By Katie Schmidt
Greeley Tribune
GREELEY, Colo. — Many who drive by the Oxford-Miller house would think nothing significant of the sapling planted in the front yard.
Yet to Adam Hepner, the small sapling’s support beams on either side represent his support system in the Weld County Drug Court program.
About to graduate his fourth phase of recovery in the program, Hepner was tasked to give back to the community. However, Hepner said he wanted to personalize his contribution and relate it to his recovery.
“I wanted something to drive by in 10 years and see it,” Hepner said of the tree on Saturday during a dedication ceremony at the Greeley Oxford sober living house in central Greeley.
This was the second tree Hepner planted. The first, dedicated to addicts who died while still suffering, grows at Hepner’s house. The second was planted at the Oxford house. Both the Oxford house and tree were dedicated Saturday to Hepner’s probation officer, Carl Miller, who unexpectedly died last November.
Hepner said Miller served as inspiration to hundreds of people recovering in the drug court program, including himself, by helping them see the light.
“He held people accountable,” Hepner said. “Some people fake their way through (recovery). He was good at spotting these things.”
Miller and Will Riley, a drug court participant, had the idea to open a second Oxford house in Greeley, where the tree now resides.
“Carl always believed in a place to live,” Riley said. “It’s one less stressor.”
Miller brainstormed the idea of a Greeley drug court with former Judge Gilbert Gutierrez, and worked in the program since its founding in 2008, said Marci Hoffman of the 19th Judicial Court. Miller also worked on the DREAM program (Devoted, Recovering, Empowered, Achieving Miracles), a nonprofit organization that offers sober activities for recovering addicts, including delivering Valentines to senior centers.
Hoffman said Miller’s strength was in his big ideas.
“His whole focus was to make the using community smaller than the recovering community,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman said many qualities contributed to Miller’s success as a probation officer, including his humor, patience, humility and caring nature.
Hepner said he credits much of his success in sobriety to Miller, who would sit with him and make pro-and-con lists for the struggles Hepner was going through, even outside of his progress in sobriety.
“He turned my life around,” Hepner said.
Hepner is keeping Miller’s memory alive with the sapling, which represents Hepner’s recovery. Hepner said his recovery, just like the tree, is going to grow to be big and strong with the support of water, sunshine and care each day.
“I want people to believe there’s a hope and inspiration,” Hepner said.