December 2025 Newsletter | Vol.12

Tip of the Month: Healthy Holiday Eating

Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t mean forgoing seasonal favorites and treats. It just requires a little planning and a healthy mindset. These tips can help you savor the tastes of the holidays without derailing your healthy eating plan.



• Plan ahead: think about the flavors and foods you love. Have a small serving of those items first and then choose healthier options like vegetables, fruits and unsalted crackers.
• Select healthier versions of seasonal favorites: choose low-fat or -sugar options of seasonal drinks like cocoa and eggnog. Opt for reduced sodium nuts and crackers.
• Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water throughout the day before attending a holiday party or meal. Alternate drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) with glasses of water.
• Stash healthy snacks: keep baggies of nuts or granola bars in your car and at work to help you avoid the temptation of workplace treats and keep hunger at bay. 
• Keep counting those steps: exercise can boost your mood and mental health in addition to burning calories.
  

To learn more, check out the American Heart Association’s Heart-Healthy Holiday Guide.

Instead of Stress, Serenity in the Season

While the holidays offer festivity and cheer, additional expenses, high expectations, busy schedules and family dynamics can trigger intense stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. 

Certified Health Coach Marvin Williams offers 5 tips to promote tranquility and wellbeing this holiday season:

Protect Your Personal Peace: Elevate your mental space for sound decisions with quiet, repose, and stillness. Quiet can facilitate mental processing. Periods of tranquility help to shift focus from anxious reactions to inner calm. Prayer and mindfulness promote peace.

Promote Connection Over Perfection: Focus on being present in the moment and enjoying time with friends and family, rather than making things perfect. This will promote bonding and the joy of connection and harmony. 

Party Without Pretense: Cultivate authentic cultural traditions for long-lasting positive memories and take photos of special events for rewarding reflection. 

Plan Prosperity:  Establish realistic boundaries and stick with your commitments to exercise, sleep, eating and budgeting. 



Practice Positivity: Expressing gratitude and counting blessings helps to override pressures and holiday expectations from others. 



If stress or anxiety is overwhelming or interfering, please seek professional mental health. Montbello Solutions has a variety of clinical health professionals to support your mental and emotional health. For immediate help, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). 

New Flu Variant Packs a Punch

A new “super flu” strain, called subclade K, making the rounds this year is currently the predominant strain in Colorado. Symptoms of the K variant are similar to most flu viruses: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. One notable difference is that symptoms quickly escalate, causing many victims to feel like they’ve been hit by a truck. The K flu variant can also cause serious illness or death – especially among the very young and the elderly. Symptoms typically last 5-7 days and antiviral medications can help to alleviate symptoms and reduce the duration. 



While the K flu variant is a mismatch with this year’s flu vaccine, medical experts say the flu shot offers protections, lowering the risk of serious illness and death. Only 25% of Coloradans had received a flu shot as of early December, causing concern that this year’s flu season could be severe.

Lower your risk and help protect those around you by getting the yearly flu vaccine, washing your hands often with soap and water (hand sanitizer is not  considered effective against the K flu variant), avoid touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes. Stay home if you feel sick. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms are severe or don’t improve.

Jobs of the Month: Environmental Learning for Kids and Envolve Management, LLC

Education Coordinator – Youth in Natural Resources (YNR) Environmental Learning for Kids

Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) is a local nonprofit that creates a sense of belonging, self-discovery, and adventure in the outdoors for underrepresented young people of color and their families, transforming youth into environmental stewards and trailblazers that promote equitable outdoor access, sustainable practices, and community uplift. The Education Coordinator is responsible for the planning, development, management and implementation of the Youth in Natural Resources (YNR) and Urban Rangers (ELK’s Summer Youth Employment) programs. This role works directly with youth, families and organizations. 

Position requirements include two years experience working with multicultural students ages 14-18 and families, as well as a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Spanish fluency is preferred.

This is a full-time position, typically Tuesday-Saturday, with evening hours and flexibility required. The annual salary is $58,000 plus benefits. To apply for this position, email a resume and cover letter to ehertz@elkkids.org.

Assistant Community Manager, Villas at Stone Trace

Envolve Management, LLC

Envolve Management, LLC owns and professionally manages apartment communities located in select markets throughout the southeastern United States. The Assistant Community Manager assists the Community Manager in the daily aspects of on-site management and operations for the Villas at Stone Trace, located near Tower Road and E. 58th Avenue. Requirements include MS Word and MS Excel, understanding compliance documents and deadlines, strong customer service, excellent written and verbal communication skills and tax credit knowledge. One to two years of Tax Credit and Property Management experience required. 

This is a part-time position with salary and benefits discussed during the interview process. Learn more and apply online. To learn about jobs at other Envolve Management properties, visit Envolve Careers. 

Montbello Talent is dedicated to connecting local job seekers with living wage jobs where they can thrive. Whether you're seeking your first job, looking to shift careers, or aiming to climb higher in your current path, Montbello Talent offers personalized support and resources. Each month in THE BELLOS, we will highlight a job meant to help strengthen our community's economic fabric. If you are a job seeker, or employer, please reach out to Michael.Crossland@montbelloorganizing.org.

Apply Now for 2026-2027 Preschool Support to Lower Tuition Costs

Quality preschool sets the foundation for lifelong learning—and now is the time to start the enrollment process for the 2026–2027 school year. Denver families, regardless of immigration status, can reduce preschool tuition costs for four-year-olds through the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK). Savings apply whether you choose Denver Public Schools (DPS), a community-based preschool, or a licensed homecare center.

Follow these steps to maximize your tuition support:

1. Explore preschools that fit your family’s needs at dpp.org.
2. Apply for UPK and match with a preschool at upk.colorado.gov. Matching Round One runs December 9, 2025–February 2, 2026.
3. If selecting DPS, apply separately to SchoolChoice at schoolchoice.dpsk12.org. Round One runs December 2, 2025–January 20, 2026. DPS students automatically receive DPP tuition credits.
4. Enroll your child in the matched preschool.
5. Families choosing community-based or homecare providers should apply for DPP tuition credits at dpp.org.

For more details on deadlines and licensed preschools in Montbello, check out the Denver Preschool Program’s 30-minute enrollment webinar.

Event Recap: District 11 Holiday Party 

Councilmember Stacie Gilmore kicked off the holiday season with the annual District 11 Holiday Party on December 6^th. Residents from Montbello and Green Valley Ranch enjoyed delicious BBQ, a choir performance, a DJ, hot chocolate, kids' activities and visits with Santa and Buddy the elf!

Featured Event: Grand Opening of FreshLo Hub Business Accelerator and Ariel’s Cafe

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 10 am to Noon

12444 Albrook Dr., Denver, CO 80239

Mark your calendar now to join the celebration of the FreshLo Hub, learn more about the New Business Accelerator and be one of the first to enjoy the sips and treats from Ariel’s Café. 

Community Connections: Events, Classes & Happenings*

Winter Break Activities at Athletics and Beyond

December 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Athletics & Beyond Family Wellness Center: 4990 Nome St., Unit C, Denver, CO 80239

Keep youth active, engaged, and having fun all winter break! Activities include 2-on-2 basketball tournament, Madden NFL 26 tournament, NBA 2K26 tournament. Healthy meals are also available.

SOLdierz of Love Co-Ed Mentorship Group

Begins January 13^th and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-7:00 PM

The Love Center: 12005 E. 45th Ave., Denver, CO 80239

This leadership and life skills program is designed for youth ages 14-24 and focused on building resilience, community, and self-awareness through culturally grounded support.

Register online.

Montbello Mobile Food Pantry

Thursday, January 8^th at 9 AM

Thursday, January 15^th at 9 AM

Montbello Recreation Center: 15555 E. 53rd Ave., Denver, CO 80239

The Mobile Food Pantry distributes food boxes out of the parking lot at Montbello Recreation Center. New clients can streamline their visit by registering ahead of time here. 

*Unless otherwise noted, events are free. Visit montbellocalendar.org to register and to see additional events happening in the community.