Brighton Community Guide 2024

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

Every Piece Matters

Puzzle maker hopes to depict Brighton and everything that makes it special SEE

BScott Taylor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

righton has numerous public organizations, plenty of public art and diverse people — more than enough to fill a new mural. Or a puzzle.

In the summer of 2024, the city gets both.

Popular artist and puzzle maker Eric Dowdle plans to make Brighton one of the subjects of his latest efforts, a series of community puzzles designed to highlight America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The athletic fields in Brighton’s Water Tower Park got an artificial turf upgrade in 2023. PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

PUZZLE

“I picked Brighton because it’s more about how the people interact,” Dowdle said. “It’s big enough where you have your privacy but small enough where people know each other and they could tell me where to go and who to talk to.”

Dowdle specializes in designing colorful artwork meant to be broken into pieces. His 500- and 1,000-piece puzzles depict holidays, sporting events, nursery rhymes, cities and other places around the world. The company currently lists 430 different puzzles on its website, covering holidays, national parks and countries and cities — including Denver.

“For years, I was called ‘The Puzzle Guy’, and I was like, ‘I’m an artist, for crying out loud,’“ he said. “When I lay out a painting of a city, FROM PAGE

SEE PUZZLE, P6

Young Roland Scott enjoys a juice box and the performance by Colorado band the Corporation while his parents Lynde and Natasha finish their dinner during Brighton’s’ annual BBQ at Carmichael Park in July 2023. FILE PHOTO

The entrance to Brighton’s Armory Performing Arts Center. FILE PHOTO

Mayor Greg Mills opens the city’s 2024 State of the City speech in March 2024 at the Brighton Armory.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

PUZZLE

it needs to be a piece of art first and it needs to build a story.

“But I also know what it takes to make a great puzzle, and I play along that line. It has to be fine art, something people will recognize. But it also has to be entertaining.”

LAND THAT I LOVE

His latest effort, the “Land that I Love” program, comes in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The company plans to create five puzzles representing five towns in each state, and Brighton is one of the Colorado cities picked to get a puzzle.

“This all goes back to 2010. I went to Washington and talked to some people and said that we need to get ready for America’s birthday,” Dowdle said. “They were like that’s nice, but it’s a long way away. But I thought we needed to get started on something right away.”

He began working on the project in 2018 and it was the only 250thanniversary project in process at the time. Once all the puzzles are finished, the final piece will be a documentary about the program and the cities it depicts, which he

The bike racing bronze sculpture on the informal cultural campus between Anythink Library and the Brighton Armory.

FILE PHOTO

Megan Noltan and Calvin, 5, of Lochbuie, share a selfie with Brighton’s Founders Plaza Christmas tree as the backdrop Dec. 2. FILE PHOTO

Brighton’s Lisa Snyder hands out candy canes at a city booth in Founders Plaza during the city’s 2023 Christmas tree lighting ceremony. FILE PHOTO

PUZZLE

plans to have done by 2026.

So far, Dowdle has completed murals and puzzles depicting Gillette, Wyo., Butte, Mont., Canton, Ohio and the NFL Hall of Fame, Cottage Grove, Minn., Carlsbad, Calif. and South Jordan, Utah.

He’s also completed puzzles depicting Route 66 and Dinosaur National Monument for the Land that I Love program.

CREATIVITY AND FREEDOM

He’s hoping the project will show a unified America.

“Nobody wants to get involved in politics now, you know. Liberal, conservative, progressive, whatever. Where is the common ground?” he said. “I’ve found the common ground in this statement: Freedom equals creativity. And that is what we have as Americans and I wanted to go to places like Brighton and show what freedom and creativity has done for the community.”

Dowdle visited Brighton last fall, touring sites to get a feel for the city and what it values.

“You’re going to see some architecture, some iconic parts of the town that you’ll recognize and say that’s right,” Dowdle said. “And then you’ll see a setting that makes you feel like you are in Colorado and see the diversity of the people and then you throw in the agriculture and add an idea of where you are going in the future. That’s what I’m trying to create in a celebratory theme.”

He’s in the process of painting his mural of the city featuring landmarks, schools, churches and other memorable features. That mural will be made into a puzzle sold by the Dowdle company.

EVERY PIECE MATTERS

The final mural should be unveiled this year at the city’s

FEATURE: PUZZLE MAKER

annual barbecue in July at Carmichael Park. The puzzles will be available for sale at Dowdle’s website, dowdlefolkart.com, and through the Brighton Chamber of Commerce.

He plans to give special pieces of the finished puzzle to various people for the unveiling ceremony.

“We pick out 10 to 15 different people, organizations or businesses that help make Brighton what it is, and they hold on to those pieces,” Dowdle said. “So when we call out say, the mayor for example, we tell a little about his background, a quick fivesentence story and he puts the piece in the puzzle.

“In the end, the story we are trying to tell is that every piece matters. There are no missing pieces, and if someone somehow didn’t make it in the puzzle it doesn’t matter. That’s the theme we’ve picked out for America’s 250th anniversary. Every piece matters. Every person matters.”

A line drawing draft of artist Eric Dowdle’s Brighton mural. COURTESY PHOTO

A view of the Brighton Pavilion shopping area. FILE PHOTO

Cars make their way past Bridge Street’s intersection with Main Street, framed by the Rocky Mountains. FILE PHOTO

CITY OF BRIGHTON

500 S. Fourth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2000

www.brightonco.gov info@brightonco.gov

BRIGHTON CITY GOVERNMENT

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

Michael Martinez, City Manager Phone: 303-655-2165 mpmartinez@brightonco.gov

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE

Natalie Hoel

Phone: 303-655-2056

Fax: 303-655-2158 nhoel@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 1

Matt Johnston 303-655-2265 mjohnston@brightonco.gov

Tom Green 303-655-2261 tgreen@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 3

Chris Fiedler 303-655-2267 cfiedler@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 2

Jim Snyder 303-655-2264 jsnyder@brightonco.gov

Ann Taddeo 303-655-2266 ataddeo@brightonco.gov

Jan Pawlowski 303-655-2263 jpawlowski@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 4

Peter Padilla 303-655-2269 ppadilla@brightonco.gov

Lloyd Worth 303-655-2260 lworth@brightonco.gov

ADAMS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

ADAMS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601 720-523-6100

ADAMS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

District 1

Eva J. Henry ehenry@adcogov.org

District 2

Charles “Chaz” Tedesco ctedesco@adcogov.org

District 3

Emma Pinter epinter@adcogov.org

District 4

Steve O’Dorisio sodorisio@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY MANAGER

District 5

Lynn Baca lbaca@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER

Josh Zygielbaum clerk@adcogov.org 720-523-6020

Noel Bernal nbernal@adcogov.org 720-523-6829

ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF

Gene Claps gclaps@adcogov.org 303-654-1850

ADAMS COUNTY ASSESSOR

Ken Musso assessor@adcogov.org

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

For the 17th District (Adams and Broomfield)

Brian Mason

303-659-7720

303-835-5522 (fax)

Jorge Velez and April Robichaud sign their wedding certificate in June at Riverdale Regional Park prior to the Marriagepalooza ceremony during Adams County’s Pride celebration.The two were one of eight couples that were married during the ceremony.

Belle Creek Charter School

9290 E. 107th Ave.

Henderson, CO 80640

303-468-0160

Principal: Dena Stavrevski

BLRC Preschool

1850 E. Egbert St. Suite G20

Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-5490

Brantner Elementary

7800 E. 133rd Ave., Thornton, CO 80602 720-685-5050

Principal: Heather Garcia

Brighton High School

270 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4200

Principal: Shelly Genereux

Bromley East Charter School

356 Longspur Drive, Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-3297

Executive Director: Jennifer Shaver

EDUCATION IN BRIGHTON

Eagle Ridge Academy

3551 Southern St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-0773

Principal: Scott Richardson

Foundations Academy

340 S. 45th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-659-9519

Principal: Libby Rowe

Henderson Elementary 12301 East 124th Ave. Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2700

Principal: Melynda Boehm

Innovations and Options (Alternative High School programs)

830 East Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2850

Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Landmark Academy at Reunion 10566 Memphis St., Commerce City, CO 80022

303-287-2901

Principal: Jenna Reeves

Northeast Elementary

1605 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2550

Principal: Toby Karr

Otho Stuart Middle School

15955 E. 101st Way, Commerce City 720-685-5500

Principal: Krista Dean

Overland Trail Middle School

455 N. 19th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-4000

Principal: Eric Lambright

Padilla Elementary

5505 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-5100

Principal: Kevin Purfurst

Pennock Elementary

3707 Estrella St., Brighton, CO 80601

720-685-7500

Principal: Jennifer Oldweiler

Prairie View High School

12909 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640

303-655-8800

Principal: Steve Shelton

Prairie View Middle School

12915 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640

720-685-5400

Principal: Grace Bird

Quist Middle School

13451 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602

303-655-6950

Principal: Justin McMillan

Reunion Elementary

11021 Landmark Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022

720-685-8501

Principal: David Felten

Information for Brighton’s elementary,

Riverdale Ridge High School

13380 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602

303-655-6800

Principal: Cody Clark

Second Creek Elementary

9950 Laredo Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022

720-685-7550

Principal: Ana Marlatt

South Elementary

305 S. Fifth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2600

Principal: Kristen Puzio

Southeast Elementary

1595 Southern St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2650

Principal: Heath Wilson

South Lawn Elementary

10075 Walden St., Commerce City, CO 80022

303-655-6200

Principal: Candice DeGrafinried

Thimmig Elementary

11453 Oswego St., Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2750

Principal: Cindy Ritter

Turnberry Elementary

13069 E. 106th Place, Commerce City, CO 80022 720-685-5350

Principal: Kate Pelton

Vikan Middle School

870 Jessup St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4050

Principal: Fabricio Velez

West Ridge Elementary

13102 Monaco St., Thornton, CO 80602

Phone 303-685-5300

Principal: Amy Bruce

BRIGHTON SERVICE DIRECTORY

New to Brighton? Here’s a look at the city’s essential services

DRIVERS LICENSE BUREAUS

Northglenn (Adams County)

11900 Washington St., Northglenn, CO 80233

720-929-8636

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Greeley (Weld County)

2320 W. Reservoir Road, Greeley, CO 80634

303-205-5600

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

UTILITIES

United Power

500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, CO 80601

303-637-1300

www.unitedpower.com

Xcel Energy 12466 County Road 2 ¼ Brighton, CO 80601

1-800-895-4999

www.xcelenergy.com

LIBRARY

Anythink Brighton

327 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601

303-405-3230

www.anythinklibraries.org/location/ anythink-brighton

ANIMAL CONTROL/SHELTER

Riverdale Animal Shelter

12155 Park Boulevard, Brighton, CO 80601

720-523-7387

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Lifeline Puppy Rescue 15171 Riverdale Rd. Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-9696

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

TELEPHONE SERVICE

CenturyLink (formerly Qwest)

Retail location at Orchard Town Center, 14456 Delaware St., Westminster, CO 80020 1-866-642-0444 (303) 457-1881

Comcast Service Center at 965 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601 800-934-6489

Allo Fiber Service Center at 139 Main St. Brighton, CO 80601

720 967-8050

SEWER AND WATER

City of Brighton

500 S. Fourth Ave.

Brighton, CO 80601

Issues: 303-655-2068

Billing: 303-655-2009

After Hours: 303-696-4061

EMISSIONS TESTING

Air Care Colorado

8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

1950 E. 112th Ave.

Northglenn, CO

5222 Silver Peak Ave.

Dacono, CO 80514

303-456-7090

Cars drive past Brighton’s Christmas tree in Founders Plaza just after the 2023 Tree Lighting ceremony. FILE PHOTO

BRIGHTON SERVICE DIRECTORY

New to Brighton? Here’s a look at the city’s essential services

HOSPITAL/MEDICAL

Platte Valley Hospital

1600 Prairie Center Parkway

Brighton, CO 80601 303-498-1600

www.intermountainhealthcare.org/ locations/intermountain-healthplatte-valley-hospital Visitors allowed 24 hours a day, some limits for Critical Care and medical/ surgical/ pediatric/newborn areas.

LICENSE PLATES

Adams County Government Center

4430 S. Adams County Parkway

1st Floor, Suite E2001

Brighton, CO 80601-8215

720-523-6010

7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

PROPERTY TAXES

Adams County Office of the Assessor

4430 S. Adams County Parkway

Brighton, CO 80601-8203

Phone: 720-523-6038

Fax: 720-523-6037

8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

POLICE/CODE ENFORCEMENT

Brighton Police Department Chief of Police: Matt Domenico

3401 E. Bromley Lane

Brighton, Colorado 80601

303-655-2300

Emergencies: Call 911

Non-Emergency: 303-288-1535

Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 444-3776

Code Enforcement Office: 303-655-2025

Email:

code.enforcement@brightonco.gov

Graffiti hotline: 303-655-2097

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Greater Brighton Fire Protection District

Fire Chief: Brycen Garrison

500 S. Fourth Ave., third floor

Brighton, CO 80601

Phone: 303-659-4101

Fax: 303-659-4103

brightonfire.org

MUNICIPAL COURT

Police and Municipal Court Building

3401 E. Bromley Lane

Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2064

8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

CULTURAL

The Armory at Brighton Cultural Center

300 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2026

www.brightonarmory.org

info@brightonarmory.org

The eagle sculpture that keeps watch of Brighton’s Prairie Center. FILE PHOTO

GOLF

Riverdale Golf Course

13300 Riverdale Road, Brighton 303-659-6700

www.riverdalegolf.com

Todd Creek Golf Club

8455 Heritage Drive, Thornton 303-655-1779

www.toddcreekgolfclub.com

STATE PARKS

Barr Lake State Park

Brighton’s Barr Lake, 13401 Picadilly Road, was designated a state park space in 1977. It features fishing and boating, a wildlife refuge that’s home to various species of raptors as well as nesting space for bald eagles. An 8.8-mile trail circles the lake itself, and the park also has a 12-lane archery range. Park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To reach the park’s entrance, head east on Bromley Lane from I-76 and take Picadilly Road south.

PARKS/ OPEN SPACE

Benedict Park

Located at 1855 Southern St., Benedict Park offers five shelters, disc golf, a horseshoe pit, a skate park, picnic areas, a playground and a soccer eld. It features the Emi Chikuma Plaza and Splash Pad.

BJAA Park

The Brighton Japanese American Association Park, located at 1220 Longs Peak St., features a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a playground and a shelter.

Brian Aragon Skate Park

Located at 1101 Judicial Center Drive, there are multiple bowls for skaters to traverse, as well as a grill and picnic shelters.

Brighton Park

Located at 555 N. 11th Ave., the park is situated next to the Brighton Recreation Center and features four shelters in addition to trails, fields, fishing and a playground.

Sports Complex

Located at 1111 Judicial Center Dr., the complex is home to baseball and softball diamonds.

Bromley Farm/ KoizumaHishinuma Farm

Located at 1594 E. Bromley Lane, is a historic farmstead celebrating Brighton’s agricultural heritage with a working farm and events.

Carmichael Park

One of Brighton’s newest parks, it is located behind City Hall at 650 Southern St. Includes playground, basketball court, a skate park, picnic shelters, a soccer field and trails.

Colorado Park

Located at 254 Miller St., features a football field, picnic areas, tennis court and horseshoe pit.

Dewey Strong Park

Located at 468 Longspur Drive, Strong Park features a soccer field, picnic shelters, trails and volleyball.

Donelson Park

Located at 4500 Midland St., the park features a shelter seating 48 as well as football/soccer field.

Farmers Park

Located at 320 Chapel Hill St., the park features a basketball court, playground, picnic areas and grill.

Happy Trails Dog Park

Located near the Sports Complex, the off-leash dog park is open from sunrise to sunset every day.

Ken Mitchell Park & Lakes

Located at 889 Kinglet Court, the park features a fishing pier and boardwalk. Shelters are on a first-come, firstserved basis. Fishing is from the pier only; boats are not allowed on the lake.

Dave Lockman Park

Located at 605 Tumbleweed Drive, it features a playground and picnic tables.

Recreation continues on page 15

Brighton’s Armory Performing Arts Center hosts music and acts from around the region and is also a hub for city events. FILE PHOTO

RECREATION & OUTDOORS

A costumed unicorn collects hugs at Adams County’s 2023 Pride Fest at Riverdale Regional Park in 2023. The festival is expected to return in 2024.

Malcom Park

Located at 16 N. Fifth Ave., it features a playground, picnic areas, basketball, baseball/softball and horseshoe pits.

Mayeda Park

Located at 30 Jessup St., it features a playground, trail, picnic shelter, basketball court and grill.

Montoya Park

Located at 221 N. Ninth Ave., it features, a playground, basketball court, picnic shelters and open space for baseball/softball.

Pheasant Ridge Park

Located at 200 Octillo St., it features a playground.

Sister Cities Park

Located at 3469 Rock St.

Sugar Beet Bike Park

Located near the Skate Park, it features a BMX track and bike trail.

Veterans Park

Located at 405 W. Bridge St., it features a playground, access to nearby trails and shelters.

Water Tower Park

Located at 4204 Crestone Peak St. It features a football field.

Youth Sports Complex

Located at 1100 Voiles St., features baseball and softball diamonds.

TRAILS

Brighton Lateral Trail

Begins off of Sister Cities Park, 3469 Rock St. This trail currently follows along the Brighton Lateral Ditch from Bromley Lane to Southern Street.

Brighton Memorial Parkway

The parkway is a 3,600-foot-long asphalt bike/hike trail path that winds from Bromley Lane to Southern Street. There are four small wood shade shelters with back-to-back benches at intervals along the trail and memorial plaques honoring local citizens who have made significant contributions to the community’s parks and recreation programs.

Bromley Park Community Park

This is on the far east side of Brighton, just west of Interstate 76 at Bridge Street, Take the Bromley Lane exit off I-76, turn north on the frontage road and proceed to Bridge Street. The trail will then end at the Bromley Park Community Park.

Fulton Ditch Trailhead

Easily accessed from Bridge Street, between 20th and 22nd avenues. Trail follows along the Fulton Ditch, a major water source for many farmers. There are benches along the way, and it connects to other trails.

North Outfall Trail

The combination of the Fulton Ditch and North Outfall trails follows the ditch and ends at the Brighton Recreation Center. You can connect to the trail on the east side of Brighton at Bridge Street and 22nd Avenue or on the north side of Brighton at the Recreation Center at 555 N. 11th Ave. At the recreation center, a trail circles around Brighton Park.

South Platte River Trailhead

460 W. Southern St. ADA accessible, with asphalt pathway. You can hike/ bike this 1⁄2 mile

easy trail along the Platte River. This trail goes through a riparian area with wildlife, lots of cattails, and bird viewing.

Southern Street Trail

Just off of Telluride Street this trail goes east and west along Southern Street. This trail is a rather short trail, but well worth the visit.

Getz/Morgan Smith Nature Area

Begins in Veterans Park, 405 W. Bridge St. and follows the Platte River north of the park. The user walks along a soft surface trail through 30 acres of a riparian corridor.

Here’s to the last 85 years and the brilliant future we’ll create together. We’ve evolved, but our dedication to powering progress and making connections that contribute to a stronger tomorrow remains unwavering. We’re here for tomorrow - we’re here for good.

www.unitedpower.com