It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Four Mile Historic Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cherry Creek, CO is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Cherry Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 801 Chophouse or visit Molly Brown House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Cherry Creek, CO, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cherry Creek, CO understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cherry Creek, CO 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Legend’s students and fans ran onto the field at Echo Park Stadium on Nov. 30 following the Titans’ 35-21 victory over Fairview in the Class 5A state football semifinal game.It was a time to celebrate. The win for Legend (12-1) moves the sixth-seeded Titans into the first state football final for the school.Legend will face top-seeded Cherry Creek (12-1), a team that will be making its seventh straight trip to Colorado’s championship game on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.“It&r...
Legend’s students and fans ran onto the field at Echo Park Stadium on Nov. 30 following the Titans’ 35-21 victory over Fairview in the Class 5A state football semifinal game.
It was a time to celebrate. The win for Legend (12-1) moves the sixth-seeded Titans into the first state football final for the school.
Legend will face top-seeded Cherry Creek (12-1), a team that will be making its seventh straight trip to Colorado’s championship game on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.
“It’s just unbelievable,” said senior all-purpose running back Jaden Lawrence. “I mean, we knew from day one that we would be able to get here no matter what seed we got. We’ve got great guys all around and it showed on the field that no one player stood out.”
Fairview knocked off second-seeded Mountain Vista in the quarterfinals but suffered its first loss of the season as the Titans scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to snap a 14-14 halftime deadlock. The teams traded fourth-period touchdowns.
“At halftime, it was tied but we just knew we had them,” added Lawrence. “We knew if we kept playing hard and could come out and punch them in the mouth.”
Legend Coach Monte Thelen said his team’s ethic for working hard is part of the reason for this season’s success.
Thelen was smiling when asked about the Legend defense which held Fairview scoreless after the Knights got a first down at the Titans’ six-yard line in the final minute of the first half.
Tatum O’Donnell paced the Titans’ defensive unit with 13 total tackles.
“That was huge, just having our defense shut them out four plays in a row,” said Lawrence. “Now, we will keep doing what we’ve been doing for next week. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Lawrence finished the game with 36 yards rushing and had three pass receptions. Senior quarterback Nicholas Farley completed nine of 14 passes for 185 yards and connected with Ryken Banks on a 47-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring for Legend.
Champ Jones had three touchdowns for Legend in the total of six yards he gained. Linebacker Derek Neuenschwander had a 23-yard pick-six and joined Aaron Olson and Carson Flowers with interceptions for the Titans.
In the other 5A semifinal game on Nov. 30, Cherry Creek whipped Valor Christian 42-17 as quarterback Brady Vodicka passed for a touchdown and ran for another. Running back Jayden Fox gained 160 yards and had two touchdown runs.
Creek has won four of the past five state title contests.
Valor Christian quarterback Dawson Olk was 21 for 38 passing for 170 yards and a touchdown.
For more information, visit CHSAANow.com.
AURORA | A capsule preview of the 2024 Class 5A state football second round playoff contest between Granview and Cherry Creek scheduled for Nov. 15, 2024:Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports2024 CLASS 5A STATE FOOTBALL SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAMENo. 17 Grandview (6-5) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (9-1)Nov. 14, 7 p.m. at Stutler Bowl...
AURORA | A capsule preview of the 2024 Class 5A state football second round playoff contest between Granview and Cherry Creek scheduled for Nov. 15, 2024:
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
2024 CLASS 5A STATE FOOTBALL SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAME
No. 17 Grandview (6-5) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (9-1)
Nov. 14, 7 p.m. at Stutler Bowl
BREAKDOWN: Grandview and Cherry Creek meet in the Class 5A state playoffs for the fourth time in the past 17 seasons, but for the first time since 2011 when the Wolves topped the Bruins 51-31 in the second round. Cherry Creek won a second round matchup between the teams in 2007 and a quarterfinal contest in 2008. The teams play annually in the regular season in Centennial League play and Cherry Creek has won the last two meetings (35-18 on Nov. 1 this season and 45-22 in the 2023 season), while Grandview won 24-21 in the regular season finale of the 2022 season. …Grandview is in the postseason for the 19th time in the past 20 seasons, missing out only in the 2020 season in which the playoffs included just eight teams due to the coronavirus pandemic. The program’s only state championship came when it won the 5A state title in 2007. …Cherry Creek ranks second in Colorado history with 13 all-time championships and won three straight between 2020-2022, while it lost to Columbine in the 2023 state championship game. The Bruins have made it to at least the semifinals every season since 2017.
GRANDVIEW: Coach Tom Doherty’s Wolves had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 35-18 loss to Cherry Creek in the regular season finale. Grandview’s regular season schedule included seven 5A state playoff qualifiers (No. 1 Cherry Creek, No. 3 Ralston Valley, No. 6 Legend, No. 11 Arapahoe, No. 20 Cherokee Trail, No. 21 Eaglecrest and No. 23 Rock Canyon), against which it finished 3-4. …The Wolves opened the postseason with a 17-3 victory over No. 16 Denver East in the first round (story, here). Senior RB Caleb Llamas rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown, while junior QB Blitz McCarty also scored a touchdown and sophomore K Quinn Reynolds connected on a 23-yard field goal. …For the season, the Grandview offense has averaged just under 26 points per game. In his first season as a starter, McCarty has thrown for 1,677 yards and 16 touchdowns against seven interceptions. His favorite target in the passing game has been senior WR Xay Neto, who leads the teams in receptions (47), receiving yards (684) and receiving touchdowns (nine), while senior WR Kyler Vaughn (467 yards, 4 touchdowns) and junior WR Asher Mattson (228 yards receiving, 1 touchdown) have also seen volume in the passing game. The ground game has flourished with the two-pronged attack of Llamas (926 yards — second-most in the Centennial League — plus 9 touchdowns) and junior RB Chris Blanks (607 yards, 8 touchdowns). …Defensively, Grandview has allowed an average of 16.4 points per contest and has one shutout (vs. Smoky Hill), while it had two other games in which foes were limited to single digits. The leading tackler for the Wolves is senior S Jericho Andrews, who has made 73 stops to the 71 of senior S Brandon Kahre with junior DB Brody Flores at 70 (which includes a team-leading nine sacks). Next on the sack list for Grandview is senior DT Marcus Nesbitt with 4.0 and senior LB Jack Naranbayar with 3.0.
CHERRY CREEK: Coach Dave Logan’s Bruins come into the postseason with a nine-game winning streak since they suffered their only loss, a 24-14 defeat out of state in the season opener against Skyridge in Utah. Cherry Creek’s regular season schedule included No. 8 Pine Creek, No. 11 Arapahoe No. 12 Regis Jesuit, No. 17 Grandview, No. 20 Cherokee Trail, No. 21 Eaglecrest — against which it went 6-0 — plus three out-of-state teams with a combined record of 25-9 (10-3 Skyridge, Utah; 9-1 Highland Park, Texas; 6-5 Millard North, Nebraska). …The Bruins had a bye in the first round of the playoffs. …For the season, the Cherry Creek offense has averaged 39 points per game. In his second season as a starter, junior QB Brady Vodicka has thrown for 2,105 yards and 20 touchdowns against three interceptions along with seven rushing scores. Leading the way in receiving is senior WR Jeremiah Hoffman, who has 709 yards and six touchdowns to pace the team, while junior WR Max Lovett is next with 425 yards receiving, just in front of sophomore WR Alijah Landrum-Hamilton with 423. The ground game leans heavily on junior RB Jayden Fox, who has amassed 1,278 yards on the ground (the only Centennial League back to break the 100-yard mark in the regular season) and scored 13 times. …Defensively, Cherry Creek has allowed an average of just 12.2 points per game to opponents with two shutouts (vs. Cherokee Trail and Eaglecrest), while three other teams were limited to single digits.
WINNER GETS: The Grandview-Cherry Creek winner moves into the 5A quarterfinals and will face the winner of the second round game between No. 9 Erie and No. 8 Pine Creek.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor and photographer with Sentinel Colorado. A Denver East High School and University of Colorado alum. He came to the Sentinel in 2001 and since then has received a number... More by COURTNEY OAKES
AURORA | Gov. Jared Polis has declared a “weather disaster emergency” in advance of predicted heavy snows along the Front Range Friday, following notices of multiple school and government closures.National Weather Service officials are predicting between 6 inches and 12 inches of new snow beginning tomorrow morning through Friday night.National Weather Service ForecastFriday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 32. Light and variable win...
AURORA | Gov. Jared Polis has declared a “weather disaster emergency” in advance of predicted heavy snows along the Front Range Friday, following notices of multiple school and government closures.
National Weather Service officials are predicting between 6 inches and 12 inches of new snow beginning tomorrow morning through Friday night.
Friday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 32. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Friday night: The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 28. North northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
A spokesperson for Polis said the governor is activating the National Guard to mobilize as needed to address weather-related emergencies.
Moving in front of forecasted snow and cold, Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools and the Community College of Aurora all canceled Friday classes. Regis Jesuit High School also announced a snow day.
APS and Cherry Creek also cancelled after school activities and athletics on Thursday and all school and activities for Friday.
All City of Centennial offices will be closed Friday.
Aurora most city facilities will close at noon Friday, or modify hours. Closures include:
All Arapahoe County offices will also close at noon Friday.
Polis said all state employees able to work from home will do so on Friday. State courts officials closed many courts for Friday. Most Arapahoe County combined courts and court-related programs will close at noon.
The school cancellations have an affect on the postseason competition in football and girls volleyball that had been scheduled, though it is initially unclear which will be played and which will be rescheduled.
The Colorado High School Activities Association took steps earlier in the day for the scheduled completion of the state field hockey championship and consolation championship, as it was moved to Monday at All-City Stadium.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor and photographer with Sentinel Colorado. A Denver East High School and University of Colorado alum. He came to the Sentinel in 2001 and since then has received a number... More by COURTNEY OAKES
DENVER — Voters in the Denver metro appeared to back billions in funding for school districts on Election Day, with early returns showing support for bond measures and mill levy overrides in Denver, Aurora and Cherry Creek schools.Over 30 Colorado districts asked voters to approve funds this election cycle, with the Colorado School Finance Project estimating nearly $7 billion in total measures on the ballot. ????? ...
DENVER — Voters in the Denver metro appeared to back billions in funding for school districts on Election Day, with early returns showing support for bond measures and mill levy overrides in Denver, Aurora and Cherry Creek schools.
Over 30 Colorado districts asked voters to approve funds this election cycle, with the Colorado School Finance Project estimating nearly $7 billion in total measures on the ballot.
????? FOLLOW THE 2024 ELECTION WITH DENVER7'S LIVE BLOG
Voters overwhelmingly supported Denver Public Schools Initiative 4A, which would allow the district to take on $975 million in debt, without raising property taxes, to fund projects throughout the district.
Unofficial results from the Denver Clerk and Recorder showed nearly 74%were in favor of Initiative 4A compared to just over 26% against by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Among other things, the money would be used to improve school safety by adding secure entrances and weapons detection technology; renovate existing school buildings; and add air conditioning to the 29 DPS schools that still don’t have it.
There’s also $43 million for middle and high school auditorium upgrades, including a brand new $18 million auditorium on the Paul Sandoval campus which is home to Northfield High School and DSST Conservatory Green High School.
The bond request comes at a time when the Denver Public School Board is set to vote on a plan to close and consolidate schools due to declining enrollment. The district says money from the bond could still be used to make improvements to schools that close, because the buildings will be repurposed in some way.
Fifty-nine percent of voters in Douglas County were backing Ballot Issue 5A, a $490 million bond that would build two new elementary schools, among other improvements to schools around the district.
Voters rejected a bond request in 2023.
The Cherry Creek School District had a $950 million bond and mill levy on the ballot, which would implement a tax increase of less than $3 a month for each $100,000 of property value in order to fund innovation and security enhancements at schools throughout the district, among other items.
Ballot Issue 4A had the support of nearly 56% of voters as of late Tuesday. Ballot Issue 4B had nearly 55% support.
And Aurora Public Schools had the largest request of all, a billion-dollar bond, as well as a 30 million dollar capital mill levy. Both were trending comfortably toward passing.
The pair of measures are aimed at improvements to infrastructure, facilities and technology in APS.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools asked voters to pass an $830 million dollar bond, but was facing opposition from voters in the early returns. Roughly 52% had voted "No" on Ballot Issues 4A and 4B.
Unlike some states, Colorado doesn't provide any funding for school buildings. Bonds allow districts to take on debt to finance school construction and renovations, including safety improvements and technology. Mill levy overrides are typically for ongoing operational costs, like teacher salaries or educational programming.
The Colorado School Finance Project says the reason the bond requests are so big this year is that districts are looking to replace and renovate decades-old schools as construction costs are rising. The cost to build one comprehensive high school in Colorado right now is around $200 million dollars.
In many districts, passing a bond will not mean a tax increase. However, if voters rejected the bonds, it would eventually mean a property tax decrease, as districts pay off debts without taking on new debt.
Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos
Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery brings a taste of Native cuisine to Denver As the Eastern Plains prepares for more snow, nonprofit that helps stranded drivers ready to deploy if needed Nonprofit founded in the wake of 9/11 breaks ground on Denver facility for unhoused veterans Undefeated Mountain Vista football chases greatness through their own halls Wild Boyd Farm to host farm-fresh meat pop-up and giveaway in Montbello
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.
AURORA | Preliminary returns show that both Cherry Creek mill levy and bond issue will pass with comfortable margins.Both questions were passing Wednesday morning with about 55% of the vote.The Cherry Creek School District mill levy and bond package could invest in safety, innovation, teacher pay and building maintenance, proponents say.“If you don’t pass bonds for a long time, you have to cut your classrooms in order to accomplish that,” said Scott Smith, chief financial and operating ...
AURORA | Preliminary returns show that both Cherry Creek mill levy and bond issue will pass with comfortable margins.
Both questions were passing Wednesday morning with about 55% of the vote.
The Cherry Creek School District mill levy and bond package could invest in safety, innovation, teacher pay and building maintenance, proponents say.
“If you don’t pass bonds for a long time, you have to cut your classrooms in order to accomplish that,” said Scott Smith, chief financial and operating officer for Cherry Creek School District.
Voters were given two questions on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The package included a $9 million mill levy increase and a $950 million bond issue, which would cost residents less than $15 monthly for the average home in Arapahoe County, valued at $500,000. This translates to charging homeowners less than $3 monthly for every $100,000 property value, according to officials.
In Colorado, voter-approved mill-levy increases, or overrides, raise property taxes for school district operating expenses. Voter-approved bond issues raise property taxes for capital improvement expenses only.
The projects will include increased school security, expanding the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, increasing teacher salaries, student mental health support and addressing maintenance needs on aging campuses.
“We have about 8 million square feet of space, and it costs us roughly $40 million a year to maintain that,” Smith said.
The package is a sum the school district put together through extensive planning and input from community members, according to the Director of Strategic Communications and External Affairs for Cherry Creek School District, Ashley Verville.
Although property taxes in the district and across the state increased, the schools do not necessarily receive those additional funds.
“When local property taxes go up, school districts get more money from their local voters,” Verville said. “We’re getting more from our local taxpayers, but the state’s contribution goes down. So it’s just that mix that changes. But our bottom line, our per-pupil funding stays the same.”
With the growth of the district and the expansion of services and programs provided to students, revenues have not kept pace with expenses.
“A lot of people in our district don’t realize we educate as many students in Aurora as Aurora Public Schools does,” Smith said. “Aurora is a key, if not the largest, community that we serve in Cherry Creek.”
Cherry Creek is Colorado’s fourth largest school district, with 52,409 students. Although Cherry Creek is located in Centennial, Arapahoe County, Greenwood Village and Aurora, Cherry Creek Schools comprise much of Aurora.
What the bond and mill levy will pay for:
Safety and Security: This includes hiring more trained security personnel and installing safety enhancements like ballistic window film. It will also cover replacing outdated security cameras and improving school access control systems.
Innovation in Education: expanding the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, which offers students hands-on training in high-demand career fields. The expansion will allow the innovation campus to accommodate 70% more students and develop or expand 10 additional career pathways.
The campus is a big success, with programs filling up immediately. With expansion, many students can take advantage of a career-starting opportunity to obtain higher-paying jobs right out of high school.
Smith said times have changed since students chose between college and the trades. Now, they can get a head start in schooling for their careers in high school.
“These are very real careers that we’re able to help our kids access,” Smith said
Teacher salaries: The funding will support maintaining competitive salaries and teacher benefits, ensuring that Cherry Creek schools remain competitive in recruiting and retaining teaching talent, officials said.
Healthy, Innovative Learning Environments: A portion of the bond will be dedicated to replacing aging and deteriorating school buildings on three of the district’s oldest campuses: Laredo/Smoky Hill, Prairie/Overland, and the Cherry Creek K-12 campus.
“We are replacing buildings that have reached the end of their useful life, but making sure that we keep and honor the history and tradition that has existed in all of these facilities,” Smith said.
Student Health and Wellbeing: The package includes additional funds for student mental health and well-being resources.
Major Maintenance Projects: Due to budget reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district faces more than $300 million in deferred maintenance needs. This bond issue would help address critical repairs and maintenance across the district, ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are safe, functional and up-to-date.
Since Colorado’s School Finance Act does not fund facilities or capital projects under the 1994 School Finance Act, districts must ask voters for additional funds. School districts must rely on bond measures and mill levies to raise funds to maintain and improve their facilities and programs.
A mill levy override supplements a school district’s operating budget, covering salaries, staffing, technology, supplies, transportation and utilities. It is funded through local property taxes and requires voter approval.
A recent change to the School Finance Act allowed Cherry Creek School District’s mill levy override limit to increase from 25% to 30% of its total program, Verville said.
A capital construction bond funds school district capital expenses, such as building and renovating schools, updating systems (heating, roofs, wiring), safety projects and larger technology purchases. Bonds are funded through local property taxes and require voter approval. Cherry Creek School District, with a strong credit rating, can issue tax-exempt bonds at low interest rates to cover these long-term costs, according to officials.
303-952-3060
