Leadville Today

Reminders: The Law, The Job, The Bureaucracy

There are a number of meetings this week that residents should be reminded of as they deal with the basics of life at 10,200 feet: Keeping safe, keeping employed and keeping a shelter.

Today, Monday, Oct. 16, Lake County residents will have a chance to weigh-in on law enforcement efforts and issues. The Town Hall Meeting will be held from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Lake County High School cafeteria. This is an opportunity for people to ask questions and/or voice concerns.

Lake County Sheriff Rodney Fenske, Leadville Police Chief Robert Glenny and 5th Judicial District Attorney Bruce Brown will be in attendance and available for discussing law enforcement related issues.

Help for Job Seekers Finding Work Online

If you or someone you know is looking for work, then you understand how important the internet can be to meet your end goal: employment! So take advantage of a FREE workshop this week, tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. The program is designed to help job seekers with “Job and Career Search Help.” Thanks to the Leadville Colorado Workforce Center, these 30-45 minute FREE workshops are offered Tuesdays through October and help job-hunters brush up on the necessary skills to get a job in today’s market!

You can participate from your smart device, PC or in person at one of the Workforce Centers. The Lake County Public Library also offers a WORKFORCE LAPTOP for persons looking for employment or filing for unemployment. This system is dedicated to help job seekers.

For workshop attendees, you need to register and can do so ONLINE or contact Sue Miller at the Leadville Workforce Center at Sue.Miller@state.co.us or by calling (719) 486-2428. Increase your skill set, put your best foot forward, and get that great job that’s waiting just for you!

City Council Presents More Bureaucracy

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the City of Leadville and Leadville Urban Renewal Authority is holding an informational meeting about their plans for advancing initiatives in downtown through the newly created Leadville Urban Renewal Authority. Presenters include Anne Ricker, Principal and Owner, Ricker & Cunningham, Redevelopment Specialist, and Linda Michow, Michow Cox & McAskin LLP, Urban Renewal Attorney/City. Here’s the line-up for Tuesday evening’s program: Open House 5 – 5:30 p.m., Presentation 5:30 – 6 p.m., Question & Answer 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Professionals Connect on 3rd Fridays at Vertex

This Friday, Oct. 20 Vertex WorkSpace continues with its 3rd Friday Connect program. This is local business owners and professionals’ chance to network with other remote, Internet professionals–or just come and have fun! The event will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. at Vertex WorkSpace, located at 1205 Harrison Avenue, across from the public library. Refreshments will be served.

Vertex WorkSpace is a shared office space located at 1205 Harrison Avenue in Leadville. Celebrating its one-year anniversary last month, this 21st century office complex is the creation of Jane and Dave Horning and has found its place among professionals looking for a shared office space. While the concept of shared work space has been prevalent in urban processional circles for years, the idea finally reached the mountain top in Leadville in 2016.

So what is the shared work space concept?

Co-working space is a shared workspace where freelancers and other independent workers can go and get the basics of an office – desk, internet access, conference room, shared printers, and mail service. Members buy time in the space from a few hours a week to full-time, sometimes even having a dedicated desk or small office.

At Vertex, the range from a Daily-Table use at $23/day to the $525 private office space with conference room privileges. Monthly rates do include a professional mailing address, kitchen access including free coffee and tea, print/scan/copy availability and free high-speed wireless internet.

In fact, it’s likely that last asset that will bring in the millennials, in constant search for a connection. This summer, Leadville’s standard wireless access points started to go black after dark and afterhours. And for the younger set, who keep non-traditional hours, huddling in their car on Harrison Avenue or at the Laundromat in the early morning hours, waiting for a connection to finish an online class or make travel plans has been getting old.

Typically, the shared workspace concept is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Co-working spaces also provide the positive attributes of social gatherings for a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with people who value working in the same place alongside each other.

Since its Grand Opening in September 2016, Vertex has found some growing success among Lake County’s independent professionals, as well as summer visitors looking for reliable, high-speed internet access. Now Vertex WorkSpace hopes that this 3rd Friday Connect series brings that experience to the next level – sharing information!

So if you’re looking for a new work space or perhaps ready to move out of that basement home office, stop by on Friday, Oct. 20 for Vertex’s 3rd Friday Connect from 4 – 6 p.m. at 1205 Harrison Avenue. And if you can’t make it stay connected with them on the Vertex WorkSpace Facebook Page.

Historic Churches See Renovation Milestones

Historic renovation and repair work continue at Leadville’s Catholic churches: Annunciation and St. Joseph. So it’s time to check in with news about some fundraising efforts planned for this weekend, as well as some significant milestones at both historic buildings.

Today and tomorrow October 14 & 15, the Women of Hope will have a yard and bake sale at Annunciation Church, located at the corner of Poplar and E. 7^th Street, near the garage and social hall. Today, Saturday, the sale will run from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. On Sunday, the sale will resume at 10 a.m., following 9 a.m. Mass. With several families contributing items to this sale, there should be some great treasures and of course, delicious baked goods.

In other church news, historic renovation efforts continue at Annunciation and St. Joseph, with significant progress and a milestone announcement last week from Father Rafael Torres-Rico, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Parish in Leadville.

“Through these two years, we have done a lot and I am very grateful and thankful for all the volunteers who have spent hours and hours of work,” said Father Rafael addressing the congregation last Sunday, Oct. 8. “St. Joseph’s is getting ready to re-open,” he continued, announcing there will be a special 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 22.

“But the work is not completely done. There is still much to do,” the priest reminded parishioners.

Annunciation Church Restore Before After_Leadville Today

Much of the restoration work at Leadville’s historic Annunciation Church has been completed. “But there’s still much to do,” said Father Raphael.

While the two churches have seen a decline in attendance since the late 20^th century, as well as decay in building infrastructure, the last 2 years since Rev. Rico-Torres’s arrival have put a new wind in the sails of Leadville Catholics. After all, the young priest’s “lean-in” approach was going to determine if the two historic churches would still be standing in another 10 years, not to mention the spiritual awakening that was necessary to keep the religious church in place. By the 1990s, the local Catholic community had seen two separate parishes, one for west-siders at St. Jospeh’s and the other for east-siders at Annunciation, combine down to one: Holy Family Parish. But by 2015, it was “roll-up-your-sleeves” time, and maybe that’s when Leadville brings its best.

The work at Annunciation Church involved a complete remodel to the Sacristy (the room behind the altar). The walls and ceilings were repaired, updated lighting was installed and new cabinets were constructed to hold all of the religious artifacts and vessels need to conduct Mass and other sacraments.

Deacon Tony Wreckman also reported that 90% of the materials and 100% of the labor was donated in order to not only bring the space up to its deserved, respectable status, but to meet emergency exit needs in the church as well.

Baby Doe Tabor Funeral_Annunciaiton Church.

The social hall at Annunciation has had noticeable upgrades, in large part due to a group of visiting Knights of Columbus members from the Highlands Ranch Catholic Community near Denver. With help from the Leadville chapter of this religious order, the floors have been replaced and the kitchen is nearing competition on an entire overhaul. The Parish office, the red-brick building adjacent to Annunciation Church, continues to address aging issues. Like many old Leadville buildings the structure sees settling and shifting concerns, as well as infrastructure issues with old heating and plumbing systems.

In the church itself, Annunciation has seen some upgrades, structurally in the choir loft, as well as the restoration and re-installation of some of the original, beautifully hand-carved, woodwork which encircled the altar. For readers who may not know, this was the church where the Unsinkable Molly Brown got married and where Baby Doe Tabor’s funeral was held.

Meanwhile the restoration down at St. Joseph historic church on W. 2^nd Street, will likely show the most significant efforts, but it was needed. When Rev. Torres-Rico first arrived as Leadville’s pastor two years ago, the condition of the Rectory (the house adjacent to the church, where the priest lives) was nearly uninhabitable, with reports of Father Rafael having to sleep in the pews for several nights when the heat went out in the Rectory. Since that disturbing announcement, many faithful have stepped up to help, and both the house and historic church have seen marked improvement.

The BIG reveal is coming soon! Leadville’s St. Joseph Church marks a milestone with its restoration efforts with a special Mass planned for Sunday, October 22. While a large portion of the restoration work has been completed to the altar and pews, the beloved frescoes (paintings) and unique woodwork have been preserved as part of the building’s special heritage. Photo: Leadville Today/Kathy Bedell

In the church itself, a sneak peek reveals some incredible new brick work has been added to the altar, and Sacristy, all while fully respecting the artistic heritage of the frescoes and other religious artifacts beloved by this 118-year-old parish. In addition, all of the pews have been stripped down and refinished, with the flooring beneath them repaired.

“It’s not enough to feel proud (of these churches), you have to be responsible as well,” Father Rafael preached. “It is important for the faithful to have a place of worship for God.”

All the faithful are invited to the Special Mass at St. Joseph Church on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. For those interested in making a contribution to the Holy Family Parish “Building Campaign” you may do so by sending a check to 609 Poplar Street, Leadville CO 80461. For more details about the overall plan and projects you and your group can assist with, please contact Father Rafael Torres-Rico directly at frshepherd1@yahoo.com. The Parish’s Office Manager is Kathy Micklich, she may be reached by phone at 719-486-1382 or by email at himtnchurch@hotmail.com. You may also connect with the local parish on the Leadville Catholic Youth Facebook Page where the weekly church bulletin is generally published for additional details on services and Mass Schedules.