A steady hum of sewing machines and laughter from loyal customers have been the background music to Theodoros Vasilas’ life for half a century. 

As the owner of a long-standing clothing and tailoring business, Ted’s Clothiers, at 3476 S. Broadway in Englewood, Vasilas is preparing to celebrate an incredible milestone: 50 years in business.

“You know, we’re blessed. That’s all I can tell you. We’re blessed,” Vasilas said. “We’re very busy, more busy right now than ever before.”

From tailored suits and tuxedos to jeans and dress shirts, the store has become a go-to destination for generations of families across Colorado.

“We have a lot of repeat business. We have three generations of business,” Vasilas said. “I started back in the ‘70s and ‘80s with their fathers and their fathers, they brought their sons in. And now their sons, they bring their sons in.”

Originally from Athens, Greece, Vasilas arrived in Denver in June 1973. His journey into tailoring started humbly — through family connections and a bit of inherited skill. 

“My mother, my sisters, they used to do a lot of sewing, a lot of tailoring,” he said “I (said) ‘this is easy, I know how to do this.”’

He learned on the job, working for various Denver-area clothiers. Eventually, a chance encounter at a small tailor shop on South Broadway led to a business opportunity.

“One day, the owner said, ‘Ted, I would love to sell you the business.’ And that’s how I started,” Vasilas said. “I put a little money down, whatever I had … and (in) a year and a half, I paid him off.”

He eventually had to leave his original location and ended up purchasing the building where his store still stands today. He expanded the shop during the COVID-19 pandemic to include a big-and-tall section, serving a wider range of sizes across both formal and casual wear.

“We’re doing it all,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re more busy right now than ever before.”

Vasilas isn’t the only entrepreneur in the family. The clothing store will remain a family business through one of his sons. Additionally, two of his sons own the Breakfast Queen, a popular Englewood diner just a few doors down. 

Additionally, his daughter, Eva Vasilas Fry, manages marketing for the clothing business. She said she is happy to see the business reach 50 years. 

“Oh, it’s a huge achievement,” Vasilas Fry said, speaking on the store’s 50th anniversary. “It’s truly a fulfillment of the American dream. My dad’s an immigrant from Greece and it’s a wonderful kind of experience to be able to watch him achieve this kind of success, as well as my brother.” 

For Vasilas Fry, the best aspects of working at the store are the customers and her family. 

“I love interacting with the customers,” she said. “My dad has three to four generations of customers that have been shopping here since he opened the doors. Many of them saw me growing up in a Pack ‘n Play in the alterations department. And now they see me working here — kind of behind-the-scenes or helping with customers — and they love just having the continuity of those conversations, seeing each other time and time again.”

Vasilas Fry also finds joy in the creative side of the business. 

“I love being creative and the fashion side of it. So, working with our vendors, putting together contests, promotions — all of it, that’s super fun as well,” she said.

At its heart, the business remains rooted in personal service.

“I love to take care of my customers,” Vasilas said when asked what he enjoys most. “I love to make my customers happy, make my customers laugh — and that brings them back.”

The store now employs 16 full-time workers, a big leap from its early days of just Vasilas, his wife and a few other employees.

The family celebrated five decades in business with a party of about 250 to 300 guests last month. But the celebrations aren’t over yet.

“In the middle of July, we will have some special sales through the middle of August … and we have quite a few door prizes. All my suppliers, they’re  participating,” he said. “Everybody who comes in, they fill out a little form — we’ll  give away at least 10 prizes every week.”

The community remains central to Vasilas’ story.

“Englewood, for me, is a great service town,” he said. “People … can reach it from every side of Colorado … And right where we are, it’s in old downtown Englewood. And just — we love it.”

After 50 years Vasilas still goes to the shop regularly. He golfs with friends, travels with his wife and enjoys spending time with his 10 grandchildren. 

And he’s not planning to step away from the business just yet.

“I don’t have any time set to quit,” he said. “Because I still enjoy it … I enjoy life. As long as I enjoy it, I don’t see why I’m going to quit it.”
For more information on the store, visit tedsclothiers.com.

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Since the approval of the City of Englewood’s $41.5 million general obligation parks bond that was on last year’s November ballot, work is officially underway to transform several local parks and public spaces. 

Leading the charge is Capital Project Manager Gina Olberding, who has been working to coordinate efforts, engage the community and ensure a smooth path from planning to construction.

“We have identified design firms for each project and have begun discussions about opportunities and challenges of the parks, Pirates Cove and the recreation center,” Olberding said. “We are scheduling community engagement events early in the process to learn what citizens want, gather feedback, build public support, and ensure the projects align with community needs and available funding.”

While the construction timelines are just beginning, the city has already seen an encouraging response from residents.

“Community engagement is a critical component of these projects,” Olberding said. “While we are at the beginning of our efforts, some residents have expressed feeling more included in the decision-making process. We’ve also received constructive input on proposed changes and questions about what people have heard. We’re using this feedback to guide the next phases of the design process.”

Olberding said construction at Cushing Park, located at 700 W. Dartmouth Ave., is scheduled to begin in August, making it the first bond-funded project to break ground.

“This marks a major milestone in our parks improvement initiative,” Olberding said. 

Behind the scenes, preparations are underway for two additional sites.

“At the same time, I’m actively working with our procurement department to finalize the selection of a construction company for Emerson Park, ensuring we choose a qualified team that aligns with our project goals and timeline,” Olberding said. “We are also preparing to issue a formal Request for Proposals for Rotolo Park, which will invite competitive bids and help us identify the best partner for that project. Based on our current schedule, we anticipate breaking ground on both Emerson and Rotolo parks in the fall.”

Beyond project milestones and logistics, the personal rewards of the job haven’t gone unnoticed by Olberding. 

“What I’ve enjoyed most about being part of this work is seeing how it brings people together and truly reflects what our community values,” she said. “I’m excited about these improvements because they’ll enhance a lively and welcoming city. No matter your ability or interest, you’ll be able to enjoy vibrant, modern spaces designed for the whole community. It’s incredibly rewarding to help create places that will be enjoyed for years to come.”

With multiple projects in motion, the next steps will focus on tightening the planning elements of the projects. 

“While each project is unique, the next steps in managing the work include creating a clear scope of work, timelines and budgets for each initiative based on stakeholder input and any recent adjustments,” Olberding said. “It’s imperative that we stay within budget and complete these projects on time to ensure we meet community expectations.” 

Olberding is working closely with various city departments to coordinate efforts, maintain alignment across departments and keep the projects moving forward. 

As work progresses, there’s a growing sense of excitement about what these revitalized spaces will mean for the community.

“I’m looking forward to seeing these parks come to life and watching the community enjoy the new spaces we’ve worked so hard to plan,” Olberding said. “There’s something really special about seeing families, kids and individuals of all ages making memories in places designed just for them. I’m also excited about continuing to build strong community partnerships and using what we’ve learned to guide future improvements.” 

For more information on the various park projects, visit englewoodco.gov/renew-recreate. 

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When Marjorie Erickson sits down with a client, permanent makeup tools in hand, she’s not just crafting a symmetrical wing or perfectly arched brow on people — she’s rebuilding confidence, one meticulous stroke at a time.

“It’s not about vanity,” Erickson said.  “It’s usually people who struggle with some confidence issues and it helps them with it.” 

Erickson is the founder and owner of Decadent Beauty, a growing permanent makeup business she opened at Image Studios in Englewood. She spends her time  between operating Decadent Beauty in Englewood and its other location in Nebraska. 

After years of working in a different career – an investigator for the Colorado Public Defender’s Office – Erickson took a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong passion for aesthetics and helping others feel comfortable in their skin.

As a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, Erickson said the trauma shaped her life, making traditional schooling difficult.

“After Columbine, I was pretty scared of school and didn’t do well with anything in person,” she said. “I did online stuff, but you can’t be an esthetician online. It doesn’t work like that.”

Despite those obstacles, Erickson persevered. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Colorado Denver — in 2010 and 2013, respectively — through online and hybrid programs. 

However, after relocating to rural Julesburg in northeast Colorado with her husband Craig, she realized her position at the public defenders’ office was no longer feasible. 

That opened the door to her long-deferred dream. So, with her husband’s encouragement, Erickson felt she could finally pursue her calling. 

“I had done a lot of years of therapy … and felt I was in a position where I could go to class in person,” Erickson said. 

In April 2023, Erickson enrolled in esthetician school. By December, she was licensed and by the beginning of 2024, she began training in permanent makeup. After completing over 130 hours of hands-on training and an apprenticeship in June last year, she officially opened Decadent Beauty on July 5, 2024. In April of this year, she began renting her space at Image Studios, located at 200 W. #120 Belleview Ave. in Englewood. 

Currently, Erickson offers permanent eyeliner and eyebrow tattooing, with plans to expand her services to include brow and lash lamination, tinting, chemical peels and microneedling. 

But the heart of her work lies in the deep, personal impact it can have on her clients.

Her clientele spans from young women facing autoimmune disorders to elderly clients struggling with tremors or fading features. She’s also worked with individuals who sustained facial injuries.

“The world is so hard on people if you don’t look a certain way,” Erickson said.  “And people have this ingrained in them…If I can take away one of the things that chips away at their self-esteem so that they can go out and live their lives without ever thinking about that again, I love that.”

Erickson isn’t walking this path alone. Her sister, Sara Lindholm, joined her in attending both esthetician and permanent makeup school. Lindholm specializes in areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors — a direction Erickson herself is now pursuing.

“My sister also dealt with a lot of the devastating parts of Columbine,” Erickson said. “She was at Ken Caryl Middle School during it, but she was still in my household unit … It impacted my household so tremendously. So, at my husband’s suggestion, he paid for us both to go to esthetician school and permanent makeup school.”

Craig, who now works as an ER doctor in Nebraska, has been a constant source of support for Erickson. 

“He’s absolutely wonderful,” Erickson said. 

For Erickson, there are many challenges to going into business for herself – including the actual practice of tattooing – but she said she relies heavily on her training to soothe her anxieties. 

However, starting over in her 40s was the aspect of her journey that really terrified her. 

“It is scary to start over in your 40s,” Erickson said. “When I first did this, I was like, ‘yes, this is the best idea ever.’ But the actuality of it, I was really scared. I was like, ‘I’m going to be the oldest in my class. And people are going to think I’m a loser because I’m brand new in this field. And there’s people who literally could be my child training me’… It’s really humbling to start over again.” 

But she also found strength in her mother, who, after losing her husband to addiction following Columbine, became a counselor later in life.

“I think she was 47 and she was interviewing daycares and everywhere to just try and to make it,” Erickson said. “Now she’s a very successful counselor. So, I look to her for that strength because it’s humbling.”

Going forward, Erickson’s goals include expanding her business and mastering areola tattooing — especially in rural communities where such services are nearly nonexistent. She’s also interested in eventually offering scalp micropigmentation for clients experiencing hair loss and dreams of one day teaching and mentoring others in the field.

“The great thing about this job is there are no limits on the possibility of it,” Erickson said. 

Erickson travels monthly between Colorado and Nebraska to offer her services. 

“I’m just happy to be back in the community I grew up in and able to offer my services here and have the support of my community,” Erickson said.

While she’s seen steady success in rural areas, Erickson admits that getting her name out in the competitive Denver market has been more difficult. Still, she said  her clients are consistently thrilled with the results.

For Erickson, it’s not just about beauty — it’s about healing, empowerment and helping others find the freedom to finally feel at home in their own skin. 

For more information on Decadent Beauty visit Erickson’s Instagram account at decadentbeautypmu.

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Arapahoe County is once again inviting residents to show their civic pride through creativity with its biennial “I Voted” sticker design contest. 

What began in 2021 as a fun, community-driven initiative has grown into a celebrated tradition showcasing local talent and encouraging voter engagement.

“Every other year, we hold a contest to design ‘I Voted’ stickers,” said Tom Skelley,  senior communications business partner for the county. “In 2021 and 2023, we also had a category for elementary students to create ‘Future Voter’ stickers that we hand out at vote centers and community events.”

This year, the deadline to submit designs is July 31. Additionally, this year the county is expanding the contest to include participants of all ages, Skelley said. 

Along with familiar youth categories, two new divisions have been added — one for hand-drawn artwork and another for digitally-designed entries.

“We still wanted children to have their own contest, so we have the ‘First Time Voter’ contest for kids ages 5 to 18,” Skelley said. 

Since the initiative’s launch, it has received enthusiastic support from across the county, Skelley said.

“The response to the contests has been overwhelmingly positive,” Skelley said. “The community has always shown pride and support for the winners, and for their inspired images that show their pride in the voting process.”

Just like a real election, the contest’s winners are chosen through a democratic vote — by the Elections Division staff.

“We use a secret ballot just like a real election, so employees who vote don’t see the names attached to entries, and nobody knows which employees voted for which designs,” Skelley said. 

Submissions must include key elements: the words “I Voted” or “First Time Voter,” depending on the category; as well as “Arapahoe County.” Beyond that, artists are encouraged to let their creativity shine.

“We encourage the artists to tap into their imaginations and create something that speaks to them about voting, Colorado, our beautiful county and our democracy,” Skelley said. 

In past years, popular themes have included local wildlife, scenic mountain views, nature, the Denver skyline and patriotic symbols like stars and the American flag.

“The ones that really stand out every time are the ones that show a unique perspective about what it means to live and vote here in Arapahoe County,” Skelley said. 

Until this year, all contest winners have been students in elementary, middle or high school.

“They are understandably proud to see images they worked so hard on receiving recognition from their communities,” Skelley said.

As the county opens this year’s contest to adults and digital artists, anticipation for what the community will come up with is high.

“We’re all eager to see original perspectives from artists of all ages, and we’re excited to see the diversity of images between the hand-drawn and digital art categories,” Skelley said. “It’s always a big deal when a voter casts their first-ever ballot at a vote center, so we’re thrilled that now we’ll have unique stickers to hand out to first-time voters to commemorate their special experience.”

For complete contest details, rules and entry forms, visit www.arapahoeco.gov/news_detail_votes_T90_R1100.php. 

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After anticipating that construction of the long-awaited Oxford Pedestrian Bridge would begin in June, the City of Englewood now says the work is expected to begin in July.

“In late June, the city finalized property access agreements with the apartments on the south side of Oxford Avenue,” said Victor Rachael, director of public works for the city. “We’re now working with RTD to secure access to the north side near the light rail station and expect construction to begin within the next two to three weeks — possibly sooner.”

Rachael said the city now anticipates substantial completion in February or March of 2026. Originally the city anticipated construction to run through January 2026. 

The pedestrian bridge will go over Oxford Avenue and will be located just east of the railroad tracks that parallel Santa Fe Drive. 

The bridge is “part of a larger initiative to improve urban mobility in Englewood,” Rachael said. 

“This bridge will not only provide a safer route for pedestrians, but also help alleviate traffic congestion and integrate into future transportation plans designed to make the city more accessible and sustainable,” Rachael said. 

Additionally, Rachael said the purpose of the bridge is to provide a safe and efficient way to access key transit points, as it is strategically placed to grant access to a quicker and safer path for those making their way to the Oxford Light Rail Station.

“By creating an elevated path for pedestrians, the bridge will help reduce congestion on Oxford Avenue, particularly during peak traffic hours when vehicles often trigger red lights that slow the flow of traffic,” Rachael said. 

The bridge is part of a larger project the city is working on, which includes the Rail Trail, a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly corridor that will run along the Santa Fe rail line. 

“The Rail Trail is designed to provide a fast, efficient route for non-motorized travel, allowing residents and commuters to navigate the city without relying on cars,” Rachael said. “This integration between the pedestrian bridge and the Rail Trail will offer an uninterrupted route for those looking to walk or bike around the city, fostering a healthier and more sustainable transportation culture.”

Funding for the Oxford pedestrian bridge comes from a federal grant the city received, which covers 80% of the project costs. Rachael explained that the remaining 20% will be covered by the city and supplemented by funds from a development agreement in relation to the apartments being built at the former Sam’s Automotive site along Oxford Avenue and Navajo Street. 

Rachael added that the new bridge will encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transportation. 

Members of the community, including Mayor Othoniel Sierra and Noah Kaplan, the founder of Vibrant Englewood, are excited for the bridge but both have also raised concerns about the design of the bridge. 

“As Mayor Othoniel Sierra has raised multiple times at council meetings, the current design of the bridge may have a negative impact on its usefulness,” Kaplan said. “The location of the bridge requires users to ascend from the sidewalk level, cross the bridge and then descend on the other side, which potentially requires significantly more time and energy than simply crossing at the current crosswalk.”

Kaplan said overall Vibrant Englewood is happy to see the city investing in infrastructure that helps the community move toward a connected network of safe and convenient transportation routes for all types of people.
For more information, visit https://www.engaged.englewoodco.gov/oxford-ave.   

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In Denver’s bustling neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to find a shop cat curled up by the register or an excited dog greeting customers at the door. 

Across the city, small businesses are embracing their four-legged companions, not just as pets, but as part of the store experience. 

At Crystal Castle Beads, located at 2240 S. Broadway in Denver, two dogs — Ruby and Boss — have become as much a part of the shop’s identity as its crystals and handmade jewelry supplies.

Crystal Castle Beads

Owner Adrienne Lemke opened the shop with other co-workers in October 2023 after the previous bead store they worked at shut down. 

“We just kind of came together and said, ‘Let’s start our own shop,’” she said. 

Enter Ruby — a spirited pup with a nose for stones and a habit of napping on desks. 

“I got her around the time we bought this building, on July 4,” Lemke said. “She’s been a part of this shop ever since. She helped us go through products, (she) tries to steal products … She knows the crystal business pretty well, and she has good taste in beads, too.”

Ruby quickly became the shop’s unofficial greeter, favorite distraction and emotional support creature all in one. 

“People come for the dogs, not for us,” Lemke said. “Kids, husbands — everyone loves her. It really adds something special.”

But Ruby isn’t the only pup with a following at Crystal Castle Beads. General Manager Jennifer Niemela brought in her dog, Boss, under equally heartwarming circumstances.

After the loss of her previous dog, Niemela had no intention of adopting again. But life had other plans. 

“Boss needed to be rescued, and I kind of needed a little extra happiness in my life,” she said. “So we introduced him to Ruby to see if they got along. They hit it off immediately.”

Now, Boss is a fixture in the shop alongside Ruby. 

“He’s happy, calm, super smart, and he loves sound healing,” Niemela said. “When I work with the bowls, he runs in like, ‘Yes, we’re doing sound healing.’ He just gets it.”

As customers wander through displays of stones and beads, it’s not unusual for them to be greeted by Ruby and Boss. 

“People ask where they are before they ask about anything else,” Niemela said. “It’s kind of like they’re the real stars of the shop.”

While the pets might be the draw for some, they also reinforce something deeper – a sense of comfort and community. 

“It’s soothing to have your dog at work with you,” Niemela said. “They make you smile. They make everyone smile. That’s kind of what it’s all about.”

Sewn Denver 

Owner of Sewn Denver Kirsten Coplans feels the same way about her dog, Kyoko, who can often be found lounging around the store located at 18 S. Broadway. 

Kyoko, who possesses a Japanese name that means “little girl,” is described by Coplans as smart, kind and mellow. 

“The question people ask me constantly is, ‘Is she always this chill?’” Coplans said. “This is her second home. She’s used to everything — old people, young people, walkers, wheelchairs. She doesn’t get overly excited when people pet her. It’s just normal for her.”

Coplans adopted Kyoko from Low Riders of the West, a small dog rescue in Littleton, when she was just 8 weeks old. 

Kyoko isn’t the first shop dog the business owner has had. 

“My other dog, Pearl, was my shop dog for 13 years,” she said. “When she passed, I needed another dog in my life.” 

Training Kyoko to be a shop dog started early. 

“I wanted to do a rescue, and I wanted to get a young puppy so I could start bringing her from day one,” Coplans said. 

Now 7 years old, Kyoko has grown into her role. 

“People lose their mind over a shop dog,” Coplans said. “It’s like they haven’t seen another dog anywhere else. They might not say hi to me, but they’re definitely gonna say hi to her.”

Kyoko has her own rhythm in the store and will move about the space seeking the best place to get comfortable – be it in front of a rack of vintage shoes or smack dap in the middle of the doorway.

“Sometimes she’s just like, ‘I’ve had too much attention today,’ and she’ll tuck herself away. But she also loves to see what’s going on outside,” Coplans said.

Coplans said Kyoko is very smart and always looking for food. 

“She’s always checking people’s pockets or bags for treats. She’s definitely an opportunist,” Coplans said. “The UPS guy brings her treats. People bring her treats. She knows what she’s doing.”

Kyoko is a blue heeler, a breed known for being deeply loyal to their owner. 

“She’s not really cuddly like a typical velcro dog,” Coplans explained. “But she always wants to know where I am. She just wants to have eyes on me.”

Sewn focuses on handmade and upcycled goods. 

“We’ve got a handful of handmade artists, most of them local. One-of-a-kind items, eco-friendly, and we also carry vintage,” Coplans said. “My background is vintage fabric and patterns. I love connecting with people about what they’re making.”

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What began as a small get-together among Englewood High School alumni has grown into a large community event for car lovers from all over. 

Englewood Cruise Night, now entering its fifth year, will take place on the third Saturday in July as it does every year. This year’s date is July 19. The event will kick off from a new location: the Rodz & Bodz Movie Cars & More Museum, located at 401 Englewood Parkway in the old Hobby Lobby space.

Event organizer Shannon Huber reflected on the event’s humble beginnings.

“It started out as just some alumni from Englewood High School, just a few of us wanting to get together and cruise like we used to in high school,” she said. “It’s just grown. It’s not a show, it’s not a competition. It’s just a cruise up and down, see some old friends and make new ones.”

Cruisers will now gather at Rodz & Bodz after outgrowing the Englewood High School parking lot in previous years.

“We’ve struggled a couple years not fitting in the parking lot,” Huber said. “Rodz agreed to let us use their parking area as a staging area … A lot of people will bring their lawn chairs and sit out by their cars or in the shade, and people walk around meeting each other. I think there will also be some food trucks out there this year.”

The event has seen impressive growth, with Huber estimating over 800 cars last year.

“It’s gotten bigger every year. A lot of car clubs come from Golden, Loveland, Colorado Springs. Clubs of all kinds — car clubs, bike clubs — they just come and join,” Huber said. “We meet at Rodz around 2 p.m. and then roll out to cruise together around 5 p.m. The businesses and neighborhoods all line up along Broadway — it’s really cool. It gives them kind of a little parade effect in the beginning.”

Englewood Cruise Night typically runs until about 10 p.m. The route stays mostly within Englewood, cruising along Broadway, from Hampden Avenue up to just north of Girard Avenue.

“We try to keep it in Englewood,” Hubert said. “I know Highlands Ranch has a cruise that weekend, too, so we kind of intertwine with them.”

Now in its fifth year, Huber sees 2025 as a milestone.

“It’s exciting to see how far it’s come, considering what it started out as, or what I had intentions for,” she said. “When we first started cruising, it was just a cruise. Now it’s also to help the community — to bring people out, bring business to the smaller businesses.”

Despite some noise complaints in past years, overall community feedback has been positive, Huber said. 

The event welcomes all kinds of vehicles, including classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, mini bikes and more.

“I drive a ’66 Ford pickup,” said Huber. “We’ve got hot rods, motorcycles, three-wheelers, mini-modded bikes — last year there were like 50 of them all at once, they’re so cool … It’s not about what you’re driving. It’s about being out there and having a good time.”

As the main organizer, Huber hopes the new location at Rodz & Bodz will make this year’s event more family-friendly.

“Meeting at Rodz will be cool,” she said. “I’m hoping more families come out and enjoy it. We want the community to enjoy it as well.”

The post Englewood Cruise Night to roll into its fifth year on July 19 appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

The Colorado Disability Funding Committee, operating under the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, will award $2 million in grant funding to 34 organizations across the state. 

A spokesperson with the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office said the grants will support new and innovative projects aimed at improving the independence and quality of life for Coloradans living with disabilities.

“The funding for these grants comes from the partial sale of historical license plates, including the black-background license plates which have become very popular,” a spokesperson said. “Thanks to the popularity of these plates, the Colorado Disability Funding Committee has been able to increase its grants over 300% in the past two years.” 

Since the Colorado Disability Funding Committee was formed, it has funded disability application assistance grants to organizations that assist individuals and families with various applications for disability benefit programs. Recently, the committee divided the funding and allocated half of it to new ideas. 

The committee selected 34 organizations to receive funding for various programs such as education, employment advocacy and training, adaptive recreation, technology, housing, therapy and medical innovations, service animal training and placement, general advocacy and more. 

A spokesperson from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee said the organization received 191 applications totaling over $15 million in requested funding. 

“The Colorado Disability Funding Committee is made up of 13 governor-appointed members, most members identifying as living with a disability or having first-hand experience working with someone who does,” a spokesperson said. “This committee worked tirelessly through 253 grant applications in order to select the recommended winners. The committee looked at how many people would be served, what geographical areas would be served and what new and innovative ideas would be employed to improve the lives of Coloradans.” 

Applicants were eligible to request up to $100,000 each.

“The organizations were delighted to hear they had been selected, given the difficult budget year many of them are facing,” a spokesperson said. 

Julie Deden, the executive director of the Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton,  said her organization is grateful for the $60,000 grant it will receive from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee in July. 

“We’re planning on using the grant to assist blind people of all ages to work in the area of technology and to learn technology,” Deden said. “We’re going to be doing a lot more training in the area of technology, while at the same time weaving AI into it. So we’ll be working with people here at our Colorado Center for the Blind, but we’ll also be working with some blind people outside of the center itself. So we’re really excited about it.” 

The Colorado Disability Funding Committee said it was happy to see the high number of applications. 

“While the demand for funding is high, we’re hopeful that as more Coloradans learn that the historical license plates aren’t just cool and trendy, they’re actually making a positive impact across the state, we’ll be able to increase the available funding even further in the future,” a spokesperson said. 

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The Englewood-based museum Rodz & Bods Museum Movie Cars & More is approaching its last month of operation and will host several events for the community before its last day on Aug. 3. 

However, owner Zack Loffert said while these are the museum’s final days at its current location at 401 Englewood Plaza, he hopes to reopen the museum in about a year in a building he plans to build and own himself. 

“I plan to do this one final time,” Loffert said. “If I do that with the building I own, I don’t have to worry about them building apartments or anything because I own the building.”

Loffert said the museum’s final days are Aug. 2 and 3. He will be hosting a celebration with food and dessert trucks and random giveaways for those who visit Rodz & Bodz. 

Rodz & Bods announced in March that it would be closing its Englewood location due to upcoming redevelopment plans for the property where it’s located. The property is owned by Kimco Development, which is undergoing redevelopment for a proposed hotel and apartment development that was approved by the Englewood City Council in February.

“We’re going to build an immersive museum experience,” Loffert said. “When you walk in, you’re essentially walking into movie sets. It’ll literally feel like you’re in Hollywood.”

Because of this new format, many of the museum’s current display items will be auctioned off in a two-day event on Aug. 22 and 23. 

“It’s like 99% no reserve — high bidder wins. It can be in-person or online,” Loffert said. “There will be 463 items. We’re talking movie cars, trucks, signs, gas pumps, pedal cars, screen-used memorabilia — stuff like that.”

Proceeds from the auction will go toward the down payment for the new building. 

Rodz and Bodz first started in 2017. 

“We started renting out cars for movies, weddings, commercials – anything you could think of to rent a cool car. That’s what we did,” Loffert said. 

He said he is going back to doing rentals fulltime after the museum closes. 

“The rental business and the prop warehouse business will stay renting as normal,” Loffert said. “Just the museum being open to the public is what will change.”

There are currently over 80 cars displayed on the floor at the museum, but Loffert said the overall collection contains over 180 cars. 

“I’ve bought vehicles from other collectors, other museums. I go out and source them and find them every week,” Loffert said. “I’m looking for vehicles, whether it’s cars, bikes, anything from movies, TV shows – and if we can’t find it or buy it, we build it.” 

Loffert said out of the 180 vehicles, about 48 of them are cars that were actually used in movies or television shows, and the remaining are replicas he has built himself.

The final month at the current location will include participation in community events such as the Englewood Cruise Night on July 19, during which the museum will serve as the host site.

Reflecting on the journey and the decision to rebuild, Loffert cited the overwhelming community support. 

“Just seeing people every day visit the museum — it’s something they love and something that the community’s behind,” Loffert said. “We see like 900 people a week. It’s something that needs to stay, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”

The new location is still being determined, but the goal is to remain nearby. 

“We’re trying to stay as close as possible — inside the 470 loop for sure,” Loffert said. “Right now, the focus is on having an awesome summer and then kicking off the auction. And then it’s full steam ahead to find a new building.”

As the museum prepares for this next chapter, Loffert is encouraging fans to visit before the doors close.

 “Come out and visit, because this is gonna be the last time this part of the collection with the museum is ever together again as one piece,” they said. “It’ll be awesome to see what it becomes.”

For more information on the museum, visit https://rodzandbodzmuseum.com.  

The post Englewood’s Rodz & Bodz Museum Movie Cars & More to host several events in last month of operation appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

As Independence Day approaches, the Englewood Police Department is urging people to celebrate responsibly and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday – both for themselves and their pets. 

Allison Stockford, a summer intern with the Englewood Police Department, shared a list of tips and reminders for people who are planning both at-home gatherings and those attending the city’s professional fireworks show.

Those planning to celebrate at home should be aware that the use of fireworks is strictly prohibited within Englewood city limits. The department emphasized that “in Colorado, most fireworks, including anything that shoots into the air or explodes, are illegal for personal use.”

Those celebrating outside of Englewood’s city limits should check what the local ordinances are where they will be and comply with them. The department also stressed the importance of exercising caution when using personal fireworks. 

“Always use proper judgment and discretion when handling personal
Fourth of July explosives,” Stockford said.

Stockford wanted to remind the community that there are serious risks associated with illegal fireworks. 

“Every year, illegal fireworks lead to fires, injuries and extra strain on emergency crews and first responders,” she said. 

As a safer alternative, Stockford encourages residents to skip personal fireworks altogether. 

“Choose to enjoy professional shows and encourage others to do the same,” Stockford said.

Englewood’s professional fireworks show will once again take place at Cornerstone Park. However, due to ongoing construction, parking at the park will be extremely limited and possibly not available. Therefore, attendees are encouraged to carpool, use rideshare services or bike to the event to reduce congestion.

Additional regulations for the event include no pets except for service animals, no alcohol, no personal fireworks and that attendees follow the city’s park general rules and regulations. 

Pet safety is another important concern during the holiday, and Stockford said people should think about their animals. 

“Keep pets in safe and secure locations,” Stockford said. “Many animals get spooked by loud noises like fireworks. Keep them in a spot where they have little risk of escaping.” 

Stockford shared several other safety tips:

Stay alert and aware of surroundings.

Stick with a group and establish a meeting place in case anyone becomes separated.

Watch for children, cyclists and pedestrians while driving through the city.

Use glowsticks, flashlights or reflectors if outside after dark.

Lock vehicles and secure belongings — or leave them at home altogether.

The post Englewood police offer tips for a safe Fourth of July  appeared first on Colorado Community Media.