by Mark Smiley | Mar 1, 2018 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Ruthy Wexler
Home Delivery: Part of what makes Longmont Dairy unique is the positive, loyal and individual way they treat employees, who tend to remain with the company. Workers are rewarded and celebrated for good performance; e.g., if route drivers have very low errors, they’ll earn free days off. Promotions are almost always done from within. LDF’s operation manager began as a route driver 14 years ago and worked his way up.
Co-Owners: Katie Herrmann and Dan Boyd, co-owners of Longmont Dairy Farm, pose with a variety of glass bottles, which their customers swear make the milk taste more delicious. Step-siblings, Katie and Dan, grew up working at Longmont Dairy. Both left Colorado to try their wings in other states and other jobs. Then, at coincidentally the same time, both decided to return home and enter the family business. In 2015, they bought in.
In the good old days, doctors made house calls, businesses answered phones and milk got delivered. Glendale itself was long called “Cowtown” due to the many dairies that used to be located there. But wait! Longmont Dairy — one of two remaining farms in Colorado that sells milk directly to customers — has just expanded into Cherry Creek, Glendale and Wash Park. Now residents in those neighborhoods can sign up to have bottles of fresh milk (and other products) delivered straight to their door.
Tradition!
“We’re very proud it’s only 48 hours, roughly, between the time our 550 cows are milked, and drivers get that milk to customers,” says Katie Herrmann, who, along with stepbrother Dan Boyd, is the third generation to run this family business.
Longmont Dairy began in 1965 when three fellows with experience in the dairy industry — Jim Boyd, Reese Boatman and Karl Obluda — bought a small herd of cows and built a processing plant behind the Boyds’ home in Longmont, Colo. By then, science had made milk from faraway dairies safe to drink, so increasing numbers were buying it in supermarkets. But the trio decided to create what they loved: an old-fashioned dairy.
By 1988, when Reese Boatman and Jim Boyd (remaining partners) retired, certain traditions had been established: producing the best possible product by feeding cows with the best quality grain and “serving customers beyond their expectations.”
Jim’s son David, along with his wife Susan (Herrmann’s mother), took over next. Although the couple modernized and grew the business substantially — reorganizing it as Longmont Dairy Farm, Inc. (LDF) — they kept what mattered, including home delivery, which had been almost entirely phased out across the country.
In 1991, a crisis arose: only one manufacturer of glass milk bottles remained in the U.S. Reluctantly, David and Susan began to explore other containers. Then — just as they were running out — their bottle cap supplier decided to produce the bottles.
Local
Herrmann and Boyd are aware they are carrying on a legacy.
Both grew up working at the dairy. Both left Colorado to figure out what they wanted from life — which, it turned out after some years, was to circle back home and buy into the business.
Despite opposite skill sets — Herrmann oversees marketing and customer service; Boyd’s in charge of the plant and trucks — they share one vision: to run Longmont Dairy with that same combination of business acumen and old-fashioned values.
Not the easiest balancing act — especially in a world where Amazon Fresh can deliver all your groceries almost immediately.
Longmont Dairy’s Own Cows: To maintain quality, they decided to offer milk produced by only their own cows and bottled in their plant. The cows are milked around the clock, the milk is sent from the farm to their processing plant where it is bottled within 24 hours. Then, at 10 p.m., the deliveries start, and milk is on the customers’ doorsteps before breakfast.
“Our hope,” says Herrmann, “is people will continue to support a local business that provides a premium product.”
Understanding Milk
“There are misconceptions about milk and labels,” Herrmann explains. “We give our cows high quality feed from local farmers. Our milk is very clean and natural. But since the herd’s feed is not ‘certified organic,’ and we do treat them with antibiotics when they’re sick, we can’t call our milk organic. However, we do not use supplemental growth hormones or steroids.
“People think if it’s not labeled organic, milk might contain antibiotics. Not possible. Because any residue of antibiotics in milk is illegal. Every day, we do a ‘snap test’ — and if there’s even a smidgeon of antibiotic residue, the entire tank is disposed of.”
Caps For Sale!
After Herrmann and Boyd began a Park Hill route two years ago, they began getting calls: when will you be in other Denver neighborhoods? That’s when they made plans to expand in this direction. “It’s much easier to open up a route next to an existing route,” explains Boyd. “But there are challenges. Our drivers are out at night. These new neighborhoods are denser than suburban areas, making that a bit tricky. But our drivers are tenacious, skilled and dependable.”
“Another challenge is that residents in new neighbo
Generations: Longmont Dairy Farm began as an “old fashioned dairy” with clear values: giving customers the best possible product along with service beyond expectation. Those values have been handed down and honored by family members. Here are three generations together: left to right, top row: Katie Herrmann, Dan Boyd, David Boyd (Dan’s father, Katie’s stepfather), Susan Boyd (Katie’s mother); front row: Jim Boyd (who has since passed away), one of the three men who started the business in 1965.
rhoods aren’t familiar with what makes us different,” adds Herrmann. “Like our core values, protecting the environment with reusable bottles and recyclable caps. And giving back to communities.”
Longmont Dairy not only partners with local charities and organizations and gives milk to two Ronald MacDonald houses, they help hundreds of schools with their Milk Caps for MOOOLA program.
Any school within LDF’s delivery area can sign up. They set up a box for all the LDF bottle caps students collect and Longmont pays five cents for each cap. To date, 5 million caps have been turned in and Longmont has given schools over $250,000.
“It’s the easiest way to earn money for your school,” enthuses Jenny Kahn, secretary at the William Roberts K-8 School in Stapleton. “With Longmont’s check, we created a scholarship fund for the 8th grade trip. Plus, the kids were aware they were helping the environment.”
Local Goodness
Former Cowtown: Glendale throughout much of its history has been a booming town by adopting whatever Denver rejects. At the beginning of the 20th century Denver regulated out of business many of its dairy operations which Glendale welcomed with such open arms that the city became known as Cowtown.
Caps can be returned from any LDF bottle, including half & half, chocolate milk, eggnog and “protein milk.” Longmont’s products have grown in variety, but the emphasis remains local — or natural. “Eggs, from a farm north of Fort Lupton,” lists Herrmann. “Granola and oatmeal from Wheatridge. Cheese from Oregon. Mary Mountain Cookie Dough from Fort Collins …”
Several “new, really exciting” products will soon be added, “after our plant expansion,” says Herrmann. “But we’re not revealing what they are until early summer. We want our customers to be surprised.”
For more information, call 303-776-8466 or visit www.longmontdairy.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2018 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Antitrust Allegations On Preventing Films From Being Shown And State Audit Find Colorado Film Commission Little More Than A Scam
by Glen Richardson
Regal Deal: Regal Entertainment Group owned by Denver’s Philip Anschutz sold at year-end in a transaction valued at $5.9 billion. Anschutz’s nine theaters in Denver operated under the brand names of Regal Cinemas and United Artists.
The Denver Film Society, along with three other independent film groups, filed an antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Landmark Theatres, a national specialty theater chain, claiming violations of federal antitrust law. The lawsuit asserts that Landmark engages in anticompetitive practices that have unfairly and illegally prevented theaters like the one run by the Denver Film Society from programming specialty films for its audiences.
Since opening the Sie FilmCenter (2510 E. Colfax) seven years ago, the Society claims it has been blocked from booking and showing countless films that local audiences have requested due to Landmark’s practice of enforcing “clearances.” These are restrictions that Landmark imposes on the film distributors it works with, preventing other theaters in an area from showing a film simultaneously with them. In fact, not once has DFS been allowed to show a film simultaneously to Landmark at the Sie FilmCenter. “They have enacted a complete and total blockade on our ability to show films that the Denver film community wants to see,” DFS Board President Ro
bert Clasen alleges.
Chain Clout
Landmark can demand this from distributors because of their clout as a national chain and we believe abuses that clout to get what they want, explains DFS Executive Director Andrew Rodgers. Landmark currently operates 51 theaters with 242 screens in 22 major metro areas, making them the largest chain showing independent movies. Landmark owns the Esquire, Mayan and Chez Artiste theatres in Denver. Most of their co
mpetition comes from small mom-and-pop theaters or nonprofits like the Sie FilmCenter.
Quite understandably, many small businesses and non-profits are nervous to put up a fight against the industry’s 800-lb. gorilla. But after years of trying to work within the system and talking with partners and peers about how to overcome the unfair competition, Rodgers says they “came to the conclusion that the only way we can serve our audiences is to seek a remedy through the courts.” Washington, D.C.-based law firm Hausfeld is representing DFS, along with the other plaintiffs. The law firm specializing in antitrust litigation is taking the case on a contingency fee basis.
The suit also alleged the process is reducing output, restricting price competition, and denying moviegoers their choice of theaters to see films. Landmark is a private corporation that makes up a group of companies owned by venture capitalist Mark Cuban. It is the self-described dominant theater chain dedicated to showing specialty films in the U.S.
Troubling Picture
The troubling picture of money and movie madness in Denver steamed up even more at year’s end with the announcement that United Kingdom-based Cineworld Group PLC acquired Regal Entertainment Group owned by Denver’s Philip Anschutz. Regal has nine theaters in greater Denver compared to DFS’s single three-screen Sie FilmCenter.
The $3.61 billion deal adds to Cineworld’s already huge global movie footprint. Cineworld operates 2,227 screens in nations across the globe including the U.K., Ireland, Poland, and Slovakia. Cineworld paid $23 cash per Regal share, an 11% premium over the closing price. The transaction is valued at $5.9 billion.
The group owned by Anschutz operated a total of 561 theaters with 7,315 screens. The Anschutz theaters operated in Denver under the brand names of Regal Cinemas and United Artists.
Megaplex Or Spoof?
Orchestrating yet another Cherry Creek Valley movie drama that created headlines last summer was Redbarre Digital Media’s announcement of a proposed 70-acre film and television facility in Parker. Last August Governor John Hickenlooper, Parker Mayor Mike Waid and Redbarre CEO Don Levy held a press conference announcing plans for a $1 billion Media & Technology Campus. Levy, Redbarre’s CEO-founder, has a home in Denver. Evergreen resident Phillip Infelise is chief operations officer for the Los Angeles headquartered firm.
According to Redbarre’s presentation last summer the planned 1.9 million sq. ft. site would have multiple recording studios and a 75,000-square-foot soundstage, creating 4,000 full-time jobs. Officials stated the project would break ground early this year (2018) and begin operating in 2020. Site plans, however, had not been submitted to the City of Parker by the first of the year.
Architectural renderings of the facility show a multi-building campus that would also include retail, office, hotel and exhibition space. The site is west of Chambers Rd. in what is known as the Compark Village subdivision. Should it become operational the town of Parker might potentially become a national destination for film and television production.
Film Flimflam
After a state audit revealed the Colorado Film Commission paid $1.9 million to production companies that didn’t qualify
Sie Film Buffs: The Sie FilmCenter opened seven years ago on E. Colfax by the Denver Film Society has become a major movie Denver draw. The Society has joined a lawsuit against Landmark Theatres claiming it has blocked them from booking and showing countless films.
for the tax incentives, the state legislature cut $3 million from the state’s film incentive budget. The 20% cash rebate for production spending for films shot in Colorado started in 2012. However, the $500,000 operating budget for the state office managed by film commissioner Donald Zuckerman was preserved. Records show the state film office awarded approximately $2 million to 17 projects in 2016.
The nearly $2 million was paid to production companies without signing formal contracts, and the Commission generally decides whether to offer subsidies based on talks with producers rather than ensuring economic benefits, the auditor’s office found. Reportedly the $5 million in tax breaks the state gave to The Hateful Eight, a film produced in Telluride, motivated the rebate audit.
Due to the legislature leaving as much as $3 million on the cutting room floor, Zuckerman’s Film Commission has significantly less money to entice filmmakers. Neighboring states, furthermore, offer appreciably more “ready for action” incentives to filmmakers. New Mexico, for example, has a $50 million budget for film production incentives plus providing up to 30% in tax rebates to filmmakers.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2017 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Julie Hayden
Mountain Respite: Domus Pacis Family Respite encourages cancer patients, their families and friends to escape to the beauty of the mountains and experience the peace that comes from creating joyful memories for the people they most cherish.
Some things are just meant to go together, like creating wonderful family memories in the Colorado mountains, the music of John Denver and the photographs of John Fielder.
They all merge Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the University of Denver’s Newman Center.
John Fielder’s Colorado landscape photographs will be choreographed to the music of John Denver played by the John Adams Band.
Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Domus Pacis Family Respite. The non-profit organization helps cancer patients along with their families and friends escape to the Colorado high country. Through the donated use of second homes they enjoy a week of peace and respite.
Winter In Colorado: John Fielder’s amazing photographs display the beauty of Colorado’s mountain scenery.
Vince and Mary Louise White-Petteruti founded Domus Pacis about 10 years ago. It means “Peace House.” Vince White-Petteruti explains his wife’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and her wish was to spend time in Breckenridge, where they owned some property. He says, “She created some wonderful memories and we want to give other families the same opportunity. We ask homeowners, especially those with second homes to donate the home for a week at a time.”
Out There Colorado: One of John Fielder’s many award-winning photographs capturing the beauty of Colorado’s high country.
Other volunteers provide meals and activities. Domus Pacis provides staff for all of the cleaning.
They started in 2008 with eight families and today take care of 125 families and they already have 220 applications for next year.
“We need more homes,” White-Petteruti says. “We want cancer patients and their families to come up to Colorado’s high country and create great memories.” He says they decided to hold the John Denver Benefit Tribute event in Denver, because they want to raise awareness along the Front Range about the organization and hopefully inspire people in the Denver metro area who have second homes in Summit County to donate them for Domus Pacis to offer to cancer patients and their families.
John Fielder says being part of this
Perfect Match: The gorgeous Colorado landscape photographs are choreographed to the music of John Denver, performed by the John Adams Band.
event is a “no brainer.” He’s been capturing the beauty of Colorado for 40 years and is the author of some 50 books containing his amazing photographs. Fielder says, “John Denver is probably the most influential environmentalist in the second half of the 20th century. Merging my pictures with his words and music is natural.”
Fielder explains Domus Pacis is a perfect fit for him personally, too. He says his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she was 50 years old and he took care of her for 7 years. “I know well what the demands are for cancer patients and their families. What they do is remarkable and Domus Pacis helps give the patients and their caretakers some respite.”
Fielder hopes people attend the upcoming Denver concert. “This concert is very important to get the word out on the Front Range about Domus Pacis.”
Breathtaking: Audience members enjoy the artistic collaboration of photography and music celebrating Colorado’s high country beauty.
John Adams and his band will provide the musical inspiration for the event. Adams has been a lifelong fan of John Denver ever since he heard Denver perform in Holland in 1998. He formed the John Adams Band and has traveled the world playing John Denver’s music.
Adams has long supported Domus Pacis. He met White-Petteruti after one of his concerts in Breckenridge. “He explained what Domus Pacis is and I liked the idea. The music and spirit of John Denver is — it’s not about you or me, it’s about you a
nd me. Supporting Domus Pacis is one way I do what I can to help make the world a better place.”
General admission tickets are $37.25 and VIP tickets are $47.25. Children are $15. Tickets are available for purchase at the Newman Center Box Office located at 2344 E. Iliff Ave. in Denver. For more information on Domus Pacis, visit www.domuspacis.org.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 20, 2017 | Feature Story Bottom Left
More And More Shoppers Bookmark This Independent Bookstore As Tranquil, Helpful And Bursting With Gift Ideas
Hey holiday shoppers, are you feeling overwhelmed? Are kids and chaos erupting from your shopping cart? Feel like collapsing on the couch with a glass of wine and waving the white flag of defeat?
As holiday shopping peaks in the big chain stores and begins to combine with parking headaches, road closures and congestion, much of the Cherry Creek shopping district is expected to reach paralysis. This year more than ever shopping is experiencing more than its share of killer plot twists. That’s why Glendale’s 45-year-old independently owned bookstore The Bookies is such electrifying news: It’s filled with stories, games, craft kits, gifts, plots and twists in all the store’s fun nooks and crannies.
For decades The Bookies has been the byword for inviting, comfortable and relaxed shopping during the holidays or any season. Like a good book, customers keep coming back to make sure they’ve read the last bit correctly. Or maybe missed something special. Regular shoppers tell the Chronicle, “Once you’ve been to the store it’s like getting to the end of a book and wanting to flip it over and start at the beginning again.”
Helpful Staff
After not being greeted and unable to find help in the Valley’s growing list of corporate stores, it’s the helpful, hands-on approach of The Bookies’ staff that’s so exceptional.
As we perused the aisles along with a multitude of customers and kids in tranquil, relaxing surroundings, it is the selection and incredibly helpful staff that is so noticeable. The staff is respectful to everyone who walks through the door and enjoys helping both kids and adults. Moreover, beyond being knowledgeable and quick to provide assistance and advice, they seem to enjoy what they’re doing. Nowhere else will you find comparable or as consistent customer care and concern.
As the Valley’s street and store traffic started to clog with befuddled customers, the employees took the Chronicle on a walk through The Bookies shopping intersections to give shoppers a peak at the dazzling gift options:
Jaw-Dropping Gifts
The Bookies is much bigger than it appears on the outside and they seem to have everything from puzzles and toys to games and books. They have stickers and crafts projects and neat little gizmos, not to mention the newest pens, pencils and coloring utensils.
To get the season started be sure to pick up a supply of Table Topics for when holiday guests arrive or to keep holiday parties and family gatherings going. They’re wonderful discussion starters for all ages.
To help speed up your holiday shopping and be confident in the purchase, gift-giving ideas are arranged by age so the gifts won’t be abandoned shortly after they’re opened. Your idea list is fine-tuned by age and so you won’t forget toddlers, older children or the old timers:
Ages Three & Up
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty: Great for stocking stuffers with names like Evergreen, Ornament, Icicle and Gelt.
Twister Tracks: Youngsters can design their own track and send their LED racecar cruising. Kids can easily change the direction and shape of the raceway.
Ages Four & Up
Snow White: This fairytale puzzle game introduces young children to logical thinking and can be played in two different ways. Best as gifts for ages four and five.
Soggy Doggy: Kids race around the board washing Soggy Doggy in the bathtub. But they have to be careful; if he shakes water it’s back to the start.
Ages Six & Up
Roller Coaster Challenge: Single player game in which the player twists and turns their mind in an attempt to solve 40 different roller coaster challenges of varying difficulty. When the player believes the challenge is solved they give the car a push and watch it glide down the track to the finish line. Has easy, medium, hard and super hard levels of play.
Bellz!: Compact travel pouch game that can be taken anywhere. Players use the magnet wand to pick up the 10 bells in their color. The first person to complete the task wins. Fun but tricky!
Ages Seven & Up
Whipple Craft Creations: Youngsters have fun decorating a two-tier cake, cupcake, ice cream, macaroons and other yummy treats. Everything needed to craft your own fancy collectibles. You’re your own pastry chef but remember they are for display only.
Ages Eight To Adult
Kingdomino: Game of the year winner in Germany. Players build their 5 x 5 Kingdom connecting dominoes and crowns. Strategy and luck make every game different.
Slapzi & Snapzi: A fast matching, card slapping picture game that now has an ex-tension. Snapzi will make the original game even more fun and challenging.
Cat Crimes: Using logic players try to figure out which cat committed the crime. There are 40 quick mysteries culminating in an “expert” level challenge.
Sock It To Me: Fun and funky socks for kids and adults that make fun gif
ts. Cool designs including holiday choices to unleash the person’s inner super hero.
I Love Colorado Puzzle: A holiday gift the entire family will enjoy putting together. The 1,000 pieces feature iconic Colorado scenes from the past.
Book Ideas For Kids
Yak & Dove: A funny, charming book about complete opposites written by Kyo Macleak and beautifully illustrated by Esme Shapiro. Yak has fur and Dove has feathers. Yak is polite. Dove is ill mannered. Story whimsically captures the highs and lows of friendship through three interconnected tales of two very different friends.
Her Right Foot: A splendid nonfiction picture book for kids by Dave Eggers that casually conveys a powerful message about the Statue of Liberty. About more than history or art, what the book discovers in the Statue’s right foot is a message of acceptance. Book conveys an important, timely message for the times in which we currently live in a fun and fascinating way.
Wishtree: By Newbery Award author Katherine Applegate, this is a moving friendship story that tackles anti-Muslim bigotry. The instance of hate is when a boy carves the word “leave” into their tree. The author crafts it into a sweet story laced with factual information about trees and animals in short chapters with illustrations.
Turtles All The Way Down: Another young adult classic from author John Green that will resonate with today’s teenagers. In the beginning this novel seems like a conventional mystery. But as you continue it’s clear the author’s main focus is the teenage friendships and love interests, but with a twist in the telling.
Prisoner Of Azkaban: This is the third installment in the Harry Potter series and is darker, more complex and thus will appeal to older kids. Harry is back at Hogwarts Scho
ol of Witchcraft & Wizardry with Ron and Hermione. JK Rowling’s words improve with each book while her characters remain funny and realistic.
A Journey Through A History Of Magic: For aspiring witches and wizards or any Harry Potter fan this 20th Anniversary book is a perfect gift. Created to support the British Library’s Potter exhibition, it is a romp through the history of magic from alchemy to unicorns, ancient witchcraft to Harry’s Hogwarts.
Adult In Season Books
The Rooster Bar: Former attorney and bestselling author John Grisham’s newest legal thriller takes the reader inside a law firm that’s on shaky ground. A trio of students are attending the for-profit law school seeking to escape debt by exposing a ba
nk and the law school scam but will have to leave the school short of graduation.
Code Girls: Research and interviews by journalist and bestselling author Liza Mundy bring to life the fascinating story of how 10,000 young women recruited by the Army and Navy cracked the German and Japanese military codes. Riveting reading reveals the courage, service and accomplishment of these women during World War II.
Milk Street: For chefs, foodies and those who enjoy good food on your holiday list this book is the perfect gift. It has more than 125 recipes arranged by type of dish. They teach a simpler, bolder, healthier way to cook. Moreover, cooking will become an act of pure pleasure rather than a chore.
Grant: For those on your holiday list that love history this is an ideal gift, bringing to life one of the most underappreciated presidents. Prizewinning author Ron Chernow gives a rich and sensitive portrait of Grant from West Point cadet to civilian failure to triumphant general, written with honesty.
Gift-wrapping is complimentary at The Bookies during the holidays and throughout the year. Located just two blocks east of Colorado Blvd. on Mississippi, this is your perfect shopping script for bringing happiness home for the holidays. Information: 303-759-1117.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 23, 2017 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Shideh Kerman
by Shideh Kerman, BS, MBA
AFC Urgent Care Denver
On October 13, the White House press office announced that the administration would stop Obamacare subsidies or Cost-Sharing Reductions. These subsidies were designed under Obamacare to help low or moderate income Americans with their out of pocket expenses if they buy insurance through one of the Obamacare plans. There’s a lot that’s still uncertain about how this action will change the health law.
How do cost-sharing reductions work?
The Cost-Sharing Reductions or CSRs were federal funding to insurance companies to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of low to moderate income individuals and families that would purchase one of the Obamacare health plans. The CSRs were a pass-through from the government via insurance companies to the patients.
“These subsidies are not a bailout — they are passed from the federal government through health plans to medical providers to help lower costs for patients who see a doctor to treat their cancer or fill a prescription for a life-saving medication,” America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said in a joint statement.
What will this mean for people who get insurance through their employers?
Consumers that get healthcare coverage through large companies that offer insurance, will see minimal changes. But if you work for a small business, there is a high chance that you will see more changes to your healthcare coverage. The executive order asks the Labor Department to loosen rules that permit small companies to band together to form associations and buy the kind of coverage available to larger businesses. These association health plans would be subject to federal employment law and not state insurance regulations. That means that the health plans would have far fewer rules benefits.
Small businesses that decide not to join such associations might face higher premiums in the exchange market.
How would eliminating cost-sharing reductions affect people who buy their own insurance?
It’s complicated. The proposed amount of subsidies in 2018 by insurance companies was estimated around $7 billion. With the executive order cutting this funding the biggest risk to consumers is that insurance companies will drop out of the market for next year. That makes the exchange markets less attractive for consumers.
Colorado has a state-run exchange, which is called Connect for Health Colorado. Our state is among just 12 states (including DC) that are running their own exchanges and enrollment platforms coverage. Although some insurance companies exited the Colorado exchange, Connect for Health Colorado is still among the most robust exchanges in the country, with seven insurance companies offering plans.
Insurance companies that opted to stay on the exchange market would raise their premiums to make up for the lost subsidies.
Analysts say that marketplace insurers across the country would likely raise premiums for silver plans, which is anywhere from 9 to 27 percent.
These premium increases were approved based on the assumption that CSRs funding would continue to be made to insurance companies. Insurance companies agreed to later add another 6 percent to premiums if CSRs funding were to be eliminated. So now that the CSR funding has been eliminated the average rate increase will be about 32.7 percent, instead of the previously estimated 27 percent.
But this increase in premiums doesn’t mean that all the consumers that purchase health insurance in the market place will pay more. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tax credits for purchasing health insurance in the marketplaces are designed to limit consumer’s premium contributions to a percentage of their income. Families and individuals making between 100 percent to 400 percent of the poverty level will receive tax credits, which will offset the premiums increases.
So for low or medium income people who are eligible for tax credits the premium increases for 2018 will be offset by tax credits.
A recent study by Kaiser Family Foundation shows that for a 40-year-old non-smoker in Denver that earns $30,000 a year, he or she will actually pay 3 percent less, after tax credits, for the second-lowest-cost silver health plan in 2018.
So Consumers who get insurance through market exchanges using government subsidies won’t notice much of a change in price, but they might see fewer options in the future.
Consumers who won’t be eligible for any subsidies that used to purchase their health insurance through exchange markets will be most affected by the CSRs funding cuts. Higher premiums and less choices will make the exchange market less attractive, thus many consumers will leave the exchange market leading to more uninsured people.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 25, 2017 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Eeeeek, Mommy’s Little Pumpkins Are Carving Out Groovy, Ghostly, Ghoulish Holiday Fun
There are many tales of ghosts and demons in Denver — especially in certain city parks — but it is the paranormal at local cemeteries that spook people most. On occasion locals claim to hear footsteps. And voices! “Is this hell?” the voice asks. Such reports are why the Mile High City deserves a spot among America’s great Halloween towns.
From Dracula at the Ellie to the Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Park there are many amazing Halloween festivities for families to choose. You’ll find pumpkin beer on tap, late-night shows plus an assortment of low-key, kid-friendly events with costume competitions.
Here’s the Chronicle’s roundup of events to let you go batty this Halloween:
Kids Activities
Denver Zoo
The annual Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 29-30 offers more than 20 trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations and exciting family-friendly entertainment under the canopy of Denver Zoo’s fall foliage. Activities are free with zoo admission. Boo After Dark offers visitors a nighttime trick-or-treating experience. Information: 720-337-1400.
Four Mile Park
Celebrate the arrival of autumn with old-fashioned fun at the annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival at the park Oct. 7-8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Build your own scarecrow, select your favorite pumpkin from the patch, and tour the park in a horse-drawn wagon. Explore how 19th-century Coloradans lived and prepared for the season, with historic demonstrations and tours of the Four Mile House Museum. Try your luck at county fair games, and enjoy delicious treats from the beer garden and local food trucks. Information: 720-865-0800.
Denver Botanic Gardens
For Halloween, the Gardens on York St. will light up at night with Glow at the Gardens, Oct. 18-19 and 25-26. Jack-o’-lanterns and luminaria-lined pathways, LED circus performers, scavenger hunts, costume contests plus fall-themed activities will be fun for all. Evenings will include free face painting until 8 p.m. Come for the pumpkins and stay for dinner and hot beverages at the Offshoots Café. Information: 720-865-3500.
Denver Children’s Museum
For three days Trick or Treat Street is hosting costumed kids and adults for a wonderland of fun, Oct. 28-30. Families can march from one Treat House to the next on the Marsico Campus and collect goodies, create Halloween crafts and play carnival games. It’s the ultimate safe Halloween adventure. Information: 303-433-7444.
Elitch Gardens
On weekends, once the sun goes down through Oct. 29 the theme park is transformed to Fright Fest, a scream park. During the day, little ones squeal in glee over the free candy on the Trick or Treat Trail. At night, haunted creatures lurk around every corner. Free with regular admission. Information: 303-595-4386.
Colorado Railroad Museum
It’s full steam ahead for tricks, treats and trains on the Trick or Treat Train, Oct. 28-29. The Railroad Halloween Town is a safe place to enjoy trick or treating. Catch a ride behind a historic Denver & Rio Grande Steam Locomotive in vintage passenger cars hosted by conductors and engineers in full costume. Information: 303-279-4591.
Eek-A-Boo Bashes
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Colorado Ballet opens its season with the Halloween-favorite Dracula, October 6-15, at the Ellie with music performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. “I encourage you to stock up on garlic and sink your teeth into this ballet full of terrifying excitement,” says Artistic Director Gil Boggs. Dracula tells the story of Jonathan Harker, who travels to Transylvania to do business with the infamous Count Dracula. Dracula becomes enamored with Harker’s fiancée Mina and travels to England to pursue her. The men follow Dracula into a crypt to stop him. Only daylight and a stake through his heart can stop him from taking Mina as his own. Information: 303-837-8888.
Molly Brown House Museum
Take a literary journey of Victorian Horrors with renowned authors like Poe, Wells and Lovecraft at the Museum, Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and Oct. 27-28. You’ll hear soul-searing tales of unspeakable horror and madness — all inside the suitably spooky — quite possibly haunted — Molly Brown House. It is a great inclement weather option with live music, face painting, hands-on crafts and LED circus performers. Information: 303-832-4092.
The 16th Street Mall
Thousands of the undead and blood-splattered crazies will gather at Skyline Park and drag down the Mall for the Denver Zombie Crawl, Oct.7. It starts at 11 a.m. with the Organ Trail, a 5K run-walk-crawl in which zombie teams solve clues to find locations and move to checkpoints in an exercise in creativity. That’s followed by the Undead Parade at 2 p.m. During the procession, you’ll see bodies missing heads, bodies carrying their heads, and bodies with holes in their heads. Information: denver zombiecrawl.com
The Clocktower Cabaret
Join the adorable Clocktower Clockettes at The Clocktower Cabaret as they pay a spooky burlesque tribute to all the thrills and chills of America’s spookiest holiday, Oct. 26-29. The Halloween Boo-Lesque & Comedy Show features aerial feats, jugglers, magicians and comedy hosted by Naughty Pierre. It’s old-fashioned fun with interactive comedy and costume-contest prizes. Information: 303-293-0075.
Riverside Cemetery Tours
Halloween isn’t complete without a visit to Riverside Cemetery, Denver’s oldest boneyard. It has it all: Spooky old head tombstones, twisting paths, majestic mausoleums and statuary plus 6,700 bodies buried beneath its soil. Tour dates are Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and Oct. 27-28. Located at 5201 Brighton Blvd., late night tours have been added. Information: 303-399-0692.
Best Boo Balls
The Curtis Hotel
Coloween at The Curtis Hotel, Oct. 28 is one of the most anticipated Denver costume balls. There is a mind-bending labyrinth of haunted hallways and hair-raising entertainment. Attendees enjoy three ballrooms featuring live music and DJs, sexy theatrical performers, and 28 bartenders serving open bar. Come ready to compete in a lavish costume contest hosted by a secret celebrity guest. Information: 303-571-0300.
McNichols Building
Imagine 20-foot spiders, a mausoleum, haunted house, performers, bands and DJs all under one roof. The Paranormal Palace in the McNichols Building is a Halloween party like no other, Oct. 28. Enter through the mouth of a 25 ft. skull, where multiple DJs pound the palace walls and three floors of party environment. There is a costume contest with $2,000 in prizes. Information: 720-507-1376.
Sherman St. Event Center
Enjoy an unlimited open bar all night, a $1,000 “Best of The Ball” costume contest plus live entertainment and DJs at the Halloween Costume Ball, Oct. 29. The Ball takes place in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Sherman St. Event Center, featuring some of the city’s most creative Halloween costumes. 303-863-9999.
Diamond Cabaret
This is the 18th year in a row for The Naughty Ball at the Diamond Cabaret, Oct. 7. Attendees come dressed in sexy Naughty costumes with lace, feathers and body paint. Ball has seven stages, six rooms, a maze of hallways and 95 performers. Information: 720-503-1376.
Haunted Houses
The 13th Floor
Hailed as “the scariest haunted attraction in the U.S.,” the 13th Floor — now located at 3400 E. 52nd Ave. — takes guests through a frightening tour of horror, Oct. 1-31. Brave souls will learn just why the 13th floor is so often omitted from building plans — if they make it through to tell the tale. New thrills with intricate sets, highly selective casting and special effects makeup are sure to make reality and fiction blur into terror. Information: 303-355-3327.
The Asylum
The Asylum at 6100 E. 39th Ave. is Denver’s top-rated haunted attraction. Back for another year Oct. 1-31, this 1800s-era themed “hospital for the mentally insane” has been taken over by the patients and prisoners. Tapping into some of our greatest fears, the haunted experience is a head trip in which tortured souls scream inside the once orderly insane asylum. Information: 303-355-3327.
