On Feb. 15, Childhelp River Bridge showed a screening of the film “The Playground: The Child Sex Trade in America” at the Glenwood Springs Community Center. The response from our community was overwhelming. More than 140 people attended the event, packing the room.

Human trafficking is not something any of us want to believe exists in our community. The reality of it breaks our hearts. It took courage to view a film about the exploitation of children, and I applaud all who attended.

As Amy Marsh stated in her interview on KDNK, “In order to protect our children, we must know what can harm them.”

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We thank our panelists Anne Darr with the FBI, Emma Douglas with COVA, Chris Carter with ICE, Jeff Chaney with the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s office and Gayle Embrey, executive producer of the film.

So many local agencies and businesses helped pulled this event together, providing food, lodging for our guests, press coverage and more.

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We gratefully thank the Glenwood Springs Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Department, The Residence Inn, The Citizen Telegram, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, KDNK and KMTS radio stations.

Thanks to all for investing their time and willingness to learn more about how we can keep our children safe.

Lee Martin, victim advocate, Childhelp River Bridge

Glenwood Springs

About a month ago I had hip replacement surgery at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. My original reason for going to Glenwood Springs from Castle Rock was the doctors at Aspen Orthopaedic Associates.

Though the hospital was under construction, my experience at the hospital was great. I was very comfortable. It was more like a weekend at the spa than a hip replacement surgery.

The free massages, the nursing staff and the physical therapists were the nicest and most competent group of people I have ever experienced. I have to admit I had some preconceived ideas on what to expect from a small town hospital. It was an awesome facility.

My wife was with me. She had just gone through a traumatic experience with her sister passing away a few months ago in a Texas hospital. I didn’t know how she would react to seeing me in a hospital bed after her sister’s death. Because my room was more like a hotel room and the staff were more like friends, she was very comfortable.

I guess I just wanted to say thank you to the people who work at Valley View Hospital.

Richard J. Adams

Denver