NATIONAL WESTERN ON PARADE
Cold greets stock show P7
Two ‘attainable housing’ plans approved
BY SCOTT TAYLOR
Brighton City Councilors found the “missing middle” at the meeting on Jan. 7, approving two a ordable housing planned developments.
First, councilors voted 6-3 to approve the Kestral planned development, a mediumdensity single-family development on 28 acres surrounding the Orchard Church at 120th and Peoria. Developer Mike Cooper of Boulder Creek Neighborhoods said he expected those units to be on the market in 2026, if the city approves them.
Scandal clouds water quality tests
Latest twist in an expanding scandal at health department
BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
e Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment suspended testing of drinking water at the state laboratory, the latest twist in an expanding water-testing scandal that’s been going on for a year. e scandal involves at least two chemists accused of cutting corners and falsifying data on quality-assurance tests — essentially practice tests run to make sure their machines are working correctly. e state says it has no evidence that public health was threatened through falsi ed data on tests of actual water samples sent into the lab for analysis.
“At no time did we nd levels that we knew would pose an immediate threat to public health,” Dr. Ned Calonge, CDPHE’s chief medical ofcer, said in an interview.
While testing is suspended at the state lab, CDPHE has transferred testing duties to third-party labs that are certi ed by the federal government.
Here’s what else we know so far about the testing scandal.
City approves a ordable projects near Orchard Church, and at Bromley Park SEE HOUSING, P2
Developer Cooper said he
hopes the development would produce homes available for sale in the $400,000 range — considered “attainable housing.” Housing advocates say one problem with Colorado’s housing market is the lack of a ordable homes considered “the missing middle” between multi-family apartments and expensive single-family houses.
Cooper said the Kestral project is meant to ll that spot. en councilors voted 8-1 to approve a new Planned Development for the Bromley Park neighborhood at 50th and E. Baseline. at would convert the open lot at the corner into attached housing that will be
available for rent, according to developer Chris Bremner with Brook eld Residential.
“I’m kind of torn on this one,” Councilor Tom Green said, regarding the Bromley Park plan. “It’s actually more dense than the last one, but I think it’s a better alternative.”
The Kestral Plan Green was one of the three to vote against the Kestral plan.
e Kestral plan calls for developing land owned by the Henderson-area Orchard Church. e lot runs from Peoria Street to the church’s parking along 120th Avenue and up Peoria past under-
hawk Place, the northwestern entrance to Prairie View High School. e lot wraps around the northwestern side of the church and its parking lot. Brighton Senior Planner Summer McCann said the plans call for 174 single-family homes on the 28-acre lot, almost seven units per acre. Developer Cooper said the lots would be a mix of twoand three-story cottages with six di erent building layouts and 10 color schemes. Most of the homes would be clustered around small green spaces meant to serve as yards for residents.
What kind of tests are we talking about?
ese are tests conducted on drinking water to look for harmful levels of various things like metals or toxins. e water samples could be submitted by a community or municipal water provider or they could be sent in by individuals whose drinking water comes from a well. e speci c test at issue is known as Method 200.7. It looks for metals like barium, chromium and copper. Calonge said this is not the test the state uses to look for lead.
To conduct the test, a lab chemist runs a water sample through a machine, which spits out a result. e result is then compared to federal water quality standards to see if it exceeds allowed limits.
Various horse-drawn carriages were a major attraction Jan. 9 in downtown Denver for the National Western Stock Show Parade. PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ
Man gets sentenced for dragging Brighton o cer
Robert Trujillo pleaded guilty after a confrontation near a Brighton middle school
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A 51-year-old man was handed a 20-year prison sentence for dragging a Brighton Police O cer and fracturing his hip after a confrontation with police in the parking lot of a middle school.
Robert Trujillo was sentenced Wednesday by Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin after Trujillo pleaded guilty to felony rst-degree assault on Sept. 27, 2024.
District Attorney Brian Mason said in a news release that Trujillo’s actions were “truly outrageous” and could have killed Brighton Police O cer Alejandro Covarrubias.
“As you’ll see in the body cam video, this defendant nearly killed O cer Covarrubias when he attempted to ee,” Mason said.
On August 16, 2023, Brighton Police re-
sponded to Overland Trail Middle School on North 19th Ave. in reference to an individual with a felony domestic violence warrant who was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot. Robert Trujillo was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle he had backed into a parking space, the news release states.
When Brighton Police O cers arrived, one parked in front of Trujillo’s vehicle and the other parked behind it. Trujillo attempted to back out and rammed into one of the BPD cars. O cer Covarrubias confronted the defendant and attempted to place him under arrest. However, Trujillo resisted, put the car in drive, stepped on the gas pedal, and took o with O cer Covarrubias hanging onto the driver’s side door. e defendant slammed his vehicle into another car which violently knocked open the driver’s side door and hit O cer Co-
varrubias who received a fractured hip as a result. Trujillo crashed into two other cars in the parking lot, ed his vehicle, and ran into a nearby apartment. He was later apprehended.
“ is incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement o cers face every day,” said Brighton Police Chief Matthew Domenico in the news release.
“I am proud of the actions taken by Ofcer Covarrubias and all the members of the Brighton Police Department team who worked to get this dangerous criminal o the streets and into custody.”
“I want to thank our partners at the District Attorney’s O ce for their e orts to hold this defendant accountable and am grateful for O cer Covarrubias’ hard work to recover from his injuries and return to the critically important job of protecting the Brighton community,” Domenico added.
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Weld County Commissioners used their rst board meeting of the New Year to announce their leadership roles for 2025.
e Weld County Home Rule Charter requires the board to elect a chairperson of the board and chairperson pro tem each year at the start of their rst annual meeting, according to o cials.
According to o cials, the board elected Perry Buck as the chairwoman for 2024 and Scott James as the chairman pro tem. e chairperson governs commissioner meetings; the pro tem overseas meetings in the chairperson’s absence.
ese are the commissioners’ committee assignments and leadership roles for 2025:
Commissioner Perry Buck: e Department of Finance and Administration, Accounting and Purchasing, Clerk to the Board, the County Attorney, Human Resources, the Treasurer and Public Trustee’s O ce, and the Public Information O ce.
Commissioner Scott James: e Department of Public Health and Environment, the Coroner’s O ce, Information Technology, Justice Services, the O ce of Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications.
Commissioner Kevin Ross: e Department of Planning Services, Oil and Gas Energy Department and the Extension O ce.
Commissioner Jason Maxey: e Department of Public Works, Facilities Department and the Fleet Services Department.
Commissioner Lynette Peppler: e Department of Human Services and the Department of Veterans Service.
Commissioners also made their appointments to advisory boards o cial as well.
Commissioner Perry Buck: e Bright Futures Advisory Board.
Commissioner Scott James: e Pre-Trial Services Advisory Board; Regional Communications Advisory Board; North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO); Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board.
Commissioner Kevin Ross: e Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board; Extension Advisory Council; Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority; Island Grove Park Advisory Board; NFRMPO; Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board.
Commissioner Jason Maxey: e Federal Mineral Lease Act Board; Bright Futures Advisory Board; Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority. Commissioner Lynette Peppler: e 911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority Board; Human Services Advisory Commission.
McCann said the lot’s current zoning allows between ve and 12 units per acre and is considered medium density.
“So at seven units per acre, it’s de nitely not a high density being planned here,” she said.
But neighbor Lief Southwell, who lives in the Fuller estates area across 120th from the new development and the church, objected to the idea. It’s too dense for a mostly rural area and will only add tra c to an already overwhelmed 120th Avenue.
“What is this doing in our neighborhood? Where does this t in?
Maybe you don’t realize this, but it doesn’t t in this neighborhood, not at all,” he said. “And with the two schools on 120th, you cannot drive on 120th at all. is will make things worse.”
at was a compelling argument for Councilor Jan Pawlowski, who voted against the Kestral plan.
“ is goes back to when I rst moved here in 1967, when we had a population of just 7,000,” she said. “Seeing the growth today, we never ever anticipated this kind of growth in one little area like this.
Councilors Green also objected to the density on the lot and it’s proximity to Prairie View High School, seeing a parallel with parking problems around Brighton High School.
“We have another neighborhood that’s alley-loaded and close to a high school. We’ve had to issue parking permits there because so many were parking on the streets in front of those houses,” Green said. “I don’t like the concept of this development plan and I see nothing but heartache for these residents if we approve this.”
But Councilor Jim Snyder disagreed.
“We’re constantly saying we need a ordable housing,” Snyder said. “I empathize with the people that have two-acre, beautiful lots and who’ve lived there a long
time. I really do. But not everybody can a ord that.”
e motion passed, with Pawlowski, Green and Councilor Matt Johnston opposed.
Bromley Park
Plans for a new development on the corner along 168th Ave. between N. 50th Ave. and Silver Maple St. had an easier time.
Brighton Planner Stephanie Iiams said it would be the 32nd amendment to the Bromley Park planned unit development that was rst approved in 1985.
Developer Brook eld Residential plans to develop that eightacre corner parcel into attached housing, similar to attached townhomes, that would be available for rent. In all, the project calls for 113 units, each containing a twocar garage or with an additional parking space.
e current zoning allows up to 142 units of multi-family housing and an additional six separate single-family units.
“ e reason we are transitioning this property from multi-family to single-family attached is because there really is no multi-family market in this area,” Brook eld’s Chris Bremner said. “ ere are two issues, the fees associated with multi-family and being in a metro district. From a multi-family standpoint, it makes it really hard to move property. So we are looking at this single-family attached standpoint.”
Councilors were concerned about parking for residents in the development and about increasing tra c in the area. But Councilor Peter Padilla noted that the proposal would reduce demand for both compared to what is currently allowed by zoning.
“Anything that reduces density in that area, I suppose it won’t gain you a ticker-tape parade and applause but I think people will have a silent sense of relief. And I’m certainly appreciative of that.” e plan was approved, with only Pawlowski voting against it. Both plans will be back before the City Council for a review of the nal plats and site plan reviews.
FROM PAGE 1
HOUSING
Brighton’s Police Station.
ILE PHOTO
The Weld County Board of Commissioners, from left to right: Scott James Pro Tem, Lynette Peppler, Chairwowman Perry Buck, Jason Maxey, and Kevin Ross. COURTESY WELD COUNTY
I’ll Say It Again: The Mill Levy Should Be a Required Field on MLS Listings
The dollar amount of property taxes has always been a data field on the MLS, because buyers need to know how much they should expect to pay if they purchase a listing. But that number does not provide context to the home buyer. In other words, how do the taxes for this home compare with the taxes for a home of the same value nearby, across town, or elsewhere in the metro area? The answer is in the mill levy.
A few years ago, REcolorado (the Denver MLS) and other MLSs added a “yes/no” field for metropolitan tax district, but how much does that tax district add to the property taxes for that listing? MLS listings don’t currently have a data field for mill levy.
some counties, including Denver, just give the total mill levy and don’t, as far as I could tell, indicate how much of that mill levy is from a metro tax district.
valuing the home. That cost is literally hidden from the buyer of a home in any metropolitan tax district.
signs to each parcel.
Some metro districts have a zero mill levy, but some metro tax districts have mill levies so high that they double the tax bill for a home compared to a comparable one nearby that is not in that tax district.
A good broker should let a buyer know the premium he or she is paying to buy a home in such a district, but that broker cannot currently get that information from the MLS listing. The broker would have to go to the assessor’s web page for that listing in the county where that home is located and look at the breakdown of mill levies for that house.
Jefferson County provides the breakdown of mill levies by each taxing jurisdiction, but
An example of how much taxes can vary can be found in two Jeffco homes that sold in the last few months. One house in the Mesa Meadows section of Golden which sold for $1,500,000 has a mill levy of 91, like all homes in the City of Golden, which has no metro tax districts. The tax bill for that home is $6,761. Meanwhile, a house three miles to the north in a metro tax district which sold for $972,500 has a mill levy of 165, resulting in a 2024 tax bill of $10,105, a $3,344 difference.
A metropolitan tax district is created to fund the infrastructure (roads, gutters, sewers, water lines, sidewalks, etc.) for a new subdivision. Instead of the developer paying those costs, a bond issue provides the funds for that purpose, and home buyers in that subdivision will be paying an extra mill levy for two or more decades to pay off those bonds.
In the above example, the metro tax district’s mill levy is 70 mills. The owner of that home will pay $100,000 or more over time for the infrastructure costs. In Golden, those costs were paid for by the developer or the city. Yet, an appraiser or real estate broker would not factor that long-term expense when
Does a Seller Say They Won’t Repair Anything?
Every buyer should hire a professional inspector, even if a home is sold “as-is.” That’s a bogus term intended to convey that the seller won’t correct any defects uncovered by the buyer’s inspector. I call it “bogus,” however, because the contract does or should contain an inspection termination deadline, and, even if it doesn’t, the buyer always retains the right to inspect the property.
If your inspector finds a serious issue, you can threaten to terminate because of it, and it’s likely the seller will agree to deal with it rather than lose the contract and start over, in which case he must disclose the newly found issue to the next buyer.
That being said, the seller could still call the buyer’s bluff, especially if the buyer’s agent has given the listing agent the impression that the buyer loves the house and would
not let a few thousand dollars in repairs stand in the way of getting a house they love.
That was the situation with a listing of mine. I had been told that the buyer lost out on a prior listing, and their offer had a clause saying they would beat any competing offer by $5,000. That won them the contract, but my seller (who met the buyers a couple times during showings and inspection) knew how much the buyer loved the property and wouldn’t want to lose it.
Therefore, when the inspection objection included a demand for a 5-figure concession to fix a major health and safety problem that any other seller would have agreed to fix, my seller refused, and the demand was withdrawn.
Remember: getting under contract is only the beginning; inspection is a negotiation, too.
When an appraiser or real estate broker values a home, they look at square footage, lot size, garage, bedrooms/bathrooms — in other words, everything but the tax rate (and the HOA dues) when doing an appraisal or comparative market analysis. Yet, the bottom line cost of owning homes in a metropolitan tax district can be dramatically higher.
That is why I have argued for over a decade that REcolorado should include the mill levy for each listing and not just the dollar amount of the property taxes.
Some counties make it easier than others to find the mill levy. In Jefferson County, the assessor’s website breaks down the mill levy from every taxing jurisdiction. A link provides the dollar subtotals and total.
You can, however, calculate the tax bill from the assessor’s website by multiplying the mill levy by the assessed valuation of the property. The assessed valuation for residential real estate statewide is currently 7.15% of the “full valuation” which the assessor as-
When you purchase a home that is within a homeowner’s association, state law requires that you receive a wide array of documents, financial and otherwise, about that association.
These include, for example, the covenants, the rules and regulations, financial statements, bylaws, budget, reserve study, the minutes of the last six months of board meetings, and the minutes of the most recent annual membership meeting.
The contract to buy and sell a home in Colorado provides deadlines for providing these association documents, objecting to them, and resolving any objections. A buyer can terminate a contract and get the earnest money deposit refunded if he or she is unhappy with what those documents reveal.
For example, the reserves of the association may be insufficient, suggesting that a special assessment is likely. The minutes might reveal issues which are upsetting to some members, or legal action which the association is undertaking, at some expense, to enforce its rules against one or more members. These and other reasons could exist that might cause the buyer to terminate the contract.
Very few listing brokers make those documents available to prospective buyers in ad-
Thus, if your home has a full valuation of $1,000,000, the assessed valuation would be $71,500. That’s the number against which the mill levy is calculated. A mill levy of 100 would compute to a property tax bill of $7,150. It’s called a “mill” levy (from the Latin word for thousand) because it is levied against each thousand dollars of value. Thus, 100 mills x 71.5 = $7,150.
The math becomes complicated when the state legislature says, as it did last year, that $55,000 should be subtracted from the full valuation before calculating the assessed valuation. How much did that reduce taxes? $55,000 of reduced full valuation is worth $3,932.50 in reduced assessed valuation. At 100 mills, that’s worth about $393.25 off the home’s tax bill.
Although giving the total mill levy for each MLS listing would be a great improvement, the best way to inform buyers of the effect of a metropolitan tax district would be to say that there is such a tax district, and to add a separate field to enter the number of mills for that tax district.
vance of going under contract, but why not?
Recently, at an open house, a visitor told our broker associate that in California the questions he was asking about the HOA (such as why the HOA dues are so high) would be readily ascertainable in advance rather than only after going under contract.
When we have been on the buyer side, we have rarely found that a listing agent already has the HOA documents — and answers to important HOA questions — to provide us.
That got us thinking, and the answer came last week when Pam Giarratano, our sales rep at First Integrity Title, brought to our office meeting Julietta Voronaov from Rexera. For a reasonable fee, Rexera provides all those required HOA documents prior to going on the MLS, so we can provide them to interested buyers and their agents.
Currently Rexera’s service is only available through our preferred title company, First Integrity Title. After Julietta’s presentation, our broker associates and I agreed that from now on, when we list a property that is located in an HOA, we will use First Integrity and order the pre-listing package from Rexera.
We look forward to providing complete HOA information in advance from now on for all our listings that are located in a homeowner’s association.
Illegal street racing targeted by state
At least 16 arrested and 11 vehicles impounded in street racing operations last year
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At least 16 arrests were made and 11 vehicles impounded onsite in connection to street racing complaints in Colorado in 2024, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
e Patrol along with several local agencies combined e orts as part of the state’s Street Racing Working Group – or SRWG – to ght illegal street racing in the state.
e SRWG was created to address the continued problems posed by illegal street racing, according to a CSP news release. “ e dangers associated with illegal street racing, as well as the nuisance
of loud engines zipping by neighborhoods late at night brings this issue to the top for many citizens,” the news release states.
e SRWG is made up of law enforcement o cers, investigators, analysts, district and city attorneys, and support sta all aimed at eliminating or drastically reducing illegal street racing. Members include police departments from Federal Heights, Golden, Arvada, Brighton, Commerce City, ornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge. e Adams and Jefferson County sheri ’s o ces are also members.
In 2024, 1,959 citizen complaints were logged at the SRWG website, reportstreetracing.com, and many more complaints have come into local police dispatch centers directly.
In response to those complaints, the SRWG made six targeted operations in 2024. ose resulted in 506 tra c contacts that resulted in 360 tra c citations issued.
Eight directors
Benker and Whitmore will help represent the north metro area on the RTD board
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Regional Transportation District swore in seven new Board directors and one incumbent Tuesday during a special Board of Directors meeting.
Among those sworn in was Karen Benker, a staunch proponent of a new com-
ose included 108 for street racing-related charges, 20 for reckless driving, 10 for careless driving, ree DUIs and 130 citations issued for driving at speeds of more than 25 over the posted limit.
e SRWG’s operations also resulted in 16 arrests and 31 public nuisance abatement seizures initiated for street racing vehicle and 11 vehicles were impounded at the time of contact.
roughout the operations, law enforcement also discovered and seized illegal weapons and stolen vehicles. Additional actions taken included charges for illegal discharge of a rearm, underage consumption of alcohol, illegal drug use and more.
e SWRG will continue its mission in 2025.
“Illegal street racers are on notice that law enforcement is watching with the intention to hold racers and all participants accountable to any crimes associated with the event. In addition, law en-
forcement will continue to seize cars and bikes, just like pictured below,” the CSP news release states.
sworn in this week to lead RTD
muter rail line from Denver to Boulder, who will represent portions of ornton and unincorporated Adams County.
Benker, who served on the RTD Board from 1992 through 2000, was also elected to the Board’s executive committee for 2025.
Troy Whitmore, who represents District K, which includes Brighton, Commerce City, much of ornton and unincorporated Adams County, was elected Second Vice Chair of the executive committee.
RTD is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected Board of Directors, each of whom is elected to a four-year term and
represents a speci c district within the RTD service area. Board members elect o cers each year to serve on the executive committee.
e newly elected Board members sworn in Jan. 7 were:
Chris Nicholson, District A, which includes portions of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, Glendale, and Lowry.
Chris Gutschenritter, District D, which includes Bow Mar, Englewood and Sheridan; portions of south Denver, southeast Lakewood and northern Littleton; and portions of unincorporated Arapahoe and Je erson counties.
Matt Larsen, District E, which in-
cludes part of Aurora generally west of I-225 and south of Colfax, as well as Denver, Greenwood Village and Centennial south of Yale Avenue and generally east of I-25.
Kathleen Chandler, District F, which includes the largest portion of Aurora and portions of unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County on the eastern side of RTD.
Patrick O’Keefe, District H, which includes Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Littleton, Columbine Valley and Highlands Ranch.
State group made arrests and impounded vehicles as part of crackdown on illegal street racing.
Carlos Barron sworn-in to the state house
New state legislator eager to serve House District 48
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For new state legislator Carlos Barron, serving his neighbors is as big an honor as lling the space left when Republican Gabe Evans won the Congressional U.S. House District 8.
But Barron said he does not expect to replace Evans.
“I’m very honored to have the condence of the people of the district I will represent, (but) I’m not going to replace the great representative that we had in Gabe Evans, who is now our congressman, “ Barron said.
Barron was sworn into o ce as the new representative for House District 48 on Jan 8.
District 48 covers Brighton, Lochbuie, Fort Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg, Platteville, and Gilcrest. Barron was unopposed in the Nov. 2024 election for the seat.
Barron is a 37-year resident of Fort Lupton who has worked for 23 years as a general manager in the oil and gas service industry, partnering with his Dad. Barron has three children, Santiago, Lucia, and Camila, with his wife, Carla Barron.
Barron served on the City of Fort Lupton Planning Commission for two years before running for a city council seat. He was elected to the Fort Lupton council for a four-year term in 2021.
Councilors are currently interviewing his replacement. According to the City of Fort Lupton, those interested in becoming a candidate for the position must be registered voters and have lived in Ward 3 for the past year.
Barron said he learned a lot from Congressman Gabe Evans, which inspired him to run. But Barron said he’s most eager to give back to the people of District 48 and the state of Colorado.
“Great things that have been given to me and my family, and it’s an honor and great privilege for the following two years. And hopefully, I earn more trust
from the people in these next two years to be re-elected and continue my service,” Barron said.
Barron said he hopes to serve eight years in the House of Representatives and beyond.
“I would like to continue a service in the Senate to serve what the people need, and that’s what the state needs. I don’t see this as a career for myself, I see this as being able to give back to the people I’ve been able to serve and better their lives and livelihood of the great citizens of our district and our state,” Barron said.
Obtainable options
Representatives can submit up to ve bills when they start their service as representatives. But Barron said if both parties agree, they can submit another two bills above the ve.
He has plans for what he wants to work on, he said. Most involve o ering residents options rather than legal requirements.
“I believe that we are over-regulated by too many state laws. I listened to the constituents while I was campaigning, and I came up with some ideas to help bring up bills without adding any regulation or laws, “ Barron said.
Barron said, for example, that the rst bill he’ll present is an option to opt out of jury duty after age 70. He saw many constituents who, after 70, had a hard time moving around, and it put a burden on somebody else to be able to take them to jury duty.
“If they’re going to get picked for jury duty, we want to give the people the option to opt out of jury duty permanently after age 70, if they wish,” Barron said. “It’s not a mandate at 70, but you have a choice. My bill would be an option bill.”
Barron said there are other bills on regulation he would like to run, but for his rst year, the option bills are simple bills he believes he can pass with bipartisan support.
“We need to get a little bit greater number of bills introduced in the house to be able to run bills that lower regulations and take away some laws that are not required,” Barron said. “ e cost of
Karen Benker, District I, which includes Lafayette, all of Broom eld and Erie, most of Longmont, a portion of ornton, and portions of unincorporated Adams County and Boulder County. Brett Paglieri, District M, which includes all of Golden, Lakeside and Mountain View; the majority of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge; and portions of unincorporated Je erson County. e reelected Board member sworn in
Tuesday was:
Julien Bouquet, District G, which includes most of Parker and Lone Tree and portions of Centennial, and Aurora. e executive committee o cers selected for 2025 were:
Chair, Julien Bouquet
He was elected to the RTD Board in 2020.
First Vice Chair,Patrick O’Keefe
He was elected in 2024.
Second Vice Chair, Troy Whitmore
He was elected in 2018 and represents District K, which includes Brighton, Commerce City, much of ornton and unincorporated Adams County.
I’m here to defend it; I’d love to run some bills to lower those industries’ costs.”
Background
Barron was born in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1985 and immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was a year old. Barron said his father and mother received working visas and were on temporary working visas to come to America and work on the tree farm in Longmont.
“I still remember the tree farm that they worked at. It’s no longer there. So as soon as they arrived here, they started becoming permanent residents, and it took four years for us to become permanent residents, and I was ve when I became a permanent resident,” said Barron.
Barron became interested in politics when he saw the importance of having a voice in government and how government a ects daily life.
“I wanted to become an American citizen because I wanted my voice and my vote to count, and I picked my party,” Barron said. “ en I took it a step further and wanted to help people and help the
Treasurer, Karen Benker
country that has given me so much that I
With that intention in mind, Barron apning Committee and was appointed to the position by Mayor Zo Hubbard.
“It was my rst step into being able to give back,” Barron said. “I was on the planning a commission, and it was a good step in city planning, which is an important piece. You o er your thoughts and ideas and must follow the city code.” Barron said there were instances where the city code needed to be updated.
“I talked to the mayor and council, and on a city code I was working on and they agreed that the code needed more developer-friendly,” Barron said. “ ey started the process, and when I got on with the Fort Lupton council, I could vote on the new code we presented. We made our building code global and more developer-friendly to bring more development and, hopefully, more commerce.” He said he’s hoping to bring that same open-mindedness and willingness to adapt the rules to the state legislature.
“I am so proud of my heritage, my family, and where I come from, and I will always have a prominent place in my heart for that. is country has given me so much, and I will defend it with my life.”
She was elected in 2024 and previously served on the RTD Board, 1992-2000, representing District M. She currently represents District I, which includes Lafayette, all of Broom eld and Erie, most of Longmont, a portion of ornton, and portions of unincorporated Adams County and Boulder County. Secretary, Chris Nicholson He was elected in 2024 and represents District A, which includes portions of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, Glendale, and Lowry.
Former Fort Lupton City Councilor Carlos Barron. He was sworn in as a new state legislator Jan. 8 File photo
A year of reflection and renewal
As the calendar ips to a new year, it’s natural to pause and re ect on the one we’ve just completed. For some, it may have been a year of profound challenge, marked by the loss of a loved one, personal health battles or unforeseen traumas that reshaped the course of their lives. For these individuals, the arrival of a new year may feel like a much-needed turning of the page, an opportunity to leave pain behind and begin anew.
For others, the past year may have been lled with milestones and achievements, victories both personal and professional. It was a year of growth, learning and perhaps even celebration. As joyful as they may be, these moments often come hand in hand with failures and setbacks that taught invaluable lessons. Looking back, the make-up of highs and lows creates a narrative that fuels ambition for the year ahead.
As we bid farewell to last year, take stock of what you achieved, what you learned and what you might have done di erently. Did you nd moments of courage? Did you navigate unexpected challenges with grace? Even in the most di cult of years, silver linings or small victories often pave the way for resil-
No matter which side of this spectrum you nd yourself on or if your year included a mix of both, the beauty of this moment lies in its promise. We all have a blank canvas, a chance to envision what’s possible in the next 12 months. Whether we approach this year with hope, determination, or a bit of trepidation, one thing is certain: it is a year that holds potential for change, growth, and transformation.
e phrase “you’re only as good as your last win” resonates in sports, sales and life. It reminds us that success, while worth celebrating, is eeting without consistent e ort. But it’s equally valid that failure doesn’t de ne us; it’s simply a step along the path to success.
e year ahead promises not just change but transformation. Technology, particularly advancements in articial intelligence, is accelerating faster than we ever imagined. From how we work to connect, AI is reshaping industries and relationships to how we de ne success. It’s an extraordinary opportunity but also demands adaptability and intentionality.
As these changes unfold, they invite us to re ect on our personal goals. What does transformation look like for you? Perhaps it’s focusing on physical health, prioritizing mental wellness, or strengthening your spiritual practice. Maybe it’s developing new skills to stay ahead in your career or embracing the technology that once seemed intimidating. is could also be the year to deepen relationships with family, friends, colleagues or even yourself. Pursuing personal growth doesn’t need to be grandiose; often, the most transformational changes begin with small, consistent actions.
e start of a new year is a rare opportunity to rewrite the script. It’s an invitation to dream big and act boldly. But it’s also a reminder to pace ourselves, embrace progress over perfection and stay curious about the future.
Ask yourself: What do you want this year to mean? Is it the year you nally take that leap you’ve been hesitating over? Or is it the year you nd solace in the simple joys of life, treasuring time with loved ones and savoring moments of peace?
Whatever your vision, the blank canvas of the year ahead awaits your brushstrokes. It’s not about predicting what will happen; it’s about choosing how you will respond, grow and create meaning in the days and months to come.
As we close one chapter and open another, let’s celebrate the resilience that carried us through the last year and the hope that fuels the next. Whether this past year was one to cherish or endure, the road ahead holds promise.
May this be the year of transformation for technology, our communities, and ourselves. What will you make of it? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. e answer lies in the choices you make starting now. Here’s to the year ahead, your year to reect, grow, and thrive. And as you do, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
Focusing on toning the mind
WJERRY FABYANIC
hen I began teaching freshman English, I knew I faced a challenge. Years of teaching eighth graders had taught me girls would read pretty much whatever I put before them. Boys, though, were a different story. By their early teens, they had been conditioned — programmed — to believe reading and writing were for girls and math and science were “masculine.” And if there is one thing most adolescent boys want to prove, it’s that they’re “real men.” Fortunately for me such a man serendipitously provided the answer: George Lucas. His “Star Wars” trilogy would become my hook. I felt con dent it would work because frosh boys, despite their puerile need to prove their masculinity, had not yet become jaded. at process would begin in a year or two.
When I told them on our rst day that we would watch “Star Wars,” they were elated. But after the cheering subsided, I made it clear: ey would know “Star Wars.” I’d teach it in conjunction with “ e Odyssey, and it would become my vehicle for teaching other literary works and developing concepts like the epic hero. Decades later, I like to think they’re citing Yoda’s maxims such as “Do or do not, there is no try,” “Size matters not,” and “ at is why you fail” to their children or students.
If I had simply tried to impress those notions on my students via lecture, my words would’ve fallen at and gone in one ear and out the other. But Yoda said them, so they listened. Which gets at a fundamental aspect of literature: Even though characters might be ctional, their words can have far more impact and bearing on the human psyche than those coming from the mouths of parents, teachers, or preachers. Wise parents, teachers, and preachers know that. So too do the not-so-wise, and it scares the hell out of them.
In his New York Times essay “ e Plot Escapes Me,” James Collins, the author of “Beginner’s Greek,” explained how the sum of our entire literary experiences remains ever in memory. He described how Professor Maryanne Wolf, a trained neuroscientist, told him they become encoded by creating “pathways in the brain, [thereby] strengthening di erent mental processes.” at poses an interesting equation. For if our intellectual acumen, acquired wisdom, and philosophical outlook are in large part the sum of our reading experiences, logically it must mean the more we read, the greater is that sum. But it also must mean if one’s total of reading is sparse or zilch, the resulting sum is close to if not zero. After all, 0 + 0 = 0.
Reading, however, is not solely an intellectual endeavor. It is, or should be, a pleasurable experience, an escape from the grind of daily life or an excursion, a journey to or foray into another dimension. As the Queen makes clear to her chief attendant in “ e Uncommon Reader,” books are not about passing the time but instead about other lives and worlds. If one wanted to do that, she suggests, one could y to New Zealand. Or Mazatlán. Or play a video game. Or watch sports.
WINNING
Columnist
BY ERIC HEINZ
National Western Stock Show returns through Jan. 26
Another year of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) is here and with it comes a variety of rodeos and entertainment.
Taking place through Jan. 26 at the traditional National Western Center, the events draw hundreds of thousands of people to the area.
Paul Andrews, the CEO of the National Western Stock Show, said this is a year of new beginnings.
“We’ve got about maybe a dozen, maybe a little more than that, new vendors in the trade show hall that have some really interesting products that people will enjoy,” Andrews said. “It’s kind of the year of the baby around here. We’ve got lots of baby animals that have been born, and in fact one is the baby Scottish Highland cows that will be here up in our expo hall, and they’re going to be available to take pictures with.”
Andrews said there is also a new baby Clydesdale horse that will be at the stock show. e Clydesdale horses are large creatures who pull the wagons during the rodeos. Andrews said there will be about 130 rodeos throughout the stock show.
So far, Andrews said the early indicators, including ticket sales, show there could be as many as 700,000 people who visit the Stock Show. In addition, there are participants from all 50 states and other countries who will participate in stock show events. is contributes to what the NWSS estimates is a $171-mil-
Our Family Helping Your Family
tion of a 48-hour braised short rib “that is as big as my arm,” Andrews said.
“Like always, there’s something new at the Stock Show. But there’s also the same great traditional things that people love,” he added.
About 600 temporary workers were hired this year to enhance the events. Many have been on site since December, and some will work into February.
CEO change coming
Andrews has been a stalwart of the NWSS for decades. Having been its CEO for 15 years, he’s nally ready to pass the
However, the NWSS has not named a replacement at this time. e organization is going through a national search to nd someone who can ll Andrews’s boots. Andrews said he will stay on as the CEO until the NWSS can nd a replacement.
“I’ll be down here all the time at the next year’s show, and the show after that, and the show after that, God willing,” he said.
Andrews has sentimental value in the things he will miss most as CEO of the NWSS.
lion economic impact in the Metro-Denver area during the 16-day event.
“ at’s only the second time in my tenure that I can say that, and I’ve been here for 15 years,” Andrews said. “Our ticket sales are signi cantly ahead of any other year on this same date. If Mother Nature holds up on the weather for us, and we
don’t get some 20-inch snowstorm or something of that, yeah, that will impact ticket sales. We’re feeling very good about (ticket sales).”
A full schedule of events can be found at nationalwestern.com/schedule/. e NWSS also redid its menu in the steakhouse this year, including the addi-
“Really, it’s been the smiles that I get to see every day in January,” Andrews said. “I so look forward to watching all the families coming through the exhibits that we have here, seeing the animals in the petting farm where the kids are actually in there with animals.
Icing on the skate
Local outdoor rinks’ unique features, settings o er something for everyone
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Winter sports reign supreme along the Front Range. While the mountains and foothills o er plenty of places to ski, snowboard, snowshoe and spike-hike, the Denver metro area has opportunities galore to ice-skate and play hockey.
During the winter holidays, several local cities like Denver and Arvada host outdoor skating rinks in shopping centers or town squares. Some are only open through local schools’ winter break, but others remain open through January or February, depending on conditions.
Hours and prices vary, but most rinks o er rental skates or people can bring their own for lower-priced admission.
Although there are plenty of indoor skating options, many skaters prefer outdoor rinks’ atmospheres and open-air conditions. ey enjoy soaking up the sunshine or embracing the cold, depending on the weather.
Lakewood’s Greg Daniels and his three teenage children said skating outdoors is “more fun, more festive.” Also, indoor rinks tend to host more intense skaters, while outdoor ones like e Rink at Belmar are more casual, they said.
Leesa Stone, a former Parker resident, felt likewise. She liked the atmosphere at Parker’s Ice Trail at Discovery Park, with its holiday lights around the perimeter and its open replaces for people to warm themselves.
Plus, at places like Evergreen Lake, people come just to enjoy the views and skate on a real lake.
“We love the beautiful surroundings, being nestled here in the mountains,” Commerce City’s Michael Scanlon said of Evergreen Lake. “It adds to the ambiance.”
Whether they were experts or new to the sport, the skaters said local rinks o er something for people of all ages and experience levels.
“Everyone should try it,” Denver’s Marie Duran said.
And, as her 7-year-old Charlotte added, even if people don’t like skating, most rinks are in locations where people can easily nd other activities, like walking, sledding or shopping.
The Rink at Belmar
e Durans rst visited e Rink at Belmar last year and had fun. So, when Charlotte started asking to go skating this winter, the family returned to Belmar Jan. 2.
e rink, which is presented by Quantum Fiber and made of real ice, is in the middle of Lakewood’s Belmar Shopping District.
sphere and holiday lights.
Maddi Harris and Kian Larson, students at Evergreen High School, were visiting Belmar for a date night and decided to rent skates before their movie. e two had also been skating at Evergreen Lake before. While it has its advantages, they liked Belmar’s festive atmosphere with all the holiday lights and the decorated evergreen tree near the rink.
“I prefer the holiday spirit here,” Larson said.
Evergreen Lake
Lara De Beer was visiting the area from Belgium, and for her last day in town, Evergreen’s Colin Saunder decided they should go skating at Evergreen Lake. De Beer had never skated on a lake before, and Saunder hadn’t been out on Evergreen’s in a while, so Jan. 2 seemed like the perfect time to try out the ice. While the lake is several acres in size, skating is only allowed on a portion of it. e maintained section near the Evergreen Lake House has a large perimeter that skaters can take laps around, as well as about a dozen small rinks people can use to play hockey, practice their skating technique and more.
People can buy tickets ahead of time or purchase walk-up tickets on a rstcome, rst-served basis. Private bookings and skating lessons can also be booked online.
Charlotte, who’s a big roller-skating fan, has enjoyed learning to ice skate. Her mom said the smaller rink is ideal for people like Charlotte who are learning to skate.
Duran also felt that e Rink at Belmar was reasonably priced, wellmaintained and “fun for all ages.”
Daniels estimated he and his family have been coming to the Belmar rink for about 10 years. ey tried to go skating before Christmas, but it was very busy. So, they opted to do their annual skating night Jan. 2 instead.
e family frequently shops at Belmar, and liked how close and convenient the rink was for them and other Lakewood residents.
e Daniels have been to other rinks in the area, like the one at Evergreen Lake, but the Belmar one’s atmo-
Because it is a lake, the dates and hours it’s open is weather-dependent. It was scheduled to be open through at least Jan. 25, when it would host the Pond Hockey Championships, but anyone wanting to visit should call the hotline at 720-8801391.
De Beer and Saunder both enjoyed the pleasant weather and mountain scenery from the lake, with Saunder describing how unique and special it is compared to other rinks around Denver.
“ ere’s no place like it,” he said.
Small outdoor rinks like the one in downtown Denver tend to be crowded, but Evergreen Lake has plenty of space for everyone, he added.
Michael Scanlon and his children, Alex and Isabel, felt likewise, describing how they’ve been visiting Evergreen Lake annually since the late ‘90s. Michael said they love the excitement and energy that seems to be inherent among outdoor skating rinks.
However, he added, he felt like the lake’s seasons were getting shorter as the lake doesn’t freeze over as early in the winter as it used to. It’s also grown so popular that parking can be di cult, he said.
People skate at Evergreen Lake Jan. 2., amid Je erson County’s scenic foothills. Several skaters said the scenery is one of the reasons they enjoy skating at Evergreen Lake. PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
ICE SKATING
He recommended that anyone wanting to visit Evergreen Lake “should get here right when it opens,” because it’s usually less crowded and the ice is in the best condition.
e Martinez family from Colorado Springs also went skating during a day trip to Evergreen.
Lauren Martinez said she appreciated how the rink had plenty of pushable skating aids for children. Her family also enjoyed the nearby sledding hill. Overall, she said, they would be open to visiting it again.
Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park
Parker’s Josh Blaha and his family had planned to go skating in Denver during the evening Jan. 2. But that rink closed earlier in the evening, so they opted to visit the Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park instead. It was right down the street and open later, he described.
“It’s nice to have something like this in our backyard,” he said of the ice trail.
Unlike a traditional rink, the Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park is an ice-covered loop trail that’s about 450 feet around. It’s also not a perfect oval with some sharper corners to keep skaters on their toes.
In the summer, it’s a concrete walkway; but in the winter, sta members cover it with ice that they maintain with a Zamboni. It’s scheduled to be open for the season through Feb. 28.
While his family has been to other outdoor rinks, Blaha said they’re much farther away. Additionally, he thought the ice trail was a good size and didn’t feel too crowded.
Leesa Stone, who lived in Parker for more than 20 years before moving to Utah, was happy that Parker had an outdoor rink of its own.
She’s been skating before at e Pond Ice Rink at Southlands, saying that while she liked the lights at e Pond Ice Rink better, she overall liked the Parker Ice Trail more. She said it felt bigger and like that it was one-way only. Plus, the open replaces and overhead heater at the admissions booth are nice touches, she added.
Avery Jones and her family said the shape was also unique. ey thought it motivated some people to skate faster than they would at a regular rink, while others might go slower.
Like the Blaha family, Avery and Zach Jones said they appreciated having an outdoor skating feature so close to home. ey added that it was the perfect thing to do over the holidays, as it’s a very approachable activity for families.
So, whether it’s a family outing, date night, a casual jaunt to soak up the sun or a serious training session, skaters agree the Denver area is the place to be.
Denver’s Marie Duran, left, skates at The Rink at Belmar Jan. 2. Duran and her daughter wanted to come back after visiting the rink for the first time last year. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Lara De Beer, far left, and Evergreen’s Colin Saunder skate around Evergreen Lake Jan. 2. De Beer was visiting from Belgium, and Saunder thought skating at Evergreen Lake would be a fun activity for her last day visiting.
Parker’s Avery Jones helps her 5-year-old Rylee as she learns to skate Jan. 2 at the Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park. The feature, which is a concrete walkway in the summer and is iced down in the winter, is scheduled to be open through Feb. 28.
An employee drives the Zamboni around The Rink at Belmar Jan. 2. The rink, which is scheduled to be open through Jan. 26, is in the middle of the Belmar Shopping District.
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PLATTE VALLEY’S FIRST BABY OF 2025
Brighton Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2025 on day two of the new year. Noah was born at 8:32 a.m. Jan. 2, weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces. Parents are Faith and Nate of Commerce City. Noah will be welcomed at home by a 2-year-old sister, Ellyanna, who according to her parents, was two pounds smaller at birth than her new brother. COURTESY PLATTE VALLEY HOSPITAL
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 Announces the Seventh Five-Year Review for the Sand Creek Industrial Superfund Site in Adams County, Colorado
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with the State of Colorado, is conducting the seventh fiveyear review of the Sand Creek Industrial Superfund Site in Adams County, Colorado. Five-year reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the implementation and performance of a remedy to determine whether it remains protective of human health and the environment. The seventh five-year review will be completed in 2025.
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
The 550-acre Sand Creek Industrial site is in Denver and Commerce City, Colorado. Since the 1940s, several different types of businesses have operated at the site including an oil refinery, a pesticide manufacturing facility, an herbicide chemical plant and a landfill. Site operations, waste management practices, spills and explosions contaminated soil, air, groundwater and surface water with hazardous chemicals. The site became a Superfund site when it was added to the National Priorities List in 1983. The Site’s long-term remedy included demolition and disposal of contaminated buildings and tanks; excavation, incineration and disposal of contaminated soil; extraction and treatment of landfill gas; landfill cover maintenance; institutional controls; and long-term monitoring. After remedial activities were completed, EPA removed the site from the National Priorities List in 1996. Operation and maintenance are ongoing.
We want to hear from you! Community members are encouraged to share information that may be helpful in the five-year review process. Community members who have questions or who would like to participate in a community interview, are asked to contact Yvette Pina by February 25, 2025:
Yvette Pina
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
Phone: 303-312-6904
Email: pina.yvette@epa.gov
The most current site information is only available online at: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sand-creek-industrial
BRIEFS
Brighton Chamber awards are Jan. 31
Brighton’s Chamber of Commerce hosts its award for the best of 2024 Jan. 31 at the Waymire Dome in Adams County’s Riverdale Regional Park. Register at https://www.brightonchamber.com/ events/details/2024-annual-awards-11562 e Annual Brighton Chamber Awards celebrates the valuable contributions businesses make to our community and recognizes both business and individual achievements. Businesses are nominated in seven award categories and winners are showcased at our evening event.
Historical Society seeks craft show help
e Adams County Historical Society & Museum is looking for volunteers to help with various activities including our craft shows.
For more information contact Denise @ 303659-7103.
Eye for Art nominations open
Nominations for Brighton’s 20256 Eye for Art Spring Showcase program are open, and the city will accept artwork for consideration through March 3.
Brighton’s Eye 4 Art show is a three-month showcase from March 17 to June 13. Artwork may include, but is not limited to oil, acrylic, watercolors, graphite drawings, photography, fused glass, pottery, computer painting, mixed media, jewelry, glass, and sculptures. e show will take place at Brighton City Hall, 500 S. 4th Ave.
Submissions can be made on the city website, at https://www.brightonco.gov/FormCenter/ArtsCulture-3/Call-for-Art-Submittal-Form-114. e deadline to submit artwork for consideration is March 3.
Artists will be expected to drop o their approved pieces by March 13, which is also the deadline for artists to collect their pieces from the 2024 Winter Showcase. e pieces will be hung and put on display beginning March 15 and the showcase reception is scheduled for March 21.
For more information, please visit the Eye for Art web page at https://www.brightonco. gov/1604/Eye-for-Art-program or contact David Gallegos, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at dgallegos@brightonco.gov, or 303-655-2176.
School District 27J accepting open-enrollment applications
Adams County School District 27J announced that Choice of Schools applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 school year. 27J Schools allows any student to apply to attend any 27J school or program on space/program availability and the applications are being accepted for the district’s 14 elementary schools, six middle schools and ve high schools — including the district’s online academy. For the full list of available schools, an application and a list of frequently asked questions, visit https://www.sd27j.org/enrollment/accepting-applications online. e Brighton-based school district operates schools in Brighton, Henderson, Commerce City and ornton.
Nominations needed for 2025 Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards
Adams County commissioners and the mayors of municipalities in the county are asking for nominations for the 2025 Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards. is award focuses on youth who have triumphed over great odds and serve as inspiration and role models for their peers.
is program recognizes young people in grades 6-12 (up to 20 years old) who have overcome personal adversity to create a positive change in their own lives or for those around them. If you know of an individual who has had this impact on others but is not in a school setting, those nominations will also be accepted.
If you’d like to nominate a student for the ACMCYA, please complete the online nomination form. e deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 31, 2025, but please nominate as soon as possible. If you have questions, please contact Abby Martinez at the City of Brighton O ce of Youth Services, at 303-655-2186 or agmartinez@brightonco.gov.
Carly Allison, 9, from Aberdeen, South Dakota, showed a miniature Hereford in 2024 that originated from England in their small stature, then over time, they were bred to develop into the larger Hereford.
STOCK SHOW
“I’ll also miss the sta ,” Andrews continued. “I’ve become very close to both our sta and our volunteers, and I can tell you that our sta and our volunteers and our committees and our board are some of the best people on planet Earth, and I will miss them.”
e good news, Andrews said, is that he lives in nearby Arvada, so popping over to the NWSS is just a short drive.
National Western Center upgrades
e National Western Center is in the midst of its largest overhaul since the Stock Show came to Denver in 1906. Although no new buildings are open for this year’s events, the Sue Anschutz Rogers Livestock Center will be open for the 2026 National Western Stock Show.
“We are currently working with the (National Western Center Authority board) and a development partner to build out an equestrian center, hotel and parking garage,” said Marcy Loughran, the chief communications o cer for the Denver Mayor’s O ce on the National Western Center. “ e current timeline for that is anticipated for either Stock Show 2028 or 2029.”
ere’s also the land known as the “triangle,” an area that includes the Denver Coliseum and several other buildings. Discussions with local organizations that want to see the land repurposed for housing and other community uses are ongoing. e GES Coalition, a nonpro t that works with the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods, has been trying for years to make use of the land that would bene t the neighboring communities.
Loughran said the city is planning to meet with the coalition and community members in the near future to determine the best uses of the land.
LEAP proporciona asistencia de energía para bajar los gastos de
LEAP helps eligible Coloradans pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.
LEAP ayuda a los residentes elegibles de Colorado a pagar una parte de sus gastos de calefacción de invierno.
cdhs.colorado.gov/LEAP
PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Coaches inducted to the CHSCA Hall of Fame
High school coaches to be enshrined in 61st Hall of Fame class in 2025
BY STEVE SMITH
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
For the 61st time, the Colorado High School Coaches Association added new members to its hall of fame this winter. e inductees include three football coaches, two volleyball coaches, a soccer coach, one who coached cross country and track and eld and a basketball coach.
Here’s a synopsis:
Andy Lowry
Andy Lowry started his teaching and coaching career in 1987. In 1994, Columbine High School in Littleton came calling, and he’s been coaching the Rebels since. Lowry left his native Lakewood for a ve-year period to get his education at Western Colorado University, where he played football for the Mountaineers. Since 1994, the Rebels have won 17 league titles, six state 5A football titles and have been the runners-up once in 2019. According to the coaches association website, the Rebels “have arguably been the premier football program over the past 30 years in Colorado.”
Al Lear
Al Lear graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1961 after earning All-American honors in his senior year of high school. He played two years at the University of Oklahoma before returning to Colorado
State to nish his education and to start his career as an educator and coach. His rst job was at Yuma High School, where he stayed for 12 years and whose teams won league championships and a runner-up nish in the state football tournament. At Windsor High School, he was the athletic director and, later, the head football coach for 14 years. e Wizards won the state title in 1993. Lear joined his son, ad, as an assistant coach at Frederick High School and was on the sta for the rst of Frederick’s ve state-qualifying teams.
Pat Callahan
Pat Callahan has been the only boys soccer coach at Cañon City since the school opened in 1987. He took on the same role for the girls team in 2003. e boys team nished the 1991 season undefeated and with a state title. During his time, the boys teams at Cañon City have quali ed for the state tournament 22 times; the girls have done so 16 times. Callahan was the soccer president for the CHSCA in 2003-2004. He’s been a member of the association since 1987.
Wendy Hall
Wendy Hall never left Steamboat Springs High School after she graduated in 1982. She was the assistant volleyball coach for two years, then took over the program in 1989. Since then, the Sailors are 566-294 and have earned state tournament slots eight times.
Nineteen players have played in college; three played internationally. Hall also has been an assistant girls basketball coach (10 years) and an assistant track-andeld coach (eight years).
Doug Hugill
Like Hall, Doug Hugill didn’t venture far from his high school roots. He graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs in 1979 and coached cross country and track and eld programs at both Wasson and Coronado high schools. His Wasson teams won state titles in boys cross country in 1995 and in boys track and eld in 1998. In 2012, the boys cross country team at Coronado won the state title. Hugill also teaches physics and geology.
Another coach who didn’t stray far from his high-school days was Rich Yonker. He’s been the football coach at Poudre High School in Fort Collins since 1986 (he’d been an assistant with the Impalas since 1976). As the head coach, his teams have won 139 or 242 games, nine conference titles, advanced to the state playo s 13 times and advanced to the semi nals twice.
Rich Yonker
Andy Lowry (front right) walks with his family during an event before the Chatfield versus Columbine football game on Nov. 1 at Je co Stadium. Lowry’s wife, Janet, was honored as she battled cancer. Lowry is a legendary football coach at Columbine High School.
Thu 1/16
1/16
Monthly Birthday Celebration! @ 1pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Kids Café at Anythink Huron Street
@ 3:30pm
2025 Denver Boat Show @ 12pm
Anythink Commerce City, 7185 Monaco Street, Commerce City. rcardenas@any think.com, 303-287-0063
American Sign Language - Beginner
@ 4:30pm
Jan 16th - Feb 20th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Taekwondo (Thursdays) Sess 1 Jan 16
@ 6:30pm Jan 16th - Feb 20th
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
National Western Stock Show
@ 7pm
Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt Street, Denver
Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers
@ 7:30pm / $39-$999 Ball Arena, Denver
Fri 1/17
Breakfast Burrito Bingo (1/17)
@ 9am
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Soccer Tots by SuperTots Sports 2yrs old (Try US Free)
@ 9:30am
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Little Sparks: January
@ 10am
Jan 17th - Jan 24th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver
National Western Stock Show @ 1:30pm Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt Street, Den‐ver
Family Fun Friday- Tie Dye @ 6pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Sat 1/18
1/18
Bald Eagle Walk (Spanish interpretation available) @ 9am / Free
Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 53
2025 Youth Conference-Colorado @ 9am / $35 Jan 18th - Jan 19th
Adams County Human Services Center, 11860 N. Pecos St., Westminster. 208-850-7927
Women on Weights Jan 18 @ 9am Jan 18th - Feb 8th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Teen Social: Game Show Battle Room @ 1pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars @ 2pm / $68-$999 Ball Arena, Denver
Layla and Other Assorted Eric Clapton Songs - Musical Showcase @ 6:30pm / $28.52
Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong Street, Brighton. info@ForeverManBand.com
Itzhak Perlman w/ Colorado Symphony Orchestra @ 7:30pm Boettcher Hall, Denver
Sun 1/19
Arctic Prairie Dog Half, 10k & 5k
@ 8am / $30-$65
585 Dillon Rd, Coal Creek Golf Course, Louisville
Rocky Mountain Bridal Show @ 12pm
Eric Golden @ 6pm
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver
Mon 1/20
Denver Martin Luther King "Marade" @ 9:30am
Martin Luther King Memorial, Denver. berealcolorado@gmail.com, 720-8416593
Cooking Cultures- Jan @ 10am
Jan 20th - Jan 27th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild @ 1pm / $41-$999 Ball Arena, Denver
Tue 1/21
Spill the Tea (1/21) @ 2pm
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers @ 8pm / $34-$4260 Ball Arena, Denver
The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd #900, Westminster
Wed 1/22
Family Sports Jam-Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets @ 6pm
Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Park‐way Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Back to the Future the Musical (Touring) @ 7:30pm Buell Theatre, Denver
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets @ 7:30pm / $34-$999 Ball Arena, Denver
Thu 1/23
National Western Stock Show Rodeo @ 9:30am Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks Depart‐ment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-8574200
Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings @ 7pm / $22-$2615 Ball Arena, Denver
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ORDINANCE NO.
INTRODUCED BY: Fiedler
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AMENDING ARTICLE 13 OF THE BRIGHTON MUNICIPAL CODE FOR INSPECTION OF WATER SERVICE LINES
WHEREAS, customer health and well-being is of utmost importance to the City, and the City is required to examine water service lines for lead as lead exposure can lead to many health issues, such as damage to the brain and nervous system; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to take proactive measures to ensure the water quality at every customer connection meets the water quality standards specified by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has adopted a new regulation that requires the City to inventory service lines to determine whether any have lead; and WHEREAS, as a first step in a multi-phase project to achieve these goals, the City requires the ability to access customer property to assess the material of the service line connecting to the City’s water utility system (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, due to the many health risks of exposure to lead, the City will be conducting an inventory of services lines; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it is in the best interest of the City, its residents, and utility customers to have the municipal code authorize City staff and their contractors to enter upon and access customer property for the health and safety of its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 13-4-40 shall be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 13-4-40. Inspection of facilities; Right of entry.
The water service facilities required for ser-
vice of water pursuant to this Article shall be subject to inspection by the Director or any other duly authorized officer at any and all reasonable times in accordance with the right of entry provisions of this Code and as set forth below, and in the event of refusal on the part of any licensee or user of water to permit such inspection, the water service may be thereupon discontinued.
(a) Duly authorized employees, or contractors working for and on behalf of duly authorized employees, of the City shall be allowed right of entry to areas of private property deemed reasonably necessary to comply with local, state and federal drinking water regulations.
Access to areas of the property deemed reasonably necessary for compliance, including the customer-owned service line or portion of the water service line, may be required and shall be granted following the procedures described in (c) and (d) below.
(b) Right of entry authorized under this sub-section shall be limited to inspection of pipe materials necessary to confirm that no service line materials exist that may be harmful to the health of the property owner or occupants of the structure.
(c)The City shall make reasonable efforts to inform the property owner and/or occupant 48-hours in advance of exercising the rights of entry under this section in-person or by informational brochure left at the property.
(d) The City shall restore the property, to the extent practicable, to the condition prior to the City’s right of entry. The City shall make all reasonable effort to prevent damage to the owner-side of the water service line and all other private property and to restore to the prior condition.
Section 2. As provided in City Charter Section 5.9(A), this Ordinance, either as presented or as amended, shall be published in full as it was adopted prior to taking final action. This Ordinance
APPROVED AS TO FORM: /s/ ALICIA CALDERÓN, City Attorney Legal Notice No. BSB3575 First Publication: January 16, 2025 Last Publication: January 16, 2025 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO.
INTRODUCED BY: Padilla
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, APPROVING THE KESTREL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 26.21 ACRE PROPERTY, GENERALLY LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF EAST 120TH AVENUE, SOUTH OF EAST 124TH AVENUE, EAST OF PEORIA STREET AND WEST OF PRAIRIE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, MORE PARTICULARLY LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 1 SOUTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF BRIGHTON, COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO
WHEREAS, The Orchard Church (the “Owner”) is the owner of approximately 26.21 acres of real property located in the City of Brighton, more specifically described in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, the Owner has requested approval of the Kestrel Planned Development, attached hereto as EXHIBIT B (the “PD”); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on December 12, 2024, to review and consider the application pursuant to the applicable provisions and criteria set forth in 2.04(C)(1) of the LUDC, and provided a unanimous recommendation of approval to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council opened a public hearing on January 7, 2025, where it conducted its review and considered the application pursuant to the applicable provisions and criteria set forth in Section 2.04(C)(1) of the LUDC; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the public notice requirements of the Land Use & Development Code, a notice of public hearing was mailed to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the Property, a public notice was published on the City’s website, and a sign was posted on the Property, all for no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the City Council public hearing; and
WHEREAS, at the public hearing, the City Council received and considered all relevant evidence and testimony from City staff, the Owner, and other interested parties, including the public at large.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings. The City Council finds and determines that the PD: (1) better implements the Comprehensive Plan, beyond what could be accomplished under application of general zone districts and development standards; (2) promotes the general public health, safety and welfare of the community; (3) allows the project to better meet or exceed the intent statements of the base zoning districts; (4) does not undermine the intent or design objectives of the Land Use & Development Code when applied to the specific project or site; (5) reflects generally accepted and sound planning and urban design principles with respect to applying the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and (6) meets all of the criteria for a zoning map amendment.
Section 2. The Property is hereby rezoned as more particularly set forth in EXHIBIT B.
Section 3. The City Zoning Map shall be amended to reflect the changes set forth in this ordinance.
Section 4. As provided in City Charter Section 5.9(A), this Ordinance either as presented or as amended, shall be published in full as it was adopted prior to taking final action. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after its final publication, as provided in City Charter Section 5.8, except as set forth herein.
INTRODUCED, PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED, THIS 7TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025.
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO
/s/ GREGORY MILLS, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ NATALIE HOEL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ YASMINA GIBBONS, Deputy City Attorney
Legal Notice No. BSB3574
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO.
INTRODUCED BY: Padilla
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, APPROVING THE BROMLEY PARK PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT 32ND AMENDMENT FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 8.552 ACRES OF PROPERTY, GENERALLY LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF CHERRY BLOSSOM DRIVE, SOUTH OF EAST BASELINE ROAD, EAST OF NORTH 50TH AVENUE, AND WEST OF SILVER MAPLE STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 1 SOUTH, RANGE 66 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF BRIGHTON, COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO
WHEREAS, Brookfield Residential LLC (the “Owner”) is the owner of approximately 8.552 acres of real property located in the City of Brighton, more specifically described in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, Brookfield Residential LLC (the “Applicant”) has requested approval of the Bromley Park Planned Unit Development 32nd Amendment, attached hereto as EXHIBIT B (the “PUD”); and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it appropriate to allow a Major PUD Amendment as outlined in the adopted Bromley Park Land Use Regulations in place for the Property and to use the criteria outlined for a Planned Development in the Land Use & Development Code (“LUDC”) for its review and procedures related to this PUD; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on December 12, 2024, to review and consider the application pursuant to the applicable provisions and criteria set forth in 2.04(C)(2) of the LUDC, and provided a unanimous recommendation of approval to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council opened a public hearing on January 7, 2025, where it conducted its review and considered the application pursuant to the applicable provisions and criteria set forth in Section 2.04(C)(2) of the LUDC; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the public notice requirements of the LUDC, a notice of public hearing was mailed to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the Property, a public notice was published on the City’s website, and signs were posted on the Property, all for no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the City Council public hearing; and
WHEREAS, at the public hearing, the City Council received and considered all relevant evidence and testimony from City staff, the Owner, and other interested parties, including the public at large.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and determines that the proposed PUD: (a) is consistent with the single family attached designation under the Bromley Park Land Use Regulations, which is the most closely applicable base zone district; (b) does not increase development capacity or impact on adjacent infrastructure; (c) meets the standards of the LUDC and/or aligns brings the project closer to the intent or design objectives of the LUDC than was otherwise anticipated; and (d) meets all of the review criteria for a zoning map amendment.
Section 2. The Property is hereby rezoned as more particularly set forth in EXHIBIT B.
Section 3. The City Zoning Map shall be amended to reflect the changes set forth in this ordinance.
Section 4. As provided in City Charter Section 5.9(A), this Ordinance either as presented or as amended, shall be published in full as it was adopted prior to taking final action. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after its final publication, as provided in City Charter Section 5.8, except as set forth herein.
INTRODUCED, PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED, THIS 7TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025.
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO
/s/ GREGORY MILLS, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ NATALIE HOEL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: /s/ YASMINA GIBBONS, Deputy City Attorney
Legal Notice No. BSB3573
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Metro Districts
Budget Hearings
Public Notice
BROMLEY PARK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 5 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS RE: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO 2024 BUDGET
January 28, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Bromley Park Metropolitan District No. 5 (the “District”), County of Adams, State of Colorado, will hold a regular meeting at 11:30 on January 28, 2025 (the “Board Meeting”) for the purpose of conducting such business as may come before the Board. Pursuant to § 32-1-903 CRS, as amended, this meeting will be conducted electronically, telephonically or by other virtual means.
FURTHER, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed amended budget has been submitted to the District for the fiscal year of 2024. A copy of the proposed amended budget has been filed in the office of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 E Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, where the same is open for public inspection. During the Board Meeting, the Board will conduct a public hearing to consider objections of the District’s electors prior to considering the adoption of such proposed amended budget. Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed budget amendment and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2024 budget amendment. Directors and members of the public that wish to participate in the meeting may do so via teleconference by dialing (720) 707-2699 and entering Conference ID: 898 3220 3875 or videoconference on https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89832203875. This meeting is open to the public.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BROMLEY PARK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 5
By: /s/ LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL E. DAVIS, LLC
Legal Notice No. BSB3570
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Bids and Settlements
Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District of Adams County, Colorado, will make final payment at the offices of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111, on or after February 2, 2025, to JHL Enterprises, Inc d/b/a JHL Constructors, Inc., 9100 E. Panorama Dr., Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112, in connection with payment for services rendered, materials furnished, and for all labor performed pursuant to Task Order #11-Water and Sanitary Sewer Pipeline Install (Northern Parcel – 470 Acres) dated April 24, 2023, and Change Order #001 TO#11
PCCO#01 Final Contract Reconciliation dated December 26, 2024, entered into between JHL Constructors, Inc. and Rail Land Company LLC, for the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Project, all being within or adjacent to the boundaries of the District and in Adams County, Colorado.
Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or the subcontractor, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Said verified statement must be filed with the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District c/o Carrie Bartow, District Accountant, at the above address and at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release said Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District of Adams County, Colorado, will make final payment at the offices of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111, on or after February 2, 2025, to JHL Enterprises, Inc d/b/a JHL Constructors, Inc., 9100 E. Panorama Dr., Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112, in connection with payment for services rendered, materials furnished, and for all labor performed pursuant to Task Order #09-Delivery of Water and Sanitary Piping Materials and Legal Fees Associated with Crooked Run Drainage Jurisdictional Approvals (Northern Parcel – 470 Acres) dated February 17, 2023, entered into between JHL Constructors, Inc. and Rail Land Company LLC, for the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Project, all being within or adjacent to the boundaries of the District and in Adams County, Colorado.
Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or the subcontractor, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Said verified statement must be filed with the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District c/o Carrie Bartow, District Accountant, at the above address and at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release said Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAIL PARK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By:/s/ Nicole Peykov
Legal Counsel to the District
Legal Notice No. BSB3567
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 23, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District of Adams County, Colorado, will make final payment at the offices of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111, on or after February 2, 2025, to JHL Enterprises, Inc d/b/a JHL Constructors, Inc., 9100 E. Panorama Dr., Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112, in connection with payment for services rendered, materials furnished, and for all labor performed pursuant to Task Order #14-South Parcel Landscaping dated December 7, 2023, and Change Order #001 TO#14 Final Contract Reconciliation dated November 5, 2024, entered into between JHL Constructors, Inc. and Rail Land Company LLC, for the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Project, all being within or adjacent to the boundaries of the District and in Adams County, Colorado.
Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or the subcontractor, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Said verified statement must be filed with the Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan District c/o Carrie Bartow, District Accountant, at the above address and at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release said Rocky Mountain Rail Park Metropolitan
PUBLIC NOTICES
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED
PURSUANT TO §38-38-302, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER NO LATER THAN EIGHT (8) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SALE, EXCEPT THAT, IF THE PERSON IS DEEMED AN ALTERNATE LIENOR
PURSUANT TO §38-38-305.5, C.R.S. AND THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED IS A UNIT ASSOCIATION LIEN, THE ALTERNATE LIENOR HAS THIRTY (30) DAYS TO FILE THE NOTICE WITH THE OFFICER OF THE ALTERNATE LIENOR’S INTENT TO REDEEM.
IF THE BORROWER BELIEVES THAT A LENDER OR SERVICER HAS VIOLATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN C.R.S. 38-38103.1 OR THE PROHIBITION ON DUAL TRACKING IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.2, THE BORROWER MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LAW, RALPH L. CARR JUDICIAL BUILDING, 1300 BROADWAY, 10TH FLOOR, DENVER, CO 80203, 720-508-6000; THE CFPB, HTTP:// WWW.CONSUMERFINANCE.GOV/COMPLAINT/; CFPB, PO BOX 2900, CLINTON IA 52733-2900 (855) 411-2372 OR BOTH, BUT THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WILL NOT STOP THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.
The name, address and telephone number of each of the attorneys representing the holder of the evidence of the debt is as follows:
Wendy E. Weigler, Esq. Winzenburg, Leff, Purvis & Payne, LLP 350 Indiana Street, Suite 450 Golden, CO 80401 303-863-1870
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Date: November 14, 2024.
By: Sarah Tedesco Adams County Sheriff Adams County, Colorado Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 38-38-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-302, 38-38304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended.
Legal Notice No. BSB3507
First Publication: January 2, 2025
Last Publication: January 30, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, 80601
Plaintiff: DEER RUN HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado non-profit corporation d/b/a SUMMERCREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION;
Defendants: JUSTIN MAAG; CAM M. MAAG; LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; PROFESSIONAL FINANCE COMPANY, INC.; ADAMS COUNTY TREASURER; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION.
Case Number: 2024CV031206
Attorneys for Plaintiff: THE DUPONT LAW FIRM, LLC Stephane R. Dupont, #39425 Address: PO Box 1073, Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone Number: (720) 644-6115 Email sdupont@dupontlawco.com
Under a November 3, 2024 Order on Motion for Default Judgment of Foreclosure and Order and
NOTICE
SALE THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
I will, at 9:00 am o’clock A.M., on March 6, 2025, at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, 1100 Judicial Center Dr, Brighton, CO 80601 located at sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property described above, and all interest of said Grantor and the heirs and assigns of said Grantor, for the purpose of paying the judgment amount entered herein, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.
First Publication: January 9, 2025 Last Publication: February 6, 2025 Name of Publication: Brighton Blade NOTICE OF RIGHTS
YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY BEING FORECLOSED, OR HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS OR SUFFER CERTAIN LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO COLORADO LAW AS A RESULT OF SAID FORECLOSURE. YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM SAID REAL PROPERTY OR YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CURE A DEFAULT UNDER THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED. A COPY OF THE STATUTES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE PURSUANT TO §38-38-104, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST SCHEDULED SALE DATE OR ANY DATE TO WHICH THE SALE IS CONTINUED.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED PURSUANT TO §38-38-302, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER NO LATER THAN EIGHT (8) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SALE.
The name, address and telephone number of each of the attorneys representing the holder of the evidence of the debt is as follows:
Stephane R. Dupont
The Dupont Law Firm, LLC PO Box 1073 Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone: 720-644-6115
E-mail: sdupont@dupontlawco.com
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Date: November 21, 2025.
By: Sarah Tedesco , Adams County Sheriff Adams County, Colorado
Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 38-38-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended.
Legal Notice No. BSB3527
First Publication: January 9, 2025
Last Publication: February 6, 2025 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton, CO 80601
Plaintiff: EASTLAKE ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado non-profit corporation
Defendants: JACQUELYN KOSINSKI; COLORADO HOUSING & FINANCE AUTHORITY; DECKER & JONES, P.C.; CAPITAL ONE, N.A.; ALEX VILLAGRAN, AS PUBLIC TRUSTEE AND TREASURER FOR ADAMS COUNTY; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION
Case Number: 2024CV030916
Attorneys for Plaintiff: WINZENBURG, LEFF, PURVIS & PAYNE, LLP
Wendy E. Weigler #28419 Address: 350 Indiana Street, Suite 450 Golden, CO 80401
Phone Number: (303) 863-1870
SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE AND RIGHT TO CURE AND REDEEM
Under a Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure entered on September 17, 2024, in the abovecaptioned action, I am ordered to sell certain real property as follows:
Original Lienee Jacquelyn Kosinski Original Lienor Eastlake Estates Homeowners Association, Inc. Current Holder of the evidence of debt Eastlake Estates Homeowners Association, Inc.
Date of Lien being foreclosed February 25, 2022
Date of Recording of Lien being foreclosed March 17, 2022 County of Recording Adams
of the secured
$1,011.35 Outstanding Principal Balance of the secured indebtedness as of the date hereof
$12,947.48
Amount of Judgment entered September 17, 2024
$11,551.08
Description of property to be foreclosed: Lot 12, Block 4, Eastlake Estates Subdivision,
County of Adams, State of Colorado.
Also known as: 2195 E. 126th Way, Thornton, CO 80241.
THE PROPERTY TO BE FORECLOSED AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN.
THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The covenants of Plaintiff have been violated as follows: failure to make payments on said indebtedness when the same were due and owing.
NOTICE OF SALE
THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that I will, at 9:00 o’clock A.M., on February 20th, 2025, on the front steps of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, located at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property described above, and all interest of said Grantor and the heirs and assigns of said Grantor, for the purpose of paying the judgment amount entered herein, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. Bidders are required to have cash or certified funds to cover the highest bid by noon on the day of the sale. Certified funds are payable to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
First Publication: December 26, 2024
Last Publication: January 23, 2025
Name of Publication: Brighton Standard Blade
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY BEING FORECLOSED OR HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS OR SUFFER CERTAIN LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO COLORADO LAW AS A RESULT OF SAID FORECLOSURE. YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM SAID REAL PROPERTY OR YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CURE A DEFAULT UNDER THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED. A COPY OF THE STATUTES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE PURSUANT TO §38-38-104, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST SCHEDULED SALE DATE OR ANY DATE TO WHICH THE SALE IS CONTINUED.
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED PURSUANT TO §38-38-302, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER NO LATER THAN EIGHT (8) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SALE, EXCEPT THAT, IF THE PERSON IS DEEMED AN ALTERNATE LIENOR PURSUANT TO §38-38-305.5, C.R.S. AND THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED IS A UNIT ASSOCIATION LIEN, THE ALTERNATE LIENOR HAS THIRTY (30) DAYS TO FILE THE NOTICE WITH THE OFFICER OF THE ALTERNATE LIENOR’S INTENT TO REDEEM.
IF THE BORROWER BELIEVES THAT A LENDER OR SERVICER HAS VIOLATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN C.R.S. 38-38103.1 OR THE PROHIBITION ON DUAL TRACKING IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.2, THE BORROWER MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LAW, RALPH L. CARR JUDICIAL BUILDING, 1300 BROADWAY, 10TH FLOOR, DENVER, CO 80203, 720-508-6000; THE CFPB, HTTP:// WWW.CONSUMERFINANCE.GOV/COMPLAINT/; CFPB, PO BOX 2900, CLINTON IA 52733-2900 (855) 411-2372 OR BOTH, BUT THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WILL NOT STOP THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.
The name, address and telephone number of each of the attorneys representing the holder of the evidence of the debt is as follows:
Wendy E. Weigler #28419 Winzenburg, Leff, Purvis & Payne, LLP 350 Indiana Street, Suite 450 Golden, Colorado 80401 303-863-1870
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Date: November 26, 2024.
By: Gene R. Claps Adams County Sheriff Adams County, Colorado
Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 38-38-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-302 , 38-38304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended.
Legal Notice No. BSB3536
First Publication: December 26, 2024
Last Publication: January 23, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Misc. Private Legals
P.M. at 703 Weld County Road 37, Lochbuie, Colorado 80603, Public Service Company of Colorado will request that the Lochbuie Town Board of Trustees adopt a measure to approve an ordinance granting a gas franchise to Public Service Company of Colorado, entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOCHBUIE GRANTING A GAS FRANCHISE TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO, ITS AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, THE RIGHT TO USE THE STREETS WITHIN THE TOWN TO FURNISH, SELL, TRANSPORT, TRANSMIT AND DISTRIBUTE GAS TO THE TOWN AND TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN, GRANTING THE RIGHT TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, LOCATE, MAINTAIN, OPERATE AND EXTEND INTO, WITHIN AND THROUGH THE TOWN ALL FACILITIES REASONABLY NECESSARY TO FURNISH, SELL, TRANSMIT AND DISTRIBUTE GAS WITHIN AND THROUGH THE TOWN AND FIXING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF.
The franchise to be applied for will be for a term of twenty (20) years. Public Service Company of Colorado shall collect a fee from a surcharge upon Town residents who are customers of the Company.
The Town of Lochbuie Board of Trustees will conduct a public hearing at its regular meeting on February 4, 2025, to consider the first reading of the ordinance granting a gas franchise to Public Service Company of Colorado. The meeting will be held at Lochbuie Town Hall, located at 703 Weld County Road 37, Lochbuie Colorado 80603, will be open to the public and may be attended in person or with a remote attendance option at the above date and time. Information to attend the meeting via remote teleconferencing technology platform will be posted on the Town web site at www.lochbuie.org at least 24 hours before the start of the meeting. Interested persons may contact Town Clerk, Heather Bowen, for further information.
Dated at Greeley, Colorado, this 19th day of December, 2024.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO
BY Isl Hans Rodvik
Hans Rodvik Area Manager
Legal Notice No. BSB3556
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 30, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Notice to Creditors
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of David Michael Carree, a.k.a. David M. Carree, a.k.a. David Carree, Deceased
Case Number: 2024 PR 030003
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 May 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Marie Anne Curtis
Personal Representative 19625 Montview Dr. Aurora, CO 80011
Legal Notice No. BSB3569
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 30, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Jeffery W. Smith, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30794
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 May 16, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Neal Smith, Personal Representative c/o Juniper Estate Planning, LLC 7550 W. Yale Avenue, Ste B202 Denver, CO 80227
Legal Notice No. BSB3552
First Publication: January 16, 2025
Last Publication: January 30, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Byron William Smith, a/k/a Byron W. Smith
a/k/a Byron Smith, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30860
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Adams County, Colorado or on or before May 2, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Susan Reichert Smith
Personal Representative 9528 E. 112th Pl. Henderson, CO 80640
Legal Notice No. BSB 3133
First Publication: January 2, 2025
Last Publication: January 16, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Public Notice
District Court, Adams County, State of Colorado 1100 Judicial Center Dr. Brighton, CO 80601
In re the Parental Responsibilities:
Petitioner: BESSIE LIM PONCE MARIN and Respondent: JUAN CARLOS ALANIZ ULLOA
Case Number: 2024DR30655
Div/Ctrm: A Attorney for Petitioner:
Name: Alan Davis, Esq., 49870 Emily A. Jones, Esq., 49932
The Law Office of Emily A. Jones
Address: 3900 E. Mexico Ave., Suite 300 Denver, CO 80210
Phone: 720-679-6055
Email: Alan@EmilyJonesLaw.com; Emily@EmilyJonesLaw.com
NOTICE OF ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES PROCEEDINGS AND SUMMONS
To the above-named Respondent:
You are hereby notified that a Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities has been filed. This Summons serves as notice to appear in this case.
If you were served in the State of Colorado, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 21 days after this Summons is served on you to participate in this action.
If you were served outside of the State of Colorado or you were served by publication, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 35 days after this Summons is served on you to participate in this action.
You may be required to pay a filing fee with your Response. A response form, as well as other forms that may be required in this matter may be found at: www.courts.state.co.us by clicking on the “Self Help/Forms” tab.
The Petition requests that the Court enter an Order addressing issues involving the child such as child support, allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time), attorney fees, and costs to the extent the Court has jurisdiction.
Notice: Colorado Revised Statutes §14-10123, provides that upon the filing of a Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities by the Petitioner and Co-Petitioner, or upon personal service of the Petition and Summons on the Respondent, or upon waiver and acceptance of service by the Respondent, an automatic temporary injunction shall be in effect against both parties until the Final Order is entered, or the Petition is dismissed, or until further Order of the Court. Either party may apply to the Court for further temporary orders, an expanded automatic temporary injunction, or modification or revocation under §14-10-125, C.R.S.
A request for genetic tests shall not prejudice the requesting party in matters concerning allocation of parental responsibilities pursuant to §14-10-124(1.5), C.R.S. If genetic tests are not obtained prior to a legal establishment of paternity and submitted into evidence prior to the entry of the final order, the genetic tests may not be allowed into evidence at a later date.
Automatic Temporary Injunction – By Order of Colorado law, you and the other parties:
1. Are enjoined from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party; and
2. Are restrained from removing the minor child(ren) from the state without the consent of all parties or an Order of the Court modifying the injunction; and
3. Are restrained, without at least 14 days advance notification and the written consent of all other parties or an Order of the Court, from cancelling, modifying, terminating, or allowing to lapse for nonpayment of premiums, any policy of health insurance or life insurance that provides coverage to the minor child(ren) as a beneficiary of a policy.
If you fail to file a Response in this case, any or all of the matters above, or any related matters which come before this Court, may be decided without further notice to you.
Respectfully submitted September 17, 2024.
/s/Alan Davis
Alan Davis, Esq., 49870 The Law Office of Emily A. Jones Attorney for Petitioner
No. BSB3564
Maricela Peña, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney EXHIBIT A LEGAL DESCRIPTION LOT 1, TAYLOR MINOR SUBDIVISION, RECORDED AUGUST 14, 2024 AS RECEPTION NO. 4976710,
the hour of 6:30
QUALITY
What are the allegations?
ese machines must be tested every so often to be sure they’re working right — otherwise, the chemist would have no way of knowing if the results they are getting are accurate.
To test the machines, the chemists use a reference sample with a known amount in it of whatever they’re looking for. is same sample can also be used to calibrate the machines.
For the test in question, this quality check is supposed to occur every 10 tests, Calonge said.
e allegations are that at least two chemists cut corners by not running the quality-control tests correctly on the machine used for Method 200.7. At least one chemist is accused of not inputting the actual value produced during the quality-control test into the state’s system, but rather cutting and pasting in a value from a previous test.
Why doesn’t the machine automatically record the test result in the state system?
Because it’s old.
Calonge said the state lab is a mix of old and new machines. e newer machines directly deliver results electronically into the state’s system. Some of the older machines do not.
“So you have to take the data directly from the machine and enter it into a different machine,” Calonge said. at extra step provided an opportunity for the alleged data manipulation to occur. Despite not being cutting-edge, Calonge said the machine would have met federal
testing standards had the quality-control tests been run as required.
Were actual water tests a ected?
e state is sending samples to outside labs to double-check. But Calonge said there’s no indication so far that people were at risk of drinking toxic water.
“We continue to have no evidence of values that would pose an imminent public health threat to people drinking that water,” he said.
How widespread is the problem?
Calonge said there are about 2,400 water providers in Colorado, and the state lab conducted testing for a minority of systems. Some larger water systems, like Denver Water, conduct their own testing. Others use third-party labs.
Of those tested at the state lab, Calonge said 69 systems were potentially a ected by the quality-assurance issue, and all are smaller municipalities or water suppliers.
“ e impact was really in those 69,” he said.
Of those systems, the state has determined that 24 required retesting.
e state has noti ed those systems.
ey have also noti ed well-users who may have been a ected, and have sent well samples to another lab for a re-check.
When did the state know about this?
is started last December when a manager in the water chemistry unit of the state lab spotted concerns with the work of one chemist, Calonge said. is manager alerted a supervisor.
In February, after no action had been taken, the manager took the issue to the lab director, who noti ed CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan, who launched an investigation. e chemist whose work
was questioned was placed on administrative leave, Calonge said. e investigation continued until April, when CDPHE informed o cials with the Environmental Protection Agency, Calonge said. e EPA certi es watertesting labs.
In May, the EPA revoked the state’s certication to do that Method 200.7 test, as well as other tests that the chemist had worked on, such as testing for nitrates or pesticides. is week, CDPHE uncovered problems with the quality-assurance work of a second chemist. After nding that, the agency made the decision to suspend water testing in the chemistry unit of the state lab while it continues to investigate.
Are other parts of the lab a ected?
CDPHE’s lab is divided into six units, working in everything from water quality to disease surveillance to food safety. Calonge said there is no indication so far there are problems with other units within the lab.
“We believe that this issue is isolated in the water chemistry unit,” he said.
Is this related to the allegations about DNA testing in criminal court cases?
No. at is separate and involves a separate lab — the state crime lab, which is run by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Is it related to the allegedly falsified data on toxic substances from oil and gas wells?
No. at data was allegedly submitted to the state by consultants hired by energy companies.
So Colorado has three, simultaneous, ongoing scandals related to data manipulation and lab testing?
Yes, that is correct.
Why would someone do this?
Calonge said the state has not determined a motive for the alleged data manipulation on the water tests. He said it’s possible short-cutting would be done to save time and hassle in doing the quality-assurance work correctly, but that’s speculation.
“ e motivation we can only conjecture on,” he said.
What happened to the chemists involved in this issue?
e rst chemist whose work was questioned has now retired. e second chemist whose work was agged this week has been placed on leave.
What is the state doing now?
Calonge said CDPHE is continuing to investigate by diving deeper into previous test results.
“Now we’re at the point where we’re going through something like 550,000 lines of data looking for irregularities in the control values,” he said.
For tests that are EPA certi ed, like the Method 200.7 test, CDPHE has begun outsourcing that work to commercial, federally accredited labs. Some tests that aren’t EPA-certi ed have been shifted to other units in the lab. Meanwhile, CDPHE is talking with the EPA about how to get its water-testing program back online.
“We have to x this,” Calonge said. “One of the biggest things it impacted was trust in the state laboratory. It was an important and critical lapse in our water quality assurance system.” 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.
