Here’s why September is the time to celebrate Latin American culture and traditions
Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15 and celebrates the histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latino communities. e celebration goes hand in hand with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, highlighting their historic struggles and achievements toward independence.
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on Sept. 15; Mexico is the next day, Chile celebrates Sept. 18 and Belize celebrates Sept. 21.
As the month progresses, many
celebrations of Hispanic and Latino contributions to society begin in Colorado and beyond. is year for many Mexicans, Las Vegas is the place to be: icon Luis Miguel is scheduled to perform the day before Mexico’s Independence Day at Caesar’s Palace.
Celebrations in other countries
Some Latin American countries honor their independence movements around mid-September, which according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, “occurred in the Age of Revolutions, a period from the late 1700s to the mid 1800s, when several countries fought for and gained their independence.” By 1836, most Latin American countries, except Puerto Rico and Cuba, had gained independence.
In one of Costa Rica’s oldest traditions known as the Lantern Parade, children bring light to the streets on the eve of its Independence Day, according to the Tico Times, an English-language newspaper there.
Before the parade, many sing the national anthem in their homes or outside and television and radio stations broadcast the national anthem.
In Mexico’s Independence Day Eve tradition, “El Grito,” a ceremony is led by the president of Mexico and the bells of the National Palace are rung as they recreate one of Mexico’s most important historical moments, according to the o cial government website of Mexico. “El Grito de Dolores” was when Father Hidalgo urged the people of Dolores to rise up against Spanish rule and gave reasons as to why they could not stay passive during a time of struggle. e Mexican ag is waved and honors the country’s heroes. As the president lists their names, the Mexicans who are all at the main square of Mexico City, called El Zocalo, shout “Viva! Viva!” It’s an expression that represents the respect and admiration from the nation toward those heroic gures.
SEE HERITAGE,
Advocates hail gas company’s withdrawal of tank expansion
BY LONDON LYLE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
A press conference was held on Friday at Dupont Elementary School to celebrate major gasoline distributor Magellan Pipeline Company’s decision to withdraw a widely criticized proposal that would add ve more gasoline tanks across the street from the elementary school. e withdrawal follows a wave of community opposition, with environmental advocates vocalizing concerns about potentially worsening existing health problems that are caused by high levels of pollution in Commerce City.
Despite the good news, environmental and community activists aren’t quite ready to pop the champagne.
Representatives from the environmental advocacy nonpro tCultivando, local healthcare providers, educators, and Adams 14 o cials joined activists and community members to discuss their thoughts on the withdrawal, with many emphasizing that the ght was far from over.
“ e poisonous air that already exists in Commerce City disproportionately impacts our most marginalized community members,” said local environmental activist Rana AlHarbi. “Although we celebrate today, we cannot rest on this achievement. is is only the beginning, and there will be more businesses who will try to pollute our air in the interest of making money,” she said.
Noting Commerce City’s status as a “historically exploited community” during a press conference on Friday, AlHarbi also directly called on the state health department’s Air Pollution Control Division director to take further action.
SEE WITHDRAWAL, P10
A dancer at the Viva Southwest Mariachi Conference on the Metropolitan State University Auraria Campus in April 2024. FILE PHOTO
Brighton Fire Department adds a new generation
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Before Brighton Fire Rescue District EMT Gianna Garrison started her career, she said she didn’t have to search far for inspiration.
“My father, as a re ghter,” Gianna said about her Dad, Brighton Fire Chief Brycen Garrison. “I developed a sense of pride for his profession from a young age. I value every call as an emergency and strive to make a positive impact on the community, as well as the importance of personal connections and learning from each experience.”
Similarly, Brighton Fire ghter Maddie Gri th was always interested and inspired by her father, Brighton Fire Lieutenant Scott Gri th.
“When I was a little girl growing up, I thought it was the coolest thing ever to see my dad as a volunteer re ghter, before he got hired at the Brighton station,” he said.
Both started at the Brighton department in 2023, part of a new generation of re ghter, both with special links to their profession and their department.
Maddie said she started out considering other elds.
“I liked physical therapy/personal trainer; I was leaning toward kinesiology, which is the study of the body and how it moves its muscles,” Maddie said. at was until Christmas break during her senior year of college. With plenty of vacation time, she did a few ride-alongs with Brighton re ghters.
“It was awesome. In my senior year, it hit me, I knew I wanted to be a re ghter,” Maddie said. “I had a lot of help from people down here at the station applying. Every person I met was super willing to help me apply, get my application in, and prepare me.”
“When working in the eld, same as my dad. It’s super heartwarming to go out and do even the small things, like changing re alarms. e people are just so excited that we’ll go and do that and I also really enjoy it,” Madison said.
Volunteers
Chief Garrison began his career as a volunteer. A Colorado transplant originally settling in Denver after college, he said he chose Brighton as a home before he chose re ghting as a career. He was working a corporate job for AT&T Wireless but was living in Brighton.
“I saw a sign at station one, o Main Street, that they were looking for volunteers. Before that, they had just hired their rst career line sta and some administrative sta . ey also started hiring the rst group of career re ghters,” Garrison said.
“As a volunteer re ghter, you received very little compensation for your calls that you went on, but the whole idea was to help out, and that’s how I started, and I didn’t know I would become a career reghter,” Garrison said.
When his corporate job was re-
Like father, like daughter
located to Plano, Texas, Garrison opted to stay in Colorado.
“I received a severance from AT&T and then tried to gure out my career path. I loved the opportunity provided through re ghter volunteering, but I didn’t realize that you could be a career re ghter,” he said.
He applied for a full-time position, took the necessary tests and was hired by Brighton in 2004.
“I nd immense satisfaction in teamwork and helping others, a trait I attribute to my family’s history of service in the military. I’ve been re chief for three years, nding the work deeply rewarding and aligned with my values,” Chief Garrison said.
Fort Morgan to Brighton
Lt. Scott started his career as a volunteer too, but in Fort Morgan beginning in 1989.
“After thinking about it, I fell in love with it and knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Scott Gri th said. “I saw the Brighton Fire Department was hiring reserves in 2000, I applied, went through the process, and became a reserve re ghter. en, in 2004, when they opened stations ve and four in Brighton, they hired about 20 guys; I applied and got hired.”
Both kept their daughters involved in their careers.
Maddie would visit her father from the time he was on duty at the Fort Morgan station, climbing into the trucks to pretend she was driving. He even taught her how to check the water levels in the re trucks’ tanks, warning him when they were low.
“I said, ‘In the overhead, pull the hose down and ll it up’ and she would do every truck,” he said.
Raising her hand
Gianna said she recalls back in elementary school when her teacher
walked into the classroom with a couple of re ghters dressed up for re prevention week.
“I didn’t realize how important re prevention was, (but) I realized that I knew all these people coming into my school, and after the skit was done, we talked about the importance of preventing res,” Gianna said.
“ ey asked for questions. I didn’t have a question, but I remember sitting there with my hand raised as high as it could go to tell everybody that my dad was a reghter. It was my rst genuine moment of pride for my dad in the re service.”
Gianna said that I always felt pride for re ghters in the community at every re event, whether it was school or something her dad was bringing her to. She was inspired in her junior year of high school, thinking about her future, such as college, trade schools, or going straight to work.
“I tossed around the ideas of di erent emergency medical services, crime scene investigations, and a doctor, and I started getting into ride-along with Brighton Fire. I also visited several hospitals and looked into another re department,” Gianna said. “Fire ghters resonated with me simply because of how everybody interacts with each other in the rehouse and the community. “
Gianna said she started attending EMT school at Ames Community College during her senior year in high school. She began her mornings early with a good workout, went to her high school classes and then attended EMT school at night.
“Some of my friends from EMT school work here at Brighton Fire, which is awesome. EMT school was my rst insight into what it’s like to be in the emergency medical services,” Gianna said.
She graduated from Aims from
EMT school and high school at 17, and then started at the Fire ghter Academy when she turned 18, graduating in May 2023 at 19.
Gianna said it makes her smile with every call. She’s only been a re ghter for a short time, but she’s picked up on every single call as an emergency. Learning about them is essential to her.
“Whether it’s lling up somebody’s water because they can’t get out of bed, or it’s helping people breathe better, I learn something new on every single call, whether it’s medical, re, or about people’s personalities,” Gianna said.
“Everybody I encounter who lives in the community has lives entirely di erent than mine, and I get to be a part of their life and make it positive to nd a connection with them and leave a smile on their face by the end of it,” she said.
‘Super cool experience’
Madison graduated from Hayes College in Kansas with a physical therapy degree but immediately returned to classes, working to be certi ed as an EMT.
Scott said, “When Maddie nished school and came home one day, I asked her, what do you want to do with your life? Maddie said she wanted to be a re ghter.”
She applied with the Brighton department while taking classes and was noti ed in June 2023 that she’d been hired.
“It was a super cool experience. I stayed outside and missed threequarters of the last half of class, trying to get a hold of my dad to tell him that I got hired. It all happened really fast, I’m was super excited, and I felt really honored and blessed, that I got hired.”
She started at the re academy a month later, graduating in November 2023.
Gianna Garrison with her dad Chief Brycen Garrison during her firefighter academy graduation.
COURTESY PHOTO
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Inspecting and Dealing With Inspection Issues Is Crucial to the Buying Process
Sellers and their listing brokers are required by law to disclose all known defects to prospective buyers, and buyers should get and study the Seller’s Property Disclosure and share it with their inspector prior to conducting a professional inspection of the home they are buying. This form is to be completed “to the seller’s current actual knowledge,” but shouldn’t be counted on.
contract, so my buyer can see whether it’s worth the expense of a professional measurement, which can cost several hundred dollars. (I also place this device in the basements of homes I list, to give the seller a heads-up on whether to expect radon mitigation as an inspection demand.)
As a buyer, you absolutely must hire a professional inspector who will perform an overall inspection of every system and appliance within the house. Your inspector will ask if you want to do a radon test or a sewer scope, both of which cost extra. Say “yes” to both those services.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas produced from the decay of uranium, and has been reported to cause more lung cancers than cigarette smoking. If the testing shows a level above the EPA’s action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter of air, you will want to include mitigation of radon among your inspection demands.
At Golden Real Estate, we purchased a $199 handheld device, available at Ace Hardware, which quickly provides an approximation of the level of radon gas but should not be confused with a professional measurement done by your inspector. However, I like to put it in the home’s basement right after going under
Sewer scopes only cost $100200 and are money well spent, because if they reveal a problem requiring excavation, that could cost thousands of dollars.
Schedule the inspection early, because your inspector may recommend additional inspections by an electrician, a plumber, a structural engineer, a roofer or other specialist based on what he saw.
Keep in mind that money spent on all such inspections is money well spent, because you can reasonably demand that the seller fix serious issues that your inspectors uncover. Your broker should be able to recommend an inspector that he or she trusts. Even if your broker is new and hasn’t had significant experience with inspectors for other buyers, his or her managing broker will be able to make a good recommendation. With over two decades of representing buyers under my belt, you can be sure that I have sound, professional inspectors to recommend, and so do my broker associates.
If you’re a seller, you’ve probably heard recommendations that you do a
pre-listing inspection of your home, but I don’t recommend that. You need to disclose all defects you know about, and any listing agent worth his salt (and his license to practice real estate) won’t work with you if you aren’t completely honest and forthcoming about every known defect in your home. Don’t hire an inspector to do the job of a buyer’s inspector. Let your buyer alert you to defects you aren’t yet aware of.
(Note: If your buyer terminates after sending you their inspection report, you now know about those additional defects, and you’ll have to revise your seller’s property disclosure accordingly.)
Lastly, keep in mind that you don’t want to fix known defects that won’t keep a buyer from wanting to submit a
contract. For example, your furnace may be at the end of its expected lifespan, but don’t replace it. Disclose its age in the SPD, of course, and expect that the buyer will ask for it to be replaced, but keep that as a bargaining chip if the buyer submits a long list of inspection demands. Then agree to replace it, and, because it’s a big ticket item, you may be able to deny any number of lesser fixes demanded by your buyer.
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Finding help key to staying healthy
Health fair o ers vital support for Latino community in area
BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
During a recent free health fair in Commerce City, La Ciudad met Imelda Cuevas, a dedicated volunteer originally from Narayrit, Mexico, who is the mother of a child with Down syndrome.
She shared the importance of the events and their importance for the Latino community. During the
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interview, Cuevas explained the barriers Latinos face in accessing essential medical services, highlighting the lack of health insurance and high costs as the main obstacles. She also discussed the signi cance of hosting these events in community spaces like churches, where people can access services after Mass.
Cuevas also mentioned groups like Sand Creek, which help Latino families connect with natural and educational resources. Additionally, she explained the critical role of volunteer interpreters at these events, facilitating communication between doctors and non-Englishspeaking patients.
In this interview, Imelda Cuevas reminds us of the urgency to continue expanding these services to improve the health and well-being of our community.
is interview has been edited for length and clarity.
CCM: Why is a free health fair so important here in Commerce City?
Imelda Cuevas: It’s important because, I work a lot in these areas, and so many people don’t get their blood or cholesterol checked. ey don’t access medical services because of a lack of money. You have to pay for insurance, and it’s not that easy. Especially for our Latino community, it’s very hard to access all the services that should be available.
So these clinics are organized thinking of them, relying on many volunteers who donate their time. Many doctors come and do the check-ups voluntarily, just like I do.
CCM: Why is the health fair held in a church instead of a clinic? Is this a strategic decision?
Cuevas: e truth is, it was planned here because there’s a large Latino community. is church holds many Masses in Spanish, so it’s a way to take advantage of the opportunity for people coming out of Mass to access the resources available here in the community.
CCM: What challenges does our community face when trying to access health services?
Cuevas: It’s hard to access these services, so it’s good that organizations come and inform people about the services and help them apply for the exams. is clinic, organized with the help of Julissa Soto, allows our people to get diabetes tests, have their blood pressure checked, and receive a general check-up. e mission is for families to take advantage of all the services available here in the community.
CCM: What services do you think are urgent for our people?
Cuevas: For me, the most urgent things are getting blood pressure checks, heart exams and ear checks because these are essential to continue working and moving forward. Other urgent conditions are diabetes and cholesterol, which mostly a ect our people. ere are a lot of resources here at this clinic, and we also have other resources that people can access.
CCM: Can you give us an example of services that bene t the community?
NETWORK OF SUPPORT
These organizations provide a network of support, services, and valuable resources for Latino families with children with special needs in Commerce City and surrounding areas.
North Metro Community Services
Description: Provides early intervention and other services for children with disabilities or developmental delays in Commerce City.
Services: Evaluations, intervention plans, family support.
Website: www.nmetro.org/ Developmental Pathways
Description: An organization o ering services and support to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Arapahoe, Douglas, and parts of Adams counties.
Services: Early intervention support, skill development, mental health services.
Website: www.dpcolo.org/ Rocky Mountain Human Services
Description: Provides support for individuals with disabilities in the Denver area, including families with children with special needs.
Services: Early intervention, service coordination, physical and occupational therapy.
Website: www.rmhumanservices.org/
Cuevas: We have an initiative called Sand Creek, ey work with the parks, helping Latino families go with their children and take advantage of the natural resources. I love it because my son loves going, and they do activities like catching grasshoppers and then releasing them back into their habitat. ese outdoor activities are very important, especially for kids who spend hours on their phones or tablets. ey also give out books and other resources to people who attend.
CCM: I’ve seen today that you are also working as an interpreter. How important is it to have this type of service for our community?
Cuevas: It’s very important because, for example, some doctors speak Spanish, but others don’t. So, we facilitate communication between the community members who don’t speak English and the doctors. It’s essential to establish good communication, especially if someone has a medical problem.
CCM: Is this voluntary work, or are you being paid today?
Cuevas: No, we’re volunteers. We’ve been here since seven in the morning setting things up. is is the third or fourth time I’ve participated, and I really like it. I have kids, so this is a way to help the community. I feel very satis ed being able to do this.
I have a daughter with Down syndrome, and many time, I meet families who don’t know about the resources they are entitled to. eir kids are already grown, and they don’t know what to do or why they lost their Medicare. We have people who help them, but many families don’t know where to look for help.
I’m not an expert, but I always know who to refer them to. What I’ve learned, I’ve learned because of my daughter. I’ve knocked on doors
El Grupo Vida
Description: A support network for Latino families with children with disabilities.
Services: Support groups, resources, workshops for parents, and community advocacy.
Website: www.elgrupovida.org/ PEAK Parent Center
Description: A center that works with families of children with disabilities in Colorado, providing resources and training.
Services: Information on educational rights, parent training, and advocacy.
Website:www.peakparent.org/ The Arc of Colorado
Description: An organization that advocates for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Services: Legal assistance, family support programs, and rights advocacy.
Website: thearcofco.org/ Family Voices Colorado
Description: Supports families of children with complex medical needs, connecting them with resources and assistance.
Services: Health service navigation, advice, and rights advocacy.
Website: www.familyvoicesco.org/
and know who can help.
CCM: So you’re a natural navigator!
Cuevas: I don’t get paid for it. I just know when someone needs something, I tell them what I’ve learned. Maybe what works for me won’t work for them, but I know people and organizations that can help. I’m not part of any organization; I’m just a volunteer.
CCM: How does the North Metro organization you mentioned work? Cuevas: North Metro handles early intervention. ey’re responsible for covering this area of Commerce City.
CCM: Do you know of any other organizations that support families with children who have special needs?
Cuevas: No, the only organization I know that helps with early intervention is North Metro. If you live in Commerce City, they (can) help you. I also know that Developmental Pathways and Rocky Mountain Human Services cover other areas.
CCM: Would you like to add anything about the importance of offering free health services to our community? e organizers have even provided food for the people, and everything is free. Why is this fair and necessary?
Cuevas: Yes, it’s fair and necessary. And all this is thanks to leaders like Julissa Soto, but also to the volunteer doctors and all the people who make this possible. We want this to continue growing so that more resources are available to the community.
Everything I’ve learned has been because I’ve had to navigate the system to help my daughter. at’s why, when I meet a family with a child with special needs, I try to help them in any way I can.
Colorado’s open records on air pollution good enough
BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
e Environmental Protection Agency is letting Colorado air pollution o cials o the hook for making records available to members of the public who might want to help police corporate rule-breaking, two state environmental groups say. e federal agency had previously held up approval of a key “state implementation plan” detailing how Colorado will stop northern Front Range violations of EPA ozone caps. e EPA in delaying approval had agreed with environmental groups that Colorado should more frequently demand records from polluters and make them easily accessible.
But Colorado pushed back hard, arguing that its proposed system provided “e ective and reasonable” access to anyone who wanted it, and that the EPA’s initial demands went above and beyond what the agency was requiring of other states. Attorney General Phil Weiser’s o ce sued the EPA in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, as required by the Clean Air Act, to stop the demands for expanded open records. Now it’s likely the environmental groups will have to le their own lawsuit with the 10th Circuit, demanding the EPA’s tougher openaccess rule be put back in place.
Coloradans wanting to check up
on actual air pollution emissions from oil and gas or other sites will be “getting just the tip of the iceberg,” said Ryan Maher of the Center for Biological Diversity, which along with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has been challenging Colorado’s open records rules. “And the EPA and Colorado are saying, well, that’s all the public needs.”
e gap of information available to the public comes frequently in aring operations at oil and gas production sites, with rules requiring that the producer have burning devices that remove 95% of methane and volatile organic compound emissions created as an extraction byproduct, Maher said.
e oil and gas company may only need to report once a year that it has the minimum required equipment in place, Maher said. But those reports don’t say how often the aring equipment is o ine due to malfunction or maintenance, or whether it’s truly burning up 95% of pollution. Unless state inspectors demand those records and put it online in a way the public can access, enforcement lags, Maher said.
“ ere’s 14,000 permitted entities out there, and the state is not requesting records on a regular basis,” Maher said.
“We know that we’re not going to get access to a lot of this unless it’s required by the EPA,” he said.
e Denver regional o ce of the EPA said it was still evaluating comments on its proposal to accept new State Implementation Plan details from Colorado, and would respond to groups like Center for Biological Diversity before taking nal action. Colorado air pollution control of-
cials said they would not have any comment about the open records dispute.
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.
View from the NOAA/NASA Twin Otter research plane making runs over the Denver Julesburg oil basin in search of greenhouse gas and ozone precursor sources in early July. PHOTO
Red Rocks’ 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb draws estimated 2,500 attendees
Participants honor firefighters and other Sept. 11 victims with nine laps around amphitheatre
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
An estimated 2,500 people — many re ghters in full gear, some seniors climbing slowly but steadily, a few babes in arms and a handful teens vaulting easily up the stone steps — paid tribute on Sept. 11 by participating in the Colorado 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks.
e event honors the 343 reghters and nearly 3,000 people who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, which included two planes crashing into the World Trade Center towers. It also honors the 362 re ghters who’ve died since from illnesses related to the terrorist attacks.
Participants did nine laps up and down the Red Rock Amphitheatre stairs, the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.
e event began with the replaying of a 9/11 New York City radio broadcast, during which callers witnessing planes hitting the towers called in to share their observations and express horri ed disbelief. Event coordinator Shawn Duncan, noting the divisiveness that accompanies national elections, urged participants to remember that day and the days that followed. “ ink about how united our country was,” he said. “All we cared about was being there for one another. As we climb these stairs today, remember that feeling. Carry it with you. Let’s get back to caring for one another and let’s be united again.”
A veteran rang the Honor Bell, the
Colorado Emerald Society bagpipe band played “Amazing Grace,” and a singer sang the national anthem — all under a massive American ag hung between two re trucks. ousands of people then walked up the south ramp to the amphitheatre and began making their laps.
Among them were 45 students and four teachers from Evergreen Country Day School.
Teacher Allison Musser said the school does a lot of work in the community around it and talked about Sept. 11 before coming to the event. “ is has been great for them,” she said. “Having these kids see these teams of re ghters doing the climb in all their gear, seeing the sacri ces people are still willing to make for others, is good for them. ese kids weren’t even on the planet then; they don’t know life pre-9/11. is
“It was amazing; I love doing things like this,” said Lena Humphrey, 13. “It was a really good experience … in memory of all these amazing people.”
In its 15th year, the Red Rocks event drew participants from 24 states, the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom.
Last year’s event raised $116,000 through donations.
e Red Rocks climb is one of 50 9/11 memorial stair climbs, including the original event which began in Denver in 2005. e Morrison event is the largest and most wellattended in the country, according to the event’s website.
e climbs bene t the FDNY Counseling Services Unit and the programs provided by the National Fallen Fire ghters Foundation.
An American flag strung between two fire trucks flies over the crowd at the start of Red Rocks’ 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
A woman carries a baby on her back as she climbs the stairs at Red Rocks. PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER
Commerce City unveils Monaco Park’s $3.6M makeover
BY LONDON LYLE
It’s not every day that a city council member challenges the mayor and city manager to go head-to-head in a basketball game, but that’s exactly what happened on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the reopening of the newly renovated Monaco Park.
Standing in front of the park’s new “ tness court,” which features state-of-the-art outdoor workout equipment, Mayor Steve Douglas, City Manager Jason Rogers, Council Member Rocky Teeter and Council Member Kristi Douglas celebrated the park’s o cial reopening. Kids enjoyed a sunny day of play with new basketballs, hats and other goodies from UCHealth. e Colorado Rapids mascot, RapidMan, even made a special appearance. Monaco Park, originally built in 1973, sits on a nine-acre site in the heart of Commerce City. Over the decades, the park has undergone a few minor upgrades, but the new renovation featuresmore accessible playgroundsas well as numerous
other upgrades that improve inclusivity for residents. e project was funded by the city along with grants from Adams County Open Space and the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
e park’s new additions include pavilions complete with electrical outlets and overhead lighting, an inclusive playground for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, ADA-accessible walkways and ush restrooms. e city also added pedestrian-level lighting to improve safety and visibility at night.
e park’s centerpiece, however, is the new tness court, Commerce City’s rst. According to Parks Capital Project manager Tony Jaramillo, the court was installed in partnership with the National Fitness Campaign and UCHealth and is designed to o er free access to highquality workout equipment.
It provides residents with an equitable exercise space, ensuring that people of all tness levels can enjoy a good workout, he said.
City Manager Jason Rogers thanked the community for their
patience during the renovation process.
“We at the city are extremely happy to create this for you all, and for your families to be able to enjoy this going forward,” he said.
“I talked to some residents earlier and some of the [city] sta . ere were 60 people out here last night.
at’s fantastic,” Mayor Douglas said. Tuesday’s ceremony also boasted a signi cant turnout.
One part of the project had given residents pause — the removal of several diseased trees that city o cials said posed a potential environmental hazard. While the trees’ absence does leave a noticeable gap in the park’s landscape, it won’t last forever, as the city has already begun planting 35 trees, Mayor Douglas said.
“We were really sad to see some of
these trees go down,” he said. “But just like that, we’re going to have all these new trees around here and keep everybody cool.” e project is part of a broader push by Commerce City to invest in its parks and recreational spaces to improve public health. e city has focused on creating spaces where residents can engage in community-building activities and enjoy time outdoors. Monaco Park’s new tness court provides residents with an accessible, albeit non-traditional, way to hit the gym, sans expensive membership fees.
“ is is what Commerce City deserves. We deserve the best, and we should expect the best from now on,” Council Member Douglas said, receiving a round of applause from the crowd.
GENERATIONS
“I was shocked when I found out she had fun at the academy, but I didn’t know this was the career she wanted. en, when she came home and told me she got hired, I said, oh my god, this is going to be awesome. I was super proud, and pumped—this is one of the best departments and the greatest jobs in the world,” Scott said.
“When working in the eld, same as my dad. It’s super heartwarming to go out and do even the small things, like changing re alarms. e people are just so excited that we’ll go and do that and I also really
HERITAGE
Chile celebrates the days leading up to its Independence Day by having Fiestas Patrias, which o cially happen on Sept. 18-19, but Chileans start celebrating at the start of September. e parties leading up to the o cial Independence Day celebrations involve food, music and a folk dance called “pie de cueca,” according to Chile Travel, the Chilean government’s o cial tourism website. Cumbia music and dance is also included in the Fiesta Patrias.
Similar to how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, many countries celebrate independence by eating their country’s cuisine, listening and
dancing to their music and honoring all things related to their country.
Similar to the U.S. tradition of reworks, Guatemala has a torch marathon, where its joined by other countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua to run the “Antorcha de la Independencia” (torch of independence), to pay honor to a tradition that began Sept. 14, 1821 when, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, “María Dolores Bedoya ran through the Guatemalan streets carrying her lantern as a symbol of hope for the liberated nations.”
Where to celebrate here
Areas throughout Commerce City and beyond still o er places to party and celebrate independence.
Hispanic Heritage Month at His-
job. We’re helping out and making a di erence. I feel like everybody on the department does a really great job and it’s a blessing to work here with them. “
tory Colorado: Are you interested in learning more about achievements and contributions of the Chicano, Latino and Hispanic communities throughout history? From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, History Colorado has you covered with exhibitions and guest speakers to help Coloradans “expand their understanding of history and lived experiences of the Centennial State’s diverse populations and celebrate Hispanic Americans who motivated others to succeed.”
History Colorado o ers various opportunities for learning throughout the state, from Denver to Fort Garland, and online. Go to their website for admission costs and other details.
Commerce City’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration: On the more local front, Commerce City will celebrate
Chief Garrison said he’s very proud of Gianna’s choice and her decision to become a re ghter.
“It re ects my family’s legacy in the re service, the pride of Gianna’s dedication to helping others, the importance of continuous learning and growth within the profession, and my con dence in her ability to face challenges and make a positive impact,” Brycen said.
Gianna said she’s proud to carry on the family legacy, but also hopes to establish one of her own.
“I realized how important it was for me to enter this career as a Garrison but as myself. And that’s important to me. She said that I made that clear throughout everything I’ve done: my name and work; I want to be set apart from my dad.”
Hispanic Heritage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 22, in Downtown Derby at the intersection of 72nd Place and Monaco Street along Colorado Highway 2. For entertainment, guests can enjoy performances from Aztec Dancers, Youth Mariachi, Folk Dance and a live band. Commerce City’s celebration will also feature face painting, a photo booth, a bouncy castle, a crafts area and a game of lotería. Like all other celebrations, food is a must for a good time. e celebration will feature authentic cuisine for purchase from El Jardin, GordiBuena, Mariscos Sinaloa, Tamales by Sara and more. is free, family-friendly event will also feature an opportunity to learn about resources and vendors in the community, and a Vaccine Mobile Unit will be standing by.
Chief Brycen Garrsion and his daughter Gianna Garrison. COURTESY PHOTO
Cool schools: AC a must for students, teachers
How local schools keep kids cool in this long stretch of hot weather
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As summer’s 90-degree-plus days crawl into September, local school o cials say students and sta are staying cool largely thanks to air conditioners in nearly every building. School sta ers are also using other means to lower temperatures in buildings without central air.
“Beyond ensuring our building systems are running well, our school sta is always mindful of keeping kids cool during the heat, whether they are inside or out,” said Kevin Denke, Adams 27J School District spokesman, said via email. “ is can include frequent water breaks to keep students hydrated and encouraging the use of re llable water bottles.”
All the buildings and facilities in the Brighton-based Adams 27J School District are equipped with air conditioning, even in the oldest building, which was built in 1926, said Denke. at means there was no need to include the installation of new HVAC systems in the district’s $515 million bond issue in 2021, he said.
However, there are funds allocated for some HVAC related needs such as upgrades to control systems, and in some cases, new boilers, Denke said.
“As far as how our schools are doing in the recent heat wave, our building systems are holding up
pretty well,” he said. “With varying ages of our systems, it can be difcult to anticipate issues with the combination of having full buildings again and mid to late August heat.”
e 2023 school year, Denke added, got o to a warm start with some system issues in a few of the district’s buildings. “But so far, so good this year,” Denke said.
Nationally, an estimated 41 percent of public school districts need to replace or update their HVAC systems in at least half their schools – roughly 36,000 schools across the country, according to a General Accounting O ce report and published in NEAToday.
e absence of working HVAC systems is even more alarming considering that rising temperatures due to climate change could cause even more uncomfortably hot days in classrooms soon, NEAToday states.
Due to high heat and saddled with infrastructure in dire need of repair or upgrade, school districts across the country have also been left with little options other than to send students home, the magazine states.
Closing schools because of high heat should be “unthinkable,” says Joseph G. Allen, director of Harvard University’s Healthy Buildings Program and Associate Professor at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
“We’ve been in the sick building era for over 40 years, and we’ve neglected our school buildings. It’s just something we’ve tolerated, and I’m not sure why. We know that good ventilation and ltration are key to student health, student thinking, and student performance, and yet closing schools has become our new
reality,” Allen told NEAToday.
All the schools in Adams 12 Five Star Schools, which is in western Adams County, have air conditioning although some schools don’t have air conditioning in the gym, the kitchen or the cafeteria, said Adams 12 spokeswoman Christina Dahmen, via email.
As part of the district’s proposed $830 million bond issue, air conditioning would be added to the remaining four school cafeterias and 12 school gyms that don’t currently have it, Dahmen said.
Nearly all of the schools in Westminster Public Schools/Adams District 50 have air conditioning in almost all its buildings, as a result of a 2006 bond issue for $98.6 million and a $9.9 million mill levy override in 2018, said district spokesman Ste-
phen Saunders via email.
“We made a concerted e ort to get it into our buildings,” Saunders said. e district is installing air conditioning at Shaw Heights Middle School. ere is no central air at the district’s STEM Union and Hidden Lake Secondary School. Big air blowers are being used at both schools to mitigate the heat, Saunders said. Westminster Public Schools Board of Education voted last month to place a $111 million bond issue on the November ballot. If approved, the measure would extend the 2006 bond issue which built Westminster High School and the Hodgkins Leadership Academy.
e 2006 bond also included the installation of air conditioning in almost every school in the district, according to a news release.
As the summer’s heat extends into the school year, local districts say they are relying on good air conditioning — thanks to recent bond issues — to keep the classroom temperatures at a comfortable level. FILE PHOTO
“Michael Ogletree and the Air Pollution Control Division must do more to ensure that this never happens again by working with the community to update their permit requirements,” she said.
Magellan is owned by Fortune 500 company ONEOK, one of the largest energy midstream service providers in the country. According to ONEOK spokesperson Annell Morrow’s statement on the decision to back out of the commercial contract, Magellan no longer deems the ve additional tanks to be a necessity. e statement added that the company is committed to working with local stakeholders moving forward.
Numerous speakers at the press conference connected the dots between Commerce City’s high pollution levels and the adverse health e ects experienced by residents, such as higher rates of asthma and lung cancer than in residents of neighboring Zip codes.
A testimony from Lisa Morgan, whose home is 100 yards from the gasoline tanks, was read on her behalf. Morgan’s statement detailed her health struggles, which she attributes to the local air quality.
“Since I have moved to this area of Commerce City, I have to carry my inhaler with me and have to re ll it about ve to six times a year,” Morgan’s statement said. (For reference, according to National and Global Asthma Guidelines, typical asthmatic adults require no more than one inhaler per year.) Morgan added that before moving to Commerce City, she was only considered preasthmatic, but after residing in the Dupont area for several months, she became asthmatic.
Morgan also questioned the ethics of the terminal being in a residential area at all. “Why do I have to breathe all these toxins into my lungs? So your company can make money? Who will provide my safety and health if we add more toxins to this area?” she wrote.
Morgan’s letter ended with a call to
action for the Air Pollution Control Division to be more transparent, asking them to commit to meeting with everyday folks in the community, and to protect children and families to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.
Educators working in the district say they have witnessed the impact of poor air quality on their students.
“As a teacher, I’ve seen the health impacts rsthand — higher asthma rates, increased absenteeism and poor air quality, a ecting students’ ability to learn and even play in their own community,” said Jason Malberg, president of the Classroom Teachers Association who has taught in Adams 14 for 21 years.
Director Ogletree was one of several individuals named as a distinguished 2024 Climate Policy Hero by Trellis Group, a media and events nonpro t organization that assists sustainability professionals in networking.
Echoing some of AlHarbi’s sentiments, Malberg pointed out Ogletree’s absence from the event. He said there would have to be a systemic transformation to involve the community in decision-making processes, especially for projects that directly impact them.
“Our community has faced discrimination in permitting, and we deserve real answers from Michael Ogletree on how his division will ensure this exclusion does not happen again,” he added.
Healthcare providers have also observed the toll that pollution has taken on the community. Dr. Darcy Martinez, a family nurse practitioner in Commerce City, described the longterm impact of lung diseases caused by pollutants. “One of my patients (said) they felt like a sh out of water when they tried to breathe,” she said.
Martinez also said that many health problems plaguing individuals in Commerce City do not happen overnight, but rather result from cumulative impacts over time.
“One of my patients had an asthma attack not too far from here at Pioneer Park. She ended up having a heart attack that night. Such su ering is preventable, but we have to make an e ort to protect the community
from further exposure,” she said.
Michael Ruddock, Public Health Policy adviser for the Adams County Health Department, said the department was founded in the hope that we would focus on community issues in Adams County, like environmental justice and health equity. e permit proposal and others like it are “contrary to our fundamental freedom to breathe clean air,” he said.
Being an elected o cial doesn’t mean immunity from these problems. City Council Member Renee Chacon, who serves on the Environmental Justice Action Task Force, has rsthand experience. Chacon said many of the issues can be attributed toenvironmental racismspread by powerful oil and gas lobbyists.
“ ey do not care about our communities. at is environmental racism,” she said. “Imagine all the other places like Boulder and all the other spaces that never have to worry about their kids playing at a soccer game, and the privilege it is to breathe clean air. Our communities want to live like that, too.”
Chacon said her son, who plays soccer, gets nosebleeds almost nightly, a result of heavily breathing in high levels of benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer, low birth rates, and other health ailments, during practice.
Joe Salazar, chief legal counsel for Adams 14, drew historical parallels between the women at Cultivando and theAdelitas, the erce indigenous Mexican women who fought during the Mexican Revolution.
“ e 21st century’s version of the Adelitas is Cultivando and the Promotoras. at’s who that is. ey’re the ones who are rising up and ghting against an adversary that doesn’t give a damn about us. ey care about their pro ts,” he said.
From what he knows from his professional experience, Salazar said, this battle is far from over.
“Magellan may have pulled their permit application, but there’s nothing to say that they won’t try to bring it back again,” he warned, encouraging everyone to hold elected and appointed o cials accountable to ensure that environmental justice regulations are properly enforced.
While stopping the Magellan expansion is a signi cant victory for the residents of Commerce City, the accounts told on Friday signal that many see this as a starting point, not an endpoint.
“We have been targeted for so long you have to run for o ce just to make your voice heard,” Chacon said. “No matter who is listening to my voice, whether you’re in this vicinity or not, come and stand with us.”
Dr. Darcy Martinez speaks at a press conference on the soccer field at Dupont Elementary School, just across the road from Magellan’s Dupont Terminal.
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Adams County Commissioners
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR ADAMS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE REFERRAL OF A BALLOT ISSUE FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, GENERAL ELECTION AUTHORIZING THE IMPOSITION OF A TEMPORARY .15% COUNTYWIDE SALES TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AND INCORPORATED AREAS OF ADAMS COUNTY Resolution 2024 - 447
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic conditions have caused dramatic unanticipated increases in the cost of housing in Adams County (“County”) and the lack of affordable housing in the County for low and moderate income households has caused economic distress to Adams County individuals, families and businesses; and, WHEREAS, the County has an estimated housing unit deficit of approximately 10,000 homes that is expected to increase to approximately 30,000 by 2050 if not addressed; and, WHEREAS, a dedicated revenue stream to support the availability of affordable homes is critical to meeting the housing development goals set forth in Colorado State law; and, WHEREAS, the County is legally authorized to impose a sales tax on the sale of tangible personal property at retail and the furnishing of services, subject to the approval of the registered electors of the County; and, WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is in the interest of the residents of Adams County to impose a temporary Countywide sales tax at the rate of .15% for the period beginning January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2044, the receipts from which shall be restricted in application to the expansion of affordable housing in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Adams County; and, WHEREAS, the Board has determined that a question regarding the imposition of a temporary sales tax for the purposes enunciated herein should be submitted by the Board to the eligible electors of the County; and, WHEREAS, the Board has determined to set the ballot title and ballot question for the issue to be submitted at the election called by this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners, County of Adams, State of Colorado: 1.Pursuant to §§ 1-1-111, 1-5-203(3), and 30-11-103.5, C.R.S., the Board hereby authorizes and directs that the following ballot issue be certified herewith to the Adams County Clerk and Recorder (“Clerk and Recorder”) for submission to the registered electors in Adams County to be included on the ballot for the November 5, 2024, General Election: BALLOT ISSUE
SHALL ADAMS COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY TWENTY- TWO MILLION, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($22,200,000) (FIRST FULL YEAR DOLLAR AMOUNT, FOR COLLECTION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2025) ANNUALLY, AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNT IS RAISED THEREAFTER, BY THE IMPOSITION OF A TEMPORARY COUNTYWIDE SALES TAX AT THE RATE OF .15% ($0.15 CENTS ON A $100 PURCHASE) EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND EXPIRING DECEMBER 31,2044, WITH THE PROCEEDS TO BE USED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPANDING THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ADAMS COUNTY, BY:
DISTRIBUTING GRANTS TO MULTIJURISDICTIONAL AND COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED IN ADAMS COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSES OF:
FINANCING, PLANNING, ENTITLING, DEVELOPING, OPERATING, ACQUIRING, PRESERVING, RENOVATING, ADMINISTERING, MAINTAINING AND CONSTRUCTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SALE OR RENT IN THE UNINCORPORATED AND INCORPORATED AREAS OF ADAMS COUNTY; AND SHALL ADAMS COUNTY BE ALLOWED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAX AND THE INTEREST EARNINGS THEREON AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND ABOVE ANNUAL LIMITS WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE APPLY OR BE PROPOSED, INCLUDING AS AN APPROVED EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 29-1-301 OF THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES; ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 447. YES/FOR NO/AGAINST
2.This Resolution shall serve to set the ballot title and text of the ballot issue.
3.The election shall be conducted by the Clerk and Recorder in accordance with the Uniform Election Code, C.R.S §1-1-101, et. seq., and other laws and regulations of the State of Colorado, including without limitation, the requirements of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (hereinafter “TABOR”).
4.The Clerk and Recorder shall cause all acts required or permitted by the Uniform Election Code and the Rules relevant to be performed by the Clerk and Recorder or its designees.
5.The Clerk and Recorder shall cause a notice of election to be published in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, including but not limited to, the Uniform Election Code and TABOR.
6.The Clerk and Recorder shall mail a TABOR notice package to all active registered voter households in Adams County, pursuant to Colo. Const., Art. X, §20, which shall include the ballot issue adopted herein.
7.Pursuant to C.R.S. § 29-2-104(5), the Clerk and Recorder shall publish the text of this Resolution four separate times, a week apart, in the official newspaper of the County and each city and incorporated town within the County.
8.If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the ballot issue of implementing the temporary sales described herein, (“the Affordable Housing Sales Tax”) then such tax shall be imposed and shall apply to all taxable transactions, unless exempt, occurring on or after January 1, 2025, and through December 31, 2044, and shall be collected, administered and enforced in accordance with this Resolution and the schedules set forth in the rules and regulations promulgated by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
9.Imposition of Tax. There is hereby imposed on all sales of tangible personal property at retail or the furnishing of services in the County as provided in Section 29-2-105, et. seq., Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, a tax equal to .15% of the gross receipts, the “Affordable Housing Sales Tax”.
10.All retail sales are sourced as specified in Section 39-26-104(3). For purposes of this sales tax, all retail sales are consummated at the retailer’s place of business unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent outside the County limits. The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery charges when such charges are subject to state sales tax imposed by article 26, title 39, C.R.S., regardless of the place to which delivery is made. If a retailer has no permanent place of business in the County, the place at which the retail sales are consummated for the purpose of this sales tax shall be determined by the provisions of Article 26, Title 39, C.R.S., and by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Without limiting the broad application of this sales tax and recognizing that mobile telecommunications services are subject to particular legal requirements, this sales tax shall apply to mobile telecommunications services to the greatest extent permitted under Section 29-2-105(1.5), C.R.S.
11.Transactions Subject to the Sales Tax. The transactions subject to the Affordable Housing Sales Tax shall be as set forth below and as
required by Colorado state law. The amount subject to the tax shall not include the amount of any sales or use tax imposed by Article 26 of
Title 29, C.R.S. The sale of tangible personal property and services taxable hereunder shall be the same as the tangible personal property and services taxable pursuant to C.R.S. §39-26-104, except as provided herein, and shall be subject to the same exemptions as those specified in 7 of Article 26 of Title 39, expressly including the following exemptions:
(A)The exemption for sales of machinery or machine tools specified in section 39-26-709 (1), C.R.S., other than machinery or machine tools used in the processing of recovered materials by a business listed in the inventory prepared by the department of public health and environment pursuant to section 30-20-122 (1)(a)(V), C.R.S.;
(B)The exemption for sales of machinery or machine tools specified in section 39-26-709 (1), C.R.S., used in the processing of recovered materials by a business listed in the inventory prepared by the department of public health and environment pursuant to section 30-20-122 (1)(a)(V), C.R.S.;
(C)The exemption for sales of electricity, coal, wood, gas, fuel oil, or coke specified in section 39-26-715 (1)(a)(II), C.R.S.;
(D)The exemption for sales of food specified in section 39-26-707 (1)(e), C.R.S.; for the purposes of this exemption, “food” shall be defined as in 39-26-102(4.5);
(E)The exemption for vending machine sales of food specified in section 39-26-714 (2), C.R.S.;
(F)The exemption for sales by a charitable organization specified in section 39-26-718 (1)(b), C.R.S.;
(G)The exemption for sales of farm equipment and farm equipment under lease or contract specified in section 39-26-716 (4)(e) and (4)(f);
(H)The exemption for sales of motor vehicles, power sources, or parts used for converting such power sources as specified in section 3926-719 (1);
(I)The exemption for sales of wood from salvaged trees killed or infested in Colorado by mountain pine beetles or spruce beetles as specified in section 39-26-723, C.R.S.;
(J)The exemption for sales of components used in the production of energy, including but not limited to alternating current electricity, from a renewable energy source specified in section 39-26-724, C.R.S.;
(K)The exemption for sales that benefit a Colorado school specified in section 39-26-725, C.R.S.;
(L)The exemption for sales by an association or organization of parents and teachers of public school students that is a charitable organization as specified in section 39-26-718 (1)(c), C.R.S.;
(M)The exemption for sales of property for use in space flight specified in section 39-26-728, C.R.S.;
(N)The exemption for manufactured homes and tiny homes set forth in section 39-26-721 (3);
(O)The exemption for sales of period products as specified in section 39-26-717 (2)(m);
(P)The exemption for sales of incontinence products and diapers as specified in section 39-26-717 (2)(n);
(Q)The exemption for sales of eligible decarbonizing building materials set forth in section 39-26-731;
(R)The exemption for sales of heat pump systems and heat pump water heaters set forth in section 39-26-732;
(S)The exemption for sales of energy storage systems set forth in section 39-26-733.
12.The Affordable Housing Sales Tax shall not be imposed on the following:
(A)The sale of construction and building materials, as the term is used in section 29-2-109, C.R.S. if the purchaser of such materials presents to the retailer a building permit or other documentation acceptable to the County evidencing that a local use tax has been paid or is required to be paid.
(B)The sale of tangible personal property at retail or the furnishing of services if the transaction was previously subjected to a sales or use tax lawfully imposed on the purchaser or user by another statutory or home rule county equal to or in excess of that sought to be imposed by Adams County. A credit shall be granted against the sales tax imposed by Adams County with respect to such transaction equal in amount to the lawfully imposed local sales or use tax previously paid by the purchaser or user to the previous statutory or home rule county. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the sales tax imposed by the subsequent statutory or home rule county.
(C)The sale of tangible personal property at retail or the furnishing of services if the transaction was previously subjected to a sales or use tax lawfully imposed on the purchaser or user by another statutory or home rule city and county, city, or town equal to or in excess of that sought to be imposed by Adams County. A credit shall be granted against the sales tax imposed by Adams County with respect to such transaction equal in amount to the lawfully imposed local sales or use tax previously paid by the purchaser or user to the previous statutory or home rule city and county, city, or town. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the sales tax imposed by the subsequent statutory or home rule city and county, city, or town.
(D)The sale of food purchased with food stamps. For the purposes of this subsection (D), “food” shall have the same meaning as provided in 7 U.S.C. sec. 2012 (g), as such section exists on October 1, 1987, or is thereafter amended.
(E)The sale of food purchased with funds provided by the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children, 42 U.S.C. sec. 1786. For the purposes of this section (E), “food” shall have the same meaning as provided in 42 U.S.C. sec. 1786, as such section exists on October 1, 1987, or is thereafter amended.
(F)Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, sales of cigarettes shall be exempt from the Affordable Housing Sales Tax pursuant to 29-2-105(9), C.R.S.
13.Transactions subject to Specific Ownership Tax. All sales of personal property on which a specific ownership tax has been paid or is payable shall be exempt from said county, town, or city sales tax when such sales meet both of the following conditions:
(A)The purchaser is a nonresident of or has his principal place of business outside of the local taxing entity; and
(B)Such personal property is registered or required to be registered outside the limits of the local taxing entity under the laws of this state.
14.Collection, Administration and Enforcement. The collection, administration and enforcement of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax shall be performed by the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue (the “Executive Director”) in the same manner as the collection, administration, and enforcement of the Colorado state sales tax. The provisions of article 26 of title 39, C.R.S. and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Executive Director shall govern the collection, administration, and enforcement of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax.
15.Vendor Fee. No vendor fee shall be permitted or withheld with respect to the collection and remittance of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax.
16.Distribution of Sales Tax Revenue. The Board of County Commissioners shall be responsible for and shall establish policies and procedures concerning the oversight and distribution of proceeds from the collection of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax, and shall define the term “Affordable Housing” for the purpose of the distribution of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax.
17. Deposit and Expenditure of Revenue.
(A)The County shall establish an Affordable Housing Fund within which all revenues and expenditures from the Affordable Housing Sales Tax shall be deposited and accounted for.
(B)Up to three percent (3%) of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax collected may be used for administrative purposes associated with administrating the Affordable Housing Fund.
(C)After payment of the administrative expenses described in Section 17(B) above, moneys remaining in the Affordable Housing Fund shall be used for the purpose of distributing grants to multijurisdictional and county housing authorities established in Adams
purpose of expanding the availability of affordable housing for the benefit of the
and
Public Notices
accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of County Commissioners or its designee(s).
18.The Clerk and Recorder shall provide the Colorado Department of Revenue with written notice of this Resolution submitting the question to the registered electors no later than ten days after the adoption of this Resolution.
19.If a majority of the votes cast on the issue of the imposition of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax are in favor of such ballot issue, in accordance with §29-2-106, C.R.S. the Clerk and Recorder shall provide the Colorado Department of Revenue with a written notice of the adoption of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax, along with a copy of this Resolution, no later than forty-five days before January 1, 2025.
20.The officers and employees of the County are hereby authorized and directed to take all action necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this Resolution.
21.The rate of the Affordable Housing Sales Tax and the deposit of revenues collected as set forth in this Resolution shall not be amended, altered, or otherwise changed unless first submitted to a vote of the registered electors of the County for their approval or rejection. Other provisions of this Resolution may be amended as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution by resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with Colorado law.
22.All actions consistent with the provisions of this Resolution heretofore taken by the members of the Board of County Commissioners and the officers and employees of the County and directed toward holding the election for the purposes states herein are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed.
23.All prior acts, orders or resolutions, or parts thereof, by the County inconsistent or in conflict with this Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent only of such inconsistency or conflict.
24.If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Resolution shall be adjudged invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, clauses or provisions of this Resolution, it being the intention that the various parts hereof are severable.
25.The cost of the election shall be paid from the County’s general fund.
26.This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
Legals
City and County
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO
Notice is hereby given that this public hearing will be conducted on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 East 60th Avenue. The Planning Commission will consider:
S-851-24: Joel Farkas on behalf of Second Creek Holdings, LLC and the City of Commerce City is requesting approval of Second Creek Farm Filing 3 Amendment 2, a final plat to create two lots, totaling approximately 20.57 acres, for future commercial and residential development. The lot also splits an existing tract utilized for drainage, totaling approximately 8.33 acres. The property is generally located at the Southwest corner of East 92nd Avenue and Tower Road, currently zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Advance registration for virtual testimony/ public input is required. Additional information and instructions to register for testimony can be found in the published agenda at https://commerce.legistar. com and at https://www.c3gov.com/PC or by contacting staff at 303-289-8137 or nberry@c3gov.com. Notificatcion de un Proyecto de Desarrollo potencial cerca de su propiedad. Para servicios de traduccion en espanol, llame a Kimberly Adame 303-227-8818.
The application is on file with the Department of Community Development.
Planning Commission Chairman
Legal Notice No. CCX1413
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Commerce City on October 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m in a hybrid format, or as soon thereafter. Persons wishing to testify in person will need to appear at the Council Chambers, Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 E 60th Avenue. Persons wishing to testify virtually must register in advance. Registration information can be found at https://www.c3gov.com/government/ city-council/virtual-meetings or by phone or email requests submitted to the City Clerk at 303-227-8791 or dgibson@ c3gov.com. The hearing will also be broadcast on Channel 8 in Commerce City and livestreamed at https://www. c3gov.com/video.
Z24-0001 – Ed Jennings, on behalf of JFW Trucking is requesting approval of a Zone Change for six parcels from a mix of I-1 (Light-Intensity Industrial) and I-3 (Heavy-Intensity Industrial) to I-2 (Medium-Intensity Industrial). The subject properties total approximately 11.02 acres and are located at 5400 Forest Street. (continued from 8/19/2024)
Ordinance Z-980-24 – Applegreen, is requesting approval of a Zone Change for one, approximately 4.47-acre, lot from AG (Agricultural) to C-3 (Regional Commercial). The subject property is located at 9022 E-470, along the western (southbound) side of E-470 between East 88th Avenue and East 96th Avenue. (continued from 9/16/2024)
Ordinance Z-979-24 – Applegreen, is requesting approval of a Zone Change for one, approximately 4.40-acre, lot from AG (Agricultural) to C-3 (Regional Commercial). The subject property is located at 9021 E-470, along the eastern (northbound) side of E-470 between East 88th Avenue and East 96th Avenue. (continued from 9/16/2024)
Ordinance Z-792-05-24 – Farnsworth Group is requesting approval of the One Buckley PUD Zone Document, to amend the existing Cutler Property- Com-
Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
mercial PUD Zone Document, to allow residential uses. The subject property is approximately 31.8 acres located at the northeast corner of East 120th Avenue and Buckley Road.
PUDA23-0005 – The Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority is requesting approval of The Mile High Greyhound Park PUD Zone Document- Amendment 2, to modify standards for commercial uses within planning area B. The subject property is approximately 15.37 and located between Elm Street and Highway 2 and between East 62nd Avenue and East 64th Avenue.
S-840-24 – Allied Waste Systems of Colorado LLC is requesting a final plat for 110.57 acres
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY COLORADO
ATTEST:
Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
Legal Notice No. CCX1416
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Metro Districts Budget Hearings
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGETS OF FRONTERRA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Fronterra Village Metropolitan District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Wolfersberger, LLC, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Building G, Suite 3700, Denver, Colorado 80238, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on Wednesday, October 02, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Online video conference site
is as follows: https://www.gotomeet.me/ DistrictBoardMeetingRoom2 Members of the public may also participate via phone using the dial-in number (646) 749-3112 and access code #534-031-373 Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
FRONTERRA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: Annemarie Tucker District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 4500 First Publication: September 19, 2024 Last Publication: September 19, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGETS OF FRONTERRA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Fronterra Village Metropolitan District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Wolfersberger, LLC, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Building G, Suite 3700, Denver, Colorado 80238, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Online video conference site is as follows: https://www.gotomeet.me/DistrictBoardMeetingRoom2 Members of the public may also participate via phone using the dial-in number (646) 749-3112 and access code #534-031-373 Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
FRONTERRA VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2
By: Annemarie Tucker District Manager
September snowstorms are rare in the Denver area
But it has happened
BY JUSTIN GEORGE THE COLORADO SUN
As recently as Sept. 8, 2020, it snowed 1 inch in Denver, the second-earliest snowfall in the city’s
recorded history. September snowstorms are relatively rare in the Mile High City.
Since 1882, Denver has received a monthly snow total of at least 0.1 inch in September at least 29 times, with the earliest snowfall coming Sept. 3, 1961, when Denver was pounded with 4.2 inches of snow.
Public Notices
No. CCX 4501 First Publication: September 19, 2024
Publication: September 19, 2024
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY Neighborhood F Landscaping
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 October 18 , 2024, for:
Neighborhood F Landscaping
This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Landscaping throughout Open space within Neighborhood F (Southeast corner of Denali Street and 53rd Ave). The project includes hardscapes, plantings, ground covers, site furnishings and irrigation.
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 September 19, 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
Most years, snow doesn’t show up in the city until November or December. In 2023, snow’s rst arrival in Denver came Oct. 28. In 2022, snow fell Nov. 4.
And in 2021, the rst snow was recorded Dec. 10. at was also the latest a rst snow had ever fallen in Denver.
Before that, the latest recorded
rst snowfall occurred Nov. 21, 1934. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state. e Colorado Sun partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-size fact-checks of trending claims.
on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.
The Work is expected to be commenced within sixty (60) 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. CCX1415
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Last Publication: October 3, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications
Public Notice
WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
Neighborhood C Landscaping
Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, herein-
after 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 October 18, 2024, for:
Neighborhood C Landscaping
This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Landscaping throughout Open space within Neighborhood C (southeast corner of Denali Street and 55th Ave), The project includes hardscapes, plantings, ground covers, site furnishings and irrigation
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 September 19, 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 sixty (60) 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 Comple-
tion, 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. CCX1414
First Publication: September 19, 2024 Last Publication: October 3, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Non-Consecutive Publications
Notice to Creditors
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative on or before January 30, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.
ROBERT DYE, Personal Representative 7431 ONEIDA ST COMMERCE CITY, CO. 80022
Legal Notice No. CCX 4502
First Publication: September 19, 2024 Last Publication: October 3, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###
