Do I ned to file a tax return this year?

in a Health Insur-
ance Marketplace
plan, you’ll need to
file.

Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the IRS income tax filing re-
quirements for retirees this tax season?
I didn’t file a tax return the past two
years because my income was below the
filing threshold, but I got a part-time
job late last year, so I’m wondering if
I’m required to file this year.

SAVVY SENIOR

And so, for
all who didn’t get to see
him lead Denver to its
first Super Bowl appear-
ance after the 1977 regular
season (including infants
who grew up to be ardent
Broncos fans and, presum-
ably, Gradishar admirers),
let me acquaint you with
the city’s newest member
of the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.

You’ll also need
to file if you’re
receiving Social
Security benefits,
and one-half of
your benefits plus
your other gross
income and any
tax-exempt interest
exceeds $25,000,
or $32,000 if you’re married and filing
jointly.

Retired Worker

Dear Retired,
Whether or not you are required to file
a federal income tax return this year will
depend on how much you earned last
year (in 2023), as well as the source of
the income, your age and filing status.

Five players from that ’74
draft preceded Gradishar
to Canton: Steelers Lynn
Swann, Jack Lambert,
John Stallworth and Mike
Webster (four HOFers in
one draft!), and Raiders
tormentor Dave Casper. All
were chosen after him.

BY JIM MILLER

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s
IRS tax filing requirement thresholds.

Gradishar was a three-
year starter at linebacker
for the Ohio State Buckeyes
of coach Woody Hayes,
whose own gilded legacy
was tarnished by an unfor-
tunate sideline incident late
in his illustrious, if some-
times bombastic, career.

To figure all this out, the IRS offers
an online tax tool that asks a series of
questions that will help you determine
if you’re required to file or if you should
file because you’re due a refund. It takes
less than 15 minutes to complete.

For most people, this is pretty straight-
forward. If your 2023 gross income –
which includes all taxable income, not
counting your Social Security benefits,
unless you are married and filing sepa-
rately – was below the threshold for your
filing status and age, you probably won’t
have to file. But if it’s over, you will.

Gradishar joined the
Broncos following their
first winning season in his-
tory—7-5-2, good for third
place in their division, in
1973.

You can access this tool at  IRS.gov/
Help/ITA  – click on “Do I Need to File a
Tax Return?”  Or you can get assistance
over the phone by calling the IRS
helpline at 800-829-1040.

“The best linebacker I
ever coached,” Hayes once
said of his consensus first-
team All-America in 1972
and unanimous first-team
All-America in 1973. “No
more outstanding young

Single:  $13,850 ($15,700 if you’re 65
or older by Jan. 1, 2023).

He became a starter mid-
way through his rookie sea-
son and, by 1976, was the
centerpiece of what came
to be known as Denver’s
“Orange Crush” defense.

Married filing jointly:  $27,700
($29,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or
older; or $30,700 if you’re both over 65).

Check your state
Even if you’re not required to file a
federal tax return this year, don’t as-
sume that you’re also excused from filing
state income taxes. The rules for your
state might be very different. Check with
your state tax agency before concluding
that you’re entirely in the clear. For links
to state tax agencies, see  Taxadmin.org/
fta-members .

Married filing separately:  $5 at
any age.

During his
10 years in
orange and
blue, Den-
ver won 83,
lost 55 and
tied one,
and went to
the playoffs
four times.

Head of household:  $20,800
($22,650 if 65 or older).

Qualifying surviving
spouse:  $27,700 ($29,200 if 65 or
older).

To get a detailed breakdown on fed-
eral filing requirements, along with
information on taxable and nontaxable
income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676
and ask them to mail you a free copy of
the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for
Tax Year 2023,” or you can see it online
at  IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf .

Tax preparation help
If you find that you do need to file a tax
return this year, you can free file through
the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile  if your
2023 adjusted gross income was below
$79,000.

Forty
years later
he remains
tied for 11th
in pass in-
terceptions,
all-time,
with 20. Of
note, the
10 players
ahead of
him all got
theirs as
either safe-
ties or cor-
nerbacks,
who are
expected to
rack up PIs.

Or, if you need some help, contact
the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or
TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS,
TCE provides free tax preparation and
counseling to middle and low-income
taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-
906-9887 or visit  IRS.treasury.gov/
freetaxprep  to locate services near you.

Check here too
Be aware that there are other financial
situations that can require you to file
a tax return, even if your gross income
falls below the IRS filing requirements.
For example, if you earned more than
$400 from self-employment in 2023,
owe any taxes on an IRA, Health Savings
Account or an alternative minimum tax,
or get premium tax credits because you,
your spouse or a dependent is enrolled

You can also get tax preparation as-
sistance through the AARP Foundation
Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or
visit  AARP.org/findtaxhelp  for more
information. You don’t have to be an
AARP member to use this service.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

n 1859, Jules Beni,
a French trader,
established Jules-
burg as a trading
post along the South
Platte River in the
northeastern corner
of Colorado. From the
beginning, this was an
important stop along
the Overland Trail,
although the trail only
crossed this small
section of what would
become Colorado. Yet
the north/south fork
of the Overland trail
occurred at Julesburg,
making it a strategic
supply point. The north
trail followed the North
Platte River through
Wyoming to South
Pass, on into Califor-
nia and Oregon. The
southern trail followed
the South Platte River
to the early settlement
of Denver City. As
traffic increased along the route Fort
Rankin was constructed nearby
to protect the travelers from the
often roaming Indian raids.

Warring Indians sacking Julesberg settlement.

Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library

at their leave to plunder the area. Barrels of flour,
sugar, and molasses were taken, as well as sacks of
cornmeal, beans, sides of bacon and canned goods.
Both Charles and George Bent, members of the
Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, and sons of the famed fort
owner, William Bent, participated in the raid.
George later recalled the plundering, saying
the Indians did not understand things in a can,
and were disgusted when George opened a can
of oysters and slurped down the contents. Bent
also recounted the discovery of green paper by
the Indians. Not knowing it was federal cur-
rency, they threw it aside, at which point Bent,
who knew all too well the value of the money,
scurried to scoop it up. George Bent also found
a new soldier’s uniform, which he took and
proudly wore in future Indian raids.

And for a time, the U.S. Army prevailed in raids
of their own, such as Summit Springs, and Beecher
Island. This did not end the Indian wars in Colo-
rado or the West until 1876, in Montana, at a place
known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the brutal massa-
cre of innocent Cheyenne and
Arapaho Indians at the peaceful
Indian camp in southeastern Colorado known as
Sand Creek, in November 1864, the Plains Indians
formed an alliance for war and revenge, the likes of
which the western settlers had never experienced,
culminating with the 1876 massacre known as the
Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the Sand Creek massacre, Indian war
councils were held and concluded, preparations for
raids along the Platte River were made, including
a massive raid at the town of Julesburg, Colo. The
immediate concern was fortification of supplies.

A short time later the women, led by Mo-chi,
entered the fray with packhorses and began
loading the goods onto the animals. As the war-
riors began to leave the scene, Mo-chi busied
herself with herding the captured horses.

“The tradition of the war pipe, when necessary,
was sent out in the spring, but after the slaughter
at Sand Creek, the war pipe went out in the winter,
this was early December. To my knowledge, from
the old ones, never before had the war pipe been
sent in the time of winter until after Sand Creek,”
said John L. Sipes, Cheyenne Nation historian.

Meanwhile, with the plundering of Jules-
burg in progress, the pursuing soldiers who
had followed the decoys, amazingly (perhaps
in confusion,) had dismounted and staged a
counter fight. The warriors pounced on the
soldiers, killing 15, including a bugler, who
many warriors first counted coup on. When Old
Crow made the final attack of death, Cheyenne
warrior Medicine Water took the bugler’s horse
as his prize. The victorious warriors made their
way to the retreating group, where Medicine
Water turned his prize horse loose with Mo-
chi’s horse herd.

Following several small raids along the Platte
River, the massive Julesburg raid occurred in Jan-
uary 1865. More than 1,000 warriors of Cheyenne,
Sioux and Arapaho made the attack. Included in
this war party were the many women who traveled
with the group, herding the extra horses needed
to carry the supplies obtained back to their camp.
Among these women was Mo-chi, a survivor of
Sand Creek, who insisted on helping her people in
whatever way she could. She would prove herself
worthy.

The Indians retreated from Julesburg for a
time, and the U.S. Army responded. Within
30 days of the Julesburg attack, the U.S. Army
sent added troops to guard stage stops and
various trails, including the Overland Trail. The
Indians responded by simply changing tactics
and destinations; the raids continued. Jules-
burg was raided again, burned to the ground,
and the town relocated, two miles north of the
army post. The town of Julesburg would move
two more times, unprecedented in Colorado
history.

It was an incredible attack; thoughtfully planned
and executed brilliantly. The collective warriors,
led by the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, approached the
bluff above Julesburg, hiding in the sand hills. It
was a crisp cold night, yet it mattered not. Most of
the warriors were deep in thought and prepara-
tion. The warriors readied their lances, shields,
bows and arrows. Only a few had firearms. At sun-
rise on Jan. 7, 1865, a separate group of warriors,
led by Big Crow, quietly approached Fort Rankin
and rushed the guards outside the fort walls. The
soldiers returned fire and then the gates of the
compound opened with over 40 mounted soldiers
in pursuit of the Indian war party. The decoy
worked perfectly.

The Indian raids continued along the vari-
ous overland stage routes, eventually forcing
famed overland stage owner, Ben Holladay to
near bankruptcy. By 1868, the U.S. government
became convinced that peace negotiations were
needed once again. Successful at first, Jules-
burg and most of Colorado Territory were spared
from further Indian raids.

Soon the Indian scouts sent the signal and the
hidden warriors converged upon the fort and
nearby settler quarters. With the soldiers away in
pursuit of the decoys, the remaining warriors were

This historical marker, highlighting the
history of Julesberg, was
erected in 1931.

County wil increase recenter fes begining on March 1

By Don Ireland

$9 and $10, depending on
the user’s age and whether
they live in the county.
The cost for one-month,
three-month and annual
passes also will increase for
the remainder of the year,
depending on the user’s age
and residency status.

the rec center’s website and
newsletter.

director said she sought rate
increases to help offset the
reduced income and make
the facility more “self-sus-
tainable.”

For 2024, Chisholm said
the center had eliminated
$100,00 in line-item pur-
chases, reduced its part-
time staff, and made other
cuts. She noted that utilities
for the building are estimat-
ed at $230,000 this year.
“It’s been really hard on us,”
she commented. “We’ve
been through a lot of ups
and downs. I don’t know
about the future.”

Senior Reporter

Originally, Chisholm
planned to discontinue sell-
ing annual passes. However,
she said she would follow
the commissioners’ recom-
mendations to continue the
program after they sug-
gested the passes should
contain a line, “hours and
days subject to change.”

The fees for some Gilpin
Community Center pro-
grams will rise by $1 or
more starting on March 1.

She noted that many
insurance providers sup-
port Silver Sneakers and
other programs that pay for
seniors to use the rec center.
In addition, the non-profit
Friends of Gilpin Com-
munity Center offers Heart
Fund “scholarships” to help
residents who can’t afford
to pay for rec center passes
and sports equipment.

By a 2-1 vote, the Gilpin
Board of County Commis-
sioners approved several
increases for the community
center at their meeting on
Tuesday, Feb. 13. The dis-
cussion brought on a larger
topic – the future of the rec
center in 2025 and beyond
– into the spotlight during
the meeting, too.

Prices for childcare for
kids graded K-5 also will
rise, depending on whether
the children are attending
full-day or after-school pro-
grams. The registration fee
for the program will be $30,
a $5 increase. Those partici-
pating in field trips will be
charged $66, compared to
the current $55. Parks and
Recreation Director Gabri-
elle Chisholm said the new
rates will be available on

Commissioner Marie
Mornis voted against the
increases after her motion
– to freeze the fees this year
– failed to get a second.

Hollingsworth said the old
mill levy means that casinos
will pay about $700,000
less this year than if the
property tax had remained
in effect. Currently, the cen-
ter will continue operating
for the remainder of 2024.
“I don’t have a crystal ball
[to predict the future],” said
the commissioner, who gave
Chisholm kudos for seeking
sponsorships and additional
funding for the facility.

Chisholm said Gilpin’s
rates continue to be lower
than those in other counties.
After county voters rejected
a special millage levy in
November to finance some
of the rec center’s costs, the

Mornis said county lead-
ers should discuss the rec
center beyond the current
year, noting the county’s
budget paid for the facil-
ity from when it opened in
2002 until the pandemic
struck in 2020. At that time,
the voters passed a three-
year 2.56\ mill levy to fund
the rec center. The money
comes from the county gen-
eral fund and user fees.

Commissioners Susan
Berumen and Sandy Hol-
lingsworth voted to increase
daily drop-in fees by $1 for
residents and non-residents.
Punch cards for 10 admis-
sions will increase between

Replied Mornis, “I’m a lot
more optimistic about the
future.” She recommended
that county leaders meet
to discuss the rec center
operations for its long-term
future.

Jefferson Academy
enrollment
With Jefferson County
Schools closing the Coal
Creek Canyon building
this year, parents have
organized a group that
will run the school as part
of the Jefferson Academy
system, a private academy
for preschool children and
those in grades kindergar-
ten through eighth.

This year, Gilpin County’s
budget has allocated ap-
proximately $2.7 million for
the rec center, including $1
million for capital repairs.
The recently ended mill levy
resulted in the center receiv-
ing $1.1 million less in 2024
compared to 2023. County
leaders said approximately
$600,000 remaining from
the rec center’s budget last
year will help defray the
costs this year. When ap-
proving the 2024 budget,
the county commissioners
reduced the operating days
for the rec center from five
to four days.

BRIEFS
BRIEFS

Berumen said the rec
center fees hadn’t increased
for more than three years,
adding many senior citizens
don’t have to pay for meals
and programs there. “I don’t
think there’s anything that’s
free,” she remarked.

The school is accept-
ing information from
parents who are interested
in enrolling children for
the upcoming year. It will
serve families in the Coal
Creek Canyon area and
beyond in Gilpin, Jefferson
and Boulder counties.

U.S. Forest Service continues pile burns
Seeing smoke in Gilpin County? The USFS is asking residents not to report it to
authorities because most of the smoke is coming from piles being burned north of
Central City and in the vicinity of the Gross Reservoir near Pinecliffe.

For information on the
rec center and Heart Fund
grants available through
the Friends of Gilpin Com-
munity Center, visit  www.
gilpincommunitycenter.
org.

The Forest Service said there has been an uptick in 911 calls to the Gilpin County
Sheriff’s Department. During burning, USFS partners from The Nature Conser-
vancy, Timberline Fire Protection District and Lefthand Fire Protection District
have been observing the burns. The service reports that the area has adequate snow
cover, and there are no holding concerns. Resources remain on scene until the piles
have burned down.