Neighbors Helping Neighbors, One Surprise at a Time

May 2026

There’s something incredibly meaningful about reaching the final chapter of a Restoring Trust® project.

Not because the work simply ends, but because of what it represents. A full circle moment where what was once uncertain, overwhelming, and deeply unfair has been met with action, integrity, and a community willing to step in and make things right.

That moment has officially arrived in Northglenn.

Since our last update, CBS Colorado returned to Peggy, Christina, and Scott’s home to share a follow up story, capturing just how far this family has come. Nearly one year after their original story aired, what was once a stalled construction site has steadily transformed back into a place of comfort, stability, and progress.And that progress continued in a big way on May 1.

After weeks of planning, coordination, and generosity from multiple partners, Ricardo Velasquez with Accredited Business Arbol de Fuego Services and his crew arrived on site, ready to bring the irrigation system back to life.

Just days before, materials had been delivered thanks to Josh Nichols and the team at DBC Irrigation Supply, who remained flexible, responsive, and fully committed throughout the process, even as plans evolved. At every turn, the message was the same: whatever is needed, we will make it happen.

And on installation day, Ricardo did exactly that.

What stood out immediately was the scale of the work. This was no small fix. It required trenching both the front and back yards, carefully rerouting an entirely new system over concrete where the original backflow had been buried. It was a complex, labor intensive job, and Ricardo mobilized a full crew to ensure it could be completed efficiently and correctly.

I had the opportunity to be on site that day, capturing photos and video of the work in action, and it is something I will not forget. Watching a team of professionals show up with both skill and purpose, knowing exactly why they were there, is what makes this program so powerful.

By the end of the day, the majority of the system was in place. Ricardo returned the following day, and again the next week, to complete final adjustments, test the system, and ensure everything was functioning exactly as it should. All systems go.

But what happened next is what truly defines this project.

After spending more time with the family and hearing their story firsthand during the CBS interview, Ricardo felt called to do more. He reached out to me with an idea. He wanted to surprise the family with a fully restored backyard, including donated sod and professional edging, installed at no cost.

This was not part of the original plan. This was simply a business owner, and a family, choosing to give more.

Ricardo shared that giving back is something his father has always believed in, and this project felt especially personal. As Northglenn residents themselves, this was not just another project, this was helping a neighbor.

So, Ricardo and his team completed the transformation after installing the irrigation system on May 1 as a surprise for the Latimers.

Shortly after, Christina reached out to me and asked if I was part of the coordination to add in the sod as an unexpected bonus. When I told her it was all Ricardo, she shared that she tears up every time she thinks about it.

The difference is remarkable.

What was once a disrupted, unfinished yard is now a safe, welcoming space. A place where their dogs can run and play, and where this family can hopefully garden and enjoy spending time outside together. 

Moments like that are hard to quantify, but they are exactly why this work matters.

From a program perspective, this project represents a powerful collaboration. BBB Foundation contributed $1,200 to help support Ricardo’s crew, ensuring his team members were fairly compensated for their time. Ricardo himself donated more than $13,500 in labor and additional materials. When combined with the contributions from DBC Irrigation Supply and the earlier work from Colorado Glass & Mirror, the total value of this project now exceeds $20,000.

But the real value goes far beyond that number. It is in the restored sense of security. The ability to enjoy a home again. The reminder that even after a difficult experience, there are still businesses that lead with integrity and care deeply about the people they serve.

As I reflect on this project, I feel incredibly grateful. Grateful to have witnessed this transformation in person. Grateful for the businesses who stepped forward without hesitation. And grateful for a program that continues to prove what is possible when trust is rebuilt through action.

To Ricardo, his family, and his entire crew. To Josh and the team at DBC Irrigation Supply. To Justin and Colorado Glass & Mirror. To Andrew Laverenz and the team at Contractors of Colorado. And to every partner who played a role in this journey: THANK YOU!

And to Peggy, Christina, and Scott: thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you.

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

It's been nearly a year since Christina and Scott Latimer's life turned upside down in what should've been a rewarding construction project at their Northglenn home.

"I was thinking back to last time you were here, and I was like, yeah, the driveway was completely mud," said Christina. "Now having the driveway and having cabinets and a carpet in the bedroom, it's a huge relief. Such a huge relief."

Spring Forward: Restoring What Was Lost Beneath the Surface

March 2026

Every Restoring Trust® project has a moment where things begin to shift. Not always in a big, dramatic way, but in a steady, hopeful rhythm where progress starts to feel tangible.

That’s where we are now in Northglenn.

With spring officially in full swing, our focus has turned to one of the final major hurdles on Peggy, Christina and Scott’s property: restoring the irrigation system. Ever since the original contractor did work on the home, the family hasn’t been able to use it—a loss that may seem small on the surface, but represents yet another piece of normalcy taken from them during this experience.

When we put out the call for help again at the beginning of the year, one local business owner didn’t hesitate.

Ricardo with Accredited Business Arbol de Fuego Services, right here in Northglenn, reached out almost immediately. He was eager to help one of his neighbors in need and quickly made time to come assess the property.

Later, we all met on-site to walk through the project together, and I always appreciate these moments—getting to see our Accredited Businesses in action, asking questions, thinking through solutions, and tailoring their approach to the unique needs of each home. Ricardo does exactly that. His thoughtfulness and expertise were evident from the start.

Peggy wasn’t home at the time, but it was so meaningful to finally meet Christina and Scott in person after months of phone calls and emails. Being able to stand together in the space we’ve all been working to restore made everything feel that much more real.

As we walked the property, Ricardo confirmed what we suspected: the original contractor had effectively eliminated access to the irrigation backflow by pouring concrete directly over it. In many ways, it was a perfect representation of the broader situation—shortcuts taken at the expense of the homeowner, leaving behind problems that are far more complex to fix.

But Ricardo didn’t dwell on what went wrong. He focused on what could be done.

He proposed a smart workaround: replacing the entire irrigation system and rerouting it over the concrete, ensuring it functions safely and reliably moving forward. He also offered to restore the irrigation system in the front yard—going above and beyond the initial scope.

And then he said something that continues to define this program: He’s willing to donate 100% of his own time and labor. It’s an incredible contribution, and one that brings us significantly closer to the finish line.

To make this possible, Ricardo will need support from a small team and expressed a need to ensure those individuals are compensated fairly. BBB Foundation is currently working alongside him to determine those costs and identify how we can help bridge that gap—because the last thing we want is for Peggy and her family to take on any additional financial burden after everything they’ve been through.

And in true Restoring Trust fashion, another piece of the puzzle fell into place: we also secured a donor for the irrigation materials!

Matt Wasserman, owner of Innovative Design—who you may remember from his generous $10,000 landscaping donation to the Cook St. Project—once again stepped up to help. When I reached out to see if he knew of any suppliers who might be willing to contribute, he immediately connected me with Josh Nichols at DBC Supply.

Josh was genuinely excited to be part of a project like this and has graciously offered to donate the materials needed to bring Ricardo’s plan to life. This is exactly what we mean when we talk about the ripple effect of good businesses.

With labor, materials, and a clear plan now in place, we’ve officially scheduled installation for May 1—a date that allows us to turn on the water, test the system, and ensure everything is working exactly as it should. And I’ll be there to capture it all!

I can’t wait to share photos from that day with you, and more importantly, to see this system restored for this family. It may be just one piece of the property, but it represents so much more: stability, care, and the simple ability to enjoy one’s home again.

Because that’s what Restoring Trust is really about. Not just fixing what was broken—but giving people back the pieces of life that were taken from them.

More soon.

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

A home for the holidays: Progress and partnership in action

January 2026

Every time I share an update about any Restoring Trust® project, I’m reminded that this work is never just about finishing a checklist of tasks. It’s about people showing up, leaning in and asking the same simple but powerful question: How can I help?

Since our last update on the Northglenn Project, that question has been answered again and again.

Before I share about the other businesses stepping up, there are two moments that deserve special recognition. On Christmas Eve Day, Justin Martinez and his team at Accredited Business Colorado Glass & Mirror went to Peggy’s ADU and installed the new shower door and handrails - an incredible act of generosity that directly impacts Peggy’s comfort, safety, and independence in her new home. Everything turned out beautifully, and knowing this work was done on Christmas Eve made it even more meaningful. And most importantly, Peggy has officially moved into her ADU! While there is still minor work underway, the remaining scopes are now manageable enough to be completed while she’s living there, which is an enormous milestone after everything she’s endured. 

In addition to Justin with Colorado Glass & Mirror stepping up to donate the shower door and grab bars for Peggy’s bathroom, Andrew Laverenz at Contractors of Colorado continued reaching out to his network and quickly found more business owners ready to lend a hand.

One of them was Bryan Vine, a local carpenter who offered to visit the home and provide a consultation on access to the storage space above the garage - as it stands now, there’s no safe or practical way to get up there. Bryan took the time to walk the space with Christina and her husband Scott to go over options. Ultimately, the family hopes for a full staircase or solution that provides better accessibility than a pull-down ladder. Because that scope goes beyond what Bryan could feasibly donate, we weren’t able to move forward with this portion of the project—but I want to pause and say how grateful we are for his time, thoughtfulness, and willingness to help. These conversations matter, and we’re excited to work with Bryan on future Restoring Trust projects.

Another generous partner to show interest in helping is Zach Averill with Oak & Stone Design, an Accredited landscaping company. Zach visited the home just after Christmas to assess the landscaping challenges left behind by the original contractor—and unfortunately, there were plenty.

The irrigation system had been compromised when concrete was poured over the backflow, with no proper stub-out. Access now sits several feet under concrete, making a full replacement difficult without major demolition. Zach outlined a thoughtful workaround that would allow irrigation to be rerouted over the concrete, insulated, and functional again—not ideal, but safe and effective given the circumstances.

Now, our focus is on securing donations for the materials needed to make this possible—the hard costs that often become the final hurdle for projects like this. We’re currently working on a few leads for this scope and are hopeful we’ll be able to find someone who’s able to support roughly $3,000 worth of material needs.

As always, I’ll end with an open invitation:
Do you know of anyone who may be able to help with this remaining landscaping scope? It truly takes a village to make projects like this possible, and we are always grateful for new ideas, connections, and support.

You can reach me anytime at [email protected].

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

Hearing Peggy’s Story: Restoring dignity, safety and trust for a local senior

December 2025

My name is Meghan Conradt and I’m the Director of Foundation for Better Business Bureau. This past year, as we’ve grown and shaped the Restoring Trust® program, I’ve continually been reminded of one truth: every story is different, yet every story reflects the same deep need for trustworthy businesses, community support and human connection. Our newest project is no exception.

In 2023, Peggy, a senior citizen with a loving family behind her, made a big decision. She sold her home and moved in with her daughter and son-in-law so they could build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their property—something safe, functional and close to family so she could age in place with dignity. It should have been a hopeful, exciting chapter.

Instead, it became a nightmare and was even reported on by CBS Colorado.

After hiring Cooner Construction to build the mother-in-law suite, they took more than $300,000 in progress payments while construction slowly crept along. Then, with no warning, work stopped. Subcontractors filed liens. Communication ceased. And eventually, the contractor filed for bankruptcy—leaving Peggy living on her daughter’s couch and a half-built ADU sitting in limbo. Peggy also drained her retirement funds to re-start construction, just to try and keep the project moving while her family began legal proceedings with the original contractor.

When I first spoke with Peggy’s daughter, Christina, she described the emotional toll of watching her mother go through something like this at 80 years old. Not just the financial strain, but the heartbreak of watching a dream meant to bring comfort and stability become a source of stress, anxiety and fear.

This is where Restoring Trust enters the picture.

After learning about Peggy’s situation, our team began exploring whether this could be the last project we take on in 2025. And as fate would have it, the timing aligned with a new partnership BBB recently formed with Contractors of Colorado, a mission-driven group of ethical builders who believe deeply in giving back and uplifting their industry.

When I brought this case to their Founder & CEO, Andrew Laverenz, he didn’t hesitate.

Andrew immediately began identifying potential partners who could help finish the final, critical pieces of Peggy’s home—from accessibility upgrades like bathroom grab bars and a glass shower door to safe storage access and landscaping fixes that will protect the home’s foundation. These tasks are essential and they’re exactly the kinds of needs that can put further financial strain on fraud survivors who have already lost so much.

One of the first contacts of Andrew's to raise his hand to help was Justin Martinez from Colorado Glass & Mirror, who offered to donate the entire shower door and grab bar installation. The glass is ordered and on it’s way – we’re hoping to be able to install right around Christmas!

Then came conversations about securing donated labor and materials for landscaping, storage access and more, which we’re working on diligently. Each step, each business, each offer of help has reminded me what Restoring Trust is really about: bridging the gap between those who have been harmed and the businesses who want to make it right.

Peggy’s ADU is incredibly close to the finish line. She has weathered financial loss, legal battles, construction setbacks and deep disappointments. She and her family deserve these gifts of businesses giving back. It is an honor to step into this moment with her and her family as we help complete the final work needed for her to move into her home at last.

I look forward to sharing more updates soon as our partners begin their work on-site. In the meantime, do you have any ideas for other ways we might be able to help this family or brighten their days during the holiday season?

I would love to hear from you: [email protected]

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation