Commissioner Dahlkemper: Evergeen Strong

Our hearts are with the Evergreen community following a high school shooting last week that left two students critically wounded and a quiet, tight-knit community shaken to its core.

We are deeply grateful for the swift response of the Jeffco Sheriff's Office and first responders from surrounding agencies who arrived on the scene within 2½ minutes of receiving 911 calls. Relying on lockdown procedures, the actions of staff and students inside the high school saved lives. Neighbors provided a safe haven in their homes for fleeing students, while a nearby rec center sheltered more than 70 students.

These courageous stories will continue to unfold in the coming days, as will the call for more meaningful and effective solutions to keep our children safe from harm. No child should ever experience gun violence at school. No parent should know the terror of wondering whether their child will make it home safely. No educator should question whether their day will focus on teaching or shielding their students from life-threatening harm.

This year alone, data shows at least 100 incidents of gunfire on school grounds (link opens new tab), resulting in 32 deaths and 98 injuries across the country. In Colorado, there have been 25 incidents of gunfire on school campuses since 2013. Firearms remains the leading cause of death among American youth for the third year in a row, according to 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Jefferson County, the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 would forever transform us as a community and significantly change the response of law enforcement to school shootings. For many, the Evergreen High School shooting not only affected people in this mountain community, but it re-opened old wounds and trauma caused earlier by Columbine.

In a show of support for Evergreen High School, hundreds of students protested last Friday from multiple Jeffco public schools to condemn gun violence. One sign said, "26 years since Columbine. What's changed?" Another asked, "How many more?" Students called for tighter gun control, enhanced safety in schools, and more mental health counselors. Their fears and concerns are shared by many of us as we seek answers.

One day after the Evergreen High School shooting, I joined hundreds of students, families, and community members at Buchanan Park for a vigil. I spoke with several students and family members. One student asked how she and her friends can impact real and lasting policy change. A dad shared a story with me about how neighbors near the high school sheltered terrified students, including his child, before they were reunited with their parents. A mom asked why mental health isn't a required class - just like math or science.

As a state and community, we will wrestle with these questions and others to continue to identify effective, lasting solutions. We will look at gaps in Colorado's laws, enhanced mental health supports, the lure of online extremism, early detection and reporting systems, and more - all in an on-going effort to prevent future violence in schools. Learn more about Colorado's efforts to prevent school shootings (link opens new tab). Jefferson County also is working closely with our Sheriff's Office, school district, and community partners to provide resources and support. We also want to thank the Jeffco Office of Emergency Management, housed in the Sheriff's Office, for their leadership.

The vigil was a first step toward community healing. Thank you to the Evergreen Chamber, the faith community, Evergreen Fire, the Jeffco Sheriff's Office, Evergreen Park & Recreation, Jefferson Center, local businesses, and many other partners involved in organizing the gathering, as well as Governor Polis and Congresswoman Pettersen for attending and speaking to the community. The county also has seen an outpouring of support for the Evergreen community from people from across the country on our social media pages and we would like to thank everyone who has left a kind message.

Victims' advocates with the Jeffco Sheriff's Office, Resiliency 1220, Jefferson Center for Mental Health counselors, the DeAngelis Center Foundation, and other organizations are helping in the healing process, too. If you need someone to talk to, please contact:

Upcoming Evergreen support group times and locations:

Thursday, September 18
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Resilience Office, 3072 Evergreen Parkway, Suite 100
3-6 p.m., Evergreen United Methodist Church, 3757 Ponderosa Dr.

Sunday, September 21
12-2 p.m. Resilience Office, 3072 Evergreen Parkway, Suite 100

DeAngelis Center Foundation: The foundation is providing free trauma psychology services to the Evergreen community and first responders affected by last week's tragedy as well as training in October and November for anyone interested in crisis intervention, extremism and radicalization, and de-escalation. Learn more about the DeAngelis Center Foundation (link opens new tab).

Many of you have asked: How can I help? If you would like to support the Evergreen community, please join me in making a donation to these funds:

Please lean on one another for support. Take the time you need to heal. Advocate for lasting, impactful change. And, reach out to us via email. It is my privilege to represent the Evergreen community with Jefferson County Commissioners Andy Kerr and Rachel Zenzinger. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with you to build a safer future for everyone in our county.

- Lesley

Commissioner Dahlkemper can be reached via email.

Visit the Jefferson County Commissioners webpage to learn more about what they do. The Board of County Commissioners' public hearings are held on most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and we invite you to join us for public comment. Visit the Jefferson County meetings webpage for more information.