and sexual abuse prevention.

During graduate school Kitty also developed a strong interest in public policy and has volunteered at the State Capitol assisting lawmakers with education and healthcare related strategy.

Now Kitty is ready to serve and work for the families and students of the Boulder Valley School District.

SVVSD School Board Director (District B)

Karen Hagland

Running unopposed.

No website found.

SVVSD School Board Director (District D)

Tyler Gearhart

Withdrew from race.

Meosha Brooks (Endorsed)

No transcript available due to recording error.

Learn more: www.brooks4svvsd.com

From the website: I have lived in Erie with my husband Justin and four St. Vrain Valley kids for 12 1/2 years. I’m an aerospace professional, a former math and science middle school teacher, and a Co-Instructor at the Johns Hopkins University graduate school in Systems Engineering. I have long volunteered as a Boy Scout, Cub Scout, and Girl Scout leader and am a current PTO board and School Accountability Committee Member. I am also an Education Foundation, Colorado Space Business Roundtable, and Colorado Futuretek Board Member. I also enjoy reading, playing volleyball, spending time with my family, and volunteering.

Equity: Quality education is a right for all students

Safety: Schools are meant to be places of positive and healthy development

STEM Curriculum: Adequate collegiate preparation for rigorous curriculum

Alternative Pathways: Options for students to pursue careers in skilled trades

SVVSD School Board Director (District F)

Natalie Abshier

No transcript available due to recording error.

YS is NOT endorsing this candidate for her views expressed regarding Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Natalie also advocates for cameras on teachers which is an idea that sprung from Tucker Carlson, out of fear teachers would be discussing racial equity with students.

Learn more: www.natalie4svvsd.com

From her website:

Teachers should focus on core ACADEMICS such as math, science, literature, history, etc. first. so that students excel in core subjects, doing so will allow them to be best prepared for their future.
Students should be taught without bias in the classroom so that every child has the best opportunity for success.
Parents should raise their children with the values that are important to their own families. It’s not the school’s job to raise children, it’s the school’s job to educate students.

Sarah Hurianek (Endorsed)

Background: My husband and I attended SVVSD. Our children attend Mead Elementary. I have been involved with the PAC; served as Chair of the Spring Fundraiser. As a teacher, I taught to individual children and made choices based on what would be most beneficial, not easiest. I am here to serve students and will be a fierce advocate.

Pandemic: I support the district’s goal of providing in-person learning as much as possible. SVVSD has done a great job being transparent and communicative while providing a safe and welcoming environment for students. I look forward to working on what could be carried forward and what changes need to be implemented.

Infrastructure: With growth, the need for additional schools and programs becomes increasingly apparent. However I believe responsible growth can be achieved. I want to support the current board’s trajectory toward financial stability and responsible budget management. We need a sound financial plan to give our children the best education possible.

Students and Staff: The district has provided wonderful programs and support to meet the needs of each student, through programs like the Innovation Center and the Career Elevation & Technology Center. The inclusion of programs within schools, partnerships with area businesses, and focus programs is something I would like to see expanded.

Sustainability: There is always room for improvement and innovation; something St. Vrain has been very responsive to. A great example is the Mead High School Energy Academy, which engages students in these conversations. I would love to see additional opportunities for other schools and grades to participate in finding effective and sustainable solutions.

DEI: The district has committed to ensuring equity throughout its systems and practices; there is always room for improvement. I would like to see increased student and parent involvement to guide this work. In regards to professional development, the district should examine current areas of strength and areas of need.

Final Remarks: I enjoy talking with and responding to inquiries from voters. I’ve always been involved in the community. It has led me to meet some amazing people and have delightful conversations. If anyone has any questions or would like to chat please reach out to me at sarahforstvrain.com.

Judiciary

Judge Robert J. Frick

Recommended for retention.

Ballot Measures

Boulder

• Issue 2I | The currently existing Community, Culture, and Safety sales and use tax, which is .03%, is set to expire on December 31, 2021. A vote for ‘yes’ will extend this tax to December 31, 2036 and change the name to Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax. The tax would fund a large variety of improvements such as roads, multi-modal paths, replace the central avenue bridge, fund emergency vehicles for Boulder Fire Rescue, and convert street light systems to LED lights. It would also use 10% of the tax revenue to support non-profit organizations. | YES

• Issue 2J | A ‘yes’ would increase Boulder’s debt by $110 million. To pay off the debt would cost $158 million. The revenue from Issue 2I would be used to pay off this debt (if approved). | YES

• Issue 2K | A ‘yes’ would change the Boulder City Charter, Section 9 which dictates City Council rules. It would remove expired provisions and allow City Council to form committees of (generally) two. These committees can not have enough members to form a majority in Council. Other Council members can attend, but can not participate. There will also be a recruitment committee (no more than two) for each of the three council appointments. All meetings will be public. | YES

• Issue 2L | Sections 38A, 44, and 46 of the Boulder City Charter are in conflict with each other. A ‘yes’ will amend them to accurately reflect the number of signatures required for initiatives, referenda, and recall positions (10% of the ‘average number of voters in the previous two municipal candidate elections). | YES

• Issue 2M | A ‘yes’ would change City Council pay schedule to the same as other city employees starting January 1, 2022. | YES

• Question 300 | A ‘yes’ will allow housing units to be occupied by as many people as there are legal bedrooms (plus one additional). Health and safety codes still need to be met. | YES

• Question 301 | A ‘yes’ would prohibit the sale of certain fur products. Certain exceptions exist such as used fur at pawn shops, second-hand stores, or non-profits, previously used fur, fur used or traded by native people, or if it’s ‘authorized by federal or state law’. | YES

• Question 302 | Should the annexation of CU South gain voter approval? City Council approved the annexation on Sept. 21, 2021. | NO on 302

Hygiene Fire Protection District

• 6A | Mill Levy Increase. The measure would increase property taxes on homes in the district, and the money would be used to increase funds for the fire department in the area. Whereas critics oppose the idea of a tax increase, the benefits of funding the department supersedes. The measure would raise taxes to $0.001 of each dollar in property value each year. Everybody vocalizes their immense respect for fire departments, especially at times when unprecedented wildfires occur annually. The superior equipment would reduce the response time of fire professionals, increase their safety on the job, and improve their ability to extinguish fires. | YES

Lafayette

• 2B | Tax increase to fund local safety services, public safety equipment, and operating expenses for things such as mental health response teams, more officers for the fire and police departments, resources for emergency responses, including environmental, climate disasters, and fund fire and police equipment and operating expenses. $1,990,000 annually the first fiscal year, and any additional funds from a .27% sales and use tax thereafter. | YES

• 2C | Tax increase to fund mental health and human services. An increase of $750,000 annually for the first fiscal year, and any additional funds from a 0.1% sales and use tax thereafter. These funds would be used to help local families by, for example, providing assistance with rent, food, medical and childcare services, and for victims of domestic violence. | YES

• 2D | A ‘yes’ would change all gender specific pronouns, such as he, him, his, and she, her, hers, in Lafayette’s Home Rule Charter to gender neutral references. | YES

• 2E | A ‘yes’ would change sections 2.3, 4.5(b), 4.14, and 6.4 of the Lafayette Home Rule Charter. It would remove the word ‘citizen’ because it’s not legally required to be a citizen. It would also change ‘master plan’ to ‘comprehensive plan’.

Examples from charter:
• The Planning Commission will be charged with the preparation of a proposed master plan.
• The expansion of protections of the rights herein enumerated, and the further enumeration of rights, as well as additional prohibitions against rights-denying behavior, through citizen use of the initiative process, is hereby encouraged. | YES

• 2F | The Lafayette Home Rule Charter states that in order to run for office, candidates must be residents for one year before the last day to file petitions for office. State Law, however, says it’s one year immediately prior to the date of the election. A ‘yes’ would change the charter to match State Law. | YES

Louisville

• 2A | Debt Tax Increase for Transportation Improvements. The debt level and property tax increases would allow Louisville to implement the Transportation Master Plan. Implementation would allow the city to address many aspects of city infrastructure by increasing multi-modal transportation capabilities, improved connectivity for bike paths and pedestrian walkways, and the construction of six underpassess to alleviate traffic. The multi-modal features of the plan are especially favorable. The ability to ride bikes and walk on paths to travel to various locations in the city will prevent residents from being car dependent, decrease greenhouse gasses, and enhance the quality of life of residents. Additionally, creating the network of pathways throughout the city will also increase safety. | YES

Lyons

• 2G Construction of Solar Generation and Battery Storage Facility. This measure would enable the city to build a solar farm at Bohn Park. Opponents claim that the vast stretch of space could be used for commercial developments, the small gains of any commercial development cannot match the benefit of constructing this solar farm. Lyons has been committed to environmental sustainability for years and has been attempting to implement a sustainability plan. Lyons is attempting to curtail the destruction of climate change by transitioning away from traditional energy sources towards renewable energy sources. This solar farm project would finally allow Lyons to facilitate the transition to renewable energy. | YES

Superior

• 2G | Sale and Use Tax Increase for Transportation Improvement Funding. Critics oppose a permanent tax increase but the increase would typically just be 2.8 cents for every dollar spent. The revenue would be used to pay for infrastructure improvements desperately needed: repair of roads. Many roads in Superior are suffering from dilapidated conditions. Most of the tax revenue would be directly allocated to fixing these flaws, repairing the roads, filling the potholes, re-coating the concrete, and maximizing the overall conditions of the main roads in the city and the side streets in neighborhoods. Additionally, some of the revenue would also be designated for traffic calming devices. The project would increase the efficiency of driving through the town, reduce traffic, protect cars, and prevent car accidents. | YES

The post Yellow Scene Election Guide 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The (Continued) Rise of Cyberbullying: Change is Being Made, But it’s Still Not Enough.

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 23:26:26 +0000

Graphic by JB Loucks

The precedent has been set. It’s fully possible to work, study, and communicate from home. It’s not the easiest, definitely not the most equitable, or the best solution for providing young people an education but it is, nonetheless, possible. Issues have arisen, such as worsening grades, behavioral health impacts, and inadequate resources, and now as the data begins to arrive for the 2020-21 school year, some institutions have noticed an uptick in cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying, as defined by Cyberbullying.org, is the “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” It has been shown to affect the mental health of the victim, increasing loneliness, lower self-esteem, and suicidal behavior. Cyberbullying is inherently dependent on the internet and use of social media, and differentiates from traditional bullying in several ways, specifically, audience size, anonymity, and ease of ability to contact the victim.

Cyberbullying Facts

Cyberbullying has been increasing. In 2017, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated that 15% of high school students were cyberbullied and 20% were bullied on school property. The report also stated that “bullying is among the most commonly reported discipline problems in public schools. Nearly 12% of public schools report that bullying happens at least once a week.” Middle schools have the highest number of reports at 22%, and primary schools the lowest at 8%.

L1ght, an AI-based startup, reported in 2020 that they saw a 70% increase in hate speech amongst “kids and teens during online chats.” during the beginning of the pandemic. L1ght works to “detect and predict toxic and abusive behaviors” and “identify and eradicate cyberbullying, harmful content, hate speech, and predatory behavior.”

This trend has also been seen locally. Stacey Jenkins, Director for Safe2Tell of the Colorado Office of the Attorney General, said via email that “We have seen an increase in cyberbullying in the last school year,” specifying that “it went from about 2.7% in the 19-20 school year to 4.3% in the 20-21 school year.”

Statistics about cyberbullying; Graphic by CDC.

Not all institutions, however, have seen an increase during the pandemic. Andrew Sorensen, Spokesperson for Strategic Media Relations at the University of Colorado, Boulder, via an email, said that, compared to 2019-20 data, “CU Boulder has not seen an increase in protected class harassment and discrimination reports.”

Moreover, a July 2021 working paper from Brown University, “The COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Both School Bullying and Cyberbullying” (Bacher-Hicks et. al. 2021), stated that, “Real-time data then shows that searches for school bullying and cyberbullying both dropped about 30-40 percent as schools shifted to remote learning in spring 2020.” The study used Google Trends data rather than traditional Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) self-reported surveys, because these tend to be done in school; “there are very few studies on bullying during the pandemic and even fewer using publicly available nationwide data.” They conclude that ”these results highlight how in-person interaction is an important mechanism underlying not only in-person school bullying, but also cyberbullying.”

Mental Health

Cyberbullying has extensive implications and negative impacts on the victim. According to the CDC, it “increases the risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.” Those who bully are also at risk of “substance use, academic problems, and experiencing violence later in adolescence and adulthood.” The study, “Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review” (John et al., 2018) found that victims of cyberbullying were “2.57 times more likely to attempt suicide”.

For Anya Berlova, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, anti-bullying activist, illustrator, and PhD student, loneliness is a key contributor to cyberbullying, something that has increased during the pandemic. In an email, Berlova told Yellow Scene that “feelings of loneliness can lead to anger and hostility, and, hence, can contribute to bullying behaviors.”

Speaking to a potential solution, Berlova pointed toward technology. “We need to think about how we can use technology to our advantage in combating cyberbullying, such as by engaging Virtual Reality in decreasing social isolation and improving psychological well-being. We also need to utilize tools within the creative sphere such as film, as this medium has been proven effective as a tool to increase prosocial behaviors and decrease loneliness.”

Berlova’s Instagram (@anyaberlovaofficial) currently features a world traveling Sheep and Pug duo, aptly named Sheepers and Puggie, that share positive messages with viewers.

Social Media Facts

Cyberbullying has been associated with the increase in use of social media. According to 2010 data, by the California Adolescent Health Collaborative, 75 percent of all teens owned a cell phone while 88 percent of those texted, 73 percent used a social networking site, and 52 percent have commented on a blog such as Facebook. Furthermore, 2018 data from the PEW Research Center reported that, “95% of teens now report they have a smartphone or access to one,” and “45% of teens say they use the internet ‘almost constantly’.”

Of course, social media isn’t all bad; it dramatically increases the ability for people to communicate. According to “Living and Learning with New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project” (Ito et al., 2008), social media allows young people to “be ‘always on’, in constant contact with their friends via texting, instant messaging, mobile phones, and Internet connections.” This allows them to extend their “friendships and interests”, and to engage in self-directed and peer-based learning. “Online groups enable youth to connect to peers who share specialized and niche interests of various kinds, whether that is online gaming, creative writing, video editing, or other artistic endeavors,” which may go “beyond what they have access to at school or in their local community.”

Anonymity

The study, “The Internet and Social Life” (Bargh, McKenna. 2004), claims that for many, the Internet provides, “relative anonymity and thus safety,” which thereby should motivate “people with stigmatized social identities” to find support communities.

In an interview, Christian Gardner-Wood, Director of Community Protection and Legislative Affairs for the Boulder County District Attorney’s office, mentioned that the idea of anonymity can also encourage bullying. “Sometimes the use of technology has… lead people to engage in this bullying, thinking they have some level of anonymity and may be able to get away with it.” Whether they actually can seems unlikely. Gardner-Wood confirmed that, “a lot of time, we’re able to kind of track it and figure out who is doing this.”

Audience

Being anonymous may increase the impact of bullying, but so does reach. The study, “Self-Esteem and Loneliness in Relation to Cyberbullying in Three European Countries (Melotti et. al., 2021) explains that “[s]ocial networking sites potentially provide a large audience of peers who may see denigrating and abusive material about a victim. This can have very damaging effects for the victim.”

Comparing cyberbullying to a more traditional form of bullying, such as in the hallway of a school, Gardner-Wood agrees that, “yes, that [hallway interaction] absolutely has a negative impact on the victim.” He continues, “But you look at today’s world and… that could be a social media post that a thousand people are seeing. So it’s not just… ten people are seeing this person be berated, it’s… hundreds, if not more.”

Addressing the Issue in Colorado

Colorado certainly isn’t immune to cyberbullying but, with an increase in awareness, we’ve been making strides to address the three main components of dealing with the issue: accountability, education, and restorative justice.

Focus On Accountability

In 2015, Kiana Arellano’s Law (18-9-111) went into effect. It was the first of its kind in Colorado to specifically include acts of cyberbullying as harassment.

Kiana’s law brought awareness to the issue of cyberbullying. Gardner-Wood said the bill “was immensely important,” that specifying “electronic means of harassment was key in terms of being able to investigate, prosecute and try and repair the harm.” Previous laws addressed harassment, “but they weren’t necessarily focused so much on the digital technology of today’s age.”

Education + Support

Young people gain the most support at school and at home. Research has “demonstrated an association between positive parenting styles and a ‘healthy’ use of the Internet in adolescence,” (Melotti., 2012). For Berlova, “parental involvement is very important” but students should also feel supported in schools; “teachers, administrators and counselors should work to make sure they are providing the sense of care and support necessary so that students feel they are a part of a strong community.”

Schools can play a significant role in supporting the mental health of their students, but they don’t always. Today, schools in Colorado are required to have “a specific policy concerning bullying prevention and education,” (C.R.S. 22-32-109.1). Stopbullying.org noted that current laws do not require schools to train their faculty on how to respond to bullying.

Berlova believes these trainings to be important, as they help “staff understand how to recognize bullying and deal with it under different circumstances. Cyberbullying is especially tricky since it often happens in a ‘hidden’ way that is difficult to catch.”

Healthy peer group relationships have also been shown to help combat cyberbullying. When asked how receptive young people have been, Berlova stated, “the youth-to-youth approach is important when discussing things like bullying, since sometimes young people feel like adults don’t fully understand the issue. The young people I’ve talked to have been very receptive to these conversations, they understand how serious it is.”

CDC Guidelines to Address Cyberbullying

Restorative Justice

Accountability and education are important for addressing Cyberbullying. Beyond those two Gardner-Wood pointed to an equally important third option: restorative justice. Boulder County’s DA office has “a very robust restorative justice program and one of the first in the state.” By bringing together the victim and the offender in a “facilitated group to be able to talk about the harm” it can be helpful “both for the standpoint of the victim and the victim’s mental health, but also for the perpetrators… for the offenders, so that they understand the true harm that was caused.”

It’s up to all of us.

Cyberbullying has only gotten worse over the past decade, and as more data arrives, we’ll continue to see how the pandemic has affected it. Laws are in place to provide accountability, educational programs are increasing to address and prevent, and restorative justice programs exist to potentially aid in healing, situation permitting. It’ll be up to everyone – schools, parents, young people, and even the innocent bystander – to acknowledge the issue and address it appropriately if we want this unnecessary and harmful component of our society to cease to exist.

“…bullying is among the most commonly reported discipline problems in public schools. Nearly 12% of public schools report that bullying happens at least once a week.” – CDC

The post The (Continued) Rise of Cyberbullying: Change is Being Made, But it’s Still Not Enough. appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado’s Coolest Cars: Your Guide to the Best Collections, Opportunities, and Local Car Clubs

Laurenz Busch — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 23:37:06 +0000

Check those mirrors, shine those rims, and buckle-up, because Colorado has some of the greatest car collections in the world. This month, we drove deep (get it?) to find local collectors, collections, and automotive goodness to provide you the best opportunities to join the ever-growing Colorado car community that is alive and well and firing on all cylinders. I’m talking authentic, actually-raced, all-American Shelby Cobras and GT40’s, cars from movies that we all grew up with, and your chance to take your very own car, whether it’s your family’s leftovers or your brand new BMW M5, to the drag strip. Buckle up, because your summer is about to shift into high gear, exhaust pipes blaring, wheels spinning, tires smoking, and carburetors combusting as we experience the coolest cars in Colorado.

Shelby, Shelby American Collection

The Shelby American Collection is just outside of Boulder and boasts some of the most famous Shelby’s ever raced; they even have Ken Miles’ 1966 GT40. This place is booming with American automotive history and it’s all thanks to Steve Volk and his group of friends who started it. In an interview, Volk told Yellow Scene that, “we were racing Cobras and GT40’s in the 80s and 90s (and actually up until about six years ago in the US and in Europe). I met Carroll Shelby at one of the races… and became good friends with him.” From there, Volk and some friends began “collecting memorabilia, race records, and the cars themselves,” and eventually petitioned Shelby with the idea of starting a museum in his honor. “[He’s] done so much for automotive racing and for the US’,’ Volk said. “So twenty-five years ago we set up the Shelby American Collection – a non-profit entity staffed by volunteers and it’s become the largest, most significant collection of Shelby race cars.”

The museum is open every Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

Car collections are expensive; they require upkeep, maintenance, and a team of professionals to clean, fix, and keep the cars looking and/or running in pristine condition. When we interviewed a major car collector and owner of an exceptional collection in Boulder, who wished to stay anonymous, they provided us valuable insight into what goes into some of these collections. “We have four full time people on our team that maintain, drive, and wash the cars. We try to drive every car at least once every 90 days. All cars are drivable, registered, insured, and titled in our name,” they told Yellow Scene.

What’s more is that many collections continue to grow year after year, and for many, it’s all about sharing it with the public. Our source told us that for their collection, “if a historic or famous vehicle comes up, we try to buy it because we want everyone that views the collection to come away with memories of numerous ‘special’ cars.”

Rodz & Bodz Museum Entrance

The same goes for Zack Loffert, owner of Rodz & Bodz in Lakewood, which specializes in famous classic, vintage, and movie cars that are available to rent and also view in their recently opened museum. Loffert told YS that when owning a collection of this size, “everybody knows what we [Rodz and Bodz] do as far as my friend list goes. So if there’s any kind of crazy unique cars that come up for sale, I get tagged in them.” This has allowed Loffert and Rodz and Bodz to acquire well over a hundred cars. With the opening of their new museum which houses sixty-five cars at all times, Loffert is showcasing a slice of our childhood in 30,000 square feet at Colorado Mills.

Batmobile, Rodz & Bodz Museum

With vehicles such as The Time Machine, The Mystery Machine, the Toy Story Pizza Planet Truck, and Michael Keaton’s Batmobile, Loffert is “trying to get the younger generation back involved in cars.” Showing them is one way to do it, but they also offer rentals for weddings, shows, events, photo ops, and birthdays. They also offer transport services.

The museum follows the same schedule as the Colorado Mills Mall:
Monday – Thursday 11am – 8pm;
Friday and Saturday 10am – 9pm;
and Sunday 11am – 6pm.

Seeing these amazing cars is one thing, and trust us, it’s worth it, but for some seeing just doesn’t cut it – they want to experience speed on a whole ‘nother level. Luckily, just south of Boulder County in the Colorado Springs area is Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR). With an absolutely stunning backdrop and a long history of NASCAR and IndyCar events, PPIR is home to an all-you-can-experience list of automotive opportunities.

Aerial View, Pikes Peak International Raceway

In an email, Director of Communications Chelsy Offutt, explained that PPIR offers far more than your typical car show. Events such as the Hot Rod Rock & Rumble, Colorado Truck Madness, and SCCA Track Nights in America, along with live music, food, and other activities attract folk from all over.

But if you’re ready to get behind the wheel and see what you and your vehicle are made of, you can check out their Open Lapping Days as long as you meet their credential requirements. They also offer ‘Off the Street Drags’ where you can take your shot at their 1/8th mile drag strip for $25 per driver. Offutt explained that the program was started after a tragic street racing accident.

PPIR is also home to Falci Adaptive Motorsports. Having partnered with one of the world’s top neurosurgeons, Dr. Scott Falci, they built an adaptive race car and won the only NASCAR Cup series Championship west of the Mississippi in 2017. Although the team doesn’t race anymore, the technology is still used to showcase and inspire.

Events at PPIR:
Off the Street Drags – August 14th and September 18th
SCCA Track Nights in America – July 28th and September 21st
Hot Rod Rock & Rumble – August 27th – 29th
Trucks & Tunes – An Outlaw Weekend – September 3rd – 6th

“NO CRUISING” sign in Longmont

Fortunately, for all the car fanatics out there, Colorado’s car culture is strong with a long history to back it, but not all of that history has been favorable. Today, if you drive down Main Street in Longmont, you’ll see signs that say “NO CRUISING” just below the speed limit. In Longmont, cruising, or the act of driving by specified locations “more than three times in the same direction within any three-hour period,” is a traffic infraction that can come with a fine of up to $125 – $350.

Although cruising isn’t allowed, it hasn’t deterred local groups from getting together for a good time. The 303 Outlawz are one such group that from time to time will gather at a local location to share and appreciate their cars. YS was able to attend their most recent meet-up at the Sonic in Longmont on June 26th.

Other resources in the state include the Colorado branch of Cars and Coffee which hosts numerous events throughout the state and Porsche of Colorado Springs, whose Twitter @porschecolorado is an excellent source for all our wide axle air-cooled 964 fans, among other Porsches.

Ford 3, Shelby American Collection

Whether you’re looking to drive, look, rent, or learn, Colorado’s car community has it all. For many of us, cars are useful tools to get from point A to point B. To others, they are much, much more than that. They’re something that transcend mere functionality and become intertwined with who we are. They bring out that sense of aliveness that might hide away in the everyday doldrums of everyday life. And when paired with the comforts of friends, family, and a booming car community, they provide us space to appreciate the long-standing global history. So get out there, visit your local museums, restore your old beater, or dance the night away to the sound of music, encompassed by the screeching and thundering of cars racing for glory.

Truck, Rodz & Bodz Museum

The post Colorado’s Coolest Cars: Your Guide to the Best Collections, Opportunities, and Local Car Clubs appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Off the Beaten Path: 9 Lesser Known Colorado Campsites to Explore

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 19:53:24 +0000

Camping season is here and boy, oh boy, is it going to be crowded! The pandemic has changed a lot but it hasn’t changed our drive to get out into the world and explore. People are still traveling. They’re just staying closer to home and outdoor activities such as camping, glamping, and backpacking are fun and accessible opportunities for a lot of people. Nature brings us together. It provides space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It provides us the opportunity to simply gaze into the night sky and off into the magical distance of soaring peaks and beautifully cut canyons. It also provides a testing ground to prove your survival skills when you stray too far from the beaten path. So in a year where more people are heading out than ever before, popular campgrounds and hikes will see unsustainable levels of traffic leading to faster levels of erosion, more trash be left behind, and more intrusion on the lives of animals causing their further habituation.

The sites we picked stray from the popular areas and tend to be lesser known spots that still have some infrastructure to support campers. They range greatly, from dispersed camping in thick forests to glamping in the aspen-lined valley of Vail, from primitive filter-your-own-water and dig-your-own-hole to immaculate canvas tents and a farm-to-table dinner.

So as we continue to head full steam into the heights of summer, grab your fishing pole or your s’mores stick, pack up the car, and check out any or all of these wonderful campsites and get out there!

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace. These principles not only protect you but they protect the wildlife and nature that we so often take for granted. So before you go, check out the links below for more information on how to recreate responsibility.

Primitive and Dispersed

Antelope Creek Campground

39.92178, -105.61369
An area with dispersed sites and no facilities just west of Nederland. Antelope Creek and Jenny Creek run nearby should you need to filter some water. From here you can continue to follow Rollins Pass Road into the alpine for spectacular views and day hikes, or head to the Eldora area for more access to the surrounding ranges. You can also head over Rollins Pass for an epic high altitude 4×4 road trip to winter park.

Meadow Creek

40.05142, -105.73663
Head out to Tabernash and take USFS 129 all the way to Meadow Creek Reservoir. The campground is on a large meadow surrounded by forests with plenty of sites to choose from. No services. There’s a lovely hike to Monarch Lake along Mill Creek, or simply enjoy the views of the westside of the Indian Peaks.

Moffat County Tourism Association

Swinging Bridge Campground

40.82963, -109.03335
This campground is within Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge on the Green River and is a primitive campground. Close proximity to hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. It does have facilities and all campsites are free and on a first-come first-serve basis. There are also fire rings, pit toilets, and a boat ramp. Dinosaur National Monument is just south of here if you’re looking for some epic canyons.

Hinman Park Campground

40.74856, -106.83368
Located near the Elk River in the Medicine Bow Mountains, there are thirteen sites, two vault toilets, and some picnic tables. Your closest town is Steamboat Springs. Trout fishing, hiking, and horseback riding trails are easily found at the South Fork Trailhead only a quarter of a mile away.

Spruce Grove Campground

39.13968, -105.46161
High up in the San Isabel National Forest, north of Lake George, a paved road will get you all the way to this secluded campground near a small reservoir. There are facilities and designated spots, and you’ll be a stone’s throw away from some of the most beautiful terrain Colorado has to offer. A remarkably quaint and quiet place to spend a weekend.

Bureau of Land Management

Green Mountain Campground

39.33363, -105.35748
This is one of our most isolated picks. To get there you’ll want a high clearance vehicle because you’ll be on dirt roads for much of it. You can get there by heading to Bailey then heading south-east towards Wellington Lake. The campground is about a mile before the lake. Primitive camping awaits surrounded by wonderful forest.

Glamping

Joyful Journey Hot Spring Spa

38.16875, -105.92574
They’re all about relaxation. They have traditional lodging, but they also have Tipis and Yurts to satisfy that outdoorsy craving. You can even camp on their property or park your RV. During the day you can wade in the pools which are naturally heated to 98F – 108F, or get a massage to replenish your mind and body. A relaxing getaway just north of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Never Summer Nordic Yurts

40.55419, -106.03824
An adventurer’s paradise. With 12 yurts and some tent sites scattered throughout the Colorado State Forest State Park, Never Summer Nordic offers you the ability to plan your own winter or summer expedition. They come fully stock ready for you and your friends and/or family to arrive after a day full of hiking or skiing. It’s a popular place but there’s still space, so book early.

Collective Vail Retreat

39.74989, -106.67145
Top of the line luxurious camping offering prime gourmet farm-to-ranch dining and artisanal s’mores surrounded by aspens and high rising peaks. Spend the day fly fishing, wine tasting, or horseback riding, and finish it by gazing at the night sky counting the stars, after a wholesome BBQ experience featuring cornish hen, bison sausage, shrimp skewers, and herb goat cheese stuffed sweet peppers.

“Leave No Trace” Principles

• Plan Ahead & Prepare – Knowing where you’re going and how you’re going to get there will help any traveler stay safe. Make sure you know where you’ll camp, what roads and trails you’ll take, and what supplies you need along the way. The better prepared you are the more confidence and fun you’ll have.

• Travel & Camp On Durable Surfaces – Walk and camp on the brown! To prevent the further expansion of trails and campsites, it is best to always camp and walk on already existing opportunities. Each time we camp on a patch of green or we cut the switchback, we’re aiding in the destruction of those areas. You may not destroy it, but the several hundred people behind you certainly will.

• Dispose of Waste Properly – If you bring it in, bring it out. It doesn’t smell great but the resources for others to clean up after you simply don’t exist, and we can all play a small role in keeping those wrappers and bottles off the ground and in the garbage or recycling. P.S. – This also means your feces and those orange peels that take forever to decompose.

• Leave What You Find – Enjoy the area while you’re there, but just like we shouldn’t walk on anything green, we also shouldn’t be plucking it out of the ground to take home. Multiply your actions by 1000 and it’ll be a good indication for the long-term effect. This also applies to carving your love life into a tree, or building new fire rings.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts – Fire restrictions are only getting stricter so do your part to prevent the next wildfire. Keep them contained, keep them surrounded by rocks or a fire ring, and remember to always put it out, dead out. If you can feel heat when you touch those coals, it’s not out.

• Respect Wildlife – Wildlife becomes habituated, and habituated wildlife can become dangerous and will eventually be killed. Do your part to stay away from animals and allow them space to roam. This also includes properly protecting your food so animals don’t have the chance to eat it.

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors – In times of COVID, this might mean wearing a mask and staying six feet from the other party, but it also pertains to right of way adherence, noise levels, and all around friendly behavior because everyone has the right to enjoy our public lands.

The post Off the Beaten Path: 9 Lesser Known Colorado Campsites to Explore appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Gear Guide 2021: From the Basics to the Luxurious, Prepare for Adventure!

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 19:51:13 +0000

The outdoor industry has seen tremendous growth in the past year. After coming to a screeching halt, international travel has still not recovered so folks are looking for closer-to-home getaway solutions. Whether it’s a week-long road trip, a weekend overnight backpacking trip, or a day trip to lounge by a creek and fish, more people have been getting out and exploring the wilder side of life.

We’ve compiled some of the best outdoor gear to help you prepare for a summer full of adventures. This year, we’ve split the guide into three sections, providing you with ideas for basic survival tools, lightweight options for backpacking or bikepacking, and to sum it up, some products to heighten your basecamp or glamping experiences.

More people are heading towards the mountains to embrace their inner John Muir or Heather Anderson (she hiked the PCT in 59 days), and that means more people driving on the roads, trying to get spots at campgrounds, and more traffic on the trails. Do your part to ensure that these wild places are left better than you found them, even if that means carrying out that seemingly forgotten doggie bag that was so graciously left in the middle of that path so it couldn’t possibly be left behind.

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles.

• Plan Ahead & Prepare
• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Survival Gear

“Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, Pain, and Punishment”

Spot Gen 4
$149.95 at REI
Spot has been trusted by adventurers far and wide. When you’re in a pinch and need help, press the SOS button to get you out. You can also use it to notify loved ones of your GPS positions so they can follow along.

Garmin Montana 700i
$700 at REI
A high tech backcountry GPS system featuring color bird’s eye view maps to help you navigate your way along even the most rugged terrain. Garmin has been leading the world in high-grade GPS devices to keep you safe. The Montana is the pinnacle.

EST Survival Shovel
$119.99 on Amazon
Eighteen tools in one. This tool is great for overlanders, basecampers, or even just folks hanging out at home. With enough tools to keep up with your survival skills, the EST Shovel is a fully loaded all you can need survival tool.

Leatherman Wave
$99.95 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., Leatherman has paired its ever popular Wave Multi Tool with a repair kit to make sure you’re ready to fix your gear when they break.

Victorinox Mini Champ
$42.99 at Victorinox.com
Lightweight, small, and full of potential, this tiny tool is perfect for backpacking or everyday carry. It’s great for making some lunch and other smaller less serious tasks that come up while in the wild.

Artilect A/SYS-1 Base Layer
Attempting to build a full configuration of A/SYS layers, from base to polar, Artilect is creating innovative clothing using Nuyarn Merino to ensure your safety by maximizing your ability to stay dry, move with ease, look good, and stay warm in even the harshest of conditions.

Benchmade Steep Country
$130.00 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., this fixed blade is made of CPM-S30V steel and a Santoprene handle and comes with a Boltaron sheath. A sturdy and robust all-around knife that will surely prove itself worthy in the wild.

VSSL Camp Supplies
$135.00 on Amazon
VSSL makes lightweight tubular wilderness gear sets, this one comes with 70 different accessories to make sure you’re prepared whenever you go out in the wild. Examples include an LED light, a beeswax candle, a wire saw, water purification, and so much more.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker Medical Kit
$25.00 at REI
Absolutely mandatory. First aid is the first thing to consider when going in the backcountry, but more importantly you need to know how to use it. So take that first aid or wilderness first aid course to gain the skills you need.

SOL Emergency Blanket
$5.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
When sh** hits the fan, you need to be ready. It’s not going to be a comfortable night, but these emergency blankets will radiate your body heat and hopefully prevent you from entering a hypothermic state. They’re lightweight and cheap.

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
$24.47 on Amazon
Hydration matters. Liquid I.V. produces high quality hydration products to amplify your water and get you hydrated quicker. With several different flavors and high quality ingredients, Liquid I.V. is a go-to for on the go hydration.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock
$23.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Darn Tough makes awesome socks that last and stands by it with their fantastic warranty program. Lots of different styles and colors, the Hiker Micro Crew are great for long treks or simply walking around the block.

Lightweight

“The more you know, the less you have to carry. The less you know, the more you have to carry.” – Mors Kochanski

Western Mountaineering Cloudrest Down Pillow
$70.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Western Mountaineering brings some of the finest sleeping bags and down gear to the outdoor industry. Their pillows, containing 3.5 oz 800 fill goose down, are a game changer whether backpacking or car camping.

UCO Stakelight
$19.99 on Amazon
Has no one thought of this yet?! If you hate tripping over guy lines or want a little help to find your way back to your tent at night, these fun little LED tent stakes are for you.

Hennessy Hammock Scout
$99.95 at hennessyhammock.com
Get up off of that ground. Hammocks have evolved to include bug nets, rain flys, and even down underquilts to provide you a floating backcountry haven to gently rock you to sleep.

Alpine Start Coffee With Benefits
$19.99 at alpinestartfoods.com
Boulder local, Alpine Start has taken the industry by storm, providing people of all walks instant coffee goodness. This one contains mushrooms that help activate peak brain function. Cool!

SlingFin 2Lite
$338.00 at slingfin.com
Founded by the co-founder of Mountain Hardwear, SlingFin is changing the tent and pack game. The 2Lite is a lightweight option for those trying to hit a lower base weight when backpacking.

Gossamer Gear The Two
$375.00 at gossamergear.com
Trekking pole tents require more set-up but they sure do weigh less. The Two is one of the best ultralight weight backpacking tents, with durable materials, and decent volume, you and another can easily share this space for weeks on end.

Ursack Allmitey or Major
$89.95 – $139.95 at REI
Protect. Your. Food. Because you don’t want to be without it and because animals shouldn’t be eating it. If you don’t want to carry a bear vault, these Ursacks are a great alternative using kevlar to protect.

RTD Recreational Services
$5.25 at RTD
RTD will take you to find lots of access to local hotspots to spend the day. Whether hiking around town, or a stroll through the woods, Nederland is a great place to spend the day.

FusionStix
$11.49 (set of 2) at Mountain People’s Co-op, Nederland, CO.
It’s a fork! It’s chopsticks! It’s FusionStix. Whether you’re forking it, spooning it, or eating sushi in style, the FusionStix are a great and fun way to get rid of that old spoon and eat in style.

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
$129.95 at REI
I didn’t think trekking poles were necessary. I was wrong. They’re amazing. They help keep balance, keep your hands from swelling, and they can even be used with some tents!

Osprey Exos/Eja 38
$99.50-$180 at REI
Colorado local, Osprey’s mid-sized day pack for a day at the crag, or a hike up Mt. Sanitas. With 38 liters, you’ll always have enough room for food, water, and some layers to make sure you’re always prepared.

Base Camp/Glamping

“Home is where you park it.”

TemboTusk Adjustable Leg Skottle
$395.00 at tembotusk.com
Made in the U.S.A., a skottle is a large cook plate with a single burner beneath it. Great for large meals, stir fry, steak, whatever you can imagine and clean up is super easy.

Primus Campfire Prep Set
$79.95 at primus.us
Prepare your meals with high quality good-looking kitchen tools. Primus is renowned for their cookware, now they’re providing the prep set we’ve all been looking for.

Stable Goods Pint
$32.00 at stablegoods.co
Take the lid off the canteen, flip it and voila, you have a sleek and stylish pint glass for all your camping beverage needs. Bring something with you on a hike or make cocktails at basecamp.

Helinox Sunset Chair
$149.95 at REI
Helinox has been known for creating fairly lightweight chairs for backpacking. Now they’ve produced the basecamp sunset chair. It’s 5lbs, backed by an awesome 5 year warranty, and it’s carrying case can be used as a headrest.

Coghlans’s Pop-up Recycle/Trash Bin
$31.82 on Amazon
Forget about that nasty garbage back lying in the dirt or hanging off the side of your car, having a dedicated trash can keeps things clean, protects the animals, and looks a whole lot nicer than this morning’s spam and eggs smeared on the side.

Igloo IMX 70 Qt Cooler
$219.99 t McGuckin Hardware
Coolers don’t need to be absurdly expensive. The cooler industry is fierce these days and Igloo has been stepping up their game to provide high quality, lighter weight options that look and work great.

Dometic CFX3 45
$959.99 at dometic.com
The way we camp is changing, and many of us have turned our vehicles into mobile living units. Getting a fridge (that also makes ice) is an expensive and yet completely awesome solution to that melted water that gathers at the bottom of your cooler.

Helko Werk Germany Vario 2000 Universal Hatchet
$135.00 at helkonorthamerica.com
Beautiful hatchet made of American Hickory to help you split those logs into kindling for the best campfire you’ve ever had. They aren’t the cheapest axes, but they sure are one of the best in class.

ARB Series III Simpson Roof Top Tent & Annex
$1507.00 at Slee Offroad
We’ve all seen them driving around, but we’re never quite sure if that person ever actually uses it. Nonetheless, they’re rad and are super popular with good reason. They’re easy, comfortable, and basically floating seven feet off the ground.

Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
If you’re setting up basecamp for a while, road tripping, or overlanding, you want a reliable solution to power your electronics along the way. Goal Zero is there for us making high quality batteries that last. Please note larger batteries are required for larger electronics.

Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel Briefcase
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
Pair this with a Goal Zero Battery to make sure you never run out (sun required!). Please note that the smaller the panel the longer it will take to charge. They make several options, and all are compatible.

Tentsile Safari Stringray 3-Person Tree Tent (3.0)
$949.00 at tentsile.com
If you can handle the set up, you deserve the reward. A floating three-point tent with enough space for three. Forget about those roots and weird ground lumps that bother you will you sleep, how can you be bothered when you’re floating?

Kokopelli Rouge-Lite
$1049.00 at kokopelli.com
Packrafting has become an ever popular way to travel. Bike half, then take the river back, or just take the river the whole time. Whether you’re riding rapids, fishing, or just floating along, Kokopelli has a packraft for you.

Nemo Helio LX Pressure Shower – 22 Liters
$149.95 at Moosejaw
We like to be clean. If you’re heading to the mountains or the desert for the next two weeks to climb or to mountain bike, what’s better than a nice shower to end the day? Nemo’s shower provides 22 liters of water to make sure you don’t get stuck soapy.

Gravity Haus Pass
$50-$640 per month at gravityhaus.com
Gravity Haus Pass is an all-encompassing stay, eat, play, and work experience providing unlimited gear access (free), hotel discounts, food discounts, and even a fully loaded travel van in addition to member events. Their plans range to fit your needs. It’s a membership like we’ve never seen before.

The post Gear Guide 2021: From the Basics to the Luxurious, Prepare for Adventure! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Bird Is The Word | Summer Pets

Laurenz Busch — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 19:31:22 +0000

Birds. They’re everywhere. Singing their songs, flapping their wings, migrating, pecking, doing their bird-like things. You may see them from your window, or while driving through town. You may see one soaring or diving down.

Birdwatching, commonly known as birding, is the act of watching and listening to birds, studying birds, appreciating birds, spending time – wherever you may be – patiently waiting, observing, and taking in all there is to know about the bird world. Those who birdwatch are called birders, and supposedly there are over forty-five million of them in the U.S. according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

That’s correct, forty-five million. Fortunately, the definition for a birder is quite vague, so if you’ve ever intentionally strayed from your home or the path you were on to catch a glimpse of a swooping hawk, a nesting Western Tanager, or a floating hummingbird, you may very well be a birder.

For local resident and veteran birder of thirty years, Lonny Frye, birding is all about intention, patience, and awareness. For Frye, although birders often carry binoculars to amplify their vision, birding is much more about slowing down and embracing the world around you. It’s about observing that Hudsonian Goodwood resting during its migration, or an Orange-crowned Warbler raising it’s hidden crown out of caution. In an interview, Frye compares birding to an Easter egg hunt of sorts, that you can bird anywhere at almost anytime. “You just kind of discover these [birds] on your own while you’re out walking around,” Frye explains. “They’re like ‘an Easter egg that other people might not notice.’”

Step 1 – Prepare yourself

First things first: the basics. Always stay safe and remember that Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance, Pain, and Punishment. Please always follow the principles of Leave No Trace (see graphic below), and these three key rules to practice ethical birding:

• Don’t use bird songs to attract birds. It can be harmful to them.
• Don’t get too close to the birds, disturb them, or feed them.
• Be kind and respectful to others you meet.

Step 2 – Gear

You don’t need much, just some comfortable shoes, layers to keep warm or cool off, food, water, and if you like, some binoculars. They’re not necessary but they certainly help. Frye explained although they are seemingly obvious to use, they do require some technique to be able to lift them to your eyes without taking your eyes off the bird. You may also want a notepad or phone to log what you see, and perhaps a book on birding or a phone app such as eBird.

Binoculars
LEFT: Tasco Essentials 8×42
MIDDLE: Athlon Neos 8×42

Spotting Scope
RIGHT: Celestron Trailseeker 65

Step 3 – Where to go

Boulder County is full of great places to go birding. With so many lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, rolling foothills and dense forests, there are plenty of places to spot your first or your thousandth bird. Here is a list provided by the Boulder County Audubon Society.

• Sawhill and Walden Ponds Wildlife Areas
• Teller Farms
• Shadow Canyon
• Long Lake Willow Car and Niwot Ridge (Indian Peaks Wilderness)

Step 4 – I saw a bird! Now what?

Identify it! How big was it? What color? What did it sound like? Were there any clear identifying marks, such as a stripe or a patch of orange? Did it have a long and narrow beak, or was it short and stout? Identifying is hard but with time comes knowledge and soon you’ll have no trouble realizing it was actually a Lazuli Bunting that you saw, not a Bluejay. Here are some tools to make it even easier.

Books by local authors:

• The American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of Colorado – Ted Floyd
• Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds of Western North America – Nathan Pieplow

Apps:

• Audubon Birds of North America
• eBird
• Chirp! Bird Song USA
• iBird Pro Guide to Birds

Step 5 – Where can I find others to bird with?

In Boulder, there are two groups, one is the Boulder Bird Club and the other is the Boulder County Audubon Society. There is also the Broomfield Bird Club. Click here for more groups to join in different parts of the state.

Conclusion:

Frye explained that birding has really been transformed in the past ten years, largely due to new technology making birding and especially identifying birds even easier and more accessible. So whether you’re looking to log hundreds of birds or you are looking to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to listen, to watch, and to appreciate the beauty of life doing its thing, there’s lots and lots of resources to guide you, so get out there and spot those birds!

The post The Bird Is The Word | Summer Pets appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Top 10 Books by Colorado Authors | Summer Books

Laurenz Busch — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 18:52:16 +0000

Colorado wordsmiths let loose a barrage of new Colorado-based books.

Complicit
Amy Rivers

“Complicit” follows the life of Kate Medina, a forensic psychologist that moves back to her hometown after she becomes the victim of an attack. In an attempt to find a safe job, she becomes a high school psychologist, but when a student disappears, Kate finds herself in the midst of a homicide investigation. With the killer still at large, Kate is in a dangerous position, with twists and turns along the way. “Complicit” is an exciting thriller to spice up the summer.

Revolution and Renaissance
Daniel Forbes Hauser

Published just before the start of the pandemic and the protests of 2020, Hauser’s book is a historical understanding of today’s age and why we’re ripe for cultural upheaval. Although he explains that protests produce less change on their own, he points towards our country’s innate ability to respond accordingly during times of crisis. Certainly a very pertinent book for the times, as we as a country continue to make our way through a year of drastic changes and communal demands for change.

The Smoking Inn: (With A Special Welcome to Lesbians, Trans Folk, and All the Little Creatures) (The Chronicles of Diana Attestesso)
Bethany A. Beeler

Beeler’s follow-up novel for “The Fire Golem,” “The Smoking Inn” takes us along a wild ride amongst fantastic and unique characters as Diana Atestesso and her lost love Finn build Sacred Hearts, a bar that becomes a ‘freak’ oasis, featuring a gonzo journalist, a drag queen, and Selene, who is experiencing her first same-sex marriage. Diana quickly faces the villainous wrath of a religious power broker and a fanatic zealot, who try to bring her and Sacred Hearts down. A sure battle to keep you yearning for the next page.

But I’m Too Little
Kimberly Spencer

Born in St. Louis and relocated to Denver, Spencer began her Colorado journey with a cupcake business, called Graffiti Cupcakes. She has now written her first children’s book, “But I’m Too Little,” which is the story of Kai, who is met with positive reinforcement by her parents when she struggles to overcome obstacles due to her size and age. A story of overcoming challenges and appreciating the uniqueness of each individual.

Lord of the Butterflies (Button Poetry)
Andrea Gibson

Boulder County local (they live in Niwot) and arguably one of the best slam poets in the nation, Gibson has brought us Lord of the Butterflies, a showcase collection beautifully articulating with wonderful artistic ingenuity topics such as gender, romance, loss, and family. You’ll sink with their sorrow only to be lifted to new heights of poetic wonder and contemplation.

Finding Motherland: Essays about Family, Food, and Migration
Helen Thorpe

Colorado resident, author, freelance journalist, and former First Lady of Colorado, Thorpe brings us seven essays on family, food, and migration. She tells us the story of how her family immigrated to the U.S., how becoming a mother is a lot like moving to a new country, and the hardship and complexities of the life of an undocumented mother. Balancing the stories of past immigrants and those of today, Thorpe shares the similarities between the two, that immigration isn’t a new phenomena, but one rather has been occurring since the beginning of time.

The Last Train Robber: The Life and Times of Willis Newton
W.C. Jameson

W.C. Jameson is back with the infamous tale of Willis Newton, the greatest bank robber that ever plundered the West. Having stolen more money than Frank and Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, the Daltons, and the Doolins combined, Jameson takes us on a wild ride alongside the Newton gang has they take on their greatest heist, only to be arrested and sentenced. Using interviews from the 1970’s and newspaper reports to detail the extensive history of the Newton Gang, Jameson brings to life, “The Last Train Robber.”

The Only Good Indians: A Novel
Stephen Graham Jones

CU Boulder English Professor Stephen Graham Jones’ book is part horror and part commentary on the identity politics of the American Indian experience. Following the lives of American Indian men and their families after a deadly event from their youth, they are confronted by the culture they left behind so long ago. A story of revenge, cultural identity, and the price some pay when they break tradition.

Of Curses and Kisses (Rosetta Academy Book 1)
Sandhya Menon

Princess Jaya Rao is out for revenge when the Emerson Clan reignites a centuries-old feud against her sister. But when she attends the same boarding school as Grey Emerson, who was cursed into misanthropy by a member of Jaya’s family, she attempts to make him fall in love with her just to break his heart. When that doesn’t work and she begins to fall for him, she wonders if sworn enemies could ever be happy together. Together they fight the odds, and write their very own ending.

Intercepted
Alexa Martin

Book one of the Playbook Series, “Intercepted” has won numerous awards and has been dubbed one of the best romance novels of 2018. Marlee Harper is a great girlfriend and has been dating her NFL boyfriend for over a decade. When he cheats on her, she leaves him and to the relief of the other NFL wives, Marlee proclaims she’ll never date an athlete again. But when Gavin Pope, the new quarterback convinces Marlee he’s nothing like her ex, Marlee becomes the center of gossip making her worry about much more than what the others think of her.

The post Top 10 Books by Colorado Authors | Summer Books appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

9 Summer Recipes | Summer Cuisine

Laurenz Busch — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 18:48:47 +0000

It’s summertime and the 9 best recipes are here to try! We’ve gathered recipes from some of the best local chefs and establishments to bring you a wide selection of delicious, tasteful, slightly decadent, dishes to fulfill your culinary summer night dreams. We wanted to be local, we wanted ‘grown in your own backyard’ local, we wanted right here, Boulder County (and some surrounding areas) L O C A L, local. Whether you’re in the kitchen at home or outside at the grill, these recipes are sure to make your mouth water. As the world gets vaccinated, and we can finally gather safely with our friends and families, what better way to really connect than to share the pleasure and joy of a thoughtfully and well-executed meal created by local residents from our community? From Top Chef, Hosea Rosenberg, to Jax Fish House, Sheila Lucerno, this list of 10 extraordinary recipes is sure to spice things up. So go on, try one, two, or all of them, we know we will!

1) Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly and Santo

Skirt Steak a la Plancha with Chimichurri Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 pounds cleaned and trimmed skirt steak
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs rosemary
2 cloves garlic
fresh cracked black pepper
1 bunch parsley chopped
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 large clove garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1/2 teaspoon red chile flake
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:

For steak:
1. Combine first five ingredients and let steak marinate overnight in refrigerator.
2. Prior to cooking, remove steak and set out for at least 20 minutes to come to room temp.
3. Season to with salt and pepper and cook (on grill or cast iron pan) to desired temp.

For chimichurri:
1. Combine remaining ingredients except lemon juice.
2. If you have a mortar and pestle this can all be ground up that way, instead of chopping.
3. Can be made 1 day ahead and kept in refrigerator.
4. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice.
5. Spoon over steak for the most delicious homemade condiment!

2) Sheila Lucero, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Pacific Oyster Ceviche

Serves 4

Ingredients:

12 West Coast oysters, medium size
¼ cup lime juice, fresh squeezed
¼ cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
¼ cup shallot, finely sliced
¼ cup Persian cucumber, small diced
6 each cherry tomatoes, halved
½ each serrano chile, thinly sliced in rings
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons basil, chiffonade
1 tablespoons cilantro, chopped fine
Kosher salt
Cracked black pepper
4 tostada shells, broken in half

Directions:

1. Wash oysters well prior to shucking.
2. Shuck oysters, and place oysters into a fine mesh strainer.
3. Discard shells.
4. Place oysters in a plastic or ceramic bowl, add shallot and pour citrus juices over the top.
5. Let oysters marinate for 5 minutes.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir.
7. Check seasoning, and adjust if necessary.
8. Serve with tostada shells

3) Alberto Hernandez, Frasca Food and Wine

Chocolate Almonds

Makes about 3 ½ cups

We’re including this recipe for purely selfish reasons: We love them—plain and simple. Chocolate-coated nuts are a not-so-secret indulgence for many people, but Frasca pastry chef Alberto Hernandez truly makes the best ones. When we were shooting the photographs for this book, we had to ask Alberto to take them away because we couldn’t stop eating them! These are great as an any-time-of-day snack, and even better served alongside an espresso at the end of a meal.

Note: Gianduja (“jee-ahn-doo-yah”) chocolate is a Piedmont specialty and consists of sweet chocolate mixed with 30 percent hazelnut paste (think of a purer, sophisticated Nutella!). Chocolate companies such as Callebault and Valhrona offer it in semisolid cream or block form, but you can also use individually wrapped gianduja chocolates, typically found in purveyors of fine Italian products. You can also use any fine milk chocolate of your liking in this recipe.

You will need:

Deep-frying thermometer or candy thermometer
Small silicone offset spatula (optional)
¾ cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2½ cups roasted almonds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 cups gianduja chocolate pieces (see Note)
2 cups cocoa powder

Directions:

1. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat, combine the sugar and water and stir until the sugar dissolves completely and the resulting syrup reaches “soft crack” stage — 285°F on a candy thermometer — 3 minutes.
2. Using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, stir the almonds into the sugar syrup, mixing continuously to coat completely. As you stir, the sugar will crystallize and form a white coat around the nuts. Keep stirring until all the nuts are evenly coated. The sugar coating may start to caramelize but don’t worry if it doesn’t; give it another minute or two. Sprinkle in the salt and stir in the butter to coat the nuts.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Spread out the nuts on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other.
5. In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water), regularly stir the chocolate until melted, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, microwave the chocolate in short 10 to 15-second bursts, stirring well after every burst, until completely melted. Check the temperature as you’re melting the chocolate; it’s important to temper it for a smooth, even, and crisp coating. If you are using small gianduja chocolates (rather than block chocolate for baking or regular milk chocolate), melt the chocolate until it registers a temperature of no more than 104°F. Remove the chocolate from the heat and allow to cool until it reaches 86°F—this will take 10 to 15 minutes (if using another kind of chocolate, refer to the temperature ranges specific to that chocolate on the back of the packaging). When the chocolate is tempered, you are ready to coat the nuts.
6. Put the cocoa powder in a large bowl. Set up a production line with the nuts, the melted chocolate, and the cocoa.
7. Working with one nut at a time, dip the nut into the chocolate, stir to coat, and lift out using a small offset spatula or your fingers, letting any excess chocolate drip off. Toss the dipped nut into the cocoa powder and shake the bowl to coat. Leave the nut in the cocoa powder while you continue to dip the remaining nuts in the melted chocolate followed by the cocoa powder. Move the coated nuts (still in the cocoa bowl) to a cool place (not the refrigerator) to rest for 1 hour, while the chocolate sets.
8. Toss the nuts in a sieve or colander to discard excess cocoa powder and transfer to an airtight container. The nuts will keep, at room temperature, for up to 2 weeks.

4) Linda Hampsten Fox, The Bindery

Chile Gazpacho

Serves 4-6

This gazpacho resembles a famous Tuscan recipe called Pappa al Pomodoro. In that dish, fresh tomatoes transform an old loaf of bread into a satisfying and delicious meal. Our version turns up the volume with chile pepper and toasty croutons, creating a unique summer gazpacho.

Ingredients:

1 dried ancho chile pepper
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
¼–½ teaspoon hot chile powder
1 pound fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 red onion
1 cucumber
1 garlic clove
1 cup pure tomato juice
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 slices fluffy white bread, crusts removed
4 slices rustic country bread
4 to 6 flat leaf Italian parsley sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, pour boiling water over the ancho chile and let soak for about 10 minutes. Deseed the chile and purée in a blender with 2 tablespoons of the ancho chile water until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl to use for adjusting seasoning and heat later on.
2. Remove the stems and seeds from the red and yellow peppers. Coarsely chop the peppers, red onion, cucumber, tomato and garlic and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Combine the tomato juice, sherry vinegar, toasted cumin seeds, and chile powder in a liquid measuring cup.
4. Add half of the chopped ingredients, half of the liquid ingredients and one slice of white bread to the blender and blend well. Pour this first batch into a large container.
5. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients. Combine first and second batches, and season to taste with salt, pepper and puréed ancho chile paste.
6. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
7. To make the croutons, cut the rustic bread slices into 1-inch or slightly smaller cubes. Warm two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and lightly toast the cubes until golden brown. Finish by tossing with olive oil, salt and pepper.
8. Serve the gazpacho in chilled bowls or wide-mouthed glasses, topped with toasted rustic croutons and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley.

5) Dakota Soifer, Café Aion

Paella

Servings: 2 in a 10’’ paella pan

Remember, cooking paella takes practice and is much more an art than science… so, open up a bottle of wine, nibble on some olives and have fun!

10” paella pan can be purchased locally at Cafe Aion.

Paella Base

Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, julienned
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Pinch of saffron
¼ tsp. Spanish paprika
28 ounces can of crushed tomatoes

Directions:
1. Sweat a julienned yellow onion and the garlic in a couple tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. When they are soft, add a pinch of saffron and Spanish paprika (pimentón) and stir for a few minutes. Then, add a can of crushed tomatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it becomes a nice, fragrant stew.
2. You will only use a ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of the base for the paella. You can freeze the rest (we suggest in hearty ¼ cup portions like a silicone cocktail ice tray) or use it as a base for a pasta sauce or over eggs.

Paella

Ingredients:
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon paella base
½ cup + 2 tablespoons Arborio rice
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups stock (chicken or veggie) (You might need another 1/2 cup later on)
1 link of Spanish chorizo, cut into ½ inch slices
½ pound of bone-in chicken thighs
½ pound of shrimp (cleaned and deveined)
½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped

Directions:
1. With your paella pan on the stove (not turned on yet) pour the paella base, rice, salt, and stock into the pan. Turn the burner to high and bring the mixture to a boil; give it a few little stirs.
2. Once it boils, reduce heat to medium-low/low, barely a simmer. Don’t stir it any more, but you can give it a few gentle wiggles if you need to even things out. Add the chicken and chorizo and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Taste test, and add more salt if needed.
4. After about 30 minutes lightly salt the shrimp and place them on top of the paella. At this point the paella should be starting to get drier… like the consistency of loose oatmeal.
5. Flip the shrimp after 5 minutes and add the roasted peppers.
6. After another 5 minutes, taste the rice to make sure it is cooked—it should be almost done. If it seems a little al dente and the paella is dry, add a bit more stock.
7. Serve in the pan with some freshly chopped scallions, a few chilies, and a squeeze of lemon.

Total cooking time should be around 40 minutes.

Other Paella Ideas

• Paella del Mar: Add mussels, clams, and small pieces of fish (we like firm, white flesh).
• Paella de la Tierra: In addition to the chicken and chorizo, add steak, lamb, and roasted pork.
• Vegetariano: Local veggies are the best, like squash, eggplant, fresh peppers, and peas!

6) Paul C. Reilly, Beast + Bottle and Coperta

Moroccan Carrot Salad

North African flavors work so well with sweet root vegetables. This salad really shines the longer you let the carrots rest in the marinade. You can use this recipe with the beets in this week’s bag, too, for a carrot-beet salad; just roast beets as normal and double the marinade recipe. If you love olives (like me), adding some chopped olives on top is a lovely touch. SIDE NOTE: I actually never peel carrots. I love their flavor and find it superfluous to do so.

Ingredients:

4 large carrots, cut in quarters, vertically
Salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1-inch fresh ginger, grated
A pinch of your favorite chili powder
Juice of ½ lime
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped parsley, cilantro, mint, or any combination of 2 or 3

Directions:

1. Cook the carrots in boiling salted water for 4-5 minutes until slightly soft but still crispy in the center. Drain and season with salt. In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, coriander, ginger, and chili powder. Pour over the still-warm carrots and let marinate a few hours or even overnight. Right before serving, mix the lime, oil and herbs together.
2. Toss the carrots to coat and serve.

7) Paul C. Reilly, Beast + Bottle and Coperta

Lemon-Summer Squash Bread with Sunflower Seeds

Every summer, we reach a point when summer squash is ubiquitous. It sure grows prolifically in Colorado. Maybe you’ve been saving it in your fridge? If you’re tired of cooking or grilling it, this is a simple quick bread that actually uses quite a bit of it. It’s based on a carrot cake recipe but now in bread form for simple morning snacking.

Ingredients:

2 cups AP flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Grated peel of 1 lemon
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup golden raisins
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
½ cup neutral oil, such as sunflower
1 1/3 cup packed, shredded, unpeeled summer squash

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon peel in a large bowl. Stir in seeds and raisins. In a smaller bowl, combine eggs, milk, and oil. Make a well in center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Stir until combined and fold in the squash.
3. Spoon the batter into a greased and floured 13×8 loaf pan. Bake 55-60 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes on a rack. Remove from pan and let cool to room temperature.

8) Amy Tisdale, Red Wagon Farm

Lentil Soup with Rutabaga and Collards

This is super simple to make and it makes a lot, so you will have leftovers and the leftovers are great. You can throw in any extra grains or vegetables you have to freshen up the leftovers and eat this all week. Oh, and this just happens to be vegan.

I love adding a little bit of vinegar to lentil dishes, I add a splash about 1/2 way through cooking when I add the greens, if I am using greens and usually a little more right before eating it. If you don’t think you’ll like the vinegar just start with just a little and add more to taste or leave it out. It will be delicious either way.

To make this you’ll need:

1 ¼ cups green lentils
12 ounces canned (or cartoned?) fresh tomatoes (1 ½ cups)
2 large onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons to a ¼ cup vinegar to taste (I used white balsamic, I like the slight sweetness but any vinegar is good – red wine vinegar is good)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fresh or dried thyme leaves
2 cups peeled and diced rutabagas
2 cups diced carrots
2 cups chopped greens – collards, spinach, chard (greens are totally optional)
6 cups water
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Peel and dice the rutabagas and dice the rest of the vegetables you are using. I don’t peel carrots. Put everything in the amounts above in a pan except the vinegar and greens.
2. Simmer that for a total of about an hour. About 1/2 way through cooking add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar and your greens and finish cooking until all the vegetables are cooked through. It’s fine to cook it longer. This photo (above) is when I added the greens. It needs to cook at least 1/2 hour longer.
3. I like eating this with an added splash of vinegar and olive oil and bread or croutons.

9) Chef Dani, Shine Community

Bourbon Brined Buckner Family Farms Pork Chop

Yield: 4 plates

Pork Chop

Ingredients:
4 bone-in tomahawk pork chops
1 quart brine
¼ cup Kosher salt
¼ cup maple syrup
2 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
1 cup water
2 ½ cup cold water
½ cup bourbon

Method:
1. Place all ingredients except cold water and bourbon in a small sauce pan, heat until everything is dissolved.
2. Remove from heat, add remaining liquid and cool completely (below 41?F).
3. Place pork chops in brine for 6 hours, keeping them fully submerged.
4. Remove and place on a sheet tray with a roasting rack

At Service:
1. Dry chops thoroughly.
2. Grill to desired temperature (For a perfect medium, remove the pork chop when internal temperature reaches 130? (use a probe thermometer, and always check close to the bone, as that will be the last part of the cut to cook) and allow to rest for a few minutes. Lower temperature cooking with pork is now considered safe to eat, especially when the pigs are treated so well!
3. Plate pork, kept whole, on the polenta, leaning the bone against the vegetables, serving the bone away from the guest.

Asparagus and Mushrooms

Ingredients:
6 ounces asparagus
6 ounces black oyster mushrooms
¼ cup white wine
4 ounces butter, divided
Salt and white pepper to taste

Method:
1. Bring a pot of water to boil, and prepare an ice bath.
2. Snap bottom ends of asparagus and rinse.
3. Blanch asparagus for 1-5 minutes depending on thickness.
4. Shock in the ice water until completely cold, then remove from the water and set aside.
5. Gently rub mushrooms with a cold, wet towel/paper towel, separate by the stem and trim off bottoms of large clusters.

At Service:
1. Sauté the veggies together in 1 ounce of the butter, and season with salt and white pepper. Allow to cook a couple minutes.
2.Deglaze with the wine, and reduce by 50%. Add the remaining butter in chunks and swirl into the liquid to form a sauce. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Plate with a spoon on top of the polenta, making sure the sauce is nicely coating the vegetables.

Creamy Soft Polenta

Ingredients:
2 cups chicken stock
2 cup whole milk
1 cup polenta
4 ounces butter
4 ounces parmesan/pecorino
Salt, white pepper, parsley to taste

Method:
1. Bring stock and milk together in a saucepan, and heat on medium. Just when the liquid comes to a boil, begin slowly adding polenta in. While whisking vigorously, add all the polenta in this way.
2. Continue whisking frequently and allow polenta to cook for 5-10 minutes, making sure the bottom doesn’t scorch.
3. Melt in butter and cheese, and add seasonings and herbs.
4. Hold on very low heat or in a double boiler until service, adding milk or stock and whisking occasionally to keep nice and creamy

At Service:
1. Check consistency and seasoning before plating and adjust as necessary.
2. Plate on warmed pasta bowls when pork is resting.

The post 9 Summer Recipes | Summer Cuisine appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Injustice of Real Estate: History, Hope, and Solutions for a More Equitable Future

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 04:59:30 +0000

Homeownership is one of the strongest tools for generating wealth in America. Home values tend to appreciate over time, loans and mortgages make it easier to make such a large purchase, and equity grows as mortgage payments are made. However, though the homeownership rate in the U.S. sits at 65.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, the racial gap in homeownership is alarming, and has been so historically. There are changes happening, and programs available, to reverse this trend.

The U.S. has marginalized most non-white groups in its 400-year history and the institutionalized groundwork that prevented minority groups and the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community from generating wealth in America continues to still play a very real and active role today. It is as vital to understand the historical events that led up to our current situation as it is to understand the available opportunities that exist today, and what needs to be done to create viable change for the BIPOC community.

Colorado Homeownership by Race Over Time. Source: The Bell Report Analysis of American Community Survey Data, 1960-2017

Data from the Census Bureau shows that homeownership for White people in America sits at 74.5 percent, or roughly 9 percent higher than the national average. White people make up 76.3 percent of the population, or roughly 250,000,000 people. Black people make up 13.4 percent of the population, or roughly 43,000,000 people, but the homeownership rate sits at 44.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. The homeownership rate for Asian, Native, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander is 59.5 percent and for Hispanic the rate is 49.1 percent, the population makeup of those two groups is 8.5 percent and 18.5 percent (27,000,000 and 60,000,000) respectively. Any argument that higher population numbers correlate with higher homeownership rates is inherently wrong because those percentages are specific to the populations, meaning it’s more common for certain races to purchase a home than it is for others.

In Colorado, the numbers are roughly the same. According to the report, “Colorado’s Racial Wealth Gap: Homeownership & Credit” (2019) by Mateo Parsons from The Bell Policy Center, “Colorado’s black families are 62 percent less likely to own a home than the state’s non-Hispanic White families. Latino families are 43 percent less likely,” “Native American families are 38 percent less likely, and Asian families are 36 percent less likely.”

Homeownership rates have improved since the 1960’s for all races but the gaps between BIPOC groups and White people have all increased, signifying an increase in racial wealth gaps.

Poverty, Unemployment, and Bad Credit

According to the Bell Policy report, poverty and unemployment rates are large factors playing a role in homeownership, especially in regards to credit creation, which is a key factor in acquiring loans. Parsons states that, “[r]esearch from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2015 shows a strong correlation between income level and both ‘credit invisibility’ and ‘unscorability’ – that is, a lack of credit record altogether, or having an insufficient credit history to generate a credit score.” Parsons continues that the “CFPB also finds ‘credit invisibility’ and ‘unscorability’ are strongly correlated to race.”

Racial Disparities Apparent in Colorado’s Poverty Rate. Source: American Community Survey (data for some groups unavailable)

Even when using federal or state programs for loans or down payment assistance, good credit scores are incredibly important. In an interview with local Realtor and (Woman of Color) Ella Marie Taylor of the Wall Street West Group explains that “[b]ad credit is one of the main obstacles keeping POC away from homeownership.” Taylor continues that, “there will always be minimum credit requirements in order to qualify for a loan.” Taylor says that even programs designed to assist require a score of at least 620, and one program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a score of 580 but it can go as low as 500 with a larger down payment.

Source: Center for Responsible Lending

The Bell Policy report analyzed Colorado and found that “[b]oth black Coloradans and Native Americans are twice as likely to be impoverished than non-Hispanic white Coloradans.” The national average poverty rate in 2019 was 18.8 percent for black Americans, 15.7 percent for Hispanic Americans, and 7.3 percent for white Americans. The national average for Asian Americans is also 7.3 percent.

As to what’s causing these continued trends today, Parsons blames discrimination in lending, predatory lending, and the subprime crisis and Great Recession. Parsons points to, “2009 data from the policy think tank, The Greenlining Institute, show[ing that] Latinos and Blacks were disproportionately steered into the subprime lending market leading up to the housing crash.” Non-white groups are also more likely “to have high-cost mortgages.” Parsons explains that the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) says this is due to a combination of high-risk lenders and “differential treatment by those lenders.” Parsons further explained that The Greenlining Institute found “even among borrowers with the highest credit scores, 13.5 percent of Latino and 12.8 percent of black borrowers received high-cost loans, compared to 2.6 percent of white borrowers.”

The effect of the great recession on home equity for the next generation of whites and blacks (aged 30-40). Source: ACLU

In a report by the ACLU titled, “Impact of the US Housing Crisis on Racial Wealth Gap Across Generations,” they found that “without the Great Recession, Black and White home equity values for this group [next generation] were headed toward parity by 2050.” But because of the Great Recession, the ACLU found that the gap in home equity for the next generation of White and Black Americans, will remain large far into the future.

Historical Implications

The United States has committed undeniable atrocities against its own population, starting way before it’s founding and continuing today. Some of those atrocities were institutionalized and lingered, but all of them combined have led to the discrepancies that exist today between groups. Slavery, indentured servitude, lynching, internment camps, the deportation of 3 million Latinos from 1930 to 1954, Jim Crow laws, redlining, the murder and forced assimilation of Native populations (and theft of native lands/violation of treaties), and so many other examples, stain the very fabric of our nation with the blood of our own and other countries people. Parson explains, that “[t]he history of racial discriminatory policies shows today’s racial wealth gap didn’t originate naturally – it was purposeful.”

Redlining was the racist methodology that marginalized BIPOC and foreign communities and came about after the New Deal, which was said to have revolutionized the ability to acquire loans for homeownership. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) created “Residential Security” maps, color-coding American cities in four different categories including the lowest, “Hazardous” zone which were subsequently redlined by lending institutions impacting the decades to follow. According to the study, “HOLC “Redlining” Maps: the persistent structure of segregation and economic inequality” conducted by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), 74 percent of the neighborhoods that were marked hazardous “eight decades ago are low-to-moderate income (LMI) today.”

LEFT: Percentage of areas with HOLC grades that are currently majority non-Hispanic white, or majority-minority nationally; RIGHT: Percentage of areas with HOLC grades that are currently low-to-moderate or middle-to upper income nationally

National HOLC Grades and Race: Percentage of areas with HOLC grades that are currently majority non-Hispanic white, or majority-minority nationally

The University of Richmond offers an interactive guide for all U.S. cities mapped by the HOLC including original descriptions of each area when available. In the description of Denver section ‘D13’, which today would be near Five Points, it was referred to as “one of the best colored districts in the United States,” and “[w]ere it not for the heavy colored population much of it could be rated ‘C’.” The section was rated D and like all other ‘hazardous’ zones redlined. This is just one example of how the HOLC codified racism across the nation, something that continues to influence the development of those redlined areas to this day.

Redlined map of Denver by the HOLC.

Redlining was made illegal with the enactment of the 1968 Fair Housing Act and predatory lending has largely taken its place. Vestiges of redlining remain.

What Can Be Done

Boulder County Realtor (and person of color) Amirah Counts of West + Main Homes says, it’s a tough time to be a home buyer. “It’s a sellers market,” Counts tells YS. “Some properties have gone over contract for over $100,000 of the asking price.” When asked what’s one of the biggest hurdles first time homeowners face, Counts points to education. “It’s not just you’re paying a mortgage, you’re also paying upkeep.” First time buyers need to be aware of “not only the process of becoming a homeowner, but what it’s like to be a homeowner.” She explains that, “it starts with the financial portion and I think that should be taught in schools.” In Colorado, Operation Hope is providing financial literacy empowerment and economic education and the CHFA has a free Homebuyer Education program.

Federally, The Bell Policy report lists several ideas and bills that are being worked on as partial solutions. Baby Bonds, first studied by William Darity Jr. and Darrick Hamilton and then popularized by Senator Cory Booker during his Presidential Campaign, are one such answer and would provide each child $1,000 at birth that could grow to $40,000 by age 18. Such a seed fund would be used for wealth generation and asset acquisition later in life by the benefactor. Another approach is [former] Senator Kamala Harris’s LIFT the Middle Class Act to provide “refundable tax credit for most middle- and working-class Americans.” Other solutions include down payment and renter’s assistance and progressive tax reform.

Locally, programs are currently working to assist Coloradans when it comes to purchasing a home. Notable programs include Habitat for Humanity, the Affordable Homes program at Central Park, and NeighborhoodLIFT which provides down payment assistance to qualified first time homebuyers. See below for more programs.

Realtor Ella Taylor also shared that community members can use the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which “[t]hrough the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), helps home buyers who don’t qualify for conventional loans obtain affordable mortgages.” Taylor explains that “[t]he FHA’s mortgage insurance program offers low-income home buyers, or those with bad credit, the ability to qualify for FHA loans, which are secured by the government.” Taylor also became certified as a credit repair specialist, which they offer their clients free of charge.

Home Buyer & Financial Education

• CHFA Homebuyer Education
www.chfainfo.com

• Operation Hope
Veronica.Robles@operationhope.org | 720-327-9367

Home Acquisition Assistance

• Boulder County Down Payment Assistance
longmontcolorado.gov | 303-651-8530

• City of Boulder Home Ownership Program
bouldercolorado.gov/homeownership | 303-441-3157

• City of Denver Affordable Housing Ownership Program
denvergov.org

• CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program
https://www.chfainfo.com/homeownership/down-payment-assistance

• Colorado Community Land Trust
https://coloradoclt.org | 303-829-8744

• Department of Housing and Urban Development
hud.gov/states/colorado

• Elevation Community Land Trust
elevationclt.org | 720-822-0052

• Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver
habitatmetrodenver.org | 303-534-2929

• MetroDPA
denvergov.org

• NeighborhoodLIFT
crhdc.org/lift | 719-589-1680

Data from the Census Bureau shows that homeownership for White people in America sits at 74.5%, or roughly 9% higher than the national average.

Conclusion

Homeownership is vital for wealth generation and allows individuals to add security to their own future and to that of the next generation. As Taylor puts it, “[a]s you build equity in your home over the years, you can borrow against that wealth. Homeownership is far and away the most powerful driver of wealth creation in the U.S. economy and one that must be made accessible to more POC if we hope to increase their financial security.”

The historical timeline of racism in the U.S., leading up to today, has systematically worked to prevent the BIPOC community from acquiring wealth and homes as easily as White people. It will take the effort of all Americans – specifically including political will – to change and work towards a future where all Americans have the same opportunities that White people are privileged with; this will not help BIPOC recover the wealth that has been systematically denied them, but it will allow for a more equitable future. It requires addressing a multitude of factors that certain communities and the BIPOC community face that perpetuate a cycle of poverty and the stunting of growth and development. For now, local, state, and federal programs and organizations are working to make it a little easier, with hopes that one day the playing field will truly be level.

The post The Injustice of Real Estate: History, Hope, and Solutions for a More Equitable Future appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Yellow Scene Camp Directory 2021

Laurenz Busch — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 23:12:35 +0000

Summer is around the corner and now is the best time to prepare. With the uncertainty of the pandemic lingering and hope on the horizon as more and more people are vaccinated, parents around the country are starting to wonder how and if summer camps will function this season. A study released by the CDC involving four summer camps in Maine and over 1000 participants showed summer camps do have the capability to safely function during Covid-19 with the right precautions. Summer camps are also incredibly beneficial to young people. According to the American Camp Association, “Camp provides children with a community of caring adults, who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value. All of the outcomes – self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect – build personal competencies.” Other skills include Social Development, Character Building, and Community Services Skills.

Yellow Scene prides itself on providing the most up to date and thorough directory in Boulder County, but we are still in a pandemic and the risks are very real. We hope that summer camps can one day safely serve our communities again, so before choosing, it’s wise to consider the state of public health in your community and that of where the camp is located, in addition to the protocols in place at the camp. For more information on Covid-19, visit the www.cdc.gov or www.bouldercounty.org.

ANIMAL ECOLOGY

Ocean First Institute Marine Science Summer Camps

3015 Bluff St.

lauren@oceanfirstinstitute.org

www.oceanfirstinstitute.org/what-we-do/youth-progams/summer-camps

Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp

(303) 499-3647

info@thornenature.org

thornenature.org/summer-camp/

Wild Bear Nature Center

(303) 258-0495

registrar@wildbearorg

www.wildbear.org

ARTS & PERFORMING

Afterbeat Drum School

(720) 837-5410

www.afterbeatdrumschool.com

BackStory Theatre Youth Classes & Camps

info@backstorytheatre.org

(720)263-0836

www.backstorytheatre.org

Boulder Opera

(303) 731-2035

info@boulderoperacompany.com

www.boulderoperacompany.com/

Boulder Performing Arts Musical Theatre Camps

(303) 859-4195

boulderperformingarts2@gmail.com

www.boulderperformingarts.com/

Colorado Shakespeare Festival Summer Camps

(303) 735-1181

csfedout@colorado.edu

www.coloradoshakes.org/education

Harmony Music House Music Camps for KIDS

2525 ½ Broadway

(303) 444-7444

info@harmonymusichouse.com

www.harmonymusichouse.com

LDTA Ballet & Dance Camp

(303) 317-2707

office@ldtacademy.com

www.LDTacademy.com

Parlando School of Musical Arts

2590 Walnut Street

(303) 442-0006

info@parland.org

www.parlando.org

Rock & Roll Camp for Teens

535 Courtney Way

(303) 664-1600

liz@doghousemusicstudios.com

www.doghousemusic.com

Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids Summer Performing Arts Camp Older Company

5311 Western Avenue Suits 135

(303) 245-8150

www.theaterforkids.net

Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids Summer Performing Arts Camp Younger company

5311 Western Avenue Suite 135

(303) 245-8150

www.theaterforkids.net

Sing the World Green Middle School Choir Camp

(720) 387-9182

www.singitgreen.org

ARTS – VISUAL & MULTIMEDIA

Arts HUB Camp Program

(303) 229-1127

info@artshub.org

www.artshub.org

Crackpots Creativity Camp

505 Main Street

(303) 776-2211

www.ecrackpots.com

Creative Lab Summer Camps

2707 Spruce Street

www.shopcommonthreads.com/schedule

creativelab@shopcommonthreads.com

Living Arts School

(820) 383-4406

info@livingartsschool.com

livingartsschool.com/summer-camp

Summer Clay Camp

(303) 926-0996

mudslingerspotteryinc@gmail.com

www.mudslingerspottery.com

pARTiculars Galley and Teaching Studio Kids Summer Art Camp

(303) 519-5254

jhougen@comcast.net

www.particularsart.com

Posh Painting Camp

(303) 442-7674

info@poshsplat.com

www.poshsplat.com

Sew Fun at Fabricate

(303) 997-8245

contact@fabricateboulder.com

www.fabricateboulder.com

Studio Arts Boulder Pottery LAb

1010 Aurora Avenue

(720)379-6033

contact@studioartsboulder.org

www.studioartsboulder.org/camps

Tinker Art Studio

693 S. Broadway, Suite B

(303) 503-1902

www.tinkerartstudio.com

tinker@tinkerartstudio.com

EDUCATION & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Food Lab Summer Camps

(303) 952-8364

events@foodlabboulder.com

www.foodlabboulder.com/kids-summer-camp

Integral Steps

infor@integralsteps.org

https://www.integralsteps.org/summer.html

Learning Pathways Reading Camps

1790 30th Street

(303) 499-1941

www.learningpathwayscolorado.com

lpboulder@gmail.com

BVSD Lifelong Learning Summer Camps!

(720) 561-5968

www.bvsd.org/LLL

Longmont Museum

400 Quail Road

(303) 651-8374

www.longmontmuseum.org

Museum of Boulder Comic Book Camp

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

museumofboulder.org/event/comic-book-summer-camp/

Museum of Boulder Cosplay and Costume Camp

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

www.museumofboulder.org/event/summer-camp-cosplay-and-costumes/

Museum of Boulder Camp Game On!

(303) 449-3464

chelsea@museumofboulder.org

www.museumofboulder.org/eventsummer-camp-game-on

Summer Learning Institute with The Owl Education Group

(303) 551-0018

crissy@owledgroup.com

www.owledgroup.com

TLC Learning Center

611 Korte PArkway

(303) 776-7417

www.learningwithtlc.org

EQUESTRIAN

Academy Stables Summer Camps

(303) 665-4637

www.academystables.com

Triple Creek Ranch Horsemanship Camps

4255 Nelson Rd.

(303) 444-4291

www.triplecreek-ranch.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Eldorado Mountain Yoga Camp

(303) 249-1671.

eldoradoyoga.org

The Little Gym of Broomfield and Westminster

(303)427-6688.

thelittlegym.com

Shambhala Mountain Center Family Camp

(888) 788-7221.(including adults).

Shambhalamountain.org

Success Strategies 4 Kids: Secrets of Friendship & Alternatives to Anger

(303) 915-4421

slewis.consulting@gmail.com

www.SS4k.com

Uncorked Kids/Teens Summer Programs

(720) 907-3838.

uncorkedkitchen.com

OUTDOORS

Avid4 Adventure Camps

(800) 977-9873

info@avid4.com

https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-camps

Boulder Parks and Recreation

(303) 413-7441

www.BPRCamps.org

City of Lafayette

(303)665-0469

www.cityoflafayette.com/camps

sarah.cleland@cityoflafayette.com

City of Longmont Summer Recreation

(303) 651-8404

Terri.calvin@longmontcolorado.gov

www.longmontcolorado.gov

Colorado Mountain Ranch

200 East Baseline Road

(303) 665-0599

www.centerformusicalarts.org

Colorado Mountain Ranch

200 East Baseline Road

(303) 665-0599

www.centerformusicalarts.org

Renaissance Adventures

(303) 786-9216

www.renaissanceadventures.com

Front Range Anglers on Pearl Street

2344 Pearl Street

(303) 494-1375

antonia@frontrangeranglers.com

www.frontrangeanglers.com

Mountain Kids Summer Day Camp

474 S. Taylor Ave

(303) 665-8287

camp@mountainkidslouisvillecom

www.mountainkidslouisville.com

Rocky Mountain Anglers Fly-Fishing Camp

1904 Arapahoe Avenue

(303)447-2400

info@rockymtanglers.com

www.rockymtanglers.com

Steve and Kate’s Camp

(303) 848-8713

boulder@steveandkate.com

www.steveandkatescamp.com/boulder/

Storycamp

(603) 770-3358

www.campstorycamp.com

Sunflower Farm Summer Camp

(303) 774=8001

sunflowerfarmmail@gmail.com

www.sunflowerfarminfo.com

YMCA of Northern Colorado

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps

Arapahoe YMCA

2800 Dagny Way

Lafayette, CO.

(303) 664-5455

www.ymcanoco.org/membership/arapahoe-ymca

Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA

50 Lashley Street

Longmont, CO.

(303) 776-0370

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/longmont-camps

Mapleton YMCA

2850 Mapleton Avenue

Boulder, CO.

(303) 442-2778

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/boulder-valley-camps

Johnstown YMCA

15 Settler Way

Johnstown, CO.

(720) 797-2020

www.ymcanoco.org/summer-camps/johnstown-camps/camp-noco-johnstown

Camp Santa Maria

51321 US Hwy 285

Grant, CO.

(303) 838-7900

www.ymcanoco.org/camp-santa-maria/

PRE-SCHOOL

Alaya Preschool Summer Camp

3340 19th St.

(303) 44905248

alaya@alayapreschool.org

www.alayapreschool.org

Blossom French Bilingual Preschool

(303)819-4084

thelanguageoffood@gmail.com

Camp Oonie Koonie Cha Early Childhood Music, Art and Science Camp

(303)880-9494

bouldercampokc@gmail.com

campokc.com/

Dream Makers Super Summer Fun

1345 28th St. Bldg. C.

(720) 273-0101

gedenbed@comcast.net

Friends School Summer Programs

(303) 449-1999

www.friendsSummerCamp.org

Little Folks Folk School

(253) 332-2845

boulderfolkschool@gmail.com

www.kristendemaree.com/littlefolks

Off Broadway Preschool Summer Camp 2019

(303) 800-0324

emily@offbroadwaypreschool.org

www.offbroadwaypreschool.org/summer-camps.html

Sunflower Preschool Summer Camp

3340 Dartmouth

(303) 494-2012

sunflowerpreschoolboulder@gmail.com

Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten

(720) 383-4406

info@livingartsschool.com

www.livingartsschool.com/summer-camp

RELIGIOUS

Boulder JCC summer Camps for Infants and Pre-Kindergarten

6007 Oreg Ave

Karli@boulderjcc.org

(720) 749-2504

Boulder JCC Day Camps

6007 Oreg Ave

(303) 998-1900

David@boulderjcc.org

www.boulderjcc.org/camps

Keitanat Har HaShem

Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road

(303) 499-7077

camp@harhashem.org

Longs Peak United Methodist Church

1421 Elmhurst Drive

(303) 776-0399

kids@lpumc.org

www.lpumc.org/

SCHOOL & DISTRICT CAMPS

Bixby Summer Camp

(303)494-7508

www.bixbyschool.org

Boulder Country Day School Summer Camps

(303)527-4931

www.bouldercountryday.org/summer

summer@bouldercountryday.org

Boulder Valley School District

Summer Programs

6500 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder.

303.447.1010. bvsd.org/summerlearning

Dawson School Summer Camps and Programs

10455 Dawson Drive

www.dawsonschool.org/summercamps

summercamps@dawnsonschool.org

Mackintosh Academy Boulder Campus Specialty Summer Camps

6717 South Boulder Road

mackintoshacademy.com/

Montessori Academy

(303) 926-8321

montessori.academy@mac.com

www.montessoriacademylafayette.com

St. Vrain Valley School District Summer Programs

303.776.6200. svvsd.org

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & GAMING

CU Science Discovery Summer Camps

(303) 492-7188

www.sciencediscovery.colorado.edu

SPECIAL NEEDS

Adam’s Camp

(303) 563-8290

Adamscamp.org

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center

PO Box 697. Breckenridge.

(970) 453-6422

boec.org

Camp Paha

200 Kipling Street, Lakewood.

(303) 987-4866

lakewood.org/paha

Colorado Lions Camp

28541 Hwy 67N. Woodland Park.

(719) 687-2087

Coloradolionscamp.org

Rocky Mountain Village Overnight: Empire.

(303) 569-2333.

co.easterseals.com

Roundup River Ranch

(970) 524-2267.

roundupriverranch.org

Temple Grandin

(303) 554-7363.

templegrandinschool.org

SPORTS

Abc Kids Climbing

1960 32nd Street

(303) 443-5437

Info@abckidsclimbing.com

EYG Basketball Skills Training

(720) 580-9552

galen@eygbball.com

www.eygbball.com/

Evo Rock + Fitness

(303) 317-3770

steve@evorock.com

www.evorock.com/louisville-co

Flagstaff Academy Dragon Flight Summer Day and Specialty Camps

2040 Miller Drive

(303) 217-6764

jpeppler@flagstaffacademy.org

www.flagstaffacademy.org/

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls

Douglass Elementary School, 840 N 75th St.

(720) 893-2386

info@gameonsports4girls.com

www.gameonsports4girls.com

Summer Day Camp @ The Sports Stable

(720) 620-2049

danielle@myimpactsports.com

www.myimpactsports.com

Northern Colorado Fencers Summer Camp

1949 33rd Street

(303) 443-6557

www.ncfencers.org

Rocky Mountain Kung Fu Ninja Camp

(720 648-8799

zenkidskungfu@gmail.com

www.rockymountainkungfu.com

Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures

(303) 447-8014

trish@lertprograms.com

www.ridesmba.org

WRITING

Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

(303) 297-1185

www.Lighthousewriters.org

Boulder Writing Studio

(303) 362-1509

www.boulderwritingstudio.org

The post Yellow Scene Camp Directory 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Rainbow Open Space Composting Facility: Origins, RCAB, Minutiae, and Staff Errors | #YSInvestigation Part 2

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 22:19:11 +0000

Graphic by De La Vaca

On Thursday, March 4th, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the staff recommendation to withdraw the special use review application for the proposed compost facility, in what many have seen as a victory for open space activists and locals. The request came after weeks of public backlash about potential impacts that the facility could have on the surrounding area and concern that a conservation easement protecting the property from development had been extinguished. The move will allow current commissioners to publicly engage with the project, something they weren’t allowed to do while it was under Special Review; it had entered the review phase under the prior board of commissioners, of which only Commissioner Matt Jones remains (no relation to former commissioner Elise Jones, who served at the same time).

Recently seated Commissioner Marta Loachamin states, “The status of a quasi-judicial case has been difficult for us as county commissioners, as it immediately limited our ability to speak freely, as a new Board in January 2021, with the community.”

Commissioner Matt Jones asserted that, “we absolutely need composting options” but that “we should not use open space for a composting facility.” He also labelled the actions of opponents of the project as “grandstanding” while acknowledging that the county “created the problem and it’s not going away.”

Commissioner Claire Levy said the county’s actions may have been in part due to “tunnel vision”, that she wanted to know “whether the compost will be usable by our Boulder County farmers”, and that “ending this application is the best way for us to get this information and be able to engage with the community.”

Information has continued to surface about the early stages of the project, the role of the Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) and various discrepancies in their meeting minutes, and an email chain acquired by Yellow Scene that was referred to by a CDOT employee as, on face value, “traffic study number manipulation to avoid building the acceleration lanes.”

Current Board of County Commissioners from L: Marta Loachamin, Matt Jones, Claire Levy

Former Commissioners from L: Matt Jones, Elise Jones, and Deb Gardener

Former Commissioners when Rainbow Nursery was purchased, from L: Deb Gardener, Elise Jones (sister to Suzanne Jones), and Cindy Domenico

Timeline Updates

Rainbow Nursery was an important property in the county because it had long held a Conservation Easement (CE) protecting it from development. In 2013, the prospect of purchasing the property was brought to the BOCC because the property was for sale and the CE allowed a Right of First Refusal. Staff did not recommend exercising this right to purchase the property and the commissioners voted to deny their right. The BOCC also authorized the Director of Parks and Open Space to decline such options in the future unless it was deemed in the best interest of the county to purchase.

On April 5th, 2018, Parks and Open Space (P&OS) staff recommended exercising the first right of purchase to acquire the Rainbow Nursery to BOCC, who opted to exercise their right. The property was purchased on April 12th, 2018. Presenting staff, Mel Stonebraker, acknowledged that the CE on the property is a ‘fairly simple document; compared to what we would do today, it’s quite crude,” and that if the county were to decide to sell the property in the future they would upgrade the CE to match today’s standards. Stonebraker also said at the time that, “the property will be used as open space unless the county later decides the property would be appropriate for a zero waste site.”

At the same April 5th, 2018 BOCC meeting P&OS staff recommended purchasing Rainbow Nursery, former Commissioner Deb Gardener said that, “I think it’s a great opportunity” and that “there is potential for different kinds of zero waste operations there, but then at the same time there are probably a lot of hurdles around that.” Former Commissioner Elise Jones added, “It’s a great opportunity both for the water and future potential uses like zero waste.” Former Commissioner Cindy Domenico chimed in with, “It’s an amazing opportunity right on [Highway] 287.”

In an email acquired by Yellow Scene, dated April 30th, 2018, Al Hardy, then and current Recreation and Facilities Manager for P&OS, wrote to various other county employees that the property had been purchased via Open Space funds and that there is a, “potential for the property to be utilized for county sustainability efforts (potential need for a site related to larger construction material recycling and also composting).” Hardy continued that if the location were to be used, “there would be a transfer (sale) from open space of the land to another county department” Hardy went on to say that they had attached, “2015 Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment documents that provide there are no known significant environmental concerns at the time of the report.” It is unclear if the report suggests whether or not the County had been studying the property with the intention to use it in the future.

Screenshot

On May 1st, 2018 a closing memo was released which stated that the property had been purchased for $985,000, which included “$385,000 worth of water rights[,] certain mineral rights and one development right.” The memo also states that “administrative services is considering the possibility of using the site as part of the county’s zero waste initiative,” and ends the summary asserting that, “The county previously held a conservation easement over the property. That easement interest has merged with [the] fee title, and no longer exists.” A fee title is a full interest in a property.

Hardy also corresponded with Darla Arians, currently the Division Manager at Resource Conservation Division (RCD), on May 29th, 2018 about a meeting the next day to which Arians responded that the Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) Infrastructure Committee is “taking a preliminary look at the site to discuss potential use around C&D processing, EAB management, debris management, and potentially compost and/or anaerobic digestion.”

Within a month of purchasing the property, county employees had begun actively considering using the Rainbow Nursery for zero waste initiatives, even though the property was purchased via Open Space funds. At the time of this writing, the Rainbow Nursery is still considered to be Open Space; the CE is still considered extinguished.

RCAB Bylaw Appearance of Discrepancies

The Resource Conservation Advisory Board (RCAB) has been involved with the project since at least the 2018 preliminary site visit. Founded in 2002, RCAB’s purpose, per their bylaws, is:

“to advise the Board of County Commissioners in reducing the amount and toxicity of waste generated in the county; to research, review and recommend changes in policy related to waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting; to provide input on the development of facilities and programs; and as a result of these efforts to help Boulder County, its communities, and partners to conserve mineral, fossil fuel and forest resources, and to reduce environmental pollution.”

RCAB has discussed the project at several meetings, sent memo recommendations, such as for PEH Architects, and served as “key informants to the decision makers, acting as external stakeholders and representatives of the municipalities to make sure there are no fatal flaws as the reports come out.” Its members include local experts and leaders from various non-profits, organizations, municipalities, and other local government departments. All are volunteers.

In the RCAB bylaws it states that the cities and towns within the county and the county itself, as well as Resource Central, CU Recycling, Eco-Cycle, and Western Disposal Services, may appoint one representative each. The BOCC will also appoint one additional waste ‘hauler’ as well as five at-large members. It does not specify what roles these representatives may or may not have at their respective organizations or departments or whether members of the same organization or municipality may serve representing different entities.

YS has found various errors in the RCAB meeting minutes, some of which are not in line with the bylaws. It has also been noticed that employees of local organizations, such as local waste haulers, will represent other entities, such as municipalities or ‘At Large”. When asked whether the bylaws are meant to be followed exactly, Tim Broderick, RCAB staff Liaison and a Boulder County employee, explained that, “The bylaws are guiding principles that the advisory board agrees to follow.” Broderick provided clarification to each error.

The bylaws state that RCAB shall be limited to 21 members, but at all meetings in 2020, there have been 22 or 23 members. At the October 2019 and September 2019 meeting there were 24 and 22 members respectively. There have also been concerns that some members of the same organization or department are members of RCAB.

Broderick: “There are 21 members of RCAB. To date our staff member who takes the notes has been listing both the in attendance and not in attendance members from the same organization. This makes it appear as if there are more members then there are. I am working with the staff member to make this clearer in future note taking.”

At the February 2020 meeting, Neal Lurie representing “Center for ReSource Conservation,” and Brandon Hill representing Resource Central, were both listed as members. The Daily Camera reported in 2017 that the Center for ReSource Conservation had changed its name to Resource Central.

Broderick: “Neal Lurie represents Resource Central. It is common practice in RCAB when members have scheduling conflicts, they will send replacements to represent them. Brandon Hill is Neal Lurie’s replacement for the same organization.”

At the October 2019 meeting, Darla Arians representing Boulder County, and Cody Lillstrom representing RCD (assumed to be Resource Conservation Division), were both listed as attending members. Darla Arians is an employee of RCD and has spoken for RCD at RCAB meetings. Lillstrom has been at other meetings, such as the October 2020 meeting, listed under ‘Guests’ as ‘Cody Lillstrom – Boulder County’ and at the February 2019, also listed under ‘Guests’ as ‘Cody Lillstrom – Boulder County RCD’.

Broderick: “RCD is not a member of RCAB. If listed this is an error and they should be a guest. Darla Arians is a member of RCAB and represents Boulder County.”

Bridget Johnson represented the Town of Jamestown at five meetings in 2020 and all meetings in 2019. At the February 2020 and May 2020 meetings Johnson represented Green Girl Recycling, which she founded.

Broderick: “Bridget Johnson represent[s] Jamestown. She will often give updates on Green Girl Recycling events in Jamestown so sometimes in the notes there is cross over.”

Stephanie Walton and Tony Raeker have both been listed as members representing the City of Lafayette at every meeting since October 2019. They were both listed as “Present” at the October 2019 meeting.

Broderick: “Tony Raeker would represent Stephanie Walton. Tony Raeker, I believed recently stepped down from his position and Lafayette is actively working on a replacement.”

Screenshot

Tim Towndrow and Steve Derus were both listed as representing Republic Services at all 2020 meetings.

Broderick: “Correct, this is again because of how the staff member taking notes was listing both the in attendance and not in attendance members of the same organization in the minutes.”

Screenshot

Mircalla Wozniak was listed as representing At Large at the December 2020 meeting but, at the end of the minutes during the vote to support the proposed compost facility and a letter of support to BOCC, Wozniak was listed as representing the City of Louisville voting in favor. Mark Persichetti was also listed as voting in favor and representing the City of Louisville. Wozniak is an employee of Boulder County.

Broderick: “This is a staff error that will be corrected.”

Screenshot

Brian Tewey was listed under “Guests” at the September 2020 meeting as, ‘Brian Tewey – PEH Architects’. In an email, Tewey explained he is “a part-time project architect with the Building Services Division of Public Works.” He is also the listed applicant on behalf of the county on the Planning Application form for the proposed facility. YS reached out to PEH Architects, Tewey, and Andrew Barth; all verified this was a staff error and that Tewey is only employed by the county.

Although the bylaws allow for five At Large members, there have been six At Large members at the December, October, September, July, June, and May of 2020 meetings, and at the October, September, and April of 2019 meetings.

One of the “At Large” members is Lisa Speermont to which Broderick clarified that, “Lisa Speermont is not an at large member. This is a staff error.” This would explain some of the meetings, but it doesn’t explain the April 2019 meeting which also has six and Speermont wasn’t one of them.

Russ Callas has also been an “At Large” member; Callas is also the President of Haul Away Recycling. YS reached out to Tim Broderick for clarification as to what ‘At Large’ means, but no comment was provided at the time of publication.

While none of this is specifically illegal, the de facto impression left on the community and other outside observers is of a poorly run, improperly managed advisory board that has been serving as “key informants to the decision makers”. In regards to the errors, Broderick explained that, “[w]e do our absolute best to maintain accuracy and integrity with the minutes but as you can imagine over 2 years of minutes there are bound to be errors.” Per their bylaws, meeting minutes are open for public inspection for transparency. Although the occasional spelling mistake is understandable, this series of “staff errors” certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouths of activists speaking out against this project.

RCAB Meeting Minutes Changed

YS discovered that the meeting minutes for the December 9th, 2020, meeting in which Tyler Kesler had initially been depicted as representing the Town of Erie were changed sometime in February. Tim Broderick, Senior Sustainability Strategist for RCD and the County Liaison to RCAB, explained via email that the change was due to a “staff error in how it referenced Tyler Kesler and his role in RCAB.”

Although not an official member, Kesler has joined RCAB meetings listed either under ‘Guests’ or under ‘RCAB Staff Liaison’ as Tyler Kesler – Commissioners’ Office/Sustainability since at least January 2017. Kesler is currently the Sustainability & Water Conservation Specialist at the Town of Erie. According to his Linkedin, Kesler worked for Boulder County since April 2016 and moved to his role at the Town of Erie in December 2019.

Kesler’s name first came into the spotlight at the February 9th, 2021, Erie Board of Trustees meeting, where there was outcry specifically from Trustee Brandon Bell that a town employee had endorsed the composting facility project without the Board’s consent. At the meeting, Bell stated, “[We need] to figure out why we have people going out and endorsing this facility, staff members, when this board never voted one time to accept this facility.”

After the Erie BOT meeting, the minutes for the December 9th, 2020 RCAB meeting, in which Kesler endorsed the project on behalf of Erie, were changed and a new set of minutes were uploaded. In the original minutes Kesler is “representing the Town of Erie,” and “would like to endorse RCAB’s letter of support with conditions.” The updated version states, “Tyler Kesler, Boulder County citizen and Town of Erie Sustainability Coordinator, recognizes the positive impact this proposed facility would have on waste diversion.” The two versions of minutes can be seen here:

Original December 2020 Minutes
February Version of December 2020 Minutes

Furthermore, the original minutes listed three distinct concerns that residents have voiced including, “potential noxious fugitive odors, contamination debris, and increased traffic in the surrounding areas.” In the minutes uploaded after the Erie BOT meeting, the specific concerns were removed and were replaced with, “The Town of Erie submitted a Development Review on 12/11/2020 that provides the definition to how the Town defines Open Space as well as conditions to which we would like to be recognized as potential issues, some of which Erie residents have expressed concerns.”

Via email, Broderick explained that, “[w]e misstated that he was representing the town of Erie, which we know is not correct. This error was brought to light at the Erie BOT meeting hence the change so close to the occurrence of that meeting. We updated this staff error, to reflect his correct title as it relates to RCAB. There is no reason the concerns were updated and Tyler is happy to stand behind either statement from the December or January version of the notes BESIDES (emphasis his) the staff error.”

It’s not clear what Broderick meant by “January version of the notes” as the change was uploaded after the February 9th Erie BOT meeting.

In a public records request acquired by YS, Kesler sent an email on December 9, 2020, to Deandra Croissant and Tim Broderick asking for his comments to be included in the minutes. Broderick responded asking Kesler to, “clarify which specific comments you would like to see included in the notes? I know you expressed wanting concerns to be included in the letter specific to traffic, smell, and hauler cost?” Kesler then provided the following to Croissant and Broderick asking them to copy and paste it into the minutes.

“The Town of Erie would like to endorse RCAB’s letter of support with conditions expressed in our Development Review submitted 12/11. Erie would like it to be recognized that residents have concerns with potential noxious fugitive odors, contamination debris, and increased traffic in the surrounding areas. Erie recognizes Boulder County as an exemplary environmental leader and neighbor with a track record of going above and beyond environment standards at every opportunity possible and are excited about this composting facility at the Rainbow Nursery site.”

YS reached out to Broderick and Darla Arians (RCAB) for comment on when and if the changes were approved by the board; no comment was provided by the time of publication. In a separate email on March 2nd, 2020, Arians explained that she, “was unaware of any changes made to the December minutes, as this was not discussed in our January meeting that I recall.”

Other Concerns:

Residents have also questioned what future plans RCAB may have for itself, what plans it may have for the composting facility if it were to be built, and what role former commissioners played in regards to RCAB. At the May 27th, 2020, meeting, Tim Broderick explained in regards to the Policy, Planning, and Programs (P3) Subcommittee that, “if the group wants to have substantial influence in policy, RCAB must edit its bylaws, as they currently do not allow this.” The meeting minutes continue to explain that, “possible conflicts, such as if RCAB takes a different stance than Boulder County” could exist. “Boulder County’s political representatives, Mark Ruzzin and George Twigg, recommended that RCAB may want to emphasize municipal representatives putting recommendations forward, such as Erie or Lafayette. However, the group does recognize RCAB has notoriety as a unity (sic).” Whether or not Ruzzin or Twigg were at the May 27 RCAB meeting is unclear, as they are not listed on the meeting minutes as attending. YS asked Broderick to explain what ‘political representatives’ refers to, he stated it was a staff error and that Ruzzin and Twigg are part of the Commissioners’ Policy Team

Former commissioner Deb Gardener has been involved with RCAB according to the October 23rd, 2019, RCAB meeting minutes, which include that “DG [Deb Gardener] explained the BOCC gave direction to staff to continue to pursue rainbow nursery(sic),” and that “SJ [Suzanne Jones] asked DG [Deb Gardener] to keep us posted on how RCAB can be useful to this process (e.g. building public support and passing public regulation).”

Residents have also questioned Suzanne Jones, who is the Executive Director of Eco-Cycle and represents Eco-Cycle at RCAB. Jones also served on RCAB representing Eco-Cycle while Mayor of Boulder and while her sister, Elise Jones was a county commissioner. Current Mayor of Boulder, Sam Weaver, has also served on RCAB but stopped attending some time between the October 2019 and February 2020 meetings, the same timeframe during which he was elected. YS reached out to Weaver for comment on whether his election and leaving RCAB were correlated but no comment was provided. Local residents have also pointed out to YS that Dan Matsch works for Eco-Cycle but represents the Town of Lyons at RCAB. During an interview, Matsch confirmed that he represents Lyons at RCAB.

Traffic Study

The traffic study is important because it determines whether or not deceleration and acceleration lanes would be needed for the proposed facility. Highway 287 goes along the Western edge of the property and if the new facility produces significant traffic it could create a variety of concerns, from congestion to accidents.

In an email acquired by YS between Darla Arians (Division Manager – RCD) and Cody Lillstrom (Zero Waste Program Manager – RCD), Arians asks, “Did you also complete the traffic analysis on how many of the Boulder County haulers are already traveling down Highway 287? We need this to show that the facility is not going to create a burdensome excess of new traffic.” This email was dated October 21, 2020.

Two other email chains acquired by YS provide context to the development of the initial traffic report not submitted to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). One of the emails, dated January 4th, 2021, is from Tim Bilobran, Region 4 Permits Manager for CDOT. The email is to several Boulder County employees, in which he refers to another email chain, saying, “on face value the content looks to be traffic study number manipulation to avoid building the acceleration lanes warranted in what looks to be the first September version of that study not provided to CDOT.” Bilobran continues with, “I’d associate those tactics with a 3rd party developer and not a local municipality partner as safety conscious as Boulder. I’ll hold off on reviewing the issue further until we talk.”

Screenshot

To ensure that YS had acquired the same email chain, Bilobran was contacted to verify. Jared Field, Communications Manager for CDOT for Northeast Colorado, responded and confirmed that, “Mr. Bilobran sent his email because he was informed about the other email.”

The email chain in question is between Chris Mirto (PEH Architects, the firm contracted to design the compost facility), Cody Lillstrom (RCD), Bob Yost (A1 Organics, who consulted with a clear eye toward running the facility on behalf of the county), and Darla Ariens(RCD); cc’d are Brian Tewey (Public Works), and Peter Heinz (PEH Architects). On August 25th, 2020, Mirto initially asked Lillstrom for more information regarding residential and commercial traffic use for the site, which Lillstrom subsequently provided.

Roughly three weeks later, Mirto stated that he had attached the, “trip generation estimate for the site” and clarifies that it is “a combination of input received from Boulder County, A1 Organics, and adjustments per our recent meeting with CDOT.” He then asked the other members to scrutinize the data so that they may, “see if any adjustments need to be made. After approval of this estimate, Fox Tuttle can get moving with the traffic report.”

Yost (A1 Organics) voiced his concern that the traffic numbers seemed far too high for the proposed facility and that, “189 trips per day on a 5 day schedule is 49,140 trips annually…. that is several times more than we see at our 2 composting sites (Keenesburg and Eaton) at which we manage 6 times the tonnage that this site is designed for.”

Lillstrom sent an email to “echo” Yost’s and explained certain contributing factors. He also provided certain options such as, “if site employees aren’t all leaving at the same time at the end of the day, we could reduce that ‘100% Outbound’ calculation down to something more realistic (75%).” And, “if there are staggered arrivals for employees, we could reduce the AM Peak Hour percentage.” Lillstrom adds that, “[w]e could do the same for General Public Access (reduce down from 25% for PM Peak Hour), in addition to reducing that number of vehicles per day of 20 down to 15 or even 10.”

PEH Architects responded in that email thread that, “Peak Hour Trips are currently calling for both an acceleration lane and a deceleration lane along the east shoulder of northbound US-287. If some of our suggested edits below can be used to modify the estimate, then there’s a potential for reducing the need for one or both of the acceleration/deceleration lanes.”

“To synthesize, we see our available modifications as:”

Reduce number of Landscapers estimated to access the site down from 75.
Reduce number of Residential Compost Pickup/Dropoff vehicles per day down from 25.
Reduce the number of General Public Access vehicles per day down from 20 (we suggest 10).
Reduce 100% figure for AM Peak Hour/PM Peak Hour trips for Site Employees if staggered arrivals/departures are anticipated.
Reduce the 20% figure for AM Peak Hour/PM Peak Hour trips for Residential Compost Pickup/Dropoff (we suggest 15%), assuming that people will access the site more regularly throughout the day rather than all toward the end of the day.
Reduce the 25% figure for AM Peak/PM Peak Hour trips for General Public Access (we suggest 15%), assuming that general/event access won’t all last all day and won’t have a high percentage of people trying to leave at the same time at the end of the day.

Screenshot

Lilstrom responded to these suggestions with, “I just spoke with Darla and we both agree that all 6 of the items on your list should be adjusted.” Lillstrom added that he was waiting to hear back from Western Disposal on their experience with landscapers and public drops of organics. He also added the following to option 1. “a. We likely will be able to greatly reduce this as many landscapers in the Boulder/foothills area of the county will likely continue to use the Western Disposal drop-off because of location.” It’s unclear what credentials are required to make such decisions or assumptions about traffic.

Screenshot

CDOT Communications Manager, Fiel, told YS that the numbers in the current traffic report that was eventually submitted to CDOT are accurate and that CDOT, “added a provision to the permit that the actual numbers will be reviewed after the first year to ensure the traffic is where it was expected to be.”

When asked why Bilobran referred to the email chain as potential manipulation and whether Fiel had an explanation, he said, “the explanation was that the internal communication between the architectural design and the traffic design was confused and not worded well. When he [Bilobran] looked into it, he [Bilobran] realized there was no manipulation.”

Conclusion

After weeks of both backlash and support, in an area that values its open space, values composting, and seeks to hold power accountable to residents, the project has been withdrawn so that the county can reassess. It certainly does not mean that a composting facility won’t and shouldn’t happen sometime in the future; it just means that the county has recognized that there are errors that need to be addressed.

It is ‘to be determined’ as to what the county will do next, but with Commissioner Matt Jones speaking against the use of Open Space land for this facility, it seems that the Rainbow Nursery may be spared from development. The next step would be to reinstate the Conservation Easement (CE) or to establish a new, more robust one for the property, as was mentioned. The new CE could potentially provide the Rainbow Open Space more protections than ever before and could even specify that a future merger will not extinguish the CE.

For a project that has seen its fair share of rollout hiccups, “staff errors”, and several questionable maneuvers by those involved, it will be up to the county to reassure its citizens that the proper checks and balances exist when the County is the applicant, the developer, and the reviewer.

The post Rainbow Open Space Composting Facility: Origins, RCAB, Minutiae, and Staff Errors | #YSInvestigation Part 2 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Rainbow Open Space: From Protected Land to a Class III Compost Facility?

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:06:22 +0000

Yellow Scene Magazine is doing a 3-part series on Boulder County’s Compost facility at Open Space Rainbow Nursery

This is PART 1.

Part 2: Rainbow Open Space Composting Facility: Origins, RCAB, Minutiae, and Staff Errors

Screenshot, Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department

Boulder County has proposed building a class III composting facility on a roughly 40 acre plot, once home to the former Rainbow Nursery, and currently the Rainbow Open Space, on the eastern edge of the county. The new project hopes to help the county work towards its Zero Waste Action Plan but has been met with increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

There are many benefits to having an in-county composting facility, such as cutting down on waste transport emissions and costs, diverting organic waste away from landfills, and achieving county sustainability initiative goals, the new project has faced backlash by concerned residents as the plans came to light. With two active lawsuits, local residents are voicing their contempt for the county’s plans and the negative impacts a facility of this scale can have on the area. Major potential issues associated with the new facility may include odor, property devaluation, potential groundwater contamination, the use of biosolids, destructive environmental impacts, and traffic increases along US-287, and have all been highlighted as concerns the county needs to address .

Fueling the fire, the county, prior to purchasing the land, held a Conservation Easement (CE) on the property. CEs provide protection against development of property deemed of significant value and are meant to exist in ‘perpetuity’. The property is designated significant agricultural land of national importance. Any private citizen would be restricted by the CE but because the ownership of the CE and the property merged under one owner (the county), the Easement was extinguished and the restrictions were removed due to the doctrine of merger. Professor Nancy Mclaughlin, Law Professor at the University of Utah, says “relying on the doctrine of merger to extinguish the easement is entirely inappropriate.” Moreover, the county used Open Space funds to purchase the property, acknowledging in a closing memo that they were considering using the property as part of the county’s zero waste initiative.

At the time of writing this, the county has placed a hold on the project while they reassess to ensure that the special use review process goes according to plan. Andrew Barth, Communications Specialist at Boulder County Public Works, the contact listed on the official Boulder County Compost Facility website, explains, “the team from public works and our consultants are diving back into the plans right now to refine … because we don’t want to go through special use review and then have them say no.” Asked what caused the hold, Barth says, “it’s just making sure we really do what we’re saying, we can build, will mitigate all the environmental concerns that everybody’s having.”

Programs of this scale have specific requirements as to how they must be communicated to the public prior to their approval by the Board of Commissioners. If the special use review is continued and the hold is released, there will be opportunities for the public to join the conversation as the local government goes through the motions to potentially approve the project. Local residents and all of the Trustees and the Mayor for the Town of Erie have expressed discontent with how the project has been publicly vetted. Local resident and neighbor to the property in question, Nancy Davis, told Yellow Scene that only twelve people were notified of the project at first. Barth refutes this claim, stating, “it was actually, I think, twenty-two properties were informed directly and invited to a meeting on site.” Erie Trustee, Brandon Bell, puts it plainly that “the lack of transparency on this is sickening,” and Erie Trustee Sara Loflin said, “It is clear to me that there has not been substantial outreach or public process on the part of the county.”

According to Barth, the project was still “in the design phase where we’re trying to ensure that it could happen” and that the four public hearings would occur down the line once the project has moved to the Boulder County Commissioners and also the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee.

Although all Erie Trustees and the Mayor have expressed their frustrations in light of the public outcry at the February 9th, 2021 meeting, an email chain acquired by Yellow Scene shows that, on behalf of the Town of Erie, Deborah Bachelder, the Planning Manager/Deputy Director at Planning and Development, sent a memo to Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting acknowledging the benefits of the new facility. In the memo were three conditions for the county to address: commit to an odor study if complaints occur, mitigation of materials being blown off-site due to high winds, and additional controls if traffic increases exceeding 5-10% depending on the road.

Although this project only came to fruition in the past year, the idea for a composting facility has long been in the works as a beneficial in-county opportunity to help advance sustainability initiatives. Former Mayor and current Executive Director of Eco-Cycle Suzanne Jones explains that, “having a community owned compost facility in Boulder County is something that’s been discussed for over 15 years.” Boulder County currently takes its organic waste to the A1 Organics facility in Keenesburg, whose Chief Technical Officer, Bob Yost, has worked as a paid consultant for PEH Architects to help design the new facility. Removing the need to bring waste to Keenesburg would cut down on truck emissions and associated costs thereby allowing compost to become more affordable. Furthermore, the facility would aid in the slowing of landfill expansion by diverting organic waste to be reused as compost, however Boulder County already brings much of its organic waste to the A1 Organics facility in Keenesburg.

Compost is a nutrient-rich substance that would allow residents and farmers alike access to valuable soil that allows for carbon sequestration and improves crop health. CDOT is also a large user of compost for various infrastructure developments. Suzanne Jones says it’s “a really wonderful vision that’s been in the works for many years and would help all of the cities in the county reach their goals around climate zero waste and regenerative ag. (agriculture)”

Residents are concerned, however, that a facility of this scale would increase traffic in the surrounding area and on US-287, commonly regarded as both a busy and accident prone roadway. Barth clarified that, “we really didn’t … find it was gonna create a massive addition to traffic on 287… those trucks are already on those roads.” But residents have raised the concern that the facility will accommodate around 70 active companies and that although outbound truck traffic may decrease, traffic coming into the county is bound to increase. In an email acquired by Yellow Scene, CDOT’s Tim Bilobran questions the traffic report conducted by Fox Tuttle, questioning the projection of, “37 real truck trips per day, which seems very low to me if potentially over 70 companies will be using this location and drawing vehicles from as far away as Keenesburg.” Another concern is the increase in production that the facility may experience over the next two decades. Slanted to produce 100,000,000 pounds of compost each year, the facility may increase those numbers by another 25 – 100 million pounds. Residents want to be assured that the county has put enough work into knowing just how much traffic will increase in the surrounding area.

Screenshot, Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department Boulder County Compost Facility, PEH Architects, A1 Organics, SCS Engineering

At this time, it has not yet been decided who will run the facility. Barth mentioned that when the time is right the county will decide whether to run the facility or open it up to a bidding process. A1 Organics is certainly a strong contender, or at least has an interest. When asked why he would help to build a facility that would take business from A1 Organics, Bob Yost responded with, “I’d rather do it that way than be given the opportunity to bid on operating it and [it] be designed poorly.”

Another potential contender mentioned by residents is Ecocycle. Suzanne Jones, when asked, said, “It seems much more likely that an expert compost facility operator like A1 Organic[s], who is helping them on the design build, would be a likely candidate for operating the facility.”

Biosolids

Boulder County’s proposed compost facility will be a class III facility, which means it will also be allowed to accept Class A Biosolids for composting. Whether the facility will process them from the getgo is to be determined, Barth says. “We’re designing the facility to accept them, whether or not they would be accepted right away would be a part of the operations plan.” It’ll largely be up to who runs the facility.

Biosolids, or treated sewage sludge, is the product of local wastewater treatment plants and defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility… that can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.” Boulder County has at least seven different wastewater facilities. Using biosolids at the proposed facility will allow Boulder County (and others) to reuse their sewage sludge for compost. According to the study, “Pathogens in Biosolids” (2006), biosolids have been shown to “improve the productivity of soils or enhance revegetation of disturbed ecosystems,” when applied to farmland.

Biosolids are commonly designated as Class A or Class B, depending on the amount of pathogens removed. According to the EPA, federal regulation “40 CFR Part 503 treatment processes for Class A biosolids eliminate pathogens, including viruses. Generally, pathogens may exist when requirements are met under 40 CFR Part 503 for Class B biosolids.” The facility will potentially be accepting Class A biosolids.

Biosolids have been a point of controversy due to the potential for pathogens to remain even after they’ve been treated at wastewater facilities. One example, according to the City of Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility, is that they are “not equipped to completely remove all of the chemicals and compounds found in various medications” if they were to be flushed down the toilet. Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths (parasites) can lead to illness, but according to a study titled, “Human Health Risks From Biosolids Applied to Land” (2006) “Class A biosolids are not intended to have detectable concentrations of pathogens.” The study goes on to conclude that “there is no scientifically documented evidence of the public having health problems from pathogens in biosolids, knowledge gaps and outdated operational criteria allow for doubts and concerns about the risk to the public from such organisms.”

Biosolids are nutrient rich and contain nitrogen and phosphorus and small amounts of potassium. These nutrients are essential for crop growth. Other concerns about biosolids include potential runoff and leaching of nitrate, soluble and sediment bound phosphate in runoff and erosion, and a build up of soil potassium levels due to continued annual application.

The United States is a major user of biosolids for farming; the only areas where biosolids are federally banned are on certified organic farms. Some states have placed restrictions on their use and the country of Switzerland has banned them outright out of concern that any chemical soil contamination impairs soil fertility.

Odors

Odors can be lovely, but oftentimes they are not. With compost and biosolids come specifically offensive odors, and for local residents and specifically those living in Erie, it’s an unwelcome thought. Offensive odors are caused by the decomposition of material producing ammonia and the sulphuric smell often associated with biosolids. At the February 9th Erie Board of Trustees meeting, to which Boulder County was invited but declined, residents voiced concerns specifically about potential odors that may occur at the facility, especially if biosolids are used.

Concern surrounds the potential for particulates to travel and be inhaled by surrounding neighbors. In a study conducted by the Canadian National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, titled “Odour from a Compost Facility” (2018), it’s explained that aerobic decomposition will emit bioaerosols and microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The amount of bioaerosols and distance travelled will be largely dependent on the size and technology of the facility as well as the local winds but have been detected both upwind and downwind from composting facilities. The study says that, “microbial VOCs are considered to be the main source of odor from compost facilities as many of these compounds can be smelled at extremely small concentrations, below what is known to be harmful to human health.” In regards to health impacts to nearby residents of the facilities they reviewed, “exposure to VOCs has the potential to induce acute toxicological effects such as inflammatory and immune effects, as well as sensory irritation in the eye, nose, or throat.” They do mention that although “VOCs are odorous even at very low concentrations, they are not considered to be the primary cause of health symptoms for residents near to composting facilities.”

Among the many types of composting technology, the county has chosen to use aerated static pile composting, also known as in-vessel, that is shown to reduce odor by 90-95%. In-vessel technology is more expensive than other methods but it provides far greater control over the compost if properly managed. Bob Yost, A1 Organics, doesn’t think the odors will be much of an issue so long as the facility is properly managed.”This is an enclosed composting system, I don’t foresee, properly operated I think that there’ll be limited if any odor issues with the facility.” Nearby residents continue to be concerned about what that 5-10% could equate to. Some have even threatened to sell their properties and leave if the facility is built.

Water contamination

The Rainbow Open Space property’s eastern border follows along the Leggett ditch, a local irrigation canal that serves other surrounding properties. According to the ecological assessment done by Birch Ecology, groundwater sits at roughly five feet below the surface, there’s a small pond on the property, and wetlands border the north- and southeastern borders. Concerns have been raised that particulates from the facility could potentially contaminate the surface and groundwater either by being blown due to high winds or on the off chance that one of the in-vessel structures fractures and leaks water. Another concern has been that the Leggett ditch could be affected during construction or that groundwater could be exposed.

In a letter acquired by YS sent by the Leggett Ditch and Reservoir Company (the Company) to Jean Ott, Community Planning & Permitting, the Company asserts that they strongly oppose the new facility because “high water and rain events would result in a serious risk that storm flows and contaminants would be discharged into the ditch.” They go on to say that “ground water contamination including E.Coli and Salmonella is likely based on the hydrology information available” and that “the proposed Compost Facility would alter the natural drainage into the Leggett ditch from the property proposed to be developed.” This would “modify the manner and quantity of storm water discharges into the ditch.”

Man made irrigation pond, wetlands. Via PEH Special Use Review

Another document acquired by YS through the public record are comments provided by Kim Hutton, Water Resources Manager at City of Boulder Public Works, and Bethany A. Collins, Real Estate Supervisor, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. After acknowledging the significant benefits that the facility could provide, the letter goes on to say, “the City of Boulder has concerns regarding the potential impacts to water quality in the Leggett Ditch and Panama Reservoir posed by the construction and operation of the composting facility.” They continue that, “it is imperative to the City’s interests that appropriate conditions are put on the construction and operation of the facility to ensure that water quality in the Leggett Ditch and Panama Reservoir will not be degraded, as such water will be used for municipal and irrigation purposes.” Representing the City of Boulder they offer nine comments of recommendation, including: ensure that the surface and groundwater is not contaminated, that pre-construction well sample data be collected, and that high wind assessments are completed to prevent debris from blowing off-site.

Ecological Assessment

An Ecological Assessment & Wildlife Impact Report was conducted by Birch Ecology, located in Lyons, CO. The assessment is a thorough depiction of the existing conditions of the property as well as an assessment of what protected flora and fauna are or may be found on the property. Local residents have voiced concern that the assessment simply wasn’t robust enough and that true field studies must be conducted. In an interview with Delia Malone, Colorado Ecologist and chair of the Wildlife Committee of the Sierra Club’s Rocky Mountain Chapter, Malone believes that “the ecological resources addressed in this report are incomplete and thus are an inaccurate representation of the ecological resources of the area.” One threatened species that is specifically mentioned in the report is the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse (PMJM). According to the Birch Ecology assessment, the property does not contain a suitable habitat for the PMJM. Malone says that the recon Birch Ecology conducted was nothing more than a walk through, “there’s no scientific rigor” and that “given the near proximity to other [PMJM] populations, what should occur are live-trapping surveys.”

According to Andrew Barth, “What we found is that mostly, it’s just birds out in that canopy out there.” For Malone, even “just birds” are enough to want to protect the property. Malone explains that, “There has been an exponential decline [in birds]… about 2.9 billion less birds today in North America then we had in 1970” and blames the continued “conversion of natural habitat to all sorts of development”. When “this area [was designated] as open space [CE] 30 years ago, that was visionary. It’s not in pristine shape… but it still provides important habitat for wildlife, habitat that is being converted and eaten up by human development.” When asked what else she would recommend the county do before deciding to build the facility, Malone pointed towards breeding bird surveys (during nesting season), more vegetation surveys, and a thorough understanding of the edge effect (i.e. how far the facility could impact surrounding areas, especially the wetlands and other habitats nearby).

Wetlands PEH Special Use Review

Conservation easements

In 1994, the land owners at the time, Barney C. and Cheryn H. Barnett, entered into an agreement with the county for a Conservation Easement (CE). CE’s are generally considered to protect properties in perpetuity (i.e. forever). Their use has grown exponentially in recent decades as a way to protect land from development and are often advertised as doing just that. According to Nancy Mclaughlin, University of Utah, the issue with Rainbow Nursery is that Boulder County is setting a precedent that whenever land is purchased by the same entity that owns the CE, the CE and all its protections are automatically extinguished without any sort of process.

Yellow Scene acquired the original deed between the Barnetts and the county in which the purpose of the CE is defined:

It is the purpose of this Easement to preserve and protect in perpetuity the significant agricultural attributes of the property, its continued agricultural use and its open space values.

Nowadays, CEs tend to have a section on how the easement may be extinguished, something that the 1994 CE did not include. A sample template of a CE that Boulder County would use today includes a section on extinguishment. The county asserts that what they are doing is legal, but even then, residents wonder if it should be. In the passed 2019 Colorado HB19-1264, any land with a CE that was used for a tax credit may not be extinguished by merging ownership. It’s not certain whether the Rainbow Nursery property was ever claimed as a tax credit. When asked why the new bill was so specific to tax credits, Mclaughlin says recent tax related abuses could have focused the bill, adding that it’s important to consider the potential for future amendments. “If people are upset about it, maybe they can convince the Colorado Legislature to tighten up the language about the merger.”

The concept behind the Merger doctrine is that there is no need for the owner of a property to hold a CE upon themselves because they are the ones that want the easement. Why this should explain the ability for the county to build a composting facility on once protected land is not clear. Mclaughlin explains that although the ownership is the same, the two entities also need to be held in the same right. Because a CE is so specific and is meant to benefit the public, it may not be considered to be held in the same right as open space land. In the deed it states, “Whereas the grantee recognizes the public benefit to be served by such a preservation” and “Whereas, the Grantor desires to sell an interest in the Property to the Grantee in order to assure its preservation in perpetuity,” The Grantor being the Barnetts, the Grantee being the County. It is the purpose of the CE to protect the land indefinitely at the benefit of the public and according to Mclaughlin, “a conservation easement does not cease to serve any purpose when the holder of the easement acquires the underlying land. The easement continues to provide the significant benefits to the public for which it was created.”

Mclaughlin says the precedent shouldn’t be to simply extinguish CEs and that the County has other methods at their disposal, such as the option of condemnation. That would cause the County to be held accountable to explain their reasoning to take currently designated open space land and build a composting facility upon it. According to Mclaughlin, as well as many residents, CEs are meant to offer protection from development on one’s land including from the government and should require an extraordinary process to remove them. Mclaughlin wonders, “why did they say the CE was perpetual?”. If they wanted a way to get rid of the easement when it was signed in 1994, “why didn’t they draft the easement to give them the right to terminate”?

Where we are

Some residents are worried that, because they’re building a compost facility, many of the real concerns are falling to the wayside, that it’s almost taboo to speak negatively about a facility that should be inherently good. What residents want are the facts and the truth, and Boulder County has a duty to provide that and to ensure that all residents are taken care of, and taken into account, not just the greater good or the 12 (or 22) properties they think are important. It also doesn’t help that local groups such as the Coalition for Local Compost Climate Action, which is associated with Eco-Cycle and run by Dan Matsch, Manager at Eco-Cycle, is sharing information that simply isn’t accurate. In the FAQ question on the coalition webpage, it reads, [the property] “was never intended for public recreation or officially-designated open space.” In an interview with Janis Whisman, Real Estate Division Manager for Boulder County Parks & Open Space, she asserts, “I want to make sure that you understand that this property still is open space and it will remain open space until that process occurs.” By process, Whisman is referring to the need for the county to reimburse the Open Space tax fund via the Sustainability Tax fund if the facility were to be built.

As to what will occur at the former Rainbow Nursery, only time will tell, but both support and backlash are growing as the project becomes increasingly publicized. The concerns are real, the benefits are real, the potential harms are real, and the public process needs to exist for all to partake. Once the county continues the special use review, it is required that they notify the public and that public hearings occur. If the local government functions as it should, it will take all feedback into consideration to assure the public that the government is doing its job correctly and that it is serving its constituents to the level and competency, and transparency, that they deserve.

This is part 1 of a 3 part series by Laurenz Busch for Yellow Scene Magazine. Follow along by liking Yellow Scene.

The post Rainbow Open Space: From Protected Land to a Class III Compost Facility? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A Living Language: How English Has Changed, Where it’s Going, and Neopronouns

Laurenz Busch — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:13:25 +0000

“Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear.” If you’re not sure what Shakespeare meant by that, it’s because languages change. Whether it’s a decade or hundreds of years, languages mold and evolve alongside us, and with the industrial revolution and today’s Tech Era, we’ve seen these changes more noticeably, and more frequently.

Our ability to communicate across vast platforms has allowed languages to not only conform to technology and develop because of it, but it’s been able to allow seemingly niche linguistic developments to spread like wildfire, often transcending the imaginary boundaries of state and culture. Language is how we communicate, it’s how we define ourselves, one another, and the world around us. It’s how we categorize, share, and make sense of existence. What makes language so unique is that it is inherently dependent on reality but also structures the way that we see that very reality.

Variation in pronouns

Sometimes these changes can seem mundane such as relaxing the hyphen for compound modifiers such as first-quarter, most often – and this happens hundreds of times each year – we’re changing language by adding new words or phrases to our vocabulary. Examples such as LOL, bae, fake news or COVID-19 are recent developments. Occasionally formal changes to language are met with strong public reaction and discontent amongst which the most complicated tend to be those that are deeply rooted in the social values of the respective country.

Neopronouns, specifically the singular they, are at the forefront of linguistic developments and societal acceptance. They, them, their, alongside other neopronouns, such as xe, xem, xyr have risen in popularity, especially amongst the LGBTQ community and allies as a way to identify those that do not identify within the societally prescribed gender binary and/or those that do wish to be identified. Although the search for a gender neutral singular personal pronoun has been ongoing since the 1400’s, the need for one by the LGBTQ has excellerated its usage in modern society.

Facing a strong backlash, neopronouns have been commonly rejected as grammatically incorrect. Besides this being utterly false, the more disturbing truth is that most people reject neopronouns, whether overtly or not, because they do not accept a gender neutral or non-binary identity as it defies social ‘norm’.

Language Evolution

Just like humans, languages evolve. Recently, scientists Louis-Jean Boë and Thomas R. Sawallis pushed back the commonly accepted emergence of the vocal tract for language in Homo sapiens from 200,000 – 300,000 years ago to more than 27,000,000 years ago. In an article, Boë and Sawallis explain that the key ingredient to this massive inclusive push came down to vowels.

The Laryngeal Descent Theory has long explained language development within humans and not apes due to our ability to vocalize vowels because of a lower sitting larynx. Boë and Sawallis use a video of Jane Goodall’s observations of contrasting vowel qualities in the vocalizations of chimpanzees to support their claim. The footage indicates that Chimpanzees are able to create rising intonations even though their larynx sits far higher. Goodall’s observation alone didn’t unanimously refute the Laryngeal Descent Theory, but it did bring it into question.

Boë’s study of baboon “vowel space” used 1,300 baboon calls to show that certain calls were equivalent to known human vowels. This ultimately proved the Laryngeal Descent Theory inaccurate and that it inherently restricted language’s potential beyond humans. Boë and Sawallis concluded, “Apes and monkeys can “talk” in the sense that they can produce contrasting vowel qualities. In that restricted but concrete sense, the dawn of speech was not 200,000 years ago, but some 27 million years ago, before the time of our last common ancestor with Old World monkeys like baboons and macaques. That’s over 100 times earlier than the emergence of our modern human form.”

History of English

Modern English developed from Middle English starting in the 15th century during the Great Vowel Shift, a time period – as the name so graciously depicts – when the way that Middle English speakers pronounced their vowels began to shift. Strong anti-french sentiment, mass migration due to the Black Death, and middle class hypercorrection all played a role in the shift.

Modern English is also largely indebted to two men, Samuel Johnson and William Shakespeare. Johnson wrote the Dictionary of the English Language in 1755 which became widely used amongst a growing class of literate citizens. Simply by producing this dictionary, Johnson became responsible for much of the word usage and spellings of the English language.

Starting in 1590, Shakespeare created well over 2000 new words for English, such as anchovy, domineering, gloomy, investment, and stealthy. Interestingly enough Shakespeare even used the singular they for the first recorded time in Hamlet, when he referred to his mother.

“Tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o’erhear the speech.” Shakespeare, Hamlet (1599)

After 1755 and the end of Middle English, the Industrial Revolution began to gain speed and pummel its way towards our current era. Technology advanced, globalized communication became standard, and more people had the opportunity to take part in the national conversation making changes in language more easily noticeable. This also allowed us to see more minute changes to language such as surveys, reactions, and specific events that, prior to this time period, were usually overshadowed by major developments. Shakespeare may have been able to create thousands of additional words but as the industrial revolution progressed a significant amount of changes occurred due to technological advancements.

Technology needed to be defined but it also allowed us new ways to express ourselves. In 1640, a computer was simply a person who calculated, then in 1945 it became the programmable digital electronic computer we all know and love, even while human computers were in use as late as the 1960s, as demonstrated in the movie Hidden Figures. In 2015, the emoji was officially added to Merriam-Webster, not because we hadn’t been able to communicate emotions or recognize facial expressions, but because for the first time our written language allowed for them to be expressed digitally.

Controversial Changes and backlash

People have been worrying about the decline of English for almost as long as it’s existed and yet it lives on, YOLO (you only live once) and all. Changes to language aren’t always accepted with open arms partly because of these worries. When YOLO came to be in 2012, it wasn’t generally accepted as much more than an acronym, and yet in 2016, it was added to the OED. Because dictionaries base their entries upon historical usage, they are highly susceptible to what society allows to gain traction. The power to develop language inevitably lies within those that use it, and those that control what information is spread. Other milder changes to English post-1950 that have received backlash or a negative initial reaction was the phrase, to grow your business or the word to prioritize. Other examples are the changes in meaning for words such as for gay, shipshape, and nice.

Backlash is common because there are standards to uphold and people tend to embrace those standards. For the sticklers among us, perhaps even the academics, there are rules to our language, and it’s up to us to preserve them. Unfortunately, society doesn’t work like that and history has shown that once new words or phrases, or nowadays pronouns, begin to gain traction there is very little that can be done to stop them. It’s the awareness of the continuity of change that English (and all languages) go through that confirms the notion that grammar is simply a suggestion that can be, despite what the grammaticians think, molded and changed – and rightfully so.

Pronouns

Neopronouns and the singular they are uniquely controversial. They provide an alternative to our typical gender specific binary options, he and she. Being a major grammatical change to English, neopronouns find themselves in a difficult situation because they instigate reactions that are often rooted and stirred by social issues such as anti-LGBTQ resentment. Arguments against non-binary and/or gender neutral pronouns tend to involve some sort of grammar based rationale for why they aren’t acceptable. Upon examination, however, these arguments quickly fall apart and a far darker truth surfaces.

Many people simply do not believe that other people should have the ability to decide their gender. People often equate gender with sex, and as something that solely exists as only two options, male and female. This article is not here to discuss the inherent complexities of gender, sex, sexuality, the LGBTQ community and the abhorent hatred and discrimination that they face, but it is important to discredit any belief that the singular they, or other neopronouns, are just an inconvenience to those that have never used them, or worse, that they shouldn’t and can’t be used.

We constantly use the singular they especially when we don’t know the gender of a person. The need for a gender neutral pronoun has long existed within English. They has been around for about 600 years but it has continually faced backlash and been seen as exclusively plural. There have been several attempts to solve the need for a gender-neutral pronoun, such as the not-so-brilliant idea to use the generic he. If the influence of the patriarchy wasn’t so strong I would ask you to imagine using the generic she within the walls of Congress. The generic he became unpopular and was replaced by he and/or she, he/she, or (s)he, all clunky attempts to satisfy the need for an all encompassing way to speak about someone. All of these attempts fall within the binary realm and exclude anyone that doesn’t identify with them, they’re also just simply not grammatically tasteful.

The singular they is destined to become the standard. Whether it’s to protect the identity of a witness or because we don’t want to assume the gender of a student named Winter. It comes down to moving beyond the habitual assumption that everyone is a he or a she, and evolving our language and our minds to not automatically assume one’s gender. Perhaps we can even eventually move away from the odd compulsion to identify the gender of those around us by their assumed genitalia.

They is already being used whether you know it or not. Sentences such as, “They cut me off!” or, “The candidates thanked their spouses” need a singular they because the gender is either not known or one pronoun doesn’t reflect all the subjects. In grade school we’re taught that all sentences have a subject and the best subjects are he, her, it, and they – they always being plural. We’ve had this idea ingrained since day one, but it’s high time for the singular they to be formally established as the respectful norm.

The future of language

When we think of our futuristic space travels we tend to think of alien communications, telepathy, multi-year slumbers in strange womb-like water chambers, and time travel. What isn’t often contemplated are changes that may occur to language once we leave Earth. In a paper written by two associate professors of Linguistics, Andrew McKenzi and Jeffrey Punske, Language Development During Interstellar Travel, they outline what may happen to language as we begin to isolate groups of people for months if not years or generations during space travel.

Using examples such as the Polynesian Island explorers, McKenzi and Punske discuss how the concept of language and its uses, vocabulary, and grammatical structuring will develop specific to a group of people traveling together for extended time periods. They use uptalk as an example of how widespread language change has occurred in just the past forty years. “It is increasingly common for speakers to end statements with a rising intonation. This phenomenon, called uptalk (or sometimes high rising terminal), is often mistaken for a question tone by those without it in their grammars, but it actually sounds quite distinct and indicates politeness or inclusion. Uptalk has only been observed occurring within the last 40 years but has spread from small groups of young Americans and Australians to most of the English-speaking world, even to many baby boomers who had not used it themselves as youth.”

Although it’s unfathomable to imagine, the authors discuss being on a vessel for ten generations at a time, a reality that for all aboard the ship would simply revolve for future generations. Aboard such voyages, social issues would arise, people would discuss them developing new verbal behaviors and concepts, and new vocabulary specific to the ship would be created. “The connection to Earth dwindles over time. And eventually, perhaps, we’ll get to the point where there’s no real contact with Earth, except to send the occasional update.” Eventually, if English is the determined language, there would be vessel English and Earth English. Over 10 generations even Earth English would change and by the time the Vessel would arrive at its final destination the English they left with and used aboard the ship would be vastly different than the English that would then exist on Earth. Lastly, the two authors contemplate what sort of discrimination these intersteller immigrants may face when they arrive at their new planet speaking a slightly or completely different language as those that reside there.

Conclusion

C.S. Lewis may have said it best, that “day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different.” English – and all languages – is still changing and morphing, and following along with culture as we as a species, as a country, city, community, and household, change our habits and our ways of expression. Even in just the past twenty years, we have seen substantial changes that the younger generations will grow up with, without the awareness that things were once different. And as time moves on and more and more people are raised with these norms, the oddity of these new aspects of English will fade and the cycle will continue.

For some, using they, them, their, feels odd because they haven’t done so before, for others it strikes a nerve, and for many, it simply doesn’t phase them anymore. But neopronouns and the singular they go beyond simply being a new development of English, they are an assertion of the basic human right to identify. They allow those that do not identify with the construct of gender to not be confined to the binary construction of the English language. History has repeatedly shown us that social movements tend to have their way and that it comes with the fading of older generations and the closed mindedness of how things should be, based on how they once were, that new, more inclusive developments can and will occur, whether here on Earth or elsewhere.

The post A Living Language: How English Has Changed, Where it’s Going, and Neopronouns appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Beyond the Ikonic and the Epic: A Guide to Colorado’s Backcountry

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 01:01:55 +0000

Edited to include an additional safety note from the author.

Image by Grady James, Mt. Sneffel, for ascentbackcountry.com

Additional Safety Note:

Covid-19 has brought many unexpected trends to the world. For the backcountry and Outdoor Industry, the city shutdowns have created a surge of people desperate to get out of their homes and experience their surroundings, even if just for a place to not have to wear a mask. Our inability to travel has only exacerbated this. For many skiers the short lived 2019-2020 season was devastating, but it also forced a lot of them to find new methods to get on their skis. The backcountry offers that opportunity and it’s only more enticing now that the resorts are either closed, opening with limited capacity, require reservations, or can’t guarantee to stay open.

Our intention with this article is to share the opportunity and we want to address valid concerns that the ever growing popularity of the backcountry, where infrastructure simply can’t handle the traffic, can be devastating to the backcountry, our environment, ourselves, and other people. We all need to be mindful. More people will also mean more human-caused avalanches, which will inevitably lead to more deaths, especially for those unprepared. And with an already strained first responder system and the ever present risk of COVID-19, you are not only risking your own safety and the ability to evacuate you, you’re risking the lives of those around you.

We stress – in the most serious of terms – that you need to be prepared if you’ll be skiing in the backcountry. This means that you have the proper gear, that you have a friend or two, that you’ve taken an AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research Education) course, and that you are familiar with avalanche controlled areas and beacon parks in order to have adequate experience with your gear in a safe environment. The outdoor industry is growing and with it so are the dangers. Please make sure that you are prepared and that you NEVER take the backcountry lightly.

Resorts may crumble and chairlifts can fall but the pursuit for untouched bowls and hellish windblown peaks will live on, for nothing can take away our dreams of 4,000ft descents and fresh powder facials. With uncertainty around every corner and the head-spinning price tags of some of Colorado’s best season passes, we’re looking beyond the posh and the groomed and going where the crowds won’t.

Although some of these may be considered entry-level sites, please be aware that all backcountry excursions require the skills, knowledge, gear, and rationality to not only succeed but to survive.

Local Gear Shops

Angles Sports Exchange – Located in Longmont, Angles isn’t your typical ski shop. Their well-informed staff provide excellent info for your backcountry excursions, and they even rent telemark equipment! Whether you’re looking to skin, snowshoe, or cross country ski your way through the backcountry, Angles is there to support you.

Neptune Mountaineering – This family-owned brick and mortar staple is a force to reckon with for all of Colorado. They can’t provide you with the rationale to make good decisions, but at least they can inform you and provide the right gear. Head over to Neptune for all your backcountry skiing and mountaineering needs.

Crystal Ski Shop – Situated on the corner of 28th and Walnut, Crystal Ski Shop is Boulder’s best rental specific ski shop. Offering a wide range of brands, they’ll get you set up for a day or for the whole season. Best of all and especially useful for this article, they rent all-terrain setups for the backcountry and will even provide the beacon, shovel, and probe for just $15 more.

Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides– Money well spent. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed pro amongst chum, you’re Jimmy Chin, or you just don’t have a clue, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides will set you up with fun, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable individuals to take you to new heights and, hopefully, new extremes.

Colorado Mountain School – They are currently offering a free avalanche awareness course. When you’re done with that, they have a wide range of backcountry safety courses to get you up to speed and ready to hit all the gnarliest lines in Colorado. Do yourself a favor and get schooled with the best before you attempt the backcountry.

The Lost Resorts of Colorado

Berthoud Ski Area | South of Winter Park

This ski area closed in 2001 and now provides a backcountry experience with a once upon a time on-piste backdrop. That means it’s an entry level area, but you still need to know what you’re doing. This is one of the busier areas on the list, though not as busy as the resorts, so time it right, get up early, miss the hordes, and hit the pow. Worst case, you’ll see some others tearing it up alongside you, and that’s alright as well.

Geneva Basin Ski Area | South of Georgetown

Having opened in 1963, the resort fought the good fight until 1984 when a chairlift fell and Geneva Basin was forced to close until proper maintenance was completed. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Geneva Basin back up and running, the U.S. Forest Service decided to burn down the lodge and all hopes of resurrection disappeared into oblivion. It’s about 4 miles to the base from the parking lot and 1,200ft gain. After that, it’s up to you how many runs you’re willing to take.

Cuchara Mountain | South of La Veta

This resort closed in 2000 but it hasn’t completely faded. The old rental office now serves as a day lodge that’s open on select weekends, along with 50 or so acres that are still skiable. With well-defined trails and a variety of different grades, Cuchara is an excellent place to learn or excel. If Cuchara isn’t enough, you can always drop off the backside and explore the entire San Isabel National Forest that surrounds it.

Hidden Valley | Estes Park

Ah, the gateway to the Rockies! Although there’s some of the best backcountry skiing hiding within the boundaries of the National Park, Estes Park has a little slice of heaven as well, called Hidden Valley. Opened in 1955 and closed in 1991, the resort now serves as an accessible backcountry area with a 2,000ft vertical drop. You’ll need to skin or snowshoe up Trail Ridge Road and then head higher and higher above the treeline until you find the powder.

The Big Mamas

Loveland Pass | Near Loveland Ski Area

You know it, I know it, even your neighbor knows it. We’ve all seen people hitch-hiking along Route 6 for another run and to be honest, we can’t blame them. Yeah, it’s famous and well known and easily accessible, but for good reason. There are lines for the beginners and chutes for the pros, trees for me, and open bowls for you, and with Route 6 right there you’ll be taking laps all day. Covid is still around so hitch-hiking is more difficult this season, we recommend taking two cars and going with your pod.

Vail Pass | West of Copper Mountain

Image via exploringtherockies.com

Vail, land of the glamorous. Good thing Vail Pass is 20 minutes east of Vail, and for most just a passing point for those driving by. This area is also used by snowmobilers so lookout and head to the less populated non-motorized routes. Shrine Pass Ski Trail is easier, Corral Creek is intermediate, and if you’re looking for a challenge take the 4.5-mile route to Janet’s Cabin via Wilder Gulch. For the pros, head to the chutes on the southeast side of Uneva Peak.

Rocky Mountain National Park | Estes Park

Yup, you can ski the NP, but you might need some help. Unless you’re good and I mean real good, finding the perfect line will come down to your navigation skills, line identifying ability, weather, and commitment to the challenge. RMNP isn’t for the easily deterred so for those with the resilience, the skillset, and the right beta those 40+ degree lines will be there for the taking come April when conditions close in on perfect. Luckily for the rest of us, there are lots of guides willing to show you the way, check out Colorado Mountain School for the hookup.

Crested Butte Backcountry Area | Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a trek but perhaps that’s why it’s the last great Colorado Ski Town. Surrounded by epic peaks, there are lots of options to go skiing beyond the resort. Crested Butte also gets one of the largest snowfalls in Colorado. Most of the backcountry will be for advanced skiers, but areas such as Coney’s via the Washington Gulch Trailhead or the Anthracites are a delight.

Aspen Backcountry Area | Aspen

A little place called Aspen. Although you won’t find very much backcountry access within the town itself without the help of the resorts, you can head out via Castle Creek Road and find some fresh snow by following Express Creek Road. This will lead you to the 10th Mountain Division’s Markley Hut from where several trails start and end. If you’re looking for the extreme, check out Mt. Sopris, 25 miles North of Aspen.

Backcountry Wilderness Areas

Indian Peaks – Navajo Peak / Apache Peak | Nederland / Ward

Some of the closest backcountry skiing to Boulder County, and definitely some of the best. Brainard Lake Trailhead will be the closest you’ll get until the road to Long Lake opens back up in June. The two 13,000ft peaks present an inspiring approach and three delectable lines for your choosing. If you play your cards right and leave early, you could probably be back in time for work.

Butler’s Gulch | South of Winter Park

Take the main skin track to Butler Bowl. From there you can access the bowl itself, Power Line, and Point 12,085. All the routes exit at the skin track or at the creek (from which you may need to climb out of and back to the skin track to head home). If you’re desperate for powder get to Butler Gulch as soon as the storm stops, the winds will already be gearing up and all that fresh snow will be blown before you know it.

Hoosier Pass | South of Breckenridge

Avalanches! Whether you’re skiing Mt. Lincoln, Quandary Peak, or the Red Mountain Glades, Hoosier Pass is a great backcountry location while staying close to Breckenridge. Avalanche danger is high in this area so be careful and come prepared. This area is littered with gullies and peaks and a great opportunity to hone in some of your more technical skills. And for those who want to experience this place without as much worry, there’s also great cross-country options.

Red Mountain Pass | San Juan Mountains

The San Juans, sharp, jagged peaks that condemn the weary and condone the rad. These mountains are beastly, beautiful and offer incredible backcountry opportunities, this being just one of them. Between Ouray and Silverton is a place called Black Bear Pass Trailhead, opposite of Forest Rd. 825. Take this road until you reach a gully 1/10th of a mile past St. Paul’s Lodge. From there it’s open country and definitely avalanche territory so you’ll need to know what that means if you want to continue.

Cameron Pass | Fort Collins

You’ll be up against the FOCO locals but supposedly they’re all pretty friendly, so your odds are good. This area is huge so we’re sticking to South Diamond Peak, the proclaimed epi-center of Cameron Pass. If you want to find the hidden gems – which there are plenty of – you’re on your own. With a fairly straight forward skin track that ascends steeply, South Diamond Peak provides seven established lines and lots of area to play. Chutes, avalanche slides, and spooky cornices await.

Monarch Pass | Salida

350 inches of snow a year, which is twenty-nine feet! Just East of Salida and near Monarch Resort there’s plenty of intermediate and expert trails to explore. Snow Stake is a great intermediate option, and for those looking for a longer day, the Tour de Monarch Pass offers a 3.5 mile round trip with 2000ft worth of climbing and 3000ft of descent. For the experts, check out Point 11692 or head to the Grand Couloir on Mt. Aetna.

Clark Peak | Medicine Bow Mountains

63 miles north of Fort Collins lies the easily accessible Blue Lake Trailhead, for the highest mountain in the Medicine Bow Range. This one is less established offering lots and lots of possibilities, including several stacked bowls, forming a length not so steep descent. You’ll need to be on top of your backcountry navigation skills to comfortably ski this area and get yourself back to the trailhead.

14’ers

Mt. Sneffels | Yankee Bowl Basin near Ouray

Image via outsidebozeman.com

Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. The two options are either axe your way up the chute or axe your way along its East Ridge while audaciously gazing at Telluride lying graciously 5,000ft below you. This is for the best of the best, meaning the reward and the risk are immense. Not only do you dare the high risk of avalanches but you are walking on the very edge of the San Juans eagerly grasping for one of the best lines in Colorado.

Quandary Peak | Hoosier Pass

It’s the 13th tallest 14er and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The altitude, the risk of avalanche, the wind, and the cold will all factor into your success. Although the risk of avalanche is lower due to the more subtle grade, don’t be fooled by its comparisons to other places on this list. After ascending the East Ridge, you’ll have either the North or the South Gully to choose from, ranging from 2,575ft to 3,250ft in elevation.

Mt. Bierstadt | South of Georgetown

Image via exploringtherockies.com

Depending on the road conditions to Guanella pass, you might need to bring a snowmobile or embrace a lengthy skin to the summer trailhead. From there it’s a fairly mellow ascent to the summit at which point you’ll be righteously embraced by a mighty sea of something frozen. You can certainly head over to Mt. Evans and ski some of the gullies on the North East side, but then you’d be in for a pretty long day and those runs are fairly well known. Instead, make your way back down Bierstadt minding the rocks poking out along the way. Take extra care to make sure there’s enough snow before you head out.

Mt. Elbert | Twin Lakes

Although it’s the tallest 14er in Colorado, it isn’t the most difficult to ascend. Follow the East Ridge to the summit and from there take the infamous Box Creek Couloirs dropping right around 2000ft and meeting back up with the East Ridge ascent route. From BOCO, head to Twin Lakes, and turn off Colorado 82 towards the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. At close to 14 miles and over 4,000ft of gain, you’ll have plenty to fill your day with.

ONE LAST NOTE:

In the backcountry, there are no chairlifts, no trails, and no boundaries to guide you. There’s no base lodge, or made-to-order burgers waiting for you after a long day on the slopes. There’s no price tag, no lines, and certainly no slow signs. Instead, the backcountry offers up wide-open ranges, rolling valleys, and dense forests to carve, float, and pummel your way through. A merciless opportunity to explore the untamed and unstructured. A place where opportunities are seemingly endless, where the only thing standing between you and 4000ft of waist-deep fresh tracks, is you. So go on, sign-up for that safety course, buy or borrow that gear, plan that trip, and take that very first step towards a life beyond the ikonic and the epic.

The post Beyond the Ikonic and the Epic: A Guide to Colorado’s Backcountry appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Winter Camp Directory 2020

Laurenz Busch — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 21:10:15 +0000

General Interest / Recreation

Camp Erie, Erie Recreation Department

School break camps and LEGO Stem Camps

Email: becca.mack@cityoflafayette.com

Phone: 303-665-5588

Pricing, dates and registration information: www.cityoflafayette.com/600/Camps

Virtual: Jewish Culture Club Online, Boulder JCC

Email: tzuria.malpica@boulderjcc.org

Phone: 303.998.1900

Pricing, dates, and registration: www.boulderjcc.org

Lifelong Learning, BVSD, Superior

Email: lifelong.learning@bvsd.org

Phone: 720-561-5968

Pricing, dates, and registration: https://bouldervalley.augusoft.net

YMCA of North Colorado – School Day Off Camps

Email: afterschool@ymcanoco.org

Phone: Mapleton: (303) 442-2778 Arapahoe:(303) 664-5455

Website: www.ymcanoco.org/toddler-to-teen/bvsd/school-day-off-camps

Winter Holiday Camp, Boulder Parks and Recreation

Email: GoldmanL@bouldercolorado.gov

Phone number: 303.253.4271

Pricing, dates, and registration: apm.activecommunities.com/boulderparksrec

Winter Kids Camps and Classes, Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

Phone number: 303.774.3770

Pricing, dates, and registration: longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/education/summer-camps

Animals, Nature, and Science

Winter Break Camp, Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Email: camps@dmns.org
Phone: 303.370.6000

Pricing, dates, and registration: www.dmns.org/learn/onsite-at-the-museum/overnight-adventures/school-camp-in-best-of-the-museum/

Winter Safari Camp, Denver Zoo, Denver, CO

Email: guestcare@denverzoo.org

Phone number: 720.337.1400

Pricing, dates, and registration: denverzoo.org/winter-safari-3

Climbing

Camp/School Day Off, Boulder Rock Club

Email: frontdesk@boulderrockclub.com

Phone: 303.447.2804

Pricing, date, and registration: boulderrockclub.com/programs/youth/day-off-school-camps/

Winter Break Holiday Camp, ABC Kids Climbing, Boulder

Email: info@abckidsclimbing.com

Phone: 303.443.5437

Pricing, dates, and registration: abckidsboulder.com/school-holiday-camps/

Dramatic Arts

Theater Camp, Rocky Mountain Theater For Kids

Email:info@theaterforkids.com

Phone: 303.245.8150

Pricing, dates, and registration: theaterforkids.net/holiday_camp/

Gymnastics

School’s Out Gymnastics Camp, Airborne Gymnastics, Longmont

Email: frontdesk@airbornegym.com

Phone: 303.684.3717
Pricing, dates, and registration: airbornegym.com/camps/

Winter Camp, Mountain Kids Gymnastics and Movement, Louisville

Email: fun@mountainkidslouisville.com

Phone: 303.720.7617

Pricing, dates, and registration: mountainkidslouisville.com/events/
*This is a link to 2019 Camps. Don’t have 2020 info NOTE: I have left a phone message with them to inquire if they’re having a winter camp this year.

Role-Playing and Adventure

Holiday and school day off adventure camps, Adventure Quest, Boulder

Email: info@renaissanceadventures.com

Phone number: 303.786.9216

Pricing, dates, and registrations: www.renaissanceadventures.com/registration/

Sewing

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO COVID – MIGHT RETURN

School Day Off Camp, Common Threads Boutique, Boulder, CO

Email: boulder@shopcommonthreads.com

Phone: 303.449.5431

Pricing, dates, and registration: shopcommonthreads.com/schedule/school-day-off-camp-oct-11

Soccer

Indoor Soccer Winter Holiday Clinics, Boulder Indoor Soccer

Email: info@boulderindoorsoccer.com

Phone: 303.440.0809

Pricing, dates, and registration: boulderindoorsoccer.com/camps-clinics/holiday-clinics/

NOTHING AVAILABLE DUE TO COVID – NOT UPDATE SINCE 2019

Soccer Camp, FC Boulder, Lafayette

Email: drew.campbell@fcboulder.com

Phone: 303.732.8484

Pricing, dates, and registration: fcboulder.com/

Visual Arts

New Year’s Eve and Winter Break Camps, Tinker Studio, Boulder

Email: tinker@tinkerartstudio.com

Phone number: 303.503.1902
Pricing, dates, and registration: tinkerartstudio.com/holiday-camps-2

Kid Create Studio – Winter Programs, Broomfield

Email: broomfieldco@kidcreatestudio.com

Phone: 303-578-8060

Website: kidcreate.com/broomfield/calendar

The post Winter Camp Directory 2020 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado’s Spookiest Crash Sites

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 20:50:05 +0000

Planes don’t crash too often, but that doesn’t mean they won’t, (queue the ominous music). Halloween is upon us and so are the memories of those who came before us. Since their inception there have been 1540 plane crashes in Colorado. 700 of those are well-documented military crashes stemming from early WWII training missions. Reckless flying, difficult terrain, treacherous weather, and for some, unknown causes led to these fatal events. During October, the haunted begin to stir and they definitely don’t wish to be disturbed so don’t go looking! Some of these areas are said to appear and disappear depending on who’s looking for them, some end up seeing things they never wished to see, and for others, the very thought of scorched earth, dismantled engines, contorted frames, and scattered pieces is enough to sear the horrors of aviation into their minds forever. Whether these crash sites are morally off-limits or they’re just another part of history waiting to be discovered, no matter the reason you may go looking, remember the lives that were lost, and remember to not get lost while looking for them.

Caution: some locations are difficult to find and require excellent backcountry navigation skills, if you do not know how to take care of yourself in the backcountry, do not attempt. Please do not remove any items from the crash sites, they are a part of history now.

The horrors and nightmares of reality will always outweigh the stories we tell one another, so remember this Halloween, that stories of doom and tragedy are scattered throughout the mountains that cradle our beloved town to the West. That although you may not be able to see them from the comfort of your homes, these sites are very real, and they’re out there, ever so gently lying there, a memento of the past, ever-present.

Navajo Peak DC-3

January 21, 1948

40° 03’25.8”N 105° 38’32.7”W

At 12,900ft lie the remains of this DC-3. Located on the North-Northeast side of the mountain approximately 500ft below the summit, the DC-3 is nothing more than scraps. With no survivors, it tells the story of how high rising peaks and formidable weather can easily impede the success of flights in Colorado. To get there, park at Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Rec Area. Follow the trail towards the summit and merge off just below to find the crash site. Most hikers will continue to the top of the Class 3 scramble.

Crown Point B-17 – Bellevue, CO

June 13th, 1944

40°36’43.9”N 105°37’57.8”W

This doomed B-17 departed from Rapid City, SD only to crash into the mountains near Bellevue at 10,750ft leaving six survivors and four casualties. Six weeks after the crash the Army demolished the plane using dynamite leaving only an engine, some gears, wing tips, and lots and lots of bits and pieces to be found. There are several ways to get to the site, the best being by taking the Flowers Trail via Browns Lake Trailhead. Tags and signs along the way will eventually lead you to the scattered remains of the B-17 near a large boulder field.

Huey Helicopter

Almagre Mountain

Unknown Crash Date

38°47’31.5”N 104°59’38.4”W

A mystery to say the least. With people dedicating entire blog posts to proving the Huey a myth, the story of the helicopter that crashed towards the summit on the North side of Almagre Mountain will continue confuse all who go looking. Bits have been found, even some sheet metal, but no one has shared the location of the Huey. Some sternly claim it’s there, but for others, having scoured the mountain over again and again, it’s nothing more than a myth, a legend, a question mark dangling in the past of Almagre. To reach Almagre, head to Colorado Springs and take Old Stage Rd to FR 379, then make your way up the 4wd forest roads to the summit. Definitely one for those with excellent navigation skills.

Jasper Peak AT-6

Unnamed Lake near Eldora

December 15, 1975

40° 00’03.7”N 105° 40’09.1”W

As the moon rises, the night settles in, and the wind ripples across an unnamed lake, there lies a shattered and motionless AT-6, wavered by nothing more than the elements and the test of time. Once used for missions to train Mustang fighters, Colorado provided the AT-6 pilots with deep valleys, soaring peaks, and difficult terrain, giving them an edge over their enemies, if they survived. This one did not, and at 11,575ft, and a couple miles Northeast of Eldora, it’s a bit of a bushwhack to get there. From Eldora you’ll take FR111, a moderate 4WD road to the trailhead from which you’ll take Arapaho Pass Trail to the Diamond Lake Trail. You’ll have to navigate yourself to the lake from there.

FG-1 Corsair

Rocky Mountain
National Park

August 27, 1948

40° 25’15”N 105° 44’29.5”W

It’s said the pilot was ‘flat-hatting’ or flying low and recklessly near Ice Berg pass when the plane crashed into the ground killing him. What’s left of it is for you to go find as the NPS has been working on removing the pieces that are left. Best way to get there is to take Trail Ridge Rd. to Ice Berg pass and park at the Tundra Community Trailhead, from there it’s a short hike to the site.

T-33 – Allenspark, CO

Unknown Crash Date

40°9’30.9”N 105°30’22.3”W

The closest crash site to Boulder is the T-33 near Bunce School Road. The cause of the crash is uncertain but it claimed the lives of two USAF casualties that were overlooking newly purchased land. Large sections of the plane are visible and getting there is pretty straight-forward. Either head down the fairly mild 4WD Bunce School Road or start at Camp Dick and make your way up FR 105, which is essentially just a pile of large rocks for about half a mile that you scramble over.

Cessna – Alma

April 4, 2018

Unknown location

A 67-year-old man from Bend, Oregon, flew his Cessna to Colorado without submitting a flight plan and he seemingly disappeared. Years early his pilots license had been revoked for failing to comply with regulation and to make matters worse for him, the National Transportation Safety Board noted that his extensive health issues may have played a role in his deadly crash. He wasn’t found until days later when two men came across the plane and the man, somewhere near Mosquito Pass close to the town of Alma, just south of Breckenridge. Not much came of the plane, the story was published, the man was evacuated and the plane remained, too remote to remove. It’s exact location was never publicized.

Wichita Plane Crash Martin 4-0-4

Loveland Ski Area

October 2, 1970

39°41’35.69”N 105°52’56.94”W

The entire Wichita State Football team was aboard the Martin 4-0-4 when the pilot, in an attempt to better the view, flew too low and crashed after being unable to lift the plane out of a box canyon. Of the 37 passengers only 6 survived. Today, one of Colorado’s most dramatic crash sites offers a somber reminder of the horrors that have occurred so many times before. Take Exit 216 on I-70 heading Westbound and find a dirt road at the end of the exit. Follow this until you reach a fenced storage lot and locate an old trail. Although it’s only a mile as the crow flies from I-70 it’s not easy to find so don’t get lost.

The post Colorado’s Spookiest Crash Sites appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder County School Directory

Laurenz Busch — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 14:03:23 +0000

Art Schools

Parlando School for the Arts

303-442-0006, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, parlando.org

Tara Performing Arts High School

303-440-4510, 4180 19th St., Boulder, CO 80304

tarahighschool.org

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design

303-753-6046, 1600 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80214 | rmcad.edu

Charter Schools

Aspen Ridge Preparatory School

720-242-6225, 705 Austin Ave., Erie, CO 80516

aspenridgeprepschool.org

Boulder Preparatory High School

303-545-6186, 5075 Chaparral Ct. #1, Boulder,

boulderprep.org

Jefferson Academy

Elementary School: 303-438-1011, 9955 Yarrow St., Broomfield, CO 80021

jeffcojeffersonacademyes.ss12.sharpschool.com/

Secondary School: 720-887-1992, 11251 Reed Way, Broomfield, CO 80020 | jajags.com

The Summit Academy:

303-438-6985, 7575 W 103rd Ave., Westminster, CO 80021

thesummitacademy.org/ | Prospect

Ridge Academy

720-399-0300, 2555 Preble Creek Pky., Broomfield, CO 80023

prospectridgeacademy.org

Pinnacle Charter School

K-8: 303-450-3985, 1001 W. 84th Ave.,

Federal Heights, CO 80260 High School:

303-412-2940, 8412 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260 | pinnaclecharterschool.org

Justice High School

720-328-4864, 805 Excalibur St., Lafayette, | justicehigh.org

Peak to Peak Charter School

303-453-4600, 800 Merlin Dr., Lafayette,

800 Merlin Dr, Lafayette, peaktopeak.org

Twin Peaks Charter Academy

303-772-7286, 340 S. Sunset St., Longmont,

twinpeakscharter.org

Two Roads Charter School

303-423-3377, 6980 Pierce St., Arvada,

tworoads.jeffcopublicschools.org

Stargate Charter School

303-450-3936, 14530 Washington St., Thronton,

stargateschool.org

Ricardo Flores Magon Academy

303-412-7610, 5301 Lowell Blvd., Denver,

magonacademy.org

Academy School, The

Main Campus: 303-289-8088, 11800 Lowell Blvd. Westminster, CO 80031

North Campus: 303-289-8088, 12161 Park Centre Drive 80234, Westminster, CO 80234 | theacademyk12.org

Colleges

American Real Estate College

303-422-2220, 4704 N Harlan St #520, Denver, americanrealestatecollege.com/

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts (formerly Culinary School of the Rockies)

877-249-0305, 637 S. Broadway St. Suite H, Boulder, escoffier.edu

Aims Community College

303-857-4022, 260 College Ave., Fort Lupton, aims.edu

Ann Rose School of Nursing Arts Inc.

303-650-2994, 7280 Irving St. Ste B-205, Westminster, CO 80030, annroseschoolofnursingarts.com

Colorado Christian University

303-963-3000, 8787 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, visit ccu.edu for more information

Colorado Mesa University

970-248-1020, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction, http://coloradomesa.edu

Colorado Mountain College

970-945-7481, 831 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, coloradomtn.edu

Colorado School of Mines

303-273-3000, 1500 Illinois St, Golden | mines.edu

Colorado State University

303-573-6318, 475 17th St., #1400, Denver, learn.colostate.edu

Colorado Technical University

855-230-0555, 4435 N Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 | coloradotech.edu

Colorado Virtual Academy

877-586-9456, 165 South Union Blvd, Suite 777, Lakewood | cova.coloradoed.org

Continuing Education CU

303-492-5148, 1505 University Ave (178 UCB), Boulder, | ce.colorado.edu

DeVry University

303-280-7400, 1870 W. 122nd Ave., Westminster,

devry.edu

Front Range Community College

Longmont Campus: 303-678-3722, 2190 Miller Dr., Longmont, CO 80501 | Westminster Campus: 303-404-5000, 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster, CO 80031 | frontrange.edu

Johnson & Wales University

303-256-9300, 7150 Montview Blvd., Denver,

jwu.edu

Metro State University

303-556-5740, 890 Auraria Pkwy #310, Denver,

msudenver.edu

Elevate Salon Institute Westminster (Formerly Montage Academy)

303-622-5051, 6775 W. 88th Ave., Westminster,

esiwestminster.com/

Naropa University

303-444-0202, 2130 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder,

naropa.edu

Red Rocks Community College

303-914-6600, 13300 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood,

rrcc.edu

Regis University

800-568-8932, 3333 Regis Blvd., Denver,

regis.edu

Southwest Acupuncture College

303-581-9955, 6630 Gunpark Drive, Suite 200 Boulder, | acupuncturecollege.edu/

University of Colorado Admissions

303-492-6301, 65 UCB, Boulder,

colorado.edu

University of Denver Admissions

303-871-2706 #3, 2199 S. University Blvd., Denver, | du.edu

University of Northern Colorado

970-351-1890, 501 20th St., Greeley, CO 80639 | unco.edu

Daycare/Preschool

Acorn School for Early Childhood Development 303-938-8233, 2845 Wilderness Pl., #100, Boulder,

theacornschool.org

Active Boulder Kids Preschool Louisville

303-665-9669, 1970 Centennial Dr., Louisville,

activelouisvillekids.com

Alaya Preschool

303-449-5248, 3340 19th St., Boulder, CO 80304

alayapreschool.org/alaya

Apple Tree Christian Preschool and Kindergarten

303-466-8365, 545 W. 10th Ave., Broomfield,

appletreebroomfield.org

Bal Swan Children’s Center

303-466-6308, 1145 E. 13th Ave., Broomfield,

balswan.org

Boulder Day Nursery

303-442-7605 #4, 1518 Spruce St., Boulder, bdnschool.org

Bright Horizons

East Longmont: 303-834-3665, 919 Deerwood Dr, Longmont, CO 80504 West Longmont: 303-682-0102, 1011 Dry Creek Dr, Longmont, CO 80503 Louisville: 303-665-5511, 1818 Centennial Dr., Louisville, CO 80027 brighthorizons.com | Westminster: 303-410-8302, 11305 Decatur St, Westminster, | brighthorizons.com

Child’s Touch

303-286-8460, 9141 Poze Blvd., Thornton, CO 80229

achildstouch.com

Children’s Garden Learning Center

303-466-8801, 7085 W 119th Pl., Broomfield, CO 80020

http://childrensgardenlc.com

Children’s House Preschool

303-444-6432, 3370 Iris Walk Ct., Boulder

childrenshousepreschool.org

Cornerstone Preschool

303-776-3290, 1000 15th Ave., Longmont

bethlehem-lutheran.net

Cottage School

South Boulder: 303-449-4380, 805 30th St., Boulder, CO 80303 | North Boulder: 303-546-6814, 1301 North St., Boulder, 80304 | Longmont: 303-651-3780, 1941 N. Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501

cottageschoolsco.com

Cradle to Crayons Learning Center

303-216-1910, 1921 Youngfield Street, Golden,

goldenchildcare.com/

Dream Makers Preschool

720-274-0101, 1345 28th Street, Boulder

dreammakerspreschool.com

Exploring Minds Academy for Learning

303-828-3452, 4051 E. County Line Rd., Erie, CO 80516

exploringmindsacademy.com

Family Learning Center, The

303-442-8979, 3164 34th St., Boulder, CO 80301

flcboulder.org

Gateway Academy

303-404-3222, 900 E. 1st Ave., Broomfield

gatewayacademy.com

Goddard School

Broomfield: 303-469-4998, 3301 W 144th Ave., Broomfield, CO 80023 goddardschool.com | Erie: 303-828-5202, 3000 Village Vista Dr., Erie, CO 80516 goddardschool.com

Longmont: 303-772-3501, 1095 Olympia Ave., Longmont | goddardschool.com | Louisville: 720-739-1938, 380 Centennial Pkwy, Louisville, CO 80027 goddardschool.com

Thornton: 303-254-4144, 4203 E. 136th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602 goddardschool.com | Westminster: 303-635-1790, 4147 Main St., Westminster, CO 80031 goddardschool.com

Growing Minds Learning Center

(Formerly Miss Catherine’s)

303-530-1820, 6525 Gunpark Dr., Boulder

growingmindsco.com/

Harmony Preschool

303-444-8452, 3990 15th St., Boulder, CO 80304

harmony-preschool.com

Here We Grow 720-600-5927, 630 15th Ave. #105, Longmont

hwgchildcare.com

Jeanne’s Sunshine Preschool

720-339-3198, 11307 Billings Ave., Lafayette

jeannessunshinepreschool.weebly.com

Jefferson Street Preschool

303-666-6080, 733 Jefferson Ave., Louisville

jeffersonstreetpreschool.com

Kiddie Academy

Erie: 303-828-1030, 641 Mitchell Way , Erie,

Parker: 303-840-4645, 9350 Jordan Road, Parker 80134

kiddieacademy.com

Kindercare

Broomfield: 303-439-9110, 1045 Opal St., Broomfield, CO 80020 | Louisville: 303-666-9999, 107 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville, CO 80027 | Longmont: 303-651-1008, 851 Crisman Dr., Longmont, CO 80501 | kindercare.com,

La Petite Academy

303-673-9333, 380 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville | lapetite.com

Little People’s Landing Learning Center

303-604-4440, 215 Century Circle, Louisville, littlepeopleslanding.com/

Louisville Montessori School Inc.

303-665-2002, 461 Tyler Ave, Louisville, louisvillemontessorischool.net

McGregor’s Garden Preschool

303-499-9341, 3535 Eastman Ave., Boulder

Mountain View Preschool 303-494-3557, 355 Ponca Pl, Boulder | mvpreschool.org

Mt. Hope Lutheran Preschool

303-499-9800, 1345 S. Broadway St., Boulder, mthopeboulder.org/index.html

My Second Home

303-664-1098, 300 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette, mysecondhomeco.com

Our School Preschool

303-494-4112, 776 Cherryvale Rd., Boulder, ourschoolpreschool.org

Primrose School

Broomfield: 303-469-8000, 1680 Coalton Rd., Superior, CO 80027 | Erie: 303-665-3444, 2998 Ridge View Dr., Erie CO 80516 | Longmont: 303-774-1919, 1335 Dry Creek Dr., Longmont CO 80503 | Thornton: 303-279-0525, 12899 Grant Dr., Thornton CO 80241 | Westminster: 303-650-5437, 8430 West Church Ranch Blvd., Westminster | primroseschools.com

Promise Christian Preschool

303-666-9874, 9880 Baseline Rd., Lafayette, promisechristianpreschool.org

Rainbow Child Care

303-499-3038, 3485 Stanford Ct., Boulder boulderrainbow.com

Rainbow Children’s Center

303-684-7584, 2100 Collyer St, Longmont, CO rainbowchildrenscenter.com

Snowlions School

720-564-0456, 2580 Iris Ave., Boulder, snowlionschool.org

St. John’s Early Learning Center

303-920-2142, 11040 Colorado Blvd., Thornton, http://sjdenver.org/elc

Sunflower Preschool

303-494-2012, 3340 Dartmouth, Boulder, http://sunflowerpreschoolboulder.com

Sunset Academy Daycare

303-651-6600, 711 S. Sunset St., Longmont, sunsetacademy.com

Sunshine House

303-460-0064, 5305 W. 98th Ave., Westminster, sunshinehouse.com

Take a Break

303-665-9741, 408 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette, takeabreakchildren.com

TLC Learning Center

303-776-7417, 611 Korte Parkway, Longmont, learningwithtlc.org

Treehouse Learning 303-666-1950,

175 N. 96th St., Louisville, treehouselearning.com

Wee School Preschool

303-828-2939, 690 Briggs St., Erie, CO 80516

weeschoolpreschool.com

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

303-258-0495, 20 Lakeview Drive Unit 107, Nederland, wildbear.org

Wooden Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten

303-422-6195, 9180 Yarrow St., Westminster, woodenshoe-childcare.com

District

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

720-972-4000, 1500 E. 128th Ave., Thornton, adams12.org

Boulder Valley School District (BVSD)

303-447-1010, 6500 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, bvsd.org

St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD)

303-682-7213, 395 S. Pratt Pkwy., Longmont, stvrain.k12.co.us

Alicia Sanchez International

(720) 561-7300, 655 Sir Galahad Dr, Lafayette, Sae.bvsd.org

Alpine Elementary

(720) 652-8140, 2005 Alpine Street, Longmont, aes.svvsd.org/

Altona Middle

(720) 494-3980, 4600 Clover Basin Dr, Longmont, | Ams.svvsd.org

Aspen Creek K-8

(720) 561-8000, 5500 Aspen Creek Dr, Broomfield | Ac8.bvsd.org

Bear Creek Elementary

(720) 561-3500, 2500 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder, bce.bvsd.org

Birch Elementary

(720) 561-8800, 1035 Birch St, Broomfield, CO.

bie.bvsd.org

Black Rock Elementary

(720) 890-3995, 2000 Mountain View Boulevard, Erie, | bres.svvsd.org/

Blue Mountain (720) 652-8200, 1260 Mountain Drive, Longmont | bmes.svvsd.org/

Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies (BCSIS)

(720) 561-6500, 3995 Aurora Ave, Boulder, CO.

Bcsis.bvsd.org

Boulder Universal Online School

(720) 561-5500, 6600 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO.

bu.bvsd.org

Broomfield Heights Middle

(720) 561-8400, 1555 Daphne St, Broomfield, Bhm.bvsd.org

Burlington Elementary

(303) 776-8861, 1051 South Pratt Parkway, Longmont, bes.svvsd.org/

Career Development Center

(303) 772-3333, 1200 S Sunset St, Longmont, Cdc.svvsd.org

Centennial Middle

(720) 561-5441, 2205 Norwood Ave, Boulder, .

cem.bvsd.org

Centaurus High School

(720) 561-7500, 10300 W South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, Ceh.bvsd.org

Central Elementary

(303) 776-3236, 1020 Fourth Avenue, Longmont,

centrales.svvsd.org/

Coal Creek Elementary

(720) 561-4500, 801 W Tamarisk St, Louisville,

Cce.bvsd.org

Coal Ridge Middle

(303) 833-4176, 6201 Booth Dr, Longmont, CO.

Crms.svvsd.org

Community Montessori

(720) 561-3700, 805 Gillaspie Dr, Boulder, CO. | Cme.bvsd.org

Creekside Elementary

(720) 561-3800, 3740 Martin Dr, Boulder, CO. | Cre.bvsd.org

Crest View Elementary (720) 561-5461,

1897 Sumac Ave, Boulder, CO. | Cve.bvsd.org

Douglass Elementary

(720) 561-5541, 840 N 75th St, Boulder, CO. | Doe.bvsd.org

Eagle Crest Elementary

(303) 702 – 8000, 4444 Clover Basin Drive. Longmont, eces.svvsd.org/

Eisenhower Elementary School

(720) 561-6700, 1220 Eisenhower Dr, Boulder,

Eie.bvsd.org

Emerald Elementary

(720) 561-8500, 275 Emerald St, Broomfield, Eme.bvsd.org

Erie Elementary

(303) 828- 4213, 3180 Co Rd 5, Erie, CO. |

ees.svvsd.org/

Erie Middle

(303) 828-3391, 650 Main St, Erie, CO. |

Ems.svvsd.org

Escuela Bilingue Pioneer

(720) 561-7800, 101 E Baseline Rd, Lafayette, | Pie.bvsd.org

Fairview High School

(720) 561-3100, 1515 Greenbriar Blvd, Boulder, Fairviewhs.org

Fall River Elementary

(720) 652-7920, 1400 Deerwood Drive, Longmont, CO.

fres.svvsd.org/

Fireside Elementary

(720) 561-7900, 845 W Dahlia St, Louisville, CO. | Fie.bvsd.org

Flatirons Elementary

(720) 561-4600, 1150 7th St, Boulder, CO. | Fle.bvsd.org

Frederick High School

(303) 833-3533, 5690 Tipple Pkwy, Longmont, CO.

Fhs.svvsd.org

Foothill Elementary

(720) 561-2600, 1001 Hawthorn Ave, Boulder, CO. | Foe.bvsd.org

Grand View Elementary

(303) 702 – 8000, 6601 Aggregate Boulevard, Frederick, CO.

gves.svvsd.org/

Gold Hill Elementary

(720) 561-5940, 890 Main St, Boulder, CO. | ghe.bvsd.org

Halcyon Elementary

(720) 561-4700, 3100 Bucknell Ct, Boulder, CO. | Hal.bvsd.org

Heatherwood Elementary

(720) 561-6900, 7750 Concord Dr, Boulder, CO. | Hee.bvsd.org

High Peaks

(720) 561-6500, 3995 Aurora Ave, Boulder, CO. | Hpe.bvsd.org

Horizons K-8

(720) 561-3600, 4545 Sioux Dr, Boulder, CO.

Horizonsk8school.org

Hygiene Elementary

(720) 652-7920, 11968 North 75th Street, Longmont, hes.svvsd.org/

Indian Peaks Elementary

(303) 772-7240, 1335 South Judson Street, Longmont, ipes.svvsd.org/

Innovation Center

(720) 494-3969, 33 Quail Rd, Longmont, CO.

Innovation.svvsd.org

Jamestown Elementary

(720) 561-6020, 111 Mesa St, Jamestown, |

Jae.bvsd.org

Justice High School

(720) 328-4864, 805 Excalibur St, Lafayette,

Justice.high.org

Kohl Elementary School

(720) 561-8600, 1000 W 10th Ave, Broomfield

Lafayette Elementary

(720) 561-8900, 101 N Bermont Ave, Lafayette

Longmont Estates Elementary

(720) 652-8101, 1601 Northwestern Road, Longmont, lees.svvsd.org/

Longs Peak Middle

(303) 776-5611, 1500 14th Ave, Longmont, CO.

Lpms.svvsd.org

Louisville Elementary

(720) 561-7200, 400 Hutchinson St, Louisville,

Lae.bvsd.org

Louisville Middle

(720) 561-7400, 1341 Main St, Louisville, CO. | Lom.bvsd.org

Lyons Middle Senior

(303) 823-6631, 100 McConnell Dr, Lyons, CO.

Lmshs.svvsd.org

Manhattan Middle

(720) 561-6300, 290 Manhattan Dr, Boulder, CO.

Mam.bvsd.org

Mapleton Early Childhood Center

(720) 561-6200, 840 Mapleton Ave, Boulder, CO.

Mpe.bvsd.org

Mead Elementary

(970) 535-4488, 520 Walker Avenue, Mead, CO.

mes.svvsd.org/

Mead Middle

(970) 535-4446, 620 Welker Ave, Mead, CO. | Mms.svvsd.org

Mesa Elementary

(720) 561-3000, 1575 Lehigh St, Boulder, CO. | Mee.bvsd.org

Monarch High

(720) 561-4200, 329 Campus Dr, Louisville, CO. | Moh.bvsd.org

Mountain View Elementary

(720) 652-8261, 1415 Fourteenth Avenue, Longmont, mves.svvsd.org/

Nederland Elementary

(720) 561-4800, 1 Sundown Trail, Nederland, CO.

Nee.bvsd.org

Nederland Middle – Senior

(720) 561-4900, 597 County Road 130, Nederland, Neh.bvsd.org

New Vista High School

(720) 561-8700, 700 20th St. Boulder, CO.

Nvh.bvsd.org

Nevin Platt (720) 561-5536, 6096 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO. Npm.bvsd.org

Northridge Elementary

(303) 774-2700, 1200 Nineteenth Avenue. Longmont, northridgees.svvsd.org/

Olde Columbine High School

(720) 494-3961, 1200 S Sunset St, Longmont,

Ochs.svvsd.org

Peak to Peak Charter School

(303) 453-4600, 800 Merlin Dr. Lafayette, CO.

Peaktopeak.com

Red Hawk Elementary (303) 774-2700,

1500 Telleen Avenue, Erie, rhes.svvsd.org/

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy

(303) 652 9162, 9447 Niwot Road. Niwot, CO.

Rmcaonline.org

Rocky Mountain Elementary

(303) 772-6750., 800 East Fifth Avenue, Longmont, rmes.svvsd.org/

Ryan Elementary School

(720) 561-7000, 1405 Centaur Village Dr, Lafayette, Rye.bvsd.org

Sandborn Elementary

(303) 772-3838, 2235 Vivian Street, Longmont, sanbornes.svvsd.org/

Silver Creek High School(720) 492- 3721,

4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont | Schs.svvsd.org

Soaring Heights PK-8

(303) 702-8020, 3280 Co Rd 5, Erie, CO. | Shpk8.svvsd.org

Southern Hills Middle

(720) 561-3400, 1500 Knox Dr, Boulder, CO. | shm.bvsd.org

Spark Discovery Preschool

(720) 652-7906, 555 8th St. Frederick, CO. | sdpk.svvsd.org/

St. Vrain Online Global Academy

(720) 494-3975, 1200 S Sunset St, Longmont, Svoga.svvsd.org

Summit Middle Charter

(720) 561-3900, 4655 Hanover Ave, Boulder | Sum.bvsd.org

Sunset Middle (303) 776-3963,

1300 S Sunset St, Longmont, CO. | Sms.svvsd.org

Superior Elementary School

(720) 561-4100, 1800 S Indiana St, Superior, CO.

Sue.bvsd.org

Thunder Valley K-8

(303) 833-2456, 600 Fifth St, Frederick, CO. | Tvk8.svvsd.org

Timberline PK-8

(303) 772-7900, 233 E Mountain View Ave, Longmont, Tpk8.svvsd.org

Trail Ridge Middle

(720) 494-3820, 1000 Button Rock Dr, Longmont, Trms.svvsd.org

University Hill Elementary (720) 561-5416, 956 16th St, Boulder. | Uhe.bvsd.org

Westview Middle

(303) 772-3134, 1651 Airport Rd, Longmont, CO.

Wms.svvsd.org

Whittier Elementary

(720) 561-5431, 2008 Pine St, Boulder, CO. | Whe.bvsd.org

Driving

911 Driving School, The

303-425-0911, 303-625-7556, 9100 W. 100th Ave. #B4, Westminster, CO 80021 | 911drivingschool.com

Arvada Driving School

303-423-0265, 12850 64th Ave, Arvada,arvadadrivingschool.com

Drive Safe Drive Schools

303-721-8881, 1658 Cole Blvd, Ste. 290, Lakewood, CO 80401,

drivesafecolorado.com

Colorado Driving Institute

303-818-7623, 2850 Iris Ave. #13, Boulder, coloradodrivinginstitute.com

Homeschool

Desiderata School

303-678-9335, 2051 Terry St. Suite A, Longmont,

desiderataschool.com

Patchwork School, The

720-271-6729, 1428 Main St., Louisville, thepatchworkschool.com

Woodrow Wilson Academy Home School Connection 303-431-3694, 8300 W. 94th Ave., Westminster, wwacademy.org

Montessori

Adventure Montessori

303-665-6789, 250 S. Cherrywood Dr., Lafayette, adventuremontessori.com

Autana Bilingual Montessori School

303-664-4788, 1305 Plaza Ct N, Lafayette, autanaschool.com

Bloom Montessori

303-776-8173, 327 Terry Street, Longmont, bloommontessori.com

Blue Mountain Montessori

303-339-0117, 201 S. Briggs St., Erie, bluemountainmontessori.com

Boulder Montessori

303-494-5814, 3300 Redstone Rd., Boulder,

bouldermontessori.org

Community Montessori

720-561-3700, 805 Gillaspie Dr., Boulder,

cme.bvsd.org

Countryside Montessori

303-494-3100, 5524 Baseline Rd., Boulder, http://montessori4children.com/

Fairview Montessori

303-661-0343, 1501 Jefferson Ave., Louisville, fairviewmontessori.com

Gateway Montessori School

303-772-3864, 1500 9th Ave., Longmont,gatewaymontessorischool.net

Heart & Hands Montessori

303-444-0181, 1355 Forest Park Cir., #100, Lafayette, heartandhandsmontessori.com

Hope Montessori Academy

Broomfield: 303-457-4400, 13785 Huron St., Broomfield, Co 80023 | Thronton:

303-255-8151, 12121 Pennsylvania St., Thornton, | Westminster: 303-404-9770, 4401 W. Main St, Westminster | montessorichild.com

Jarrow Montessori

303-443-0511, 3900 Orange Ct., Boulder, | jarrow.org

Mapleton Montessori

303-449-4499, 3121 29th St., Boulder, mapletonmontessori.org

Montessori Academy

303-926-8321, 801 N. 111th St., Lafayette, montessori-academy.lafayette.co.us/

Montessori Education Center

303-494-3002, 4745 Walnut St., Boulder | mecr.edu

Mountain Shadows Montessori School

303-530-5353, 4154 63rd St, Boulder

mountainshadows.org

Patience Montessori

303-449-5214, 3600 Hazelwood Crt., Boulder,

patiencemontessori.com

Petunia Montessori

303-926-8321, 807 N. 111th St., Lafayette, petuniamontessori.com

St. Vrain Community Montessori School

303-682-4339, 1055 Delaware Ave, Longmont, svcmontessori.org

Online

Colorado Virtual Academy

877-586-9456, 165 South Union Blvd, Suite 777, Lakewood, CO 80228 | cova.coloradoed.org

Hope Co-op Online

720-402-3000, 367 Inverness Parkway #225, Englewood, CO 80112 | hopeonline.org

Pikes Peak Online School

720-370-7767, 8601 Turnpike Dr., #100, Westminster, ppos.k12.com/

Vilas Online School

719-523-4952, 105 W Maple St., Villas, CO 81087

105 W Maple St, Vilas, CO 81087 | vilasre5.us

Private

Alpine Valley School

303-271-0525, 4501 Parfet St., Wheat Ridge,

alpinevalleyschool.org

Bixby School

303-494-7508, 4760 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder,

bixbyschool.org

Bolder Pathway School

720-420-9266, 320 E 1st Avenue, Broomfield,

bolderpathwayschool.com

Boulder Country Day School

303-527-4931, 4820 Nautilus Ct. N., Boulder,

bouldercountryday.org

Boulder Journey School

303-443-8909, 1919 Yarmouth Ave., Boulder,

boulderjourneyschool.com/

Boulder Sudbury School

720-943-0918, 3800 Plateau Rd., Boulder County, bouldersudbury.org/

Crossroads School

303-709-9881, 833 15th Ave., Longmont, crossroadslongmont.org

Crown Pointe Academy

303-428-1882, 2900 W 86th Ave, Westminster,

crownpointeacademy.org

Dawson School

303-665-6679, 10455 Dawson Dr., Lafayette,

dawsonschool.org

Friends School

303-499-1999 #206, 5465 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder | friendsschoolboulder.org

Hillside School

303-494-1468, 7415 Lookout Rd, Longmont,

hillsidelearning.org

Holy Family High School

303-410-1411, 5195 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield,

holyfamilyhs.com

Holy Trinity Catholic School

303-427-5632, 3050 W. 76th Ave., Westminster,

htcatholic.org

Mackintosh Academy

303-794-6222, 7018 S. Prince St., Littleton,

mackintoshacademy.com

September School

303-443-9933, 96 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, septemberschool.org

Steamboat Mountain School

970-879-1350, 42605 CR 36, Steamboat Springs, steamboatmountainschool.org

Temple Grandin School

303-554-7363, 3131 Indian Rd., Boulder, templegrandinschool.org

Watershed School 303-440-7520,

1661 Alpine Ave., Boulder, watershedschool.org

Religious

Beautiful Savior Lutheran School

303-469-2049, 6995 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield, beautifulsavior-lcms.org

Belleview Christian School

303-427-5459, 3455 W. 83rd Ave., Westminster, belleviewchristian.com

Holy Family High School

303-410-1411, 5195 W 144th Ave., Broomfield, holyfamilyhs.com

Longmont Christian School

303-776-3254, 1440 Coffman St., Longmont, longmontchristian.org

Messiah Lutheran School

303-776-3466, 1335 Francis St., Longmont, messiahlutherangj.org/

Mt. Zion Lutheran School

303-443-8477, 1680 Balsam Ave., Boulder, mtzionboulder.org

Nativity of our Lord School

303-466-4177, 900 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield, school.nool.us/

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy

303-652-9162, 9447 Niwot Rd., Niwot, CO 80503

rmcaonline.org

Sacred Heart of Jesus School

303-447-2362, 1317 Mapleton Ave., Boulder,

shjboulder.org

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School

303-424-1306, 8997 West 88th Ave., Westminster, svl.school/

St. John the Baptist Catholic School

303-776-8760, 350 Emery St., Longmont,

school.johnthebaptist.org/

St. Louis Catholic School

303-666-6220, 925 Grant Ave., Louisville, school.stlp.org/

Waldorf

Boulder Valley Waldorf (formerly Shepherd) 303-652-0130, 6500 W. Dry Creek Pkwy, Niwot, http://bvwaldorf.org/

Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten

303-541-0671, 4072 N. 19th St., Boulder, boulderwaldorf.com

Denver Waldorf School

303-777-0531, 2100 S. Pennsylvania St., Denver, denverwaldorf.org/

Shining Mountain Waldorf School

303-444-7697, 999 Violet Ave., Boulder, smwaldorf.org

Star Song Lifeways Program

303-442-0998, 3640 Buckeye Ct., Boulder, starsong-lifeways.com/About-Us.html

Camps: Outdoors

Avid 4 Adventure

720-249-2412, 2805 Wilderness Pl Suite 100, Boulder, avid4.com

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center

970-453-6422, 524 Wellington Rd., Breckenridge, boec.org

Cal-Wood

303-449-0603, 2282 County Rd 87, Jamestown,

calwood.org

Cheley Colorado Camps

970-586-4244, 3960 Fish Creek Rd., Estes Park,

cheley.com

Colorado Mountain Ranch

303-442-4557, 10063 Gold Hill Rd., Boulder,

coloradomountainranch.com

Keystone Science School

970-468-2098, 1053 Soda Ridge Rd., Keystone,

keystonescienceschool.org

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

303-258-0495, 20 Lakeview Dr., Nederland,

wildbear.org

Women’s Wilderness

303-938-9191, 2845 Wilderness Place, Suite 211, Boulder, CO 80301 | womenswilderness.org

Tutoring

Bolder Tutor LLC

(previously Bolder Pathway School)

720-420-9266, 320 E. 1st Ave., #101, Broomfield,

bolderpathwayschool.com/

Huntington Learning Center

303-404-0645, 5127 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield,

huntingtonhelps.com/

Kumon Math and Reading Centers

Broomfield: 720-388-8222, 6590 W. 120th Ave., #B4, Broomfield, CO 80020 kumon.com | Westminster: 303-464-1210, 12910 Zuni St. Unit 1000, Westminster, CO 80234

Boulder: 720-924-6284, 2525 Arapahoe Ave #8, Boulder, CO 80302 | Longmont: 303-485-2830, 2318 West 17th Ave., #D, Longmont, CO 80501 | Lafayette: 303-604-2100, 535 W. South Boulder Rd. Suite #230, Lafayette, CO 80026 | Erie: 303-222-9700, 720 Austin Ave. Suite #101, Erie, CO 80516 | kumon.com

Learning Pathways

303-499-1941, 1790 30th St., #235, Boulder, learningpathwayscolorado.com

Learning Power

303-938-0136, 1548 Old Tale Rd., Boulder

Lori Lucas

303-545-6215, 977 9th St. Boulder |

lorilucas.org

Mathnasium

303-280-6284, 13644 Orchard Parkway #700, Westminster |

mathnasium.com/westminster

Spanish Easy and Fun

303-827-5965, 850 Laramie Blvd, Unit C, Boulder, spanisheasyfun.com

Reading Solutions

970-689-2290, 604 West 4th, Loveland,coloradoreadingsolutions.com/

Tutor Doctor, The

303-945-3703, 1942 Broadway, Ste 314, Boulder,

boulderhometutors.com/

Tutoring Excellence

720-613-8090, 1445 Nelson Rd, Longmont, tutoringexcellence.com/

Living Arts School

720-383-4406, 11272 Billings Ave., Lafayette,

livingartsschool.com/

Book Arts League

303-492-4788, 1915 N 95th St, Lafayette, bookartsleague.org

Dance/Gymnastics

3rd Law Dance/Theater

303-938-8656, 2590 Walnut St., Suite 3, Boulder, CO 80302; mailing address: 2026 19th St., Boulder | 3rdlaw.org

Airborne Gymnastics

303-684-3716, 1816 Boston Ave., Longmont, airbornegym.com

Artistic Fusion Dance Academy

720-929-1820, 12421 Washington St #190, Thornton | artistic-fusion.com

Arts Hub

303-229-1127, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette, artunder.org

Belliston Academy of Ballet & Dance

303-973-2070, 8310 W. Coal Mine Ave. Littleton, bellistonacademy.com

Boulder Ballet

303-443-0028, 2590 Walnut St., #10, Boulder, boulderballet.org

Boulder Performing Arts Co., LLC

303-859-4195, 3395 Vista Dr., Boulder, bpac.biz

CATS Gymnastics & Rock Climbing

303-939-9699, 2400 30th St., Boulder,

catsgym.com

Centennial State Ballet

303-772-1335, 1422 Nelson Road, Longmont, centennialstateballet.org

Dance Dimensions

303-772-3750, 638 Main St., Longmont, dancedimensions.net

Elite Dance Academy

303-466-8626, 8820 W. 116th Cir. #A, Broomfield, elitedanceacademy.net

Flatirons Gymnastics

303-465-6303, 2645 Industrial Ln., Broomfield, flatironsgymnastics.com

Fred Astaire Dance Studio

303-429-3237, 6995 W. 88th Ave., Westminster, fredastairedenver.com

Globalsound Studio

303-439-7956, 555 Alter St., #19F, Broomfield, globalsoundstudio.com

Grace Studios

303-465-5678, 3101 Industrial Ln., #B, Broomfield, gracestudios.com

Gymnastics Unlimited

303-452-4075, 525 W. 115th Ave., Northglenn,

gucolorado.com

Gymboree Play & Music

303-743-7529, 5046 E. Hampden Ave., Denver,

gymboreeclasses.com (303) 743-752

High Peaks Twirling

303-325-4764, PO Box 761, Lafayette, CO 80026

highpeakstwirlers.com

Imagination Circus Arts

303-548-9340, 4747 N. 26th St., Boulder, imaginationcircusarts.com

Mountain Kids Gymnastics

303-665-8287, 474 S. Taylor Ave., Louisville,

mountain-kids.com

Premier School of Dance

303-457-2165, 12351 Grant St., #360, Thornton,

danceatpremier.com

Scootbacks Square Dance Class

303-451-6126, 545 W 10th Ave, Broomfield, scootbacks.com

Tango Colorado

303-669-2762, 1570 Clarkson St., Denver, tangocolorado.org

Taps and Toes Dance Studio

303-460-0685, 6855 W. 116th Ave, Broomfield,

tapsntoes.com/

Xtreme Altitude Gymnastics

720-887-6752, 1405 S Public Rd., Lafayette, xtremealtitude.com

Arts – Language

Alliance Francaise

303-831-0304, 571 Galapago St., Denver, afdenver.org

Intercambio

303-996-0275, 4735 Walnut St. Suite B, Boulder, intercambio.org

Language Solutions

303-502-4746, 305 W. Simpson, Lafayette

Spanish Easy and Fun

303-827-5965, 850 Laramie Blvd. Unit C, Boulder, spanisheasyfun.com

Spanish Institute

303-503-5652, 2850 Iris Ave., #1-4, Boulder, spanish-institute.org

Arts – Music

The Afterbeat Drum School

720-837-5410, 917 Front St., Louisville, afterbeatdrumschool.com

Boulder Guitar Coach

720-323-6424, Boulder,

boulderguitarcoach.com

Boulder Suzuki Strings

303-499-2807, 2705 Stanford Ave., Boulder,

bouldersuzukistrings.org

Child’s Song, A

303-460-7408, 12301 Grant St., #200, Thornton,

achildssong.com

Colorado Children’s Chorale

303-892-5600, 2420 W. 26th Ave., Suite 350-D, Northglenn, childrenschorale.org

DaVinci Center for Musical Arts

720-838-8685, 555 Alter St., #G, Broomfield,

davinciarts.org

Dog House Music

303-664-1600, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette, doghousemusic.com

Flatirons Strings Academy

303-908-6784, 3745 Martin Dr., Boulder, fsamusic.org

Illuminata Music

303-776-6651, Longmont,

illuminatamusic.musicteachershelper.com

Jason Olson Guitarist

303-621-4031, 320 Main St., #D, Longmont, jasonolsonguitarist.com/

Kutandara Center

303-443-2969, 5401 Western Ave. #B, Boulder, kutandara.com

Lesson Studio/Rock PopMa

303-543-3777, 3200 Valmont Rd., Unit 8, Boulder, thelessonstudio.com

Love Music Studio

770-316-4389, 1095 Atlantis Ave., Lafayette,

lovemusicstudios.com/home

Melody Kids Music Together

303-773-0742, 2015 Ionosphere St., Longmont,

melodykids.com

Mojo’s Music Academy

303-776-3373, 350 Terry St, Longmont, mojosmusicacademy.com

Mountain Song Music Studio

303-413-1120, see website for locations across the Front Range

mountainsongmusic.yourvirtuoso.com

My Local Music Lessons

(Boulder Guitar Studio)

303-442-2379, 3873 Bosque Court, Boulder,

boulderguitar.com

My Piano Prodigy

303-828-0409, Home Studio, Erie, CO

mypianoprodigy.musicteachershelper.com/home

Colorado Music Festival

and Center for Musical Arts

303.665.0599, 200 E. Baseline Rd., Lafayette, comusic.org

Rocky Ridge Music Center

303-449-1106, 1128 Pine St., Boulder,

rockyridge.org

School of Rock

303-325-3772, 11970 Quay St, Broomfield, schoolofrock.com

Arts – Theater

Arvada Center

720-898-7200, 6901 Wadsworth , Arvada, arvadacenter.org

Boulder Dinner Theatre (BDT)

303-449-6000, 5501 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, bdtstage.com

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company

303-351-2382, 2590 Walnut St. #1, Boulder, http://betc.org/

Coal Creek Community Theater

303-665-0055, 801 Grant Ave., Louisville, cctlouisville.org/

Dance Space

720-255-2619, 16669 Washington St., Thornton, dancespacedance.com

Jester’s Dinner Theatre/

Performing Arts School

303-682-9980, 224 Main St., Longmont, jesterstheatre.com

Longmont Theatre Co.

303-772-5200, 513 Main St., Longmont, longmonttheatre.org

Louisville Center for the Arts

303-335-4581, 801 Grant Ave., Louisville, louisvilleart.org

Theater Company of Lafayette

1-800-838-3006, 300 E. Simpson st., Lafayette, http://tclstage.org/

Peanut Butter Players

303-786-8727, 1376 Miners Dr., Lafayette, peanutbutterplayers.com

Reel Kids

720-650-2090, 602 Center Dr., #E, Superior, myreelkids.com/

Wildflower School of Voice

720-212-1244, 3217 Walnut St., Boulder, wildflowerschoolofvoice.com

Arts – Art

The Arts HUB

303-229-1127, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette, artunder.org

Sunflower Art Studio

720-939-7545, 6545 Gunpark Dr., #200, Boulder,

artsunflower.com

Inspiration Art Academy

720-273-2477, 457 Main St., Longmont, CO 80501

inspirationartacademy.com

Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio

303-665-7026, 14676 Delaware St #850, Westminster | whimsypaintandsip.com

Young Rembrandts 303-997-4601,

See the website for the various locations. youngrembrandts.com/denvernw/default

Sports – Rock Climbing

Avid 4 Adventure

720-249-2412, 2805 Wilderness Pl Suite 100, Boulder, avid4.com

Camp Granite Lake

720-249-2997, 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden, campgranitelake.com

Movement Climbing and Fitness

303-443-1505, 2845 Valmont Rd., Boulder, movementboulder.com

Spot Bouldering Gym, The

303-379-8806, 3240 Prairie Ave., Boulder, thespotgym.com

Boulder Rock Club

303-447-2804, 2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, boulderrockclub.com

Rock’n & Jam’n

303-254-4344, 9499 Washington St., #C, Thornton, climbthebest.com

Women’s Wilderness

303-938-9191, 2845 Wilderness Place, Suite 211 Boulder, womenswilderness.org

X-Arena | 303-706-0909,

9499 B North Washington St., Thornton, xtremechallengearena.com

Skateboarding

All Star Skateboard Camps

(970) 236-6147, check website for locations,

campchannel.com/summer-camps/All-Star-Adventures-Skateboard-Snowboard-Surf-Camps-5070.html

Progresh, Inc.

720-441-2112, 9499 Washington St., #50, Thornton, progresh.com/

Square State Skate

720-441-4047, see website, Boulder,

squarestateskate.com

Soccer

Boulder Indoor Soccer

303-440-0809, 3203 Pearl St., Boulder, boulderindoorsoccer.com

Colorado Fusion Soccer Club

303-399-5858, 111 Havana St #120, Aurora, rapidsyouthsoccer.org/

FC Boulder Soccer

303-443-8877, 2450 Central Ave, Unit D-1, Boulder, fcboulder.com/

Swimming

Aquavista Swim School

303-499-3188, 3485 Martin Dr., Boulder

Swim School of Boulder/ Ocean First Diving 303-444-7234, 3015 Bluff St., Boulder,

oceanfirst.blue/

Blue Dolphin Swim School

303-254-6920, 7655 West 108th Ave., #300,. Broomfield, bluedolphinswimschool.com

Colorado Swim School

303-439-7946, 5075 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield,

coswimschool.com

Infant Aquatics at Swim, Float, Swim

303-499-2229, 795 S. Sherman St., Longmont, infantaquatics.com

Equestrian

Academy Stables

303-665-4637, 4277 N. 109th St., Lafayette, academystables.com

Rising Star Equestrian Center

303-431-4675, 9470 Indiana St., Arvada, arisingstareqcenter.com

JK Ranch

303-665-2322, 9143 Valmont Rd., Boulder, justalittlefarm.com/

Mounting Miracles Ranch, Inc.

720-971-0569, 11051 Jasper Rd, Lafayette, mountingmiraclesranch.org/

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center

303-652-9131, 11968 Mineral Rd., Longmont,

ctrcinc.org

Cornerstone Farm at Triple Creek Ranch

303-444-4291, 4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont,

triplecreek-ranch.com

Owen Quarter Horses

303-910-1903, 9477 County Rd. 15, Firestone,

owenquarterhorses.com

Triple Creek Ranch

303-444-4291, 4255 Nelson Rd, Longmont, triplecreek-ranch.com

Plane View Farm

303-532-9381, 4738 County Rd. 5, Erie, planeviewfarm.com

Martial Arts

ATA Karate/Blackbelt (American Taekwondo Assoc.) 303-963-9440, 8433 church ranch blvd #300, Westminster, atawekick.com

Boulder Quest Center

303-440-3647, 1501 Lee Hill Rd. #18, Boulder,

boulderquest.com

Easton Brazillian Jiu Jitsu

303-938-1275, 2005 32nd St., Boulder, CO 80301

eastonbjj.com

Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association

303-507-3800, 1750 38th St., Boulder, CO 80301

shaolinhungmei.org

Tran’s Martial Arts

303-402-9460, 3101-1/2 28th St., Boulder,

trans-mafc.com

Bennetts Karate

303-947-3908, 720 Austin Ave. #100, Erie, bennettskarate.com 720 Austin Ave #100, Erie

Rocky Mountain Kung Fu

720-775-2839, 990 S. Public Rd., Lafayette, rockymountainkungfu.com

Vision Quest Kenpo Karate-IBBA

303-604-2119, 305 Waneka Pkwy, Lafayette,

vqmartialarts.com/

Tran’s Martial Arts

303-776-1887, 117 South Sunset St., Suite D, Longmont, trans-mafc.com

Scornavacco Family Karate

303-485-5425, 1830 Boston Ave., #F, Longmont, karatechangeslives.com

Shudokan Karate

720-893-1331, 1350 Ken Pratt Blvd 4A, Longmont, shudokankarate.org

International Martial Arts

303-665-0339, 1340 Main St., Louisville, imakarate.com

Success Martial Arts

720-890-3889, 1721 Boxelder St. #105, Louisville, successmartialarts.net

Seo’s Martial Arts

303-431-2200, 6490 Wadsworth Bypass, Arvada, seosmartialartsacademy.com/

The Dojo of Karate

303-920-4500, 1975 W. 120th Ave., #300, Westminster, thedojoofkarate.com

Stephen Oliver’s Mile High Karate

303-426-0277, 11265 Decatur St. Unit 200, Westminster, milehighkarate.com

Pancrase USA 720-988-8088,

8 Garden Center, Broomfield, pancrase.us

Misc

Renaissance Adventures

303-786-9216, 5717 Arapahoe Ave #100, Boulder, renaissanceadventures.com

Northern Colorado Fencers

303-443-6557, 1949 33rd St, Boulder,

ncfencers.org

Rocky Mountain Tennis Center

303-443-3172, 1345 28th St, Boulder,

rmtenniscenter.com

Colorado Junior Rowing Camp

303-229-5081, 5565 Reservoir Rd, Boulder,

Cjcrew.org

Govt Services

Boulder County Housing & Human Services

303-441-1000, 3400 Broadway, Boulder, bouldercolorado.gov

Boulder County Department

of Social Services

303-441-1000, 3400 Broadway, Boulder, bouldercolorado.gov

Boulder County Head Start

303-441-3980, 3482 Broadway, Boulder, bouldercolorado.gov

Broomfield Recreation Department

303-464-5835, 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, broomfield.org

City of Boulder Parks & Recreation

303-413-7200 x7214, 3198 Broadway, Boulder,

bouldercolorado.gov

City of Longmont Parks

and Recreation Dept.

303-651-8446, 310 Quail Rd., Longmont, longmontcolorado.gov

Erie Parks and Recreation

303-926-2541, 450 Powers St., Erie, CO 80516

erieco.gov

Rec Center

Bob Burger- Lafayette Park & Rec Center

303-665-0469, 111 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette,

cityoflafayette.com/recreation

YMCA Boulder

303-442-2778, 2850 Mapleton Ave, Boulder,

ymcanoco.org

YMCA Lafayette

303-664-5455, 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO 80026

ymcabv.org/membership/mapleton-ymca

YMCA Longmont

303-776-0370, 950 Lashley Ln., Longmont ymcabv.org/membership/ed-ruth-lehman-ymca

Paul Derda Broomfield Rec Center/Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park

303-460-6900 13201 Lowell Blvd, Broomfield,

broomfield.org/339/Recreation

Louisville Recreation Center

303-666-7400, 900 W. Via Appia, Louisville, ci.louisville.co.us

Northglenn Rec Center

303-450-8800, 11801 Community Center Drive, Northglenn, northglenn.org

Libraries

Boulder Public Library

303-441-3100, George Reynolds Branch Library, 3595 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder, CO 80305

boulderlibrary.org/

Boulder Public Library

303-441-3100, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, boulderlibrary.org/

Boulder Public Library

303-441-4390, 4800 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303

boulderlibrary.org/

Boulder Public Library Events

303-441-3100, 1000 Canyon Blvd., Boulder, CO 80302

boulderlibrary.org/

Broomfield Library

720-887-2300, 3 Community Park Dr., Broomfield, CO 80020

broomfield.org/

Erie Community Library

720-685-5200, 400 Powers St., Erie, 80516

http://erieco.gov/

High Plains Library

888-861-7323, 400 Powers St., Erie,

mylibrary.us

Lafayette Public Library

303-665-5200, 775 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette, cityoflafayette.com/library

Longmont Public Library

303-651-8470, 409 4th Ave, Longmont, longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/library

Louisville Public Library

303-335-4849, 951 Spruce St., Louisville, ci.louisville.co.us/library/

Thornton Branch Library

303-287-2514, 8992 Washington St., Thornton

Services – Family Support

Moxie Moms

303-815-7795, 1850 22nd St., #12, Boulder,

moxie-moms.com

Precious Child, A

303-466-4272, 7051 W 118th Ave, Broomfield,

apreciouschild.org

Shalom Baby

720-364-1812, 3800 Kalmia Ave., Boulder,

boulderjcc.org/main/infants-youth-family/

Stepping Stones

720-628-6648, 2705 Spruce St, Boulder, steppingstonesupportcenter.com/

Misc

Face Fiesta

303-994-2595, see website, Lafayette,

facefiesta.com

Fanciful Faces

303-579-9998, 7277 Mt. Sherman Rd., Longmont | fancifulfacesboulder.com

Inspector Magic

719-637-9965, 15225 Pleasant View Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80921

inspectormagic.com

Council Boy Scouts

970-330-6305, 2215 23rd St, Greeley, CO 80634

denverboyscouts.org

Boondocks Fun Center

720-977-8000, 11425 Community Center Dr., Northglenn, CO 80233

boondocks.com/

Dizzy Family Fun Center

303-834-9067, 455 Weaver Park Rd., Suite 100, Longmont, dizzycolorado.com

Fat Cats All Out Fun

303-466-7515, 10685 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, fatcatsfun.com

Gateway Park Fun Center

303-442-4386, 4800 N. 28th St., Boulder, gatewayfunpark.com

Little Monkey Bizness

303-252-9999 #5, 14693 Orchard Pkwy., Westminster, CO 80023

monkeybizness.com

Loveland Laser Tag Fun Center

970-663-9999, 401 Denver Ave.,. Loveland, laserfuncenter.com

Chipper’s Lanes

303-466-9700, 100 Nickel St, Broomfield, chipperslanes.com

Sciences

Up-A-Creek Robotics

303-651-7900, 950 S. Sherman St. Suite 300, Longmont, CO 80501

team1619.org

Boulder Digital Arts

303-800-4647, 1600 Range St., #100, Boulder, boulderdigitalarts.com

Bricks4Kidz

303-997-6809, 14852 Galapago St., # K-303 , Westminster, bricks4kidz.com/510

Butterfly Pavilion

303-469-5441 #1852, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster,

butterflies.org

Camp Invention

800-968-4332, Erie,

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

970-565-8975, 23390 Rd. K, Cortez, 1

crowcanyon.org

CU Science Discovery

303-492-47188, 4001 Discovery Dr, Boulder,

colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery/

Dinosaur Ridge

303-697-3466, 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, dinoridge.org/

Fiske Planetarium and Science Center

303-492-5002, 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder,

fiske.colorado.edu

K-TEC Kids: Bits, Bytes & Bots

303-494-2687, 637-B S. Broadway #248, Boulder, bitsbytesbots.com

NCAR Public Visitor Program

303-497-1000, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder,

ncar.ucar.edu

Space Voyage Academy

303-985-3143, 12109 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton, spacevoyage.com

Thorne Nature Experience

303-499-3647, 1466 N 63rd St., Boulder, thornenature.org

Museum

BMOCA (Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art)

303-443-2122, 1750 13th St., Boulder,

bmoca.org

WOW! Children’s Museum

303-604-2424, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette,

wowchildrensmuseum.org/

Children’s Museum of Denver

303-433-7444. 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver, CO 80211

mychildsmuseum.org/

Colorado Railroad Museum

303-279-4591, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Denver Art Museum

720-865-5000, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver,

denverartmuseum.org

Denver Botanic Gardens

720-865-3500, 1007 York St., Denver,

botanicgardens.org

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

303-370-6000, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver,

dmns.org

Dougherty Museum

303-776-2520, 8306 N 107 St., Longmont, bouldercounty.org/openspace/dougherty/

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

303-651-8374, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, ci.longmont.co.us/museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

303-298-7554, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, mcadenver.org

New Museum of Boulder

303-449-3464, 2205 Broadway,. Boulder, boulderhistory.org

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History

303-492-6270, UCB 218, Boulder,

colorado.edu/cumuseum/

Wings Over the Rockies

303-360-5360, 7711 East Academy Blvd., Denver, wingsmuseum.org

Zoo

Denver Zoo, 303-445-7545, 2300 Steele St, Denver, denverzoo.org

The post Boulder County School Directory appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Schools vs the Pandemic

Laurenz Busch — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 13:13:33 +0000

The school year is arriving and it doesn’t look great

Complicated times are upon us and as always, the most vulnerable are suffering. The Pandemic of 2020 has only worsened in a seemingly steady decline since June and we’re faced with the same uncertainties as those in March. The feds and our local governments continue to scramble to react to the situation, misinformation continues to run rampant, and – to make things worse – we’re facing the approach of the 2020-21 school year with the same communal confidence as that of a Boeing 737 Max.

THE CLIMATE

Like much of the American political sphere, we’ve allowed for the Pandemic to become yet another hardlined Red v. Blue social issue that is a matter of sides instead of compromise. We (and yes, we’re all guilty) have allowed ourselves to form opinions based on hear-say, rage media, click-bait, and the age old destructive tendency to assume. People want information but are met with confusing contradictions instead. Luckily, and with the fairly stable advice of Dr. Fauci, we have developed a system of social distancing and mask wearing that has been proven favorable in slowing the spread to prevent our hospitals from being overrun; unfortunately, it has come down to individual adherence.

People are frustrated. Opening schools is incredibly controversial because you’re weighing safety against expected and desired normalcy. Some believe that the pandemic isn’t that big of a deal, some believe that schools should remain closed and that the country should lock down again. Somewhere in the middle is the majority of the population that just aren’t sure about what should be happening. They’re the ones that find masks an annoying necessity, but not an infringement of their civil liberties, they practice social distancing, are afraid for their health, their financial futures, they’re worried about their children’s development, and are understandably upset with how the pandemic has been handled by domestic and global health organizations. They (now) very clearly understand how integral schools are to our society and our economic system but also recognize that they provide pristine conditions to assure COVID acquisition and inevitable spread.

CURRENT PLANS

Our two county districts, Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD), have both released plans for starting the 20-21 school year online. Both districts had initially intended to start with a combined in-person / online lesson plan, but at the beginning of August both districts switched to online only. On August 5th,, the Executive Director of Boulder County Public Health, issued a letter to Twin Pines Charter Academy supporting the opening of schools. It is assumed that most private and charter schools that mostly have an open but prepare for the worst plan, will use Zayach’s approval as justification for opening. Both Districts, BVSD and SVVSD, will reassess at the end of September whether it’s safe to move to a semi-in-person phase. Students with disabilities will continue to have in-person learning opporunities.

WHAT IF

What isn’t so clear is what any of these schools will do when an outbreak occurs. On August 3rd, it was reported that Georgia’s largest school district, Gewinnt County, had 260 employees in quarantine for either testing positive or having come in contact with someone who tested positive. None of the schools have a solid plan because the reality of the situation is, the only plan would be to shut it down again. If even a single student were to test positive for Covid-19, the amount of people they would have come in contact with prior to testing positive would trigger a mass quarantine. BVSD does admit in their reopening plan that they intend to have certain groups fluctuate between phases throughout the year. Prevention standards are being raised to amplify cleaning, require masks (including back-up masks), provide desktop partitions, health checks, and to encourage good hygiene. Still, it’s inevitable that an outbreak will occur. SVVSD stated that they will work with local health officials to determine the necessary measures to be taken.

Another issue that has been recently raised by local parents is the accessibility of school buses. Many parents depend on buses to get their kids to school and, unfortunately, a lack of transportation will affect low-income families the most. BVSD has been working with RTD to establish new routes and better stops for students to safely get to school each day, especially for those who live several miles away. Students with disabilities will be guaranteed service. When confronting potential discrimination, District Chief Communications Officer Randy Barber explained thatt, “at some point we don’t have enough buses and drivers to serve everybody.” Fortunately for the community, it’s Barber’s job to figure out how to make sure the community’s needs are met and that established bus routes do not endanger or overly complicate the lives of students.

HOMESCHOOLING

School systems, be it public or private, are so integral to our society that considering homeschooling as an effective alternative has proven to be unrealistic. Unless there is a major shift in accessibility, parent engagement, and funding, the U.S. just isn’t equipped to turn every parent into a teacher. Perhaps some have turned out to be fabulous teachers with incredible patience and determined dedication but, for the most part, homeschooling has failed. It’s not solely a matter of abilities, or interest, or discipline, that make a good student, it’s the teachers ability to handle the systematic chaos of adolescence, their ability to effectively convey knowledge, and their ability to treat their child as a student that makes the difference.

PODS

Children also need structured socialization, exercise, fun, and a change of scenery from the doldrums of being stuck at home. Although many parents recognize the inherent difficulty of successful homeschooling, local groups have turned their attention towards improving learning at home by forming so-called learning pods. These pods would consist of four to five families working together to educate their children either on their own, by their respective school’s online program, or by hiring a teacher. These Pods would allows parents to continue their jobs and provide students with the ability to interact with peers throughout the day in a more formalized setting.

A recent New York Times article questioned whether or not the Pods will endanger equality. “Children whose parents have the means to participate in learning pods will most likely return to school academically ahead, while many low-income children will struggle at home without computers or reliable internet for online learning.” It’s with utmost certainty that the rich will have more resources to educate their children than those who don’t. A counterpoint to this, and with the reluctant acceptance of the inequality that exists amongst American families, is that those who are able to should stay home, thereby providing space and increased safety in schools for those who wouldn’t be able to successfully learn without the facility or the teachers. However, a drop in class sizes across Colorado school districts could cause funding to be redirected to other projects that benefit a larger number of people.

IN FAVOR OF REOPENING

In July, the CDC released their newest recommendation for opening schools that explicitly stated that schools need to open. The Trump Administration went so far as to threaten to withhold school funding if they didn’t. The CDC, of course, didn’t mention this but the recommendation did heavily focus on the negative effects of not going to school. The influence of the administration is clear and for a federal health organization to push such a recommendation is both irresponsible and favors the economy over safety. The CDC’s argues that the risk for students is relatively low because children account for only 7 percent of Covid cases and less than 0.1 percent of Covid-19 deaths. Those stats have also been called into question, with reports that children are also highly susceptible and contagious. Other rationale that the CDC offers for why it’s so necessary for children to go back to school include:

Provide educational instruction;
support the development of social and emotional skills;
create a safe environment for learning;
address nutritional needs; and
facilitate physical activity.

The CDC isn’t wrong but they are arguing from a perspective that favors opening schools and they are omitting the inevitability that the virus will spread from students to parents/guardians and amongst the community. There is certainly no argument against the importance of schools in a child’s life; for many they serve as a lifeline. 30 million students in the U.S. qualify for free or reduced cost school lunches according to the National School Lunch Program. 2.9 million of the students do not know when or from where their next meal will come, and one in five kids in the U.S. live below the poverty line.

Schools are also one of the first safety-net’s that a child encounters when signs of abuse and neglect surface. During the pandemic, stress, joblessness, financial insecurity, skyrocketing alcohol sales, and a lack of resources has increased domestic violence across the country. For many of the children that face domestic violence, not going to school has not only isolated them in the household, but removed any possibility of external awareness.

FOR KEEPING

SCHOOLS CLOSED

Public health. Schools are difficult places to socially distance and are filled with young people that tend to bend the rules of social distancing. Teachers will have to choose between their job and their health if they cannot be guaranteed safety. According to a report by Kaiser Permanente, 1 in 4 teachers are at risk of serious illness if they acquire Covid-19 due to age and underlying conditions. An outbreak is pretty certain to happen at schools, and it won’t just be the students and the teachers that are affected. If children truly are less likely to show symptoms or become ill, they will still continue to have the ability to transmit the virus to other people once they leave school. Although the CDC claimed that opening schools would have a positive effect on student’s mental health, some disagree. Therapist Jean Ann, LCMFT, RPT, CFPT, claims that students could face potentially traumatic scenarios such as, death of loved ones and community members, restrictive engagement and behavioral expectations, the unknowns of quarantined teachers and peers, and the constant awareness of community trauma and fear.

TEACHERS

They’re not happy. On a recent press call that included Amie Baca-Oehlert, the President of the Colorado Education Association, it was clear that the consensus was that the state and the school districts weren’t doing enough. Baca-Oehlert expressed that the CEA would only support the opening of schools if decision making involved employees, specific safety protocols and protections were provided, transparency for which disease data was used for decisions, and that all students, staff, and families are provided equitable access to education and tools no matter where the learning occurs.

According to a survey from the CEA, 95% of respondents say educators should be able to vote on the districts return to school plan, 53% want the the school year to start 100% remote, 8% want the school year to start 100% in person, and fewer than 1/5th of respondents believe districts can keep them safe.

On the same press call, several teachers from different districts condemned the actions of the federal government to force schools to open and pleaded that it was necessary for schools to assure the safety of all before doing so. One teacher even claimed that they would be joining a growing number of teachers who will be refusing to return to work if the requirements set by the CEA are not met.

Whether teachers have a right to refuse to work because they fear their safety is something that country is going to have to address.

ABOUT YOUR LEADERS

It’s important as we move forward and as the new school year begins that we truly listen to what leadership is saying. Times like these can bring out the worst in us, and highlight the incompetence of those who are in charge. It’s pretty clear that those who run our school districts or our townships probably didn’t have a clue what to do when the pandemic hit. It isn’t often that those who run our schools are put to the test by a crisis that changes on the daily. It is however their duty to respond responsibly, effectively, and with an educated perspective, remembering to place safety above all else.

Today’s world and our readily available social media outlets allow for us to glimpse the reality of those who so often are camouflaged by PR strategy. It gives us the chance to hear the oft ridiculous opinions of those whom we have entrusted with power. As one board member for Twin Peaks Charter School so gracefully shared on their Facebook, [the Pandemic] “is all just a big scam!”

How the 2020-21 school year will pan out is anyone’s guess but it doesn’t look great. Smaller class sizes, better hygiene standards, online learning opportunities, and at home support for students will certainly help but the potential for exposure remains high. Six foot social distancing requirements, masks, capacity limits for cafeterias, buses, libraries, and other areas will all play a role in changing the way schools function and the way that children learn. The outbreaks will continue and schools will eventually shudder because the push to open schools has been to do just that, to open them, by any means necessary with hope of returning to a normal that we lost in early spring.

Misconceptions

Masks

They work but maybe not all the time and mostly because of people not using them correctly. It comes down to the particles and protecting others. If you’re sick and sneezing and coughing, a mask is going to prevent those particles from spreading. You can definitely still breathe, it’s not an infringement of your rights, and it forces everyone to be aware of the ongoing pandemic. Wear it.

Herd Immunity

Opening the floodgates would cause lots of people would die and our healthcare system would buckle under the influx. According to the Republican Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, a self-proclaimed “math guy”, Mississippi’s healthcare system began to strain at just 36,000 cases. In order for the state to achieve only 40% herd immunity (the actual number needed is closer to 70-80%) they would need 1.2 million cases or 3000 new ones every day. Even if it were possible, they calculate that over 3 million people would die, enough to cause a major downturn in the economy anyway.

Washing your hands

Soap bonds with and physically removes the bacteria and potential virus. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.

Hydroxychloroquine

Fauci stated that “trials show consistently that hydroxychloroquine is not effective in the treatment of coronavirus disease or Covid-19.” The NIH also recommends against using hydroxychloroquine.

More testing = more cases

Yes, the more you test, the more you will become aware of how many cases actually exist. It’s like saying, if you collect data, you expect to see data. That’s not very interesting or helpful. The way that the Trump administration uses this ploy is also incredibly confusing because it can be interpreted that we’re hurting ourselves by testing. Testing provides scope, and at the moment we’re still increasing and that means that we have no idea how big this pandemic really is.

The post Schools vs the Pandemic appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A Guide to Accents: A little guide to get the creative juices flowing

Laurenz Busch — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 02:48:16 +0000

Summer is here and we’re making our way back into the swing of things, one slow, stylish step at a time.

If you’re anything like us, you may have spent the past couple months lounging in your comfy clothes… you know the ones we’re talking about. No More! We like getting fancy, we like to wear suits, and dresses, and fun hats, shiny earrings, and beautiful rings. And we’re so ready to open that neglected wardrobe, pull out our very finest, and hit the town for a well deserved socially distant date or friendly outing. But for every runway worthy outfit it’s the accessories that tie it all together, that turn beauty into divinity, just like a good editor.

We’re talking about the feel good pieces of fashion that not only resemble who we are, but maybe even how we feel. So we’ve come up with the best we could find, from heteronormative to gender neutral, from Black owned to corporate, we’ve pulled the hottest accessories to make sure that no matter who you are, we’ve got you covered for your big day.

Hats

Goorin Big DDD – $300
With a shop in downtown Boulder, Goorin has been a wonderful purveyor of hats since 1895.
Available at goorin.com

ASOS DESIGN natural check bucket hat – $28
Bucket hats are back, but less fratty and more cute.
Available at asos.com

Masks

Lucky Brand 5 pack pleated cloth face mask – $25
Classy high quality face masks with a stylish design
Available at luckybrand.com

Vera Bradley Cloth Face Mask (non-medical) – $8
We all know and love Vera Bradley, and now we can complete the look.
Available at verabradley.com

Billie Blooms Karolina Kurkova Mask (M) – $28
Fun and incredible! Who says masks can spur a couple laughs.
Available at statebags.com

Anti Gender Rolls Pin – $14.55
How can you not love this.
Available at etsy.com

Kimono

ASOS DESIGN Luxe chiffon maxi kimono jacket in scarf print – $90
Summertime, and the living is easy, breezy and the weather is hot! Grab this Kimono for cool summertime fun.
Available at asos.com

Shirt

Penguin Rainbow Pride Print Shirt – $79
Show your pride with this subtle accented shirt.
Available at originalpenguin.com

Belt/Bag

Anjuna Utility Belt Bag – $595
Belt, meet bag. Also easily worn over one shoulder and across the chest. Black owned
Available at ashya.com

Melah Boutique Trina – $56
Cute hands bags and Black owned.Available at melahboutique.com

Anklet

Automic Gold Heart Anklet – $145
“Radically wearable fine jewelry for everyone to wear”. With the intention to break the mold of the jewelry industry, Automic Gold, has developed itself as inclusive and diverse.
Available
at automicgold.com

Earrings

L’enchanteur ‘Palm of Our Hands’ Studs – $125
Another Black Owned business, making absolutely stunning pieces like these stud earrings.
Available at lenchanteur.com

Urban Outfitters – Urban Renewal Vintage Large Circle – $8
Budget friendly, larger earrings that can’t not be noticed.
Available at urbanoutfiiters.com

Rings

Third Crown Prizm Ring Set – 18K Gold Plated Brass – $160
Wear them separately or wear them as one, this amazing set strikes a cord, and stirs conversation. Black Owned.
Available at thirdcrown.com

Watch

Skagen Signatur Brown Leather Watch – $69. Sleek, simple, and high quality for a friendly price. Available at skagen.com

Pocket Square

Tie Bar Liberty Thorpe Navy Pocket Square $14
Boost your look in under 5 minutes. Wear it to match or wear it to stand out.
Available at thetiebar.com

Shoes

Kleman Padror – $160
Tyrolean shoes made in France. Comfy as can be and stylish as ever.
Available at kleman-france.com

Tomboy Toes – The Downtown Dapper – $67
LGBTQ+ friendly masculine shoes that come in smaller sizes for all people to wear.
Available at tomboytoes.com

It’s all about the flair, the pizzazz and elaborate tinge of something extra, something that pulls together that look of simplistic modern class with glamour and style.

It’s the pinpoint pieces of a greater whole, the centerpiece on the fashionista table, a single ring with a magnificent stone or wonderfully crafted leather shoes. Whether it’s your hand sewn leather bag gingerly demanding the admiration of the thoughtful and of those who know, or it’s the simple and subtle suggestive nature of a piece of social or political prowess, how we accentuate ourselves matters. It sends a signal of the process it took to decide, the care it took to pull the whole thing together.
The decoration of our bodies, be it tattoos or accessories, becomes a momentary (or permanent) extension of ourselves, and it’s important to recognize that, it’s important to understand that each piece matters, that each piece adds to the overall expression of who we are. And sometimes, it’s just the feel good experience of having a little pop in your look, from studs to pins, hair ties to shades. It’s all about the flair, and how you feel.

The post A Guide to Accents: A little guide to get the creative juices flowing appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Summer Movies 2020

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:57:55 +0000

Movies! Shows! Summer is here and we’re slowly getting back to a life of frivolous capitalistic gastroadventures, yay! However, staying at home is still really, really cool, and if you are able to it’s still suggested. If you’re like me and you search for movies longer than you actually watch them, you’re in luck. I’ve pulled together a list of six movies and four tv shows to surely excite even the most difficult of readers. From kid friendly to mind altering horror, from clever science fiction to strong female characters, there’s so much goodness that we can look forward to

Mulan | July 24, 2020
Yup. You read right. The 1990’s classic is back with all the power and might of 2020 movie capabilities. The wonderful story of a determined young woman that sets off to protect her father and prove to the rest that she doesn’t need to be a man to gain the admiration of her country.

Antebellum |
August 21, 2020
Delayed from it’s original April release date due to Covid-19, Antebellum takes the cake for 2020 horror movies. Successful author Veronica Henley is determined to break free from the horrors that surround her newfound reality. A little something to rattle our minds as we clench our seats with one hand and hold the popcorn in front of our eyes with the other.

A Quiet Place Part II |
Sept. 4, 2020
Gah, another sequel, but the first one was so good so I had to include it in hopes that it turns out just as well. The Abbotts are back and continue to live in silence. As they continue their journeys of survival they realize that the creatures they fear the most aren’t the only things out to get them.

The French Dispatch |
October 16, 2020
Wes Anderson. That might be all I need to say for this review, but I’ll give a little more. It’s been called “a love letter to journalists.” Following three story lines the movie is set in France at a Kansas based newspaper outpost. A depiction of the life of a journalist, doing what he can to write what he wants to write, a portrayal of the life behind the words of written facts.

Soul | November 20, 2020
An animated movie about a middle school music teacher, Joe Gardner who desperately wants to play live jazz. Right before he gets his big break an accident causes his soul to separate from his body and move towards the Great Beyond. Gardner goes the opposite direction to the Great Before where he helps other souls get ready to go to Earth and meet their bodies. He meets 22 who sees no hope in life, together they find purpose before 22’s bodies dies.

Top Gun: Maverick |
December 23, 2020
Great balls of fire! Sequels either soar or they crash and burn, and based on the legacy of the original we’re hoping this one stands up to the task. Tom Cruise might be a lot of things, but we like him most going mach 1 over the Californian Desert. Maverick is back as an instructor joined by the late Goose’s son, Rooster, together the face the ghosts of their past. Confronting his own fears, Maverick is destined to lay on the line the ultimate sacrifice.

Promising Young Woman | TBD
A woman, Cassie pretends to be belligerently drunk at bars allowing men to take her home. Once these make their non-consensual attempts, she exposes herself and questions their actions bringing to light the seriousness of their behavior. A secret event in her past ruined her glowing future, now an unexpected encounter allows Cassie to change the past.

Dark | Netflix, June 27
The third and final season of the German Thriller is back. Whether you’re up to date or need to binge the other two seasons, Dark is providing some serious quality tv as the very first German language Netflix original. Four families come together to realize an ability to time travel has connected them for three generations.

Brave New World | Peacock, July 15
As the book originally wrote, “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Now as a tv adaptation, Brave New World is reimagining what it means to live in a society where monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history are outlawed.

The Mandalorian |
Disney+, October
Taking streaming by storm, Disney+ has made its case for staying in one of the top positions with The Madalorian. Set five years after The Return of the Jedi and 25 years before The Force Awakens, the second season is sure to be a success, memes guaranteed.

Lovecraft Country |
HBO, August
Based on the Matt Ruff novel by the same name, the show follows Atticus Black as he and two others make their way across 1950’s Jim Crow America facing the terrors of racism and the terrifying monsters that justify the name Lovecraft. (H.P. Lovecraft was a famous horror writer)

The post Summer Movies 2020 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Summer Books 2020

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:43:39 +0000

Systemic Racism, Politics,

Pandemic, and the Climate.

Summer is here and not the way any of us imagined it! As 2020 continues to pummel us with ever growing awareness of how we as a society have failed and neglected our health, our communities, our environment, and ourselves, it’s up to us to do something. If you’re having a hard time grasping the incredibly vast complexity of any one of the numerous issues that we are facing today, have no fear for you are not alone; even just acknowledging that means you’re on the right track. Luckily for us and our never ending thirst for self-betterment there’s people out there writing books for us to educate ourselves. So use this beautiful weather, the excusable stay at home attitude, and this list of books to play the role everyone is expecting you to play to the best of your abilities and means. 10 books, 4 categories: Systemic Racism, Politics, Pandemic, and Climate Change.

Raising White Kids
Jennifer Harvey
Sorry Boulder, with 88% of the population being white this struck me as mandatory. In one of the most racially diverse countries in the world (USA), racial tensions are high, and everyone has a responsibility to do something about it. How should we raise children to see race? How should the conversation of white privilege be incorporated in their education? How do we give children the tools they need to further progress our society towards actual equality?

We keep us safe: Building Secure, Just, and Inclusive Communities
Zach Norris
How do we build safe communities. Zach Norris emphasis that Us vs. Them isn;t the answer. With mass incarceration and aggressive policing harming and perpetuating systemic racism in America’s most marginalized communities, we need to design a system that moves away from fear and punishment and create one that focuses on growth and support.

Ghost Boys
Jewell Parker Rhodes
The fictional story of Jerome who is shot and killed by a police officer at age 12. Jerome continues to see the aftermath of his death as a ghost and soon meets Emmett Till, another ghost who was killed in a different time period. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened and the history of systemic racism that has led to his death. They also meet Sarah, the daughter of the police officer that killed Jermone.
~Politics~

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy | Jenny Odell
This is not a self-help book. Busting through the confines of simplistic anti-technological manifestos and back to nature dictations, How to Do Nothing is a wonderful rationale for stepping out of our capitalistic obsessions to progress and rather place our most important asset, our attention, elsewhere

The End of White
Politics: How to Heal Our Liberal Divide
Zerlina Maxwell
In a clear and well deserved dissection of the left’s failures, Maxwell places power in the lane of identity politics. The left, be it the Bernie Bro’s, Hashtag Activists, or liberal billionaires, has long forgotten to cater to a crucial part of the U.S. population, continuing to largely benefit middle class white men. In an attempt to acknowledge the left’s failures and reconcile through examples and ideas, Maxwell provides a future for the party and cure for it’s blatant divide.

The Hardhat Riot
David Kuhn
In May of 1970, construction workers chased and beat students through downtown Manhattan. It was the first clear sign that Nixon had managed to infiltrate the liberal leaning working class. The left was at war with itself and it hasn’t stop since. A wonderful depiction to further our understanding of how the left ended up where it is today.

~Climate~ 2030 | Mauro Guillen
2030 is the tipping point. As we approach the fall of liberal regimes, the global economy will be for the first time powered by non-western consumers, there will be more currencies than countries, more robots than workers, more computers than human brains, and there will be more wealth owned by women than men. Rather than focusing on a single issue, the climate, Guillen focuses on the inter-play of all the different forces that drive humanity.

Our House is on Fire
Jeanette Winter
A picture book depicting the story of Greta Thurnberg and her determination to make the world realize that our house is on fire. Sharing the power that all kids have, Winter gives a power tool to educate toddlers on the importance of the environment and our roles to protect it.

Lockdown | Peter May
An uncanny depiction of a virus stricken London that has entered lockdown and martial law. Originally written fifteen years ago and cast off as unrealistic, the book has stunned readers by it’s relatability to our current pandemic. A fantastic read mixing the nightmares of a pandemic with the horrors of murder and conspiracy.

Which Country has the Best Healthcare System
Ezekiel Emmanuel
The U.S. spends 4 trillion on healthcare, and we’re nowhere close to being the best. In an assessment of the worlds best healthcare systems, Emmanuel explains what it means to have great healthcare, where some of us know what bothers us, what do we really want? What do we really need? What can the U.S. do to improve such a vital component of our society?

The post Summer Books 2020 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

2020 Outdoor Gear Guide: From Local to Ultralight, Your Guide to Getting Out

Laurenz Busch — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 22:48:04 +0000

The mountains are calling and we mustn’t go, at least not yet, and definitely not in large groups. That doesn’t mean we can’t dream a little dream for all the hikes, campfires, crisp morning air, and high altitude rippling lakes that await us. And what better way to truly get into the spirit than to contemplate upon all the gear we could buy. Whether kicking it at home Kardashian style or sitting in your showerless van waiting for the pandemic to blow over, I’ve come up with an incredibly biased list of badass gear we can all gain from. If you don’t own them, at least you’ll know about them.

Who am I? As in, why should you take my advice and consider this gear…Well, I’m a writer and outdoor professional of sorts. I started as a guide for a Therapeutic Wilderness Program in Utah, then last year I hiked the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and I currently work for Snow Peak.

Disclaimer: I’ve included some of their products, making the conscious decision to only include those which I either had or would have purchased prior to joining their team. Can you blame me for wanting to work for a company that I also use?

Living in Boulder County, we’re in the mecca of outdoorsy greatness. With the Flatirons towering beautifully to our West, a constant reminder of the sheer might that lingers ever so sweetly beyond their jagged peaks, our town has become a city of purveyors and makers. From high calorie nourishment that gets us through those 20+ mile days, to authentically crafted Japanese Tenkara Fishing Rods, from American made knives to cosy teardrop trailers, the outdoor industry booms with crafts(person)ship and thoughtful execution of products we can all be proud of.

As I made my way through the virtually endless amount of gear, I placed my chips on two values above all others. The first was that I wanted to highlight local companies, especially those in the Boulder area but also in greater Colorado. Secondly, and this is why some non-local companies are included, I want to help bring ultralight into the mainstream. The word ultralight has been misused to represent a niche group of ultra-ripped thru hikers, when in reality, none of us want to carry more weight than we have to. This is especially true if we don’t have to pay more, give up comfort, and we can still receive the same functionality.

A gentle reminder: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and Pain and Punishment. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT).

Plan ahead and prepare

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Dispose of waste properly

Leave what you find

Minimize campfire impacts

Respect wildlife

Be considerate of others.

And so, I’ll start my guide the same way I start the majority of my mornings, with coffee. (Click to enlarge images.)

Coffee

“Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second.” – Edward Abbey

Alpine Start – $8.99 (8 pack) alpinestart.com,REI

Boulder based and founded by badass Matt Segal, they’ve stormed the industry revolutionizing instant coffee into something sensationally more tasteful and enjoyable. Medium Roads, Non-Dairy Coconut Creamer Latte, Dirty Chai Latte.

Kuju Pour Over – $7.95 (5 pack) kujucoffee.com, REI

All-in-one, ‘true’ coffee with a functional pour over contraption ready to rock. Brings you coffee without whatever that instant coffee taste is.

Snow Peak French Press $55.95 snowpeak.com, REI

Coming in at 6.3oz, this titanium french press serves up 24oz in a shareable (or not) format.

GSI Collapsible Java Drip – $12.95 Backcountry.com, REI

Compactible, easy to use, just bring your own filters.

Wacaco Nanopresso – $64.90 wacaco.com, williams-sonoma.com

Espresso, boiling water, press, bada bing bada boom. With a cup as a lid you’ve got a portable, fairly lightweight, option for you and your winding trails. 15 bars of pressure.

Cooking

“The echoes of beauty you’ve seen transpire, Resound through dying coals of a campfire.” – Ernest Hemingway

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove $44.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering.

Best ultralight stove on the market, check the reviews. Comes in a cute little case for easy and safe storage, all you need is a fuel canister.

Snow Peak Trek 700 – $44.95 Snowpeak.com, REI, Neptune Mountaineering

If you’re counting ounces the 700 is all you’ll need. Large enough to heat water for meals, small enough to comfortably drink out of. Made in Japan using high grade titanium and comes in at 4.8oz.

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon – Long – $10.95 REI

Spork! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. I never ate anything in the wild that I couldn’t manage with a spoon, especially a long one like this. Good for deep corners, alright to scrap with, unnoticeable to hike with at .04oz

Jet Boil Micromo Cooking System – $144.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Cooking faced a major renaissance when liquid fuel slowly phased out. Jet Boil became a force to reckon with. Whether you’re boiling water or cooking a 5 star meal that requires heat variety, the Micromo captures the essence of elaborate simplicity. 12oz.

Camp Chef Everest 2x –
$148.00 REI. It’s all about the BTU’s. The Everest has two 20,000 BTU burners fully capable of taking your basecamp to culinary enlightenment… or something like that. Heavy.

Sleeping

“Sleeping bags are like soft tacos” – Bears

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite – $570-$615 Neptune Mountaineering

American made, freaking badass, and an awesome company. If you’ve ever woken up in morning dew you’ll know that most down sleeping bags won’t stand a chance, this one does.

Big Agnes Copper Spur ULV 3 – $499.95 bigagnes.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I’m biased, but so are all gear guides. I used the 2 person version for the entire PCT and sure, the rain fly has a couple rips from getting snagged but the tent held its own. Hands down would buy again and again, in fact I own two. Get the 3 person if you’re sharing with another.

Zpacks Duplex – $599.00
zpacks.com

The thru-hikers tent. You’ll need hiking poles to set this up, which if you aren’t using them already, you probably should be. At 19oz, you’ll be able to carry all the other cool stuff on this list.

REI Co-Op Backpacking
Bundle – $275 – $295 REI

Great place to get started. For under $300 you get everything you need to sleep out. With a 2 person tent, 30 degree sleeping bag, and 2.9 R value sleeping pad, REI has come up with a good middle ground suitable for a wide range of conditions and locations.

Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Air – $199.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Decently lightweight without that annoying crinkling sound, it also has two air chambers in case you pop one side, which eventually you will. An R value of 4 will keep you warm as you dream of pina coladas in a snowstorm at 13,000ft, (don’t take my word on it.)

Kelty Discovery Low Cot – $79.95 REI

I don’t know much about cots but this one was pretty comfy. Although they are certainly predestined for car camping excursions (or home use) they definitely add a layer of comfort that pads just can’t manage. Some people say this one can be hard to set up.

Food

“Hunger is the best sauce in the world” – Miguel de Cervantes

Kate’s Real Food – $29.88 (12 pack) katesrealfood.com

Think energy bars that use nut butters, fruit, and complex carbs. Think tasty. Good bars are hard to come by and even harder to stick with, these ones taste pretty good, best of all, they feel good, and that can make all the difference. Our editor recently took some on his Ouray Via Ferrata adventure and loved em.

Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai
$9.95 backpackerspantry.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Supposedly they’re currently making a killing during the pandemic, and although I can’t say all their food is awesome (I’ve tried most of it) a lot of them are absolutely delicious and high in calories, especially their Pad Thai.

Wild Zora Mountain Beef Stew – $12.95 wildzora.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Tasty, healthy, and paleo, with a texture as though it was mildly blended before being freeze dried. With calories around 400 there’s definitely more bang for you buck out there but at least you know what’s in your food with Wild Zora.

Honey Stinger Energy Waffle – $1.50 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, University Bicycles

Proper nutrition goes way beyond three square meals, Honey Stinger is filling those gaps. Easy, tasty, pretty organic.

Backpacks

“No Pain, No Rain, no Maine” – Common Appalachian Trail saying

Osprey Aether AG 60 / Aura AG 65 – $290 / $270 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Bred in Colorado, Osprey has been making packs for a long time. Although they eventually moved their manufacturing abroad, they continue to work very closely to maintain the high level of quality they are known for. And don’t forget the All Mighty Guarantee

Deuter Trail 28SL / 30 Women/Men – $135 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Day hikes can range from an hour to 10 hours, either way you’ll want some key ingredient for a successful trip. Water, layers, food, first aid, and with 28 – 30L of space these two packs provide the space and comfort you’ll all want and need.

Accessories

“Carry as little as possible, and choose that little with care.” – Earl Shaffer

Kylmt Luxe Pillow – $39.95
rei.com

Creature comforts at their best. Using a layer may be lighter but they just don’t hold their form, go ahead, pack that pillow, there’s definitely room for it ;). Easy to pack, easy to expand, the better the sleep, the better tomorrow can begin.

Black Diamond Storm 400 – $49.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I count ounces, but not here. If I’m going to be wandering around the woods late at night, be it to dig a hole or to get to camp, I want nature illuminated like I’m the freaking sun without looking like Robocop, so 375 lumens is enough.

Adventure Medical Kits – .7 Medical Kit – $28.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

First aid is super duper important! Not only should you have it, you should know how to use it. This one is good for a group of 1-2 for 1-4 Days. While you’re buying this, sign yourself up for a first aid course.

Rumpl Nanoloft Psychotropic – $111.00 REI

The way we sleep out in the wild is changing, goodbye mummy bags, hello loosely draped synthetic blankets (or down). Whether you’re at glamptopia 5000 or the middle of nowhere Rumpl has you covered. Pun intended.

Anker Powercore 13000 – $29.99 Best Buy, Amazon

Whether you’re in a pinch or working your phone like a professional photographer, this battery has enough to get you through a decently long trip. Up to 5 phone charges.

Solo New York Re:move
Duffel – $64.99 solo-ny.com

Using Recycled materials and working to tackle environmental issues, the Re:move Duffle provides space and organization in a comfortable and sleek travel bag to accompany you on any trip.

RTIC 65 – $239.99 McGuckin

I don’t know anything about coolers ‘cept the ones that everyone wants to buy. This one I found with very little research, same performance, less expensive, with a four letter name just like you know who.

Garmin InReach Mini or Explorer + $299.99 – $349.99 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Garmin confirms that your message was received. Others (and I wont say which) just shoot the signal into the sky and hope for the best. There’s two main players, the mini and the not so mini, it’ll come down to what you’re doing with it. Be aware, active bluetooth drains batteries, very quickly.

Spyderco WolfSpyder – $189.95 spyderco.com, Jax Outdoor Gear

The WolfSpyder is made right here in the USA by Spyderco based out of Golden. All around a great knife. Slice through a little salami or whatever it is that you may use this for, just don’t fight a bear.

Tenkara USA Hane – $160
tenkarausa.com

At 10ft 10in, it’s long enough for you to reach that pool and short enough to conquer some backcountry creeks. As a telescopic rod, it shrinks down to just 15 inches, perfect for backpacking. 3.5oz

Sawyer Squeeze – $36.95
Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Ultralight, compatible with Smart water bottles, kind slow, but gets the job done. If you’re not supplying an entire basecamp with water, it’s the way to go.

MSR Guardian Purifier – $349.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Yeah, it’s pricey but it’s the best, and if you are supplying a basecamp, well here you go. Easy to use, produces fast clean water, all you have to do is carry it with you.

Foot Love

“There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks, cushion, sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry when we’re out humpin’.” -Lt. Dan, Forrest Gump

Western Mountaineering Standard Down Booties – $100.00 westernmountaineering.com, Neptune Mountaineering

Handmade in the USA, these booties have textured soles soft enough to sleep with yet tough enough to wear around camp.

Smartwool – +/- $20 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, Pedestrian Shops

Steamboat Springs is home and with their lifetime guarantee they’re determined to keep your feet warm, dry, and healthy.

The I’m Drooling Wish List.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Alpacka Packrafts – $595 – $2450
alpackaraft.com

Pack it, strap it, and eventually blow it up and ride that river. These things are cool and amazingly lightweight. People even strap their bikes to them.

Colorado Teardrops – $13900 – $27700 (base prices) coloradoteardropcamper.com

Off road capable, spacious, and constructed to last for generations. This local company is producing sexy little teardrops with enough room to hit the road for a while.

Biolite Fire Pit – $249.95 bioliteenergy.com, REI

I was hesitant about this one because it’s a lot. A bluetooth powered fire pit / grill / with an integrated fan to create smokeless campfires. Yeah, it’s pretty rad. Biolite has given you the controls to your fire and for the most part, it seems like it’s working.

AT Overland Atlas – $9600 atoverland.com

Truck bed cap mixed with pop top tent. This New Mexico based company has developed an alternative to the traditional truck bed camper and they’re pretty sweet. Endless possibilities for customization.

Earthroamer – $490,000 (base price)
earthroamer.com

Based in Boulder, Earthroamer starts with a Ford chassis and turns them into badass overlanding monsters. With a base price of close to half a million, we’re probably thinking the same thing. BUT THEY’RE SO COOL.

[direct-stripe value=”ds1585187109306″]

The post 2020 Outdoor Gear Guide: From Local to Ultralight, Your Guide to Getting Out appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sustainability: Doing v Being

Laurenz Busch — Tue, 19 May 2020 02:25:29 +0000

Boulder, CO: seven square miles surrounded by reality, a haven of fitness and sustainability, academics and innovation. In times like these, where we are slowly becoming aware of the extent of Covid-19’s spread, there’s a lot to be concerned about.

People are losing their jobs, shops have shut, restaurants are trying to make to-go a successful business model, and the overall sense of dread and angst is seeping through our daily lives from all directions. No “but” could change the nightmare that has descended upon so many of us, but Covid-19 has had some astounding effects on the environment.

There, I said it. I’m ashamed, but it’s April, and Yellow Scene is getting down and dirty with all things sustainable. (Don’t worry, the pollution will be back in a couple of months. (Check out Deb Cameron’s piece on the Brown Cloud in this issue.)

We’re here to share who’s who in Boulder sustainable products and practices, we’re here to tell you why you should care about greenwashing, and we’re here to tell you how Boulder’s affluence affects climate change.

Around the globe, it’s becoming ever clearer (if it wasn’t already) that we, the human species, play a major role in climate change. The unfortunate thing is that Covid-19 is the reason for this recent, blatant, smack-in-the-face evidence. I’m sure you’ve all seen the pictures of China’s air quality. It’s honestly shocking to see. We’ve (almost) all gone home, stayed home, saved lives, and cut a major chunk out of the 32 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that the transportation sector produces. In fact, 72 percent of the transportation sector is driving. In New York City, there’s been a nearly 50 percent cut in pollution compared to the same time last year. In China, emissions fell by 25 percent and coal use fell by 40 percent at six of their largest plants. In Northern India, the Himalayas were seen from a city 100 miles away for the first time in 30 years. In Europe, nitrogen dioxide emissions have started to fade away in Northern Italy, Spain, and the UK.

All thanks to Covid-19.

I can confidently say that we all prefer it hadn’t happened in the first place, given the profound loss of life, but, can I also say that we as a country tend to learn from extremes? The effects of the measures that have been implemented by countries around the world – in an attempt to save lives – have been incredibly beneficial for the environment, momentarily. It is with utmost certainty that once the world is over and done with Covid-19, the great gears of our beloved capitalistic machine will begin to churn with more oomph than before. The same happened in 2008 after the economic crash due to a slow in industrial activity (and serious spending and home buying). The world fell into a period of uncertain peril, but the environment benefitted. According to the Global Carbon Project the global emissions of Carbon dioxide dropped by 1.3% in 2009. Even though 2020 could see a 5.5% drop, the UN predicts that a 7.6% yearly drop is required to stop global temperatures from hitting that 1.5C.

As fascinating as it is to see the effect we can have by staying home, it is by no means sustainable as long as we are dependent on our current economic infrastructure. The only useful outcome from this is that people may start to realize what role they play in climate change. Some of us will remember the effects of our withdrawal and know that if the world we had before Covid-19 was one extreme, and Covid-19 was the other, then somewhere in between the two there must exist a world and society with viable solutions.

Who’s Who?

It sounds like we have a lot of work to do, so what better way to celebrate than with those already implementing sustainable practices or producing sustainable goods. We spent some time looking at our own community to see who’s who, which companies have taken it upon themselves to change for the better. The list is long so here are our favorites.

Justin’s

Supposedly they’re nuts for nuts and we dig that. From office practices to simplifying their supply chain, they’re taking bold steps to becoming an even more sustainable company than they already are. Working with efforts such as Conscious Alliance and Whole Planet Foundation they’re doing what they deem necessary in order to give back.

Naturally Boulder

For fifteen years they’ve been working to help businesses throughout Boulder grow, maintain practices, and produce products that are healthy, environmentally conscious, and that benefit a collective epicenter of natural products.

Parrish Construction

They’re using local sourced material to build homes. Building homes with high quality marble, wood, and stone from all around the world costs a lot of money, and for those who can afford it, it might be a necessary luxury, but the amount of emission such building adds to the environment is unnecessary.

Hotel Boulderado

Small steps aid the big fight. This Boulder landmark repurposes linens as rags, uses natural enzymes to clean their drains, and uses a water recovery system to clean their outdoor areas. And they do all that while being luxurious and gorgeous.

Western Disposal

Their goal of having zero waste is bold but attainable. They’re working towards it by investing in natural gas powered trucks and wind power.

Momentum

Their floors are made of 100 percent bamboo. They used reclaimed lumber and recycled insulation for the construction.

Green Girl Recycling

Helping businesses deal with their hard-to-recycle items, composting, and electronics disposal. They also use biodiesel fuel in their recycling fleet, efficient route planning, and use low or no lighting at their warehouse.

IBM

Their new data center uses outside air to cool for close to half the year. It also has a reflective roof, collects rainwater to be repurposed, 92 percent of construction waste was recycled, 20 percent of new materials were from recycled products, low sulfur fuels to reduce emissions from backup generators, and energy efficient lighting technology. They partnered with Boulder’s own Namaste Solar to build 25,000 solar panels supplying them with 10 MW of direct current electricity.

Ball

They have a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent between 2010 and 2020. They also allow third party groups to assess the sustainable initiatives of the company, work to lower water usage, work toward waste reduction, and have energy efficiency initiatives.

Whole Foods

Prides itself on eco friendly packaging, relationships with local farmers and ranchers, and reduction of waste. Tends to source from companies than maintain high quality standards and eco-friendly practices. Even if they are heat mapping stores to prevent unionization, which we find despicable.

Greenwashing: What is it and why should we care.

We live in a capitalistic society. You know it, I know it, we all know it. A company’s job is to make money and a CEO’s job is to make the profit margin grow. If a company isn’t making money, they’re not going to survive. Fortunately for us, the consumers, we’re able to have a say in which companies grow and which don’t (usually). Many companies now understand that climate change is something everyone should be fighting. If people can profit off it at the same time, you can rest assured that potential profit will have a major impact on the decision.

Companies know that going green is expensive and, for most, finding that balance between a zero carbon footprint and economic growth can be difficult to do. Therefore, some companies over the years have sophisticated their marketing ploys to attract us. Think using the word Natural vs. Organic. We’ve all experienced it and probably fallen victim to it. It’s called greenwashing and it’s our job to be aware of it as we make decisions in our purchases and move forward, it’s the easiest way to make a change every, single, day. So put your money where your rational and logical understanding of the preventative measures we can take to fight our collective environmentally (and self) destructive tendencies.

An Ode to the Rich.

Point blank, the rich are rich and they buy more stuff than we do, and that causes more pollution. In January, 2020, Gary Wockner, Colorado activist, published a Medium article focused on the role that wealth plays in regards to the amount of pollution produced. Wealthier people will inevitably spend more money. They will also spend money on things that are harder to find. Whether it’s buying fruit out of season, importing your own special cuts of Kobe beef directly from Japan, or fish that was flown in the same day just for a fancy dinner party, more pollution is produced. When they’re building homes they tend to use better wood from South America, marble from India, and carpets from Iran. They buy their cars from Germany (high end german cars are still built in Germany), clothes from Italy, and so on. Those in lower socioeconomic classes will inherently spend less, buying things that cost less and tend to be shipped in bulk. Of course they might still make similar purchases but it would be presumably less frequent and in lower quantities.

Because Boulder is incredibly wealthy, with an average home price hovering around $1 million, Wockner makes the assertion that Boulder is responsible for a much larger percentage of pollution than it admits to. Known for its progressive and eco-friendly ideologies, Boulder doesn’t include external factors in their sustainability reports, aka, if it’s not produced here it doesn’t count. Quoting a report by C40 Cities, Wockner writes, “Cities and urban consumers have a huge impact on emissions beyond their own borders since 85 percent of the emissions associated with goods and services consumed in C40 cities are generated outside the city; 60 percent in their own country and 25 percent from abroad.”

It would be hard for Boulder to take on the lifecycle of each resident’s every purchase, but in a town as affluent as Boulder, shouldn’t we at least admit to a larger percentage of the local pollution than less wealthy areas with more localized industry? Wockner says that when City Of Boulder staff were asked why they don’t account for “life-cycle supply emissions they answered that, ‘there’s not yet a commonly accepted method to count those emissions.’” Ok, fair, but shouldn’t that be stated clearly so we, as consumers, know to grapple with the uncounted?

There’s a lot to be proud of within the Boulder County community, and there’s a lot of work being done to become more sustainable, but if it’s really true that the county doesn’t currently consider it’s global impact, maybe we’re doing ourselves and the world an injustice. Maybe we’re just continuing to beat around the bush. Maybe we can do better.

The post Sustainability: Doing v Being appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Summer Camp Listing – 2020

Laurenz Busch — Tue, 19 May 2020 00:26:16 +0000

ANIMAL ECOLOGY

Butterfly Pavilion

6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster.

303.469.5441. Butterflies.org

Denver Zoo

2300 Steele St., Denver.

720.337.1400. denverzoo.org

Denver Zoo Summer Safari

2300 Steele St. Denver.

720.337.1400. denverzoo.org

Dinosaur Ridge

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy. Morrison.

303-697-3466 x101. dinoridge.org

Downtown Aquarium Sea
Safari – not is this years

700 Water St., Denver.

303.561.4444. aquariumrestaurants.com

Kids and Critters

Longmont Humane Society

9595 Nelson Road, Longmont.

303.772.1232. longmonthumane.org

Sunflower Farm

11150 Prospect Rd. Longmont, CO.

303-774-8001. sunflowerfarmmail@gmail.com

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

20 Lakeview Dr., Unit 107, Nederland.

303.258.0495. wildbear.org/summercamps

ARTS & PERFORMING

A Child’s Song

12301 Grant St., #200 Thornton.

303.460.7408. achildssong.com

3rd Law Dance/Theatre

2590 Walnut St #3, Boulder.

303-938-8656. 3rdlaw.org

Ah Haa School for the Arts Kids’

300 Townsend Ave., Telluride.

970.728.3886. ahhaa.org

Airborne Gymnastics & Dance

1816 Boston Ave., Longmont.

303.684.3716. airbornegym.com

Afterbeat Drum School

917 Front St., Louisville.

720.837.5410. afterbeatdrumschool.com

American Dance Training Camps

Boulder. 866.383.ADTC

americandancetrainingcamp.com

AR Workshop

1361 Forest Park Cir. #107. Lafayette.

720.449.4114. arworkshop.com

Artful Journey School of Fine Art

3743 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen.

303.674.0446. artfuljourneyschool.com

Artistic Fusion Dance Academy

12421 Washington St., Suite 190, Thornton.

720.929.1820. artistic-fusion.com

Arts HUB

420 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.229.1127. Multiple camps available. artunder.org

Arvada Center Summer Art Camps

6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

720.898.7200. arvadacenter.org

Aspen Music Festival and School Maroon Bel Canto
Children’s Chorus-Festival Summer Camp

225 Music School Road, Aspen.

970.925.3254. aspenmusicfestival.com

Athena Project Arts

303.219.0882. athenaprojectarts.org/summer-camps

BackStory Theatre Youth Classes & Camps

3 Community Park Rd. Broomfield.

720.263.0836. backstorytheatre.org

BDT Academy
5501 Arapahoe Rd. Boulder.

303.449.6000 x 193 Bdtacademy.org

Block 1750

1750 30th St. Boulder.

303.654.9617. block1750.com

Boulder Ballet

2590 Walnut St., #10. Boulder.

303.443.0028. boulderballet.org

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company

2590 Walnut St. #1, Boulder.

303.351.2382 betc.org

Boulder Performing Arts Co.

3395 Vista Dr., Boulder.

303.859.4195. Bpac.biz

Boulder Philharmonic
Orchestra

1600 Range St. #200, Boulder.

303.449.1343. boulderphil.org

Boulder Guitar Coach

720.323.6424. boulderguitarcoach.com

Boulder Suzuki Strings

2705 Stanford Ave., Boulder.

720-295-5647. bouldersuzukistrings.org

Camp Oonie Koonie Cha

7520 S. Boulder Rd., Boulder.

303.413.1711. campooniekooniecha.com

Camp Telaphiba Summer Dance Retreat

8820 W. 116th Cir. Broomfield.

720.580.2267. camptelaphiba.com

Centennial State Ballet

1422 Nelson Rd., Longmont.

303.722.1335. centennialstateballet.org

CenterStage Theater Company

2590 Walnut St., Boulder.

303.673.0744. centerstagetheatercompany.org

Center for Musical Arts Camp

200 E. Baseline Rd., Lafayette.

303.665.0599. centerformusicalarts.org. Comusic.org

Coal Creek Theater of Louisville

801 Grant Ave., Louisville.

303.665.0955. cctlouisville.org

Colorado Ballet

1075 Santa Fe Dr., Denver.

303.837.8888. coloradoballet.org

Colorado Children’s Chorale

2420 W. 26th Ave, #350-D, Denver.

303.892.5600. childrenschorale.org

Colorado Conservatory of Dance

3001 Industrial Lane #12. Broomfield.

303.466.5685. www.ccdance.org

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

University of Colorado, Boulder.

303.735.1181. coloradoshakes.org

Dance Arts

555 Burbank St., Ste N, Broomfield.

303-466-3212. Danceartsstudio.org

DL Parsons Theatre

11801 Community Center Dr., Northglenn, CO

303.450.8727. northglennarts.org

Reverence Academy of Dance LLC .

1370 Miners Dr., Ste. 111, Lafayette.

303.661.0719. reverenceweb.com

Dance Dimensions

638 Main St. Longmont.

303.772.3750. dancedimensions.net

The Dance Front

901 Front St. Louisville, CO.

303.817.2234. dancefront.com

Dance Etoile Ballet

1075 S Boulder Rd. #130 Lafayette.

720.938.3030. danceetoile.org

DaVinci Center for Musical Arts

55 Alter St., Ste. G, Broomfield.

720-838-8685. davinciarts.org

Denver Center for Performing Arts

1101 13th St., Denver, CO.

303.893.4100. denvercenter.org/education

Doghouse Music Rock ‘N’ Roll Camps for Teens

525 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.664.1600. doghousemusic.com

Elite Dance Academy

8820 W. 116th Cir. Suite A. Broomfield.

303.466.8626. elitedanceacademy.net

Flight Performing Arts Dance Camps

901 Front St., Louisville.

303.817.2234. flightperformingarts.com

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Camps.

3022 E. Sterling Cir. Ste. 150, Boulder.

303.245.8272. frequentflyers.org

Global Sound Music Academy Summer Camp.

555 Alter St., Ste. 19F, Broomfield.

303.439.7956. Globalsoundstudio.com

Grace Studios

3101 Industrial Ln. #B. Broomfield.

303.465.5678. gracestudios.com

Imagination Circus Arts Camp

4747 N 26th St. Boulder.

303.548.9340. imaginationcircusarts.com

Jason Olson Guitarist

320 Main St., Ste. D, Longmont.

303.621.4031. Jasonolsonguitarist.com

Jester’s Dinner Theatre/ Performing Arts School

224 Main St. Longmont.

303.682.9980 jesterstheatre.com

Kinesis Dance Camp
not in texcel

5603 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.

720.515.6268. kinesisdance.com

Kutandara Center Music Summer Camps

5401 Western Ave., Ste. B, Boulder.

303.443.2969 kutandara.com

Longmont Dance Theatre –
Ballet & Dance Camps

1422 Nelson Rd., Longmont.

303.772.1335. Longmontdancetheatre.com

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

400 Quail Rd, Longmont.
(303) 651-8374. longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum

Longmont Symphony

519 Main St. – Rear Suite, Longmont.

303-772-5796. longmontsymphony.org

Longmont Theatre Company

513 Main St. Longmont.

303 772 5200. longmonttheatre.org

Louisville Arts Center

PO Box 852, Louisville.

www.louisvilleart.org

Love Music Studios

1095 Atlantic Ave., Lafayette.

770.316.4389. lovemusicstudios.com

A Midsummer Day’s Dream String Camp

3745 Martin Dr., Boulder.

303.908.2493. fsamusic.org

Mojo’s Music Academy

1350 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont.

303.776.3373. mojosmusicacademy.com

Moriarty-Moffitt School of Irish Dance

1201 W 121st St., Westminster.

720.666.3105. Mmirishdance.com

Motus Theatre

P.O. Box 6080, Boulder.

720 432 2004. motustheater.org

Children’s Museum of Denver

2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver.

303-433-7444. childsmuseum.org

Parlando School for Musical Arts Summer Camp

2590 Walnut St., Boulder.

303.442.0006. parlando.org

Peanut Butter Players Family Theatre

2572 Paintbrush Ln. Lafayette.

303.444.4479. peanutbutterplayers.com

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp

40755 CR 36, Steamboat Springs.

970.879.7125. perry-mansfield.org

Planet Bluegrass

500 W Main St, Lyons.

(303) 823-0848. bluegrass.com

Premier School of Dance – Princess Ballet Camp

12351 Grant Street, Unit 360,. Thornton.

303.457.2165. danceatpremier.com

Reel Kids Drama Camp

602 Center Dr., Ste. E, Superior.

303.499.0125. myreelkids.com

Reverence Academy of Dance

1370 Miners Dr., Ste. 111, Lafayette.

303.661.0719. reverenceacademyofdance.com

Rock’n & Jam’n

9499 Washington St., Unit C, Thornton.

303.254.4344. Climbthebest.com

Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts

200 E Baseline Rd, Lafayette.
(303) 665-0599. comusic.org

Rocky Mountain Fiddle

453 E. Wonderview Ave., #194, Estes Park.

303.596.9870. rmfiddle.com

Rocky Mountain Theatre For Kids

5311 Western Ave., Suite 135. Boulder.

303.245.8150. theaterforkids.net

Rocky Ridge Music Center

465 Longs Peak Rd. Estes Park.

970.586.4031. rockyridge.org

School of Rock Camps

Multiple Sites.

303.532.1201; 303.325.3772. schoolofrock.com

Storycamp Summer Sessions

6500 W Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

303.652.0130. campstorycamp.com

Summer Music Academy at CU Boulder College of Music

University of Colorado Boulder, 301 UCB.

303.492.6352. piano. colorado.edu/music

Swallow Hill Music Camps

71 E. Yale Ave., Denver.

303.777.1003. Swallowhillmusic.org

Tara Performing Arts High School

1800 Sumac Ave. Boulder.

303.440.4510. tarahighschool.org

Upstart Cow Theatre

PO Box 18045, Boulder.

303.578.5667. theupstartcrow.org

Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio

14676 Delaware Street #200, Westminster.

303.665.7026. whimsypaintandsip.com

ARTS – VISUAL & MULTIMEDIA

The Arts HUB

420 Courtney Way, Lafayette.

303.229.1127. artunder.org

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

1750 13th St., Boulder.

303.443.2122. Bmoca.org

Boulder Creative Collective

2500 47th St. #10, Boulder.

720.663.8583. bouldercreativecollective.com

Crackpots Creativity Camp

505 Main St., Longmont.

303.776.2211. Ecrackpots.com

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 W 44th Ave., Golden.

303.279.4591. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum

1310 Maple St., Golden.

303.273.3815. mines.edu/geology-museum

Comedy Works Downtown

1226 15th St., Denver.

303.595.3637. www.comedyworks.com

Denver Art Museum

100W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver.

720.865.5000. denverartmuseum.org

Denver Botanic Gardens

1007 York St., Denver.

720.865.3500. botanicgardens.org

Inspiration Art Academy

457 Main St., Longmont.

720.273.2477. inspirationartacademy.com

Living Arts School

6500 West Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

720.383.4406. livingartsschool.com

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

400 Quail Rd., Longmont.

303.651.8374. longmontcolorado.gov

Mudslingers Pottery School

920 Main St., Louisville.

Mudslingerspottery.com

Museum of Boulder

2205 Broadway, Boulder.

303.449.3464. museumofboulder.com

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

1485 Delgany St, Denver.

303.298.7554. mcadenver.org

Museum of Outdoor Arts

1000 Englewood Pkwy., Englewood.

303.806.0444. moaonline.org

Open Hands Art

1720 Bluff St., Boulder.

720.400.1319. openhandsart.com

Open Window Studio

12041 Twilight St, Longmont.
720.400.1319. openwindowstudio.org

pARTiculars Art Gallery and Teaching Studio

401 S. Public Road, Unit 1, Lafayette.

720.890.7888. particularsart.com

PoshSplat Kids Classes

2035 Broadway St., Boulder.

303.442.7674. poshsplat.com/kids

Studio Arts Boulder Pottery Lab

1010 Aurora Ave., Boulder.

720.379.6033. studioartsboulder.org/camps

Sunflower Art Studio

6545 Gunpark Dr., Boulder.

720.939.7545. artsunflower.com/camps

Tinker Art Studios

693B South Broadway. Boulder.

303-503-1902. Tinkerartstudio.com

Young Rembrandts

23 North Union St, Elgin, IL

847-742-6966. youngrembrandts.com

EDUCATION & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Adventure Montessori Learning Center

250 S. Cherrywood Dr., Lafayette.

303.665.6789. Adventuremontessori.com

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

637 S. Broadway. Boulder.

culinaryschoolrockies.com

Bloom Montessori

701 James St., Longmont

bloommontessori.com

Blue Mountain Montessori

201 South Briggs St., Erie.

bluemountainmontessori.com

Bolder Tutor LLC

320 E. 1st Ave., #101. Broomfield.

bolderpathwayschool.com

Boulder Public Library

1000 Canyon Blvd., Boulder.

boulder.lib.co.us

Branson School Online

7104 Dove Ct., Parker, CO.

bransonschoolonline.com

Camp Morning Glory

6500 W. Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

303.652.0130. bvwaldorf.org/programs

CCLC – Children’s Creative Learning Center

3050 34th St. Boulder.

cclc.com

Children’s World Montessori

580 Cheeseman St., Erie.

childrensworldmontessori.com

Colorado Academy

3800 S. Pierce St. Denver.

coloradoacademy.org

Colorado Driving Institute

2850 Iris Ave. #1-3. Boulder.

coloradodrivinginstitute.co

Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism

424 East Simpson St., Lafayette.

clinicalherbalism.com

Countryside Montessori

5524 Baseline Rd., Boulder.

countrysideboulder.com

Crossroads School

833 15th Ave., Longmont.

crossroadslongmont.org

Crown Pointe Academy

2900 W 86th Ave., Westminster.

crownpointeacademy.org

Exploring Minds Academy for Learning

4051 NE. County Line Rd., Erie.

exploringmindsacademy.com

Family Learning Center

3164 34th St., Boulder.

flcboulder.org

Fiske Planetarium and Science Center

2414 Regent Dr., Boulder.

303.492.5002. colorado.edu/fiske

Flagstaff Acadmy

2040 Miller Dr., Longmont.

flaggstaffacademy.org

Fountain Valley School of Colorado

6155 Fountain Valley School. Colorado Springs.

www.fvs.edu

Friends School

5465 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder.

friendsschoolboulder.org

Global Works Travel

364 Forest Park Circle, Lafayette.

303.545.2202. globalworkstravel.com

Huntington Learning Center

Various locations.

800.CAN.LEARN. Huntingtonlearning.com

Integral Steps

910 Front St., Louisville.

720.577.5441. integralsteps.org

Intercambio

4735 Walnut St., Boulder

303.996.0275. intercambioweb.org

Jefferson Academy

11251 Reed Wy., Broomfield.

720.887.1992. jajags.com

Kiddie Academy Learning Center Camp

641 Mitchell Wy., Erie.

303.828.1030. kiddieacademy.com

Learning Camp

Various locations near Vail.

www.learningcamp.com

Mackintosh Academy

6717 South Boulder Rd., Boulder.

303.554.2011. mackboulder.com

PALS Chess Academy.

Various locations.

720.317.7810. Palschess.com

Play-Well – Lego Inspired Camps

Various locations.

970.645.6075. play-well.org/camps-2019

Ricardo Flores Magon Academy

5301 Lowell Blvd.,Denver.

303.412.7610. magonacademy.org/contact

Ricks Center for Gifted Children University of Denver

2040 South York St. Denver.

303.871.2982. du.edu/ricks

September High School

1902 Walnut St., Boulder.

303.443.9933. Septemberschool.org

Spanish Institute

1084 Iliad Wy., Lafayette.

303.503.5652. spanish-institute.com

Star Song Lifeways Program

303.442.0998.

starsong-lifeways.com/

Summer Fun on the Urban Farm

10200 Smith Rd., Denver.

303.307.9332. theurbanfarm.org/summer-fun-on-the-farm

Summit Reading Center

Individual Reading, Writing, and Math Programs

1495 Canyon Blvd. #202, Boulder.

303.499.9729. summitrc.com

The Language of Food

735 S. 46th St., Boulder.

303-819-4084. Cooking skills and language immersion.

thelanguageoffood.com

Silicon Stem Academy

4201 E. Yale Ave., Denver, CO

303.800.0011. siliconstemacademy.com

Snow Lion School

2580 Iris Ave., Boulder.

720.564.0456. snowlionschool.org

Stargate Charter School

14530 Washington St., Thornton.

303.450.3936. stargateschool.org

Tutoring Club Reading Camp, Math Camp, Writing Camp Credit Recovery Courses, ACT

Courses and SAT Courses

Various locations. Tutoringclub.com

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History

15th and Broadway, Boulder.

303.492.6892. colorado.edu/cumuseum

Watershed School

1661 Alpine Ave., Boulder.

303.440.7520. watershedschool.org

EQUESTRIAN

Academy Stables

4277 N. 109th St., Lafayette.

303.665.4637. academystables.com

All Abilities Riding Center

11968 Mineral Rd., Longmont.

303.652.9131. ctrcinc.org

A Rising Star Equestrian Center

9470 Indiana St., Arvada.

303.431.4675. arisingstareqcenter.com

Flatirons Equestrian Center

8778 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder.

303.666.7778. flatironsequestriancenter.com

Friends of Horses Rescue and Adoption.

6351 South Peoria St., Centennial.

303.649.1155. fohrescue.com/summer-camp

Monique Horsemanship

10075 N 75th St., Longmont.
303.990.3880. moniquehorsemanship.com

Mounting Miracles Ranch

11051 Jasper Rd., Lafayette.

720.971-0569. Mountingmiraclesranch.org

Plane View Farm

4738 County Rd., Erie.

303-532-9381. planeviewfarm.com/kids_programs

Running Wolf Riding Center Day Camp

15589 Navajo St., Broomfield.

720.933.8301. runningwolfridingcenter.com

Triple Creek Ranch Horse Camps

Multiple program options.

4255 Nelson Rd., Longmont.

303.444.4291. triplecreek-ranch.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center

1345 Spruce St., Boulder.

shambhalamountain.com

Eldorado Mountain Yoga Camp

2875 County Road 67, Boulder.

303.249.1671. eldoradoyoga.org

The Little Gym of Broomfield and Westminster

10141 Wadsworth Parkway, Suite 300, Westminster.

303.427.6688. Thelittlegym.com

Shambhala Mountain Center Family Camp

Red Feather Lakes.

1.888.788.7221. (including adults). shambhalamountain.org

Uncorked Kids/Teens Summer Programs

8171 South Chester St., Suite A, Centennial.

720.907.3838. uncorkedkitchen.com

OUTDOORS

Adventure Unlimited Ranches

18325 County Road 366. Buena Vista.

adventureunlimited.org

Air West Flight Center

10383 Airport Rd., Longmont, CO.

airwestflightcenter.com

Avid4Adventure

PO Box 287, Boulder.

720.249.2412. avid4.com

Bold Earth Adventures

303.526.0806. Boldearth.com

Boulder County Fair

9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont, CO

720.864.6460. bouldercountyfair.org

Boulder Rock Club and Colorado Mountain School

2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder.

303.447.2804. boulderrockclub.com

Boy Scouts of America Camps

Anderson Camps:

7177 Colorado River Rd., Gypsum.

970.524.7766. andersoncamps.com,

Peaceful Valley Ranch:

22799 N Elbert Rd., Elbert.

303.648.3023.

Tahosa High Adventure Base:
173 Co Rd. 96, Ward.

303.440.4040. Denverboyscouts.org

Butterfly Pavilion

6252 W 104th Ave., Westminster.

303-469-5441. butterflies.org

Cal-Wood Mountain

2282 County Rd. Or PO Box 347, Jamestown.

303.449.0603. calwood.org

Camp Chautauqua

900 Baseline Rd, Boulder.

303.442.3282. Chautauqua.com

Camp Chief Ouray – YMCA of the Rockies

PO Box 648, Granby.

970.887.2648. campchiefouray.org

Camp Jackson – YMCA Pueblo

3200 E. Spaulding Ave., Pueblo.

719.543.5151. puebloymca.org/programs/camp-jackson

Camp Granite Lake

11902 Camp Eden Rd., Golden.

720.249.2997. Campgranitelake.com

Camp Hope

2255 S. Oneida St., Denver.

camphopekids.org

Camp Invention

Various programs and locations.

800.968.4332. invent.org

Camp Kind

4505 W. 112th Ave., Westminster.

720.608.6099. Campkind.org

Camp Nicolet

16030 WI-70., Eagle River.

campnicolet.com

Camp Santa Maria – YMCA NOCO

51321 US Highway 285, Grant.

303.664.5455.

Camp Shady Brook – YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

8716 South Y Camp Rd., Deckers.

303.647.2313. ppymca.org/camp-shady-brook

Camp Sunrise

100 Sunrise Ranch Rd., Loveland.

970.679.4200. sunriseranch.org

Chautauqua

900 Baseline Rd., Boulder.

303.442.3282. chatauqua.com

Cheley Colorado Camps

3960 Fish Creek Rd., Estes Park.

970.586.4244. cheley.com

Children’s Peace Garden

1630 Hawthorn Ave., Boulder.

303.443.9952. Growinggardens.org

Colorado Adventure Point

10455 W. 6th Ave., #150., Denver.

720.266.2179. coloradoadventurepoint.org

Colorado Mountain Ranch

10063 Gold Hill Rd., Boulder.

303.442.4557. coloradomountainranch.com

Colvig Silver

9665 Florida Rd., Durango.

970.247.2564. colvigsilvercamps.com

Deer Hill Expeditions

P.O. Box 180, Mancos.

970.533.7492. deerhillexpeditions.com

Erie Community Center

Multiple Programs.

Erie Community Center 450 Powers St., Erie.

erieco.gov

Feet on the Earth Camps Boulder Foothills

Various programs, girls-only camps.

303.642.0562. Feetontheearth.org

Gates Camp for Boys & Girls Clubs

2017 West 9th Ave., Denver.

303.892.9200. Bgcmd.org

Geneva Glen Camp

PO Box 248. Indian Hills.

genevaglen.org

Girl Scouts of Colorado

Overnights and Day camps available. See website for available programs and locations.

Girlscoutsofcolorado.org

Group Mission Trips

Loveland

1.844.258.9616. groupmissiontrips.com

Keystone Science School

1053 Soda Ridge Rd., Keystone.

970.468.2098. keystonescienceschool.org

Laughing Coyote Project

9760 Isabelle Rd., Lafayette.

303.659.4079. laughingcoyoteproject.org

Louisville Rec Center Day Camp

900 W Via Appia., Louisville.

303.666.7400. louisvilleco.gov/summerdaycamp

Northglenn Rec Day Camp

11801 Community Center Dr., Northglenn.

303.450.8800. Northglenn.org

Magic Sky Ranch

970.267.7721. magicskyranch.com

Mountain Kids Day Camp

474 S. Taylor Ave., Louisville.

303.665.8287. mountain-kids.com

Sanborn Western Camps

PO Box 167, Florissant.

719.748.3341. sanbornwesterncamps.com

Singletrack Mountain

Bike Adventures

Various programs and age groups.

194 Taft, Unit C, Boulder.

303.447.8014. ridesmba.org

TEENS Inc. Day Camp

151 East St., Nederland.

303.258.3821. Teensinc.org

Tomahawk Ranch

2113 Co Rd 43, Bailey.

303.838.5407. camp.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/tomahawk-ranch

Tumble Bubbles

621 Recreation Way, Frisco.

970.406.2182. tumblebubbles.com

Vail Recreation District

Multiple programs available.

700 S Frontage Rd., Ste. E, Vail.

970.479.2279. vailrec.com

Westminster Camps

10455 Sheridan Blvd., 10470 Oak St.Westminster.

303.658.2219. ci.westminster.co.us

Women’s Wilderness –

Girls’ Adventure Programs

Multiple programs.

2845 Wilderness Pl. Suite 211. Boulder.

303-938-9191. womenswilderness.org

YMCA of North Colorado – Mapleton

2850 Mapleton Ave., Boulder.

303.442.2778. ymcanoco.org

YMCA of Northern Colorado – Arapahoe

2800 Dagny Wy., Lafayette.

303.664.5455. ymcanoco.org

YMCA of Northern Colorado –
ED & Ruth Lehman

950 Lashley Ln., Longmont.

303.776.0370. ymcanoco.org

Ymca Metropolitan Denver Headquarters

2625 S Colorado Blvd., Denver.

720.524.2700. denverymca.org

PRE-SCHOOL

Active Boulder Kids

1970 Centennial Dr., Louisville.

303.665.9669. activelouisville.com

Alaya Preschool
3340 19th St., Boulder.

303.449.5248. Alayapreschool.com

Apple Tree Christian Preschool

545 W. 10th. Ave., Broomfield, CO.

303.466.8365. appletreebroomfield.org

Bal Swan Children’s Center

1145 E 13th Ave., Broomfield.

303.466.6308. balswan.org

Boulder Montessori School

3300 Redstone Rd., Boulder.

303.494.5814. bouldermontessori.org

Boulder Valley Waldorf School

6500 W. Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

303.682.7183. bmoca.org/programs/youth

Bright Horizons School

1818 Centennial Dr., Louisville.

575 Eldorado Blvd, Broomfield.

2420 W. 8th St, Longmont.

11305 Decatur St. Westminster.

Brighthorizons.com

Children’s House Preschool

3370 Iris Walk Ct., Boulder, CO.

303.444.6432. childrenshousepreschool.com

Cornerstone Preschool

1000 15th Ave., Longmont.

303.776.3081. bethlehem-lutheran.net

Cottage School

1301 North St., Boulder.

1841 N. Terry St., Longmont.

cottagescgools.com

Dream Makers Preschool

1345 28th St., Boulder, CO.

720.274.0101. dreammakerspreschool.com

Exploring Minds Academy

4051 NE County Line Rd., Erie.

303.828.3452. exploringmindsacademy.com

Gateway Academy

900 E. 1st Ave., Broomfield, CO

303.404.3222. gatewayacademy.com/schools/broomfield-co-preschool/

Global Village International Preschool

1139 S. Alkire St., Lakewood.

303.986.2410. gvipreschools.org

Growing Minds Learning Center

6525 Gunpark Dr #340, Boulder.

303.530.1820. growingmindsco.com

Goddard School

4147 Main St., Westminster.

3000 Village Vista Dr., Broomfield.

4203 E. 136th Ave., Thornton.

1095 Olympia Ave., Longmont.

goddardschool.com

Harmony Preschool

3990 15th St., Boulder.

303.444.8452. harmony-preschool.com

Heart and Hands Montessori Center for Infants and Toddlers

1355 Forest Park Cir., Ste. 100, Lafayette.

303.444.0181. Heartandhandsmontessori.com

Here We Grow

630 15th Ave. #105., Longmont.

720.600.5927. hwgchildcare.com

Hope Montessori Academy Day Camps

13785 Huron St., Broomfield.

12121 Pennsylvania St., Thornton.

4401 W. Main St., Westminster.

303.255.8151; 303.404.9770. montessorichild.com

Jefferson Street Preschool

733 Jefferson Ave., Louisville.

303.666.6080. jeffersonstreetpreschool.com

Kindercare

3050 34th St., Boulder. 303-443-5595

1045 Opal St. Broomfield. 303-439-9110

851 Crisman Dr. Longmont. 303-651-1008

107 McCaslin Blvd. Louisville. 303-666-9999

1400 SW 5th Ave Ste 100. Portland, OR. 503-248-0581

Living Arts School

6500 West Dry Creek Pkwy., Niwot.

720.383.4406. livingartsschool.com

Mapleton Montessori

3121 29th St., Boulder.

303.449.4499. mapletonmontessori.org

Mountain View Preschool Play Program.

355 Ponca Pl., Boulder.

303.494.3557. mvpreschool.org

Music Together of the Rockies

901 Front St., Louisville.

720.366.8655. milehighmusic.org

My Second Home
300 West Baseline Rd., Lafayette. 303.664.1098

1321 West Baseline Road (new!) Lafayette. 303.665.0235.
mysecondhomeco.com

The Patchwork School

1428 Main St., Louisville.

720.271.6729. thepatchworkschool.com

Primrose School

Multiple locations. primroseschools.com

Rainbow Child Care Center

3485 Stanford Ct., Boulder.

303.499.3038. boulderrainbow.com

Right Start Preschool Character Clubs

2325 Eagleview Ct., Erie.

303.931.4221. Rightstarterie.com

Star Song Lifeways Program

303.442.0998. starsong-lifeways.com

Sunset Academy

711 S. Sunset St., Longmont.

303.651.6600. sunsetacademy.com

Take A Beak.

408 W Baseline Rd., Lafayette.

303.665.9741. takeabreakchildren.com

Treehouse Learning

175 N. 96th St., Louisville.

303.666.1950. treehouselearning.com

Wee School Preschool

690 Briggs St., Erie.

303.828.2939. weeschoolpreschool.com

WildFlower Preschool

1370 Forest Park Cir., Lafayette.

720.837.5387. wildflowerpreschool.com

Ziji Early Elementary Day Camp

6390 Jay Rd., Boulder.

303.530.0844. zijiearlyelementary.org

RELIGIOUS

Adventure Experiences

#2 Illinois Creek, Almont.

970.641.4708. aeibasecamp.com

Belleview Christian School

3455 W. 83rd Ave., Westminster.

303.427.5459. Belleviewchristian.org

Beautiful Savior Lutheran School.

6995 W 120th Ave., Broomfield.

beautiful savior-lcms.org

Boulder JCC.

6007 Oreg Ave., Boulder.

303.998.1900. boulderjcc.org

Boulder Royal Family Kids Rocky Mountains of Colorado

7100 S. Boulder Ave., Boulder.

303.332.4067. boulder.royalfamilykids.org

Camp Gan Izzy of the Rockies

4505 W 112th Ave., Westminster.

303.429.5177. jewishkidscamp.com

Camp Har HaShem

3950 Baseline Rd., Boulder.

303.499.7077. campharhashem.org

Camp Timberline

430 Canyon Ave., Fort Collins.

970.484.8462. Camptimberline.com

Camp timberline: Outta Bounds Day Camp

Ten locations along the front range.

970.484.8462. camptimberline.com

Camp Wojtyla

PO Box 116. Erie.

303.586.1799. camp-w.com

A Child’s Touch

9141 Poze Blvd., Thornton.

303.286.8460. achildstouch.com

Eagle Lake

3820 N 30th St., Colorado Springs.

719.272.7453. Eaglelakecamps.com

First Presbyterian Church

1820 15th St., Boulder.

303.402.6400. fpcboulder.org

Foundation for Jewish Camps

15 W. 36th St., #13. New York, NY

jewishcamp.org

Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center.

1306 Business Highway 7 POB 66,. Allenspark.

303.747.2888. highlandscamp.org

JCC Ranch Camp

21441 North Elbert Rd., Elbert.

303.648.3800. ranchcamp.org

IdRaHaJe Camp

571 County Rd. 43, Bailey.

303.838.5668. Idrahaje.com

ITEA – Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture

317 W. South Boulder Rd. #5., Louisville.

720.890.8922. itea.edu

Longmont Christian School

1440 Collyer St., Longmont.

303.776.3254. longmontchristian.org

Messiah Lutheran School

1335 Francis St., Longmont.

303.776.2573. messiahlongmont.org

Mt. Zion Lutheran School

1680 Balsam Ave., Boulder.

mtzionboulder.org

Nativity of Our Lord School

900 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield.
303.466.4177. nool.us

Glacier View Ranch

8748 Overland Rd.,Ward.

303.282.3664. rmcyouth.org

Shwayder Camp of Temple Emanuel.
51 Grape St. Denver. CO

PO Box 3899. Idaho Springs.

303.567.2722. Shwayder.com

Sonlight Christian Camp

PO Box 536 (US Postal Service)

1536 Sonlight Place (UPS or Fed Ex). Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

970.264.4379. sonlightcamp.org/contact-us

Vista Ridge Academy

3100 Ridge View Dr., Erie.

303.828.4944. vistaridge.org

St Louis Catholic School & Early Learning Center

925 Grant Ave., Louisville.

303.666.6220 school.stlp.org

Upon the Rock

PO Box 1007. La Veta.

719.742.6777. upontherock.com

SCHOOL & DISTRICT CAMPS

Autana Bilingual Montessori School

1305 Plaza Ct., N. Lafayette.

303.664.4788. autanaschool.com

Bixby School

4760 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder.

303-494-7508. bixbyschool.org/programs/summer

Boulder Country Day School

4820 Nautilus Court North, Boulder.

303.527.4931. Bouldercountryday.org

Boulder Explore

7690 E. Baseline Rd., Boulder.

boulderexplore.org

Boulder Parks & Rec

Multiple camps available.

1777 Broadway St., Boulder.

303.413.7441. bprcamps.org

Boulder Valley School District Summer Programs

6500 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder.

303.447.1010. bvsd.org/summerlearning

Camp Explorer

1555 Daphne St., Broomfield.

720.561.8400. broomfield.org

Alexander Dawson School Arts, Sports and Education Camps

10455 Dawson Dr., Lafayette.

303.665.6679. dawsonschool.org

Friends’ School

5465 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder.

303.499.1999 ext 229. friendssummercamp.org

Jarrow Montessori

3900 Orange Ct., Boulder.

303.443.0511. jarrow.org

Louisville Montessori School

461 Tyler Ave., Louisville.

303.665.2002. louisvillemontessorischool.net

Rocky Mountain Day Camp

2205 Norwood Ave., Boulder.

2300 Meadow Sweet Ln., Erie.

3351 S Indiana St., Superior.

rockymtndaycamp.com

Shining Mountain Waldorf School

999 Violet Ave., Boulder.

303.444.7697. smwaldorf.org

St. Vrain Valley School District Summer Programs

303.776.6200. svvsd.org

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & GAMING

Boulder Digital Arts & Web Development

1600 Range St., Ste.100, Boulder.

303.800.4647. boulderdigitalarts.com

Bricks 4 Kidz

Various locations and programs.

Programs involving video game coding, robotics, superheroes, Minecraft, and more!

773.991.2197. Bricks4kidz.com

Build-A-Robot Learning Center

406 Center Dr., #C, Superior.

720.538.9008. buildarobotk12.com

Coding with Kids Lafayette Arts Hub

420 Courtney Wy., Lafayette.

info-denver@codingwithkids.com

Crow Canyon Archaeology Camp

23390 Road K. Cortez.

800.422.8975. crowcanyon.org

CU Science Discovery

Multiple programs available.

3400 Marine St., Boulder.

303.492.7188. sciencediscovery.colorado.edu

Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver.

303.370.6000. dmns.org

FRC Team 1619 Robotics Up-A-Creek.

950 S. Sunset St., Longmont.

team1619.org

ID Tech Camps

910 E Hamilton Plaza. Campbell, CA.

888.709.8324. idtech.com

Quarters Bar and Arcade

475 Main St., Longmont.

(303) 719-2550. quartersbarandarcade.com

Rabbit Hole Recreation Services – Escape Rooms

1156 W Dillon Rd #1, Louisville.

720 890-4242. rabbithole.rs

Space Voyage Adventure Camp – Powderhorn Elementary School

12109 Coal Mine Ave. Littleton.

303.985.3143. spacevoyage.com/spacecamp

Thorne Natural Science School

1466 N. 63rd St., Boulder.

303.499.3647. thornenature.org

Walking Mountains Science Center Science Camps

318 Walking Mountains Lane, Avon.

970.306.0286. walkingmountains.org/camps

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Camp

7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver.

303.360.5360. WingsMuseum.org

WOW! Children’s Museum Science Camps

110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette.

877.541.2267. wowchildrensmuseum.org

SPECIAL NEEDS

Adam’s Camp

6767 S. Spruce St., Suite 102, Centennial.

303.563.8290. Adamscamp.org

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center

524 Wellington Rd., Breckenridge.

970.453.6422. boec.org

Camp Paha

200 Kipling St., Lakewood.

303.987.4866. lakewood.org/paha

Colorado Lions Camp

28541 Hwy 67N. Woodland Park.

719.687.2087. Coloradolionscamp.org

Easter Seals Colorado

393 Harlan St. Suite 250. Lakewood.

303.233.1666. easterseals.com

Hillside School

7415 Lookout Rd., Longmont.

303.494.1468. hillsidelearning.org

Longmont SCOPE Summer Programs

Supportive, Captivating and Original Programs & Experiences

Longmont Recreation Center

700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont.

303.651.8394. ci.longmont.co.us

Roundup River Ranch

8333 Colorado River Rd., Gypsum.

970.524.2267. roundupriverranch.org

Temple Grandin

Summer Perspectives social communication program.

6446 Jay Rd., Boulder.

303.554.7363. templegrandinschool.org

TLC Learning Center Summer Programs

611 Korte Pkwy., Longmont.

303.776.7417. Tinytimcenter.org

SPORTS

ABC Kids Climbing

1960 32nd St., Boulder.

303.443.5437. abckidsclimbing.com/camps

Air Force Academy Sports Camps

2169 Field House Drive. USAFA.

719.333.2116. goairforcefalcons.com/camps

Airborne Gymnastics & Dance Camp

1816 Boston Ave., Longmont.

303.684.3717. airbornegym.com

Altitude Youth Ultimate Frisbee Camps

1360 Gillaspie Dr., Boulder.

303.907.0703. altitudeyouthultimate.org/camps

American Hiking Society

8605 Second Ave. Silver Spring, MD.

303.565.6704. americanhiking.org

American Mountaineering Museum

710 10th St., Golden.

303.996.2747. mountaineeringmuseum.org

American Paintball Coliseum

5095 Peoria St., Denver.

303.298.8573. americanpaintballcoliseum.com

Apex School of Movement

1772 Prairie Way, Unit G. Louisville.

720.645.1224. apexmovementlouisville.com/contact

Arbor Anglers

489 U.S. N HWY 287, Suite 130, Lafayette.

720.512.1416. arboranglers.com

ATA Karate

8921 Harlan St., Westminster.

303.426.6456. atawekick.com

Avid4Adventure Day Camps

3160 Airport Rd., Boulder.

720.249.2412. Avid4.com

Beaver Creek Kids Day Camp & Ski School

970.754.5464. beavercreek.com

Bennetts Karate

720 Austin Ave. #100., Erie.

303.947.3908. Bennettskarate.com

Blue Dolphin Swim School

7655 W. 108th., Broomfield.

303.254.6920. Bluedolphinswimschool.com

Boulder County Parks and Open Space

5201 St Vrain Rd., Longmont.

303.678.6200. bouldercounty.org/departments/parks-and-open-space/

Boulder Indoor Soccer Camp

3203 Pearl St., Boulder.

303.440.0809. boulderindoorsoccer.com/camps-clinics

Boulder Parks & Rec Sports Camps

Various programs and sports camps available.

303.441.3388. bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/camps

Boulder Quest Center

1501 Lee Hill Rd., #18, Boulder.

303.440.3647. boulderquest.com

Boulder Rock Club and Climbing Camps

2829 Mapleton Ave., Boulder.

303.447.2804. boulderrockclub.com

Boulder Valley Lacrosse

PO Box 271168, Louisville.

303.882.0317. boulderlacrosse.org

Boondocks – Food & Fun

18706 Cottonwood Dr., Parker. 720-842-1100

11425 Community Center Dr., Northglenn. 720.977.8000

boondocks.com

Broadlands Golf Course

4380 W 144th Ave., Broomfield.

303.466.8285. thebroadlandsgc.com

Broomfield Soccer Club

2150 W. 6th Ave., #F, Broomfield.

303.466.0096. broomfieldsoccerclub.org

Camp Timberline Sports and Mountain Adventure Camps

Estes Park and Front Range locations.

970.484.8462. camptimberline.com

CATS Gymnastics

2400 30th St., Boulder.

303.939.9699. catsgym.com/camp

Champions Summer Programs

12500 Washington St., Thornton. 720.326.5809.

9050 Field St., Westminster. 800.350.5034.

Discoverchampions.com

Climbing Collective

33 S Pratt Pkwy #300, Longmont.

720.340.3640. longmontclimbingcollective.com

Coal Creek Bowling Center

1455 Coal Creek Dr., Lafayette.

303.673.0772. coalcreekbowling.com

Coal Creek Golf Course

585 W Dillon Rd., Louisville.

303.666.7888. coalcreekgolf.com

Colorado Avalanche

1000 Chopper Cir., Denver.

303.405.1100. nhl.com/avalanche

Denver Broncos

1701 Bryant St., Denver.

denverbroncos.com

Denver Outlaws

1701 Bryant St., Denver.

outlaws.majorleaguelacrosse.com

Denver Nuggets

1000 Chopper Cir., Denver.

303.405.1100. nba.com/nuggets

Colorado Eagles

1625 Pelican Lakes Point #100, Windsor.

970.686.7468. coloradoeagles.com

Colorado Rapids

6000 Victory Way, Commerce City.

coloradorapids.com

Colorado Swim School

5075 W 120th Ave., Broomfield.

303.439.7946. coswimschool.com

Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse

Foothills Fieldhouse, Lakewood.

303.615.8908. Coloradomammoth.com

Colorado Junior Rowing Camp

PO Box 18821. Boulder.

cjcrew.org

Colorado Rapids’ Striker and Goalkeeper Development Camp

7807 Cherry Creek S. Dr., #401, Denver.

303.399.5858. coloradorapids.com

Community Sailing Camps

5565 N 51st St., Boulder.

303.757.7718. communitysailing.org

Swim Float Swim

Aquatic Academy

795 S. Sherman St., Longmont.

303.499.2229. infantaquatics.com

CU Golf Camp.

369 UCB. Boulder.

303.507.3789. coloradogolfcamp.com

The Dojo of Karate

1975 W 120th Ave., Ste. 300, Westminster.

303.920.4500. thedojoofkarate.com

Easton Training Center Martial Arts.

Multiple locations and programs

eastonbjj.com

Earth Trek Climbing Centers

700 Golden Ridge Rd., Golden, CO.

earthtreksclimbing.com

Empty Quiver Archery

7180 W 117th Ave #4 Broomfield.

720.887.6822 emptyquiver.com

Erie Parks and Recreation

450 Powers Street. P.O. Box 1110, Erie.

303.926.2550. erieco.gov/1385/Parks-Recreation

EVO Rock + Fitness

745 Dogwood St., Louisville.

303.317.3770

Evo Kids

500 Front St., Louisville.

303.317.4279. evorock.com

Fat Cats Westminster

10685 Westminster Blvd., Westminster.

303.466.7515. fatcatsfun.com/westminster

FC Boulder Soccer

2450 Central Ave. Unit D-1. Boulder.

303.443.8877. Fcboulder.com

Flatirons Scuba

11965 Main St., Broomfield.

202.469.4477. flatironsscuba.com

Front Range Anglers

2344 Pearl St., Boulder.

303.494.1375. frontrangeanglers.com

Game On! Sports 4 Girls

840 N 75th St., Boulder.

844.642.6366. gameonsportscamp.com

Gonzo Tennis Academy

5660 Sioux Dr., Boulder.

720.480.0249. Gonzotennis.com

Gymnastics Unlimited

525 W. 115th Ave., Northglenn.

303.452.4075 .gucolorado.com

High Altitude Archery

455 Weaver Park Rd. #500, Longmont.

720.491.3309. highaltitudearchery.com

High Peaks Twirling

highpeakstwirlers.com

i9 Sports-Town of Superior

All-Sports Camp. Multiple locations.

I9sports.com

Infant Aquatics at Swim Float Swim

795 S. Sherman St., Longmont.

303.499.2229. infantaquatics.com

International Martial Arts

1340 Main St., Louisville.

(303) 665-0339. imakarate.com

Junior Tennis Program Millennium Harvest House

1345 28th St., Boulder.

303.443.3172. rmtenniscenter.com

Longmont Campzone

700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont.

303.774.3770. Longmontcolorado.gov

Legacy Ridge Golf Course

10801 Legacy Ridge Pkwy., Westminster.

303.438.8997. cityofwestminster.us/ParksRecreation/GolfWestminster/LegacyRidgeGolfCourse

Mile High Karate

11265 Decatur St #200, Westminster.

303.426.0277. milehighkarate.com/westminster-co

Mountain Kids Day Camp

474 S. Taylor Ave., Louisville.

970.230.3602. Mountain-kids.com

Movement Climbing and Fitness

2845 Valmont Rd., Boulder.

303.443.1505. movementgyms.com

N Zone Sports Rec Center

1280 Lafayette St., Suite 503, Denver.
303.832.7043. nzonesports.com

Nike Summer Sports Camps

Various locations and programs.

800-NIKE-CAMP. ussportscamps.com

Northern Colorado Fencers

1949 33rd St., Boulder.

303.443.6557. Ncfencers.org

O Dance Studio

4949 Broadway St., #102. Boulder.

303 918.6617.

Ocean First

3015 Bluff St., Boulder.

303.444.7234. oceanfirst.blue

Pedalheads Bike Camps

Various locations.

1.888.886.6464. Pedalheads.com

Regis Basketball Camp

Lakeshore Athletic Club. Various locations.

303.964.6311. regisbasketballcamps.com/summercamps

ReVel Dance Center

460 Jones Court. #102. ,Erie.

303.946.6166. reveldancecenter.com

Revolution Field Hockey

1700 Post Road., Suite D5. Fairfield, CT.

fhcamps.com

Rocky Mountain Anglers

1904 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO

303.447.2400. rockymtanglers.com

Rocky Mountain Kung Fu

990 S Public Rd., Lafayette.

720.775.2839. rockymountainkungfu.com/kids-programs

Scientific Martial Arts and Fitness

440 Garland Drive #C. Northglenn.

303.451.5131. flashkickboxing.net

Scornavacco Martial Arts Academy

1830 Boston Avenue Suite F, Longmont.

303-485-KICK (5425) karatechangeslives.com

Skyhawks Sports Camps

Multiple sports programs available in different locations.

800.804.3509. skyhawks.com/Colorado

Shredder (Ski/Snowboard) Camp

6655 Arapahoe Road Ste. J, Boulder.

303.396.1754. shredderski.com

Square State Skate Skateboard Camp

Louisville, Arvada, Erie, Lafayette.

720.441.4047. Squarestateskate.com

Swim Otters Swim & Fitness School

3974 Youngfield Street • Wheat Ridge.

303.554.7946

Trebol Soccer Club: FC Boulder

2450 Central Avenue, Unit D-1

303.443.8877. trebolsoccer.org

Twin Peaks Golf Course

1200 Cornell Dr., Longmont.

303.651.8401.golflongmont.com/twin-peaks

Warrior Challenge Arena

3400 Industrial Ln., Unit #12A, Broomfield.

720.370.9700. warriorchallengearena.com

University of Colorado Camps

Multiple camps available.

303.492.0632. outreach.colorado.edu/summer-camps

Vision Quest Martial Arts Ninja Camp

305 Waneka Parkway. Lafayette.

303.604.2119. vqmartialarts.com/summer-camp

Water World

8801 N Pecos St, Federal Heights.

303.427.7873. waterworldcolorado.com

Weaver’s Dive

637-V South Broadway, Boulder.

303.499.8500. weaversdive.com

Camp Copper

Copper Mountain,.

970.968.2318 xt. 60824.

campwoodward.com

Xtreme Challenge

82 Inverness Dr. East Unit A2, Englewood.

303.870.3041. xtremechallengearena.com

Xtreme Altitude Gymnastics

1405 S Public Road., Lafayette.

720.887.6752. xtremealtitude.com

TRADITIONAL

Lafayette Recreation Center Summer Day Camps

111 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette.

303.665.0469. cityoflafayette.com

Blue Mountain Ranch Youth Camp

11227 CR 98 Florissant.

719.748.3279. bluemountainranch.com

La Petite Academy

380 S. McCaslin Boulevard, Louisville.

303.673.9333. lapetite.com

UNIQUE ADVENTURE

Challenge Island

Denver.

303.997.6809. challenge-island.com/camps

Progresh Camps

9499 Washington St., Suite 50, Thornton.

720.441.2113. progresh.com/camps

Renaissance Adventures

5715 Arapahoe Ave Suite 100, Boulder.

303.786.9216. renaissanceadventures.com

Skate Start Skate Camp

13274 Quivas St., Westminster.

541.350.9296. skatestart.com

WRITING

Boulder Writing Studio, Writing Workshops

777 Pearl St., Ste. 211, Boulder.

303.362.1509. boulderwritingstudio.org

Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

1515 Race Street. Denver.

357 S. McCaslin Boulevard, Suite #200. Louisville.

303.297.1185. Lighthousewriters.org

Virtual Camps, Education, Programs, Etc.

Kutandara

5401 Western Ave, Boulder, CO 80301.

kutandara.org

African Music & Dance Camp

½ day

Morning sessions (9:00 – 11:30 am) ages 7-10 • Afternoon sessions (1:00-3:30) ages 10-13

Session 1: June 1-5, 2020 via Zoom • Session 2: June 8-12, 2020 via Zoom • Session 3: June 22-26, 2020 via Zoom • Session 4: August 10-14 via Zoom

On Hold

Marimba Busking Camp

Full Day

Session 1: June 15-19, 2020

Session 2: August 3-7, 2020

Boulder County Day School (Bulldogs Connect)

March 30 – April 17, BCD will have remote learning. Current plan is to reopen April 20, 2020 but BCD will reassess if changes are needed.

YMCA of Northern Colorado

The YMCA is providing virtual exercise videos for you and the whole family to take part in. There are specific videos for the kids as well.

ymcanoco.com

Dinosaur Ridge

Their online education page is posting different activities for kids to take part in.

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy.
Morrison.

303-697-3466 x101. Dinoridge.org

Renaissance Adventures

Online RPG and class options offering social engagement, learning and creative collaboration

March 31 – April 19 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day & 5-day classes via Zoom. Morning and Afternoon sessions for .5, 1, 1.5, 2 hrs at a time.

renaissanceadventures.com

info@renaissanceadventures.com

Sunflower Art Studio

Free online tutorials • Artsunflower.com

Art Workshop

Providing DIY workshop kits for you to pick up! Check website for specific dates and times.

1361 Forest Park Cir. #107 Lafayette.

720.449.4114. Arworkshop.com

Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center

Offering various online courses

1345 Spruce St. Boulder, CO.

Shambhalamountain.com

Yoga Pod

Offering online courses 1890 30th St, Boulder. yogapod.com/boulder/

The Little Yoga Studio

Online classes via Zoom littleyogastudio.com

Boulder Arts Week

March 27-April 4

boulderartsweek.org/calendar.

Trans Day of Remembrance

Tuesday, March 31, 5:30-7 p.m.

outboulder.org/events/2020/3/31/trans-day-of-celebration.

Exceptional Women Speakers
Series Tuesday

March 31, 7 p.m. bit.ly/2UAKFIm

Boulder Valley

Lifelong learning Various online courses

bouldervalley.augusoft.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=1010

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The post Summer Camp Listing – 2020 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

From BOCO to Dupree: A Story of Two Y’s Local Youth Making an Impact in Indian Country

Laurenz Busch — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 21:45:21 +0000

Eight and a half hours north of Boulder is the Sioux YMCA in Dupree, South Dakota, a town of about 519. Dupree is in Kiebach County, the fifth poorest county in the U.S., and is a part of the Cheyenne River Reservation, home to the Mnikhówožu, Sihásapa, Itázipcho, and the Oóhenunpa, four subgroups (or bands) of the larger Lakota Tribe. The Cheyenne River Reservation is home to 20 different communities that are spread out through the reservation. The Sioux YMCA is located in Dupree, and has outreach programs that work with eight of the other communities. The Sioux Y is the only YMCA on a Native Reservation and has come to play an integral part of the local community serving as a much needed safety net for many of the young people.

In recent years, a partnership between the Sioux Y and the YMCA of Northern Colorado have formed a partnership through their Leadership in Training program (LIT). Last year, the campers, also known as LITs, made their way to Dupree for the very first time. Joining the ranks of thirty-two or so other LIT programs that come at different times of the year, the Boulder LITs provide a largely unknown and small community facing a swath of societal hardships with food, fun, and learning. They’re giving local kids the ability to have guaranteed staff at a Y where staff can be hard to come by. In return, the Boulder LITs gain the knowledge and eye opening experiences of a people who have long experienced injustice at its rawest form in this country.

Overview

The Sioux YMCA is led by CEO Andrew Corley, who took the position at twenty-three, making him the youngest ever CEO of a YMCA. Since taking the position and moving out from Boston, MA, six years ago, Andrew has become a well known figure within a community in which he is an outsider. He has gained the trust of the community, the elders, the kids, and he’s created a space that is much, much more, and far, far less, than most other YMCA’s. When most of us think of our own Y, we probably think of sports, camps, maybe a pool, and some space for communal events. We rarely think of social work, which for the Sioux Y is a common part of the job for staff. Some YMCA’s have access to lakes or the ocean, some have large gyms and other amenities that provide local residents the ability to fulfill their after-school, summer, athletic, and group or project needs.

YMCA’s are integral parts of a community but are not usually the central hub of a community. The Sioux Y, however, is nothing like other YMCA’s that can be found throughout the nation and the world. The Sioux Y is highly underfunded, understaffed, and yet, it’s become a central commodity of safety and help for Dupree. For the young people of Dupree, it’s become a lifeline of sorts. The small building that sits on a plot of land in the midst of the tiny town has no pool, no gym, no event hall. There’s a garden, some outdoor space, and some indoor space for kids to do their homework. Corley, explains, “We don’t really have the gym and swim model that Y’s might have throughout the country; we’re really [just] focused on developing and helping them graduate high school and find a career.” For many of the young people, the Sioux Y provides certainty. It provides them with at least one solid meal, it helps with their homework, and provides entertainment and learning through group activities.

“We’re looking at the hierarchy of needs,” Corley says. “People aren’t worried about getting in shape when they’re worried about the next meal that they’re going to be eating. We’re acting much more as a relief effort rather than a prevention effort.” The model that the Sioux Y works hard to attain is one that goes beyond what a YMCA is stereotypically known for. The hierarchy of needs for Dupree is supporting students who are facing a variety of different struggles. Because of it, the Sioux Y is one of the few safety nets that the community has. Poverty, domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance use, and mental health issues are common issues that run through the community; without the Sioux Y, some of these struggles the young people face may never come to surface and would largely go unnoticed.

Funding

Most YMCA’s fund themselves in two main ways: Memberships and Donations. At the Sioux Y, it would be difficult for many families to afford summer programs or afterschool programs for their kids, so 100 percent of the students are on a scholarship. Many pay the minimum of five dollars – the Y has to have some sort of membership fees – but these can also be paid through Y Bucks. Y Bucks are an institution specific, non-monetary value currency that is earned through acts of kindness; just five Y Bucks and the program is paid for. Because of this, everyone is welcome. Everyone can join, and everyone has a chance. Unfortunately though, because the Sioux Y is almost solely run off of donations, it’s ability to expand, change, and develop to its higher potential is dependent on what it receives, forcing it into a problematic business model.

History

The Sioux YMCA was established 140 years ago on what was once the Great Sioux Reservation. After the General Allotment Act of 1887 the Great Sioux Reservation was broken up into five small reservations: Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Lower Brule, Upper Brule or Rosebud, and Pine Ridge Reservation. In the same year, the Dawes Allotment Act then allotted individual parcels to household heads. which allotted individual parcels to household heads in an attempt by the federal government to implement a European-American farming model. Each head received 160 acres with the rest of the land proclaimed as surplus and made available to non-natives for purchase. The land itself was, and is today, difficult to farm due to its arid conditions and when the first homesteaders took to the land they came with a mindset that tilting the soil frequently would attract moisture from the sky. This attitude paved the way for the Dust Bowl of the mid to late 1930’s in which many people had to abandon their land. Instead of giving the land back to the Lakotas, the Federal Government created the National Grasslands and gave much of the rest to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to control. The Federal Government also appropriated land during World War II to create the Badlands Bombing Range which was taken from the Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge. This land was transferred to the National Park Service after it was considered surplus.

Most recently, the Oglala, a subtribe of the Sioux, won States v. Sioux Nation of Indians in which the United States Supreme Court ruled that their land which includes the Black Hills of South Dakota had been taken illegal. The Federal Government offered financial compensation but instead the Oglala continue to insist that their land be returned to them. It’s certain that all tribes in the U.S. have faced similar injustices, and because of it, the foundation onto which they were forced by the Federal government has only aided in the socio-economic and personal hardships many face today.

More Stats

In the U.S., there are 567 federally recognized tribes (thousands more unrecognized), and 326 Native Reservations, some as small as 1.36 acres, some as big as 15 million acres like the Navajo Nation. All of them face inequality, socio-economic turmoil, and struggles with mental health, substance abuse, and more recently, a spike in gang related crimes. Living conditions have been compared to the ‘Third World’ by Gallup International. 26.2% of Native Americans live under the federal poverty line according to the United State Census Bureau from 2016, the national rate is 14%. The median household income in 2016 was $39,719’; the national was $57,617. According to the CDC, in 1999 the suicide rate for Non-Hispanic AIAN (American Indian or Alaska Native) was 4.6%, in 2014 it was 8.7%. The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakoka on the Pine Ridge Reservation made headlines in 2015 via The New York Times when nine young people committed suicide within four months, another 103 had attempted suicide in the same period.

Mental Health

Mental health issues are an epidemic throughout the country and unfortunately some communities struggle more than others and have less access to necessary facilities. It’s not to say that larger wealthier communities don’t have the same struggles, but that in small towns that are faced with a large variety of different socio-economic and personal struggles, the problems are far more evident. Because of the community in which the Sioux Y functions, their staff tend to take on a role that knows how to identify key signs of a mental health crisis. Corley says, “My full time staff are hired on to have more of a social worker mindset. We’re interacting with the demographic that suffered generational historic trauma so we need to have a healing mentality when we approach any of our issues.” Among the issues the community of the Cheyenne River Reservation faces, a frequent one that comes up amongst the Sioux Y members is mental health. Corley says, “It’s just a higher concentration in the youth we serve, not to say that this isn’t prevalent in other areas across the country but it is definitely something we’re dealing with on a more magnified scale.” For many of the kids who do struggle with these sorts of problems, the Sioux Y is often the first safety net to catch them, “when action needs to be taken and after that we will we always reach out to to the department of social services,” Corley explains. For Dupree, there just aren’t the same social services that are available in Boulder, and even if there were, private healthcare can be expensive and the federal programs can be too slow to react. Therefore in an attempt to expand, the Sioux Y also works with other partnerships in order to better serve students facing difficult struggles. Corley says, “We partner with the local schools to access their school counselors as a mental health professional, we have a partnership with the university of southern California where we’re developing a curriculum to have a suicide prevention training”. For the young people of the Cheyenne River Reservation, the Sioux Y is a safe space, a place that provides them safety and help when they require it. The Sioux Y can often serve as the first red flag that’s lifted, and often that can make all the difference.

BOCO V Dupree

The difference between Boulder County and Dupree is stark. Boulder is a bubble of wealth, natural beauty, large corporations, and lots and lots of PhD’s while Dupree is poverty stricken and has low living standards, low educational attainment, and low corporate investment. These are of course only what’s on paper, the first glance, the stereotypes. Both communities have similar struggles, similar highlights, and similar communal desires. They want a future for their young people, and they want a safe community. Even in Boulder, there’s poverty, there’s mental health issues, there’s inequality, and homelessness but overall the quality of life is higher, and that’s the image perceived by the outside. This certainly doesn’t help the problems that Boulder faces, but it does make Boulder an attractive place for businesses and people, therefore maintaining a constant influx of economic movement and growth. Dupree’s stereotypical image does not. Just finding people to move out to Dupree, South Dakota is a challenge. For many, Dupree is a place unplaceable and probably largely unknown. It’s a town where not too many people move to, pass through, or even think about it, a combination of forces that only exacerbates the struggles the town now faces.

The Leadership in Training (LIT) program is bringing awareness to Dupree, doing so makes people like me write about and you read about it. With more awareness comes more potential action and with more action perhaps will come change. Boulder LITs will spend several weeks prior training and taking on mock counselor roles for other local YMCA programs to get them ready for the trip. The program’s new director, Sam Owens, is responsible for the training that LITs will go through and the general logistics of the course. When asked how Owens will confront the many differences between students growing up in Boulder and those in Dupree, Owens points toward intent and conversation. Owens says, “I’m planning on bringing a lot of [emotional awareness] to the program because that’s something [that] I feel really strongly about: understanding [and] empathizing with other people. I think it’s one of the most important things that we can provide.” For the weeks prior to their Sioux Y trip, Owens says the focus will be team building, cultural awareness lessons, and getting to know one another. Their intention is to build a strong unit that functions well together, that is aware of others emotional states, and that can support one another through the process. At the end of the five weeks prior to their trip to the Sioux Y, Owens wants the LITs to have a fully loaded toolbox at their disposal that will allow them to know exactly what to do in any situation. Whether it’s running a group, doing an ice breaker, calling a check-in, or managing the chaos of a day well spent running around, Owens wants the LITs to be able to handle it no matter what.

The Boulder LITs will also take lessons to understand the historical importance of the Lakota to that region. They will learn about the institutionalized racism that the Lakota have faced, the Boarding Schools that many native Americans were forced to attend in an attempt to rid them of their identities, the land grabs by the federal governments, and all the factors that have contributed to the current conditions that often plague Reservations. This is vital regardless, but plays an important factor when comparing the two communities, especially when they’re entering a less fortunate community with the intention of bringing help and lending a hand.

Savior Mindset

It can be easy to write off volunteer trips as problematic due to an inherent savior complex that comes with them. There’s problems right here in Boulder and we should be addressing them. Yes, the LITs are benefiting from the trip, but so is the Sioux Y, and perhaps without the LITs, the Sioux Y wouldn’t be able to function. The Sioux Y isn’t changing the problems Dupree is facing, but it is alleviating some of the pain, and groups like the LITs from Boulder, are doing their part to release some of the pressure that can build up in a small community that is suffering. What could potentially be problematic is the notion that these groups are the cause of change and betterment, that the sole focus on Dupree is that of suffering and problems. Of course it’s vital that others realize the problems that Dupree and the Cheyenne River Reservation faces but so is acknowledging and sharing the strength, cultural identity, and highlights of the community. Solely placing a depiction of victims of historical and modern discrimination and injustice can forget the perserverance, strength, and creativity that each individual posesses. Just as Boulder must continue to flaunt its beauty it must also acknowledge its faults.

Without external support the ability for the Sioux Y to support its young people would be largely diminished, directly affecting the livelihood of its members. One problem that may arise is how students coming from Boulder may react to kids who live in Dupree. For the Boulder LIT program, it’s important to go in with an open mindset, it’s important to have discussions, and it’s beneficial to spend time with the members of the Sioux Y. Although the trip is about bringing volunteer time to a place that is largely struggling, there is a difference between coming in with the mindset of saving people and helping people. Jenna Capnerhurst, a Senior Director for the school age programs at the Y in Boulder focuses on conversations about privilege. For Capnerhurst, LITs who grew up in Boulder will have eye opening experiences because of how people in Dupree live, talking about the privilege that comes with that can guide students to have healthy realizations that benefit them and others.

Final Word

For Capnerhurst, the hardest part was saying goodbye. Laughs were had, tears were cried, lessons learned, and relationships were formed, and when the Boulder LITs had to go, everyone felt sad. For the Boulder LITs, they experienced some of the worst parts of society. They met those who call Dupree and the surrounding area home, people with creative personalities, determined spirits, and all the love, care, compassion, and empathy needed to have a strong and successful community. For the Sioux Y, they gained friendships that just happened to also provide them with fun, food, learning, and their time. For the Sioux Y, their YMCA is just like any other YMCA, and for many of the kids, the focus is on the fun, not just on their struggles. It must be understandably difficult for the Sioux Y kids to see people come and go, and it must certainly be hard to live in the conditions they find themselves, but they are strong, and their Y is strong, and with the help of others they’ll continue to have a central beacon providing the young people of the Cheyenne River Reservation the fun and safety that they all deserve.

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The post From BOCO to Dupree: A Story of Two Y’s Local Youth Making an Impact in Indian Country appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Off Menu with Hosea Rosenberg

Laurenz Busch — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 17:48:52 +0000

Hosea Rosenberg and Blackbelly are changing the way we see meat while serving up straight up good food with simple ingredients.

Let’s forget about farm-to-table for a moment and focus on ranch-to-table. Hosea Rosenberg, founder and owner of Blackbelly and Santo, is, of course, a Top Chef victor, but he’s also currently on a crusade to bring back and modernize the old world style of butchery. Blackbelly, renowned restaurant house, is Boulder’s very own independent, artisanal, and whole animal butcher shop where Hosea and his team are on a mission to provide Boulder with high-quality protein while expanding our palette beyond the traditional prime cuts.

If Hosea isn’t cooking at the front amongst the “fire and the knives”, as he describes it, he’s probably filling in for any and all roles that need it. If there’s no dishwasher, he’s there. No line cook? He’s there. Prep? You know it. For Hosea, the game changed by starting his own businesses; what hasn’t is what’s required to succeed. He understands that humility and unity within the kitchen is the only road to success. “It really comes down to if they want to come in and kick-ass, so we ask everyone to work hard, to work clean, to work efficient[ly] and to treat each other with respect,” he says. Good food and quality service are the product of that mindset, for Hosea. He goes on to say that without, “the right attitude, the food is going to suffer, even if you have all the technical skills.”

For Hosea, unity comes from hard work and teamwork. Often implementing military-style or football team lingo, he works to bring all the members of his staff together by emphasizing pride and reward through proper execution. He believes in ‘lifers’, himself being one; a lifer is someone whose passion goes beyond the mere summer job or paycheck. It’s someone that places dedication and soul into their culinary creations providing an experience for the patrons. For a lifer, cooking isn’t just a means to an end, but an end in itself, a proper way to fulfill life’s professional requirements.

Over the years, the fuel has remained largely the same. His love for the restaurant business, the passion he feels for the notoriously hard work it provides, and the relationships amongst his crew are only matched by the one thing that has changed from his early years, his family. “I have a family to support now, that’s part of my drive, to make sure that they know that we’re all going to be okay, that the businesses will flourish and everybody’s going to succeed and [that] we’re building something really amazing that will last for a very long time.” At his core, Hosea is a chef, even just from our conversation, it’s obvious, cooking, creating, providing culinary satisfaction and bliss seeps through his very being, as he changes and molds for us how we see and think about high-quality food.

Blackbelly prides itself on good food. They mainly use local farmers and ranchers to supply their ingredients. To a certain degree, Hosea is dependent on them, the land, the supply, a semi-revolutionary concept of living and existing largely within one’s maneuverable environment. “We let farmers dictate what they produce and then we write our menu based on that availability.” As for the wintertime, many farms will use greenhouses to keep up with demand, but the cold months can be hard to acquire everything the business needs.

Part of this local operation is the protein. The Butchery at Blackbelly is a beast of its very own. A shining emblem of old-world style right here in the modern era. Colorado is known for some of the best meat in the country, especially lamb, so using it is a no-brainer. For many of us, it’s the prime cuts that we know and – for the most part – have access to. Hosea is changing that by using the entire animal. By butchering the animal in-house, offering courses, and allowing customers to experience the wide range of cuts that are hard to find in other grocers, Hosea and the crew at Blackbelly are changing the way we see meat. From Bavettes, liver, or bone marrow, they’re expanding our horizons. “There’s a lot of muscles in an animal, and tenderloin is [just] one percent of the weight of the whole cow” Hosea tells us. Providing consumers a larger variety brings us closer to the animal that we’re consuming, brings us sustainable solutions to the meat industry, and emphasizes the importance of high-quality local products.

Whether you’re there for their breakfast burritos, their pan-seared scallops, or a freshly cut hanger, the message is the same: good food requires great ingredients and a great chef.

The post Off Menu with Hosea Rosenberg appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Off Menu With Shamane Simons

Laurenz Busch — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 17:47:16 +0000

Master of the Baked is turning up, turning over, and filling our lives with sweets, treats, and healthy eats.

Make food with love and care, nourish the body, feed the soul. Shamane Simons, owner and founder of Shamane’s Bake Shoppe, has been doing so for sixteen years. Having started her culinary career at the Flagstaff house in the pastry department, Shamane quickly ascended to mastery after going to culinary school, baking cakes for famous rock stars, and then working in Europe as a private Chef perusing all the local markets for inspiration. Her pastry career was unexpected, to say the least, but set the foundation for her eventual business that now straddles the delicate balance between indulgence and nutrition.

Today, Shamane can be found developing coffee drinks at the front, doing quality control in the back, or engaging with her customers. Balancing between both departments, baking and cooking, she believes in an all hands on deck attitude and has similar expectations for her team. Her experiences have shown her that independence and creativity are the key ingredients to success in a kitchen that is constantly changing with demand. She strives hard to provide that for her employees, but often it comes down to the attitude with which they seize the day. “I tend to have a very high energy,” she says, so she likes to be surrounded by the same. What comes of it are high-quality baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and more, made from top shelf ingredients such as European butter and chocolate.

Shamane’s culinary vision and style have developed a close-knit community within the kitchen, providing flexible menu dynamics for creativity to flourish. Beyond making her rounds, Shamane is constantly educating her staff. She believes in minimal to no waste and locally sourced ingredients and tries hard to convey that to her staff. Having been a member of the Boulder Farmers Market for over 12 years, she often sends her staff out to buy baskets full of new ingredients based on local availability. This flux in ingredients is often the key factor to their changing menu, even if those changes are seemingly minor such as using heirloom wheat for their croissant doughs.

What stands out when you enter Shamane’s Bake Shoppe is the amazing feast of baked goods that line their counter, but it’s Shamane’s vision of care and love that shines through everything. “I want to serve the public exactly how I would want to eat,” she says, and she does so by using consciously chosen ingredients and making everything from scratch in-house. Located in a business park, much of Shamane’s walk-in business comes from the surrounding area and from call in orders for her pies, cakes, or pastries. “We’re known for our pies” she says, people come for the large variety. Whether savory or sweet, pot pie, or fruit pie, Shamane has something to quell even the most stubborn of palates. For Shamane, food is life, it’s a way for people to find comfort and to heal, it’s a nutritious avenue that replenishes the mind, body and soul.

It “doesn’t mean that you have to have pressed celery juice,” she says, it just means that “you should feel good” and that “it goes into your system as a healthy thing as opposed to something toxic.” At the end of the day, Shamane is creating a connection between her food and her patrons. “It’s really just about making people happy,” she says.

Unfortunately, food can also be a point of contention for people and Shamane understands that. She says that “cuisine is very important in people’s lives, but a lot of people have a demonized relationship with food.” Whether that is because of cravings or weight issues, she wants to provide the opportunity for all people to satisfy their desires and feel good about it. With a smorgasbord of sweets and treats that effortlessly attract all who come by, the temptation is real and Shamane understands that. She says that she’ll encourage customers to go with one of their hearty salads or some freshly made lemonade or iced tea in an attempt to convey that there are many avenues to satisfaction.

At the end of our conversation, I asked Shamane, “is it still stressful after sixteen years?” She replied, “is it what?” Perhaps she didn’t hear me, perhaps the question was too rhetorical for a veteran of the culinary world, still I found it important at the time and so I asked again, “ is it stressful?” This time, she laughed and said, “It’s always stressful.” “If you’re looking for an easy career this is certainly not one of them. You better love it. If you don’t truly love it you probably shouldn’t do it.

The post Off Menu With Shamane Simons appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Love Trek: Epic Hikes for Elevated Romance

Laurenz Busch — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 05:01:23 +0000

Dating is hard. It requires effort, and small talk; it requires maneuvering weird social norms and mannerisms while communicating effectively and building a healthy and genuine bond with another person. What better place to do so than going out… and into an environment where trust is key, good decision making is a must, and natural beauty is plentiful. In the era of adventure buddies and instagram explorers, it’s time to get with it and get outside. Boulder may be a bubble of Lululemon, Patagonia, and Arcteryx, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t actually getting outside. Despite the hype, people are exploring the outdoor world more and more. Sure, some of it is due to social media, but a lot of it is an understanding of nature’s profound ability to affect our bodies and our mental health. If you live in Boulder, you’ve definitely been outside and, even more likely, you’ve probably done something outdoorsy. And perhaps you may be dating. We’re here to bring those two together to provide you the best day hikes and weekend trips for a date. Whether it’s your first, your last, or somewhere in between, the mountains are calling, and you two (or three) must go.

1.Mt. Sanitas

Boulder is home to some of the best hiking around and a fantastic place for an outdoorsy date. Up the road at the base of the foothills on Mapleton lies the trailhead for Mt. Sanitas, a 3.1 mile loop that can also be done as an out and back. Along the way you’ll catch beautiful glimpses of the greater Boulder area as you make your way towards the summit. With a steep start, you will eventually find some more even terrain towards the middle upon which you can casually traverse amongst the pines and wildflowers (depending on the season.) If you’re lucky there are several deer that are known to hang around the area. At the top you’re graced by an amazing vista of the CU campus, the Flatirons, the extensive plateau that stretches to the east, and the continuing flow of foothills to the North. Bring a lunch, drink plenty of water, and embrace one of Boulder’s best hikes.

2. Chautauqua / Flatirons

We know it, you know it, and most of us love it. Yes, it can get incredibly busy, but there are plenty of spots to feel lightyears away from the doldrums of society. Chatauqua is a beautiful place for a date. Bring a picnic, explore the Flatirons, stroll along the more mellow terrain, or take in all the spectacular views of the foothills and the wildflowers that gently cover them. The best, obviously, is to get yourself up that first or second flat iron. 2.6 miles and 1,400 ft gain. Yeah, it’s a decent amount of elevation gain, but it’s famous for a reason. It’s the quintessential Boulder hike. The view at the top only adds to, if not obliterates, the majesty that you experience day after day staring up at them. Much of the hikes are on small single track that winds its way up and around each formation. On occasion, you can get so close to the actual Flatiron that you might even be able to see some climbers making their way up a more ‘direct’ route.

3. Royal Arch

At 4 miles and 1,492ft of gain this is a moderately trafficked single track and a perfect experience to one of Boulder’s most coveted natural formation (besides the Flatirons of course). This out-and-back gives you a chance to mingle among the trees, the birds, and the bees. The trailhead is at Chautauqua and runs south along the foothills past the third flatiron and over Sentinel Pass. Drink some water and gaze out over Boulder and NCAR, this area is known for its Bouldering and climbing so be on the lookout for climbers as you continue on the final approach to the arch. The area has tons of other trails so it’s possible to combine them along with this hike if four miles just isn’t enough for you. It’s possible to include the first and second flatiron in your hike if you’re feeling especially motivated. Royal Arch is great all year round, just bring the proper equipment in case of ice or snow. A spectacular natural arch awaits you as you and your date make your way onto an adventure all your own.

4. South Peak

This is a big one. 7.9 miles and 2,913ft of gain, which is about 750 ft each mile. It’s decent, and most definitely worth it. Start your hike south of Boulder at the trailhead for Townee Trail. Follow Townee until it meets with Shadow Canyon Trail, which you’ll follow to the top. Up, Up, Up, some more and up, up, and up some more you’ll go. No matter the weather, the hike is possible, but even in the hot summer months the canyon you follow will keep you cool as you stairmaster your way up towards the saddle between Bear Peak and South Peak. It’s definitely a workout, but that doesn’t mean you and your date won’t have a good time. Bring some snacks, drink a lot of water, read poetry to one another while you lingerly stare into the sublime abyss of nature’s perfect chaos of trees, earth, and low lying plants, bushes, and vines, and surrender to the kickass sensation of peak bagging. Once you reach the saddle you’ll hang left and make your way to the top of South Peak. If you want to do Bear Peak instead, hang right. The very top is a rock field that requires some technical hiking. The summit presents you with views West into the Rockies, east over the plains, Bear peak to the north, and Golden to the south. An absolute local beast right there for the taking.

5. Brainard Lake

Just outside of Boulder up Left Hand Canyon is Ward. And just outside of Ward is Brainard Lake Recreation Area in which lies, as you may have already guessed, Brainard Lake. The hike out to the lake is absolutely wonderful at any time of year. Whether you are snowshoeing, walking, running, or sauntering around in proper John Muir style, you are certain to find solitude, beauty, and inspiration amongst the higher altitude forests that surround you. The snowshoe trail starts and ends at the Brainard Gateway Trailhead and comes in at 4.8 miles. It is possible to drive all the way to Brainard lake depending on snow and start a different hike from there. The entire area all the way West to Granby lake is littered with hikes and lakes to explore. Everything from day hikes to multi-day trips are found throughout the area. Brainard Lake, however, is a great option for a winter snowshoeing trip. If you don’t own a pair, you can rent them from a local outdoor shop. What would be better than a date to a Colorado winter wonderland as you and your date slowly make your way through stunning beauty only to come up on a picturesque mountain lake surrounded by the romantic high peaks of the Rockies?

6. Chasm Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s right there, a mere hour drive from Boulder to Estes Park. Estes Park, a date all its own, has plenty to explore and provide for pre- and post-hike activities. Nearby is the gateway to RMNP where the real hike starts. Chasm Lake is a badass 8.5 mile hike with 2,500ft elevation gain and a max altitude of 11,823 ft. This is definitely one of the most strenuous hikes but one well worth it. A heavily trafficked route (it is a national park after all) leads you way up to the high altitude lake. At the lake you’ll see the stunning Diamond face of Longs peak towering above you. More than 2,400 ft of solid rock, the Diamond is a humbling experience of sheer natural power. Although both Longs and Mount Lady Washington are nearby, they both add considerably more effort and danger to a hike. Chasm Lake is definitely a wonder all its own within Colorado. A strenuous hike that will certainly provide plenty of awe to fulfill desire and stimulate conversation.

7. Mt. Sneffels

This is a difficult hike, so remember to use proper gear, do proper research, and practice good outdoor skills. Located in the San Juans, this 14er is rated an easy Class 3, 6 mile out and back with 2,900 ft of gain. It’s far away (six hour drive to be exact) but it is 100 percent worth it. Use the drive to expand your understanding of one another, share your best playlists, embrace a little awkward silence, and take in the sights of the oft dangerous I-70 corridor. Mt. Sneffels is most easily accessed through Ouray, Colorado, a picturesque town tucked into an isolated valley deep within the towering spikes of the San Juans. A great place to stock up before or replenish after, Ouray is a really spectacular place to explore together (we visited Ouray on a winter travel loop recently, so check that article out at YellowScene.com). Your hike starts at 4-6am from the first trailhead in Yankee Boy Basin 9.5 miles outside of Ouray. The long dirt road becomes increasingly more hairy as you make your way from 7,792 ft to 11,350 ft. so having all-wheel-drive or 4×4 is recommended. It is possible to get to an even higher trailhead at 12,460ft but a high clearance vehicle with 4×4 is required – you’ll be rolling over boulders getting up there. As you start your hike, headlamps on, enough water for the entirety of the trip, and food aplenty, the cool crisp air tingles against your face as your body begins to heat up by the exertion required to hike at such altitude. Small lakes, a glacier, wildflower galore, and absolutely stunning views of the great Yankee Boy Basin will lie before you as you haul yourself up and up towards the looming beast you’re about to bag. From the second and higher up trailhead, it’s a mild traverse across a rock field to the base of the rockslide that leads you to the saddle just below the summit. Helmets are recommended and starting early is key. The rockslide is loose and dangerous and if you hit it late, when others are coming down, you’ll be dogging rock bullets the size of oranges. Bring a helmet. If you don’t have one, rent one from one of the guide companies in Ouray. Scrambling your way up the side is hard work but the views only get better. To your left a second more technical route makes its way to the summit via the Southwest Ridge. Below you, people slowly make their way up and a growing vista of beauty extending out behind them. Then, like it ain’t no thang, you’ve done it, you’re at the saddle. Drink some water, congratulate one another, take in the first views of the north and keep hauling. The last bit is up a narrow chute to the crux, where you jump and squeeze yourself through a little hole in the wall and emerge at the base of a small climb to the summit. Then, after all your work, you’re there. You, your date, some other similar minded people, and the local marmot, gather together surrounded by absolute expansive beauty at 14,150ft. In all directions, peaks and valleys extend endlessly as though you’re standing at the height of existence itself gazing upon the mighty San Juans.

8. Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are sand dunes in Colorado. Massive Sand Dunes. Or should we say Great Sand Dunes? Roughly four hours south of Boulder, lies another one of Colorado’s National Parks, Great Sand Dunes National Park. Another long drive that will need to be incorporated into an overnight trip, the sand dunes offer an adventure all their own. It’s definitely hard hiking in deep sand but perhaps that just means you won’t have to go as far. With a wonderful little visitor center, the hike starts with a short jaunt across a flat river bed to the base of the dunes. From there, it’s all fair game. Go where you wish, just don’t get lost. If you do, head south to the visitor center? Don’t know where south is? Get high and hope you find sight of civilization. In all seriousness, don’t go unprepared, and make sure you know how to stay safe. The dunes are a conglomerate of deep pits, long spines, high peaks, and an incredible amount of sand. Our editor did a flight over the park with the Sierra Club to see where the Trump administration planned to do oil drilling (read online) and he confirms it’s absolutely stunning and massive.

You can hike around and explore, you can jump, run, slide, and you can even snowboard or ski down one of the many slopes. Bring a picnic, take in the vast valley that surrounds the dunes to the west, and look up at the peaks that cradle them to the east. Mt. Blanca is ancient and sacred to the native population, specifically the Dine Nation. When you’re tired and done and ready to head out, you probably don’t want to drive all the way back to Boulder so check out the nearby town of Del Norte. Although it’s a straight shot west for about an hour, it won’t add much time to your trip back. Instead of taking the I-25 back up as you probably will have taken it down, you can take the mountain roads back through Salida and then either up to the I-70 corridor or east along the 285. It’ll take about four hours to get back to Boulder. Why go to Del Norte? Well, it’s home to Three Barrel Brewing. A seemingly odd placement for a brewery of its caliber, Three Barrel has made a name for itself in the tiny town in the south of Colorado far from the hustle and bustle of summit county, denver, or grand junction. Serving up delicious pizza and good beer by kind hearted people, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just getting to know one another or you’ve been married for fifty years dating is an integral part of a relationship. It’s the time and space to take one another out into the world and spend dedicated time together, to get to know each other (again), to figure out what is currently exciting the other, and to just say, ‘hey you’re great and I want to be with you’. We get it, bars and restaurants are the thing to do; we’re just here to say that hiking is cool, too. Getting out in nature is healthy, it brings people together, it pushes our boundaries and develops trust. It’s romantic, and beautiful, it’s primal, it’s vast, and it’s the absolutely perfect environment for two lovers to come together and ponder the world together.

The post Love Trek: Epic Hikes for Elevated Romance appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sexual Education and how Colorado’s New Bill is Changing the Way we Teach

Laurenz Busch — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 19:41:36 +0000

I want to have The Talk. You know, the sex one. Birds and the Bees. The one we all had when we were young. Except this time it’s not going to be awkward and cringe-worthy. It’s going to be honest and open. When many of us think back to our own sexual health courses we remember condom coated bananas, anonymous anything-goes questions, and dreadful birth videos. Well, a lot of things have changed in the last several decades and with the rise of readily available technology and changing cultural norms, sexual education has also been forced to change. For many, it simply has not been providing enough for our young people. Although this article is about the young folk and their sexual education system, it applies to all – especially now with rising STI rates amongst those over 60. The message is loud and clear, sexual health is important, so listen up: have safe, emotionally supportive and vulnerable sex, and push the boundaries that make you want to stop reading.

Young people learn about sexual health and sex in school, but most of the actual consistent learning comes from other informal methods. Through friends, social media, parents, the Internet, or the roughly 7000 years worth of pornography that one porn site claims to have, young people are exploring sex and learning about it through ways that are often not authentic, let alone accurate. (Yes, there are actually 7000 years of porn on the Internet.)

Many of the ‘formal’ education courses aren’t as comprehensive as they could be and tend to withhold information. Withholding information does not prevent teenagers from having sexual relationships. A lack of comprehensive sexual health education has also been correlated with the epidemic of sexual violence that plagues the U.S. (and the world). By not receiving a well-rounded, all encompassing education, many people will leave high school without the tools necessary to protect themselves and others, often times resulting in an inability to navigate tricky social environments where sexual encounters are common and likely.

In Colorado, where many of us live, grow, love, and often breed, the most recent change happened last May when Governor Jared Polis signed HB 19-1032, commonly known as the Sexual Education Bill, into law. This bill updates an existing law from 2013 and makes some major changes to how sexual health is taught in Colorado. This recent bill moves to include more progressive topics that provide students with a comprehensive education, that is, if the district chooses to do so.

That’s right, Colorado does not require school districts to have any sort of sexual health course. It doesn’t even require schools to talk about HIV/AIDS. Colorado isn’t alone though. There are only 24 other states that actually require any sort of sexual health credit for graduation. Think about that. Only ten states mandate medical accuracy and only nine require that consent be discussed. If a district in Colorado does decide to teach sexual health, the new bill mandates what needs to be taught and how it must be taught.

HB 19-1032 breakdown

Schools must now include:

• Consent as it relates to a safe and healthy relationship

• Safe haven laws

• Medically accurate information

• Preventative methods for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS

• The link between human papillomavirus and cancer

Schools may not:

• Emphasize sexual abstinence as the best or only preventative method.

• Use explicit or implicit shame-based or stigmatizing language or instruction tools

• Employ gender stereotypes

• Exclude the health needs of the LGBTQ community

HB 19-1032 states that sex ed courses must also be ‘culturally sensitive’ to marginalized communities and to include those whose experiences have traditionally been left out of sexual health and education, programs, and policies.”

The bill is a solid step towards Colorado schools progressing to the point of students receiving a modern, more comprehensive sexual education. Still, it falls short in several ways.

Shortfalls of HB 19-1032

In the past, charter schools used waivers to bypass certain sexual education requirements. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from waiving new requirements unless under certain circumstances, but it does not clearly prohibit schools from applying for a waiver. Charter schools must clarify their reasoning for requiring a waiver and the State Board of Education votes on it. The Liberty Commons School in Fort Collins has already received a waiver to the new bill. Liberty Commons teaches human reproduction in 5th grade science focusing on cell division. The course does not include human sexuality but they say that “students are exposed to relationships and situations described in Greek mythology, the anthropology of North American tribes, and those of many other world cultures past and present,” according to the request sent to the state. It goes on to say that “Liberty Common’s rigorous, academically focused curriculum affords no unallocated classroom time to accommodate this additional curriculum without threatening the robust instruction that presently, and historically forms the basis for the school’s Charter Contract.”

The bill had also initially included that schools must discuss ‘relationship models’ amongst the LGBTQ community. This was taken out of the final version after an upheaval amongst parents wrongly believing their children were going to be taught explicit sexual acts that occur in LGBTQ relationships, a misguided right wing talking point with no basis in fact that nonetheless riled conservatives.

Pregnancy prevention is mandated, but pregnancy outcomes are optional. If a district decides to teach about pregnancy outcomes, they must include all options such as abortion and adoption. Safe haven laws, which decriminalize leaving unharmed infants in designated safe zones, are required to be taught regardless.

Sexual Education

Sexual health education has a complicated history in the U.S. States slowly became serious about sexual education starting in the 1960’s. When the federal government finally took on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the late 1980’s, sexual education became a big deal. By 1990’s states had mandates for HIV/AIDS. IN 1996, Title V was enacted which heavily pushed for abstinence-only programs. According to the report ‘Abstinence Education Programs: Definition, Funding, and impact on Teen Sexual Behavior’ from the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2017, one third of the federal funding for teen sexual health education was for abstinence education.

Sexual education is important. It has been widely proven to decrease sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, and STI transmission. People are inherently sexual and most will engage in sexual behaviors in their lifetime. It seems obvious to say, but our society stereotypically continues to use a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy, which inherently perpetuates the belief that discussions about sex are awkward, private, and invasive. Instead of doing so, many experts believe that open, honest, and shame-free conversations need to occur to promote healthy living.

According to Teresa Wroe, the Senior Director of Education & Prevention & Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder and Janine D’Anniballe Ph.D, the Director at Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA), normalizing sexual discussion and treating sexual health as an integral part of anyone’s life is important. Wroe says, “we often treat these kinds of issues as ad hoc issues and not core to the development and education of young people.” That we see sexual health as an act and something personal rather than a component of everyday life.

Both also agree that educators must take on a stronger role in providing sexual education. Wroe says, “Often times people who are teaching [sexual] education in a school don’t have enough knowledge themselves to be doing it in a way that is really productive.” D’Anniballe shared a story of a teacher who, when introducing MESA to their class, said something along the lines of, “listen up because this is the only time you are going to hear anything about this issue related to consent while you’re in high school.”

Different external programs provide the ability for public schools to invite guest speakers for sexual health. MESA is one of these approved programs. According to D’Anniballe, “a very small amount of schools bring us in.” When asked why that is, she says it comes down to whomever the health teacher is and whether they believe it to be necessary.

For D’Anniballe, what’s needed is a “comprehensive sexual health education examining some of the problematic gender stereotypes, gender constructs, oppressive culture around gender dynamics, and power.” Learning about the basic bodily functions, prevention, STI’s, etc. is important, but there is so much more at play in regards to sexual health within our society. The shortcoming of sexual education is the lack of ‘progressive’ topics that need to be provided to students consistently throughout their development. Wroe says there simply needs to be more, that arriving on CU’s campus and receiving “one program or one hour or them seeking it out here [and] there without it having been embedded in their education throughout their development makes it particularly challenging.”

According to the 2016 CU-Boulder Survey, 71% of sexual assaults will occur in the very first semester of college, and even though colleges require incoming students to take part in sexual education programs when they first arrive, Wroe believes it can’t possibly be enough. She says, “students need more of this information well before college.” And that “when students first arrive on campus it is unmooring to be in such an intense new social environment, [where] everyone who is arriving is focused on meeting people, making friends, having a good time; [it] masks people’s abilities to recognize high-risk situations.” The problem, according to Wroe, is that the process doesn’t start early enough and isn’t extensive enough. She says that, “We [college campuses] are mid-stream in the educational and developmental process of young people and the onset of these behaviors tend to be in later high school and then early college.”

Expanding sexual education in middle school and high school and perhaps even earlier would allow students to have more time to develop the necessary tools for having healthy and safe relationships. The Blue Bench in Denver suggests educational programs should start as early as 3rd to 5th grade. It’s important to recognize that young people will engage in risky behavior and experiment with their sexuality and sexual behaviors.

According to the 2018 study, ‘Does sex education before college protect students from sexual assault in college?’, it isn’t the case:

• 5.5% of study participants had oral sex before age 15, 36.1% between ages 15-17

• 1.8% of study participants had vaginal sex before age 15, 28.1% between ages 15-17

By recognizing teenage trends and habits it becomes possible to educate effectively by creating an open and safe dialogue rather than ignoring it in hopes that it just won’t happen. Young people will inevitably learn and seek out information about sex and sexual health, and more often than not they seek it through informal methods, such as pornography and peers.

Pornography

The average male will start watching pornography at 11 years old. Pornography is a performance, it’s readily available, and the amount that exists is close to infinite. (Pornhub claims to have 11 petabytes worth, or 6,976 years.) Pornography presents the viewer with what sex looks like and what it sounds like. It depicts what roles people play, provides gender stereotypes, depicts different fantasies and different pleasures.

Wroe continually emphasized the ability for people to examine information. She says, “kids are super curious about ‘what is sex? What would that feel like? What would I like?’. They’re seeking out information to figure [those things] out. — pornography gives them very explicit information about [sex].” Wroe continues that pornography can be “problematic” because young people may not be properly examining what they are consuming, doubting that young people are asking themselves, “Does this match with my fantasy [and] would this match with someone else’s fantasies and how would I figure that out?’” For most, porn use isn’t a problem.

According to the study, ‘Profiles of Cyberpornography Use and the Sexual Well-Being of Adults’, most people watch porn in a way that doesn’t interfere with their sex lives. However, porn can have dangerous consequences, such as affecting ones sexual drive and providing unrealistic expectations, such as insatiable female sex drives. Porn can certainly affect the way people live their lives but the common approach of illegalizing it or getting rid of it doesn’t seem to be as effective as would be teaching people how to have a healthy relationship with porn. The sheer amount on the internet alone would be difficult to get rid of and such arguments tend to stem from similar rationale as abstinence-only education agendas, both being ineffective.

What’s important and what it comes down to is how society is going to grapple with the fact that people watch porn. Will it choose to and continue to shame porn use or will it provide people the ability to examine their porn consumption through acceptance and dialogue.

In the U.S.A., the lowest legally acceptable age to watch porn is 18 years old, but according to D’Anniballe, “Porn is teaching our young people about sexual violence.” We can either “stay silent and let that teaching predominate or we [can] take a more active role.” She goes on to say that, “if kids are starting watching porn at 11, we need to start talking about sexual violence education at age 11 or even younger.” One has to consider the effects for someone who watches porn for years but never examines it in a formal educational setting. Laughing ironically, Wroe agrees that “the internet’s been educating our young people — peers and the internet.”

Consent

The new bill has been largely commended for including consent as a mandatory topic for sexual health courses. Consent as defined in the bill is “the affirmative, unambiguous, voluntary, continuous, knowing agreement between all participants in each physical act within the course of a sexual encounter or interpersonal relationship.” This moves the discussion from rape avoidance techniques and places the responsibility upon those who are most likely to commit sexual violence.

Consent promotes dialogue between people and promotes agency over their bodies. According to D’Annibale, consent also needs to start early. If a child is asked whether they can be picked up, it allows them the option to choose if they want someone to touch them. This provides the person with an understanding that ‘this is my body and I choose who gets to touch it’. In regards to sexual violence, this will eventually mature into an understanding between partners. Integrating consent moves sexual education from an understanding of possibilities and objective truths to changing group consciousness that helps society progress — the outcome being a potential decrease in sexual violence.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is an epidemic. Wroe says, “It’s a huge burden [and] challenge for society.” According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics sexual assault data from 2018, rates have fallen since the early 1990’s but have continued to be stagnant since 2002 ranging between 1-1.5 percent of the population. A big probelm around sexual assault has to do with reporting. Reporting and dealing with claims of sexual assault can lead to retribution, shame, and often isn’t dealt with properly or justly. The numbers, however, show that more reports are being made. In 2017, SafeHouse Progressive Alliance for Non-Violence in Boulder had 9,121 calls to its domestic violence hotline. MESA had 172 calls in September 2019. “MESA’s been around for 47 years and [in September] the number of calls exceeded our busiest month by 20 percent” says D’Anniballe

When asked why this is, both Wroe and D’Anniballe point towards recent movements and societal awareness. D’Anniballe says, “the #metoo movement has brought a huge amount of awareness to this issue.” People have become more empowered to report sexual violence, when in the past they often didn’t or couldn’t.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, at any age, and anywhere. Here are the facts:

In the U.S.A, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center:

In the U.S.A:

• One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives

• In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator

• One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before 18

• 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police

• False reporting is low – between 2% and 10%

In Colorado

• 3rd highest sexual assault rate per 100,000 population among states

• Assault rate is 65.9 per 100,000, U.S. is 41.7 per 100,000

• Lifetime prevalence of sexual violence for women is 23.8% – the national prevalence is 18.3%

Boulder County Crime statistics:

• Thirty-nine reported incidents of rape in 2018 – seven arrests made

• One hundred and twenty-one reported incidents of sexual assault

At CU-Boulder

According to CU-Boulder 2016 survey (13,009 students (41% reponse rate))

• 28% of undergraduate women experience sexual assault

• 6% of undergraduate men experience sexual assault

• 10% of graduate women

• 2% of graduate men experience sexual assault

• 71% of sexual assaults occur during the Fall semester

• 67% of sexual assaults happened to first-years, 20% to second years.

• 92% did not make an official report to the university or to police

Sexual education, when properly taught, has been proven to decrease the risk of sexual violence. The 2018 NCBI study, ‘Does sexual education protect students from sexual assault in college?’, students who had less sexual education were more likely to experience sexual violence. Other factors were included, such as pornography, alcohol, and drug usage.

STIs amongst older populations

Interestingly enough, it’s not just young people who are being affected by a lack of sexual education. With the aging out of the Boomers, many people have come to an age where they may have lost a life partner and have decided to become sexually active again. Many of these folk were educated back when sexual education was nowhere near as informative and accurate as it is today. Although antibiotics and other methods of treatment have become commonplace, STIs have been soaring back. According to a study done by Aetna there has been a 23 percent increase for STIs in adults over the age of 60. Compared to the entire population, which saw an 11 percent increase, the rate for those over 60 is significantly higher. For many, sex amongst the elderly isn’t a common topic of discussion, but perhaps it should be. If anything, talking about issues that aren’t often addressed are the best ways for them to come into the main-stream. It’s the exact same problem that faces the youth of America. If we don’t talk about it, no one will know, and nothing will change. What’s more is that this should clearly show that sexual education isn’t something that should be limited to a certain age range. People of all ages have an obligation to continually educate themselves and seek out accurate information that aids in the betterment of their sexual selves.

Education is changing

Sexual education is changing because society is changing and its demands are changing. Colorado’s new Sexual Health Education Bill is a step in the right direction. Slowly our society is progressing to a place where sexuality and sexual experiences are treated with compassion, not shame and guilt; to a place where we understand that good, comprehensive sexual education not only keeps us and others safe, but teaches people how to have healthy relationships, how to respect others, and how to express oneself in ways too often left to the shadows of our private lives.

The post Sexual Education and how Colorado’s New Bill is Changing the Way we Teach appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Giving Guide: Giving Back the Best Way We Know How

Laurenz Busch — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 21:43:01 +0000

As providers of the word, here’s the word on giving. Giving is great. Giving is inspiring. Giving is even better when it directly affects your community. We’ve come up with a collection of Boulder County organizations that are super good do-gooders doing good the best way they know how.

Best of all, they not only offer support and resources to a wide range of individuals, but they also offer the opportunity for you to give back. Our first thought was money; perhaps it was yours as well and understandably so. Money rules. It allows organizations to fund their programs and propels our little world round and round in all the ways, good and bad. That being said, we decided to dig a little deeper and were soon confronted with dozens of other ways to donate beyond the obvious monetary contribution. Highlighting ten local non-profits, we’re providing you with a smorgasbord of different opportunities. Heck yes they’ll accept your hard earned crisp dollar bills as a viable source of change, we’re not going to deny that as a form of giving. However, there are plenty of ways for you to donate your time, skills, and that uniquely awesome, change-initiating creativity. From knitting to writing, from lifting to organizing, from neighborhood food drives to rescuing misfortunate adventurers, there’s something for everyone. So read up and do some good, ya heard?

The Period Pals

Menstrual insecurity is a thing and it’s not talked about enough. Each year women will miss work and/or school because of a lack of feminine hygiene products. Can that possibly be happening in Boulder? Yeah, it can, and yeah, it certainly is. Period Pals is in the business of working to end this by providing yearlong supply hygiene bags through the Boulder Valley School District. They accept monetary donations as well as your time to help them organize these bags. They host a variety of events, including “A Party at Our Pad” and they’re even looking to start a youth coalition to get the Boulder youth involved with solving this problem. Students can also help by spreading awareness and helping to manage the Period Pals social media accounts. If you or your kids are looking for an awesome way to directly solve a local problem, The Period Pals are there to help.

Contact:

periodpalsproject.com
periodpalsproject@gmail.com

Love for Lily

Each year parents of newborns are faced with the devastating news that for one reason or another their child is being placed into the NICU. Love for Lily is here to support those parents in these troubling times. When a family experiences a trauma community support becomes incredibly necessary. Love for Lily is in the business of inciting awareness of this issue and of the fact that support systems exist. By providing resources and support groups, families gain an edge on their experience and the tools they need to make their lives a little easier. Love for Lily suggests holding knitting groups to provide blankets and other goods, writing letters of support, sympathy, and comfort, or joining in on one of the many events they host. Your caring words, your knitting skills, and your creativity can all have a direct effect on local families that are struggling. Love for Lily is providing the setting and resources for you to do so.

Contact:

PO Box 18957, Boulder
(720) 526-2556
lflnicu.org | love@lflnicu.org

SOIL – Slow Opportunities for Investing Locally

As a part of the larger Slow Money Institute, SOIL is bringing charitable donations and 0 percent interest loans to fund local and organic food. Working to build a member-driven revolving fund, SOIL is working to alleviate financial barriers that local farms face while also striving for justice and equity in the food system. Voting on who receives the loans is all done by members. Once the loan has been repaid, the money is recycled and granted to a different community member also growing sustainable soil and food. Being a member is one way to get involved and requires a tax-deductible donation of $250 for 12 months. Non-Voting Donations are available and do not have a minimum requirement. There are also specific memberships available to BIPOC or LGBTNB serving organizations or individuals working to alleviate forms of societal injustice. Realizing how powerful this project has been is clearly evident, just ask Black Cat Farm, the first recipient of a zero percent interest loan.

Contact:
slowmoney.org/local-groups/soil

Martyred Angels

John Wayne Vogels started Martyred Angels in 2012 after his three-year-old son tragically passed in 2011. Since then, Martyred Angels has grown to provide families with support after experiencing the loss of a child. Experiencing a trauma as a family puts an incredible amount of strain on a family’s ability to stay together. Divorce, suicide attempts and successes, mental health problems, homelessness, and loss of work are all problems that families may face when they lose a child. One of the most vital resources for these families is external support from friends, family, and their community. Martyred Angels is working to provide that. What’s more, they’ve partnered with Spirit Horse Therapy and Training to provide families with equine therapy. According to John, the successes have been tremendous. Currently they are looking for donations to provide families with the monetary resources for this therapeutic process.

Contact:
Boulder, Colorado
martyredangelsfoundation.org

Attention Homes

Having helped over 12,000 young individuals, Attention Homes is fighting youth homeless in our community by providing prevention, intervention, and solutions. They work with the youth from the moment they are facing homelessness to the day they are able to care for themselves. By providing programs, shelters, an outreach program, and case management services, Attention Homes gives young people the tools they need to live a successful and independent life. How can you help? Donate, volunteer your time, or join them on March 1st 2020 for their (Denver) ‘Nuggets Night Out’ where $5 of every ticket bought using their promo code will be donated. They even offer internships.

Promo code for Nuggets Night Out: NUGATTENTIONHOMES

Contact:
1443 Spruce St., Boulder, CO
303.447.1206
attentionhomes.org

Boulder Emergency Squad

Boulder Emergency Squad (BES) is a 100% volunteer-run organization providing local emergency agencies mutual aid support for a variety of technical emergency situations. Founded in 1963, BES works hard to provide help with and execute Swift Water Rescues, Wildland Firefighting, Evidence Collecting, and even Unmanned Arial Systems searches, just to name a few. In 2018, BES had 94 incidents, 140 exercises, and 51 active members. There are three main ways for you to get involved: become a Rescuer, an Adjunct Rescuer, or volunteer for the business side of things. As a Rescuer, you would be heavily trained to successfully perform in the field while responding to emergency and non-emergency incidents. Adjunct Rescuers are individuals with specific skills that supplement rescue operations. Roles that are needed to maintain the non-profit include, Vehicle Maintenance, Accounting, Finance, IT, Grant Writing, Marketing and many more. BES is out there saving lives and keeping our community safe and they need your help!

Contact:
3532 Diagonal Highway, Boulder, CO 80301
303.443.4081
boulderrescue.org

A Woman’s Work

A Woman’s Work is helping women in the St. Vrain Valley whose immediate needs aren’t being immediately met. Often times a traumatic event, such as the death of a partner or child, or a serious and/or terminal illness leads to the loss of work, loss of housing, an inability to care for oneself or others, the inability to pay bills and so on. By helping to provide assistance with the many aspects of a woman’s daily life when facing trying times of grief, tragedy, or hardship, A Woman’s Work is giving women that chance to overcome and triumph. Want to help? Donate, volunteer, or shop at Fabulous Finds Upscale Consignment in Longmont where 60% goes back to A Woman’s Work. A Woman’s Work is working hard to get women in the local area out of certain financial burdens. Your help can make all the difference.

Contact: P.O. Box 817, Longmont, CO 80502
(303) 827-7085 | awomanswork.org
friends@awomanswork.org

SafeHouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence

With 40 years of community commitment and over 8,700 crisis hotline calls responded to in 2018, SafeHouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) is working hard to address domestic violence. Even here in beautiful Boulder County, domestic violence is a real and serious occurrence that should not be happening. You can do your part by volunteering to join one or several of their many volunteer roles. One example is the Domestic Abuse Response Team that is responsible for reaching out to officers and victims of every incident of domestic violence that is responded to. Others include volunteering for the Children’s Group, as a Court Advocate, or with the Crisis Line. Certain roles require a 33-hour Paraprofessional Anti-Violence Training that SPAN will be hosting in February. Other roles do not require training.

Contact:
835 North Street, Boulder, CO 80304
303.449.8623
safehousealliance.org

Harvest of Hope Pantry and Sister Carmen

Working to alleviate the stress that comes from food insecurity, Harvest of Hope Pantry and Sister Carmen are providing members of our community with supplemental food and support to help families experiencing difficult times. Helping is easy with many different ways to do so. Money buys food, helps the organizations run, and funds events and programs that local families need. Volunteering allows the food banks to run. Taking on a role as a Shopping or Inventory Assistants or as the Check-In Desk Volunteers for Harvest of Hope Pantry helps to make sure the pantry is ready to serve. Sister Carmen has a thrift store and a community garden; both supporting their mission and are dependent on volunteer support. If you’re looking to host an event and get other members of the community involved, holding a food drive is a great way to do so. Food drives come in varied sizes, big and small, but tend to be held by larger groups. That certainly doesn’t mean you can’t organize your friends and family and get one going. Both organizations are there to help and need your help. Come and be a part of creating and maintaining food security in our community!

Contact:
2960 Valmont Road, Boulder, CO 80301
720.382.1971
hopepantry.org

Autism Society of Boulder

Working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families, Autism Society of Boulder (ASBC) has been supporting local families by providing educational, recreational, and other opportunities since 2001. Everything from online groups to monthly events and skill development, the programs are vast and the direct impact on our community is evident. Providing the ability for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to grow, build community, and develop their interests is huge and important. Best part is you can get involved. Here’s how. Monetary donations? Yes. Volunteering? Yes. Events? Sponsoring? Administrative help? Yes, yes, and yes. Here’s the breakdown: Monetary means make a huge difference. They fund the organization and are spent on things like grants, programs, and events. Volunteering looks a lot like you giving your time to help specific programs run, such as iCan Shine Bike Clinic or the Airborne Open Gym. You could be a support group moderator, help with social media and marketing, or even join the Board of Directors.

Contact:
1905 15th Street #4909, Boulder, CO 80306
720-272-8231 | autismboulder.org

The post Giving Guide: Giving Back the Best Way We Know How appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder County Open Houses

Laurenz Busch — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 23:34:12 +0000

Alaya Preschool

3340 19th St, Boulder. – (303) 449-5248
Open House (Register Online)
Monday, October 7, 2019 9:00am – 10:15am | Tuesday, October 29, 2019 9:00am – 10:15am | Monday, November 18, 2019 9:00am – 10:15am
| Monday, December 9, 2019 9:00am – 10:15am

Bear Creek Elementary

2500 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder. — (720) 561-3500
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 9:30am – 10:45am | Thursday, December 5, 2019 9:30am – 10:45am | Wednesday December 18, 2019 9:30am – 10:45am

Birch Elementary (Broomfield)

1035 Birch St, Broomfield. – (720) 561-8800
Friday, November 15, 2019 9:30am – 11:00am | Monday, December 16, 2019 9:30am – 10:30am

Bixby School

4760 Table Mesa Dr. Boulder. – (303) 494-7508
Preschool and Kindergarten Open House: Thursday, October 17, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am
All School Open House: Thursday November 7, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am / 5:30pm – 6:30pm | Thursday, February 6, 2020 9:00am – 10:30am / 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Boulder Country Day School

4820 Nautilus Ct N. Boulder. — (303) 527-4931
Preschool – Kindergarten Open House: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am
All School Open House: Saturday November 2, 2019 10:00am – 12:00pm | Tuesday, February 4, 2020 9:00am – 10:30am

Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten

4072 19th St. Boulder. — (303) 541-0671
Open House:
Tuesdays 9:15am – 10:45am
(October 8th, November 5th, December 3rd, December 10th, January 14th, January 28th, February 11th, March 3rd, March 24th, April 14th, May 12th) |
Thursdays 9:15am – 10:45am
(October 24th, November 21st, January 9th, January 23rd, February 6th, March 12th, April 30th. May 28th)

Broomfield Heights Middle

1555 Daphne St, Broomfield. — (720) 561-8400
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Tuesday, December 10, 2019 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Centennial Middle

2205 Norwood Ave, Boulder — (720) 561-5441
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:40am – 11:00am | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Coal Creek Elementary

801 W Tamarisk St, Louisville — (720) 561-4500
Thursday, November 21, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Tuesday, December 10, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Columbine Elementary

3130 Repplier St, Boulder. — (720) 561-2500
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 10:00am – 11:00am | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Thursday, December 19, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Wednesday, January 8, 2019 10:00am – 11:00am

Community Montessori

805 Gillaspie Dr, Boulder. – (720) 561-3700
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Wednesday, November 20, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Thursday, December 12, 2019 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Creekside Elementary

3740 Martin Dr, Boulder. – (720) 561-3800
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 11:00am – 12:30am | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Crest View Elementary

1897 Sumac Ave, Boulder. — (720) 561-5461
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:00 – 10:00am | Tuesday, November 12, 2019 9:00 – 10:00am | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Douglass Elementary

840 N 75th St, Boulder. – (720) 561-5541
Friday, November 8, 2019 8:30am – 9:30am | Wednesday, November 20, 2019 1:15pm – 2:15pm | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Emerald Elementary

275 Emerald St, Broomfield. — (720) 561-8500 | Thursday November 14, 2019 8:15am – 9:15am

Fireside Elementary

845 W Dahlia St, Louisville. — (720) 561-7900
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Monday, December 2, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Flatirons Elementary

1150 7th St, Boulder. – (720) 561-4600
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Wednesday, November 13, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Friends School

5465 Pennsylvania Ave. Boulder – (303) 499-1999
Preschool Tour: Friday, October 18, 2019 – 9:30am | Wednesday, November 20, 2019 – 5:30pm | Tuesday, January 28 – 5:30pm |
Wednesday, February 12, 2019 – 9:30am

Kindergarten + Grades 1-5 Tour: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 – 9:00am | Thursday, January 23, 2019 – 9:00am
Kindergarten Info Meeting: Wednesday, November 13 – 9:00am

Foothill Elementary

1001 Hawthorn Ave, Boulder. — (720) 561-2600
Wednesday November 6, 2019 8:45am – 10:15am | Thursday, November 21, 2019 12:45pm – 2:15pm | Tuesday, December 3, 2019 6:00pm – 7:30pm | Tuesday, December 17, 2019 8:45am – 10:15am | Tuesday, December 17, 2019 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Horizons K-8

4545 Sioux Dr, Boulder. – (720) 561-3600
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am | Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Tuesday, December 10, 2019 6:00pm – 7:30pm | Tuesday, December 17, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am

Lafayette Elementary

101 N Bermont Ave, Lafayette. — (720) 561-8900
Thursday, November 21, 2019 8:30am – 10:00am | Thursday, December 5, 2019 8:30am – 10:00am

Louisville Elementary

400 Hutchinson St, Louisville. — (720) 561-7200
Thursday, November 21, 2019 6:00pm – 7:30pm | Monday, December 2, 2019 8:30am – 10:00am

Louisville Middle

1341 Main St, Louisville. – (720) 561-7400
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Mackintosh Academy

7018 South Prince Street. Littleton. — (303) 794-6222
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 9:00am

Manhattan Middle

290 Manhattan Dr, Boulder. — (720) 561-6300

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 6:00pm – 7:30pm | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 10:15am – 11:30am | Thursday, December 12, 2019 9:00am – 10:15am | Monday, December 16, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Mesa Elementary

1575 Lehigh St, Boulder. – (720) 561-3000
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

Monarch High

329 Campus Dr, Louisville. — (720) 561-4200
Thursday, December 5, 2019 9:00am – 10:30am | Thursday, December 5, 2019 2:30pm – 4:00pm | Tuesday, December 3, 2019 6:00pm – 9:00pm

New Vista High School

700 20th St. Boulder. – (720) 561-8700
Open House: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:30pm | Thursday, December 12, 2019 6:30pm | Tuesday, March 10, 2020 6:30pm

Peak to Peak Charter School

800 Merlin Dr. Lafayette – (303) 453-4600
Elementary School: Saturday, November 9, 2019 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Wednesday, November 20, 2019 5:00-6:00 PM |

Middle School: Saturday, November 9, 2019 9:30-10:30 AM | Tuesday, November 19, 2019 5:00-6:00 PM
High School (only accepts 9th and 10th graders): Saturday, November 9, 2019 8:00-9:00 AM | Monday, November 18, 2019 5:00-6:00 PM
Campus only tours: Thursday, November 7, 2019 9:00-10:00 AM | Wednesday, November 13, 2019 1:00-2:00 PM | Friday, December 6, 2019 9:00-10:00 AM | Monday, December 9, 2019 1:00-2:00 PM

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy

Middle School Event: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 6:00pm
Kindergarten Event: Tuesday/Wednesday, February 4 and 5, 2020 8:45am

Southern Hills Middle

1500 Knox Dr, Boulder. – (720) 561-3400
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Tuesday, December 3, 2019 6:00pm – 8:00pm

St. John the Baptist Catholic School

350 Emery St. Longmont. — (303) 776-8760
Middle school information Day: Wednesday, October 23,2019 8:30am-11:00am
Prospective Family Open House: Thursday, November 7, 2019 8:30am – 11:00am | Sunday, January 26, 2020 10:00am – 12:00pm Preschool Tours: Every Tuesday 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Summit Middle Charter

4655 Hanover Ave, Boulder. — (720) 561-3900
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Wednesday, December 11, 2019 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Thursday, November 21, 2019 12:40pm – 2:10pm

Tara Performing Arts High School

4180 19th St. Boulder. — (303) 440-4510
Open House: Saturday, November 16, 2019 (Time TBD) | Tara Curriculum Sampler Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 10:00am – 1:00pm

University Hill Elementary

956 16th St, Boulder. – (720) 561-5416
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Thursday November 7, 2019 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Tuesday, November 12, 2019 8:30am – 9:30am | Thursday, November 21, 2019 8:30am – 9:30am | Wednesday, December 4, 2019 8:30am – 9:30am | Friday, December 13, 2019 8:30am – 9:30am

Vista Ridge Academy

Watershed School

1661 Alpine Ave. Boulder. — (303)440-7520
Open House: Saturday, October 26, 2019 9:30am – 11:30am (Register online) | Saturday, November 16, 2019 9:30am – 11:30am (Register online)

Whittier Elementary

2008 Pine St, Boulder. – (720) 561-5431
Friday, November 15, 2019 8:15am – 9:15am | Friday, December 13, 2019 8:15am – 9:15am

St. Vrain School District

Middle School Open House Dates

Soaring Heights PK-8
3280 Co Rd 5, Erie. – (303) 702-8020
Wednesday, October 9, 5:00 p.m.

Timberline PK-8

233 E Mountain View Ave, Longmont. — (303) 772-7900
Monday, October 14, 5:00 p.m.

Coal Ridge Middle

6201 Booth Dr, Longmont – (303) 833-4176
Tuesday, October 15, 6:00 p.m.

Erie Middle

650 Main St, Erie – (303) 828-3391
Thursday, October 24, 6:00 p.m.

Mead Middle

620 Welker Ave, Mead – (970) 535-4446
Monday, October 28, 5:30 p.m.

Longs Peak Middle

1500 14th Ave, Longmont. — (303) 776-5611
Tuesday, October 29, 5:30 p.m.

Trail Ridge Middle

1000 Button Rock Dr, Longmont — (720) 494-3820
Wednesday, October 30, 6:00 p.m.

Altona Middle

4600 Clover Basin Dr, Longmont. — (720) 494-3980
Monday, November 4, 5:00 p.m.

Sunset Middle

1300 S Sunset St, Longmont. — (303) 776-3963
Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 p.m.

Lyons Middle Senior

100 McConnell Dr, Lyons. — (303) 823-6631
Thursday, November 7, 6:00 p.m.

Thunder Valley K-8

600 Fifth St, Frederick. — (303) 833-2456
Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 p.m.

Westview Middle

1651 Airport Rd, Longmont. — (303) 772-3134
Monday, November 18, 6:00 p.m.

St. Vrain High Schools

Erie High School

3180 Co Rd 5, Erie. – (303) 828- 4213
Wednesday, November 6, 6:00 p.m.

Lyons Middle Senior High School

100 McConnell Dr, Lyons — (303) 823-6631
Thursday, November 7, 6:00 p.m.

Innovation Center

33 Quail Rd, Longmont. — (720) 494-3969
Friday, November 8, 6:00 p.m.

Skyline High School

600 E Mountain View Ave, Longmont. – (720) 492- 3741
Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 p.m.

Longmont High School

1040 Sunset St, Longmont. — (303) 776-6014
Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 p.m.

Niwot High School

8989 Niwot Rd, Niwot – (303) 652-2550
Thursday, November 14, 6:00 p.m.

Mead High School

12750 Co Rd 7, Longmont. — (720) 494-3940
Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.

Silver Creek High School

4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont. — (720) 492- 3721
Wednesday, November 20, 6:00 p.m.

Frederick High School

5690 Tipple Pkwy, Longmont. — (303) 833-3533
Thursday, November 21, 6:00 p.m.

Olde Columbine High School

1200 S Sunset St, Longmont. — (720) 494-3961
Wednesday, December 4, 4:00 p.m.

St. Vrain Online Global Academy

1200 S Sunset St, Longmont. — (720) 494-3975
Wednesday, December 4, 4:00 p.m.

The Career Development Center

1200 S Sunset St, Longmont. — (303) 772-3333
Wednesday, December 4, 4:00 p.m.

The post Boulder County Open Houses appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Month In Review: March 2019

Laurenz Busch — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 23:15:19 +0000

De La Vaca for Yellow Scene Magazine

The Boulder Police Department has been under fire after officers drew their guns on an unarmed black man picking up garbage outside of his aparment. The community has responed with protests demanding police reform. Louis Sebastian gets life in prison without parole for downtown shooting in front of Bramble and Hare. Sebastian, 33, shot and killed Chris King, 49 at the bar and restaurant on the Pearl Street Mall in May 2017. A biker-friendly drivers course is returning to Boulder. The class is designed to teach all drivers the best ways to share the road with people riding bicycles. Upon completion of the class, participants will receive a Bicycle-Friendly Driver certificate and sticker to display on their vehicle. Delivering on a 2017 promise, the City of Boulder will start construction on the Scott Carpenter Park pool in 2019 and is expected to open in the 2020 summer season. The city has finalized the overall site plan and construction drawings. A six-year-old girl was injured when she fell off a ski lift at Eldora. The young girl from Boulder fell about 40 feet from the Sundance Ski Lift and was immediately assisted by Ski Patrol. A homeschooled Boulder student won his second spelling bee title. Cameron Keith, 12, will now head to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. at the end of May. Chronic wasting disease is spreading around the country and Boulder County is among the mandatory testing regions in Colorado. Chronic wasting disease is a contagious disease that kills deer. It has now spread to 24 states including Colorado. The disease can cause drastic weight loss, lack of coordination and drooping ears; you might have heard it called ‘zombie’ deer disease. The Colorado ‘red flag’ gun bill passed its first hearing. A Colorado House committee has passed the legislation that would permit the temporary seizure of guns from people deemed by a court to pose a threat to themselves or others. The Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee passed the bill 7-4 to send the bill to the appropriations committee. Officials at Hanging Lake will implement a visitor’s cap and will require a reservation and permit fee this year.

Small Talk

“I’ve been around for a long time and it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans.”

– President Donald Trump,
in a 2004 interview with Wolf Blitzer (shared
at the request of Boulder County GOP FB page)

“Right now, there are residents, they want to be able to petition their local government to try and reduce the amount of single-use waste consumption in their communities.And they’re currently precluded from doing that.”

– Morgan Cullen,
Colorado Municipal League lobbyist, on a proposed bill to reduce single use plastic

“I knew that school lunch shaming existed across the country. School lunch debt is when parents can’t afford to pay for their student’s lunch. The kids still get to eat, but (the family) gets a bill.”

– Kate LaCroix,
a Boulder County mom working to get rid of the BVSD’s school lunch debt

“We will fight to make sure the I-25 corridor is part of [a possible upcoming federal infrastructure spending package.]”

– Rep. Joe Neguse, Congressman for CO District 2, Democrat

The post Month In Review: March 2019 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.