Proponents of 8 proposed ballot measures fail to meet signatures deadline
BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN
e proponents of eight measures being pursued for Colorado’s November ballot failed by a deadline of Aug. 5 to turn in the signatures they gathered to try to get their questions before voters. at means voters this fall won’t weigh in on whether to ban children assigned male at birth from participating in girl’s youth sports and whether the state should require voter approval for fees raising money for public transportation projects. Many of the measures that failed were being pursued by conservative activists. Supporters of the initiatives needed to collect roughly 125,000 voter signatures to get their initiatives on the November ballot. e eight measures that failed to make the ballot by default were: Initiative 142, which would have required public schools to notify parents within 48 hours if their child is experiencing “gender incongruence,” which the initiative would have de ned as a “di erence between a child’s biological sex and the child’s perceived or desired gender.” e initiative was being pursued by conservative activists. Initiative 144, which would have let veterinarians o er telehealth to patients in Colorado. e governor this year signed a bill passed by the legislature that will have a similar e ect.
COUNTY FAIR THRILLS
NAVIGATING INFERTILITY
Less Than 3% of Homeowners Took Advantage of Clean Energy Tax Credits in 2023
The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included generous incentives to homeowners who invest in clean energy (such as solar panels) or in energy improvements (such as improved insulation, windows or doors).
Only 3.4 million households took advantage of those tax credits nationwide on their 2023 tax returns. That was just under 2.5% of filed tax returns. In Colorado, the number was 65,810 households, or 2.9% of tax returns filed. The states with the largest participation were California, Florida and Texas, but only Florida saw over 3% of tax returns that included the tax credit (3.26%), and the other two states had rates lower than Colorado’s.
seems to be the case since 15 percent of the 3.4 million nationwide returns which took advantage of the tax credit had Adjusted Gross Incomes under $50,000. Just under half of the returns had AGIs under $100,000. The largest bracket was AGIs of $100-200,000 that numbered 1.2 million returns or 35% of all filed returns.
the installation of geothermal heat pump systems. The average tax credit taken for those systems was $12,078.
A total of $8.4 billion in tax credits was taken by taxpayers. The program is still active, and any taxpayer who wants to reduce his/her home’s operating costs should seriously consider taking advantage of the tax credits, which remain in place through 2032. I have posted a link for its provisions at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com.
One of the smallest amounts, $55.4 million in tax credits, were claimed by 36,820 households nationwide for my favorite investment, energy audits.
The average tax credit for home energy improvement such as solar panels, solar water heating and home battery installations was $5,084. The average credit for improvement in energy efficiency, such as better windows, air sealing and heat pumps, was $882.
Questions to Ask When Buying a Solar-Powered Home
I have always said that the most affordable way to “go solar” is to buy a home that’s already solar-powered. The reason is that the price differential on a solar-powered home versus a home that is not solar-powered is minimal. (Don’t invest in solar if you’re not keeping your home at least 5-10 years, because you won’t recover the cost of your investment when you sell your home.)
So, let’s say you’re buying a solar-
powered home. Most of what you need to know should be on the MLS. Is the system owned or leased, or is it owned by a 3rd party which sells the electricity to the home owner under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)? The MLS says when it was installed and how big it is (in kilowatts), but you’ll need to find out if it still performs efficiently. You might want to hire an agent like me to represent you in your purchase.
The intention of the program is to benefit working families and small businesses to lower their utility expenses by improving their homes and offices. That
Your Best Deal on an EV Is a Used One From a Dealer
I learned the hard way that you can’t get a good deal on a used EV unless you buy it from a dealer. The reason is that there’s a 30% Clean Vehicle tax credit up to $4,000 on used EVs, but only if they are under $25,000 and purchased from a dealer. I have posted on http://RealEstateToday.substack.com a link to the IRS web page with the details on qualifying for the tax credit.
I tried selling my 2015 Model S, but no one wanted it at a reasonable price, so I ended up selling it to CarMax.
Google “Used EVs Under $25,000” and you’ll see there are lots to choose from.
Although the credits vary from one improvement to another, it is generally a 30% on the cost of the improvement, including labor. The most popular improvement is solar photovoltaic installations, claimed by 752,300 households nationwide. The second most popular improvement was insulation, followed by exterior windows and skylights and central air conditioners.
Heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters were also a popular improvement, claimed by 267,780 and 104,180 households respectively.
Just under $1 billion in tax credits were claimed by 80,730 taxpayers for
Archive of Past Columns Is Online
Over the past two decades, this column has appeared in local weeklies and the Denver Post, and during that time I’ve written about every conceivable topic related to real estate. You can find and search that archive online at www.JimSmithColumns.com
Today’s the Day—Buyer Commissions Off the MLS
August 15th is the day which Denver’s MLS, REcolorado, set for removing buyer agent compensation from all MLS listings in compliance with the March 15th settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and a class of home sellers in Missouri. NAR had set the deadline for Aug. 17th. August 15th is also the date that new state-approved contracts consistent with the NAR settlement become mandatory in Colorado. I wrote about that on Aug. 1st. (see www.JimSmithColumns.com.)
Theoretically, home buyers will start paying the brokers who represent them in the purchase of real estate, but I will be surprised if a single home buyer pays anything at all for professional representation. That’s because most sellers will agree to offer compensation, leaving any seller who does not offer compensa-
tion in an untenable position — no buyer will want to make an offer on homes that require them to pay their agent.
Keep in mind that most buyers are already heavily burdened in the transaction to buy a home, especially when they are having to finance their purchase with a mortgage at 6% or higher interest rates. They have to pay for inspection, for appraisal, for loan origination, first-year’s home insurance premium, and for escrow deposits to cover next year’s property taxes and insurance renewal. Only cash buyers are spared those heavy upfront costs.
If sellers wants to attract buyers, they will need to offer compensation. It’s just that they can’t advertise it on the MLS. They’ll still let buyers know, either on a home-specific website (like we provide), on a sign rider, or in a brochure.
We Need to Level-Up Sustainability & Recycling
Have you heard of toilet paper made from bamboo? I hadn’t either, but when I read the pitch for it, I was sold. Regular toilet paper is made, like other paper, from trees. But trees grow back slowly, whereas bamboo is famous for growing quickly. It would be a lot better for the planet if everyone switched to bamboo toilet paper. Rita and I received our first order last week, and we are sold on it. It’s the only toilet paper we’ll buy now, online from both Amazon and Costco.com. I made another discovery recently. Those plastic jars you buy for everything from yogurt to milk and milk substitutes are wrapped in plastic that must be removed in order to recycle the bottle. At left is a picture of two quart bottles, plus a third in the middle with its label removed. The back of the milk bottle contains the notice shown at right:
It’s common practice in our home now to cut those plastic wrappers off and trash them before putting the bottles in the recycling bin. Some bottles, such as Activia’s Probiotic Dailies, have a marked “zipper” on them, making it easy. Others don’t even tell you that the wrapper must be removed, and you need a pointed knife to remove the wrap.
When we were in New Zealand in February, I saw a bicycle in the window of a Nespresso storefront. Looking closer, there was a sign on it saying that the bike’s aluminum frame was made of recycled Nespresso pods. We have one of Nespresso’s coffee makers, and now we keep one of their free postage paid recycling bags under the counter in our kitchen. Call Nespresso at 855-325-5781, and they’ll mail you some. K-cups can be recycled curbside after you remove the lid and contents. Do you want to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic? It’s becoming popular for restaurant-goers to bring Tupperware containers with them for leftovers. Rita does that. Also, there’s increasing popularity of “refill shops” where you buy bulk dry and liquid groceries to refill your own bottles or containers. Here’s a map from Googling it.
Aims program helps streamline four year transition
Reisher Bridge Scholars Program links Aims to eight state schools
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A new program aims to make it easier for students with two-year associate degrees to transfer their credits and help them qualify for a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Aims Community College announced the Reisher Bridge Scholars Program on Aug. 6 to help students complete their associate’s degrees and transfer to four-year institutions, according to a news release.
“I’m excited that the Reisher Bridge Scholars Program provides bothnancial assistance and comprehensive support services,” said John W. Haefeli, a member of the Aims Board of Trustees. “It ensures a seamless and supportive educational journey for our scholars.”
About 54 percent of Aims students move on to continue their education at a four-year college or University, according to school o cials.
e program begins annually each fall and lasts two semesters. Applicants must meet several requirements by the end of the previous spring and summer terms to be eligible for the Reisher Bridge Scholars Program.
ose requirements include maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, having between 24 and 30 credits remaining before graduation and being a Colorado resident intending to complete a degree by the end of the spring term and planning to attend one of eight Colorado colleges.
ose Reisher partner institutions are Metropolitan State University, Colorado State University in Fort Collins or Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, the University of Colorado in Denver or Colorado Springs, Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado University.
e students also have access to sta and resources at those participating Reisher four-year partner in-
New homes from $400s
stitutions.
e program provides the students with support services and resources such as transfer coaching, opportunities for nancial education, and community networking with peers. According to o cials, students would receive up to $3,000 in scholarship funding during their nal year at Aims.
e program also helps the student navigate completing transfer-related applications, admissions, FAFSA, and other available scholarships. According to o cials, once students are accepted for transfer, they are eligible for an additional Reisher Scholarship.
e Denver Foundation supports the Reisher family in managing the Reisher Scholars Program. “We are excited to partner with Aims,” said Josh Ryines, Reisher Scholarship ofcer at e Denver Foundation.
“ e goal of the Reisher Bridge Scholarship Program is to create more opportunities for students who are eligible to transfer to four-year Reisher institutions. Ensuring students are connected to the right resources
Aims College’s Reisher Bridge Scholars Program helps two years students qualify for admission to one of eight Colorado four year schools. FILE PHOTO
is key, and Aims Community College has a comprehensive understanding and unwavering dedication to its students.”
For more information about the Reisher Bridge Scholars Program at Aims, please visit aims.co/TransferServices.
Introducing Farmlore, a new community taking root in the heart of Brighton.
Farmlore’s warm, rural character will blend beautiful new homes with the area’s rich agricultural roots creating a friendly, small-town vibe all its own.
Divers make a splash at Adams County Fair
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Not all the thrills at this year’s Adams County Fair were on the dirt of the rodeo arena but in the air above the fairgrounds, thanks to some nimble Canadians.
e Adams County Fair ran from July 31 through August 4 at Riverdale Regional Park. It featured several 4-H competitions and contests, midway rides, a kids’ zone, a petting zoo, ground attractions, grandstand events with a demo derby, a truck pull, and the Charreada and Professional Bull Riders.
is year, the fair featured a unique water diving show by Montreal-based Milord Entertainment. A team of up to four divers at a time jumped from an 80-foot tower platform into a pool that was 10 feet deep.
“It’s a 20-minute family-friendly show that makes everybody laugh, from kids to adults, and has you on the edge of your seat while we have fun and jump into the pool. It’s what we do best,” said Simon Sarabura, one of the divers on the team.
“Our performers take turns every show so if you come back multiple times over the course of the day, you’ll see a di erent high divers climb the tower for every show,” Sarabura said.
e company has been in business for over 30 years and performs worldwide.
Sarabura said the high diving act requires special training. He has been training in gymnastics since he was two years old.
“All of us were athletes or acrobats from when we could walk, all of our team were also gymnasts. A few divers who are competing at the college level are getting a good summer job with us,” Sarabura said.
Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Cavys e fair 4-H livestock competition made room for some little animals to help new fair contestants get used to showing at competitions. e 4-H kids showed a unique mammal called the Cavy. It’s not a rabbit, but it looks like a guinea pig. It’s considered livestock in South America.
Cavies are considered livestock, so kids can show their animals at the fair. e kids are judged on showmanship and their ability to articulate the features of their speci c breed, which the American Cavy Breeders Association established. ey also have to dress their Cavies in a costume contest.
Five divers jumped at once from di erent high positions from the 80-foot tower during Milford Entertainment’s performance Aug. 2 at the Adams County Fair.
Avery and Nora got their faces painted at the Adams County Fair Aug 2 with beautiful designs.
Families get into the swing of things on the fairway rides Aug. 2 at the Adams County Fair at the Riverdale Regional Park.
Professional Bull Riding electrifies Adams County Fair
Local bull riders enjoy Colorado camaraderie
BY JIMMIE SEARFOSS SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Anyone can buy a ticket for a ride at the Adams County Fair, but when it comes to bulls, their ticket is better o three steel fences away.
On Aug. 1, 19 Professional Bull Riding representatives stood within those cages for the pleasure of sitting atop a 1,500-pound animal that doesn’t want them there for the chance at thousands of dollars.
Like horse racing, these animals’ names range from laughable to intimidating. Charlie Hayes, a rider from South Fork, sat atop Hairy Warts for his run. One second after nodding his head to start, Hayes no longer sat upon Mr. Warts.
Short runs are not unusual, but
leaving completely healthy is.
“It was de nitely tough,” Hayes said. “It’s always good when you get out of the arena on your own two feet. Sometimes it’s not easy to have a smile on your face, it’s just the blessing of being able to do it every day
and go to the next spot.
Hayes is one of ve riders hailing from the Centennial State that competed, another out-of-the-ordinary part of the event. Hayes travels across the country to compete in near-daily rodeos often sparsely populated with Coloradans.
“With regards to Colorado and bull riders, there’s not a lot of us,” Hayes said. “You’re going to go down to Texas and everybody in their brother has either been on a bull or knows somebody that rides bulls so it’s a little bit interesting.”
In rodeo culture, there is usually a strong camaraderie among the competitors. Risking a horn to the gut on a daily basis doesn’t leave much emotional room for beef backstage, but there is a special relationship amongst the small group that hails from Colorado.
“Keeping everybody supported is the one thing that I see with regards to Colorado and bull riders is the support is always there,” Hayes said. “It’s like that best friend that you had in high school where you don’t see him for four or ve years, but as soon as you see him, you pick up right where you left o .”
Lakewood native Fernando Rocha climbs back into the ring after escaping a bull that bucked him o .
PHOTO BY JIMMIE SEARFOSS
BULL RIDING
at support goes a long way, especially in a sport as physically taxing as bull riding. Shortly after getting bucked o at the Adams County Fair, Hayes and several other riders packed into a truck to go do it again the next day in North Dakota.
e athletes are forced to prioritize their time between attending to injuries and sleeping between their driving shifts. e bond among the riders plays a large role in keeping spirits high in the bullpen.
“ e camaraderie of just being able to pick up right where you left o and
have a smiling face wherever you are at the next one,” Hayes said. “ at’s what’s pretty big for me.”
ose who competed at the Adams County Fair are most of the same Coloradans Hayes sees while in season, but he rarely gets to see a home crowd.
e PBR tour normally stops in the Rocky Mountain state twice a year, but this season only has one event in Colorado. e opportunity to be less than an hour from home made the one-stop a special one.
“ at was amazing, man. Being able to have a whole head of sleep on you and wake up in your own bed and be able to go to the bull ride,” Hayes said. “It was de nitely nice coming back to Colorado and being home.”
SEE YOURSELF ON STAGE
Photo
A crowd builds within the shade before the event begins. PHOTOS BY JIMMIE SEARFOSS
Rider Clay Padgett holds onto Yellow Hair in one of the first rides of the event.
A LETTER TO OUR READERS
To our loyal supporters,
ere’s a saying in journalism that newspaper production is a daily or a weekly miracle. A er the last few weeks, we’ve performed a few such miracles to make sure you can continue to receive your local newspaper.
I’m writing to update you about some short-term (potential) delivery delays, to provide information about the reasons, and to thank you for your continued support of your community newspaper.
As you may know, Colorado Community Media’s parent company, the National Trust for Local News, has been busy building a new, local commercial printing facility to serve Front Range newspapers. is move sets up our newspapers for more economic sustainability and the potential for future editorial investments – in other words, a stronger, more vibrant community news source.
Along the way, we’ve learned that launching a printing press from scratch is not for the faint of heart. During the initial project work, we discovered that the electrical capacity needed to run all of our equipment required additional (and unexpected) enhancements to our facility. We’re making great progress and are working with our partners to complete the nal electrical services. We hope to begin printing Colorado Community Media’s newspapers there in early September.
Given the unexpected closure of the Berthoud press facility this month, we have been scrambling to nd alternatives to print our mailed newspapers during the 3-4 week timeframe expected before our own press launches. Fortunately, we’ve found a temporary out-of-state alternative that will allow us to continue providing you the print newspaper you’ve come to expect from us while we work to get our own press operational. What that means, however, is that you could experience delays of one to four days in receiving your printed paper.
Know this: We’re dedicated to ensuring you get your newspaper throughout this interim period. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to hello@coloradocommunitymedia.com, or visit our website, which is always up-to-date with the latest news and information in your community.
We’re hopeful the disruptions to our readers and customers will be minimal and deeply appreciate your support of local journalism.
Linda Shapley Publisher Colorado Community Media
A publication of
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Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: TheBrightonBlade.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100
LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Standard Blade.
We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Brighton Standard Blade (USPS 65180)
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Brighton, Colorado, Brighton Standard Blade is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. .
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POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Brighton Standard Blade, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
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 303-6552176.
City of Brighton’s sixth annual Touch-a-Truck 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.
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 Broom eld 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.
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 decorate 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
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.
ternships available.
Opportunities include a cook ($16.48/ hour) and classroom aide ($15.62/hour) for Head Start, an IT intern ($17/hour) for the Sheri ’s O ce, and a Healthy Farmers Market intern ($17/hour).
ese opportunities are available through the Workforce & Business Center. ose interested should work with their Business Center case manager or call 720.523.6898 to get established with a case manager.
Barr Lake reading program gets grant
e Great Outdoors Colorado board awarded a $25,000 grant to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to launch a storytelling initiative that will honor Barr Lake State Park’s rich Indigenous heritage and history.
Sponsorships are available beginning at $2,500.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Molly Kerns, Events Manager, at molly@casa17th.com.
Internships available with Adams County
Are you interested in learning more about working for local government? Adams County currently has paid in-
e grant is part of the CPW Director’s Innovation Fund, a collaboration between CPW and GOCO, which invests in creative, impactful projects elevated by CPW eld sta .
Barr Lake State Park is rich in Indigenous history, with historical evidence of tipi settlements and bison hunting grounds there. e Barr Lake project aims to broaden the understanding of Colorado’s diverse human narratives by establishing an ADA-accessible, interpretive Indigenous heritage site.
is site will o er immersive educational experiences for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities, featuring elements including an ADA-accessible trail, a tipi, a stone circle, and a wickiup. Interpretive signage, educational materials, and a volunteer curator program will enhance visitor engagement.
e project will contribute to a broader e ort by the State of Colorado, in collaboration with CPW, to build a holistic storytelling initiative honoring the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples.
Art in the Park announces call for artists Artists interested in showcasing and selling their artwork at the city of Brighton’s annual can apply or simply get more information at www.brightonartinthepark.com by August 16.
e festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7, at Carmichael Park. is one-day festival will allow attendees to visit the artist market, meet and talk with artists and enjoy musical performances, artist demonstrations and children’s interactive art activities.
For more information, contact Arts and Culture Coordinator David Gallegos at 303 655-2176 or dgallegos@brightonco.gov.
Grazing goats help with fire mitigation
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e grazing goats are back working in Brighton for the second time, grazing at the Ken Mitchell Park and Open Space to rejuvenate the open space land.
e City of Brighton hired the herd of goats who will get work on re mitigation on the open space from August 13 through August 21.
On August 17, the owners will host a meet and greet goat event at Ken Mitchell Park so the families can meet the goats, pet and feed them, and learn about how the goat herd
helps the environment with land management. e park is located at 889 Kinglet Court in Brighton.
Goats from Frederick-based Goat Bros last visited Brighton in October 2023.
“My husband Jordan and I started our grazing business in November 2022. Our herd of 300 goats travels around the front range, providing holistic land management for municipalities and private landowners,” said Director of Operations Toni Sarazen for Goat Bros Hoof Action Grazing.
“We’d love to bring awareness to land management alternatives available with goats and the importance of re mitigation,” said Sarazen.
A herd of goats at work grazing to rejuvenate the land at Ken Mitchell Lake.
PHOTO BY BOB WOODS
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Commerce City has been pummeled so long by toxins spewed by local energy companies — including Suncor Energy — that some residents have almost grown used to the bad water and air that surround them every day, City Councilor Renee M. Chacon said this week.
Chacon hopes a lawsuit led in U.S. District Court this week will make Suncor answer for its environmental abuses. e suit asks a federal judge to force the Suncor re nery to comply with the Clean Air Act, mitigate and o set harm done to the public for violating the federal law and assess nes for each violation of the Clean Air Act up to $121,275 per day.
e lawsuit lists 28 speci c claims against Suncor and claims that “Suncor consistently and continuously violates the air pollution limits imposed by regulations and conditions of its air permits.”
Chacon said in a news release that nes may not be a big enough punishment for Suncor.
“Commerce City has been the sacri ce zone for corporations like Suncor for so long, the abuse to my community has been normalized and even expected to happen for Colorado’s economy,” said Chacon,
New suit targets Suncor
who is also a member of the activist group GreenLatinos. “No more normalizing this level of cumulative pollution for any community, Suncor should be prosecuted for more than just nes, especially in a state that has acknowledged environmental justice should be a human right to access clean air, land, water, and a better quality of life for all.”
e complaint claims that Suncor has repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act by failing to control hazardous emissions from its Commerce City re nery, resulting in long-lasting harm to surrounding communities in north Denver. Earthjustice led the lawsuit on behalf of GreenLatinos, the Sierra Club, and 350 Colorado.
Before ling the lawsuit, Earthjustice and its clients documented over 9,000 instances of Clean Air Act violations, according to the lawsuit. at includes exceeding federal limits of airborne particulate matter, toxic emissions like benzene and formaldehyde, and other dangerous pollutants, according to an Earthjustice news release.
In 2020 alone, the Suncor re nery emitted approximately 20 tons of hazardous air pollutants, 500 tons of carbon monoxide, 50 tons of nitrogen oxides, 125 tons of particulate matter, 450 tons of volatile organic compounds, and 230 tons of sulfur dioxide, the news release states.
Suncor’s pollutants pose an ongoing health threat to the re nery’s neighbors, predominantly communities of color who are more likely to be economically disadvantaged. Residents of neighboring zip codes
su er disproportionately from high rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, according to the news release.
Earthjustice clients and those impacted by the Suncor re nery sought meaningful enforcement action against the re nery from the state of Colorado and the Environmental Protection Agency before taking legal action. e EPA recently issued a Notice of Violation to Suncor about some of the same violations in the groups’ suit, the news release states. e groups seek to require remediation for Suncor’s extensive violations and to deter the re nery from continued Clean Air Act violations going forward with the lawsuit, the news release states.
“Our members have been very concerned about the pollution from Suncor for years,” said Heidi Leathwood with 350 Colorado. “ eir health concerns have been ignored for too long. No matter how many times Suncor is sanctioned they continue the same pattern of exceeding their permit limits without regard for the community. It’s time for that to end.”
“We are exercising our right to challenge Suncor, who has been emboldened by a regulatory enforcement system that has not been successful in bringing it into compliance,” said Ean omas Tafoya, Colorado State Director with GreenLatinos in the news release.
“Our members and my mother in North Denver are impacted. We have made a commitment to continue to use more sophisticated legal strategies in self-defense for the
community,” omas Tafoya said.
A Suncor spokesman could not be reached for comment.
EPA spokeswoman Marisa Lubeck said in a statement that federal and state governments recently issued a joint 140-page Notice of Violation to Suncor for extensive, alleged air violations.
“ is notice is the most signi cant step that EPA has taken against Suncor for repeated alleged air violations and more information is available in the EPA/Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment July press release. We are also reviewing a copy of the complaint led by Earthjustice yesterday,” Lubeck said.
The Suncor refinery in Commerce City is being sued by environmental groups.
Adams County appoints Nelsen as People and Culture Services director
Development Manager, and HR Business Partner.
A former Human Resources leader in Greeley and Denton, Texas will be tasked with improve inclusivity and growth in Adams County operations, according to an Aug. 1 news release.
Adams County announced the appointment of John Nelsen as the new Director of People & Culture Services. He has served as the department’s interim director since August.
Before joining Adams County, Nelsen held signi cant leadership positions at various organizations, including the City of Greeley where he served as Human Resources Deputy Director, and the City of Denton, Texas, where he held multiple roles such as Chief Diversity & Inclusion O cer, Talent Acquisition and
“John’s deep expertise and commitment to a people-centered approach make him the perfect t for leading our P&C Department, said County Manager Noel Bernal. “His proven track record and dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment will be instrumental in driving the cultural transformation we aim to achieve. We look forward to his leadership in continuing to build a strong, dynamic, and thriving workforce here at Adams County.”
In his new role, Nelsen will drive initiatives to foster growth, inclusivity, and excellence within the organization.
“ is opportunity allows me to continue my passion for fostering a people-
centered culture and driving meaningful change,” Nelson said. “Jane Goodall once said, ‘What you do makes a di erence, and you have to decide what kind of a di erence you want to make.’ I have always tried to make positive di erences in the lives of others and am con dent that together, we will create an environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to our collective success in serving our community.”
Nelsen holds a Master of Public Administration in Human Resources from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology from Brigham Young University. He is certi ed as a Professional in Human Resources, a Society for Human Resource Management Certi ed Professional and a Certi ed Diversity Professional.
Nelsen
Courtesy photo
VOICES
Nuclear cheerleading is fine –but what about the cost?
It mysti es me, this perfervid belief in nuclear energy that I see in parts of Colorado.
Just weeks ago, the commissioners in one Western Slope county added their support for nuclear. ey noted that 65% of residents of northwest Colorado support nuclear. Conferences in Montrose and Pueblo devoted ample time to nuclear cheerleaders. ey promise high-paying jobs and an ample tax base.
Well, heck, I believe it would be nice to have a Lamborghini when I replace my used Toyota Prius in a few years. But can I a ord a $300,000 car?
When extolling the technology, nuclear proponents rarely discuss cost, and then mostly in response to questions. Nuclear has a horrible track record.
Two units in Georgia recently were completed at a cost of $35 billion, more than double the original projections. Construction of two reactors in South Carolina was halted in 2017 after repeated cost overruns. Much hope was pinned on small modular reactors, but then Utah utilities in 2023 pulled the plug on NuScale.
Bill Gates was in Wyoming recently to ing a shovel of dirt at Kemmerer. ere, TerraPower hopes to deliver a nuclear reactor by 2030. Gates has committed $1 billion and plans to invest another $1 billion but told a TV interview that he expects the project to ultimately cost $10 billion.
Could Xcel Energy justify investing
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$10 billion in a reactor after it closes its two coal-burning units at Hayden or its two in Pueblo? How about TriState Generation and Transmission, when the last coal unit closes at Craig in 2028?
Chief executives of both Xcel and TriState say they can conceive of nuclear power being part of Colorado’s energy future – but not until costs come down. Duane Highley, chief executive of Tri-State, Colorado’s second-largest electrical generator, said recently he sees nuclear becoming competitive somewhere between 2035 and 2040.
“We need to see a couple of these built and prove that they can be built cost-e ectively, then everyone will be lined up. Everyone wants to be the rst in line to be serial No. 2 – including us. But we’re a co-op. We can’t take that kind of nancial risk with our members’ money,” Highley said.
Robert Kenney, the chief executive of Xcel Colorado, told me he does not see nuclear as an option for at least several years. e federal government may need to backstop it, he said, limiting risk to individual utilities.
Fair enough. Federal subsidies have helped wind and solar get on their feet. Renewables are starting to catch up to the subsidies for fossil fuels. Nuclear has also received help.
Renewables will take us much of the way to 100% emission-free energy, but nobody thinks they will take us all the way. A study commissioned by the Colorado Energy O ce last year sees natural gas plants delivering a small but vital component of a ordable, reliable and near-100% emissions-free electricity by 2040. We know the technology. It’s not cheap, with new plants costing roughly $500 million. But nei-
ther is it a $10 billion experiment.
New ways to store excess renewable energy could help. Xcel is likely to be participating in a test of iron-air technology at Pueblo that could store energy for 100 hours. Both Colorado and Xcel are very interested in green hydrogen. Companies hope to produce new pumped-storage hydropower projects near Steamboat and Craig in the 2030s.
Or consider geothermal. Conventional ground-source geothermal employs coils eight to 10 feet below ground or relatively shallow wells to tap the constant approximately 55-degree heat for heating and cooling of buildings. Colorado Mesa University heats and cools 800,000 square feet with the technology. It reduces emissions and saves money. e only question in Colorado is how fast this technology will scale up to displace natural gas.
Enhanced geothermal, the type used to produce electricity, is another matter. California gets 10.1% of its electricity from enhanced geothermal. It also
has had volcanic eruptions as recently as 1917 (Lassen). Colorado’s most recent volcanic eruption (Dotsero) occurred 4,000 years ago.
Colorado has no electricity from geothermal, although Gov. Jared Polis contends Colorado could get 4% to 8% of its electricity from geothermal by 2040. Drillers have shown great ingenuity at unlocking oil and gas deposits in Colorado and elsewhere. Can they instead tap the heat deep underground to a ordably produce electricity when we need it, to complement wind and solar?
Who knows whether enhanced geothermal will be part of Colorado’s emissions-free electricity, whether it can compete. Deep geothermal drilling may be too expensive but it won’t be a $10 billion gamble. Cheerleaders for nuclear need to acknowledge that risk. And then we can talk about the problem of waste disposal.
Allen Best chronicles Colorado’s energy and water transitions at BigPivots. com.
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Allen Best
SIGNATURES
Initiative 147, which would have prohibited sheri s from denying a concealed carry permit to someone who lawfully uses marijuana.
Initiative 160, which would have banned children assigned the male at birth from participating in girl’s youth sports. e initiative was being pursued by the same conservative activists who were working on Initiative 142.
Initiative 201, which would have amended the state constitution to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in Colorado. It was meant to combat Initiative 310, which, if its signatures are approved, will ask voters to change most of Colorado’s primaries so candidates from all parties run against each other, followed by a ranked choice general election.
Initiative 202, which would have amended the state constitution to enshrine the ability of political candidates to make the ballot through the caucus and assembly process, in addition to gathering petition signatures.
Initiative 278, which would have amended the state constitution to prohibit una liated voters from casting ballots in partisan primaries. e same conservative activists behind this proposed measure were also behind Initiatives 201 and 202 and they came in large part in response to the campaign behind Initiative 310.
Initiative 284, which would have amended the state constitution to require that any government fees as-
GASCHLER
Deputy Director of Elections for Arapahoe County
Peg Perl holds an unused absentee ballot envelope during a media tour at the elections facility on June 9, 2022, in Littleton.
sessed for the purpose of funding mass transportation be collected only in areas served by that mass transportation and only after the fees are approved by voters. e measure was pursued by the rental car industry in response to a rental car fee hike imposed by the legislature this year that will generate millions for transit projects, including passenger rail.
e eight measures that failed were approved for signature gathering among hundreds proposed for the November 2024 election. Most were either rejected by the state’s Title Board or abandoned by their proponents.
Already on the November ballot are initiatives asking voters to impose an excise tax on rearms, prohibit mountain lion hunting and enshrine unfettered access to abortion in the state constitution.
ere are also likely to be two property tax measures on the ballot that would cap the annual increase in property tax bills, as well as Initiative 310 and a measure creating a new mid-tier veterinary professional position in Colorado.
e Colorado Secretary of State’s Ofce has until Sept. 4 to review signatures turned in on time for measures being pursued for the November ballot. e ballot will be set by Sept. 9.
To see a full list of the measures that have been approved for the ballot, are awaiting signature veri cation or that have failed, visit this website: https:// www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ Initiatives/titleBoard/.
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.
Marvin Joseph Gaschler July 13, 1945 - July 26 2024
Marvin Joseph Gaschler, beloved brother and uncle, 79, of Brighton, Colorado, died July 26, 2024.
Marvin was born in Quinter, Kansas on July 13, 1945, to parents Rudolph and Amelia Gaschler. Marvin was raised in Brighton along with his two sisters, Margie and Linda.
Marvin graduated from Brighton High School in 1963.
memorable trip to the company store. He retired in 2007.
Marvin lived frugally. He was not one to travel far from home, nor upgrade his worldly possessions current with the times.
Marvin served his country as a soldier in the Seventh Army of the United States Army from October 1965 to October 1967.
Both before and after he was drafted, Marvin worked at Samsonite. He retired in 2007 after 42 years with the company.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, sister Maribeth, and sister Margie.
Marvin is survived by his sister, Linda (Jim) Humphrey of Brighton, and many admiring nieces and nephews. Marvin was also a loving and caring Great Granduncle, who no doubt passed along his legacy of family adoration to the last generation to know and love him in person.
Marvin Joseph Gaschler, loved by both family and friends, passed away July 26, 2024, after su ering a fatal fall. As he passed away, he was surrounded by family.
Marvin grew up in Brighton, the son of Rudolph and Amelia Gaschler, and middle brother to older sister Margie and younger sister Linda. His baby sister Maribeth passed away at a very young age.
In 1963, he graduated from Brighton High School.
After two years of employment at Samsonite, Marvin was drafted and served his country in the United States Army. He was dispatched to locations near and far as part of the Seventh Army (Seven Steps to Hell) from October 1965 to October 1967. He proudly served in the combat-ready eld army defending the same Western European land that had been liberated in World War II. During service, he was fortunate to visit his ancestral home of Germany.
Service to country was followed by longevity in the workforce and a career spanning 42 years at Samsonite. He used his learned trade to x family suitcases and baggage, and provide the opportunity for a
Marvin was a bachelor. Perhaps knowing his own personal demons all too well, he chose not to venture into the arena of family man, husband, or father. He spent his days largely in solitude. At all times, he carried himself with the dignity of self-su ciency.
He enjoyed hunting and shing and made many memorable trips to the Colorado mountains and plains of Western Kansas with his brother-in-law Jim and his nephews. He would use the opportunity to visit relatives still living on the family farm in St. Peter, Kansas. He also enjoyed his time on the gun range with friends and family. He was imbued with the values of his generation, and the generation that preceded it. He pinched his pennies, but would gladly share with others, including but certainly not limited to the Colorado Lottery. He was organized and meticulous, maybe, or maybe not, to a fault.
Like so many others, Marvin fought the demons of alcohol. But he never let it interfere with his ability to hold down his job, or as an excuse to break the law, or commit any crime other than perhaps the stranger’s perception of curmudgeon. He had a good heart. In large measure, he was mostly misunderstood and perhaps toward the end, hard of hearing and ostensibly inattentive, indi erent, or unwilling to listen. But he loved those around him and would even bless them with his presence when his strong natural inclination was to avoid attention and crowds.
He was deeply loved from afar and viewed with a ection. His ability to confront life’s di culties without imposing on his relatives is a largely unappreciated and unacknowledged gift. He will be remembered for it, and the valuable lessons it teaches.
Marvin’s family will, with hearts full of love, remember him most of all as a man’s man. He valued accountability, selfsu ciency, frugality, and a good meal. He shared his values with his family, and he led by example.
PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY / THE COLORADO SUN
BY AUDREY BRICE AND LOURDES CAMARILLO SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On a hospital bed, surrounded by sterile equipment and isolated, the anxious await a surgery that will alter their lives.
In pursuit of motherhood, many women have turned to In-Vitro-Fertilization (IVF).
Samantha Bronson, a children’s youth minister at a church near Littleton, has dealt with negative thoughts and emotions regarding her infertility.
“A lot of questions came to me about my spirituality as well,” Bronson said. “Like, ‘Is this God saying something to me?’ And, in my darkest moments, ‘Is God punishing me?’ I don’t believe that’s how God works at all, but those were the feelings that were coming up for me.”
Samantha Sullivan of Fort Collins wanted a child, and her mom had called a center to talk about taking steps toward fertility treatment.
“She knew that my dream has always been to have kids, and so I was grateful,” Sullivan said. “But I also didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.”
Emily Heizer-Kochman, from Sacramento, California, is on her ninth round of IVF.
“ e whole thing’s been brutal. e emotional ups and downs are just exhausting, and any time there’s a sliver of hope, it just seems like it’s a trick,” Heizer-Kochman said. “Something worse happens when you’re expecting the good news.”
For Tanya Knepp of Florence, the costs “impacted us in a lot of ways emotionally, mentally.”
Knepp and her husband paid for IVF without the help of insurance. While Colorado law mandates IVF coverage, Knepp’s insurance skipped around this law because her company’s insurance is self-funded.
“It was 100% out of pocket,” said Knepp. e World Health Organization says one in six women globally experience infertility.
A single IVF cycle can cost $15,000 to $30,000, creating another challenge for many.
Bronson, Sullivan, Heizer-Kochman and Knepp shared their experiences with the University of Colorado’s News Corps in hopes that their stories would help other women and their partners as they navigate the di cult path of IVF in hopes of having a baby.
Samantha Bronson, God and science
In 2020, Bronson and her husband, Luke, decided to start trying to conceive. By the end of 2021, the couple still wasn’t expecting, so Samantha went to her OBGYN for answers.
Bronson, of Aurora, was diagnosed with unexplained infertility, meaning that despite appearing capable of conceiving, she has been unable to do so. e only test Samantha could not undergo was an egg health test, which requires an egg retrieval.
“I wanted there to be a reason,” said Bronson.
Bronson started trying to conceive through intrauterine insemination (IUI), a type of arti cial
insemination where a long tube is used to put the semen directly into the uterus. Bronson tried this method of conception four times.
“We were paying out of pocket for those each month, which was racking up a lot. So our fertility doctor recommended we switch over to IVF,” said Bronson.
e switch would cost around $30,000.
Bronson felt like they wouldn’t be able to pursue that path at anytime soon, and after going through multiple rounds of IUI, she needed a break.
SEE THE SILENCE, P15
Emily Heizer-Kochman cries tears of joy while her husband, Ben Kochman, rests his head on her shoulder, sighing with relief from their hopeful fertility test results.
PHOTO BY LOURDES CAMARILLO / CU NEWS CORPS
THE SILENCE
However, this changed when Luke switched careers, as his new job’s insurance would be able to cover the cost of IVF.
“We were ready to be parents,” said Bronson. “And because of (Luke’s) job and the fact that (his) insurance does cover it, that’s when we were able to pull the trigger on (IVF) without having to stress about going into more debt.”
roughout her struggle with infertility, Bronson has felt a strain on some of her relationships. She has had friends hesitant to tell her they are expecting because they don’t want to upset her, along with people just saying the wrong things.
“A lot of people don’t really know how to talk about infertility, so they’ll say some really stupid things. I am in a Christian community, and sometimes people will ask me if I’ve prayed about it,” said Bronson.
Bronson has chosen to keep her infertility journey largely private. While she believes she may share her experience once she has dealt with it, she exercises caution, particularly within her congregation, mindful of her position and the potential impact.
“As pastors, we’re taught to share vulnerably with people, and at the same time, the people that we are serving and helping, we don’t want them to feel bad for us,” said Bronson. “So, I don’t want it to be that somebody who is expecting gets worried or weird about sharing that with me because they
are worried I would feel upset about it. Whereas this is my job and calling to walk through that with people.”
Leading up to her rst egg retrieval, Bronson was feeling a variety of emotions.
“I feel excited and nervous and worried and happy, and quite literally what feels like every emotion I could feel,” said Bronson. “ ere’s still grief in there, too. is isn’t what I planned, I wish it would have been di erent.”
On April 2, Bronson underwent her egg retrieval, and 17 eggs were retrieved, but no answers about her unexplained infertility diagnosis were discovered. e couple would get nine embryos, but upon further genetic testing for abnormalities only seven were viable for transfer.
“I had a lot of feelings. One of those feelings was that I did not want nine or seven children. at’s a lot,” said Bronson. “I was also excited about how successful it was and that this means that theoretically, I will never have to do an egg retrieval again.”
Bronson was ordained as a minister in June and her embryo transfer was set for mid July.
Samantha Sullivan, cancer survivor
When Sullivan’s journey with IVF began, her mind was far from fertility preservation, as she waited to nd out if she had breast cancer.
“I didn’t even think about that prior because I was so focused on: am I getting diagnosed with breast cancer?” said Sullivan.
She was devastated. She was unable to think about the trajectory of her life, but her mother’s call to a fertility treatment center put her on track.
It was on Valentine’s Day of 2020 that Sullivan received her diagnosis: stage two, grade three, triplenegative breast cancer. e nancial burden of IVF also quickly revealed itself.
“I remember we had to pay in full up-front, and I think it was something like $15,000 or $20,000 and I was like, ‘Well, I don’t have that so I can’t do this,’ and my mom was like, ‘We’ll talk about it. We’re doing it. Let’s go,’” Sullivan said.
“I didn’t know if I was going to survive, I didn’t know if my husband was going to become my husband,” said Sullivan. “We were engaged at the time. I gave him an out, and he stayed with me.”
Sullivan and Patrick would later marry on the rst anniversary of Sullivan being cancer-free on Oct. 9, 2021.
Before chemotherapy, Sullivan underwent two egg retrievals which gave them eight embryos viable for transfer. Only three were free of the BRCA 1 gene, which can increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer.
Two years after her double mastectomy, Sullivan was able to undergo her rst embryo transfer. She went through three embryo transfers. One ended in a miscarriage and two didn’t implant.
Sullivan would have to come to terms with her only remaining embryos having the BRCA 1 gene.
After all those losses, Sullivan decided to take some time away from trying to become pregnant and also decided to switch from her previous clinic to the Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado.
Tanya and Leslie Knepp walk in their neighborhood in Florence. “IVF was the only thing remaining for us to try,” Tanya Knepp said.
PHOTOS BY LOURDES CAMARILLO / CU NEWS CORPS
Samantha Bronson sits on her porch in Aurora. She and her husband, Luke Bronson, tapped their savings, paying just under $25,000 in fertility treatments.
Samantha Sullivan looks outside of her bedroom window in Fort Collins. “IVF changes you,” she said.
PHOTO BY LOURDES CAMARILLO / CU NEWS CORPS
THE SILENCE
Instead of spending a couple thousand dollars to transport the embryos there, Sullivan rented a tank and transferred them herself.
“My mom and I drove down, dropped the tank o at CCRM in Lone Tree. ey loaded the embryos up and I bucked them into the car and drove them over,” said Sullivan.
At this new clinic, Sullivan went through her fourth embryo transfer, which ended in a miscarriage.
“Every single failed transfer has been absolutely devastating, and of course, every pregnancy I have lost a child. So, it’s been very di cult,” said Sullivan.
Later on, Sullivan went in for a fth embryo transfer. e procedure itself went well, but a home pregnancy test she took came back negative. e clinic con rmed the result.
e couple still has two embryos that their current clinic could transfer. However, they have begun looking into using an egg donor to make an embryo.
“I don’t know if I can keep going through loss,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan works as a postpartum nurse, a di cult position to have while going through infertility.
“It is really hard to take care of patients that don’t want the baby, or are upset that they’re pregnant, or are abusing their bodies – intentionally or unintentionally – which then a ects the baby, when I’m trying to do everything that I can and everything right to have a child,” Sullivan said.
Tanya Knepp, one little chance
Knepp and her husband, Leslie, have been trying to conceive for ve years, and recently started their rst round of IVF.
“We were very con dent that – aside from something miraculous and out of the ordinary – we weren’t just gonna get pregnant with less invasive means, and our doctors are pretty con dent of that too,” said Knepp.
e couple had to make a lot of sacri ces – living in a less-than-desirable neighborhood and driving older cars – to a ord IVF. And, after selling their last house, they were able to a ord their rst cycle of IVF.
When Knepp started, she got the news that she had low ovarian reserve. is diagnosis means a woman has fewer eggs in her ovaries compared to others her age, making conceiving more di cult.
During her egg retrieval, Knepp’s emotions were mixed, partly due to the cost of the procedure.
“I was de nitely feeling hopeful, but at the same time, just scared,” said Knepp, adding that part of her fear came from the nancial aspect because they were spending $5,000 for one cycle of IVF with no guaranteed success.
e retrieval returned seven eggs, but only one ended up being viable for transfer.
“We have one embryo. We’ve got one little chance waiting for us,” said Knepp. “So that’s how I feel about that embryo now, just glad we had that chance.”
As the couple wants more than one child, they have decided that with Knepp’s diagnosis of low ovarian reserve, they should attempt another egg retrieval now before attempting an embryo transfer.
“You’re not crazy for wanting to do this. e hope of bringing a child into this world is so valid,” said Knepp.
Emily Heizer-Kochman, the ninth try
“I had worries that we would have trouble conceiving another baby – or that we were on a short timeline – just because of my age,” said Heizer-Kochman.
Unfortunately, Heizer-Kochman was right to worry, as she would begin struggling with secondary infertility, a condition in which someone is unable to conceive or carry to term after already giving birth to a child without any fertility treatments.
Heizer-Kochman had ve miscarriages.
“I don’t know that you ever forget that pain. I don’t know,” said Heizer-Kochman. “You gure out how to live with it. I didn’t really do anything to deal with it, I just tried to move on.”
e couple ended up going to CNY, a fertility clinic in Colorado Springs. e cheapest option they could nd in the United States, which costed roughly $3,700 per cycle.
Out of eight rounds of IVF, none of the three embryos retrieved were deemed viable due to chromosomal abnormalities.
On Feb. 16, Heizer-Kochman went in for an egg retrieval for her ninth and nal round of IVF.
e procedure only returned a single egg.
e couple wanted to try one last time to ensure they had done all they could, but Heizer-Kochman wasn’t putting much hope into their single egg.
ree weeks later, the couple received the results that their latest embryo would not be viable.
ey continue to work towards having another child with the help of a friend who has agreed to be their egg donor.
“We got nothing out of it, other than the courage to move on,” said Heizer-Kochman. “If we hadn’t done IVF and spent that much and tried all those times, I don’t know that we would be emotionally ready to move on.”
e couple has spent around $50,000 on medical expenses.
“My biggest takeaway is that it doesn’t always work,” said Heizer-Kochman. “It’s not necessarily a faster track to a baby. ere are some people who do one cycle and get everything they need. at’s not everybody.”
A threat to IVF
Navigating IVF is already challenging, but the recent Alabama ruling has added another layer of di culty. It’s evident that many people lack understanding of the complexities involved with IVF. Although none of the women interviewed were from Alabama, some still express concerns about the misconceptions regarding IVF highlighted by the ruling.
is story was created by students at the University of Colorado-Boulder’s News Corps. Colorado Community Media participated in the process that helped bring this story to light.
Colorado Community Media 5K to support firefighters
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Community members will gather to run, walk and raise money to support local re ghting efforts at an upcoming 5-kilometer race in Robert F. Clement Park.
e “Share Your Trail Tales 5K” event and related storytelling initiative will be hosted by Colorado Community Media, the nonpro t that owns the Littleton Independent and two dozen other local newspapers around the metro area. Events Director Carlie Scott said the event aims “to bring our communities together through our shared love for the great outdoors and to showcase all the beauty Colorado has to o er.”
It will also bene t the rst responders to the Quarry re, which erupted in early August in the Deer Creek Canyon area, many who are volunteers from local re departments and the American Red Cross.
One person uploaded this photo of their dog at the Genesee Mountain Trail for the “Share Your Trail Tales” 5K storytelling initiative.
Voters to decide fate of mountain lion hunting
The last wildlife management question that went to voters was the reintroduction of wolves
BY JASON BLEVINS
THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado voters will get a chance to ban mountain lion hunting in November.
e Colorado Secretary of State on Wednesday con rmed that the campaign to end mountain lion hunting in Colorado had gathered enough signatures to get Proposition 91 on the November ballot. e initiative asks voters to declare that “any trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats or lynx is inhumane, serves no socially acceptable or ecologically bene cial purpose, and fails to further public
safety.” e measure would ban any shooting or trapping of wildcats but allows killing cats that are threatening livestock or people.
Representatives with the Cats Aren’t Trophies group submitted 147,529 valid signatures, more than the 124,238 that were required for ballot access.
Samantha Miller, the manager for the Cats Aren’t Trophies campaign, said the organization has 900 volunteers who will now transition from signature gathering to outreach and advertising.
“Our message remains, Coloradans know that the cruel and inhumane trophy hunting and fur trapping of Colorado’s wild cats has no place in our state, and many of them have been outraged to learn this practice continues despite measures in the ’90s that stopped leg-hold traps, hounding of black bears and spring bear hunting,” Miller said in an email. e Cats Aren’t Trophies group has raised
$414,000 since the beginning of the year — with the largest contributor, Washington D.C.-based Animal Wellness Action, providing $147,000 — and spent $335,000, according to the group’s Aug. 1 ling with the Colorado Secretary of State.
California is the only state in the U.S. where voters have banned mountain lion hunting.
e last time voters weighed wildlife issues was in 2020, when a narrow margin of Coloradans required Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce wolves on the Western Slope. Before that, voters in 1992 approved a constitutional amendment that limited black bear hunting, and in 1996 voters approved an amendment that banned leg hold and instant-kill traps.
Hunting advocates challenged the ballot initiative last year, arguing the wording of the measure was misleading and the state’s Title Board erred when approving it for signature gath-
ering. e Colorado Supreme Court in January denied the challenge and a rmed the Title Board’s decision.
Two years ago animal conservation groups supported legislation that would have banned the killing of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado. Hunting groups opposed the bill and ooded lawmakers with opposition statements. e bill’s top sponsors pulled their support before the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee rejected the legislation in February 2022.
CPW has managed lion hunting since 1965
Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates there are between 3,800 and 4,400 mountain lions in the state. e agency has managed lion hunting for decades with annual caps on how many cats hunters can kill. In 1980, hunters took 81 mountain lions.
Thu 8/15
Monthly Birthday Celebration (8/15) @ 7pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Fri 8/16
Breakfast Burrito Bingo (8/16) @ 3pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
@ 6:40pm / $12-$310
Coors Field, Denver
Nordic Daughter: Tour Kickoff! @ 7pm
The Rickhouse, 6100 E 39th Ave, Denver
Sat 8/17
Bird Walk for all levels @ 7am
Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge, 11610 West 100th Avenue, Westminster. standley lake@westminsterco.gov, 303425-1097
Arts and crafts Event - Art @ 3pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
@ 6:10pm / $20-$310 Coors Field, Denver
Grupo Kaoba @ 8pm
Tammy's Event Center, 6324 Ivy Street, Commerce City
Los Daddys De Chinantla @ 8pm 6324 Ivy St, Commerce City
Sun 8/18
Erie Half & 5k @ 7am / $25-$50 Reliance Park, 900 County Road 1.5, Erie
The Ninth Annual Eye Love Logan and Zoe 5k and Silent Auction @ 8:45am / $20-$35
Westminster Promenade Terrace, 6200 West Westminster Promenade Drive South, Westminster
Yoga at the Acres @ 9am
Salt & Acres, Fort Lupton
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres
@ 1:10pm / $14-$310 Coors Field, Denver
Dave Mensch - Floodstage Ale Works - Brighton, CO @ 3pm
Mon 8/19
DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Mondays - Tap & Burger @ 7:30pm
Tap & Burger Westminster, 8810 Westminster Blvd, Westminster
Wed 8/21
Flood Stage Ale Works, 170 S Main St, Brighton
Seekarlplay: GB F&C in ArvadaSKP! @ 5pm
GB Fish & Chips, 7401 Ralston Rd, Ar‐vada
Denver Broncos v Green Bay Packers - Preseason Game 1
@ 6pm / $41-$998
Empower Field At Mile High, Denver
Dallas Moore @ 7pm
Rockabillies, 12363 W 64th Ave, Arvada
Calendar information is
Fall sports: Key takeaways from CHSAA Media Day in Denver
Flag football and more metroarea prep sports news
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A day after boys golf teams o cially were allowed to practice, marking the start of the 2024 fall sports season, dozens of high school athletes from around the state descended on Empower Field in Denver for the Colorado High School Activities Association’s fall sports Media Day.
Headlining fall sports this season is ag football, which will be introduced with two classi cations in 2024-25. Previously, there was a two-year pilot program with Colorado high schools. But in April, Colorado became the 11th state to sanction the sport. It is the inaugural season for the sport in Colorado.
Girls ag football becomes the 14th fall activity and 21st activity for girls recognized by CHSAA. Defending champions Arvada West and Chateld, Cherry Creek, Mountain View, Valor Christian and Vista Ridge high schools sent teams to speak to the media.
“Flag football is the fastest-growing
What was a noncontact sport the past two pilot years now brings more physical changes, including punting, screen blocking, a one-yard rush line for defenses and a major change in eld size.
Instead of a 60-by-30-yard eld, it’ll now be 80-by-40 yards. e game will be more physical this upcoming season as blocking will be a big emphasis on o ense.
“Luckily a bunch of our players were able to play summer ball with those new rules,” Chat eld coach Alexis Rosholt said. “I think the two main di erences are going to be the one-yard rush, the unlimited rushers as well as blocking. Your quarterback is going to basically have a second to get the ball o . Our receivers are going to have to do some blocking before getting into routes.”
Football
sport nationally, especially for girls,” said CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger. “So, we’re excited to be part of that with a number of states that have now sanctioned it.”
Flag football
Arvada West defeated Cherry Creek
34-14 in the nal of the 16-team state championship tournament last October. e Wildcats nished the season with a perfect 25-0 record. ey were the rst team to speak.
e team addressed several changes coming to the sport in its inaugural season as a fully sanctioned sport.
Broom eld, Columbine, Delta, Erie, Haxtun, Holy Family, Limon, Ralston Valley and Stratton high schools sent representatives from their football teams to speak with the media.
For Ralston Valley, the team is tired of seeing teams that beat them in the championship game.
Reigning flag football state champions Arvada West spoke to the media first. The Wildcats enjoyed a perfect season capped with a trophy in 2023.
PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to 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.
Does Colorado require motor vehicle insurance for e-bikes?
BY JUSTIN GEORGE THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado does not require motor vehicle insurance for electric bikes as long as the bikes t the state’s electrical assisted bicycle classi cations and aren’t motorcycles.
e state has three classi cations for e-bikes:
Class 1: an electric assisted bicycle with a motor that provides power when the rider is pedaling and stops when the bike reaches a speed of 20 mph.
Class 2: an electric assisted bicycle with a motor that provides power but stops when the bike reaches a speed of 20 mph.
Class 3: an electric assisted bicycle with a motor that provides power when the rider is pedaling but stops when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 mph.
Insuring e-bikes, however, is recom-
PeakOzone
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.
mended by some insurance providers, who recommend at least liability coverage in case of an accident. Companies have started o ering special e-bike insurance for riders as some companies don’t insure them as property under homeowners policies. 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.
Three Sisters Trail
CSHAA
“Really, the past two years, both teams that we lost to went to the state championship,” Ralston Valley Head Coach Jared Yannacito said. “So, you just continue to be consistent. You continue to show up. You continue to focus on one game at a time, one week at a time. We don’t overlook any of our opponents.”
e Mustangs will have to replace former quarterback Logan Madden, who is now a freshman player at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Yannacito said he can’t replace Madden other than having his team come together to make up for his production.
Last year, Columbine dethroned Cherry Creek as the 5A champion. It was the Rebels’ sixth 5A state championship since 1999 and the rst since 2011. All six of the Rebels’ state football titles have been coached by Andy Lowry, who wasn’t in attendance.
But his players showed up as champs and are ready to repeat if they can.
“Every senior group at Columbine steps up,” said Brennan Goodwin, the starting quarterback at Columbine. “We’re excited to do that.”
Other sports
Other fall sports teams were in attendance also ready to kick o the 2024 season.
Field hockey, gymnastics, boys golf, uni ed bowling, softball, girls volleyball, cross country, spirit and student leadership representatives all spoke to the media.
Evergreen golf’s Liam Houlihan is excited to have everybody back this fall to try and win another team title. Houlihan and his teammate Tyler Long nished tied for second in 4A individual nishes last season.
Valor Christian volleyball has gone 58-0 in the past two seasons and won back-to-back 5A titles in Colorado.
But the Eagles know competition gets stronger each year and they aren’t ready to overlook anyone.
“I would say every time out there is going to be our competition. We just need to get in the gym and work,” Chloe Elarton, a senior and University of Georgia commit said. “I just to savor every moment, every win, every loss, every practice. It’s going to be a really special season for us seniors and I just want to cherish that.”
Lutheran has won three straight 4A softball titles in Colorado. Meredith Barnhart said this year, preparation is more emotional this year.
“We need to make up a lot of that momentum and success that we’re
used to,” Barnhart said. Rallying as a team will be huge. ere’s always the hitting in the cages and taking ground balls, so we’ll get that going here pretty soon and hopefully hit the road quick.”
Kinley Wolfe of Cherry Creek cross country just wants to improve.
“I’m just hoping to do the best I can and try to be better than I did last season,” Wolfe said. “I’m just trying to be a strong competitor this year that people are looking at.”
But no matter the sport, the athletes said they’re all inspired by the recent uptick in the popularity of women’s sports.
“I think, for me, sports have allowed me to nd who I am,” said Colorado Academy eld hockey player Addie Chandler. “So, having these big stars like Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, having these really cool role models to look after has been really cool.”
For more from CHSAA’s fall sports Media Day, visit www.chsaanow.com.
Teams, coaches, parents and media from all over the state descended on Empower Field in Denver for the Colorado High School Activities Association fall sports Media Day on Aug. 6. Flag football was the main attraction.
1. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin pre x “audio-” mean in English?
2. TELEVISION: Gladys Kravitz is the annoying neighbor in which TV comedy?
3. ANATOMY: About how many taste buds does the average human tongue have?
4. GEOGRAPHY: e Brandenburg Gate is in which European capital city?
5. HISTORY: Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during WWII?
6. MOVIES: Which movie features the line “I’m the king of the world!”?
7. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the Egyptian sun god?
8. LITERATURE: “ e Great Gatsby” is set in which U.S. city?
9. MONEY: What is the basic currency of Poland?
10. FOOD & DRINK: Which country is associated with the side
dish kimchi?
Answers
1. “Sound” or “hearing” (e.g. “audiophile”).
2. “Bewitched.”
3. 2,000-8,000.
4. Berlin, Germany.
5. Joseph Stalin.
6. “Titanic.”
7. Ra.
8. New York.
9. Zloty.
10. Korea (North and South).
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
FLASHBACK
1. Which group released “Do You Believe in Magic”?
2. Name the rst rock group that appeared on “ e Ed Sullivan Show.”
3. What was the name of the vacation resort in the 1987 lm “Dirty Dancing,” and where was it?
4. Who released “ e Love I Lost”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “I guess the dance is over now, So you just curtsy, and I’ll bow, And ask the band to play us Auld Lang Syne.”
Answers
1. e Lovin’ Spoonful, in 1965. e song was their debut single. ey went on to quickly release seven more that reached the Top Ten.
2. Bill Haley and His Comets, in August 1955. ey performed “Rock Around the Clock,” the rst rock and roll song to be played on a national television show.
3. e resort was called Kellerman’s, in the Catskills in New York. It was lmed, however, in Virginia and North Carolina.
Look for the movie sequel in May 2025.
4. Harold Melvin & e Blue Notes, in 1973.
5. “More Like the Movies,” by Dr. Hook in 1978. Dr. Hook (called Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show until 1975) was known mostly for soft rock, acoustic guitar and easy listening.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2453
INTRODUCED BY: Taddeo
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, APPROVING THE ADAMS POINT ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FROM C-3 TO R-3 FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 7.387 ACRE OF PROPERTY, GENERALLY LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF EAST BRIDGE STREET, SOUTH OF LONGS PEAK STREET, EAST OF NORTH 19TH AVENUE, AND WEST OF THE FULTON DITCH, MORE SPECIFICALLY LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 1 SOUTH, RANGE 66 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF BRIGHTON, COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY
THIS 6th DAY OF AUGUST 2024.
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO /s/ GREGORY MILLS, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ NATALIE HOEL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ YASMINA GIBBONS, Deputy City Attorney
A COMPLETE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE
IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AND ON THE CITY OF BRIGHTON WEBSITE.
Legal Notice No. BSB3289
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO. 2452
INTRODUCED BY: Fiedler
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AMENDING ARTICLE 2 OF THE BRIGHTON MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO YOUTH MEMBERSHIP ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
INTRODUCED, PASSED ON FINAL READING AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY
THIS 6th DAY OF AUGUST 2024.
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO
/s/ GREGORY MILLS, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ NATALIE HOEL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ MICHAEL DAVIS, Assistant City Attorney
A COMPLETE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE
IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AND ON THE CITY OF BRIGHTON WEBSITE.
Legal Notice No. BSB3288
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Bids and Settlements
Public Notice
INVITATION TO BID
Parkland Metropolitan District #1 (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project:
Brighton South Outfall Reach S2
Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the JR Engineering located at located at 7200 S. Alton Way, Suite C400, Centennial, CO 80112, or sent by email to mtom@jrengineering. com, until Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Bids results will be sent out to all bidders via email by 8/30/24.
The Project includes the following Work:
This project consist of work associated with the Brighton South Outfall Reach S2 and is located south of Bromley Lane between Fulton Avenue and Chambers Road in Brighton, CO. The work consists of removals, erosion control, earthwork, grading, storm sewer installation, storm sewer structures, ABC maintenance trail installation, irrigation ditch restoration and lining, temporary road construction, asphalt paving, landscape & irrigation restoration, and signing and striping.
The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: JR Engineering, 7200 S. Alton Way, Suite C400, Centennial, CO 80112
Information and Bidding Documents for the Project will be available electronically on August 7, 2024. Send request for bid documents to Michele Tom, (720) 270-0728, mtom@jrengineering. com, 7200 S. Alton Way, Suite C400, Centennial, CO 80112. Include company name, contact name and contact information in the request.
Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.
A pre-bid conference for the Project will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at JR Engineering 7200 S. Alton Way, First Floor Conference Room, Centennial, CO 80112. Attendance at the pre-bid conference is encouraged but not required.
No bid bond is required for this bid. The bidder(s) to whom a contract is awarded will be required to furnish a certificate of specified insurance coverage’s and performance and payment bonds in the form provided in the contract documents. The amount of the performance bond and the payment bond shall each be 115% of the accepted contract amount.
For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.
Bidders are hereby advised the Owner reserves the right to not award a Contract until sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of Bids, and Bidders expressly agree to keep their Bids open for the sixty (60) day time period. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive any informality, technicality or irregularity in any Bid, to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive, conditional or alternate Bids, to negotiate contract terms with the Successful Bidder, to require statements or evidence of Bidders’ qualifications, including financial statements, and to accept the proposal that is, in the opinion of the Owner, in its best interest. Owner also reserves the right to extend the Bidding period by Addendum if it appears in its interest to do so.
Any questions concerning this bid shall be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 23, 2024, and must be directed in writing to: Michele Tom, (720) 270-0728, mtom@jrengineering.com,
7200 S. Alton Way, Suite C400, Centennial, CO 80112.
Legal Notice No. BSB 3101
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 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
Notice
BEFORE THE ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROMULGATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN OPERATIONS FOR THE NIOBRARA, FORT HAYS, CODELL, AND CARLILE FORMATIONS, WATTENBERG FIELD, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
CAUSE NO. 407
DOCKET NO. 240600159
TYPE: POOLING
AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING
Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., (Operator No. 10459) (“Extraction” or “Applicant”) filed an Application with the Commission for an order to subject additional interests to the cost recovery provisions of C.R.S. § 34-60-116(7) in lands identified below. This Notice was sent to you because the Applicant believes you may own mineral interests that will be pooled if the Commission approves the Application. Pooling is the consolidation and combining of mineral interests so that all mineral interest owners receive payment for their just and equitable share of produced oil and gas. For more information about the Commission’s pooling process, please see a brochure on the Commission’s website here:
Township 1 South, Range 66 West, 6th P.M. Section 26: All Section 27: All Section 34: All Section 35: All
DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF HEARING (Subject to change)
The assigned Hearing Officer will hold a hearing only on the above referenced docket number at the following date, time, and location:
Date:October 9, 2024
Time:9:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual Hearing with Remote Access via Zoom To participate virtually navigate to https://ecmc. state.co.us/#/home and locate the Zoom meeting link on the left side of the webpage.
Energy and Carbon Management Commission
The Chancery Building 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203
PETITIONS
DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS BY AFFECTED PERSONS: September 9, 2024
Any interested party who wishes to participate for-
Public Notices
mally must file a written petition with the Commission no later than the deadline provided above. Please see Commission Rule 507 at https://ecmc. state.co.us/#/home, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be continued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stated above. Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Hearing Officer will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must register online at https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/Login.aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to our “eFiling Users Guidance Book” at https://ecmc.state. co.us/documents/reg/Hearings/External_EfilingSystemGuidebook_2023_FINAL.pdf for more information. Under Commission Rule 508, if no petition is filed, the Application may be approved administratively without a formal hearing.
Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a prehearing conference during the week of September 9, 2024, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information, you may review the Application, which was sent to you with this Notice. You may also contact the Applicant at the phone number or email address listed below.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations as a result of a disability for this hearing, please contact Margaret Humecki at Dnr_ECMC_Hearings_Unit@state.co.us, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.
ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By Elias Thomas, Commission Secretary
Dated: July 31, 2024
Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.
c/o Jillian Fulcher Ryan McKee Beatty & Wozniak, P.C. 1675 Broadway, Suite 600 Denver, CO 80202 303-407-4499
jfulcher@bwenergylaw.com
rmckee@bwenergylaw.com
Legal Notice No. BSB3277
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles
Public Notice
Notice is hereby given that the personal property described below will be sold to the highest bidder on August 23, 2024 at or after 10:00AM, at Southwest Mobile Storage, 9595 Brighton Rd. Henderson, CO 80640 Phn: 866.503.0668
Property of:
%ALLERA HEALTH PRODUCTS INC
Last known address:
12707 HIGH BLUFF DR, SUITE 205 San Diego,CA 92130
Property in Unit: 40-419420-3
Misc. Several opened boxes of pinecones, Several sealed boxes.
Legal Notice No. BSB3276
First Publication: August 8, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
Lien Sale
Notice is hereby given that the personal property described below will be sold to the highest bidder on August 30, 2024 at or after 10:00AM, at Southwest Mobile Storage, 9595 Brighton Rd. Henderson, CO 80640 Phn: 866.503.0668
Property of: ADAMO HOMES
Last known address:
4833 FRONT STREET UNIT B #301
CASTLE ROCK,CO 80104
Property in Unit: 40-840076-2; 40-112443-6; 40-521446-7; 40-109848-2
Estate of Roberta K. McFarland, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30394
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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Robin K. Niles-Gosser
Personal Representative
c/o Arnold and Associates, PC
4610 S. Ulster St. Ste 150 Denver, CO 80237
Legal Notice No. BSB3283
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 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 Legal 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 Stephen Sheridan Thomas, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 148
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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
David W. Thomas Personal Representative
126 West Portland St. Unit 2
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Legal Notice No. BSB3280
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of JERRY CALVIN BARNETT
a/k/a JERRY C. BARNETT
a/k/a JERRY BARNETT , Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 030232
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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Christopher S. Bell
Personal Representative
c/o Miller & Law, P.C. 1900 W. Littleton Boulevard Littleton, CO 80120
Legal Notice No. BSB3281
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Steven Richard Williams, a.k.a. Steven R. Williams, a.k.a. Steven Williams, a.k.a. Steve R. Williams, a.k.a. Steve Williams, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30543
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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Michael J. Williams,
Personal Representative 14531 Avery Way Keenesburg, CO 80643
Legal Notice No. BSB3285
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 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 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 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 abovenamed 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 Katherine Louise Meuser, a/k/a Katherine L. Meuser, a/k/a Katherine Meuser , Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30571
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 16, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Patrick R. Thiessen
Attorney for Personal Representative Wade Williams FRIE ARNDT DANBORN & THIESSEN, P.C. 7400 Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 201 Arvada, CO 80003
Legal Notice No. BSB3282
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate John Vernon Shelton aka John V. Shelton, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30534
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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Counsel for Personal Representative, Dalla Hammond, P.C. 15016 Elizabeth Street, Thornton, CO 80602
Legal Notice No. BSB3290
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade 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 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
Legal Notice No. BSB3273
First Publication: August 8, 2024
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IN THE INTEREST OF:
Messiah Cox-Cardoza A Child, and Concerning
Maria Cox-Cardoza, John Doe Respondents:
Robert Cox Special Respondent S U M M O N S
To the parents, guardian, or other respondents named above, GREETINGS: Maria Cox-Cardoza
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 22nd day of August 2024 at the hour of 9:50 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 7th day of August 2024.
Alana Percy Clerk of the District Court
Legal Notice No. BSB3291
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Division S No. 24JV30082
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IN THE INTEREST OF:
Angela Garcia, Lia Crisanto Children, and Concerning
Mariejane Garcia, Gustavo Castillo, Jose Crisanto Cruz Respondents:
S U M M O N S
To the parents, guardian, or other respondents named above, GREETINGS: Gustavo Castillo
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
Public Notices
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 24th day of September, 2024 at the hour of 9:30 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 1st day of August, 2024.
Alana Percy
Clerk of the District Court
Legal Notice No. BSB3279
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Division D1 No. 24JV30132
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IN THE INTEREST OF:
Messiah Cox-Cardoza A Child, and Concerning
Maria Cox-Cardoza, John Doe Respondents:
Robert Cox Special Respondent
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 22nd day of August 2024 at the hour of 9:50 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 6th day of August 2024.
Alana Percy Clerk of the District Court
Legal Notice No. BSB3284
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication:
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
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.
Legal Notice No. FLP1081
First Publication: August 8, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
Public Notice
CITY OF FORT LUPTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
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
ORDINANCE 2024-1173
INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A BALLOT ISSUE TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS VOTING IN THE COORDINATED ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2024, A BALLOT ISSUE TO INCREASE SALES AND USE TAX BY ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT (.5%) FOR THE PURPOSES OF FUNDING THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES; SETTING THE TITLE AND CONTENT OF THE BALLOT FOR THE ELECTION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, at the November 1992 general election, the citizens of Colorado adopted a constitutional amendment establishing Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, (TABOR) which, among other things, require voter approval for certain exercises of state and local government powers relating to taxation,
revenue-raising, spending and the incurrence of debt and other multiple-fiscal year financial obligations; and
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, the City Council may, without receipt of any petition, submit any proposed or adopted ordinance or resolution or any question to a vote of the registered electors of the municipality; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. § 29-2-102, any incorporated town or city may adopt a municipal sales or use tax, or both, by ordinance, but only if the ordinance provides for the submission of the tax proposal to an election by the registered electors of the town or city for their approval or rejection at a regular municipal election or at a special election called for the purpose if no regular municipal election will be held within ninety days after the adoption of the ordinance. The election shall be conducted in the manner provided in the “Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965”, article 10 of title 31, C.R.S.
WHEREAS, the TABOR Amendment permits electors of the City to approve the adoption of new taxes and to authorize the expenditure of revenues from such taxes; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that it requires additional revenue to provide law enforcement services including additional personnel and equipment to ensure the optimal number of police officers are on duty at all times and to support up-to-date policing needs, improve the recruitment and retention of officers, maintain and upgrade technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement services, and strengthen proactive policing efforts to enhance public safety; and
WHEREAS, the question of whether to impose a public safety tax for funding of the City of Fort Lupton Law Enforcement Services must be directed to the registered voters.
WHEREAS, the form of “BALLOT ISSUE” below is hereby approved and ordered submitted to the voters on November 5, 2024; and
WHEREAS, upon approval of the “BALLOT ISSUE” 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 Issue 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 increase in Sales and Use Tax within the City.
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 impose a one half of one percent (.5%) Sales and Use Tax for the purposes of funding the City of Fort Lupton Law Enforcement Services, 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. Implementation of Tax upon approval of the above Ballot Issue by the majority of the registered electors voting thereon, the Council shall enact an implementing ordinance consistent with all the terms and conditions contained in the above Ballot Issue.
Section 6. Effective Date. Subject to voter approval of the ballot issue at the November 5, 2024 coordinated election.
Section 7. Emergency Declaration. Because of the necessity of submitting this Ordinance to meet the election scheduling demands, an emergency exists, and the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be necessary to the immediate preservation of the public health and safety, and it shall become effective upon adoption and compliance with the provisions of Section 31-16-105, Colorado Revised Statutes.
INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 6th day of August, 2024.
PUBLISHED this 15th day of August, 2024.
FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED by title only this _ day of September 2024.
EFFECTIVE the _ day of __ 2024.
City of Fort Lupton, Colorado
Zo Hubbard, Mayor
Attest:
Maricela Peña, City Clerk
Approved to Form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney
EXHIBIT ‘A’
SALES AND USE TAX FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
SHALL THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON TAXES BE INCREASED BY $2,867,386 ANNUALLY BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, BY WHATEVER AMOUNT IS GENERATED THEREAFTER BY A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED AT THE RATE OF ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT (0.5%), FOR THE EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT OF FORT LUPTON LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES (POLICE SERVICES), INCLUDING AMONG OTHER THINGS:
• ADDING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS ARE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES AND TO SUPPORT UP-TO-DATE POLICING NEEDS,
• IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF POLICE OFFICERS,
• MAINTAINING AND UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, AND
• STRENGTHENING PROACTIVE POLICING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY; SHALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE BE AMENDED BY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CONSISTENT WITH THIS BALLOT ISSUE AND SHALL SUCH TAX REVENUES AND ANY INTEREST THEREON BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE EXPENDITURE LIMIT CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
YES__
NO__
Legal Notice No. FLP1083
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 15, 2024
Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
“ is event is not only about enjoying nature, but also about giving back,” Scott said. “It’s an opportunity for our community to support our local volunteer re ghters, whose extraordinary e orts have saved countless homes and protected vast areas of wildlife and open space.” e run takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 24 at Robert F. Clement Park, located at 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in unincorporated Je erson County, just west of Littleton. e course will
Public Notices
include two laps on the bike path around the lake, according to the event’s webpage.
Scott said a local competitive dance group will perform after the race, and other local businesses and vendors will be on site.
Leading up to the event, community members can share stories about and photos of their favorite Colorado parks and trails at https://tinyurl. com/h2s562d5.
Registration costs $35 for individuals ages 17 and above, and $15 for youth between the ages of ve and 16. Children ages four and under can join the race for free. Runners who register early will receive a pair of custom running socks, according to the event’s webpage.
Fort Lupton Press
07/30/2024102995SOUTHERN
07/30/2024102997SWEET PEA CLEANING, LLC$1,496.00
07/30/2024102998SWIRE COCA-COLA, USA $792.98
07/30/2024102999SYMMETRY ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC$1,387.26
07/30/2024103000THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK$10,678.08
08/06/2024103018HIGH COUNTRY BEVERAGE CORP$1,251.00
08/06/2024103019HUDSON LOCKERS, INC $202.50
08/06/2024103020JACOB FREIER $160.08
08/06/2024103021JOSEPH ELLIOTT
08/06/2024103022JR ENGINEERING
08/06/2024103023LL JOHNSON DISTRIBUTING
08/06/2024103024
08/06/2024103027SUNDAY
08/06/2024103028SWIRE
07/26/2024DFT0002437IRS
07/26/2024DFT0002438CO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE$15,079.00 07/26/2024DFT0002440VALIC_1 -$85.09 07/26/2024DFT0002441IRS -$214.84 07/26/2024DFT0002442CO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE-$26.00 08/01/2024DFT0002443IRS $82.80 08/01/2024DFT0002444CO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE$15.00
As part of the “Share Your Trail Tales” 5K storytelling initiative, one community member submitted this photo of the Bear Creek Greenbelt Trail in Lakewood. COURTESY OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
HUNTING
In the 2022-23 lion season, 2,599 hunters spent 1,635 days hunting lions and killed 502 animals, including 298 males and 204 females. at was below the annual limit set by the agency, which is updated daily during lion hunting seasons. Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires hunters to take an online class and exam before securing a license to hunt mountain lions.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rarely takes a side in political issues and the agency did not take a position on Initiative 91. But the agency supports mountain lion hunting as a tool for managing populations.
“For many people, hunting is a continuation of the hunter-gatherer
traditions and a way to connect to nature. It also helps maintain healthy wild animal population,” reads a statement on the agency’s website. “ ere is no evidence of managed hunting leading to the extinction of any species in Colorado, or of well-regulated hunting negatively a ecting the population stability of the state’s mountain lions.”
e agency this year held public meetings to update its management plan for lions on the Front Range, where development into mountain lion habitat is increasing humanlion interactions. e Front Range management plan — which was last updated in the mid-2000s — mirrors 2020 updates to the West Slope Mountain Lion Management Plan.
In January, Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners cut the 202324 lion hunting season — which typically runs from December through
March with a second season in April — by eliminating the April season. Commissioners also voted to prevent hunters from using electronic calls to lure lions in the two hunting areas on the Western Slope where calls were allowed.
e changes came as animal advocates decried a slightly higher-thanaverage number of female cats killed in the early portion of the season.
Hunting groups and others behind the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project have worked against the hunting ban, arguing that voter initiatives can sidestep management by state wildlife biologists. e groups point to healthy mountain lion populations in Colorado since 1965, when Colorado Parks and Wildlife began managing wildcats as big game.
Opponents of Proposition 91 will continue an educational campaign “to let the conservation-minded
public at large know why mountain lion hunting is important and what this hunting ban is bad for sciencebased management in Colorado,” said Bryan Jones with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
“We will certainly talk about ballotbox wildlife initiatives and how they can be a negative for wildlife management in Colorado,” said Jones, who expects the opposition campaign will include the challenges that followed the introduction of wolves to the Western Slope this year. “We can see there have been problems and mistakes that have put folks at odds with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and we don’t want to see that again.”
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.
