Brighton Standard Blade August 8, 2024

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POWER GRID FAILSAFE

Federal water projects dream big

Federal funds to address drought, water conservation in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming

e federal government has planned since 2022 to spend $450 million on water projects in four Western states, including Colorado. Last week, water o cials nally learned which projects are eligible — and they’re planning to dream big.  e funding is part of the federal government’s plan to address the impacts of drought in the overstretched Colorado River Basin. It will, in part, be used for projects that restore habitats and ecosystems or o er other environmental bene ts, according to an announcement from the Bureau of Reclamation July 22. A second application period, which opens later this year, will focus on long-term water conservation e orts using the same bucket of funds.  e door seems to be wide open for larger-scale projects — with more exibility and fewer hurdles for applicants, several groups said.

United Power unveils energy storage project

Battery system will let utility bank power for future needs

Local electrical supplier United Power joined national renewable energy developer Ameresco to celebrate a new energy storage facility in Brighton on July 29. e facility, called Battery Energy Storage Systems or BESS, will be located at United Power’s Bromley Substation.

Mark A. Gabriel, president and chief executive o cer of United Power, said the system is designed to provide consistent power locally, allowing United Power to bank electricity and save it for when it’s needed.

“So it’s exciting,” Gabriel said. “It allows us to buy power when it’s less expensive and use it when it’s more expensive, like this afternoon when it’s 100 degrees. Power is more expensive, so it allows us to balance the system and operate di erently.”

Ameresco’s George Sakellaris, president, CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors, agreed.

“It’s a great journey seeing the industry transform from where we were,” Sakellaris said. “We are in the second inning of the transformation, with A-I as it evolves. I think we’re going to see tremendous changes in the future.”

“We’re very excited about the project. We’re a believer in battery storage technology. is will help the local community with the grid and any impacts that grid may have, especially during heating events,” Jonathan Mancini, senior vice president of Ameresco, said.

According to o cials, the battery system lets the utility provide more

economical power and energy security for industry heading into a more viable future.

“Partnering with United Power on these transformational battery energy storage systems has been incredible—in just under a year of working together, we have accomplished so much,” Mancini said.

e Brighton facility is the largest of its kind among Ameresco’s asset portfolio, Mancini said.

“Energy storage plays – and will continue to play – a crucial role in enhancing grid reliability, optimizing renewable energy utilization, and fostering a resilient and e cient energy future,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to help support utility companies in meeting increasing demand.”

According to o cials, United Power’s electric distribution systems are built to provide 78.3 megawatts and 313.34 megawatt-hours of battery storage capacity across multiple sites. Five of the sites are in service, with the remaining three sites scheduled to be in service by the end of the summer.

ey are in United Power’s service territory, situated strategically with eight advanced battery systems that are crucial to permitting United Power to improve load balancing by incorporating rst-rate renewable resources.

“ e use of batteries on our distribution network is essential to a resilient and responsive power grid, and we are excited to be moving ahead with one of the most aggressive plans for such systems,” Gabriel said. “ ese battery energy storage systems will allow us to balance our power needs throughout the day and incorporate local renewables more e ciently.”

According to o cials, Ameresco owns four 11.75 megawatts and four 7.84 megawatts battery energy storage systems across the eight substation sites owned by United Power, locat-

ed in Adams, Broom eld, and Weld counties. Ameresco uses AI-driven clean energy software to operate and manage the systems masterfully.

Balancing

During high-capacity use, the batteries work by storing and distributing power e ciently. at allows the company to maximize its energy resources, improves its grid strength and guarantees a reliable electricity supply for the communities.

Utility o cials were excited. United Power Board member Paige Wagner Maul said the utility is the rst to get something like this done in Colorado.

“So we’re moving in the right direction,” she said.

“It is a big step to save money in the future by distributing energy resources that are right here in our backyard,” said United Power Board member Stephen Whiteside. “We don’t require a transmission to get this electricity. So, it is the wave of the future.”

To learn more about United Power’s long-term vision for the future, read the Cooperative Roadmap at www.unitedpower.com/roadmap. For information on Ameresco and its energy solutions, visit www. ameresco.com.

United Power CEO Mark A. Gabriel talks about how a battery storage facility will help meet customer’s power needs.
Ameresco President and CEO George Sakellaris turns the switch to power United Power’s new Brighton power storage facility with United Power CEO Mark A. Gabriel and United Power board members and Ameresco sta .

Seniors Over 70 Should Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home

Regular readers know that I’ve written about this topic before, but it bears repeating. Just last week a reader called me about listing their home and helping them to buy a smaller, easier to maintain home.

Most agents would welcome this opportunity to have two paydays from a single client, but I’m different, because Rita and I were in a similar situation two years ago and chose another path, and we’re glad we did.

your “golden years” and travel, there’s the added stress of securing your home and handling yard maintenance and snow removal in your absence, so your home doesn’t look like you are on vacation.

We sold our 4,000-squarefoot home and moved into a 1,200-square-foot apartment. A recent study showed that this is a trend among us Baby Boomers.

Homeownership has a lot of costs, responsibility and tasks. The costs include rising property taxes which you will want to appeal every two years, plus rising insurance costs which can’t be appealed. For many, HOA dues and special assessments are an added burden.

Also, just as you might want to enjoy

Condo ownership at least offers a lock-and-leave situation, but still entails those other expenses. Rental relieves you of all the above.

I still recommend home ownership for non-seniors, because it is a proven strategy for wealth accumulation. Indeed it is the appreciation from our owned real estate which set Rita and me up for retirement far more than our earned income.

As one of my fellow Realtors is fond of saying, “If you have too little real estate or not enough, I’m here to help you!”

Fortunately, most seniors over 70 probably own their home free and clear, which means that selling their home can produce a lot of cash to invest in annui-

Kudos to Wendy Renee, Loan Officer Extraordinaire

Last week, I had a double closing that was only made possible by the diligent work of our in-house lender, Wendy Renee of Fairway Independent Mortgage. I can’t go to press this week without describing her work to you!

As happens now and then, I “doubleended” a listing, selling it to an out-ofstate buyer who was unrepresented. This was an investor who has purchased 18 homes and had her own lender, but that lender couldn’t perform and two subsequent lenders failed her, until the last one said we’d have to move the closing to August 15th instead of July 31st. The problem was that my seller was under contract to buy her replace-

ment home on July 31st, and the seller of that home couldn’t postpone the closing because of the contract they had on their replacement home.

So I introduced the out-of-state buyer by phone to Wendy, who said she could meet the deadline — and she did!

Making that possible was the fact that Fairway has every lending function inhouse. She issued disclosures on day 1, got underwriting approval on day 2, sent the Initial Closing Disclosure on day 3, and got the appraisal transferred and a Clear-to-Close on day 7. The loan proceeds were wired on day 7 so we had them for closing at 8 a.m. on day 8.

Thanks, Wendy. You’re amazing!

List With Me & Get Totally Free Local Moving

It has long been my practice — and that of some of my broker associates — that if you hire me to list your current home and to purchase your replacement home, I will not only reduce my commission for selling your current home but provide totally free local moving using our company moving truck (similar to a large U-Haul) and our own moving personnel. We also provide free moving boxes and packing paper/bubble wrap.

using traditional moving companies, you know that our totally free moving can save you thousands of dollars, even for a move within the metro area.

ties or CDs which could well provide enough monthly income to compensate for paying rent. A quick calculation can tell you whether your money will in fact outlive you, when that invested income is added to your Social Security and other income. That was the calculation that Rita and I made.

The question then arises, where can I rent an apartment that suits my needs? Should I go into a 55+ “independent living” complex or a regular rental?

A 55+ community may suit you, especially if you’re a widow or widower or otherwise single, because it can provide much-wanted companionship with its many activities. Some such communities offer “continuous care,” meaning that if you suffer a health setback, you can switch to assisted living, nursing home care and or even memory care without having to move to another com-

munity. I recommend Jenn Gomer from CarePatrol, 720-675-8308, who will interview you about your needs and wants and help you find the right 55+ community for you. She found the complex that Rita and I selected, although we have since moved to a regular rental closer to my office. You pay nothing for her services. She is compensated by the community which you end up choosing,

Are Real Estate Agents Overpaid?

Here’s some data cited by Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman at a conference last week:

Seventy-seven percent of agents haven’t made a sale this year, slightly worse than the 70 percent average seen in previous years. Of the agents who do make a sale, more than half earn less than $50,000 a year, and nearly a fourth make $100,000. More than a third of agents have to work a second job just to be able to stay in real estate. (from Inman News)

Trusts Are Another Tool for Leaving Home to Heirs

On July 25th, I wrote about title issues, especially when it relates to leaving a home to your heirs. With input from attorney Dan McKenzie, I wrote about the use of beneficiary deeds and life estates.

A reader asked, “what about trusts?” So I asked Dan to address that topic, and he sent me the following:

Trusts offer several advantages over beneficiary deeds and life estates. Like those two options, a properly funded trust avoids probate. Unlike those two options, however, it also allows your chosen trustee to step in and manage the property during an incapacity event, which is a more significant risk than death at any point in your life. Also, trusts allow you to control things over a few steps and can include instructions on handling things during the various phases of occupancy.

For example, if I want to leave a house to my two kids at my death, I could do that with a beneficiary deed, and that would avoid probate. However, the two kids would become equal co-owners, with no obligation to

each other or any way to resolve disputes about the property. If the property is passed to them through a trust, you can specify as many details as you want in the trust agreement about who is in charge: how costs will be split, decisions will be made, disputes will be resolved, etc.

Similarly, a trust can allow someone to live in the house for some time but ultimately direct where that house goes after a particular event. This is very common when one spouse brings a house into a second marriage. The spouse who does not have an ownership interest often wants assurance that they can stay in the house if they survive the house's owner. But the house's owner wants assurance that, ultimately, this significant asset will pass to their kids, not their step-kids.

A trust can include all the instructions about handling that, such as who is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, insurance, and taxes during the surviving spouse's occupancy. A life estate doesn't give you a way to provide so much instruction.

Just pack and unpack. We will even pick up your flattened boxes and packing materials after you unpack!

If you have ever priced moving costs

I bought our first moving truck in 2004. We replaced it with a newer truck (above) in 2016. I calculate that we’ve saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in moving costs over the years.

Fort Lupton welcomes National Guard expansion

Mayor, o cials cut ribbon $9.4 million readiness center

e Colorado National Guard and the community of Fort Lupton celebrated the expansion of its Guardsmen Readiness Center on July 26.

“ e unveiling of this state-of-theart maintenance facility and gym completes the expansion project that India Company and the Infantry Battalion have been anticipating for nearly three years,” said company commander U.S. Army Capt. Kayla Koeune. “ is multifunctional building enhances unit readiness by ensuring rapid maintenance and repair, amenities to increase soldier tness, training and retention, and allows increased integration and streamlined operations with Bravo Company.”

Fort Lupton Mayor Zo Hubbard welcomed the facility and she remembered when it rst opened.

“I can remember at that time, Mayor Tommy Holton said he was proud that one of the only municipalities in Fort Lupton called the Fort actually had military here. We’re still happy about that,” she said.

Mayor Hubbard said it was important to her to say she had olive drab, or O.D. green, in her blood because she was born in Fitzsimmons Army Hospital.

“To see you expand and be part of this community is a big deal to ev-

ty with local support and help local rst responders so they can do their jobs,” Behrens said.

Deployment

Behrens said the rst and overall mission for the battalion is the state of Colorado. ey take orders from the Governor of Colorado regarding natural disasters and other matters. ey are the only military entity allowed to do that, he said.

“Active Army, or reserves or Marine Corps, or even Air Force can’t respond to natural disasters,” Behrens said. “However, the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard can because we’re part of the state military. We are also federal so we can deploy overseas by order of the President of the United States.”

$9.4 million expansion

erybody,” she said. “Seeing people in the O.D. green in our gas station stores gives everybody a sense of security.”

Military careers are all about service, and that goes two ways.

“But it’s so important for the citizens of America to know that there are people who are willing to go out and give their very lives. If you’ve been in our cemetery on Memorial Day, you’ve heard me say I take your service personally, you are here for me,” she said.

And she’s grateful for their service.

“I know you serve for the greater good and for all Americans. But I will never forget it because you’re

out there to protect me. ank you all for coming. If you’ve never been to Fort Lupton before, please come again, have a meal, and ll your cars with gas. Maybe you’ll nd you like it and want to move here because we love to grow. e National Guard’s growth will help the community in immeasurable ways. So thank you.”

SSG Brandon Behrens, said readiness centers used to be called armories. e community can use it as much as we can.

“We respond to res, natural disasters such snow storms, tornadoes, anything like that,” he said. “We gather at the readiness center and then we can help the communi-

According to o cials, the construction expansion cost $9.4 million using state and federal funds, and the building received a certicate for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. e Fort Lupton Readiness Center has 206 soldiers and 110 vehicles with training and administrative support. e Readiness Center was expanded to a total of 41,942 square feet, with a 5,826-square-foot readiness center space, a 6,627-squarefoot multi-purpose room training building, 6,875 square yards of military vehicle parking, and 3,864 square yards of person vehicle parking.

Perseverance pays o for National Guard recruiter

Fort Lupton’s SSG Brandon Behrens worked his way into a military career despite childhood injury

Brandon Behrens knew he wanted a military career more than 16 years ago, but it took a good deal of perseverance and the help of a recruiter to convince the Army National Guard he was a good t.

“At the time, I didn’t really even know what the National Guard was about, but I learned it was a great opportunity,” Behrens said. “I was passionate about joining and about patriotism. I loved doing my part, and my goal is to do 20 years,” Behrens said.

He’s now SSG Brandon Behrens,

Recruiting and Retention NCO Army National Guard at the Fort Lupton Readiness Center.

Behrens was raised in Greeley, Colorado, and has lived there his whole life.

“When I was growing up, I was always playing cops, robbers, and military stu , so my brothers and I were destined to join at some point,” Behrens said.

But at three years old, an accident with a sleeper sofa hideaway bed severed the index nger on his right

hand — his trigger nger. at made things harder, he said. He tried to join fresh from his high school graduation in 2005 but most recruiters wouldn’t give him a look. He had to write letters to Congress to help him get in, and his route was through the National Guard. In 2008, he joined the service.

Behrens said that since he’s near the end of 20 years of service, he wanted to be a recruiter to give back,

Celebrating the National Guard expansion cutting the ribbon with sta , Fort Lupton Mayor Zo Hubbard, U.S. Army Major General Laura Clellan Adjutant General, and U.S. Army Capt. Kayla Koeune, I-Co commander. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

RTD extends free fare for youth program

Kids ages 19 and under can continue to ride Regional Transportation District buses and trains for free after a one-year trial program that was supposed to end Aug. 31 is now a regular feature in the district.

Positive reviews of the Zero Fare for Youth e ort – especially from schools and youth groups – prompted the RTD Board of Directors Tuesday to let the program continue beyond the one-year pilot, with no disruptions to youth customers. e zero-fare initiative allows youth ages 19 and under to use all RTD services at no cost.

“Since Zero Fare for Youth began last year, my team and I have heard

directly from the public that the program has proven to be a gamechanger, enabling youth to have access to schools, work and extracurricular activities without the concern of how they will pay their fares,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said in a news release.

“Zero Fare for Youth is helping RTD’s youngest customers understand how their new habits are aiding air quality in their communities and supporting their freedom to explore and gain independence. RTD is also developing transit customers for life,” Johnson said.

Extending the pilot

e one-year pilot program initially launched on Sept. 1, 2023, to

provide a ordable, equitable and simple transit options for youth, the news release states.

e pilot was based on a key recommendation from the agency’s fare study and equity analysis, the news release states. Youth ages 19 and under can now continue to present a valid student or government-issued ID and use all of RTD’s services at no cost. A full list of acceptable ID options can be found on the Zero Fare for Youth webpage.

RTD received positive feedback from many schools about the program’s impact in reducing truancy, and it garnered support from school districts, youth organizations and customers across the entire Denver metro area, according to the news release.

e Colorado legislature passed a bill in May 2024 to appropriate up to $5 million to RTD to continue a zero-fare program for youth. SB24032 Methods to Increase the Use of Transit outlines RTD’s eligibility to apply for and receive grant money to provide year-round, zero-fare transit services for youth.

RTD o cials say the Zero Fare for Youth program provides many bene ts for youth and their families, including cost and time savings. Using RTD’s buses and trains increases independence by reducing dependence on others for transportation, and it provides young people with the freedom and exibility to travel where they need to go, the news release states.

RTD needs help with copper wire thieves

Regional Transportation District ofcials are asking transit riders that if they see something suspicious near the agency’s track, report it.

Especially if they see someone hauling away copper wiring.

RTD says multiple cases of copper wire theft has been reported near track signals, switches and rail crossings. e agency has reported ve instances of copper wire being stolen along light rail alignments over the last week alone, according to an RTD news release.

Most of the theft has taken place along the R Line, which runs between Peoria Station in Aurora and Lincoln Station in Lone Tree, the agency states.

e incidents have led to signi cant impacts on light rail service, including train delays, crossing arms staying active in the down position, prompting the need for bus shuttles to carry stranded passengers to their destinations, RTD states.

RTD is also investigating multiple cases of thieves targeting copper wire along the A and G commuter rail lines. A wire theft on July 29 along the A Line, resulted in signal issues and the need for bus shuttles between Denver Union Station and Central Park Station, the news release states.

RTD’s copper wires provide connections to a low-voltage system that powers signals at rail crossing, as well as high-voltage circuits that energize trains through the overhead wires. Most of the recent thefts have hap-

pened overnight, and the thieves are striking at di erent locations across the system’s 120 miles of track, the news release states.

Copper wire thefts disrupted RTD’s rail services in 2022. In response, RTD implemented new ways to thwart thieves, including embedding copper wire in railroad ties, installing wooden covers, and greasing the wires to make them less valuable.

RTD has also piloted adding tracking devices to copper wire coils across the system, the news release states.

Demand for copper

e demand for copper has created a market for thieves to target critical infrastructure across the world. In the U.S. and Canada, multiple transit agencies have recently reported an

increase in copper wire thefts, RTD said.

RTD is asking customers and the public to report any suspicious behavior that they may observe on or near the system’s tracks. e agency also warns thieves and would-be culprits that trespassing on RTD’s tracks is dangerous and deadly. Trains can approach from any direction at any time and are not able to quickly stop or slow down. Additionally, there is a real danger of electrocution from exposing and handling the system’s copper wires, the news release states.

Anonymous or discreet tips can be shared using RTD’s Transit Watch app, by calling Transit Police dispatch at 303.299.2911, or texting 303.434.9100.

Charmed future for a Fort Lupton company

Carbon capture company hopes to bury climate change

As global temperatures rise, a new Fort Lupton company seeks to nd new ways to repair the climate by removing carbon and securing it underground.

“With the high levels to keep the earth below one and a half degrees of warming. We need to reduce emissions by switching to electric vehicles and other things,” said Charm Industrial CEO Peter Reinhardt July 23 at his company’s grand opening and ribbon cutting in Fort Lupton. “But we also need to remove CO-2 from the atmosphere. In other words, we’ve over lled the bathtub. So, we need to go back and remove historical emissions to keep the balance and checks.”

Reinhardt said Charm is a seminalist for the Department of Energy Carbon Removal Purchase Pilot Prize, the rst initiative by the U.S. Federal Government to purchase carbon dioxide removal directly from domestic providers.

Charm Industrial started building its facility in 2022 and opened its doors at 2360 South Rollie Avenue on July 23, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We’re excited about the future; we hope it will transition to more of a public good service. We need to do something with atmosphere,” said Peter Reinhardt, CEO of Charm Industrial.

e Colorado Energy O ce roadmap is starting to incorporate carbon capture and removal in the statewide plan, due in the fall of 2024.

“We are so happy to support those

e orts and to be in Colorado. Over 65 people are working at the Fort Lupton site, and we’re continuing to grow,” said company spokesperson Alison Kelman.

“We are dedicated to being part of the Colorado community here in Fort Lupton. It’s been a welcoming community, and we’re excited that you can all come out to our facilities to learn more about what we do.”

Beyond o sets

Reinhardt started his career in aerospace engineering but then moved to San Francisco to start a software company. Reinhardt built his company “Segment” up to 600 people with $250 million in annual revenues before selling it o in 2020.

“Along the way, I became interested in buying carbon o sets for our emissions at Segment. Unfortunately, most of those carbon o sets we were buying weren’t doing anything,” Reinhardt said.

Carbon o sets e ectively allow

them not to develop or remove some amount of carbon from the atmosphere.

“ en, I became very interested in building something of higher quality and more permanent, which ultimately led me to start Charm as a carbon removal company in February 2018,” he said.

Reinhardt said they settled on using Bio-oil sequestration pathway in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown. eir method takes plant residues from agricultural waste and potential fuel from wild re, converting them into a biomass liquid called Bio-oil.

“ en, we inject that liquid into orphan oil and gas wells. Today, we do that in Kansas, and hopefully soon in some other states,” he said.

Reinhardt said that the process permanently removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, very measurably puts it underground, and permanently sequesters it.

“ is took o for us in 2020. Our rst customers were software companies based in San Francisco and Seattle. We started delivering the rst carbon removal in January 2021. A few years later, we’re excited to be here in Fort Lupton and start to scale up our operations,” Reinhardt said.

Green transition

Reinhardt noted that the nations’ transition to green energy is under-

way, with wind turbine maker Vesta located down the street. But good methods for removing carbon are still considered an unsolved problem.

“It became clear in 2018, when the (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) released a report where they said, it looks like we’re going to need around ve to 10 billion tons a year of removal CO-2 by 2050,” he said.

Reinhardt said there was zero carbon removal in 2018 at the start of the whole new industry.

“ ere are 100 Carbon removal companies out there, and Charm is one of the leaders. ere are a variety of di erent approaches, from direct air capture to enhance rock ocean alkalinity enhancement to biomass, carbon removal, storage, and weathering, which is what we do,” Reinhardt said.

Reinhardt said all these approaches are supported by voluntary purchases from companies that want a positive impact. It started with payment software companies such as Stripe and Shopify, an e-commerce company. But it has since spread to Microsoft and other companies and types of industries.

“It has now spread into nancial services companies JP Morgan, who are now paying for carbon removal against their own emissions,” Reinhardt said.

CEO Peter Reinhardt and his son cut the ribbon on Charm Industrial’s Fort Lupton operation on July 26.
BELEN WARD

This summer, take simple steps for be er air

It’s another hot, sunny, bluesky day in Denver. The air is still and looks clear! Despite the beautiful day, you may feel irritation in your throat or a tightness in your chest while out walking the dog, at the park, riding your bike, or on an afternoon run. Your asthma may also be acting up.

This is likely the impact of ground-level ozone: the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem each summer. We can’t see or smell it, but this pollutant accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, reaching its highest levels in the afternoons and evenings.

While ozone serves an important purpose high up in the atmosphere — protecting us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation — at ground level, high concentrations of ozone are unhealthy. Ozone makes it difficult to breathe, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections, and exacerbates respiratory ailments such as asthma.

High ozone levels affect all of us. Even if you are healthy, ozone can impact the cells in your lungs during and after exposure, like

sunburn, and repeated exposure over time can lead to reduced lung function. The people at higher risk of exposure or more sensitive to this air pollution include the elderly, those with respiratory conditions, outdoor workers, outdoor athletes, and especially children, whose lungs are still developing.

Where does this air pollution come from? Ground-level ozone is not directly emitted from any source. It forms in the air when two chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), react in the sunshine and heat of summer days. These chemicals are called ozone precursors, and they are released into the air from emissions made by our gaspowered vehicles, gas-powered lawn equipment, and oil and gas production across the Front Range.

Both colorless and odorless, ozone is different than wildfire smoke, tiny particulate matter called PM2.5 or PM10, and the visible Denver “brown cloud” of years past. However, ozone can combine with other air quality issues, and is sometimes referred to as “smog.”

errands, or taking the bus or the light rail to get where you need to go. Don’t forget: youth ride for free on RTD! For shorter distances, leave the car at home and walk, ride a scooter, or your bike or e-bike.

Fuel up your car after 5 p.m. to avoid releasing emissions during the heat of the day. Skip idling your car: instead, roll down the windows and turn off the engine while waiting in parking lots or lines. Consider a low- or zeroemissions vehicle, like an electric vehicle (EV), when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle.

While air quality in the region has greatly improved in the past half century, ozone remains a pressing issue to our health and environment. But as our gas-powered vehicles and gas-powered lawn equipment contribute to its formation, we all have the power to reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range each summer!

First, sign up for ozone alerts. Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org to sign up for emails or text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to receive air quality alerts on your phone. When the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) forecasts a high ozone day, the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) will send you a timely text or email to let you know.

On high ozone days, protect your health by avoiding outdoor exercise or heavy exertion between noon and 8 p.m. Still want to get outside? Plan ahead and spend time outside in the morning, or later in the evening, when ozone levels will be lower.

Second, reduce your emissions! Take some Simple Steps for Better Air: Skip two car trips per week by carpooling, combining

Mow the lawn after 5 p.m. if you still use gas-powered equipment. Even better, upgrade your old gas lawn mower, trimmer, or leaf blower to a new electric one with a 30% state discount at participating retailers this year!

And if your job can be done remotely, work from home at least one day a week and eliminate your commute altogether.

Taking these timely, simple steps in the summer improves our Front Range air quality, our health, and our ability to enjoy the outdoors! Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org for more information about how to reduce your ozone impact this summer and help your community breathe easier.

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BRIEFS

Brighton opens Eye for Art at City Hall

e City of Brighton Eye for Art program’s three-month show runs until Oct. 15 at Brighton City Hall, located at 500 S. 4th Avenue.

e Summer Showcase is an opentheme show and artwork may include oil, acrylic, watercolors, graphite drawings, photography, fused glass, pottery, computer painting, mixed media, jewelry, glass and sculptures.

For more information, please visit the Eye for Art web page, or contact David Gallegos, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at dgallegos@brightonco.gov, or 303-655-2176.

City of Brighton’s sixth annual Touch-aTruck Aug.24

e City of Brighton will be bringing out its heavy machinery for the sixth annual Touch-A-Truck event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. aug. 24 in the parking lot of Brighton City Hall, 500 S. 4th Ave. Kids of all ages will get the opportunity to go behind the wheel, climb and explore vehicles of all sizes, and meet the people who operate them. Police cars, re trucks, Flight for Life (landing at 11 a.m.; subject to availability), tractors, snowplows, loaders and much more will be at the event. Kids in attendance will get to help dec-

SLIP & FALLS

INITIAL CONSULTATION

orate one of the city’s snowplows with paint. is year’s Touch-A-Truck will also feature Brighton’s Bike Rodeo. Children will be guided through a safety course to learn important skills for safe bike riding.m ere will also be a drawing for giveaways. Limited parking will be available at City Hall.

Indulge for CASA tickets

on sale

Tickets for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Adams and Broomeld county’s largest fundraising event, Indulge for CASA, are on sale now. is year’s event is A Harvest Gala and it is scheduled from from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 4 at Balistreri Vineyards. is gala will be full of delicious food and drinks, fantastic auction prizes, exciting entertainment and more.

Individual tickets are $175, which includes a hosted cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, as well as a dinner, program and entertainment. Combined registration for pairs starts at $350, which is ideal for couples or friends who would like to share a bidder number. You will have one bidder number for the silent auction, live auction and paddle raise. All event charges will be assigned to one credit card.

Tickets for a full table of eight starts at $1,400.

Sponsorships are available beginning at $2,500.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Molly Kerns, Events Manager, at molly@casa17th. com.

City of Brighton introduces Youth IMPACT program for students grades 6-9

Brighton Youth Services is refreshing one of its most well-known programs, as Brighton Youth IMPACT replaces the Brighton Youth Corps.

Brighton Youth IMPACT is a group of young people in grades 6-9 who are dedicated to serving their community and making a positive impact on others. Youth IMPACT is one of many programs designed by the Youth Services O ce to empower young people on a path of leadership and civic engagement. e group will meet on the rst Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m at City Hall. Dinner will be provided. In addition to monthly meetings, members will also volunteer as a group each month. Applications are now open online at https://www.brightonco.gov/1382/ Brighton-Youth-IMPACT and the deadline to apply is June 17. Interviews will be from 1-3 p.m. June 24 at City Hall.

“Normally we’ll see somewhere in the ballpark of $20 million to $30 million annually for ecosystem restoration work through WaterSMART for the Upper Colorado River Basin,” said Alex Funk, director of water resources and senior counsel at eodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Never have we seen $450 million come online all in one (request for proposals).” e in ux of money is headed for Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah, the four states in the Colorado River’s upper basin. e river basin spans seven Western states, the lands of 30 tribal nations and two Mexican states. ere, the future water supply for 40 million people has been compromised by two decades of drought, a changing climate and overuse.  e funds come with a few strings attached. Only public entities, like gov-

ernments and tribal nations, can apply. ey can partner with other groups, like environmental advocacy nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations, which cannot apply independently. e criteria seem suited to make big ideas happen, several water experts said. e funding minimum is $300,000. Many other grants max out at $300,000, which means projects are smaller in scope. Organizations will have ve years to spend the money.

With applications due in mid-October, many organizations are in the early stages of deciding which projects to prioritize. Funding announcements are expected in spring 2025.

e Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is looking at opportunities to improve operations at its farming enterprise and water infrastructure, spokesperson Peter Ortego said.

e Southwestern Water Conservation District is already planning meetings with local partners to identify multipurpose projects that could receive funding. at could mean

boosting a river’s ows or improving conditions for sensitive sh species.

In order to meet the funding minimum, a conservation group might choose to align its relatively inexpensive stream restoration project with a more expensive project to upgrade a concrete diversion gate for farmers and ranchers, for example. A recent project that helped sh and ranchers near Maybell is a good example of this type of work, Funk said.

“You might see some interesting bedfellows, like ag groups and conservation groups blending their projects together,” he said. “I think that could be really interesting in terms of longterm relationship development.”

Typically, a watershed is broken into smaller projects to t requirements for smaller grants, which can lead to disjointed work, Funk said. e new funding could allow it to tackle a whole river segment at once or do work in both headwaters and valleys.

In the Gunnison Basin, the funding could be used to build arti cial beaver

Unbeatable Savings on HVAC Services!

dams, which slow the speed of water, attract beavers and restore wetland ecosystems higher in a watershed. at work could be paired with downstream projects, like improvements for irrigation infrastructure, Funk said.

Or, organizations could focus on the Animas River in southwestern Colorado, which turned yellow in 2015 when an upstream mine released toxic wastewater into the river. e funds are also easier to access. Many grant programs require applicants to come up with matching funds, which can be di cult for rural communities, small organizations and tribal nations. ese funds do not have a match requirement.

“Match funding can be hard to secure,” said Aaron Derwingson, Colorado River Program water projects director for e Nature Conservancy. “With the urgency a lot of us are feeling in the basin with the water situation and the scale of the work that needs to be done, it’s really encouraging to see this great downpayment of funds.”

Overflowing

Reinhardt describes the process with a bathtub analogy. e amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today is about 420 parts per million, up from about 280 parts per million before we started burning fossil fuels in the 1800s.

“ ere’s a safe level, around 350ish parts per million CO-2, but we’ve over lled it right now,” Reinhardt said. “ e removal process involves returning and lowering the bathtub’s level to what they think is safe and stable.”

Carbon dioxide cycles in and out of the atmosphere yearly as plants grow – removing carbon from the atmosphere – die and then rot, releasing that carbon back.

Aside from an engineered type of carbon removal, there is no way to do that, and there’s a lot of talk about planting more trees. Unfortunately, planting enough trees will not make this happen. It can help, but it can’t solve the problem anymore, he said.

Market for biomass

Reinhardt said his company buys biomass from folks who have it as residue from a forestry operation southwest of Denver, a part of forest fuel load reduction, wild re prevention and work to prevent the worst outcomes of wild res along the Front Range.

He’s hoping to expand those resources to include agricultural residues such corn stover – the husks, leaves and cobbs normally left in the eld after corn is harvested. at debris would otherwise rot in the eld, he said.

ey use pyrolyzer that convert the biomass to Bio-oil and then transport it to injection orphan wells nearby.

“We hope to shorten that transport distance, and what’s cool is that we’re using old orphan wells,” Reinhardt said.

Reinhardt said they’ve been asked why they don’t use Bio-oil as a replacement for crude oil or other fossil fuels

“ at was the idea behind pyrolysis and Bio-oil for many decades,” he said. “ e problem is that bio-oil is not very rich in energy. It’s very rich in carbon, but it has one third the energy content of crude oil. So, it’s great as a way to sequester carbon. But unfortunately, it’s not very good as an energy production or transport tool.”

Size matters

Reinhardt said one thing that stands out when comparing technologies is Charm Industrial’s tiny footprint. eir machines do the conversion, which is small and uses little water and energy from the bio-mass being converted in the rst place.

“So, the conversion pyrolysis process involves heating up the biomass and e ectively boiling it, which comes from the biomass itself. So, we burn a little bit of the biomass and a

little bit of the char for heat to do the conversion,” he said. e machines will be located at the Fort Lupton location, but the next steps will make them smaller and portable, he said.

“ e key feature of what we’re doing is that the machines at our company are stationary. In the long run, we intend to move towards machines that are mobile and can go on the site of the biomass production, whether that’s a eld or a forest, and have a smaller footprint,” Reinhardt said.

Reinhardt said an injection site, which is less than half an acre, can story 100,000s of tons of carbon dioxide equivalent underground stored in abandoned oil and gas infrastructure. Injection sites are chosen based on the surrounding rock and soil, quality status of the wellbore, and other factors.

“ e density of the bio-mass is also important, and the bio-oil his company produces is more dense than some alternatives that seek to sequester gaseous Co2 underground, he said.”

“ e problem is that when you compress gaseous Co2, it’s a very buoyant light-density uid, so when they pump it underground, it’s less dense than the brine that’s down there. So it wants to come back to the surface, which means you need extraordinary geological formations to make sure it never leaks back up. What’s cool about Bio- oil is that it’s very dense.”

“It’s denser than the brine, so post-

injection, it sinks even better; it reacts with itself and solidi es. So, from a permanence perspective, it is guaranteed that it will stay down there, high-quality removal.”

Biomass sourcing

Kelman said one of Charm’s rst Colorado projects uses piles of logs from a forest thinning project in McArthur Gulch on the Upper South Platte.

“It reduces the impact of post- re sediment into the river, enhances wildlife habitat for species, elk, mule deer, and wild turkey, and makes the landscape more resilient,” said Kelman.

Kelman said they have 23 listings on the company’s job page.

“We’re excited to be in Colorado, and there are many opportunities for workforce development. We can contribute signi cantly and increase the economic impact in the area.” e feeling was mutual, according to Mariann Johnson, president of the Fort Lupton Chamber. She said this is one of those things that makes your heart feel good because it feels like they are doing something good for our environment.

“Welcome to our community as a new, vibrant business. We’re so happy to have you. Your presence strengthens our network and adds immense value to our collective efforts,” Johnson said. “We are supporting and celebrating your successes. We are very thankful that you chose Fort Lupton for your home.”

especially with all the struggles he went through to get in. It was a recruiter who helped him ful ll his dreams, one who worked with him over several years. It took a lot of work.

“I’m at a point in my career now where I want to give back and help young adults who have graduated high school and are wondering what they’re going to do. I want to help them nd their dream and make it successful,” Behrens said.

“It’s why I got into recruiting and I want to give back to the community, and core values that were instilled into me.”

Training around the world

Before Behrens entered the recruiting job, he was deployed overseas with the National Guard, which has partnerships with other coun-

tries, like Slovenia, for multi-country training exercises.

“So, being in Kazakhstan and Slovenia, I saw Italy, too. But I’ve not been deployed overseas for any combat,” Behrens said. “I was overseas through the military to help with training exercises, which is a lot of fun. You get to see the world and other cultures, you get to meet new people. It was a great experience with that kind of training.”

Behrens said the training was mixed and involved at least six other nations.

“I went to Slovenia as an advisor to assist the Slovenia military with their convoy operations. It started at the port of Koper and ended when they reached Hungary,” Behrens said.

“My job was the subject matter expert for the Slovenian Army. So, if they had any questions about how we would do things, I was to assist them in understanding how we do things and what they were looking for—it was cool,” Behrens said.

No reason not to try

Behrens today, if an interested person wants to get into the military with a missing limb, it depends on everybody’s medical condition, which is di erent in case by case.

“Some don’t get in because everybody is in di erent circumstances with their injuries. Not one person is going to be the same as the other. It all depends. At the end of the day, there are waivers for a lot of things,” Behrens said.

Behrens said if anybody’s interested, contact a recruiter. ey would go through their quali cation process by taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery placement tests: mathematics, comprehension English.

“Based on the score, that depends on what jobs you’re eligible for and whether you’re eligible to join,” he said. “ en, you go through the medical part with a medical and processing station doctor. You go through physical and sports physical testing. e doctors are making sure that they

are healthy to get through the rigorous training.”

Behrens said that once testing and physicals are complete, they’ll nd out if they’re good to go, need a waiver or are disquali ed.

If you are interested in joining the Army National Guard can contact Behrens via email at brandon.d.behrens.mil@army.mil, at his mobile number 720-584-3753 or at coarmyguard.com online.

SSG Brandon Behrens, Recruiting and Retention NCO Army National Guard at the Fort Lupton Readiness Center is a 16-year veteran PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

The climb, the journey, the dream

On a crisp, clear morning in a small village nestled at the foot of a grand mountain, a young person stood gazing up at the towering peak. eir eyes sparkled with wonder and ambition. e mountain, majestic and imposing, seemed to whisper promises of adventure, challenge, and triumph. A young person imagined themselves scaling its rocky face, reaching its snow-capped summit, and standing tall against the vast sky. To them, the mountain was more than just a physical entity; it symbolized all the dreams and goals they hoped to achieve in life. ey dreamed of becoming a renowned explorer, a person of wisdom and courage who would travel the world and uncover its hidden secrets. ey imagined the mountain as the rst of many they would climb, each representing di erent aspirations: the knowledge they would gain, the skills they would master, and the character they would build. eir heart swelled with anticipation as they pictured themselves standing atop various peaks, looking out over horizons of endless possibilities. Years later, a gure stood at the summit of that very mountain. eir hair was streaked with gray, their face weathered by time and experience. It was that same young person, now a grown adult, who had indeed climbed many mountains in their life, both literal and metaphorical. ey looked down at the village below, where they had once stood as a young child, full of dreams and ambition. e journey from that day to this had been long and arduous, lled with trials, triumphs, and lessons learned.

VOICES

ey remembered the early days of the climb, the initial excitement mixed with the daunting realization of the challenges ahead. ey recalled the steep inclines that tested their endurance and the rocky terrains that required careful navigation. ere were times when the path was clear, and progress was swift, but there were also moments of doubt when the way forward seemed obscured by fog and uncertainty.

Along the way, they encountered many fellow climbers. Some became lifelong friends, sharing the journey, o ering support during the toughest stretches, and celebrating the victories together. ey also met those who chose di erent paths or gave up on the climb altogether, reminding them of the importance of resilience and the courage to keep moving forward.

Standing there, they understood that life is a continuum of experi-

ences. Some, like their younger self, stand at the base of their mountains, lled with dreams and aspirations. ey look up, hopeful and determined, ready to embark on their journeys. Others are in the midst of their climb, navigating the ups and downs, enduring the grind, and pushing through challenges with grit and perseverance. en there are those who, like our young dreamer now, have reached their summits and look back on their paths with gratitude and re ection, appreciating both the struggles and the triumphs that have de ned their journeys.

Each stage is vital and valuable. e dreams at the base inspire us to begin our journeys. e challenges in the middle teach us resilience and fortitude. e re ections from the summit o er wisdom and perspective. e only true failure, our dreamer thought, is to look up at the mountain and then walk away,

abandoning one’s dreams and goals out of fear or doubt.

Ultimately, life’s mountains are not just about reaching the top. ey are about the courage to start, the perseverance to continue, and the wisdom to appreciate the journey. Whether we are at the base, the middle, or the summit, we are all part of this beautiful continuum, each step a testament to our dreams, our e orts, and our triumphs. I would love to hear the story of your climb at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can look back on our own climb with pride and gratitude, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

MARTIN

STEAD School gets grant to bulid “Founders Field”

a Cultivate Center which slated to open later this year and more.

Commerce City’s STEAD School received a $550,000 grant from Adams County that will allow the public charter high school will proceed with building a 29,900 square foot natural grass play eld – to be known as the “Founders Field”.

e eld will be built at the northeast end of its 10-acre L.C. Fulenwider campus. As a next step, the STEAD School will begin to issue construction bids to landscape rms over the next several weeks.

STEAD is a science-based, student-led, and agriculturally-focused, project driven school serving Reunion, a master-planned community managed by Oakwood Homes in Commerce City.

e school has been developed through a series of public-private partnerships, including a range of funding sources. It currently features three instructional buildings, a oneacre farm, general store, livestock, greenhouse lab, soils and seeds lab,

Rich Martin

December 31, 1939 - July 23, 2024

In Loving Memory of Charles Richard Martin

Rich is survived by his spouse of 62 years, Janice (Rutt), 4 children (Steve, Scott, Shellie, Stan), 18 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Rich’s life will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 1400 Skeel St., Brighton, CO. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran School in memory of Rich.

William Ray “Ray” Kilgore December 3, 1935 - July 24, 2024

e school is continuing to fundraise for the nal campus features, including the play eld, as well as animal stables and the “Barn”, which will be the school’s gymnasium and public assembly space.

e Adams County Board of Commissioners awarded more than $21 million in open space grants for 24 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the spring 2024 grant cycle came from revenues from the second half of the 2023 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.

When the Open Space Sales Tax was presented to voters in 1999, the ballot question called for the creation of an Open Space Advisory Board. is board recommends open space projects to the county for funding. Grants are funded from 68% of the tax proceeds and are awarded twice a year.

On July 24th, William Ray Kilgore passed away peacefully in Brighton, Colorado at the age of 88. Known to his loved ones as Ray, he is survived by his wife Colleen, brother Jerry, sons Michael and Randy, and daughter Julie as well as grandchildren Michael Jr., Nathan, Luke, and Liam. He also leaves behind four great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Born in Denver in 1935, Ray was a hardworking and kind man with a passion for science, woodworking and serving his community. He dutifully served his country in the United States Naval Air Reserve from March of 1954 to March 1961 and took pride in his acts of service to the community as a Boy Scout leader for Troop 75, arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and Union Steward for the Communications Workers of America Union. As a man with a deep love for learning, Ray was able to pursue an interest in technology and engineering at the Pickens Tech Center in Aurora, where he taught classes on hydraulics and pneumatics as well as served on the advisory board.

After growing up in Milliken, Ray moved to Brighton in 1955 where he gave back to his community by acting as a sitting member on the City of Brighton Board of Adjustment and Charter Chair Commission. He also chose to volunteer as an ambulance driver for Platte Valley Ambulance, where he sought to both help those around him as well as inspire his children, two of whom had taken an interest in medicine.

After taking over Kilgore Supply Company in Milliken with his brother Jerry, Ray spent most of his professional life working in the farming and construction supply industry. He went on to make a name for himself by

founding Farmers Elevator in Brush and Colorado Tool Center in Englewood; both of which he built from the ground up, taking pride in his meticulous accounting and inventory systems which helped to keep his businesses both pro table and organized. Later, he dedicated his time to working with United Power, not only serving on their Board of Directors for fteen years but also acting as President of their USA subsidiary branch. In 1993 he was recognized by Who’s Who Worldwide for outstanding achievements as a global business leader. Ray liked to spend his free time between his home in Brighton and cabin in Bailey, while also occasionally heading south to Sun City, Arizona to enjoy the warm weather or San Carlos, Mexico where he liked to go deep sea shing with his son and grandson. Sometimes described as “one helluva sherman” by those who joined him, Ray participated in numerous shing tournaments over his years of visiting San Carlos, even winning a Cantina Cup Tournament as well as competing in an IGFA world championship in Cabo. Known for his quick wit, ornery character and love for making people laugh, Ray and his tightly knit group of “co ee club” friends remained close throughout his life. He was also an animal lover, having adopted a number of cats and dogs that he cared for with his wife Colleen over the more than sixty nine years that they were together.

He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by everyone lucky enough to have known him.

Services will be held on Friday, August 2nd at 3pm at the Presbyterian Church in Brighton

The main building at Commerce City’s STEAD School.
COURTESY PHOTO
KILGORE

A CLEAR MESSAGE

Denver deaf and hearing interpreters explain importance of communication

Using uid hand gestures, expressive facial expressions and precise body language, sign language interpreters in the Denver metro area facilitate clear communication for individuals uent in American Sign Language.

eir skillful use of visual communication bridges linguistic gaps and enhances accessibility across a wide range of contexts and environments.

“Basically anywhere that a deaf person goes where communication needs to happen and where the ADA protects them from discrimination, I am there,” said Rae Rose, local interpreter and owner of  Rose Sign Language Interpreting.

‘An instrument of fairness’

When Rose was a child she had a conversation with a member of the deaf community that changed her life.

“We were playing and there was a bit of a communication breakdown where she had a great idea but none of us were getting it and this woman, who was studying to be an interpreter came over and…she just interpreted our conversation

and left,” Rose said. “I was like ‘I want to do that.”’

So, Rose became an American Sign Language Interpreter.

It was in college that she interpreted for the rst time and felt she had chosen the right path.

“It was probably two sentences (but) I was like ‘Oh man, oh man,”’ Rose said. “I had put all the pieces together and they had their conversation and I did it and it was nothing to anybody but I was over the moon.”

Rose founded Rose Sign Language in 2009 and it “facilitates communication between people who sign and people who don’t sign.”

Whether at a doctor’s o ce or while riding a pool noodle during a swim lesson, Rose signs in a myriad of environments including medical, education, behavioral and kids sports.

“It takes a lot of creativity and a lot of di erent strategies to make those lessons visually successful but also working with deaf kids I have a lot more options,” Rose said. “I love seeing any of my consumers start at one place and end in a di erent place having achieved a lot. at’s one of the best parts of my job.”

Rose runs the day-to-day operations of her business and helps connect other interpreters with those who need the services.

Colorado native and deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz with her sister, Victoria Ulibarri, whom she said encouraged her to become an interpreter.

ing excited to have a conversation with each other without…paper,” Salaz said.

In her capacity as a deaf interpreter Salaz said she works directly with deaf students who’ve immigrated from other countries and her work allows “for better access to communication and understanding for these students.”

“It’s my language (and) being able to teach others that have moved from other countries is amazing,” she said. “Watching them nally able to communicate with a language they can use and call their own is very inspiring.”

The right register

Similar to Rose, Salaz also provides interpreting services in medical settings.

“ is is important because sometimes the hearing interpreter uses the wrong register, not serious or too serious depending on the situation, or uses words that the deaf consumer doesn’t understand,” Salaz said.

MESSAGE

“I am a very big-picture person,” Rose said. “So I love seeing all the pieces t together and I love doing it better. I saw some great things as a new member of the eld but I wanted to reproduce and put my own sparkle on it.”

Along with providing interpreting services, Rose said her company is also big on advocacy and education.   “We’re able to provide members of the hearing company a chance to learn ASL from a deaf person,” Rose said. “ is is a deaf person sharing their culture, their birthright.”

For Rose, the aspect of interpreting that intrigued her was “the fairness of it.”

“As a white woman with my allotted amount of privilege, to be able to be an instrument of fairness is worthwhile and to make it easy for as many people and as many organizations as possible to create fairness and create

equity…that’s important,” Rose said.

Filling in the gaps

For Colorado native and deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz, one of her favorite and most impactful times signing was when she interpreted for a deaf high school student.

Salaz explained as a deaf interpreter she is able to ll in the gaps and expand on things for those whose native language is American Sign Language.

“ e student was having an indepth conversation about a serious (topic),” Salaz said. “ ey were writing back and forth in the previous class with a di erent interpreter because the student didn’t feel comfortable. at wasn’t successful.”

However, after she began interpreting for the two students, Salaz said the conversation was successful for both parties as they could better communicate.

“ ey were able to have a genuine peer-to-peer conversation with the con dence that their information was safe and both walked away feel-

Rose said the way she interprets ASL depends on her consumer. It’s important to ensure they understand what is being said.

“English has its own variations, its own dialects, its own accents. Everybody’s got their own level of uency with English,” Rose said. “Same with ASL or any sign communication.”

As a deaf woman, Salaz said, she herself relies on interpreting services and has experienced misrepresentation “time and time again” including an experience when her daughter was taken away from her because she was “misrepresented by a ‘skilled’ hearing interpreter.”

“All because the interpreter didn’t understand me or their ego was too big to ask for clari cation,” Salaz said. “Because of this, I want to support the deaf community as they do have to experience the same injustices.”

Salaz said her sister encouraged her to become a deaf interpreter and become involved with the community to help prevent similar issues from happening to others.

The future

Salaz said interpreting in general is important for both hearing and deaf people and she describes the deaf community in Colorado as large.

However, Salaz said many members of the deaf community grow up in hearing families and it can be

isolating because of the communication barrier.

“I am one of six kids, and if my sister, who can uently sign, doesn’t attend a family event, I’m lost,” Salaz said. “I feel like most of my deaf friends have the same experience…I explain this because having the community is like having an additional family that shares the same experiences. Being able to share experiences, talk about life and communicate that is key.”  is is something she thinks interpreters need to carry with them as they venture into the world.

“I hope that interpreters would put their egos aside and realize this is about their work and not them,” she said. “ ey are amazing people and the deaf community welcomes them. We just want a clear message to be produced for all of us.”

Rose said she hopes for increased equity and recognition that everyday people can do something to make a di erence.

She encourages hearing people to see interpreters as an awareness that there are deaf people in the same space as them who need to or enjoy frequenting the same environments as them.

“Everywhere that you see an interpreter there maybe just think ‘I didn’t know there were deaf people in my town. Cool. Maybe I should learn a little ASL,”’ Rose said.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
Deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz signing at Denver Comic Con. Salaz said in her role as an interpreter she ensures her deaf consumers understand exactly what they’re being told in a conversation with a hearing person. COURTESY OF JENNIFER SALAZ

MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup Regional ignites Dacono

Rocky Mountain Mini Moto hosts thrilling qualifiers for MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup

It was a regional championship race day on July 28 at the IMI Motorsports complex in Dacono. e electrifying event was hosted by MotoAmerica and organized by Rocky Mountain Mini Moto.  e races are part of MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup series, which serves as the rst step toward the premier MotoAmerica Championship.

All of the races on Sunday, from junior to F5 classes, competed to qualify for the Mission Mini Cup by Motul National Final, scheduled for August 9–11 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

If you know the IMI Motorsports complex, you know it’s tucked away a couple of miles east of the I-25 and the Erie Parkway exit. e complex maintains three tracks (dirt, quarter midget and a road course) and has

After each racer les into a line outside of the track, they complete a warm-up lap around the track to reach their destination at the start line. Once set at the start line, the agger will wave the green ag for everyone to start “gassing it” because the race is on.

While the racers move around the track at average speeds of 55 to 65 mph, the corner marshals make sure that the track remains safe and assists any rider in need. Halfway through the race, the agger raises rolled-up white and green ags and crosses them like an “X” over their head telling the riders that they are halfway through the 10-lap race. e nal lap ag is all white and will start to wave as the rst-place rider completes their ninth lap. As soon as the last-place rider goes through and begins their 10th lap, the checkered ag begins to wave to signal the end of the race.

a repair shop, clean portable toilets, a PA system, plenty of parking and a solid crew facilitating the races.

Each race begins with the rst, second and nal call for racers to line up outside of the track over the PA system.

Riders cross that ag and do one more lap around with an arm raised slightly to indicate their nished status before they exit the track and back to their trailer.

Rider Nico Bandel (186) sizes up his opposing rider IJ Cavazos (633p) as they both accelerate o of the start line. HESTON MOSHER

Thu 8/08

Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets @ 1:10pm / $10-$310 Coors Field, Denver

Get To Know Your Active Adult Staff @ 3pm

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Top Taco

@ 6pm / $89

Westminster City Park, 10455 North Sheridan Boulevard, West‐minster. wpl-intouch@westmin sterco.gov, 303-658-2303

Blankslate @ 7pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Monthly Birthday Celebration BR (8/8) @ 7pm

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Metalachi @ 7pm

Anavrin's Day: AD @ Hoffbrau @ 9pm Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, West‐minster

Sat 8/10

Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves

Westminster City Park Recreation Center, 10455 Sheridan Boule‐vard, Westminster

Fri 8/09

Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves @ 6:40pm / $12-$310 Coors Field, Denver

Friday Movie Matinee (8/9) @ 7pm

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Phat Daddy @ 9pm Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster

Birding for All - August @ 10am / Free

@ 6:10pm / $16-$310 Coors Field, Denver

Sun 8/11

Danielle Todd live at The Stillery @ 12pm

Bird Conservancy's Environmen‐tal Learning Center, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton. 303-6594348 ext. 53

Wed 8/14

Rambler Ranch (8/14) @ 3pm

Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd #900, Westminster

Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves

@ 1:10pm / $14-$310 Coors Field, Denver

Tue 8/13

Coffee Talk Discussion 8/13 @ 3pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Rotating Tap Comedy @ Something Brewery @ 7pm

Something Brewery, 117 N Main St unit A, Brighton

Thu 8/15

Monthly Birthday Celebration (8/15) @ 7pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐tion. This publication is not responsible for the ac‐curacy of the information contained in this calendar.

DACONO

At his trailer after winning the Junior Race 2, clocking a 01:16.352 on his second lap, Blaise Underhill, 8, said this was his second race on the IMI Motorsports road course.

All he thinks about is “lapping people who are way behind me.”

Sunday’s race for Underhill was his sixth race of the year. He said he is looking forward to more racing as the year continues. Supporting this racing journey with Blaise is his father, Matt Underhill. Matt and Blaise drove down from Vail to attend these

regional championships, and he spoke on his inspiration for having his child take up motorcycle racing.

“We’re big into ski racing and motorcycles are a really good crosstraining tool,” Matt Underhill said. “We took an old dirt bike and put some rubbers (tires) on it that work for the track and tried it out.”

In the F3 class race, the bikes are more powerful. e riders have more experience under their belt.

One rider is Zane Mas, a 30-yearold organizer with Rocky Mountain Mini Moto and winner of the day’s F3 Race 2, clocking a 01:05.150 on his second lap.

Mas started racing with RMMM when he was 18.

“Rocky Mountain Mini Moto hosts seven to eight events throughout the year, sometimes adding an endurance race,” Mas said. “Rocky Mountain Mini Moto was established in 2002 and has grown in the last twenty years, adding younger riders.”

He went on to illustrate how MotoAmerica is “going to local racing organizations and building these quali er events that lead into their national series (MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup),” and that this is the rst year MotoAmerica is doing a qualifying series in Colorado.

He said RMMM is hosting this quali er for MotoAmerica was “for local kids to participate in what can

lead to their national series.” Each event had over 10 riders participating, and folks around the track were pleased to see that all races were getting more racers, especially in the junior class.  ere was one accident on the track in the F4 class race. e rider was okay; he walked away, only a bit frustrated. e corner marshall was quick to assist the rider, and the agger began waving a red ag, notifying the other riders still racing of the occurrence of an accident on the track.

Visit www.rmminimoto.com to get updated on results and standings, as well as other news, events and club rules.

FROM PAGE 17
All of the junior racers take o as the flag waves to start the race at the IMI Motorsports Complex.
PHOTOS BY HESTON MOSHER

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross and volunteer firefighters

Let’s come together to celebrate the beauty that our local communities have to o er.

SHARE YOUR TRAIL TALES 5K

is a new event that celebrates Colorado’s walking/running trails within our local communities.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 Clement

Park–Littleton

Our 5K Run/Walk will mark the culmination of members sharing their stories about the great places they go for a run or a walk.

Colorado’s top-paying and lowest-paying jobs

The state’s annual wage data report is out

Fast food cooks kept the top spot as Colorado’s lowest-paid occupation by averaging an annual wage of $33,251 last year. On the opposite end, neurologists retained their top rank as the highest, averaging $409,685, according to the latest wage report from the state’s labor department.

e annual report, based on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, o ers one of the most comprehensive looks at how much workers in Colorado earn. State labor department analysts just released their take on it, providing a plethora of charts for additional context. One insight? ey looked at how hourly wages changed between 2013 and 2023.

ney, a Denver economist known as “ e Stat Guy.” Colorado’s tight labor market before the pandemic was a big contributor as demand for workers pushed salaries higher.

In Gedney’s calculations of wage data, Colorado’s overall median annual income rose 21.9% between 2015 and 2019, ranking the state third highest nationwide. But between 2019 and 2023, income growth of 20.8% “was outpaced by 32 other states,” he noted online.

“I think Colorado’s fall in ranking between 2019 and 2023 could be a re ection of other states increasing their minimum wages and having tighter labor markets than Colorado post-pandemic,” Gedney said in an email. “While Colorado’s minimum wage continued to increase through 2023 (and onward due to indexing), that gain was only 23% between 2019 and 2023. Additionally, Colorado’s openings-to-unemployed ratio bounced around signi cantly in 2022 and 2023, with rankings as low as sixth but as high as 36th. at said, I don’t see Colorado’s relatively low rank between 2019-2023 as discouraging.”

Other highlights from the state’s OEWS report:

For food preparation and servingrelated jobs, those average wages soared 78.1% in 10 years, and had the highest growth rate of all major occupations for wage growth. When adjusted for employer costs, the historic increase dropped to 18.58%, which was still one of the highest pay bumps for all occupations, said Barb Wills, lead technical analyst for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment OEWS program.

“You kind of expect high wage occupational groups to (be) increasing so this was encouraging,” she said. “It was nice to see them catching up.”

• e Boulder metro area had the highest annual average and median wages in the state, at $87,221 and $64,753, respectively. Eastern and southern Colorado areas had the lowest average wage at $54,205 and median wage of $45,220.

• e majority of the state’s labor force is in the Denver metro area, at 56.7%, or nearly 1.6 million workers.

e Colorado Springs metro is second with 11.1%, or 310,390 workers.

• Colorado has 10 times more astronomers than the rest of the nation, thanks to the federal labs and universities located in the state.

REGISTER NOW!

Lace up your shoes, and after you hit the path, share your story with Colorado Community Media. We will be publishing your fan letters in our local papers.

e most obvious contributor is the state’s higher minimum wage, which is pegged to in ation. In that same 10-year period, the state’s minimum wage has shot up 75.4%, while in Denver, where the majority of food workers are, the minimum wage is up 122.2%.

ere’s more to it, said Ryan Ged-

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Silverdale Trailhead
Three Sisters Trail

New motorcycle law allows for riding between lanes

ing tra c jams, while decreasing the chance for motorcycles to get rear-ended.

A Colorado law that went into effect Aug. 7 will allow motorcycles to ride between lanes past cars — but only if tra c has stopped. Riders must make sure lanes are wide enough to allow them to pass safely, and they are limited to 15 mph when overtaking stopped cars. Motorcycles cannot pass using the right shoulder, and they cannot move in the opposite direction of tra c in the lanes. e new rule aims to reduce congestion by allowing riders to move up at stop lights and dur-

California and Utah are among states that allow motorcycles to ride between lanes under some circumstances. e American Motorcyclist Association endorses the practice, saying it gives motorcyclists an “escape route” from being rear-ended. An Oregon transportation study found it also prevents air-cooled engines from overheating by keeping motorbikes in motion.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state. e Colorado Sun partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-size fact-checks of trending claims.

Dan Townsend has been riding motorcycles for roughly three decades. A new Colorado law will allow motorcyclists to ride between lanes past cars when tra c is stopped.

TRIVIA

1. MUSIC: Which folk-rock group produced many of the songs in the movie “ e Graduate”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which European capital is known as “ e Eternal City”?

3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin pre x “acri-” mean in English?

4. TELEVISION: Lenny and Squiggy are the annoying neighbors in which TV comedy?

5. MONEY: What is the basic currency in Guatemala?

6. CARS: What animal is found on the Porsche car logo?

7. FOOD & DRINK: Which country is associated with the soup dish pho?

8. LITERATURE: In which U.S. state is the novel “ eir Eyes Were Watching God” set?

9. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods called?

10. AD SLOGANS: What product is advertised with the slogan,

“You’re not you when you’re hungry”?

Answers

1. Simon & Garfunkel.

2. Rome, Italy.

3. “Sharp” (e.g. “acrimonious”).

4. “Laverne & Shirley.”

5. Quetzal.

6. A horse.

7. Vietnam.

8. Florida.

9. Mount Olympus.

10. Snickers candy bars.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. What was the name of Mitch Ryder’s backup band?

2. Who was the rst artist to release “My Way” in 1969?

3. Who was Colonel Tom Parker?

4. What was the name of the Beatles’ fourth movie?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Look like nothing’s gonna change, Everything still remains the same, I can’t do what ten people tell me to do, So I guess I’ll remain the same.”

Answers

1. e Detroit Wheels. Born William Sherille Levise Jr., he came up with the stage name Mitch Ryder after seeing the name in a phone book, and added e Detroit Wheels.

2. Frank Sinatra. e song was written using the melody to the French song “Comme d’Habitude” after songwriter Paul Anka bought the rights to the song.

3. Parker was Elvis Presley’s manager from 1956 until Presley’s death in 1977. Parker was actually Andreas Cornelis van

Kuijk, who’d been born in the Netherlands. He changed his name when he enlisted in the United States Army.

4. “Yellow Submarine,” released in 1968.

5. “(Sittin’ On) e Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, in 1968. Redding recorded the song just before he died in a plane crash and never knew that the song would rise to No. 1 on the charts.

(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate

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Legals

City of Brighton Public Notice

NOTICE OF VESTED PROPERTY RIGHT CITY OF BRIGHTON

BRIGHTON CROSSING FILING NO.2, 12TH AMENDMENT ADMINISTRATIVE PLAT

Notice is hereby given that the City of Brighton has approved the Administrative Plat known as Brighton Crossing Filing No.2, 12th Amendment generally located to the north of Longs Peak Street, east of North 50th Avenue, and west of North Golden Eagle Parkway. The approval is for an approximately 8.002 acre property to create a single lot for the intended use of residential development. The property is located in the west half of Section 2, Township 1 South, Range 66 West, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, City of Brighton, County of Adams, State of Colorado.

The approval of this application on July 23, 2024 creates a vested property right.

Further information may be obtained from the City of Brighton Planning Division by calling (303) 655-2072.

Legal Notice No. BSB3271

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Summons and

Sheriff Sale

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, PARK COUNTY, COLORADO

P.O. Box 190

300 Fourth Street Fairplay, CO 80440

Plaintiff: Hartshorn Law Office, LLC, and Mayflower Capital Company Profit Sharing Plan, as Assignee and Judgment Creditor,

v. Defendant: Jessie R. Petersen.

Case No. 2019CV30060

Div: B

SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE AND RIGHTS TO CURE AND REDEEM

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

RE:Sheriff’s Sale of Real Property pursuant to a Judgment entered on March 4, 2020 in the original amount of $31,635.76 in favor of Hartshorn Law Office, LLC against Jessie R. Petersen, a Transcript of Judgment recorded on March 9, 2020 as Reception No. 2020000086098 of the real property records of Adams County, Colorado and a Writ of Execution from the Park County District Court, Colorado, issued on April 10, 2024, in favor of Mayflower Capital Company Profit Sharing Plan, as Assignee of Hartshorn Law Office, LLC, directing the Adams County Sheriff to satisfy the Judgment plus interest and costs by levy and execution, and pursuant to and C.R.S. § 38-38-101 et seq.

The principal and interest due and owing on the Judgment as of April 15, 2024, is as follows:

Principal: $31,635.76

Interest (18% per annum)

1503 days x 15.60 =$23,446.80

Total $55,082.56

This is to advise you that a Sheriff’s Sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to abovereferenced documents. PLEASE BE ADVISED THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE FOLLOWING REAL PROPERTY, legally described as follows:

Lot 14 and the West ½ of vacated right of way adjacent to said Lot, Block 1, Sun Ray Subdivision, County of Adams, State of Colorado, also commonly known as 7291 East 75th Place, Commerce City, CO 80022 (“Real Property”)

THE REAL PROPERTY TO BE SOLD AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS NOT ALL THE PROPERTY THAT IS CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE JUDGMENT.

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given, that I will at 9:00A.M on September 26, 2024 in the office of the Adams County Sheriff, Civil Division, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601, the Sheriff shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the Real Property described above, and all interest of the Judgment Debtors in the Real Property, for the purpose of paying the Judgment amount entered herein, and will deliver to the purchasers a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 29, 2024

Name of Publication: Brighton Standard Blade

NOTICE OF RIGHTS

YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY BEING FORECLOSED OR HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS OR SUFFER CERTAIN LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO COLORADO STATUTES AS A RESULT OF SAID SHERIFF’S SALE. YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM SAID REAL PROPERTY OR YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CURE A DEFAULT OF THE JUDGMENT BEING FORECLOSED. A COPY OF THE STATUTES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE PURSUANT TO C.R.S. § 38-38-104 SHALL BE FILED WITH THE SHERIFF AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST SCHEDULED DATE OF SALE OR ANY DATE TO WHICH THE SALE IS CONTINUED.

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED PURSUANT TO C.R.S. § 38-38-302 SHALL BE FILED WITH THE SHERIFF NO LATER THAN EIGHT BUSINESS (8) DAYS AFTER THE SALE.

The name, address and telephone number of the attorney representing holder of the Judgment is:

Harvey L. Kramer, Esq., Registration No. 31239 Kramer Law LLC 3731 Buffalo Lane Montrose, CO 81403 (303) 282-4342

Email: hkramer@kramlaw.com

Attached hereto are copies of certain Colorado Statutes that may vitally affect your property rights in relation to this proceeding. Said proceeding may result in the loss of property in which you have an interest and may create a personal debt against you. You may wish to seek the advice of your own private attorney concerning your rights in relation to this foreclosure proceeding.

If the borrower believes that a lender or servicer

has violated the requirements for a single point of contact in section 38-38-103.1 or the prohibition on dual tracking in section 38-38-103.2, the borrower may file a complaint with the Colorado attorney general, the CFPB, or both, but the filing of a complaint will not stop the foreclosure process.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or CFPB

P.O. Box 2900

Clinton, Iowa 52733-2900

Telephone: 855-411-2372

Fax: 855-237-2392

Colorado Attorney General Consumer Protection Section

Ralph L. Carr Judicial Building 1300 Broadway, 7th Floor Denver, CO 80203

Telephone: 800-222-4444

Fax: 720-508-6040

Intent to cure or redeem, as provided by the aforementioned laws, must be physically delivered to the Office of the Adams County Sheriff, Civil Division, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601 or via U.S. Mail to Adams County Sheriff Civil Division, 4430 South Adams County Parkway, 1st Floor, Suite W5400, Brighton, CO 80601.

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE

Dated: July 8, 2024.

Gene R. Claps, Sheriff Adams County, Colorado

By: Kathy Grosshans Deputy Sheriff

Statutes attached: C.R.S. §§ 38-37-108, 38-38103, 38-38-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-302, 38-38304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, as amended.

Legal Notice No. BSB3260

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 29, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO

Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton, CO 80601

Plaintiff: WOLF CREEK RUN AT STRASBURG HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, a Colorado non-profit corporation

Defendants: EMMY MUNOZ; PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC; ALEX VILLAGRAN AS PUBLIC TRUSTEE AND TREASURER FOR ADAMS COUNTY; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION

Case Number: 2023CV030707

Attorneys for Plaintiff: WINZENBURG, LEFF, PURVIS & PAYNE, LLP

Wendy E. Weigler #28419

Address: 8020 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 300, Littleton, CO 80127

Phone Number: (303) 863-1870 wweigler@wlpplaw.com

SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE AND RIGHT TO CURE AND REDEEM

Under a Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure entered on January 13, 2024, in the abovecaptioned action, I am ordered to sell certain real property as follows:

Original Lienee

Emmy Munoz

Original Lienor

Association

Date of Lien being foreclosed

May 26, 2022

Date of Recording of Lien being foreclosed

May 27, 2022

County of Recording Adams

Recording Information

2022000047121

Original Principal Balance of the secured indebtedness

$1,215.02

Outstanding Principal Balance of the secured indebtedness as of the date hereof

$12,985.60

Amount of Judgment entered January 13, 2024

$10,784.96

Description of property to be foreclosed:

Lot 3, Block 3, Wolf Creek Run Filing No. 4,

County of Adams, State of Colorado.

Also known as: 55698 E. 27th Place, Strasburg, CO 80136.

THE PROPERTY TO BE FORECLOSED AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN.

THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The covenants of Plaintiff have been violated as follows: failure to make payments on said indebtedness when the same were due and owing.

NOTICE OF SALE

THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that I will, at 9:00 o’clock A.M., on September 5, 2024, at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, located at 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property described above, and all interest of said Grantor and the heirs and assigns of said Grantor, for the purpose of paying the judgment amount entered herein, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. Bidders are required to have cash or certified funds to cover the highest bid by noon on the day of the sale. Certified funds are payable to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

First Publication:July 11, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024 Name of Publication: Brighton Standard Blade

NOTICE OF RIGHTS

YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY BEING FORECLOSED, OR HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS OR SUFFER CERTAIN LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO COLORADO LAW AS A RESULT OF SAID FORECLOSURE. YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM SAID REAL PROPERTY OR YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CURE A DEFAULT UNDER THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED. A COPY OF THE STATUTES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE PURSUANT TO §38-38-104, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST SCHEDULED SALE DATE OR ANY DATE TO WHICH THE SALE IS CONTINUED.

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED PURSUANT TO §38-38-302, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER NO LATER THAN EIGHT (8) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SALE.

IF THE BORROWER BELIEVES THAT A LENDER OR SERVICER HAS VIOLATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.1 OR THE PROHIBITION ON DUAL TRACKING IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.2, THE BORROWER MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LAW, RALPH L. CARR JUDICIAL BUILDING, 1300 BROADWAY, 10TH FLOOR, DENVER, CO 80203, 720-508-6000; THE CFPB, HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERFINANCE.GOV/ COMPLAINT/; CFPB, PO BOX 2900, CLINTON IA 52733-2900 (855) 411-2372 OR BOTH, BUT THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WILL NOT STOP THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.

The name, address and telephone number of each of the attorneys representing the holder of the evidence of the debt is as follows:

Wendy E. Weigler #28419 Winzenburg, Leff, Purvis & Payne, LLP 8020 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 300 Littleton, CO 80127 303-863-1870

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Date: May 31, 2024. By: Gene R. Claps Adams County Sheriff Adams County, Colorado

Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 3838-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-304,

and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended. Legal

Public Notices

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Judith L. Russell, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 030040

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 1, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael P. Sasin

Kumpf Charsley & Hansen, LLC

9565 S. Kingston Court, Suite 100 Englewood, CO 80112

Main: 720-473-8000

Legal Notice No. BSB3259

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 15, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Ellen Hansen, a/k/a Mary E. Hansen, a/k/a Mary Hansen, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30548

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Rabea Taylor,

Attorney for Personal Representative

Carrie Jo Farmer

24 South Weber Street, Suite 205 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903

Legal Notice No. BSB3269

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 22, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of BETTY J. WHITE, aka BETTY JANE WHITE, aka BETTY WHITE, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30469

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 9, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Cheryl L. Marts & Michael S. White

Personal Representative 4912 Dartford Pl. Granite Bay, CA 95746

Legal Notice No. BSB3270

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 22, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Donovan Andreas Johnson-Colemen,, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 030356

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anna L. Burr, Esq.

2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014

Legal Notice No. BSB3289

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 15, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Gary Richard Smith, A/K/A Gary R Smith.

A/K/A GR Smith, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 140

All persons having claims against the above-

named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Betty M. Smith

Personal Representative 57474 E 42nd Ct Strasburg, CO 80136

Legal Notice No. BSB3250

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 22, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of DAVID DOUGLAS O’REILLY

A/K/A DAVID D. O’REILLY

A/K/A DAVE O’REILLY

A/K/A DAVID O’REILLY, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 184

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 1, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jamie M. O’Reilly

Personal Representative 6981 E. 68th Pl., Commerce City, CO 80022

Legal Notice No. BSB3266

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 15, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Rose Marie Wagner

a/k/a Rose M. Wagner, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30538

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before December 9, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Daniel J. Wagner

Personal Representative 2531 Comanche Creek Drive Brighton, CO 80601

Legal Notice No. BSB3273

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 22, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

(Adoption/Guardian/Other)

COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO

Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601

Child: Karisma Christensen Marcom

Respondents: Cassandra Marcom, Izack Christensen

Case Number: 24JV30064 Div: D1

Attorney or Party Without Attorney: Name: Meredith Karre

Address: 11860 Pecos St. Westminster, CO 80234

Phone Number: (720) 523-2950

Fax Number: (720)-523-2951

Atty. Reg. #: 39049

ORDER OF ADVISEMENT

NOTICE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENTS,: Cassandra Marcom, Izack Christensen

YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED that the Petitioner, has filed a Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship which now exists between you and the above-named child(ren);

YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that the Motion has been set for hearing in Division D1 of the

District Court in and for the County of Adams, Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, Colorado, on the 2nd day of October, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., at which time the Petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that: 1) That the child(ren) was adjudicated dependent or neglected; 2) That an appropriate treatment plan has not reasonably been complied with by the parent or has not been successful; 3) That the parents are unfit; 4) That the conduct or condition of the parent or parents is unlikely to change within a reasonable time; no less drastic alternative to termination exists, and 6) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.

OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the parent or parents have surrendered physical custody for a period of six months and during this period have not manifested to the child(ren), the court or to the person having physical custody a firm intention to assume or obtain physical custody or to make permanent legal arrangements for the care of the child(ren); and 2) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.

OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the identity of the parent of the child is unknown and has been unknown for three months or more and that reasonable efforts to identify and locate the parent in accordance with section 19-3-603 have failed; and 2) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.

If a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, or sister of the child is requesting guardianship or legal custody of the child such request must be filed within twenty days of the filing of this motion.

YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that you have the right to have legal counsel represent you in all matters connected with the Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship. If you cannot afford to pay the fees of legal counsel, you are advised that the Court will appoint legal counsel to represent you at no cost to you upon your request and upon your showing of an inability to pay.

If you have any questions concerning the foregoing advisement, you should immediately contact either your legal counsel or the Court.

Done and signed on: July 30, 2024

BY THE COURT:

District Court Judge/Magistrate Ashley Ratliff

Legal Notice No. BSB3275

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Division D No. 23JV30091

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IN THE INTEREST OF:

Jordan Levi Chavez A Child(ren), and Concerning

John Doe

Respondents:

S U M M O N S

To the parents, guardian, or other respondents named above, GREETINGS: John Doe

You are hereby notified that a verified petition has been filed in the above named Court in which it is represented to the Court that said child are alleged to be dependent and neglected; for the reasons set forth more fully in said petition, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference for greater certainty.

You are further notified that the parent-child legal relationship may be terminated by this action, if prayed for in the petition.

You are further notified that the Court has set said

petition for hearing on the 28th day of August, 2024 at the hour of 8:30 a.m. You are hereby notified to be and appear, at said time, before this Court located at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601.

Witness my hand and seal of said Court this 30th day of July, 2024.

Alana Percy Clerk of the District Court

Legal Notice No. BSB3272

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade ###

Fort Lupton Press

Legals

City of Ft. Lupton

Public Notice

ORDINANCE 2024-1171

INTRODUCED BY: CARLOS BARRON AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A BALLOT QUESTION TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS VOTING IN THE COORDINATED ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2024, A BALLOT QUESTION IF THE CITY SHOULD AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2021-1127 AND THE OFFICIAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF LICENSED MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN SPECIFIC ZONES IN THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON; SETTING THE TITLE AND CONTENT OF THE BALLOT FOR THE ELECTION

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (the “City”) is a statutory municipality and political subdivision of the State of Colorado (the “State”), duly organized and operating under the Constitution and laws of the State; and

WHEREAS, on July 16, 2024, the Council was presented with the final determination of petition sufficiency on an Initiative; and

WHEREAS, within 20 days following the final determination of petition sufficiency, the ordinance may be adopted without change by the governing body. If the governing body adopts the ordinance, the initiative process concludes and no election is conducted; and

WHEREAS, at a Special Meeting held July 30, 2024, the Fort Lupton City Council voted to not adopt the People’s Ordinance 2024-1169 for the operation of Marijuana Cultivation Facilities, Products Manufacturing Facilities, Research and Development Facilities, Centralized Distribution Permits, and Off-Premises Storage Facility Permits; and

WHEREAS, because the City Council did not adopt the Ordinance, the matter must be set for a regular or special election which shall be held not less than 60 nor more than 150 days after the final determination of petition sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the General Election will be held November 5, 2024, meeting the above requirement to hold an election within the time frame; and

WHEREAS, the question of whether to amend Ordinance 2021-1127 and the Municipal Code of the City of Fort Lupton must be directed to the registered voters; and

WHEREAS, the form of “Ballot Question” below is hereby approved and ordered submitted to the voters on November 5, 2024; and

WHEREAS, upon approval of the “Ballot Question” by the majority of the registered electors voting thereon, the Council shall enact an implementing ordinance consistent with all of the terms and conditions contained in the Ballot question; and

WHEREAS, the Council finds and determines

that it is necessary and desirable to submit to the electors of the City voting at the Coordinated Election to be held on November 5, 2024, the question of whether to allow or not allow for the operation of licensed marijuana establishments for a limited number of qualified applicants within specific zones in the City of Fort Lupton.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. An election shall be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at which there shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the City the question on whether to allow for the operation of licensed marijuana establishments for a limited number of qualified applicants within specific zones in the City of Fort Lupton which question shall be in substantial form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Section 2. The election shall be conducted as a coordinated election in Weld County in accordance with articles 1 to 13 of title 1, C.R.S. (the “Uniform Election Code”), and Intergovernmental Agreements (collectively, the “Intergovernmental Agreement”) between the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Weld, the Weld County Clerk and Recorder (the “County Clerk”) and the City of Fort Lupton.

Section 3. For purposes of C.R.S. § 31-11-111, this Ordinance shall serve to set the title and content for the ballot issues set forth herein and the ballot titles for such questions shall be the text of the questions themselves. Any protest to the ballot titles shall be filed in writing with the City Clerk within five (5) business days following the date of adoption of this Ordinance and shall be resolved thereafter by the City Council following a hearing with published notice.

Section 4. Publication and Ballot Form. In addition to the notice of election required to be published by the Colorado State Statutes, the City Clerk shall also cause to be published a notice stating that written comments for or against the ballot issue, may be filed with the City Clerk on or before 12:00 P.M. (noon) on September 20, 2024, and that a summary of such comments will be distributed to registered voters in accordance with law. The City Clerk is directed to prepare and mail to registered electors, notice concerning the Ballot Issue in accordance with Article X, Section 20, of the Colorado Constitution and other applicable law.

Section 5. Effective Date. Subject to voter approval of the ballot issue at the November 5, 2024 coordinated election.

INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 30th day of July, 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press this 8th day of August 2024.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED by title only this __ day of August 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 8th day of August 2024.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the th day of September 2024.

City of Fort Lupton, Colorado

Zo Hubbard, Mayor

Attest:

Maricela Peña, City Clerk

Approved to Form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney

EXHIBIT ‘A’

Marijuana Facilities:

Shall the City of Fort Lupton adopt Ordinance 2024-1169 allowing for the operation of a limited number of licensed marijuana establishments including Cultivation Facilities, Products Manufacturing Facilities, Research and Development Facilities, Centralized Distribution Permits, and Off-Premises Storage Facility Permits within the specific zoning districts in the City of Fort Lupton? YES__ NO__

Public Notices

PEOPLE’S ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1169

INTRODUCED BY:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AMENDING ARTICLE XII OF CHAPTER 6 AND ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE REGULATION AND LICENSING OF REGULATED MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION.

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2012, the registered electors of the State of Colorado (the “State”) approved Amendment 64, a constitutional amendment authorizing the legal consumption and possession of limited amounts of marijuana for those persons aged twenty-one years of age or older and permitting the licensing and regulation of cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and retail stores.

WHEREAS Amendment 64 reserves for local governments the authority to regulate or prohibit such facilities.

WHEREAS, on September 7, 2021, the City Council for Fort Lupton passed Ordinance 2021-1127 (the “Ordinance”), which enacted a prohibition on certain marijuana license types, including marijuana cultivators, marijuana products manufacturers, and marijuana research and development facilities, as authorized by the Colorado Constitution, and added a new article XII of chapter 6 of the Fort Lupton Municipal Code.

WHEREAS, the Ordinance became effective November 12, 2021, there having been no successful referendum petition filed with the City Clerk within that time.

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (the “City”) is a statutory municipality and political subdivision of the State, duly organized and operating under the Constitution and laws of the State; and

WHEREAS, Article V Section 1 Subsection 9 of the Constitution of the State, further preserved inviolate in Article 11 of Title 31 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, permits a proposed ordinance to be submitted to the City Council by petition of municipal electors attached thereto and circulated therewith to be filed with the City Clerk and signed by Registered Electors equal in numbers to at least 5% of the total number of electors of the City registered on the date the petition is filed.

WHEREAS, Article XVIII, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado authorizes the Personal Use and Regulations of Marijuana, and said amendment also grants a locality the authority to permit such cultivation and manufacturing of marijuana and marijuana products.

WHEREAS, the prohibition on operating legal marijuana facilities in the City deprives the City of local tax revenue and jobs due to the citizens of Fort Lupton traveling to other communities to operate or work in these marijuana establishments;

WHEREAS, the regulation of marijuana in the City will increase local tax revenue and provide additional job opportunities to the community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1:

The following sections of Article XII of Chapter 6 of the Official Code of the City of Fort Lupton, Colorado, are hereby amended as follows:

Article XII –Regulated Marijuana Establishments

Sec. 6-352 – Definitions

Marijuana business means any of the following entities licensed pursuant to the Colorado Marijuana Code: A medical or retail marijuana store, a medical or retail marijuana cultivation facility, a medical or retail marijuana products manufacturer, a medical or retail marijuana testing facility, a marijuana research and development licensee, a medical or retail marijuana business operator, a medical or retail marijuana transporter, an off-premises storage facility, a centralized distribution permit, or a medical or retail marijuana business operator.

Co-located marijuana establishment means both a licensed retail marijuana store and a medical marijuana store, retail cultivation facility and medical cultivation facility, retail products manufacturing facility and medical products manufacturing facility, research and development facility, and off-premises storage facility operating contiguously and located within the same building, and under exclusive control of the same licensee.

Sec. 6-353 Prohibited Marijuana License Types

Except as to marijuana stores, cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities, centralized distribution permits, and off-premises storage facility permits (“authorized marijuana establishments”) as permitted herein by this Article, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, cause to be operated, or permit to be operated a marijuana testing facility, transporters, business operators, and deliveries.

Sec. 6-354 – License/bond Requirements

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a marijuana store, cultivation facility, products manufacturing facility, research and development facility, or off-premises storage facility without obtaining a license to operate such business in accordance with the requirements of this Article.

Sec. 6-355 – Application

(a) Prior to submitting an application for a local license, an applicant must obtain an approved zoning verification form from the Planning and Development Department which, based upon an applicant’s submittal of an area map drawn to scale, demonstrates that the proposed marijuana establishment is in compliance with the location restrictions set forth in this Article. Applicants shall submit the approved zoning verification form to the City Clerk along with completed State Marijuana Enforcement Division forms, and all supplemental information required by the City.

(b) Applications for cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities, and off-premises storage facilities shall only be available to those who hold an existing Fort Lupton retail marijuana store license or dual operation marijuana store license or those whose applications have been conditionally approved for a retail marijuana store license or dual operation marijuana store license, as of the effective date of this ordinance. Nothing in this provision prohibits future transfers of ownership or changes of corporate structure pursuant to sections 6-363 and 6-364 of this chapter.

(c) The applicant shall also provide the following information to the City, which information shall be required for the applicant and, as applicable, the proposed manager of the authorized marijuana establishment, and all persons having any financial interest in the authorized marijuana establishment. To the extent that any of the following information has been included with the applicant’s state license application, it may provide copies of such documents to the local licensing authority.

(1) Proof of insurance of workers’ compensation insurance and public liability insurance, which at a minimum meets the current maximum liability amounts for injury to any single person, or for any injury to two (2) or more persons in any such occurrence, as set forth in the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (C.R.S. Section 24-10-114), as same may be amended.

(2) Proof of lawful possession of the premises to be licensed, which proof may include, for example, property executed deeds of trust, leases or other written documentation acceptable to the licensing authority.

(3) If the applicant is not the owner of the proposed licensed premises, a notarized statement from the owner of such property authorizing the use of the property for a regulated marijuana establishment and authorizing the City to enter the property for inspections of the proposed licensed premises on a form approved by the City.

(4) An operating plan for the proposed authorized marijuana establishment, including the following information:

a. A description of the products and services to be undertaken, produced, or provided by the authorized marijuana establishment.

b. A dimensional floor plan, drawn to scale, clearly labeled, and showing:

1. The layout of the structure and the floor plan in which the authorized marijuana establishment is to be located;

2. The principal uses of the floor area depicted on the floor plan, including, but not limited to, the areas where the public will be permitted and all private, storage, retail, and restricted areas where marijuana will be located, as applicable;

3. Areas where any services other than the distribution, cultivation, processing, research and development, and storage of marijuana are proposed to occur in the premises.

(5) A plan for disposal of any marijuana waste product that is not sold in a manner that protects any portion thereof from being possessed or ingested by any person or animal.

(6) A plan for ventilation of the authorized marijuana establishment that fully describes the ventilation systems that will ensure the odor of marijuana cannot be detected by a person with a normal sense of smell at the exterior of the authorized marijuana establishment or at any adjoining property.

(7) Fingerprints and personal background information for all owners, managers, and financiers employed by or under contract to provide services to the authorized marijuana establishment, directly, or as a member, partner, or officer of a corporation, partnership, association, or company.

(8) All applications must include all documents and information required by the Colorado Marijuana Code, including its rules and any information that the City deems reasonably necessary for the investigation and review of the application.

(d) No application shall be considered which is not complete in every detail in the opinion of the City Clerk. Incomplete applications may be returned to the applicant for completion or correction without any further action. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application and all supplemental materials are submitted in a timely manner.

(e) Upon receipt of a complete application, the City Clerk shall notify all affected departments of the City to determine whether the application is in full compliance with all state and local laws, rules and regulations. The City Clerk, upon review of all applicable information, shall prepare a report including all applicable documents to be submitted to the local licensing authority.

(f) In the event the criminal history of an owner, member, manager, financier, or other person named on the application contains information regarding conviction of a crime or previous denial or revocation of any medical or retail marijuana or professional license, that person may include with the license application any information regarding such conviction, denial, or revocation. Such information may include, but is not limited to, evidence of rehabilitation, character references, and educational achievements, especially documentation pertaining to the period of time between the applicant’s last criminal conviction and the date of the application.

(g) Any application or renewal for an authorized marijuana establishment license shall include, as applicable, payment of a nonrefundable application, or renewal fee, and payment of an annual operating fee. If a license is not granted, the operating fee is refundable in full. All such fees shall be established by resolution of City Council.

(h) A license issued pursuant to this Article does not eliminate the need for the licensee to obtain other required permits or licenses related to the operation of the authorized marijuana establishment, including, without limitation, any State of Colorado license or any sales tax license, business registration, development approvals, or building permits required by the Code.

Sec. 6-356 – Co-location.

A licensee may operate co-located medical and retail authorized marijuana establishments as a “dual operation” provided they meet the requirements of the Colorado Marijuana Code and this Code.

Sec. 6-357 – Licensing Process

(a) Marijuana Store Licensing

(1) Applications for new retail marijuana stores filed alone or concurrently with medical marijuana stores pursuant to this Article shall be

awarded via a three-phase process: initial review to ensure completeness of application and compliance with state and local requirements, a public random lottery to determine which applicants will be awarded the opportunity for approval of a license. Only one application per site will be allowed, unless the applicant is applying as a dual-operational licensee.

(2) Initial Review. The City Clerk will post notice of license availability on the City’s website and in a local newspaper of general circulation opening a 30-day application period for filing and acceptance of new applications. The City Clerk will specify the start and end date and time of the application period. Upon receipt by the City Clerk of an application for a license under this Article, the City Clerk or designee shall:

(I)Verify the application is complete, pursuant to Section 6-355; and

(II)Screen the application for automatic grounds for denial set forth in Section 6-352(a).

(3) Reserved.

(4) Lottery. The applications identified by the City Clerk as meeting or exceeding the criteria required by this Article shall be entered into a lottery process. A public random lottery will be conducted from among the qualified applications to determine which applications will be awarded the opportunity for approval of a license.

(I) Public notice. The Clerk shall publish notice of the public lottery not less than ten (10) days prior to the lottery and publish in the newspaper of general circulation in the City.

(II) Conduct of the lottery. The local licensing authority shall conduct a drawing from among the qualified applicants, in a public forum, to determine which applicants shall be awarded the opportunity to obtain a license. The local licensing authority shall use a process by which the names of the applicants are shielded from view, and through which each qualified applicant has an equal chance of being selected.

(b) Other Marijuana Establishment Licensing

The Authority shall issue a license for cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities, and off-premises storage facility permits upon submission of a completed application, subject to section (c) below.

(c) Public Hearing. The public hearing procedure shall apply to application for licensing of any regulated marijuana business and to any application for licensing renewal if the renewal application is referred to the authority by the City Clerk.

(1) Public notice of the hearing shall be given by posting a sign by the applicant on the premises for which an application has been made, not less than ten (10) days prior to the public hearing, stating the date of the application, the date of the hearing, the name and address of the applicant and such information as may be required to fully apprise the public of the nature of the application. The City Clerk shall provide the sign to the applicant for posting. If the building in which the regulated marijuana business is to be located is in existence at the time of the application, any sign posted shall be placed so as to be conspicuous and plainly visible to the general public. If the building is not constructed at the time of the application, the applicant shall post a sign at the premises upon which the building is to be constructed in such a manner that the notice is conspicuous and plainly visible to the general public.

(2) Publication of notice by the City Clerk not less than ten (10) days prior to the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation. Notice given by publication shall contain the same information that is required for posting of signs in subsection (e)(1) of this Section.

(3) At the public hearing, the Authority:

a. Must make a finding and determination as to the good moral character of the applicant.

b. May deny the application to license any regulated marijuana business in the same location where any regulated marijuana business is or has been previously licensed if there is evidence that the previously licensed premise was operated in a manner that adversely affects the public health, welfare or safety of the residents of the City.

c. May allow any party in interest to present evidence relevant to the issuance of a license. The term party in interest means the applicant, an adult inhabitant, business owner or manager within the one thousand five hundred (1,500) foot

radius of the proposed licensed premises. The Authority, in its discretion, may limit the presentation of evidence so as to prevent repetitive and cumulative evidence of examination.

d. Shall consider the facts and evidence adduced as a result of its investigation, as well as any other facts, and any other pertinent matters affecting the qualifications of the application for the conduct of the business proposed.

(4) No more than thirty (30) days after the date of the hearing, the City Clerk shall make known, in writing to the applicant the Authority’s findings based upon its investigation. The Authority may approve a regulated marijuana business license with specific conditions. The Authority may issue a regulated marijuana business license if the inspection, background checks, and all other information available to the City verify that the applicant is in compliance with this Code and any other applicable law, rule, or regulation.

(5) The Authority may refuse to issue a regulated marijuana business license if the application does not meet the requirements of this Chapter or any other applicable law, rule, or regulation, or contains false or incomplete information.

(6) The Authority may refuse to issue a regulated marijuana business for good cause, as defined Section 6-352, subject to judicial review.

(d) Centralized distribution permits are authorized so long as all requirements of the Colorado code of regulations section 5-205(h) and section 6-205(i) are satisfied, as applicable.

Sec.

6-358 – Local Licensing Authority

The City Council shall serve as the local licensing authority and have and exercise all powers expressly granted and necessarily implied by the Colorado Marijuana Code, its rules, and as set forth in this Article to regulate marijuana stores, cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities, and off-premises storage facilities within the City. The local licensing authority shall be responsible for all local duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, the issuance, renewal, suspension, revocation, transfer of ownership, and change of location of a marijuana store, cultivation facility, products manufacturing facility, research and development facilities, and off-premises storage facilities.

(1) The local licensing authority shall have the power to promulgate rules and regulations as are reasonable and necessary to implement and administer the requirements of this Article.

(2) The local licensing authority may, after notice and hearing, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license for “good cause.” The local licensing authority is authorized to adopt rules and procedures governing the conduct of such hearings. No portion of any application or operating fees previously paid shall be refunded in the event of any suspension or revocation of a license.

Sec. 6-361 – Location, Operational Restrictions and Requirements, Marijuana Establishments

(a) Marijuana stores are permitted only within the following zoning districts: the C-1 General Commercial District, C-2 Heavy Commercial District, I-1 Light Industrial Zone District, I-2 Heavy Industrial Zone District and PUD Planned Unit Development District, which specifically permits marijuana stores, and upon obtaining all land use approvals necessary for such use.

(b) Marijuana cultivators, products manufacturers, research and development facilities, off-premises storage facilities, and centralized distribution permits are only permitted within the following zoning districts: I-1 light industrial and I-2 heavy industrial, which specifically permits these establishments, and upon obtaining all land use approvals necessary for such use.

(c) Authorized Marijuana establishments will not be permitted if, at the time of application for such license, such location is:

(1) Within or immediately adjacent to any Residential District, which includes R-1 Residential District—Low Density, R-1 A Residential District—Low Density, R-2 Residential District Medium Density, R-3 Residential District—High Density, M-H Mobile Home Community District, R-O Residential and Office District, and PUD Planned Unit Development District, which exclusively permits residential land uses;

(2) Within: Beginning at the west side of the

Public Notices

Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way and 1st Street, thence north to 9th Street, thence west to the alley between Park Avenue and McKinley Avenue, thence south to 1st Street, thence east to the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way;

(3) Within one thousand (1,000) feet of:

a. Any school;

b. Any child care center;

c. Any juvenile or adult halfway house, correctional facility or substance abuse rehabilitation center;

(4) Within five hundred (500) feet of:

a. Any park with playground equipment;

(d) The distance restrictions described above shall be computed by direct measurement from the nearest property line of the parcel of land on which the protected use is located to the nearest portion of the building or unit in which the proposed authorized marijuana establishment would be located, using a route of direct pedestrian access.

(1) The distance regulations described above shall not be applicable to the renewal of a license once granted.

(2) A previously licensed marijuana business that seeks to change locations and applies for and receives a marijuana business license is subject to the location requirements above.

(e) The maximum number of licensed marijuana store locations within the City shall not exceed four (4). This includes co-located medical and retail stores. marijuana cultivation, marijuana products manufacturer licenses, marijuana research and development licenses, and off-premises storage facilities shall not be limited in number and shall be available to those individuals or entities who hold a retail marijuana store license or dual operation marijuana store license or whose applications have been conditionally approved for a retail marijuana store license or dual operation marijuana store license, as of the effective date of this ordinance. nothing in this provision prohibits future transfers of ownership or changes of corporate structure pursuant to sections 6-363 and 6-364 of this chapter.

(f) All marijuana stores shall affix labels to all receptacles on the licensed premises that contain marijuana or marijuana products which labels shall clearly display potency profiles and contaminant results from a licensed marijuana testing facility.

(g) Business conducted within building. Any and all distribution, possession, storage, display, sales, or other distribution of marijuana shall occur only within the restricted area of a marijuana store. Marijuana shall not be visible from the exterior of any authorized marijuana establishment.

(h) Manager registration requirements. The Manager of an authorized marijuana establishment shall register with the state and the local licensing authority. Whenever a person ceases to be a registered Manager of an authorized marijuana establishment, the marijuana licensee shall notify the licensing authorities within five (5) days and shall designate a new registered Manager within thirty (30) days. Either the state or the local licensing authority may refuse to accept any person as a registered Manager unless the person is satisfactory to the respective licensing authorities as to character, record, and reputation. In determining a registered Manager’s character, record, and reputation, the state or local licensing authority may have access to criminal history record information furnished by a criminal justice agency subject to any restrictions imposed by such agency.

(i) Hours of operation. A marijuana store shall be closed to the public, and no sale or other distribution of marijuana shall occur upon the premises between the hours of 10:00 p.m., thru and including 8:00 a.m.

(j) Use of pesticides. No pesticides or insecticides that are prohibited by applicable law for fertilization or production of edible produce shall be used on any marijuana produced or distributed by an authorized marijuana establishment. An authorized marijuana establishment shall comply with all applicable laws regarding use of pesticides.

(k) Ventilation required. An authorized marijuana establishment shall be ventilated to ensure the odor of marijuana cannot be detected by a person

with a normal sense of smell at the exterior of the authorized marijuana establishment or at any adjoining property.

(l) Wastewater requirements. All authorized marijuana establishments shall be operated in such a manner as to not permit, allow, or cause to be discharged any substance or material prohibited by the City into or upon any watercourse or City reclamation conduit, facility, or plant.

(m) Storage prohibitions of marijuana and marijuana product prohibited. No retail marijuana transporter may store any marijuana or marijuana product within the City.

(n) Reporting requirements. An authorized marijuana establishment shall report to the local licensing authority each of the following events within the time specified. If no time is specified, the report shall be provided within seventy-two (72) hours of the event.

(1) Transfer or change of financial interest, business Manager, or financier in the license to the City at least thirty (30) days before the transfer or change.

(2) Taxable transactions and sales and use tax reports and remits to the City monthly.

(3) A violation of any law by any licensee or applicant of a marijuana business.

(4) Each licensee shall post and keep at all times visible to the public, in a conspicuous place on the premises, a sign to be furnished by the City Clerk’s office, which sign shall be in the following form: “WARNING: THE FORT LUPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MUST BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF ALL UNLAWFUL ACTS AND DISTURBANCES IN THIS ESTABLISHMENT.”

Licensees’ shall immediately report to the police department any unlawful act, conduct, or disturbance committed upon the premises.

(o) Respond to inquiry. An owner or manager of an authorized marijuana establishment is required to respond by phone or email within twenty-four (24) hours of contact by a City official concerning its marijuana facility at the phone number or email address provided to the City as the contact for the business. Each twenty-fourhour period during which an owner or manager does not respond to the City official shall be considered a separate violation.

(p) Signs and advertising. In addition to the items listed, all licensees shall comply with all City ordinances regulating signs.

(1) Any person or premises licensed as an authorized marijuana establishment shall comply with all City ordinances regulating signs and advertising. In addition, no licensed authorized marijuana establishment shall use any advertising material that is misleading, deceptive, false, or that, as evidenced either by the content of the advertising material or the medium or the manner in which the advertising is disseminated, is designed to appeal to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (2), it shall be unlawful for any person licensed under this Article or any other person to advertise any retail marijuana or retail marijuana product anywhere in the City where the advertisement is visible to members of the public from any street, sidewalk, park, or other public place, including advertising utilizing any of the following media: any billboard or other outdoor general advertising device as defined by the zoning code; any sign mounted on a vehicle, any hand-held or other portable sign; or any handbill, leaflet or flier directly handed to any person in a public place, left upon a motor vehicle, or posted upon any public or private property without the consent of the property owner. The prohibition set forth in this section shall not apply to:

a. Any sign located on the same zone lot as an authorized marijuana establishment which exists solely for the purpose of identifying the location of the authorized marijuana establishment and which otherwise complies with the City’s zoning requirements and any other applicable City laws and regulations; or

b. Any advertisement contained within a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation within the City; or

c. Advertising which is purely incidental to sponsorship of a charitable event by a retail marijuana establishment.

(3) For purposes of this subsection(s), the terms

“advertise,” “advertising,” or “advertisement,” means the act of drawing the public’s attention to a retail marijuana establishment in order to promote the sale of retail marijuana goods or products by the establishment, or another establishment on the licensee’s behalf.

Sec. 6-363 – Transfer of Ownership

(a) An authorized marijuana establishment license is not transferable or assignable, in whole or in part, including, without limitation, to a different premises, to a different type of business, or to a different owner or licensee. An authorized marijuana establishment license is valid only for the owner named thereon, the type of business disclosed on the application for the license and the location for which the license is issued. The licensee of an authorized marijuana establishment are only those persons disclosed in the application or subsequently disclosed to the City in accordance with this chapter. A transfer of a licensed authorized marijuana establishment shall be permitted in the following circumstances:

(1) The new owner and all licensees of the business have submitted completed applications and passed a background check by the City;

(2) The new owner is not making any changes to any of the plans or conditions that are part of the license; and

(3) The license transfer is an arms-length third party transaction to one hundred percent new owners and managers.

(b) Full transfer or partial transfer of ownership of authorized marijuana establishment license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall be governed by the standards and procedures set forth in the Colorado Marijuana Code and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto and the Authority shall administer transfers of local licenses in the same manner as the state licensing authority administers transfers of state licenses. The public hearing requirement set forth in Section 6-357 of this Chapter shall apply to all applications for full or partial transfer of ownership of any retail marijuana or co-located retail and medical marijuana business license.

(c) The submission or pendency of an application for full or partial transfer of ownership does not relieve the license holder from the obligation to properly apply to renew such license in accordance with Section 6-359 of this Chapter.

Sec. 6-364 – Change of corporate structure.

A change of corporate structure of any authorized marijuana establishment that results in any of the changes in subsection (1) through (3) below shall require the filing of an application and payment of the requisite fees and shall be subject to all requirements of the post-award licensing process. A change of corporate structure shall be heard and approved or denied by the Authority.

(1) Any transfer or assignment of ten percent (10%) or more of the capital stock of any corporation, or ten percent (10%) or more of the ownership interests of any limited partnership interest in any year, or transfer of a controlling interest regardless of size.

(2) Any change of officer or directors of a corporation that involves the addition or substitution of individual(s) who was not previously an officer or director of the corporation during a period of time that the corporation held the license.

(3) Any transfer of the capital stock of any corporation, or transfer of any limited partnership interest in any general partnership of a limited partnership, or transfer of any limited liability company interest in a limited liability company of any kind, joint venture or business entity that results in any individual owning more than ten percent (10%) of an ownership interest in the business entity if that individual’s ownership interest did not exceed ten percent (10%) prior to the transfer.

(4) A change of corporate structure that results in any transfer or assignment of less than ten percent (10%) of the capital stock of any corporation or less than ten percent (10%) of the ownership interests of any limited partnership interest in any year to a person who currently has an interest in the business, and that does not result in a change of controlling interest, shall not require and application for change of corporate structure.

(5) No application for transfer of ownership or change in corporate structure may be approved by the Authority until all City and state occupational taxes, City and state sales and use taxes, excise taxes, any fines, penalties, and interest

assessed against or imposed upon such licensee in relation to operation of the licensed business are paid in full.

(6) In determining whether to permit a transfer of ownership, the Authority may consider the requirements of state statute and the Colorado Marijuana Rules. In addition, no application for transfer of ownership will be considered by the Authority if, at the time of such application, the licensee is under a notice of violation or other unlawful acts issued by either the Authority or the state licensing authority.

(7) A licensee of a license issued pursuant to this Chapter shall report each transfer or change of financial interest in the license and/or the licensee to the Authority prior to any such transfer or change pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of state statutes and the Colorado Marijuana Rules. A report shall be required for transfer of capital stock of any corporation regardless of the size, for transfers of member interests of any limited liability company regardless of size, and for any transfer of an interest in a partnership or other entity or association regardless of size.

Sec. 6-365 – Unlawful acts of licensees and persons.

(a)It shall be unlawful for any licensee to:

(1) Violate or fail to comply with any provision, term, condition, or requirement of the Colorado Marijuana Code, including its rules.

(2) Allow marijuana or marijuana products to be consumed upon its licensed premises.

(3) Use advertising material that is misleading, deceptive, false, or designed to appeal to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(4) Sell marijuana or marijuana products to a person under twenty-one (21) years of age or to a person who does not present a governmentissued identification at the time of purchase.

(5) Refuse to allow inspection of a marijuana store upon request of an authorized City employee. Any licensee, owner, business manager, operator of a marijuana store, or owner of the property where a marijuana store is located may be charged with violation of this requirement.

(6) Advertise or publish materials or display signs that are in violation of this Article.

(7) Violate any provision of this Article or any condition of an approval granted pursuant to this Article, or any law, rule, or regulation applicable to the use of retail marijuana or the operation of a retail marijuana store.

(8) Distribute marijuana or marijuana product within a marijuana store to any person who shows visible signs of intoxication from alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any form of business or commerce involving the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, storage, sale, distribution, testing, or consumption of marijuana other than those forms of business and commerce that are expressly permitted by Section 14 of Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution, Section 16 of Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution, the Colorado Marijuana Code including its rules, and this Article, which permits only marijuana stores, cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, research and development facilities, centralized distribution permits, and off-premises storage facility permits.

Sec. 6-367 – Violations and penalties

(b) In addition to the possible denial, suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of a license under the provisions of this Chapter, any person, including but not limited to, any licensee, manager or employee of an authorized marijuana establishment, or any customer of such business, who violates any of the provisions if this Chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor offense punishable in accordance with Section 1-72 and 10-289 of this Code. A person committing a violation shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during which the offense is committed or continued to be permitted by such person and shall be punished accordingly.

(i) If a license is suspended for any period of time, the licensee must post signage that states the license is under suspension or revocation due to violations of this Chapter, and that all sales and transfers of marijuana products are prohibited for the period of the suspension. The signage shall be prominently displayed at all entrances on the premises for the entirety of the suspension or revocation.

Sec. 6-368 – No City liability; indemnification.

(a) By accepting a license issued pursuant to this Article, the licensee waives and releases the City, its officers, elected and appointed officials,

employees, attorneys, agents, and authorized volunteers from any liability for injuries, damages, or liabilities of any kind that result from any arrest or prosecution of the owners, operators, employees, clients, or customers of the authorized marijuana establishment for a violation of state or federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(b) By accepting a license issued pursuant to this Article, all licensees, jointly and severally, if more than one, agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, its officers, elected and appointed officials, employees, attorneys, agents, authorized volunteers, insurers, and self-insurance pool, against all liability, claims, and demands on account of any injury, loss, or damage, including, without limitation, claims arising from bodily injury, personal injury, sickness, disease, death, property loss or damage, or any other loss of any kind whatsoever arising out of or in any manner connected with the operation of the authorized marijuana establishment that is the subject of the license.

SECTION 2:

The following sections of Article VI of Chapter 16 of the Official Code of the City of Fort Lupton, Colorado, are hereby amended as follows:

Article IV – Zoning District and Uses

Section 16-4-02 – Allowed Uses

Adding the following uses to Table 4-2: Allowed Uses - Industrial:

- Marijuana – Medical Cultivation: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial - Marijuana – Adult-Use Cultivation: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial - Marijuana – Medical Product Manufacturing: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial - Marijuana – Adult-Use Product Manufacturing: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial - Marijuana – Research and Development: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial -Marijuana – Off-Premises Storage: I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial

Section 16-4.04 Use-specific Standards

(5) Marijuana Uses. In districts where Marijuana—Medical Stores, Marijuana—Retail Stores, Marijuana – Medical Cultivation, Marijuana – Adult-Use Cultivation, Marijuana – Medical Product Manufacturing, Marijuana – Adult-Use Product Manufacturing, Marijuana – Research and Development, or Marijuana – Off-Premises Storage are permitted uses, all uses shall also comply with all business licensing requirements, standards and location limitations in Chapter 6, Article XII of the Municipal Code.

SECTION 3:

This Ordinance shall not go into effect unless approved by the voters of the City of Fort Lupton at the November 5, 2024 election.

INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 30th day of July, 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press this 8th day of August 2024.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED by title only this __ day of August 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the __ day of August 2024.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the _ day of September 2024.

City of Fort Lupton, Colorado Zo Hubbard, Mayor

Attest:

Maricela Peña, City Clerk

Approved to Form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney

Legal Notice No. FLP1076

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Public Notice

Public Notices

Notice is hereby given that the City of Fort Lupton is in receipt of an application for an Annexation referred to as the Silver Linings Annexation, located 10750 County Road 24 ½ in Fort Lupton, Colorado, pursuant to the City of Fort Lupton Municipal Code Notice Requirements.

The public hearings are to be held before the Planning Commission on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 6:00 P.M., and before the City Council on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. or as soon as possible thereafter.

The public hearings shall be held at the Fort Lupton City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Avenue in Fort Lupton, Colorado. In the event that the City Hall is closed at the time of the hearings, the public hearings will be held remotely, accessible to the public by phone and internet. Information on how to attend the hearings will be provided in the agenda as posted on the City’s website, www.fortluptonco.gov.

Further information is available through the City Planning and Building Department at (720) 928-4003.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND. LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Annexation No. 1

A PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATED IN THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING A PART OF LOT B, RECORDED EXEMPTION NO.

1311-2-4-RE2788, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BASIS OF BEARINGS: CONSIDERING THE NORTH LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., MONUMENTED WITH A NO. 5 REBAR AND 2” ALUMINUM CAP MARKED LS 25937 - 1995 AT BOTH ENDS OF THE LINE, AS BEARING NORTH 89°34’00” EAST, WITH ALL BEARINGS SHOWN HEREON RELATIVE THERETO.

BEGINNING AT CENTER-EAST 1/16 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 2, BEING A FOUND NO. 5 REBAR AND 2” ALUMINUM CAP MARKED LS 25937 – 1995;

THENCE SOUTH 0°23’05” EAST, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, A DISTANCE OF 30.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING;

THENCE CONTINUING ALONG SAID EAST LINE SOUTH 0°23’05” EAST A DISTANCE OF 2010.53 FEET;

THENCE DEPARTING THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 2, SOUTH 89°48’15” WEST A DISTANCE OF 610.00 FEET;

THENCE SOUTH 0°23’05” EAST A DISTANCE OF 553.00 FEET TO A POINT ON THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 24;

THENCE ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, SOUTH 89°48’15” WEST A DISTANCE OF 686.13 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WESTERLY LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 2;

THENCE ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, NORTH 0°45’15” WEST A DISTANCE OF 1252.40 FEET; THENCE DEPARTING SAID WEST LINE, NORTH 89°34’00” EAST, A DISTANCE OF 675.00 FEET;

THENCE NORTH 0°45’15” WEST A DISTANCE OF 409.79 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89°34’00” EAST A DISTANCE OF 556.85 FEET; THENCE NORTH 0°23’05” WEST A DISTANCE OF 601.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 20°42’49” WEST, A DISTANCE OF 314.50 FEET;

THENCE NORTH 89°34’00” EAST A DISTANCE OF 184.26 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

CONTAINING 37.561 ACRES.

Annexation No. 2

A PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATED IN THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF

THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING A PART OF LOT B, RECORDED EXEMPTION NO.

1311-2-4-RE2788, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BASIS OF BEARINGS: CONSIDERING THE NORTH LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., MONUMENTED WITH A NO. 5 REBAR AND 2” ALUMINUM CAP MARKED LS 25937 - 1995 AT BOTH ENDS OF THE LINE, AS BEARING NORTH 89°34’00” EAST, WITH ALL BEARINGS SHOWN HEREON RELATIVE THERETO.

COMMENCING AT CENTER-EAST 1/16

CORNER OF SAID SECTION 2, BEING A FOUND NO. 5 REBAR AND 2” ALUMINUM CAP MARKED LS 25937 – 1995;

THENCE SOUTH 80°15’07” WEST, A DISTANCE OF 185.35 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE PARCEL; THENCE SOUTH 89°34’00” WEST A DISTANCE OF 453.37 FEET;

THENCE SOUTH 0°45’15” EAST A DISTANCE OF 896.01 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89°34’00” EAST A DISTANCE OF 556.85 FEET; THENCE NORTH 0°23’05” WEST A DISTANCE OF 601.00 FEET;

THENCE NORTH 20°42’49” WEST, A DISTANCE OF 314.50 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

CONTAINING 11.144 ACRES.

Legal Notice No. FLP1080

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 29, 2024

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice

PEOPLE’S ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1170 INTRODUCED BY: DAVID CRESPIN

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE TAXATION OF REGULATED MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2012, the registered electors of the State of Colorado approved Amendment 64, a constitutional amendment authorizing the legal consumption and possession of limited amounts of marijuana for those persons aged twenty-one years of age or older and permitting the licensing and regulation of cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and retail stores.

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 reserves for local governments the authority to regulate or prohibit such facilities.

WHEREAS, on May 18, 2021, the City Council for Fort Lupton passed Ordinance 2021-1116 (the “Ordinance”), which imposed a sales tax for each sales transaction by any marijuana store on the sales of any retail marijuana and retail marijuana products within the City of Fort Lupton.

WHEREAS, the Ordinance became effective on July 23, 2021, there having been no successful referendum petition filed with the City Clerk within that time.

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (the “City”) is a statutory municipality and political subdivision of the State of Colorado (the “State”), duly organized and operating under the Constitution and laws of the State; and

WHEREAS, Article V Section 1 Subsection 9 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado, further preserved inviolate in Article 11 of Title 31 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, permits a proposed ordinance to be submitted to the City Council by petition of municipal electors attached thereto and circulated therewith to be filed with the City Clerk and signed by Registered Electors equal in numbers to at least 5% of the total number of electors of the City of Fort Lupton registered on the date the petition is filed.

WHEREAS, Section 31-15-501(1)(c), C.R.S., § 29-2-114, and other applicable law authorizes the City to license, regulate, and tax the owners of businesses on the privilege of conducting various classes of businesses within the City.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON,

COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1:

The following sections of Article VIII of the Official Code of the City of Fort Lupton, Colorado, are hereby amended as follows:

Article VIII Retail Marijuana Sales and Excise Tax

Sec. 4-163 – Purpose

The purpose of this article is to impose, in addition to the city’s existing sales and use tax: A sales tax on the sale of marijuana and marijuana products in the City and an excise tax on the first sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana by a retail marijuana cultivation facility.

Sec. 4-165 – Tax Imposed

(a)A sales tax is imposed and shall be collected upon the lawful sale of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products by a retailer within the City at the rate of three point one percent (3.1%) of the purchase price paid by the purchaser thereof rounded off to the nearest penny. The tax shall be collected by the licensed vendor and paid to the City. The tax imposed by this Section is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the sales tax owed and payable to the City in connection by the State related to the sale of retail marijuana. No amount of the tax collected pursuant to this Section may be retained by the retailer to cover the expenses of collecting and remitting the tax.

(b) An excise tax of one point five percent (1.5%) is imposed and shall be collected upon the lawful sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana when first sold or transferred by a retail marijuana cultivation facility in the City. The tax shall be collected by the licensed vendor and paid to the City. The tax imposed by this section is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other taxes owed and payable to the City in connection by the state related to the cultivation and sale of retail marijuana. No amount of the tax collected pursuant to this section may be retained by the licensee to cover the expenses of collecting and remitting the tax.

Sec. 4-166 – Maximum Authorized Tax Rate

(a)The maximum sales tax rate that may be imposed pursuant to this Chapter is ten percent (10%). At any time on and after January 1, 2021, the local licensing authority may, by ordinance:

(1)Establish a tax rate that may be imposed pursuant to the Chapter that is not to exceed ten percent (10%); or

(2)After establishing a tax rate that does not exceed ten percent (10%), increase the tax rate to be imposed pursuant to this Chapter, except that in no event shall the rate be increased above ten percent (10%). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an increase in the tax rate pursuant to this subsection shall not require voter approval such approval having been provided at the November 3, 2020, election.

(b)The maximum excise tax rate that may be imposed pursuant to this Chapter is four percent (4%). At any time on and after January 1, 2025, the local licensing authority may, by ordinance:

(1)Establish a tax rate that may be imposed pursuant to the Chapter that is not to exceed four percent (4%); or

(2)After establishing a tax rate that does not exceed four percent (4%), increase the tax rate to be imposed pursuant to this Chapter, except that in no event shall the rate be increased above four percent (4%). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an increase in the tax rate pursuant to this subsection shall not require voter approval such approval having been provided at the November 3, 2020, election.

Sec. 4-167 Collection and Enforcement Procedures

Except for those provisions that by their terms cannot apply, the City shall administer, collect and enforce the City’s marijuana sales and excise tax imposed under this Article in similar manner as to the administration, collection and enforcement of taxes provided in Chapter 4, Section 4-78 of this Code, except that the State Director of Revenue’s obligations referred to therein shall be obligations of the City Finance Director pertaining to administering, collecting and enforcement of the marijuana sales and excise tax, which shall be consistent with the obligations set forth in this Code and applicable Colorado statutory law.

Sec. 4-168

– Use of Collected Tax Revenues

The revenues collected from the Marijuana Sales Tax and excise tax imposed hereunder shall be used to pay or reimburse the City for direct and indirect costs incurred for:

(1) Adequate training, enforcement, and administration of the City’s medical and retail marijuana regulations not otherwise covered by the fees collected by the City under the Colorado Marijuana Code and the City’s ordinances;

(2) Other general purposes of the City.

SECTION 2:

This Ordinance shall not go into effect unless approved by the voters of the City of Fort Lupton at the November 5, 2024 election.

INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 30th day of July, 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press this 8th day of August 2024.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED by title only this day of August 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the th day of August 2024.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the th day of September 2024.

City of Fort Lupton, Colorado

Zo Hubbard, Mayor

Attest: Maricela Peña, City Clerk

Approved to Form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney

Legal Notice No. FLP1077

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1172

INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A BALLOT ISSUE ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, COORDINATED ELECTION, PERTAINING TO A WHOLESALE MARIJUANA EXCISE TAX OF 1.5% WITH THE RATE OF TAXATION NOT TO EXCEED 4%; SETTING THE TITLE AND CONTENT OF THE BALLOT FOR THE ELECTION

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (the “City”) is a statutory municipality and political subdivision of the State of Colorado (the “State”), duly organized and operating under the Constitution and laws of the State; and

WHEREAS, on July 16, 2024, the Council was presented with the final determination of petition sufficiency on an Initiative; and

WHEREAS, within 20 days following the final determination of petition sufficiency, the ordinance may be adopted without change by the governing body. If the governing body adopts the ordinance, the initiative process concludes and no election is conducted; and

WHEREAS, at a Special Meeting held July 30, 2024, the Fort Lupton City Council voted to not support the People’s Ordinance 2024-1170 for the enactment of a new wholesale marijuana excise tax on the sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana by a licensed cultivation facility; and

WHEREAS, because the measure is considered a TABOR issue, the question of whether to impose a wholesale marijuana excise tax must be placed on the ballot and directed to the registered voters; and

WHEREAS, § 29-2-114 C.R.S. authorizes each municipality in the state to levy, collect, and enforce a municipal excise tax; and

WHEREAS, § 29-2-114 C.R.S the excise tax shall be imposed on the sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana by a cultivation facility; and

WHEREAS, any excise tax imposed by the

municipality shall be administered, collected, or enforced by the municipality; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1: An election shall be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at which there shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the City the question on whether to impose a wholesale marijuana excise tax within the City, which question shall be in substantially form attached hereto as ‘Exhibit A’.

Section 2: The election shall be conducted as a coordinated election in Weld County in accordance with articles 1 to 13 of title 1, C.R.S. (the “Uniform Election Code”), and Intergovernmental Agreements (collectively, the “Intergovernmental Agreement”) between the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Weld, the Weld County Clerk and Recorder (the “County Clerk”) and the City of Fort Lupton.

Section 3: For purposes of C.R.S. § 31-11-111, this Ordinance shall serve to set the title and content for the ballot issues set forth herein and the ballot titles for such questions shall be the text of the questions themselves. Any protest to the ballot titles shall be filed in writing with the City Clerk within five (5) business days following the date of adoption of this Ordinance and shall be resolved thereafter by the City Council following a hearing with published notice.

Section 4: The City Clerk and other City officials and employees are hereby authorized and directed to take all action necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this Ordinance.

Section 5: All actions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance heretofore taken by the members of the City Council and the officers and employees of the City and directed toward holding the election for the purposes stated herein are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed.

Section 6: All prior acts, orders or resolutions, or parts thereof, by the City in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, except that this repealer shall not be construed to revive any act, order or resolution, or part thereof, heretofore repealed.

Section 7: If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, clauses or provisions of this Ordinance, it being the intention that the various parts hereof are severable.

INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 30th day of July, 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press this 8th day of August 2024.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED by title only this th day of August 2024.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the th day of August 2024.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the th day of September 2024.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO Zo Hubbard, Mayor

ATTEST:

Maricela Pena, City Clerk

Approved as to Form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Exhibit A

MARIJUANA EXCISE TAX

SHALL THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON TAXES BE INCREASED BY ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000) ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR (2025), AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY IMPOSING, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, A NEW EXCISE TAX OF 1.5% WHEN UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA IS FIRST SOLD OR TRANSFERRED BY A LICENSED CULTIVATION FACILITY WITH THE

PERA’s finances spark questions

Panel considers whether to recommend further reforms

e state’s public pension could be underestimating the scope of its nancial problems by billions of dollars, an independent review found, raising fresh concerns about the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association and its tenuous nances.

As a result, for the rst time since a state pension overhaul in 2018, a legislative oversight panel is considering whether to recommend further reforms to the system, which manages the retirement bene ts of more than 700,000 current and former public sector workers.

e concerns stem from a steady drip of bad news this summer — an annual nancial report in June showing that the pension’s nances deteriorated last year and an independent review released last week that concluded PERA is in far greater danger of becoming insolvent than its own nancial advisors expect.

A draft of the independent review, provided earlier this month to the legislature’s Pension Review Subcommittee, found problems with a number of the assumptions PERA uses to calculate its unfunded debt to retirees, saying the pension’s $27.5 billion funding gap could be as much as 10% higher than PERA believes.

e report, by the Switzerland-

INCREASED OR DECREASED WITHOUT FURTHER VOTER APPROVAL SO LONG AS THE RATE OF TAXATION DOES NOT EXCEED 4%, AND WITH THE RESULTING TAX REVENUE BEING ALLOWED TO BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY EXPENDITURE, REVENUE RAISING, OR OTHER

CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, § 20 (TABOR), OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

based PNYX Group, recommended the state provide a cash infusion of $2 billion to prevent what it said was a “material risk of reaching a point of no return” where it would be unable to make its payments to retirees.

Lawmakers, however, balked at the $2 billion price tag, calling it a political nonstarter.

“I don’t think it’s ever going to happen,” said Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, who chairs the subcommittee.

PERA’s advisors on Friday pushed back against the report’s ndings, saying PNYX did not provide enough data to substantiate its claims. But PERA’s own analyses say there’s as much as a 30% chance of a nancial setback in 2025 triggering another round of bene t cuts and contribution hikes.

And things could look even worse this time next year. PERA is scheduled to update its demographic assumptions in early 2025, a onceevery-four-years exercise that triggered major nancial course corrections each of the last two times it occurred.

at has led members of the oversight panel to ask what — if anything — the legislature should do to prevent more automatic cuts from kicking in.

“We’re in a risky situation right now,” said former Sen. Jack Tate, a Republican panel member who co-sponsored the 2018 pension reforms. “So I think some recommendations — no matter how poorly received by the legislature — for the nancial security of the plan would be welcome.”

Nonetheless, wholesale legislative changes remain unlikely, lawmak-

ers said, barring a nancial crisis too large to ignore.

e state faces tight nances of its own in the coming years, and the 2018 pension reforms were designed to keep the pension on nancial track without political intervention. Out of four potential rounds of automatic bene t cuts and contribution increases, Colorado has two remaining if PERA’s board and the state legislature don’t step in.

“I don’t see any glaring legislative changes, personally,” Kolker said. But, he added, the panel would draft a letter at its next meeting this week to send to the Pension Review Commission, which has the power to propose legislation.

e independent review cited two signi cant issues:

First, it argues PERA is banking on unrealistic investment returns, relitigating a long-running debate in Colorado. PERA needs its portfolio to grow 7.25% a year to meet its funding targets, which is higher

than the national median of 7% for other public pensions. PERA has largely exceeded its investment targets in recent years, averaging 7.8% growth over the past decade and 8.3% over the last 30 years.

PERA is reviewing its investment portfolio this year, and some on its board are pushing to invest more in higher risk assets like private equity in pursuit of higher returns in the long-term.

e more pressing issue highlighted by the report is that PERA’s demographic assumptions have been consistently o since the pandemic, adding $2 billion to the pension’s unfunded debt. Public sector workers have received larger pay raises in recent years than PERA expected, which translate to larger pension payments when they retire. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

The public hearings shall be held at the Fort Lupton City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Avenue in Fort Lupton, Colorado. In the event that the City Hall is closed at the time of the hearings, the public hearings will be held remotely, accessible to the public by phone and internet. Information on how to attend the hearings will be provided in the agenda as posted on the City’s website, www.fortluptonco.gov. Further information is available through the City Planning and Building Department at (720) 928-4003.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND.

Notice is hereby given that the City of Fort Lupton is in receipt of an application for an Annexation referred to as the Lancaster Crossing Annexation located north and adjacent to 14th St. and west and adjacent to WCR 31 in Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to the City of Fort Lupton Municipal Code Notice Requirements. The public hearings are to be held before the Planning Commission on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 6:00 P.M., and before the City Council on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. or as soon as possible thereafter.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

NORTHEAST QUARTER (NE1/4) OF SECTION THIRTY-THREE (33), TOWNSHIP TWO NORTH (T.2N.), RANGE SIXTY-SIX WEST (R.66W.) OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN (6TH P.M.), COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO.

Notice No. FLP1081

Publication: August 8, 2024

The sign on the Colorado PERA headquarters in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver on Sept. 18, 2018.
PHOTO BY ERIC LUBBERS/THE COLORADO SUN

EXPANSION

e expansion is part of a reshufing of National Guard bases. It’s part of a master plan to provide modern readiness facilities for all Colorado Army National Guard units to replace aging readiness centers that no longer meet space or code requirements.

With the expansion, Company I, 186th Battalion, was moved out of the Windsor Readiness Center to join its sister unit, Company B, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry. Sharing one facility provides more productive training of the units in a modern, safe training and storage facility with a unit maintenance area. According to o cials, it also supports these units’ retention, recruiting and administrative o ces. According to o cials, the move out of the Windsor Readiness Center’s opened that facility for the 3650th

Maintenance Company, which relocated from its overcrowded space shared with the Support Maintenance Site in Firestone, Colorado.

According to o cials, HB&A Architecture & Planning was awarded the contract for the architectural engineering rm, and Howell Construction Company was awarded the construction management and general contracting contract.

“ e community feels safe knowing that our National Guard is located in Fort Lupton. As the mayor said in her speech, it’s great to see a municipality named Fort that has a military base in Fort Lupton,” said Fort Lupton Councilman Carlos Barron.

“We are excited to have them here and be able to host them here in this area. It’s a great feeling for everybody in this community (knowing they) are safe. e guardsmen are great people as well. It’s going to be amazing,” e Air National Guard at the Readiness Center training in the Variant Lakota helicopter.

REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE

Part of the expansion is military vehicle parking space and a building for military vehicle maintenance.
PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

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