Commerce City Sentinel Express June 6, 2024

ADAMS CITY CELEBRATES

Polis signs environmental injustice bill

Legislation increases oversight for known polluters

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Gov. Jared Polis this week struck a long-awaited blow for environmental justice in Colorado, say lawmakers who ushered HB241338 into law.

Polis on Tuesday signed the new law which aims to tackle pollution problem spots that long have dogged communities of color in the state, said the bill sponsors.

e bill directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - the CDPHE – to execute recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force, created by HB211266.

State Rep. Manny Rutinel – DCommerce City - was one of the bill’s sponsors. He said via a news release that the legislation is a key rst step in righting environmental wrongs in the state.

“Everyone has the right to clean air and environment for themselves and their families,” Rutinel said in the news release. “For nearly a year, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force met with community members and collected data-driven information to create a comprehensive checklist to clean up our air and support communities disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution.”

e new law implements key task force recommendations, including increased oversight of known polluters, like re neries, and better response time to community air pollution complaints, Rutinel said.

Adams City ‘84 alums seeking missing classmates

Adam City’s class of 1984 is scheduled to host its 40th class reunion at 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the 30/70 Sports Bar and Grill, 18856 W. 120th Ave. in Westminster.

Organizers are trying to contact a few remaining missing graduates. If you attended ACHS with the class of 1984 or have a family member who did, please get in touch with Susan Zale Vanness (303) 513-1333 or vannessrealty@comcast.net or

INJUSTICE

“By diving deeper into the cumulative impacts of environmental injustice, we can create policy that addresses the pollution negatively a ecting our neighbors of color and low-income neighbors,” he said.

State. Rep. Elizabeth Velasco – DGlenwood Springs - said all Coloradans need help ghting environmental problems.

“We owe it to our neighbors to implement the recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action

Tracey Snyder (303) 921-2114 tjsnyder07.ts@gmail.com

County seeks Healthy Farmers Markets input

Adams County is looking for feedback and opinions regarding the series of farmers markets they helped o er in 2023. Information from an online survey, located at https://bit.ly/4879uzr, will help determine how the markets will operate in 2024.

In 2023, the Adams County Health Department and Human

Task Force to clean up our air, take air pollution complaints seriously and combat long-standing environmental injustices,” Velasco said in the news release.

“Environmental justice is a statewide issue, and we all deserve access to clean air and water. Our new law implements the task force recommendations to help our neighbors most a ected by poor air quality lead healthy lives,” she said.

HB24-1338 will, according to its legislative sponsors will:

Increase oversight of petroleum re neries. e law would fund the hiring of an expert in air pollution control for petroleum re neries. is expert would assess gaps in public

Services partnered to provide Healthy Farmers Markets for residents. e departments are planning to provide those again in 2024, and they’d like to hear from you. e county helped schedule the markets on Tuesdays and ursdays at the Anythink Library Wright Farms and Huron Street branches. e survey asks about location preferences, dates and timing preferences and what kinds of o erings and other services should be o ered.

Legal self-help clinic

e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every month.

e program is for those without legal representation and needing help navigating through legal issues.  Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before.

health protections and identify the best regulatory tools to ll those gaps. e law would also require re neries to provide near real-time emissions monitoring and compliance data. Improve response to air pollution complaints. e department’s Air Pollution Control Division would house a new rapid response inspection team to support quicker responses to air pollution complaints by impacted communities. Analyze the cumulative impacts of pollution. e law would implement recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force by formally establishing and authorizing the creation of at least two Environmental Equity and Cu-

mulative Impact Analyses to analyze the cumulative air, water, soil, and demographic impacts in speci c disproportionately impacted communities

Founded in 2021 through HB211266, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force hosted several in-person meetings and gatherings with Coloradans in Commerce City, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Pueblo in addition to receiving more than 300 written comments and survey responses, according to the news release.

e task force provided its nal recommendations to Governor Polis, the legislature and the CDPHE in 2022.

Photo by Michael Pintar

Photography

Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take So You Have No Unpleasant Surprises After Closing

The Division of Real Estate’s HOA Information & Resource Center issued some useful advice last week which got me to thinking. It was advice on doing “due diligence” about a neighborhood’s HOA so you’re not blindsided after closing. With over two decades of representing buyers in the purchase of homes, both with and without a homeowner’s association, I have lots more to suggest than was in that release.

I advise all buyers to look for neighbors who are outdoors, perhaps mowing their lawn, getting their mail, or washing their car in the driveway. Introduce yourself in a friendly manner, explain that your looking at that neighbor’s house which is for sale and would like to know how they like living in this neighborhood. Follow-up questions could include, “Are the homes built well? How’s the HOA? Are the neighbors friendly? Any complaints? Are the schools good? Is there much crime? By the way, do you know why the owners are selling that home?”

Don’t interrogate the poor fellow, but use your judgment in being as warm and conversational as possible. You’ll learn a lot that will serve you well if you end up buying that home. This is one task I want you to do yourself instead of me doing it for you as your agent.

Among the advice from the HOA Information & Resource Center was to request the covenants (or “CC&Rs”) from the county clerk and recorder. That

document is something I can get for you more easily (and free) from my contacts at any title company. I can also ask the listing agent for the covenants and other HOA documents, but keep in mind that one of the earliest deadlines in any contract to buy and sell a home is the “Record Title” deadline and the “Association Documents” deadline, along with an opportunity for you to object or terminate if you don’t like what you read. The covenants are recorded, so they will come to you with the title documents. Just as important as the covenants, however, is how they are enforced by the HOA board and the management company hired by the board.

The most useful HOA documents are the minutes of the last six months’ board meeting and the most recent annual meeting. These minutes will let you know what issues may be bothering the members. (Hopefully, you learned many of those from interviewing neighbors, as suggested above.)

Those minutes will also give you a sense of the financial health of the HOA and whether a dues increase or special assessment might be under discussion.

Other documents for you to study are the financial statements, the budget for the coming year, and the most recent reserve study, which lets you know whether they have the financial reserves to deal with future repairs such as replacing the boundary fences, or fixing

How to Do Advanced Listing Searches on the MLS

Unless you’re a licensed broker with access to the MLS, the number of criteria on which you can search is very limited. Typically, consumer-facing websites only allow you to search for price range, city or county, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and a few other criteria.

But virtually every MLS field is searchable if you ask an MLS member such as myself to do the search.

Schools are very important to parents, and I can define a search area by naming a particular elementary, middle school or high school.

North-facing driveways are a no-no for some buyers. I can specify “Not North” in that field.

Main-floor living is important to many seniors, and I can specify one-story homes or, my favorite, specify main -floor primary bedroom (or non-primary bedroom), thereby allowing for 2-story homes which have main-floor bedrooms.

Is having the laundry on the same floor as the primary bedroom or simply not in

the basement important to you? That can be specified too and it’s required that listings indicate which floor the laundry, bedrooms and bathrooms are on.

Do you want to see only those homes which aren’t in an HOA? Or maybe you want an HOA that includes exterior maintenance of the home. No problem.

I can also search for key words within the listing’s public remarks. I mentioned last week that I did a search for the phrase “outdoor kitchen” and found 67 such listings within 20 miles of downtown Denver. I can search for any word or phrase.

Searching by map is useful, and I can draw a line around a particular neighborhood or multiple non-contiguous neighborhoods in the same search.

I can search for homes with property taxes under a particular amount, or simply homes that do not have a Metropolitan Tax District with an additional tax levy.

The age of the home, 220V wiring in the garage, solar panels, type of heating and cooling all these and more can be searched, but only by an MLS member.

the common area amenities such as parks, playgrounds and trails.

In some cases, the listing agent may have obtained those HOA documents in advance. As your agent, even before submitting your offer, I can ask for them, first looking to see if they’re already posted as “supplements” on the MLS.

Sometimes the “Sellers Property Disclosure” is also posted on the MLS, but if not, I can request that document for you, then ask follow-up questions about items disclosed on it.

Every HOA in the state must be registered with the HOA Information & Resource Center. If they are not registered, they are unable to enforce the covenants or file a lien against a member who is delinquent on dues or fines.

The state legislature has not empowered the Center to license or otherwise regulate HOAs, including to receive and act on member complaints. It’s really quiet a sad situation. Even sadder is the condition of its registry of HOAs. I downloaded the Excel file and was shocked at the amount of duplication and errors in the data entry. See for yourself at the posting of this article at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com

The link provided for finding a registered HOA takes you to the same form that is used for finding brokers and brokerages, so you enter the name (or part thereof) for the HOA you’re looking for, but it is very hit or miss when I tested it. Entering the ZIP code of the HOA in addition was useful. It also shows if the HOA’s license is expired, which was the case for one I looked up. The phone number was for the clubhouse and a random HOA member picked up. I had to find an HOA document in order to get the number for the contact person. Ugh!

I Just Had a Terrible Thought… ChatGPT has leveled the playing field for real estate agents. As in most professions, 90% of us aren’t good writers or even spellers! Ask ChatGPT to rewrite a property description or newsletter, and it will do so in flawless English with flawless spelling and flawless grammar, which got me thinking about scammers. Scam texts and emails can often be identified by their poor English and spelling, but if the scammer uses ChatGPT, that red flag will no longer be present.

Every year we have to be more and more alert for possible scams.

Just Listed: 2-BR, 1280-SF

This wonderful condo at 693 Wapiti Drive

#A16 features a moss rock fireplace and a skylight in the living room. Off the living room is a deck with marvelous views of Byers Peak. The kitchen has granite counters, hickory cabinets, and double sink with mountain views. A laundry room/pantry is off the kitchen. The primary bedroom has new windows, double closet, a full ensuite bathroom with tile floor and tiled bath area.

Fraser Condo

$697,000

The 2nd bedroom has carpeting, double closet and new windows. The oversized garage has plenty of room to store firewood, and at the rear of the garage is a huge locked storage space. Reasonable HOA dues pay for water, sewer, snow removal, trash, and internet. Unit comes tastefully furnished. It’s a short walk from downtown Fraser with its many shops, bars, and entertainment. Experience the great outdoors just outside your door. Hike or bike along the Fraser River trail that leads to Winter Park. It’s also on the free bus route to Winter Park. To see it, call David Dlugasch at 303-908-4835. Take a video tour at www.WinterParkCondo.info

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A social science take on climate justice

BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNTITYMEDIA.COM

In light of Gov. Jared Polis signing HB24-1338, the Cumulative Impacts and Environmental Justice bill, addressing community exposure to toxins, here is an interview with Stephanie A. Malin, Ph.D., a leading expert whose work directly relates to these pressing issues.

Malin is an environmental sociologist dedicated to understanding the community impacts of extraction and energy production. Her research focuses on environmental justice, environmental health, social movements and the socio-environmental

Our Family Helping Your Family

e ects of market-based economies. She is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Colorado State University and an adjunct associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health. She cofounded and co-directs the Center for Environmental Justice at CSU and has received numerous accolades for her teaching and research.

Malin is also the author of two books, “Building Something Better: Environmental Crises and the Promise of Community Change” and “ e Price of Nuclear Power: Uranium Communities and Environmental Justice.” Her work has been published in academic journals

Gary Howard

October 17, 1946 - April 28, 2024

Gary Howard went home to be with his eternal savior on April 28th, 2024. Gary grew up on a farm outside of the Fort Lupton /Brighton area. He graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1965, where he was the Head Boy and part of the only baseball team in school history to win a state championship. He then went to University of Wyoming, and UNC where he graduated with a Degree in 1969. He spent time teaching where he was a man of it all - math teacher, coach and even school bus driver! After teaching, he went back to work at the

family farm, where he raised his own family.

He loved a good game of cards, Western movies and old country music. He adored his grandsons and would never turn down an opportunity to talk to a stranger.

Survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Ashley (Corey) Guildner, along with his grandsons Corey, Cayden and Carter. Also survived by his stepson Shane Wargo, brother, John (Diana), and sister, Marla (Howard). Preceded in death by his parents, David and Carol (Midcap) Howard.

and featured in news outlets such as e Conversation and High Country News.

She spoke on recent ndings of a pollution and social science study at the event Our Health > Cheap Gasoline / Nuestra Salud > Gasolina Barata in April organized by the nonpro t organization Cultivando, which has been shedding light on the alarming presence of toxins in our communities. is interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Colorado Community Media: What are the main social science and toxins exposure ndings?

Stephanie Malin: ese are really

important ndings, both in terms of the air quality science and the social science. So the air quality ndings, of course, show that there are spikes of several di erent kinds of pollutants, including pollutants that are of concern to be exposed to at any threshold level like benzene. But then the particulate matter, the PM 2.5 that folks were already talking about is very important. … It can lead to persistent lung problems, and children are especially susceptible. What we have found leading the social science component of this is that folks have been observing for years,

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Cory John McCrea

April 19, 1977 - May 15, 2024

Cory John McCrea was born on April 19, 1977 at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO to Martin and Sheryl (Harms) McCrea.

He graduated from Brighton High School on May 27, 1995. In the Fall of that year he began college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and earned a Bachelor of Arts with acknowledgment of major achievement in Kinesiology.

Cory was a long term resident of Greeley, residing in Greeley from the time he entered college until his passing.

4-legged buddy. ey had so many future plans they were working on.

Cory was dearly loved by his family, parents, sisters, brother-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephew, grandparents, aunts, uncles, the Hill family, his close lifelong friends, and so many other friends from K-12, college, and beyond, including his bosses and coworkers.

Cory was a social bug and made many friends everywhere he went. In high school he participated in chorus under Mr. omas, drama/musicals under Mrs. Archuleta, and was involved in soccer, diving and wresting, wrestling in the Brighton area from the age of 5 through his Senior Year. After college, he enjoyed playing co-ed softball and golf.

Cory worked for Safeway in high school and college, followed by di ering periods of time working for Mr. Neats Formal Wear, Burke’s Cleaners, and with Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor.

While working at the Greeley Mall for Mr. Neats, he met Robin Hill, who also worked in the mall at a shoe store. Cory and Robin were married in the Methodist Church in Greeley on May 20, 2000. ey were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Raygen and Ashlynn (now 13 and 9).

Cory deeply loved his girls. ey were always excited about spending time together. ey were so looking forward to the opportunities summer would bring for spending time together. When they stayed with their Dad they enjoyed shing, camping, puzzles, playing games like “ row row the Burrito,” which is a Dodgeball Card Game, watched their di erent favorite TV series and movies, and just plain hung out together with Otto, their

Cory is survived by his ex-wife Robin and daughters, Raygen and Ashlynn; Parents: Martin “Marty” and Sheryl (Harms) McCrea; Sisters: Ariana “Ari” (McCrea) Opp with ancé Erik Eisenberg and Cassandra “Cassie” (McCrea) Bell with husband Mike; Nieces: Elissa “Ellie” and Kaitlyn “Katy” Opp, and Kaylyn Bell; Nephew: Blake Bell; Cousins: Brigette (Bundt, Jones) Fischer (Brigette is also our ‘Bonus‘ daughter) with husband Michael and son Hans and daughter Heidi; Tara (Harms) Turner with husband Patrick and son Will, Chelsea (Harms) Iglesias with husband Julio; Uncles: Terry and Dan Harms, William “Bill” McCrea with wife Linda, and Phillip “Phill” McCrea; and Aunts: Susan “Susie” (McCrea, Clark) Terry, Sarah McCrea, and Kim Harms.

Cory, since 1999, had seen the passing of his Grandparents: John and Phyllis (Subbert) Harms and Virgil and Marjorie McCrea; Great Aunts and Uncles: Richard and Darlene (Subbert) Barnhill, James “Jim” and Lowell “Bud” Subbert, and Carl Harms; Aunts: Jean Harms and Joleen (Harms, Bundt) Jones, Lucille “Lucy” McCrea; Uncle: Daryl Terry, and ex-Brother-in-Law Michael Opp.

Cory’s Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 11:00 - 2:00 at Landing Place Church (11555 Chambers Rd. Commerce City, CO 80603 - it is in Commerce City but has a Brighton zipcode). A reception with refreshments and food will immediately follow the service.

MCCREA

HOWARD

if not multiple generations, the problems that come from air pollution and water contamination as well. We didn’t talk as much about water contamination, but that’s an issue as well. Folks are fearful but also stressed. ( ey) have a lot of mental health impacts in addition to all of the physical health impacts they’re experiencing from being embedded in a space that has constant exposure to pollution, but (they don’t) really have any enforcement or representation from folks … who should be protecting public health and environment as much as they’re supporting the business community.

CCM: A grandmother in the audience shared in Spanish her concern about her grandchildren already diagnosed with asthma because of their exposure to the toxins. She said that something needs to be done. But Suncor is the only oil re nery in Colorado. Is it realistic to think we can live without it?

Malin: Well, I think that the question is big for Colorado, but the question expands to bigger issues of fossil fuel non-proliferation. We are in an era where we very much understand the role of fossil fuels in creating a climate crisis and many other environmental and public health issues. We are really past due to nd solutions to transition beyond fossil fuels for the well-being of our climate and our populations, especially children and future generations that will be living in these spaces.

So it’s really incumbent upon us to nd solutions that move us all beyond fossil fuels, including the one oil re nery in Colorado.

CCM: From your expertise, can you explain how these toxins also affect mental health and the emotions for people who are living around the re nery?

Malin: Not only around the Suncor oil re nery. I do a lot of work around unconventional drilling and all the hydraulic fracturing and other oil and gas production that goes on around Colorado. We have found these impacts in that context as well. It relates to feeling like folks are uncertain about how to access information that they can trust about the nature of the risk, what it means to have multiple chemicals and industrial chemicals combined in the environment and in our bodies. ( ey hear) things from medical practitioners that might contest what they’re experiencing in terms of their kid’s respiratory problems or asthma, things like that. ( ey feel) really uncertain about what they can do to nd translated useful information, meaning information that’s translated for non-specialists in terms of the risks.

And then, even when people do have information, when there’s some procedural justice there, according to folks that I’ve interviewed, they feel powerless to do anything with that information because, at least in terms of oil and gas drilling, since 2016, there’s been a lot of protection in the state around the ability of operators to locate where they would like.

Local communities were not really able to contest where di erent drilling took place. Folks who live around

Suncor — Commerce City and GES (the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea) area — are dealing with very similar outcomes, right? ( ey’re) not really feeling like they have a seat at the table to make meaningful decisions that will protect their health and the environment.

So they feel very stressed and, and we’ve also had lots of self-reported depression and things like that, that come out of feeling uncertain and then powerless.

CCM: e new bill, HB24-1338, is trying to compensate for the damage. What are your nal recommendations for those people who maybe say, I don’t live in Commerce City; I don’t need to worry about it. Why is this something that everybody should be worried about?

Malin: at’s a terri c question.

I think that it’s necessary to remain hopeful. We’re at a really important point in history where we can still make immense changes. And one of those changes is very rapidly phasing out fossil fuels. And so I think anything that moves in the direction of compensating communities for what they’ve already dealt with and continue to deal with as sacri ce zones around some of these facilities is really important.

And then looking forward positively, and proactively, and justly, toward how to transition away from fossil fuel-based economies. It’s vital for the health of communities like Commerce City, but for everyone. Air pollution doesn’t have any boundaries. And so when we’re talking about greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, we need to

think on a broad scale and we need to think multi-generationally. So it’s not just about what’s in my back yard, or my own health or my child’s health, but beyond that back yard and into future generations as well.

CCM: Where can people nd you, your studies and your research so that they can follow you?

Malin: I’m on Instagram. I work at Colorado State University. I’m an associate professor of sociology. I also co-direct the Center for Environmental Justice. You can look up my work, through Colorado State or the Center for Environmental Justice. I work a lot on issues of extraction, but also on communities that are building more distributive and regenerative systems so that we can see what solutions look like.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Standard Blade.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Get to know more about Commerce City’s Environmental Policy Advisory Committee

BY LONDON LYLE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Since its establishment in 2021, the Environmental Policy Advisory Committee has been the driving force behind many of Commerce City’s environmental initiatives. e EPAC aims to address the community’s environmental challenges caused by Suncor, fracking and greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we break down what the EPAC does and how you can get involved.

What is the EPAC’s mission?

e committee’s mission is straightforward but ambitious: to enhance environmental quality outcomes equitably across Commerce City. is involves focusing on areas disproportionately a ected by environmental hazards, ensuring that all residents can enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment regardless of socioeconomic status. e committee aims to promote sustainable practices that bene t the entire community.

“We started out as a temporary committee, where we were supposed to meet six times a year to come up with a sustainability plan for the community and people who live here, from the air to the water – anything that had to do with the environment,” said EPAC member Ronna Sanchez. “After we met as a committee, we thought that what we were doing was important enough that we should be a standing committee like all the others. So we wrote bylaws and made a presenta-

tion to City Council and to city sta and they approved it, making us a permanent committee.”

What environmental issues does the EPAC prioritize?

e EPAC prioritizes energy efciency, greenhouse gas reduction, water use and quality, and air quality. ese focus areas may change based on success rates, the needs of the community, and environmental data.

Adams City Eagles’ class of 2024 graduate

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Adams City’s class of 2024 graduates, their families and friends, lled the Denver Coliseum May 25 for a morning kick-o to Memorial Day Weekend with decorations,

airhorns and plenty of good cheer.

Class Valedictorian Trinity Boyer thanked her family and the school sta for helping her succeed.

“I believe that most of you would agree when I say that our teachers and faculty ultimately go the extra mile to ensure that we not only suc-

cessfully y from our nest bt soar high and achieve goals that may seem beyond the realm of possibility.”

e school graduated 347 seniors during the ceremony.

“If there is anything these past four years have taught me, it’s never to forget to look around at what’s happening in the moment,” Boyer said. “It’s easy to get caught up looking to the future and waiting around for what’s next, experiencing stress and burnout. Never forget to live in the present and take breaks because the future will always be there.”

Adams City graduates return to their seats May 25 after getting thier diplomas May 25 at the Denver Coliseum.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT TAYLOR

Adams City High School Class of 2024 Valedictorian Trinity Boyer poses for a photo before accepting her diploma May 25 at the Denver Coliseum.

Friends pose for family members as they wait in line to go onstage and collect their diplomas May 25 during Adams City High School’s class of 2024 graduation at the Denver Coliseum.

US Womens soccer team brings showcase to Colorado

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park hosts US team versus Korea

BY JIMMIE SEARFOSS

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Calling all pro soccer fans: the U.S. Women’s National Team makes a stop at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this weekend. e team will kick o the rst of a two-game friendly series against the Korea Republic on Saturday, June 1, at 3 p.m. e event is part of a spring sched-

ule that takes the U.S. women’s team to various Major League Soccer stadiums nationwide.

After playing South Korea in Commerce City, they travel to St. Paul, Minnesota for the second game of the series. e team also has games in Ohio and Minnesota later this summer as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games.

ough tickets are limited, matches are televised on TNT and NBC Universo and are available on the streaming services HBO Max and Peacock.

Leading the women from the sideline for the rst time is new USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes, who will

be tasked with keeping a 15-year streak alive.

“We have had a short amount of time with her so far, but in that short amount of time, she’s already taught us a lot,” forward Sophia Smith said. “She brings a new energy and new perspective and obviously a lot of experience. And I think we’re so lucky to have her.”

is is not the USWNT’s rst trip to the Colorado Rapids’ home eld.

e match marks the eighth time the women’s team has played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park since 2008. In that time the women have never lost.

e closest any team has come to defeating the USWNT in Commerce

City came in 2016 when Japan tied the team 3-3.

It is a homecoming for three members of the squad. Forward Mallory Swanson and mid elder Lindsey Horan grew up less than an hour from the stadium in Littleton and Golden. Smith hails from Windsor.

All three began their careers here and while they all attended local schools, Swanson spent the most time playing for her home colors. Swanson spent three years in a Mountain Vista High School jersey and was named the 2014–15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

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SOCCER

“I think any time you get to come home and play in front of your family and friends, it’s always a good time,” Swanson said. “Colorado always brings a great crowd and there’s three of us that have grown up playing here and so hopefully, we can keep inspiring young girls here in the community to achieve their goals.”

On the national stage, the Colorado women have made key contributions to their team’s success. Smith played a large role in the latest USWNT game against Canada in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup in April.

She scored two goals in regulation, giving the U.S. the lead until Canada tied the match in the 86th minute. Smith then

contributed another goal in the shootout after overtime, leading the USWNT to its seventh SheBelieves Cup win.

Previous USWNT stars like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have left the roster, along with the longtime coach Jill Ellis, who led the team to back-to-back World Cup wins, ushering in a new era for the team. Hayes and the Colorado locals are leading the charge to keep the standard the same for the team.

“ is team for so many years has set the standard has been the best in the world, and that’s what we want to continue on,” Smith said. “We want to honor what this team has done before us but we also want to set new standards and just be a di erent version of this team and be the best in the world.”

Tickets to the upcoming friendly game are nearly sold out, with the last available at ussoccer.com.

Players from the U.S. Women’s National Team practice soccer at CU Boulder’s field before a friendly match against South Korea on June 1, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. COURTESY PHOTO

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Coordinator of Regional Center - Burlington

Full-time. Located in Burlington, CO. This position is responsible for assisting with the delivery of credit and non-credit programs to residents of the communities served by the Regional Center. The position has responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day operations of the Center under the direction of the Director.

This includes assisting with recruiting, testing, advising, and registering students. For additional quali cations, full announcement & Employment Application, https://morgancc. applicantpro.com/jobs/3360421 or call 970-542-3130. EOE

Coordinator of Regional Center - Bennett

Full-time. Located in Bennett, CO. This position requires regular travel as employee will split time between Bennett, Limon and working remote until a full-time o ce is established in the Bennett area. This position is responsible for assisting with the delivery of credit and non-credit programs to residents of the communities served by the Regional Center. The position has responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day operations of the Center under the direction of the Director. This includes assisting with recruiting, testing, advising, and registering students. For additional quali cations, full announcement & Employment Application, https://morgancc.applicantpro.com/ jobs/3360544 or call 970-542-3130. EOE

Nursing Faculty and Associate Nursing Instructional Personnel (ANIP) Faculty

Community Garage Sale Event

Indigo Trails Community

Located just off Chambers & Bromley in Brighton

June 7 & 8 from 8AM-6PM Daily

Come & visit our friendly neighborhood and take home some wonderful items at great prices!

Full-Time, 167 work days beginning August, 2024. Located in Fort Morgan, CO. The faculty member is responsible for instruction to students in the Associate Degree Nursing program. For additional quali cations, full announcement & Employment Application, https://morgancc.applicantpro. com/jobs/3353651 and https://morgancc.applicantpro.com/ jobs/3353929 or call 970-542-3130. EOE

Nursing Faculty & Clinical Coordinator RN to BSN Program

Full-Time, 187 work days beginning July, 2024. Located in Fort Morgan, CO. Hybrid position (both on-campus and remote work). The faculty member is responsible for instruction to students in the RN to BSN completion program as well as RN to BSN program coordination. For additional quali cations, full announcement & Employment Application, https://morgancc. applicantpro.com/jobs/3360685 or call 970-542-3130. EOE

Academic Technology Specialist

Full-time. Located in Fort Morgan, CO. This position maintains high-quality, e cient delivery of instructional courses and materials using a variety of technology systems, including distance and online systems. Responsible for the troubleshooting, installation, maintenance, and inventory of classroom and instructional distance delivery resources and equipment. For additional quali cations, full announcement & Employment Application, https://morgancc.applicantpro.com/ jobs/3138458 or call 970-542-3130. EOE

Legals

City

and County

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that public hearings will be held by the City Council of Commerce City, Council Chambers, 7887 E. 60th Ave., Commerce City, CO, 80022, on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m regarding the following:

CUP24-0001: Brad Lucero on behalf of Stout Street Foundation, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an Inpatient Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility located at 7251 East 49th Avenue and 7201 East 49th Avenue, zone I-1s (Industrial Park Storage District), consisting of approximately 4.0 acres

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY COLORADO

ATTEST:

Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk

Legal Notice No. CCX1342

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

NOTICE OF ELECTION

June 25, 2024 Election by Mail Ballot Adams County, Colorado Tuesday, June 25, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held in Adams County, Colorado, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, as a Mail Ballot Election.

Beginning June 3, 2024, ballots in signed Official Return Envelopes may be dropped off at any of the following designated drop-off locations.

24-Hour Drop Box Locations

Adams County Government Center –

4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Brighton Adams County Human Services Center – 11860 Pecos St., Westminster Adams County Justice Center –1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton Adams County Western Services Center – 12200 N. Pecos St., Westminster Anythink Library Wright Farms –5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton Aurora Motor Vehicle –3449 N. Chambers Rd., Aurora Aurora Municipal Center* –15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora Bennett Motor Vehicle* –355 S. First St., Bennett Brighton City Hall –

500 S. 4th Ave., Brighton Carpenter Skate Park (Margaret Carpenter Rec Center) – 3558 E. 112th Ave., Thornton Colfax Community Network –1585 Kingston St., Aurora Commerce City Civic Center –7887 E. 60th Ave., Commerce City

Commerce City Motor Vehicle –7190 Colorado Blvd., Commerce City

Daniel C. Vallez Family Education Center (fka Perl Mack Community Center) –7125 Mariposa St., Denver

Federal Heights City Hall –2380 W. 90th Ave., Federal Heights Front Range Community College (College Hill Library) – 3705 W. 112th Ave., Westminster Hilltop Village Shopping Center –13762 Colorado Blvd., Thornton

Kelver Public Library* –585 S. Main St., Byers

Martin Luther King, Jr. Library* –9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora

Northglenn City Hall –11701 Community Center Dr., Northglenn Riverdale Animal Shelter –12155 Park Blvd., Brighton Rotella Park –1824 Coronado Pkwy. S., Denver

Strasburg Sheriff’s Substation –2550 Strasburg Rd., Strasburg

Thornton Civic Center –

9500 Civic Center Dr., Thornton

Trail Winds Recreation Center –13495 Holly St., Thornton University of Colorado Anschutz Campus (Health & Wellness Center) –12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora Westminster City Hall–4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster Westminster Motor Vehicle –8452 Federal Blvd., Westminster

Ballots must be received at the Adams County Election Office, a designated ballot drop box, or Voter Service & Polling Center (VSPC) location by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 25, 2024, for your vote(s) to be counted. Ballots received after 7 p.m. on Election Day will not be counted. Postmarks do not count as a received date.

VOTER SERVICE & POLLING CENTERS

Services offered include voting, ballot replacement, ballot drop box, ADAaccessible ballot marking devices, new voter registration, and voter registration updates available at all locations.

Phase 1 VSPC

June 10-25, 2024

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Election Day – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Bennett Motor Vehicle Office* –355 S. First St., Bennett

Phase 2 VSPCs

June 17-25, 2024

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Election Day – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Adams County Government Center (Conference Center Entrance on West Side) –4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Brighton Adams County Human Services Center – 11860 Pecos St., Westminster Bennett Motor Vehicle Office –355 S. First St., Bennett Commerce City Motor Vehicle –7190 Colorado Blvd., Commerce City Martin Luther King, Jr. Library* –9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora Moorhead Rec Center –2390 Havana St., Aurora Westminster Motor Vehicle –8452 Federal Blvd., Westminster

Phase 3 VSPCs

June 24-25, 2024

Hours: Monday, June 24 - 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Election Day - 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Anschutz Medical Campus (Health & Wellness Center) –12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora Front Range Community College –3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster

*Denotes Drop Boxes and VSPCs shared with Arapahoe and/or Denver Counties.

Special Election in Congressional District 4 (CD4)

For voters in CD4, there will be a special election to fill the vacant seat left by Congressman Ken Buck. An additional VSPC will be provided in Bennett to support this election.

Special Election VSPC

June 10-25, 2024

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 22 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Election Day – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Bennett Motor Vehicle Office* –355 S. First St., Bennett

Sample ballots will be available online at GoVoteColorado.gov by accessing your voter registration record. Here, voters can also learn what districts they belong to.

For more election information and frequently asked questions, visit the Adams County Elections website at AdamsVotes.com or call the Adams County Elections office at 720.523.6500.

ADAMS COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER

Josh Zygielbaum, Clerk & Recorder

4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Suite E3102 Brighton, CO 80601

Legal Notice No. CCX1350

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

Notice of Proposed School Budget

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14 for the fiscal year beginning July I, 2024, and has been filed in the Office of the Superintendent, where it is available for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the Board of Education of said District at 5291 East 60th Avenue, on June 25, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

Any person paying school taxes in said District may at any time prior t6 the final adoption of the budget, file or register his objections thereto.

Legal Notice No. CCX1348

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

PUBLIC NOTICE

JUNE 25, 2024 ELECTION DATES

NOTICE is given that pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes, the Clerk & Recorder’s Election Department is convening the following boards in coordination of the June 25, 2024 Election:

May 31, 2024

Public Logic and Accuracy Testing (will begin at 9 a.m.)

July 9, 2024

Risk-Limiting Audit (will begin at 9 a.m.)

July 16, 2024

Canvass Board (will begin at 9 a.m.)

The Public Logic and Accuracy Test, Risk-Limiting Audit, and Canvass Board will be held at the Adams County Election Department, 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Ste. E3102, Brighton, CO 80601. Such meetings may be continued from day to day and time to time as necessary until completion. This notice may be revised if dates change. Interested parties may receive information regarding these activities by calling 720.523.6500.

Dated this 29th of May, 2024.

Josh Zygielbaum

Adams County Clerk & Recorder

Legal Notice No. CCX1349

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notices

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

WINDLER –Neighborhood E

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 11:00 AM local time on July 9, 2024, for:

WINDLER - Neighborhood E

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install 8-inch water line with appurtenances; 8-inch sanitary sewer line with appurtenances; and water and sanitary services in over 1 mile of residential streets and alleys. Also, furnish and install 18-inch and 24-inch storm sewer pipe with appurtenances and install over 1 mile of street improvements and concrete alleys. Bidders may bid on Part A (Erosion Control), Part B (utilities), and/or Part C (roadway). Neighborhood E is located southeast of N. Fultondale Street and 55th Avenue.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning June 6, 2024. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for three-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1347

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 20, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Conseuctive Publications

Public Notice

FINAL SETTLEMENT

Project Title: Painted Prairie Dog Park Phase 1

Project Owners: Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority

Project Location: City of Aurora, Adams County

The Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority plans to accept the above titled project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Hall Contracting, LLC. after July 10, 2024. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Hall Contracting, LLC., as necessary, to protect the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Hall Contracting, LLC. to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Hall Contracting, LLC. are hereby notified that unresolved outstanding claims must be certified and forwarded to:

Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E. Address:5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 as soon as possible, but no later than July 8, 2024.

Legal Notice No. CCX1346

First Publication: June 6, 2024

Last Publication: June 20, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Connector Roads #1 Streetlights

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on July 09, 2024 for:

Connector Roads #1 Streetlights

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install Streetlights for the Connector Roads #1 at Windler. The Project is located south of E. 56th Avenue and north of 52nd Avenue between E-470 and Harvest Road and is comprised of approximately 26,000 LF of conduit, 158 streetlights, 21 Pedestrian Lights and 16 Transformers & Control Centers.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning June 6, 2024. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will

for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for three-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1345

First Publication: June 6, 2024 Last Publication: June 20, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY 48th Avenue and Wenatchee Street Streetlights

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on June 21, 2024 for:

Windler 48th Ave and Wenatchee Street Streetlights

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install Streetlights for 48th Ave and Wenatchee Street which is comprised of approximately 3,900 LF of conduit, 17 streetlights and 1 meter pedestal along 48th Avenue from Tibet Road to E-470 and 5,500 LF of conduit, 61 streetlights and 1 meter pedestal along Wenatchee Street.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning May 23, 2024. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for two-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1339

First Publication: May 23, 2024

Last Publication: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-consecutive Publications

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Michael Keith Napple/ Michael K. Napple/ Michael Napple, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30339

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before September 23, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ryan N. Morey, Attorney for Steven Seder, Personal Representative 5003 Half Moon Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Legal Notice No. CCX1338

First Publication: May 23, 2024 Last Publication: June 6, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Priscilla Baca, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 86

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before September 30, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Dave Roybal, Personal Representative 7560 Locust Street Commerce City, Co 80022

Legal Notice No. CCX1341

First Publication: May 30, 2024 Last Publication: June 13, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###

COMMITTEE

One way the committee is looking to improve air quality for residents is through an anti-idling campaign, something that has gained traction in other cities, Sanchez noted. For example, many parents arrive at their children’s schools early to pick them up and sit in their cars waiting for a long time.

If you want to beat the crowd, that’s ne, Sanchez said, but leaving your car engines running while

waiting in the car is both pointless and bad for air quality.

“As of right now, they’re sending all this pollution into the air right as kids are coming out of school, and they’re breathing all of that in,” she said.

Community engagement and transparency e EPAC’s approach to transparency includes holding multiple open meetings a year that allow for public comment. is provides an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and priorities, which helps to inform policies that re ect

the community’s needs. e committee also provides clear and comprehensive reports on its activities and progress throughout the year.

How can you get involved? e EPAC currently has one vacancy they are looking to ll, but more could open up over time due to the six-year term limits placed on members. It’s a goal of the EPAC to be comprised of members from all over Commerce City rather than concentrated in one speci c area, Sanchez said. If you’re passionate about environmentalism and want to help foster a change in your com-

munity, this could be a place to start.  ey also o er monthly sustainability challenges, where you can receive rewards in return for practicing environmentally conscious habits. e EPAC also holds several meetings annually, which are open to the public so long as you pre-register.  Whether by attending meetings, providing feedback, or participating in community events, there are many ways to contribute to the committee’s e orts that don’t require expert-level knowledge. For more information on the EPAC, check out their website or contact Rosemarie Russo at rrussso@c3gov.com.