Down Syndrome

STEAMBOAT PILOT & TODAY

SUNDAYMarch 17, 2013 • VOLUME 126, NUMBER 32 • STEAMBOATTODAY.COM

$1.50

DETAILS EMERGE IN WOMAN’S DEATH

Police on Saturday arrest 2 in connection with Yampa woman’s death page 8A

SPORTSNorth Routt Nordic race Glide the Divide still a big hit page 1B

READERS WEIGH INDo you support prenatal tests that can determine whether a fetus might have Down syndrome?

Find the results from past reader polls with this question on page 12A

BUSINESSSunday, March 17, 2013 1C

REAL ESTATE &

Tom RossSTEAMBOAT PILOT & TODAY

STEAMBOAT SPRINGSThe Williams Family Partner-

ship, which owns the West Acres Mobile Home Park, has entered the city planning process with the intent of developing a sec-ond, smaller park on Steamboat Springs’ far west side. The partnership has submitted

an application for a zone change on the 5.5-acre property, from low-density residential to high-density residential, to include mobile homes as a permitted use. The partnership has a contract to purchase the property from Star-Dance LLC.The site is just north of Copper

Ridge Circle and to the east of existing buildings that front Routt County Road 129, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall and Pioneer Materials West Slope.

Although no application has been submitted for a develop-ment permit, partnership spokes-man Charlie Williams said this week that the intent is to move forward if the zoning change can be obtained. “I’d rather start (construction)

this summer if I can get it through that fast,” Williams said. He added that he’s confident

he can get approval for the zone change and the mobile home park.

Williams said he’s hopeful that the partnership can develop a minimum of 29 lots for mobile homes on the site. West Acres, less than two miles to the west, has 92 homes. Williams is optimistic that lot rents at the new park would be similar to those at West Acres, where the average is about $560.

“We want this to be a place that’s going to attract young cou-ples with kids,” Williams said. “I definitely want it to be a family place. That’s what we really push for at West Acres.”Steamboat’s stock of work-

force housing in mobile homes was reduced by 39 homes in 2006-07 when most of the units in Westland Mobile Home Park were torn down to make way for a new mixed-use development, Riverwalk, that did not go for-ward. Several of those mobile homes were moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and another was relocated by the owner.Jason Peasley, executive direc-

tor of Yampa Valley Housing Authority, said his organization

acquired the Fish Creek Mobile Home Park, with 68 mobile homes, after Westland was demolished in 2007 because of a concern that that could become the norm for riverfront mobile home parks in Steamboat. The group wanted to provide security for the mobile home owners, Pea-sley said.

“The park is mostly full late this winter,” he said, partly because the lot rents of $400 to $465 monthly are “pretty much below market.”The zone-change application

submitted by the Williams Fam-ily Partnership points out its new park would have the potential to “correct the existing disconnect between the city’s vision of retain-ing mobile home residents and the current lack of vacant land to support that vision.”Williams said the park would

include some open space on a hillside that extends into one cor-ner of the property. He also antic-ipates creating a children’s area, in the park but doesn’t have spe-cific plans.The application from the part-

nership observes that a nearby industrial park could provide jobs for some mobile home park resi-dents who would not have to commute to those jobs. Williams said he hoped the park’s develop-ment, together with West Acres, could stimulate an extension of a city bus route to the area.

New mobile home park planned

TOM ROSS/STAFF

Charlie Williams and the Williams Family Partnership, who own and manage the

West Acres Mobile Home Park, are pursuing development of a new mobile home park

east of Elk River Road. Pictured are the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, left, and

Pioneer Materials West Slope.

SteamboatHomefinder.com

West Acres owners under contract to purchase land on Steamboat’s west sidePlanned mobile home park

US Highway 40

Routt County Road 129

To Steamboat ➤

Downhill Drive

Copper Ridge Drive

Copper Ridge Circle

South Copper Frontage Road

Jacob Circle

Planned 5.5-acre mobile home park

➤

N

NICOLE MILLER/STAFF

www.PruSteamboat.com

BEST BUYS

970.879.8100 800.430.4121

2094

8887

Transformed Timber Run#135345

• 2 Bed, 2 bath condo, furnished• Amazing remodel and new � nishes

throughout• Excellent income potential• No stairs to unit, superb amenities

WAS $259,000 NOW $229,000

www. SkiMountainViews.com#133143

• Like new, 5-bdrms in Tree Haus• 2 suites w/patio access, private

master getaway• � e best ski mtn views in the valley• Gorgeous kitchen and large rec room

WAS $1,095,000NOW $945,000

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private Patio!

#135124

• Exclusive 5 bedroom / 5.5 bath• Private heated patio with hot tub

• A/C in summer; shuttle in winter• Great rental history income!

WAS $1,175,000 NOW $995,000

Just Listed at the Lodge#135687

• Short walk to skiing and base area• 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 1041 sq �

• Highly rated unit for good rentals• Pool, tennis, clubhouse, shuttle

JUST LISTED AT $279,000

First Tracks w/Trailhead Amenities• 2 bedroom/2 bath – gorgeous furnishings – turnkey• Considerably less expensive then

FT comparables• All utilities included in HOA except electric• Pet friendly for owners – tons of

storage

STARTING PRICE $275,000 NOW $245,000

Now is the Time to Build!#128203

• Exceptional view lot in Barn Village

• Quiet and private neighborhood• Spacious corner lot next to Barn

Park• Close to skiing, shopping and

dinning

WAS $439,000 NOW $199,000

USINESSSunday, March




US Highway 40


To Steamboat

Downhill Drive

South Copper Frontage RoadSouth Copper Frontage Road

Jacob Circle


➤

N

NICOLE MILLER/STAFF

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private




Joel ReichenbergerSteamboat Pilot & today

Steamboat SpringS

It was a great day of rac-ing by any standard. Both the 55-kilometer and 100-kilometer versions of North Routt’s mon-strous Glide the Divide, former-ly the Coureur des Bois, came down to sprint finishes, elite skiers charging toward the fin-ish line as a small collection of onlookers cheered.

The event’s true success was evident beyond just those thrill-ing finishes, however.

Consider the end of the 100K race.

Adam Swank and Fabi-en Beaufils fought to the fin-ish line, this year near Colum-bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather than at the traditional finish, at Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the outskirts of the village.

“The last 5K has a couple of kilometers of climbing and we did some cat and mouse to see who was stronger. We were both strong, so neither could drop the other,” said Swank, the Duluth, Minn. skier who got the final change of momentum to win, finishing the men’s 100K skate in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-onds.

Beaufils was second in 4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-ane not far back, in third at 5:01:40.4.

Beaufils “sprinted over the top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in behind him,” he said. “I got a little slingshot effect at the end to get around him.”

The pair was still huffing and puffing, accepting congrat-ulations and swapping “what were you thinking when” sto-ries between each other when two of the day’s youngest racers approached the finish line.

Jason Heid, 6, and his older brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come in with near the speed as Swank and Beaufils had, but as they finished the 15-kilometer course with wide smiles, they as well as anyone symbolized what once again made Routt County’s most difficult race such a favor-ite.

Sure, it matters how fast you go, but not nearly as much as it matters that you go.

That draw — just to finish the race that bills itself as the nation’s most difficult — as much as anything explains why the Glide once again was able to draw racers from around the country.

“This race is always fun to come up for,” said Amy Caldwell, a former Boulderite who made the trip back to Col-orado from her home in Ver-mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-

lar scenery.”She was tops in the wom-

en’s 55K skate field, finish-ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-ond-place Emily Lovett, in at 3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala, third in 3:40:03.0.

Back in the Heid family, Jus-tin was the first to get the Glide bug, insisting a year ago that he wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far from his family’s North Routt home. This year, he was up for it again and Jason wanted to join in.

“We had a contingency plan for him. If it was too much, we’d have him picked up at the aide station,” said mother Becky Heid, who raced alongside her sons.

Turns out, there was no need. It was smooth sailing, great ski-ing on fast snow. That didn’t eliminate all the hurdles. Justin said the rearranged course fea-tured more hills than last year’s. Like all racers, they found a way to manage, however.

“I was very proud,” Becky

Joel reichenberger/Staff

Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race near the end of the course. He managed to hold the chase pack off, winning the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 56.8 seconds.

Luke GrahamSteamboat Pilot & today

Steamboat SpringS

If the Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team is thinking bigger — it should be in the first year of Class 4A lacrosse — games like Satur-day’s against Green Mountain could go a long way.

The Sailors were by no means sharp, allowing the Rams to hang around for three quarters. But in the end, Steamboat did enough to come away from the close battle with a 7-3 win.

“I think the thing with this group is again to make sure they’re not overconfident,” Steamboat coach Bob Hiester said. “That’s deadly.”

It would be expected that Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll, Steamboat slotted in at No. 3. The Sailors never have lost a Mountain League game, and the buzz around the program is at an all-time high.

But as much as Hiester has cautioned his team, he admitted its on the players to not be too overconfident.

So far, so good.After blasting Eagle Valley

on Friday, Steamboat found a game against Green Mountain on Saturday.

The Sailors jumped out to a 3-0, first-quarter lead on goals from Christian Ramirez, Ben Wharton and Mitch McCan-non.

From there, the Rams started

using their size and physicality to take the Sailors out of their offensive rhythm.

A Kyle Lichty goal made it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon added another in the third Shannon lukenS/courteSy

Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green Mountain player Saturday. The Sailors won, 7-3.

SPORTS Sunday, March 17, 2013 1B

North Routt race still a big hit

Steamboat boys lacrosse rallies for 7-3 winLacrosse scheduleTuesday: 4 p.m. at aspenFriday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand Junction Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at Grand JunctionMarch 28: 4 p.m. vs. tbaMarch 30: 11 a.m. at Rock CanyonApril 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountainApril 5: 7:30 p.m. at GoldenApril 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountainApril 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood SpringsApril 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor ChristianMay 2: 4 p.m. vs. SummitMay 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction

See Lacrosse, page 3b

For moreFind race results from Saturday’s Glide the divide on page 8b.

PREP LACROSSE

See Race, page 2b


West Acres owners under contract to purchase land on Steamboat’s west side

US Highway 40

Jacob Circle





Joel ReichenbergerSteamboat Pilot & today

Steamboat SpringS

It was a great day of rac-ing by any standard. Both the 55-kilometer and 100-kilometer versions of North Routt’s mon-strous Glide the Divide, former-ly the Coureur des Bois, came down to sprint finishes, elite skiers charging toward the fin-ish line as a small collection of onlookers cheered.

The event’s true success was evident beyond just those thrill-ing finishes, however.

Consider the end of the 100K race.

Adam Swank and Fabi-en Beaufils fought to the fin-ish line, this year near Colum-bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather than at the traditional finish, at Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the outskirts of the village.

“The last 5K has a couple of kilometers of climbing and we did some cat and mouse to see who was stronger. We were both strong, so neither could drop the other,” said Swank, the Duluth, Minn. skier who got the final change of momentum to win, finishing the men’s 100K skate in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-onds.

Beaufils was second in 4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-ane not far back, in third at 5:01:40.4.

Beaufils “sprinted over the top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in behind him,” he said. “I got a little slingshot effect at the end to get around him.”

The pair was still huffing and puffing, accepting congrat-ulations and swapping “what were you thinking when” sto-ries between each other when two of the day’s youngest racers approached the finish line.

Jason Heid, 6, and his older brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come in with near the speed as Swank and Beaufils had, but as they finished the 15-kilometer course with wide smiles, they as well as anyone symbolized what once again made Routt County’s most difficult race such a favor-ite.

Sure, it matters how fast you go, but not nearly as much as it matters that you go.

That draw — just to finish the race that bills itself as the nation’s most difficult — as much as anything explains why the Glide once again was able to draw racers from around the country.

“This race is always fun to come up for,” said Amy Caldwell, a former Boulderite who made the trip back to Col-orado from her home in Ver-mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-

lar scenery.”She was tops in the wom-

en’s 55K skate field, finish-ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-ond-place Emily Lovett, in at 3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala, third in 3:40:03.0.

Back in the Heid family, Jus-tin was the first to get the Glide bug, insisting a year ago that he wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far from his family’s North Routt home. This year, he was up for it again and Jason wanted to join in.

“We had a contingency plan for him. If it was too much, we’d have him picked up at the aide station,” said mother Becky Heid, who raced alongside her sons.

Turns out, there was no need. It was smooth sailing, great ski-ing on fast snow. That didn’t eliminate all the hurdles. Justin said the rearranged course fea-tured more hills than last year’s. Like all racers, they found a way to manage, however.



Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race near the end of the course. He managed to hold the chase pack off, winning the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 56.8 seconds.

Luke GrahamSteamboat Pilot & today

Steamboat SpringS

If the Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team is thinking bigger — it should be in the first year of Class 4A lacrosse — games like Satur-day’s against Green Mountain could go a long way.

The Sailors were by no means sharp, allowing the Rams to hang around for three quarters. But in the end, Steamboat did enough to come away from the close battle with a 7-3 win.

“I think the thing with this group is again to make sure they’re not overconfident,” Steamboat coach Bob Hiester said. “That’s deadly.”

It would be expected that Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll, Steamboat slotted in at No. 3. The Sailors never have lost a Mountain League game, and the buzz around the program is at an all-time high.

But as much as Hiester has cautioned his team, he admitted its on the players to not be too overconfident.

So far, so good.After blasting Eagle Valley

on Friday, Steamboat found a game against Green Mountain on Saturday.

The Sailors jumped out to a 3-0, first-quarter lead on goals from Christian Ramirez, Ben Wharton and Mitch McCan-non.

From there, the Rams started

using their size and physicality to take the Sailors out of their offensive rhythm.

A Kyle Lichty goal made it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon added another in the third Shannon lukenS/courteSy

Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green Mountain player Saturday. The Sailors won, 7-3.

SSPORTSPORTSSSPORTSSS Sunday, March 17, 2013 1B1B


Steamboat boys lacrosse rallies for 7-3 winLacrosse scheduleTuesday: 4 p.m. at aspenFriday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand Junction Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at telluride at tGrand JunctionMarch 28: 4 p.m. vs. tbaMarch 30: 11 a.m. at Rock CanyonApril 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountainApril 5: 7:30 p.m. at GoldenApril 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountainApril 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood SpringsApril 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor ChristianMay 2: 4 p.m. vs. SummitMay 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction



PREP LACROSSEPREP LACROSSE

See Race, page 2b



$1.50

WOMAN’S DEATH

BEING INVESTIGATED

Police on Saturday arrest

2 in connection with Yampa

woman’s death page 8A

SPORTSNorth Routt cross-country

race Glide the Divide still a big hit

page 1B

READERS WEIGH IN

Do you support prenatal tests that

can determine whether a fetus

might have Down syndrome?

Find the results from past reader

polls with this question on

page 12A

BUSINESS Sunday, March 17, 2013 1C

REAL ESTATE &

Tom RossSTEAMBOAT PILOT & TODAY

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

The Williams Family Partner-ship, which owns the West Acres Mobile Home Park, has entered the city planning process with the intent of developing a sec-ond, smaller park on Steamboat Springs’ far west side.

The partnership has submitted an application for a zone change on the 5.5-acre property, from low-density residential to high-density residential, to include mobile homes as a permitted use. The partnership has a contract to purchase the property from Star-Dance LLC.

The site is just north of Copper Ridge Circle and to the east of existing buildings that front Routt County Road 129, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall and Pioneer Materials West Slope.

Although no application has been submitted for a develop-ment permit, partnership spokes-man Charlie Williams said this week that the intent is to move forward if the zoning change can be obtained.

“I’d rather start (construction) this summer if I can get it through that fast,” Williams said.

He added that he’s confident

he can get approval for the zone change and the mobile home park.

Williams said he’s hopeful that the partnership can develop a minimum of 29 lots for mobile homes on the site. West Acres, less than two miles to the west, has 92 homes. Williams is optimistic that lot rents at the new park would be similar to those at West Acres, where the average is about $560.

“We want this to be a place that’s going to attract young cou-ples with kids,” Williams said. “I definitely want it to be a family place. That’s what we really push for at West Acres.”

Steamboat’s stock of work-force housing in mobile homes was reduced by 39 homes in 2006-07 when most of the units in Westland Mobile Home Park were torn down to make way for a new mixed-use development, Riverwalk, that did not go for-ward. Several of those mobile homes were moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and another was relocated by the owner.

Jason Peasley, executive direc-tor of Yampa Valley Housing Authority, said his organization

acquired the Fish Creek Mobile Home Park, with 68 mobile homes, after Westland was demolished in 2007 because of a concern that that could become the norm for riverfront mobile home parks in Steamboat. The group wanted to provide security for the mobile home owners, Pea-sley said.

“The park is mostly full late this winter,” he said, partly because the lot rents of $400 to $465 monthly are “pretty much below market.”

The zone-change application

submitted by the Williams Fam-ily Partnership points out its new park would have the potential to “correct the existing disconnect between the city’s vision of retain-ing mobile home residents and the current lack of vacant land to support that vision.”

Williams said the park would include some open space on a hillside that extends into one cor-ner of the property. He also antic-ipates creating a children’s area, in the park but doesn’t have spe-cific plans.

The application from the part-



TOM ROSS/STAFF

Charlie Williams and the Williams Family Partnership, who own and manage the West Acres Mobile Home Park, are pursuing development of a new mobile home park east of Elk River Road. Pictured are the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, left, and Pioneer Materials West Slope.

SteamboatHomefinder.com


US Highway 40


To Steamboat ➤

Downhill Drive Copper Ridge Drive

Copper Ridge Circle

South Copper Frontage Road

Jacob Circle


➤N

NICOLE MILLER/STAFF


BEST BUYS

970.879.8100 800.430.4121

20948887

Transformed Timber Run#135345

• 2 Bed, 2 bath condo, furnished• Amazing remodel and new � nishes throughout• Excellent income potential• No stairs to unit, superb amenities

WAS $259,000 NOW $229,000

www. SkiMountainViews.com#133143

• Like new, 5-bdrms in Tree Haus• 2 suites w/patio access, private master getaway• � e best ski mtn views in the valley• Gorgeous kitchen and large rec room

WAS $1,095,000NOW $945,000

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private Patio!#135124

• Exclusive 5 bedroom / 5.5 bath• Private heated patio with hot tub• A/C in summer; shuttle in winter• Great rental history income!

WAS $1,175,000 NOW $995,000

Just Listed at the Lodge#135687

• Short walk to skiing and base area• 2 bedroom, 2 bath with 1041 sq � • Highly rated unit for good rentals• Pool, tennis, clubhouse, shuttle

JUST LISTED AT $279,000

First Tracks w/Trailhead Amenities

• 2 bedroom/2 bath – gorgeous furnishings – turnkey• Considerably less expensive then FT comparables• All utilities included in HOA except electric• Pet friendly for owners – tons of storage

STARTING PRICE $275,000 NOW $245,000

Now is the Time to Build!#128203

• Exceptional view lot in Barn Village• Quiet and private neighborhood• Spacious corner lot next to Barn Park• Close to skiing, shopping and dinning

WAS $439,000 NOW $199,000

USINESS Sunday, March


New mobile home park plannedWest Acres owners under contract to purchase land on Steamboat’s west side

Planned mobile home park

US Highway 40


To Steamboat

Downhill Drive

South Copper Frontage RoadSouth Copper Frontage Road

Jacob Circle


➤N

NICOLE MILLER/STAFF

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private 5BR Luxury Condo W/Private


Joel Reichenberger

Steamboat Pilot & today

Steamboat SpringS

It was a great day of rac-

ing by any standard. Both the

55-kilometer and 100-kilometer

versions of North Routt’s mon-

strous Glide the Divide, former-

ly the Coureur des Bois, came

down to sprint finishes, elite

skiers charging toward the fin-

ish line as a small collection of

onlookers cheered.

The event’s true success was

evident beyond just those thrill-

ing finishes, however.

Consider the end of the 100K

race.Adam Swank and Fabi-

en Beaufils fought to the fin-

ish line, this year near Colum-

bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather

than at the traditional finish, at

Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the

outskirts of the village.

“The last 5K has a couple of

kilometers of climbing and we

did some cat and mouse to see

who was stronger. We were both

strong, so neither could drop the

other,” said Swank, the Duluth,

Minn. skier who got the final

change of momentum to win,

finishing the men’s 100K skate

in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-

onds.Beaufils was second in

4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-

ane not far back, in third at

5:01:40.4.

Beaufils “sprinted over the

top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in

behind him,” he said. “I got a

little slingshot effect at the end

to get around him.”

The pair was still huffing

and puffing, accepting congrat-

ulations and swapping “what

were you thinking when” sto-

ries between each other when

two of the day’s youngest racers

approached the finish line.

Jason Heid, 6, and his older

brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come

in with near the speed as Swank

and Beaufils had, but as they

finished the 15-kilometer course

with wide smiles, they as well as

anyone symbolized what once

again made Routt County’s

most difficult race such a favor-

ite.Sure, it matters how fast you

go, but not nearly as much as it

matters that you go.

That draw — just to finish

the race that bills itself as the

nation’s most difficult — as

much as anything explains why

the Glide once again was able

to draw racers from around the

country.“This race is always fun

to come up for,” said Amy

Caldwell, a former Boulderite

who made the trip back to Col-

orado from her home in Ver-

mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-

lar scenery.”

She was tops in the wom-

en’s 55K skate field, finish-

ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-

ond-place Emily Lovett, in at

3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala,

third in 3:40:03.0.

Back in the Heid family, Jus-

tin was the first to get the Glide

bug, insisting a year ago that he

wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far

from his family’s North Routt

home. This year, he was up for

it again and Jason wanted to

join in.“We had a contingency plan

for him. If it was too much,

we’d have him picked up at the

aide station,” said mother Becky

Heid, who raced alongside her

sons.

Turns out, there was no need.

It was smooth sailing, great ski-

ing on fast snow. That didn’t

eliminate all the hurdles. Justin

said the rearranged course fea-

tured more hills than last year’s.

Like all racers, they found a way

to manage, however.



Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race

near the end of the course. He managed to hold the chase pack off, winning the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 56.8 seconds.

Luke Graham


Steamboat SpringS

If the Steamboat Springs

High School boys lacrosse team

is thinking bigger — it should

be in the first year of Class 4A

lacrosse — games like Satur-

day’s against Green Mountain

could go a long way.

The Sailors were by no means

sharp, allowing the Rams to

hang around for three quarters.

But in the end, Steamboat did

enough to come away from the

close battle with a 7-3 win.

“I think the thing with this

group is again to make sure

they’re not overconfident,”

Steamboat coach Bob Hiester

said. “That’s deadly.”

It would be expected that

Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll,

Steamboat slotted in at No. 3.

The Sailors never have lost a

Mountain League game, and

the buzz around the program is

at an all-time high.

But as much as Hiester has

cautioned his team, he admitted

its on the players to not be too

overconfident.

So far, so good.

After blasting Eagle Valley

on Friday, Steamboat found a

game against Green Mountain

on Saturday.

The Sailors jumped out to a

3-0, first-quarter lead on goals

from Christian Ramirez, Ben

Wharton and Mitch McCan-

non.From there, the Rams started

using their size and physicality

to take the Sailors out of their

offensive rhythm.

A Kyle Lichty goal made

it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon

added another in the third

Shannon lukenS/courteSy

Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green

Mountain player Saturday. The Sailors won, 7-3.



Steamboat boys lacrosse rallies for 7-3 win

Lacrosse schedule

Tuesday: 4 p.m. at aspen

Friday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand

Junction

Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at

Grand Junction

March 28: 4 p.m. vs. tba

March 30: 11 a.m. at Rock Canyon

April 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountain

April 5: 7:30 p.m. at Golden

April 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountain

April 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood Springs

April 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor Christian

May 2: 4 p.m. vs. Summit

May 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction


For moreFind race results from Saturday’s Glide

the divide on page 8b.

PREP LACROSSE

See Race, page 2b



US Highway 40

Jacob Circle




Joel Reichenberger


Steamboat SpringS

It was a great day of rac-

ing by any standard. Both the

55-kilometer and 100-kilometer

versions of North Routt’s mon-

strous Glide the Divide, former-

ly the Coureur des Bois, came

down to sprint finishes, elite

skiers charging toward the fin-

ish line as a small collection of

onlookers cheered.

The event’s true success was

evident beyond just those thrill-

ing finishes, however.

Consider the end of the 100K

race.Adam Swank and Fabi-

en Beaufils fought to the fin-

ish line, this year near Colum-

bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather

than at the traditional finish, at

Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the

outskirts of the village.

“The last 5K has a couple of

kilometers of climbing and we

did some cat and mouse to see

who was stronger. We were both

strong, so neither could drop the

other,” said Swank, the Duluth,

Minn. skier who got the final

change of momentum to win,

finishing the men’s 100K skate

in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-

onds.Beaufils was second in

4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-

ane not far back, in third at

5:01:40.4.

Beaufils “sprinted over the

top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in

behind him,” he said. “I got a

little slingshot effect at the end

to get around him.”

The pair was still huffing

and puffing, accepting congrat-

ulations and swapping “what

were you thinking when” sto-

ries between each other when

two of the day’s youngest racers

approached the finish line.

Jason Heid, 6, and his older

brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come

in with near the speed as Swank

and Beaufils had, but as they

finished the 15-kilometer course

with wide smiles, they as well as

anyone symbolized what once

again made Routt County’s

most difficult race such a favor-

ite.Sure, it matters how fast you

go, but not nearly as much as it

matters that you go.

That draw — just to finish

the race that bills itself as the

nation’s most difficult — as

much as anything explains why

the Glide once again was able

to draw racers from around the

country.“This race is always fun

to come up for,” said Amy

Caldwell, a former Boulderite

who made the trip back to Col-

orado from her home in Ver-

mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-

lar scenery.”

She was tops in the wom-

en’s 55K skate field, finish-

ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-

ond-place Emily Lovett, in at

3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala,

third in 3:40:03.0.

Back in the Heid family, Jus-

tin was the first to get the Glide

bug, insisting a year ago that he

wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far

from his family’s North Routt

home. This year, he was up for

it again and Jason wanted to

join in.“We had a contingency plan

for him. If it was too much,

we’d have him picked up at the

aide station,” said mother Becky

Heid, who raced alongside her

sons.

Turns out, there was no need.

It was smooth sailing, great ski-

ing on fast snow. That didn’t

eliminate all the hurdles. Justin

said the rearranged course fea-

tured more hills than last year’s.

Like all racers, they found a way

to manage, however.



Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race


Luke Graham


Steamboat SpringS

If the Steamboat Springs

High School boys lacrosse team

is thinking bigger — it should

be in the first year of Class 4A

lacrosse — games like Satur-

day’s against Green Mountain

could go a long way.

The Sailors were by no means

sharp, allowing the Rams to

hang around for three quarters.

But in the end, Steamboat did

enough to come away from the

close battle with a 7-3 win.

“I think the thing with this

group is again to make sure

they’re not overconfident,”

Steamboat coach Bob Hiester

said. “That’s deadly.”

It would be expected that

Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll,

Steamboat slotted in at No. 3.

The Sailors never have lost a

Mountain League game, and

the buzz around the program is

at an all-time high.

But as much as Hiester has

cautioned his team, he admitted

its on the players to not be too

overconfident.

So far, so good.

After blasting Eagle Valley

on Friday, Steamboat found a

game against Green Mountain

on Saturday.

The Sailors jumped out to a

3-0, first-quarter lead on goals

from Christian Ramirez, Ben

Wharton and Mitch McCan-

non.From there, the Rams started

using their size and physicality

to take the Sailors out of their

offensive rhythm.

A Kyle Lichty goal made

it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon

added another in the third

Shannon lukenS/courteSy

Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green


SSPORTSPORTSSSPORTSSSSunday, March 17, 2013 1B1B



Lacrosse schedule

Tuesday: 4 p.m. at aspen

Friday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand

Junction

Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at telluride at t

Grand Junction

March 28: 4 p.m. vs. tba

March 30: 11 a.m. at Rock Canyon

April 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountain

April 5: 7:30 p.m. at Golden

April 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountain

April 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood Springs

April 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor Christian

May 2: 4 p.m. vs. Summit

May 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction


For moreFind race results from Saturday’s Glide

the divide on page 8b.


See Race, page 2b



$1.50

WOMAN’S DEATH

BEING INVESTIGATED

Police on Saturday arrest

2 in connection with Yampa

woman’s death page 8A

SPORTS

North Routt cross-country

race Glide the Divide still a big hit

page 1B

READERS WEIGH IN

Do you support prenatal tests that

can determine whether a fetus

might have Down syndrome?

Find the results from past reader

polls with this question on

page 12A

BUSINESS Sunday, March 17, 2013 1CREAL ESTATE &

Tom RossThe Williams Family Partner-ship, which owns the West Acres Mobile Home Park, has entered the city planning process with the intent of developing a sec-ond, smaller park on Steamboat Springs’ far west side. The partnership has submitted an application for a zone change on the 5.5-acre property, from low-density residential to high-density residential, to include mobile homes as a permitted use. The partnership has a contract to purchase the property from Star-Dance LLC.The site is just north of Copper Ridge Circle and to the east of existing buildings that front Routt County Road 129, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall and Pioneer Materials West Slope. Although no application has been submitted for a develop-ment permit, partnership spokes-man Charlie Williams said this week that the intent is to move forward if the zoning change can be obtained. “I’d rather start (construction) this summer if I can get it through that fast,” Williams said. He added that he’s confident

he can get approval for the zone change and the mobile home park.Williams said he’s hopeful that the partnership can develop a minimum of 29 lots for mobile homes on the site. West Acres, less than two miles to the west, has 92 homes. Williams is optimistic that lot rents at the new park would be similar to those at West Acres, where the average is about $560.“We want this to be a place that’s going to attract young cou-ples with kids,” Williams said. “I definitely want it to be a family place. That’s what we really push for at West Acres.”Steamboat’s stock of work-force housing in mobile homes was reduced by 39 homes in 2006-07 when most of the units in Westland Mobile Home Park were torn down to make way for a new mixed-use development, Riverwalk, that did not go for-ward. Several of those mobile homes were moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and another was relocated by the owner.Jason Peasley, executive direc-tor of Yampa Valley Housing Authority, said his organization

acquired the Fish Creek Mobile Home Park, with 68 mobile homes, after Westland was demolished in 2007 because of a concern that that could become the norm for riverfront mobile home parks in Steamboat. The group wanted to provide security for the mobile home owners, Pea-sley said.“The park is mostly full late this winter,” he said, partly because the lot rents of $400 to $465 monthly are “pretty much below market.”The zone-change application

submitted by the Williams Fam-ily Partnership points out its new park would have the potential to “correct the existing disconnect between the city’s vision of retain-ing mobile home residents and the current lack of vacant land to support that vision.”Williams said the park would include some open space on a hillside that extends into one cor-ner of the property. He also antic-ipates creating a children’s area, in the park but doesn’t have spe-cific plans.The application from the part-nership observes that a nearby industrial park could provide jobs for some mobile home park resi-dents who would not have to commute to those jobs. Williams said he hoped the park’s develop-ment, together with West Acres, could stimulate an extension of a city bus route to the area.


Charlie Williams and the Williams Family Partnership, who own and manage the West Acres Mobile Home Park, are pursuing development of a new mobile home park east of Elk River Road. Pictured are the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, left, and Pioneer Materials West Slope.

SteamboatHomefinder.comWest Acres owners under contract to purchase land on Steamboat’s west sidePlanned mobile home park

US Highway 40 To Steamboat ➤Planned 5.5-acre mobile home park

➤N


BEST BUYS

970.879.8100 800.430.4121Transformed Timber Run

WAS $259,000 NOW $229,000

www. SkiMountainViews.com

WAS $1,095,000NOW $945,000

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private Patio!WAS $1,175,000 NOW $995,000Just Listed at the Lodge

JUST LISTED AT $279,000First Tracks w/Trailhead Amenities

STARTING PRICE $275,000 NOW $245,000Now is the Time to Build!

WAS $439,000 NOW $199,000

USINESS Sunday, March




US Highway 40 To Steamboat Planned 5.5-acre mobile home park

➤N

5BR Luxury Condo W/Private 5BR Luxury Condo W/Private

Joel ReichenbergerIt was a great day of rac-ing by any standard. Both the 55-kilometer and 100-kilometer versions of North Routt’s mon-strous Glide the Divide, former-ly the Coureur des Bois, came down to sprint finishes, elite skiers charging toward the fin-ish line as a small collection of onlookers cheered.The event’s true success was evident beyond just those thrill-ing finishes, however.Consider the end of the 100K race.Adam Swank and Fabi-en Beaufils fought to the fin-ish line, this year near Colum-bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather than at the traditional finish, at Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the outskirts of the village.“The last 5K has a couple of kilometers of climbing and we did some cat and mouse to see who was stronger. We were both strong, so neither could drop the other,” said Swank, the Duluth, Minn. skier who got the final change of momentum to win, finishing the men’s 100K skate in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-onds.Beaufils was second in 4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-ane not far back, in third at 5:01:40.4.Beaufils “sprinted over the top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in behind him,” he said. “I got a little slingshot effect at the end to get around him.”The pair was still huffing and puffing, accepting congrat-ulations and swapping “what were you thinking when” sto-ries between each other when two of the day’s youngest racers approached the finish line.Jason Heid, 6, and his older brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come in with near the speed as Swank and Beaufils had, but as they finished the 15-kilometer course with wide smiles, they as well as anyone symbolized what once again made Routt County’s most difficult race such a favor-ite. Sure, it matters how fast you go, but not nearly as much as it matters that you go.That draw — just to finish the race that bills itself as the nation’s most difficult — as much as anything explains why the Glide once again was able to draw racers from around the country.“This race is always fun to come up for,” said Amy Caldwell, a former Boulderite who made the trip back to Col-orado from her home in Ver-mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-lar scenery.”She was tops in the wom-en’s 55K skate field, finish-ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-ond-place Emily Lovett, in at 3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala, third in 3:40:03.0.Back in the Heid family, Jus-tin was the first to get the Glide bug, insisting a year ago that he wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far from his family’s North Routt home. This year, he was up for it again and Jason wanted to join in.“We had a contingency plan for him. If it was too much, we’d have him picked up at the aide station,” said mother Becky Heid, who raced alongside her sons.

Turns out, there was no need. It was smooth sailing, great ski-ing on fast snow. That didn’t eliminate all the hurdles. Justin said the rearranged course fea-tured more hills than last year’s. Like all racers, they found a way to manage, however.“I was very proud,” Becky Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race


Luke GrahamIf the Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team is thinking bigger — it should be in the first year of Class 4A lacrosse — games like Satur-day’s against Green Mountain could go a long way.The Sailors were by no means sharp, allowing the Rams to hang around for three quarters. But in the end, Steamboat did enough to come away from the close battle with a 7-3 win.“I think the thing with this group is again to make sure they’re not overconfident,” Steamboat coach Bob Hiester said. “That’s deadly.”It would be expected that Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll, Steamboat slotted in at No. 3. The Sailors never have lost a Mountain League game, and the buzz around the program is at an all-time high.But as much as Hiester has cautioned his team, he admitted its on the players to not be too overconfident.So far, so good.After blasting Eagle Valley on Friday, Steamboat found a game against Green Mountain on Saturday.The Sailors jumped out to a 3-0, first-quarter lead on goals from Christian Ramirez, Ben Wharton and Mitch McCan-non.From there, the Rams started using their size and physicality to take the Sailors out of their offensive rhythm.A Kyle Lichty goal made it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon added another in the third Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green





Lacrosse scheduleTuesday: 4 p.m. at aspenFriday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand Junction Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at Grand JunctionMarch 28: 4 p.m. vs. tbaMarch 30: 11 a.m. at Rock CanyonApril 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountainApril 5: 7:30 p.m. at GoldenApril 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountainApril 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood SpringsApril 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor ChristianMay 2: 4 p.m. vs. SummitMay 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction



PREP LACROSSE

See Race, page 2b



US Highway 40Planned 5.5-acre mobile home park


Joel ReichenbergerIt was a great day of rac-ing by any standard. Both the 55-kilometer and 100-kilometer versions of North Routt’s mon-strous Glide the Divide, former-ly the Coureur des Bois, came down to sprint finishes, elite skiers charging toward the fin-ish line as a small collection of onlookers cheered.The event’s true success was evident beyond just those thrill-ing finishes, however.Consider the end of the 100K race.Adam Swank and Fabi-en Beaufils fought to the fin-ish line, this year near Colum-bine behind Hahn’s Peak rather than at the traditional finish, at Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse on the outskirts of the village.“The last 5K has a couple of kilometers of climbing and we did some cat and mouse to see who was stronger. We were both strong, so neither could drop the other,” said Swank, the Duluth, Minn. skier who got the final change of momentum to win, finishing the men’s 100K skate in 4 hours, 56 minutes, 16.4 sec-onds.Beaufils was second in 4:56:21.5 and Johnny Spill-ane not far back, in third at 5:01:40.4.Beaufils “sprinted over the top of the last hill to try and get

a gap, but I was able to tuck in behind him,” he said. “I got a little slingshot effect at the end to get around him.”The pair was still huffing and puffing, accepting congrat-ulations and swapping “what were you thinking when” sto-ries between each other when two of the day’s youngest racers approached the finish line.Jason Heid, 6, and his older brother, Justin, 9, didn’t come in with near the speed as Swank and Beaufils had, but as they finished the 15-kilometer course with wide smiles, they as well as anyone symbolized what once again made Routt County’s most difficult race such a favor-ite. Sure, it matters how fast you go, but not nearly as much as it matters that you go.That draw — just to finish the race that bills itself as the nation’s most difficult — as much as anything explains why the Glide once again was able to draw racers from around the country.“This race is always fun to come up for,” said Amy Caldwell, a former Boulderite who made the trip back to Col-orado from her home in Ver-mont to race. “It’s just spectacu-lar scenery.”She was tops in the wom-en’s 55K skate field, finish-ing in 3:09:15.7, ahead of sec-ond-place Emily Lovett, in at 3:27:17.7, and Essi Kenttala, third in 3:40:03.0.Back in the Heid family, Jus-tin was the first to get the Glide bug, insisting a year ago that he wanted to partake in the race,

which begins and ends not far from his family’s North Routt home. This year, he was up for it again and Jason wanted to join in.“We had a contingency plan for him. If it was too much, we’d have him picked up at the aide station,” said mother Becky Heid, who raced alongside her sons.

Turns out, there was no need. It was smooth sailing, great ski-ing on fast snow. That didn’t eliminate all the hurdles. Justin said the rearranged course fea-tured more hills than last year’s. Like all racers, they found a way to manage, however.“I was very proud,” Becky Benjamin Barbier tries to pull away from the lead pack with Jonas Burgler and Matt Rossman in the men’s 55-kilometer race


Luke GrahamIf the Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team is thinking bigger — it should be in the first year of Class 4A lacrosse — games like Satur-day’s against Green Mountain could go a long way.The Sailors were by no means sharp, allowing the Rams to hang around for three quarters. But in the end, Steamboat did enough to come away from the close battle with a 7-3 win.“I think the thing with this group is again to make sure they’re not overconfident,” Steamboat coach Bob Hiester said. “That’s deadly.”It would be expected that Steamboat might be that way.

In the inaugural Class 4A poll, Steamboat slotted in at No. 3. The Sailors never have lost a Mountain League game, and the buzz around the program is at an all-time high.But as much as Hiester has cautioned his team, he admitted its on the players to not be too overconfident.So far, so good.After blasting Eagle Valley on Friday, Steamboat found a game against Green Mountain on Saturday.The Sailors jumped out to a 3-0, first-quarter lead on goals from Christian Ramirez, Ben Wharton and Mitch McCan-non.From there, the Rams started using their size and physicality to take the Sailors out of their offensive rhythm.A Kyle Lichty goal made it 3-1 at halftime. McCannon added another in the third Steamboat Springs lacrosse player Tyler Scott tries to get past a Green


SSPORTSPORTSSSPORTSSS

Sunday, March 17, 2013 1B1B



Lacrosse scheduleTuesday: 4 p.m. at aspenFriday: 3 p.m. vs. durango at Grand Junction Saturday: 11 a.m. vs. telluride at telluride at tGrand JunctionMarch 28: 4 p.m. vs. tbaMarch 30: 11 a.m. at Rock CanyonApril 3: 4 p.m. at battle mountainApril 5: 7:30 p.m. at GoldenApril 6: 2 p.m. at Cheyenne mountainApril 12: 4 p.m. vs. Glenwood SpringsApril 13: 3 p.m. vs. Valor ChristianMay 2: 4 p.m. vs. SummitMay 4: 12:30 p.m. vs. Grand Junction




See Race, page 2b

While devastated by the diagnosis,

families grow to love and celebrate

their children with Down syndrome

TAKE ME APART

❰❰

News . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . 1A

Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

0A

ViewPoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2A

Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9A

Legals. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . 16A

Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 26A

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . 1B

Scoreboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8B

Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. 1C

Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2C

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. 6C

Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 15C

INDEX

joyunexpected

An

While devastated by the diagnosis,

families grow to love and celebrate

their children with Down syndrome

TAKE ME APART

❰❰

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 1A

Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A

ViewPoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A

Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A

Legals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. 16A

Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26A

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 1B

Scoreboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8B

Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1C

Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2C

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6C

Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15C

INDEX

joyunexpectedAn

While devastated by the diagnosis, families grow to love and celebrate their children with Down syndrome

TAKE ME APART

❰❰

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1AHappenings . . . . . . . . . . . . 10AViewPoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12AMilestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9ALegals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16AComics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1BScoreboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8BBusiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1CTransactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2CClassifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6CWeather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15C

INDEX

joyunexpectedAn

2A Sunday, March 17, 2013 Steamboat Pilot & Todaylocal

K evin Kleckler remembers well the doctor’s telephone call about his newborn son.The news being delivered on

the other end of the line was not easy to hear because it confirmed his suspi-cions.

Lewis has Down syndrome.“You hold it together on the telephone

when you hear the news, just like any-one who gets told that they have can-cer or they have something that’s termi-nal,” Kleckler said recently, recalling that August 2009 day. “You hold it together while you’re on the phone, and then quite

honestly, you just fall apart afterward.”Kevin and his wife, Carrie, were dev-

astated. But their feelings gradually turned

to joy as they began to experience the unique opportunity of raising a child with Down syndrome.

“I think it totally changes your out-look on life when you have a child with a disability because it changes your values,” Carrie said. “The things you thought were really important before are not so much.”

Today, an increasing number of par-ents-to-be are faced with a tough, soul-

searching decision. Prenatal screening for Down syndrome has evolved beyond ultrasounds, and it isn’t without contro-versy. Some estimates suggest that after expectant parents learn their unborn child might have Down syndrome, 50 to 96 percent of those pregnancies are ter-minated.

For the Klecklers, knowing that Lewis had a higher risk of Down syn-drome wasn’t an issue.

“I don’t believe that having that extra chromosome is grounds for terminat-ing a pregnancy,” said Carrie, who along with Kevin is anti-abortion. “It makes

me sad not only for the child that is never born, but for the families that are missing out on that experience.”

That experience helped lead Steam-boat Springs residents Kristin and Eli-jah Stevenson to continue with their second pregnancy even after learning their unborn son might have Down syn-drome.

“Every family we talked to felt like they were blessed to have a child with Down syndrome,” Kristin Stevenson said. “You really don’t understand it until you have a kid with Down syn-drome, too.”

After the Klecklers were told their son Lewis had Down syndrome, the next step was finding how the news would fit into their lives.

Stories and photos by Matt Stensland ■ Design by Vicky Ho

Andrew, left, and Jenna Kleckler, right, read to their little brother, Lewis.

20946921

localSteamboat Pilot & Today Sunday, March 17, 2013 3A

Living the dreamThe Klecklers are living what many would

describe as the American dream. They have three children and a dog named Daisy. They take fam-ily trips every summer and think it’s important for their children to see more than their home-town of Hayden. Most recently, they went to San Diego and visited SeaWorld and Legoland.

There might not be a white picket fence enclosing the backyard of their half-acre lot on the southern edge of Hayden, but Kevin has put his skills to use in other ways around the home. From the deck railings to a wooden and wrought-iron fence around the yard to a steel sculpture inspired by Carrie carrying their first child, Kevin continues to add personal touches to the home they built themselves.

Kevin, a skilled tradesman who runs the Bab-son-Carpenter Career and Technical Education Center in Hayden, also built the home next door, where his parents live.

The family is active in the Mission of Grace Baptist Church, where Carrie teaches Sunday school and runs the nursery while Kevin serves as a church elder.

“Our faith is central to who we are,” Carrie said. “We made it our goal this year to read the New Testament together. We’re into the Book of Mark now.”

Carrie used to be a special-education teach-er at Hayden Valley Elementary School. During the school year, Kevin works 60-plus-hour weeks, which allows Carrie to stay home with the kids.

For Kevin, the weekends are for relaxing, recharging for the coming week and spending time with family. On a recent Saturday, Kevin made grilled-cheese sandwiches while Lewis shouted out the names of animals in a book with his sister, Jenna, 6, and brother, Andrew, 9.

Early into the pregnancies, all three Kleckler children were tested and found to be at a higher risk for Down syndrome. But all of Lewis’ ultra-sounds were normal, offering no indication that anything was wrong.

“It didn’t matter for us,” Kevin said. “God blessed us with a child and whatever.”

Carrie chose not to travel to Denver for an amniocentesis, a procedure in which a needle collects fluid from the amniotic sac. Tests then

can determine whether the child has Down syn-drome, but the procedure comes with the risk of a miscarriage.

Today, a less invasive procedure is available to screen for the chromosomal condition. A preg-nant mother’s blood can be drawn and certain levels of protein and hormones can signal Down syndrome.

The existence of the test raises concerns for some.

“There is this concern that the new test will lead to higher rates of termination,” said Mac Macsovits, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association.

By the numbersDown syndrome is the most common chro-

mosomal abnormality and is caused by an extra copy of Chromosome 21. The condition results in delayed development and below-normal IQs. Other medical problems often accompany

Lewis Kleckler works on a puzzle during occupational therapy.

25 was the life expectancy for someone with Down syndrome three decades ago 60 is the approximate life expectancy of

someone with Down syndrome today

Lewis plays in his room.

2075

6124

THAI PEANUT VEGGIEThai Peanut Sauce, Red Onion, Green Pepper,

Roma Tomatoes and Roasted Unsalted Cashews.

Find link to order online at www.facebook.com/sodacreekpizza or at www.sodacreekpizza.com

What pizza should look like!

871-1111CALL

Making the best pie in the ‘Boat, now for more than 11 years!

Save 20% when you order online with promo code “Pilot”

2094

8457

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH – 5:30-7:00 P.M.The Ranch at Steamboat · (Lower Conference Center)

1800 Ranch Road

$10 PER PERSON ∙ INCLUDES HORS D’OEUVRESYoung Professionals/Students under 30 are FREE!

Please RSVP by emailing [email protected] or call 970-367-6084

PROPAGANDA IN PINK:THE “WAR ON WOMEN” AND OTHER LIBERAL TACTICS TO INFLUENCE WOMEN

Featuring

KRISTA KAFER5 Executive Director of the Colorado’s Future Project

5 Talk Radio Host on KNUS-AM 710

5 Contributing Editor to “A Line of Sight”

5 Former Senior Expert on Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation

55555555555555555555555

555555555 555555555

Read every day’s paper online; in newspaper format!

E-edition on steamboatpilot.com

4A Sunday, March 17, 2013 Steamboat Pilot & TodayLOCAL

Down syndrome. For example, 40 to 60 percent of infants with Down syndrome have a heart defect, according to the Down Syndrome Asso-ciation.

People with Down syndrome have a distinct look often characterized by small ears, a round face, a small mouth with a large tongue and almond-shaped eyes. They have trouble develop-ing muscle tone, and they are at greater risk for leukemia, sleep apnea, celiac disease and diabetes.

Since the characteris-tics of Down syndrome were first described by Dr. John Langdon Down in 1866, the choices par-ents face have evolved tre-mendously. In the begin-ning of the 20th century, close to 100,000 children with Down syndrome were institutionalized. Macso-vits said some parents were told their children had died at birth when in fact they were taken to institutions.

“The popular philoso-phy was there were spe-cial places for these spe-cial people ... and these places were deplorable,” Macsovits said.

The conditions in which children with Down syndrome lived led to a life expectancy of just nine years. As recently as 1983, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome was 25 years.

Today, more than 400,000 people in the Unit-ed States have Down syndrome, and the life expectancy is about 60. One out of 691 babies has the condition.

Getting the newsLewis’ arrival into the world was quick and

dramatic.That day, the Kleckler family had been mov-

ing Andrew into his newly finished basement bedroom to make room for Lewis. Kevin was supposed to officiate a wedding that day but had to pass off the script to someone else at the last minute.

Carrie arrived at Yampa Valley Medical Cen-

ter at about 3 p.m., and Lewis wanted out. He was born at 6:18 p.m. There was no time for an epidural, and hospital staffers gathered to wit-ness the rare delivery. He came out face up and chin first, which doctors said was the most diffi-cult way to deliver a baby.

“It was quite exciting, actually,” Carrie said.Dr. Ron Famiglietti first mentioned his sus-

picion the day after Lewis was born. Lewis had low muscle tone, a hallmark of Down syndrome.

“They call them floppy because they don’t hold themselves stiff like a nor-mal baby,” Carrie said. “That was the first thing someone noticed that wasn’t quite right with him.”

Chromosomal testing was recommended, and Lewis’ blood was drawn the following morning.

“That was when the reality of the situation hit us, and we had a pretty somber trip home with Lewis that afternoon,” Carrie said.

Kevin received the test results five days after Lewis was born.

“It was definitely a shock,” Carrie said. “It’s not easy news to hear. Obviously, no one wants to hear something is wrong with their child, especially something that is going to be disabling their whole life.”

Kevin’s immediate concern was for Lewis’ long-term health.

“What’s his life expectancy?” Kevin asked himself. “Who’s going to take care of him after we’re gone?”

Carrie had a different initial reaction.“My concern was more whether people would

accept him and love him for just the way he was,” she said.

It took her about a week to absorb the news. She couldn’t help but feel like Lewis had been cheated out of his potential because of an extra chromosome.

“You’re grieving the loss of a child that you thought you were going to have,” Carrie said.

The Kleckler family has lunch at its Hayden home. Clockwise from right are Kevin, Andrew, Jenna, Carrie and Lewis.

1 in 691 births in the United States are affected by Down syndrome, making it the most frequently occurring chromosomal condition

“ “You’re grieving the

loss of a child that

you thought you were

going to have. You’re

grieving that you don’t

have this perfect child

that you had imagined.

Every design is fine

art quality. We meet

discriminating taste...

with occasional good

sense whimsy.

HOWELSEN PLACE 7TH AND LINCOLN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 970-871-1137TIMELESS MEN’S APPAREL

www.zirkeltrading.com • www.facebook.com/zirkeltrading 2046

1902

FREEMARGARITA*WITH YOUR LUNCH! 11 to 4PM

818 Lincoln Avenue | (970)879-0826 | www.steamboatcantina.com | A local’s favorite since 1972

✂

✂

*Free margerita with the purchase of a lunch entrée. MUST PRESENT COUPON. Limit one per table/group,

restrictions apply, not valid with any other offers/discounts. Lunch only 11-4pm. Expires 4/30/13

20948857

Max Value $7.00

Steamboat Pilot & Today Sunday, March 17, 2013 5A local

“You’re grieving that you don’t have this perfect child that you had imag-ined.”

But the support came quickly, begin-ning with Carrie’s parents.

“They reassured me right away that of course they were going to love him,” Car-rie said. “They already did.”

The family went to church the next week and shared the news with the con-gregation.

“Everybody just rallied around us,” Carrie said. “It’s not only amazing how people have accepted him, but they love him. They adore him.”

The Klecklers then reached out to the Down Syndrome Association, and Carrie received counseling from a Denver par-ent who also had a child with Down syn-drome.

Lewis, now 3 1/2, has been an other-wise healthy boy. He has a small hole in his heart that is monitored by a cardiolo-gist who comes to Steamboat monthly, but Carrie said surgery likely won’t be necessary.

“We’re really fortunate that he’s very healthy,” Carrie said.

Celebrating the little thingsIt’s difficult and stressful for many

parents to keep up with a child going through the terrible twos.

For Lewis, who didn’t start walking until he was 2, the terrible twos only now are under way.

“He’s pushing buttons on the TV,

on the printer, flipping light switches and taking his shoes and socks off all the time,” Carrie said. “That’s all good. That’s all normal development. It’s just delayed, and every stage kind of lasts longer with him.”

Every one of Lewis’ accomplishments has been a big deal, and they’re celebrat-ed by the whole family. The occasions range from his first tooth to the first time he could be given a sandwich and not end up throwing it.

“Now, when he puts two words togeth-er, we get really excited,” said Carrie. Moments later, Lewis asked for “music, please.”

Lewis can vocalize many of his favor-ite things, like his favorite book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” He recently recited the entire book while riding in the car.

Lewis also likes visiting Grandpa next door. When Lewis wants to go, he says “Pappy house.”

Lewis’ speech development has been helped by working with speech thera-pists. Starting the day he was born, resources were made available to help Lewis through the Individuals with Dis-abilities Education Act. Until Lewis turned 3, the Klecklers took advan-tage of the $436 million federal pro-gram administered by states that aims to make sure children are ready for pre-school and kindergarten. When Lewis was just 3 months old, for example, an occupational therapist with Horizons Specialized Services started coming to

Occupational therapist Carrie Thompson works with Lewis Kleckler on developing his core strength.

1 in 691 births in the United States are affected by Down syndrome, making it the most frequently occurring chromosomal condition 40-60% of children born with Down syndrome

will have a congenital heart defect >50% of those with Down syndrome will experience the early onset of Alzheimer’s

Down syndrome facts■ Down syndrome is named after the British doctor John Langdon Down, who was the first to describe characteristics of people with Down syndrome in 1866.■ Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21, is a condition whereby there are three copies of the 21st chromosome instead of two.■ It is one of the leading clinical causes of cognitive delay in the world — it is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status.■ Its probability increases with advanced age in mothers; however, 80 percent of those with Down syndrome are born to mothers younger than 35.■ Despite its frequency, Down syndrome is the least funded of the conditions serviced by the National Institutes of Health receiving about $17 million out of a total $28 billion budget. ■ Children with Down syndrome can read and are gifted visual learners. They have a predisposition to specific learning strengths and challenges that are not currently addressed in practice in special education.■ It is extremely rare for a person with Down syndrome to develop a hard tumor cancer, to have a heart attack or to suffer a stroke.

Source: Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome

6A Sunday, March 17, 2013 Steamboat Pilot & Todaylocal

6,000 in Colorado are estimated to have Down syndrome

The Denver-based Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association offers support, information and referral services to more than 3,000 callers each year.

It was founded in 1981 by a group of parents in Boulder who came to realize there were no services, programs or support available for parents of children with Down syndrome.

After her son Lewis Kleckler was diagnosed, Hayden resident Carrie Kleckler reached out to the association, which put her in contact with a Denver mother.

“She called to just talk to us and answer any questions, and that was reassuring to just talk to someone else that had been through what we were going through,” Kleckler said.

Officials at the association realized they lacked a support group in Northwest Colorado, and Kleckler volunteered to be the facilitator in the area. Families involved in the support group from Hayden, Craig, Steamboat Springs and Kremmling have gotten together for the past three summers for a barbecue. An expert has come up for a daylong clinic, and Kleckler worked with Horizons Specialized Services to organize a training on the use of iPads for people with disabilities. She now is helping to organize a workshop that will focus on financial planning for people with disabilities.

Kleckler, who has become more involved with the association, was trained to be one of the parents who calls other parents who are just learning about their child’s diagnosis. Kleckler counseled a parent 1 1/2 years ago and met them in person in February.

“I was really glad to be able to do that,” she said.For more information about the Rocky Mountain

Down Syndrome Association, visit www.rmdsa.org.

Carrie Kleckler picks up Lewis from preschool.

Rocky Mountain resources for parents the Kleckler home once per week to work with

him.In September, Lewis started attending pre-

school for free. He goes two mornings each week and spends much of his time in a normal classroom, but he also gets specialized atten-tion from occupational and speech therapists working for the Northwest Colorado Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

“He’s progressed quicker than I anticipat-ed,” said Tami Hotchkiss, Lewis’ teacher.

In addition to the ther-apy services, Hotchkiss said Lewis benefits from the social environment of being around other chil-dren, and Lewis is learn-ing from his peers.

“They’re really enjoy-ing having him in the classroom,” Hotchkiss said. “They really enjoy spending time with him and making sure he’s a part of the classroom.”

Carrie thinks Lewis’ speech will continue to improve, and he will be placed in a normal elementary school class-room, potentially with a paraprofessional to offer some individual help.

“Our goal is for him to be as independent and fully functional as possible,” Carrie said.

Long term, the Klecklers wonder what Lewis’ life will be like.

“We’re hoping that he’ll be able to work, have a job, have relationships and be as inde-pendent as he possibly can,” Carrie said “It’s just things we can’t know until we get there.”

A unique opportunityWhen it came time to explain Lewis’ condi-

tion to their other children, the Klecklers kept it simple and said it was going to be harder for Lewis to learn things.

Andrew has been busy being the big brother.“It’s just different,” Andrew said. “It’s more

fun. I don’t really know how to explain it.”Andrew likes to read to Lewis and teach him

new things. And there’s plenty of horseplay.

Lewis is in the midst of a phase where he likes to throw things at his older brother.

“He does not like the word ‘no,’” Andrew said.

The Klecklers said their experience of hav-ing a child with Down syndrome has been over-whelmingly positive, and it has made them a better family. Carrie points to studies that have shown that siblings of children with disabilities are more compassionate.

“I think it’s already the case,” Carrie said while looking at Andrew.

For the Klecklers, intel-ligence and achievement have different meanings now.

“It’s more important that they are kind to peo-ple,” she said. “That they can be compassionate.”

She thinks parents who choose to terminate Down syndrome pregnancies are missing out.

“It’s sad to me that peo-ple make that choice.”

Kevin said having Lewis has exposed them to a dif-

ferent community of people, including other area families who have children with Down syndrome.

“Our lives are so much richer,” Kevin said.

Looking to the futureEfforts are under way by scientists to treat

people with Down syndrome in order to increase their cognitive abilities. In November, scientists at the University of Washington announced they had removed the extra copy of Chromosome 21 in cell cultures derived from a person with Down syndrome. The discovery could lead to treat-ments for many of the medical conditions people with Down syndrome face. Cutting-edge research also is taking place at the Linda Crnic Institute at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medi-cal Campus in Denver.

While the Klecklers are open to the poten-tial medical benefits, they cannot imagine Lewis any other way.

“He wouldn’t be who he is without Down syndrome,” Carrie said. “That’s who he is.” ■

20 IQ point increase in the past 15 years for those with Down syndrome is attributable to improvements in care

Paraprofessional Becca Remington helps Lewis Kleckler during preschool.

“ “

We’re hoping that

he’ll be able to

work, have a job, have

relationships and be

as independent as he

possibly can. It’s just

things we can’t know

until we get there.

localSteamboat Pilot & Today Sunday, March 17, 2013 7A

Sources: Down Syndrome Association and Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome

W ith studies showing an increasing number of expectant parents decid-ing to abort after learning

their unborn child has Down syndrome, Kristin and Elijah Stevenson figured they better weigh their options 22 weeks into their second pregnancy.

The Stevensons have been living off and on in Steamboat Springs for 11 years. At that particular time, however, they were living in San Diego and rais-ing their son Connor, now 6.

After an ultrasound, the couple learned there was a 25 percent chance their unborn child had Down syndrome. Kristin was shocked by what the perina-tologist told her next.

“This puts you at a 1 in 4 chance, so this is probably about the time you might want to think about aborting,” she recalled the doctor saying. “The thing with Down syndrome is they probably won’t amount to anything at all. Are you ready for that? Is your mar-riage strong enough to handle that?”

She felt she was being encouraged to terminate her pregnancy based on state-

ments she later learned weren’t accurate.As executive director of the Rocky

Mountain Down Syndrome Associa-tion, Mac Macsovits has heard many similar stories. He said there is a lack of education about Down syndrome, even among some medical professionals.

“They’re not Down syndrome spe-cialists,” Macsovits said.

Dr. Mary Bowman, with Yampa Val-ley OB/GYN, was shocked and sad-dened to hear about Kristin’s bad expe-rience in San Diego. Such experiences do not happen in her office, Bowman said, and she questioned how common they are among medical professionals.

“It’s a very personal decision, and the mothers need to be supported in that,” Bowman said.

The Stevensons took seriously the gravity of their decision.

“A lot of soul searching and a lot of research,” Kristin, who co-owns Steam-boat Pilates, Yoga & Fitness, said about the process.

She called the Down Syndrome Asso-ciation, which put her in contact with families who have children with Down

syndrome. The couple also talked to friends, one of whom had a 2-year-old son with the condition.

“He looked at us and said, ‘Don’t you even think about aborting; this has been the most amazing experience of our life,’” Kristin recalled.

The Stevensons later met the couple and their son, Jacob, at a playground.

“I just remembered I have never seen that much love in a parent’s eyes like that,” Kristin said.

Elijah said he felt like there was a lack of support available for making the decision.

“That’s where I struggled,” said Eli-jah, who is transitioning out of the U.S. Marines, where he has been a helicopter pilot. He recently returned from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

The Down Syndrome Association makes it a policy not to steer a family in either decision.

“That is a very private decision,” Macsovits said.

After weighing their choices for four of five days, the Stevensons decided to keep their “chromosomally enhanced” child,

whom they named Emmett. He’s now 3, and his parents acknowledge it has been hard at times. Emmett had to have mul-tiple surgeries to address a problem with his colon. He had three small holes in his heart, and he has undergone extensive speech therapy. Kristin is concerned about Emmett’s progression through school.

But the Stevensons have no regrets.Kristin said people often ask them

what the experience has been like.“The word that always comes up is

‘magical,’” she said. “It’s the only word I can think of that really resonates.”

Emmett, like many children with Down syndrome, has specks in his eyes called Brushfield spots that look like tiny diamonds.

“When you’re getting all uptight and upset, he will have a way of looking at me so calmly and so lovingly that it just cuts through,” Kristin said. “He has a way with one glance, and it’s magical.”

Kristin described Emmett as genuinely and deeply content, and he rarely cries.

“They have to work for it a little hard-er,” Kristin said. “It does build a certain characteristic in a person.” ■

Navigating a private and difficult decisionFor the Stevenson family, having a child with

Down syndrome meant ‘a lot of soul searching’

Above: Elijah Stevenson plays with his sons, Connor, left, and Emmett, who has Down syndrome. Top right: Emmett has been learning to ski at Howelsen Hill. Center right: Kristin and Elijah Ste-venson chose to permanently move to Steamboat Springs because they thought it would be a good place to raise their sons. Bottom right: Connor and Emmett show off their dance moves.

5 million worldwide are estimatedto have Down syndrome>400,000 people in the United States

have Down syndrome

Down Syndrome

Documents

Transcript of Down Syndrome