Annual festival returns to Adams County to teach the importance of water
BY BELEN WARD
Colorado State University’s Energy
Institute Prof. Steven Conrad said his goal at the annual Children’s Water Festival was to give kids a peek at the magic that happens when you turn on the tap.
“Water is a valuable resource and we often overlook water because it’s buried, right? All the pipes are buried. So, we forget about how important it
is, how much e ort cities work in order to bring water to us, “ Conrad said.
“When you just turn a tap on, it’s magical. So, it is essential to expose young students and individuals to what it takes to bring water to ourselves.”
Conrad’s booth was one of the numerous stops Oct. 8 when the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District returned for its annual Children’s Water Festival returned, this time at the Adams County Regional Park in Brighton.
e Children’s Water Festival is the second oldest water festival in the country. is year’s festival theme is
“Our Water-Our Responsibility.” e kids learned how water is a natural resource for humans, people, animals and vegetation and how drink-
ing water nourishes people and produces food.
More than 900 students from 12 schools will attend the water festival. Students and teachers from Platteville, Lochbuie, Henderson, Brighton, Commerce City, ornton, Frederick, Johnstown-Milliken, and Fort Morgan all attended. e students, mostly fourth and fth graders, gathered in 38 classrooms at the Waymire Dome at Adams County Regional Park to learn about the South Platte River Basin groundwater. e students also attended the Water Tunes class, which taught about water and nature with music in Spanish and English.
Caraveo, Evans collide over top issues including immigration and abortion in 9News debate
Candidates also side step some topics and gloss over changed positions
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Candidates vying for one of the most pivotal Congressional seats in the country sidestepped questions and glossed over changed positions on important issues during a live debate Tuesday night.
Incumbent Democrat Yadira Caraveo and Republican Gabe Evans sparred in a half-hour forum sponsored by Channel 9 News over illegal immigration, the economy and abortion. e moderators were 9News anchor Kyle Clark and reporter Marshall Zelinger.
Caraveo, a pediatrician and former state lawmaker, is hoping to hold onto her 8th Congressional District job after barely winning the rst-ever election for the newly created district two years ago.
Evans earned an endorsement from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in June. Evans is an Army veteran and former Arvada police ocer. Evans is also a state representative from Fort Lupton. e 8th District is considered key to controlling the House of Representatives next year and a
Rocky Mountain National Park Outreach Trainer Kelly Koch and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Brittany Abuho teach students with Reunion Elementary in Commerce City about the history of floods.
PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
New strategic plan promotes business, innovation
The top 3 takeaways from Commerce City’s Economic Development Plan
BY LONDON LYLE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Have you considered your desires for the next 20 years in Commerce City? How about the desires of your checking account?
At Monday’s city council meeting, the city unveiled its Economic Development Strategic Plan, which is a ve-year guideline that the council, along with project consultants Community Attributes Inc., will ultimately use as a roadmap to conduct major economic decisions for the city.
Here’s a breakdown of our top three takeaways from the plan:
1. A “complete community” approach to small businesses
A major focus of the plan is to create a “complete community.” ey de ne this as making sure residents have easy access to things that make
the city fun and liveable so they don’t leave to seek entertainment elsewhere. Economically, this means Commerce City needs to invest in local businesses, restaurants and other community assets to strengthen the local economy.
In order to do this, the EDSP has identi ed several strategies they can implement to nancially support local businesses. Commerce City is unique in that a lot of folks run their small businesses out of their homes or vehicles. Part of the new economic development plan includes plans to help small businesses transition from home-based operations to physical storefronts through grant opportunities is e ort is expected to create more brick-and-mortar businesses, which will attract tourists, help small business owners and hopefully make use of currently empty commercial properties.
By focusing on the development of local businesses and ensuring that community assets align with residents’ needs, Commerce City aims to
Visit Artisans offering a large selection of hand-crafted items. Jewelry • Handmade Holiday Items • Quilting • Wreaths • Stocking Stuffers & more!
create a more self-su cient and inclusive environment for its residents.
2. Helping innovation and industry growth take o Commerce City’s economy has long been known for its reliance on the energy sector, but city council members are responding to a changing environment in which green energy is the future. One of the goals in the development plan is to use Commerce City’s proximity to Denver International Airport to its advantage in order to attract more lucrative industries, such as aerospace.
e plan includes advocating for “through-the-fence access” to DIA, which would allow businesses in Commerce City to directly access airport facilities. e plan would also try to market land near the airport to potential land developers and site selectors who specialize in airport-related businesses. Cha-ching!
Commerce City has identi ed transportation, distribution and logistics as additional areas for future growth. e plan includes strategies for supporting companies in these industries by promoting innovation and sustainability. For example, the city plans to encourage pilot projects focused on eet electri cation and green transportation technologies to encourage growth in these industries.
e plan’s architects say that by promoting businesses that align with its sustainability goals, Commerce City will be seen as a leader in environmentally responsible economic development.
3. Strengthening collaboration and economic partnerships
e economic development plan places a major emphasis on the importance of practicing collaboration and strong communication at the local and regional levels in the city. It outlines the development of a system for managing relationships with its various economic development partners. Commerce City plans to netune its approach to working with re-
gional organizations including Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Colorado O ce of Economic Development and International Trade.
e city also aims to strengthen collaboration with local stakeholders, including community groups, developers and Adams 14 schools. Commerce City’s Elevate Commerce program, which recently launched to support business retention and expansion, will be a key component of this e ort.
e plan outlines a system of “checks and balances” that city council, employers, educators, business owners and residents can get involved with to help ensure that the city’s economic development e orts are aligned with community needs. By hosting weekly meetings where everyone can voice their concerns, the plan o ers a transparent process for everyone to voice their concerns and hopefully make a sound economic future for everyone for years to come.
To read the plan in full, click here. e City Council has voted to move forward with the plan, but will continue to ne-tune it as they go.
The Economic Development Strategic Plan is a five-year guideline that will be used as a roadmap on major economic decisions for Commerce City.
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Almost No Buyers Are Having to Compensate Their Agents as Result of NAR Settlement
Leading up to the changes on August 17th which prohibited MLSs from displaying compensation for buyer brokers, I said that I would be surprised if any buyers ended up compensating their own agents. So, last week I did some research of my own and solicited input from others to see if my prediction had come true.
It has. I sent emails to listing agents who had closings in September, and every one who replied said that their seller had compensated the broker representing the buyer of their listing.
consensus was that the seller still pays. A lender who conducted a CE class in Westminster told Pam that they are still seeing the seller pay, but that sometimes if the seller is offering a buy-side compensation of 2.5% and the buyer’s agent has an agreement of 2.8%, the buyer is making up the .3% difference, or it is included in the contract as a seller credit.
My friends at First Integrity Title did a few “spot checks” on transactions which closed post-NAR settlement to verify what they were hearing based on actual data. The challenge was that they would have to open every file individually, but the consensus was that, as I expected, the seller has continued to compensate the buyer’s agent.
“It really has not changed from the past,” I was told by Pam Giarratano, our sales rep at First Integrity Title.
Here is the response Pam got from her VP of Operations:
“I can tell you that I’ve asked the same question multiple times; I’m just trying to understand how much has changed since the NAR settlement. I can tell you that I am repeatedly told that people have not seen any buyers paying their own agents.”
From Pam’s VP of Sales:
“I looked at settlement statements for a dozen closed files, and the seller paid the buyer’s agent’s commission on all of them.”
Pam asked closers and lenders, and the
That was exactly the case with one of my own listings in September. I told the buyer’s broker that the seller was offering 2.5%, and he submitted a contract with the seller paying 2.5% and the buyer paying an additional 0.3%.
Pam told me, “It looks like nothing has changed as far as the seller paying commissions. I think homeowners still want their houses looked at.”
Here’s the bottom line: Real estate is a free market. Just like builders who feel they must offer commissions to buyers’ agents because other builders are doing so, individual sellers are being counseled to offer the buyer broker commission because they realize that most buyers are represented by agents and they’re not going to buy a home if the seller requires them to compensate their own broker.
I chatted with my broker associates about this, and they are comfortable with the new rules which essentially bring more transparency to the process.
At the closing table, it has always been that the commissions paid to listing agent and buyer’s agent were listed separately on the settlement statement as being paid by the buyer. Naturally, some sellers objected to paying the buyer’s agent’s com-
Understanding Different 55+ Communities
Last week I was in a Zoom conversation with 14 of my high school classmates. We have been meeting like this every week since our 2020 reunion was canceled due to Covid. Three of us had moved into senior communities and we were answering questions about the options which we Baby Boomers face.
We are all healthy 77-year-olds (or thereabouts), but we all realize that the clock is ticking and that it’s not a matter of if but when we will need some sort of assisted living. Should we “age in place,” enter an “independent living” facility now, or wait until we need “assisted living”?
If you have 90 minutes of free time, I could share with you the URL of the recorded Zoom meeting, but for now, let me share some of the insights.
Laird lives at Windcrest, where he paid a 6-figure “entrance fee” and pays about $4,000 per month rent for a 1bedroom plus den apartment. He gets 30 meals per month in a dining room, but also has a kitchen for other meals. 90%
of his entrance fee is returnable if he leaves or dies. One thing I learned was that if by chance he runs out of money and can’t afford the rent, it is taken out of his entrance fee instead of having to leave. If assisted living is needed later, he stays in the same apartment, but the services and rent increase dramatically.
“They promise this can be my home for life,” Laird said.
Rita and I had moved into a pure rental 55+ community with no entrance fee. In fact, we paid no security deposit, and we got the first month free. We since moved to a regular apartment building.
I shared what I had learned about Vi at Highlands Ranch, where you must be healthy with no degenerative disorders, but you are promised no increase in rent when/if you need to enter assisted living, nursing care or even memory care.
The entrance fees at both facilities are reduced if you agree to only 50% or none of it being returnable when you leave.
Call me if you’d like to get more info or chat, or if you’d like that Zoom URL.
mission, forgetting that they had listed their home for x% and agreed that part of their listing agent’s commission would be offered to any agent who produced the buyer.
In other words, the commission to the buyer’s agent was coming out of the listing agent’s pocket, but it sure looked like the seller, not his agent, was compensating the buyer’s broker.
As I predicted, nothing has changed except the wording. The revised “Exclusive Right to Sell” contract still states the total commission to be paid at closing, but it lists a smaller amount that the seller will pay to the buyer’s agent, and states that the listing commission will be reduced by that amount.
Of course, in a real estate transaction, what rules are the provisions in the “Contract to Buy & Sell” between the buyer and seller. Section 29 of that document has lines to enter the compensation paid to the buyer’s broker by (1) the seller, (2) the buyer, and (3) the listing agent.
In some cases, the buyer’s agent will find out what the seller is offering, since it is no longer specified on the MLS listing. (Our listings specify that amount on the listing’s website and on a sign rider.) Regardless, the buyer’s agent will submit a contract which specifies how much the seller will pay the buyer’s agent, and the seller can counter that provision. It’s simply another element of the offer to be negotiated between buyer and seller through their agents.
Just last month, to win a bidding war, one of our broker associates submitted a contract asking the seller to pay only 1.5%, which tells you not only that buyer broker compensation is negotiable but that the amount of buyer broker compensation is going down. That was predicted, and is coming true. Listing agent was paid 3%.
In the past that listing probably would have displayed at least 2.5% buyer agent compensation in the MLS, and that amount would have been paid without negotiation or discussion.
So what did the plaintiffs in the NAR settlement expect to achieve, and what did they get?
At least in Colorado, they did not relieve sellers from compensating buyer agents. Listing agents are probably get-
ting the same compensation as before, but some sellers (like in the transaction mentioned above) are saving on the compensation paid to buyers’ brokers.
In some cases, listing agents may actually be earning more. I know of one multimillion-dollar listing which had a 4% commission specified in the listing agreement. The listing agent negotiated a 1% commission paid to the buyer’s agent, leaving 3% for the listing agent. Under pre -settlement rules, that listing would likely have offered 2% co-op commission on the MLS, netting the listing agent only 2%. Thus, the listing broker earned 50% more, thanks to the new rules.
As Realtors, my broker associates and I are okay with this new arrangement. It clarifies that the seller is paying both agents, but makes the amount more transparent and thus more negotiable. With sign riders and listing brochures, it’s not hard to inform buyer brokers of the compensation which the seller (not the listing agent) is offering, and the buyer can submit whatever compensation amount he or she wants in the contract to buy and sell.
The Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patches Are Open
Every October, Jeffco Interfaith Partners sells pumpkins to raise money to sponsor a Habitat for Humanity home. In the past 20 years, they have funded over a dozen metro area Habitat homes.
The pumpkin patches are on the corner of Garrison & Alameda in Lakewood, and at 78th & Wadsworth in Arvada. The pumpkins are more expensive than elsewhere, but 40% of the purchase price is tax deductible, and it’s an easy way to donate to a worthy charity.
And the selection of pumpkins is great! They also sell carving kits and other Halloween paraphernalia.
Given the minimal end result of the NAR settlement, it will be interesting to see if there is further litigation on this matter. I don’t see any legal basis for denying a seller the right to offer compensation to the broker who produces the buyer for his home. Jim Smith Broker/Owner, 303-
Inspiring youth at the ballot box
Dr. Rubén Viramontes Anguiano on Education, voting and collective progress for Latinos
BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In light of the upcoming elections, the importance of empowering Latino youth to have their voices heard has become increasingly urgent. During a recent panel discussion titled “Elecciones 2024” and “Tu Voz,” hosted by the University of
Colorado-Denver’s Latino Research & Policy Center, experts explored the strengths and challenges within the Latino community. ey emphasized the need to uplift all children — boys and girls alike — to ensure their perspectives and concerns are represented in the electoral process. As many experts assert, this election cycle is poised to be shaped signi cantly by young voters, particularly those from communities of color. Engaging these youth not only fosters their participation but also strengthens the democratic process as a whole.
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During the panel discussion, the participants underscored the vital importance of Chicanos not just asking but demanding to be listened to and respected. is call for recognition re ects a broader movement within the Latino community to assert its rights and in uence. e conversation emphasized that elevating these voices is crucial for achieving equity and representation in the upcoming elections.
During this interview, Dr. Rubén Viramontes Anguiano sheds light on the barriers Latino students face in accessing higher education and the systemic challenges that persist within the U.S. educational system. As the founder of Grupo Esperanza, a grassroots, immigrant-led organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting the local immigrant community, he has dedicated more than 35 years to bridging these gaps, helping Latino families navigate a complex educational landscape.
As a son of immigrants, Viramontes grew up in a culturally and linguistically diverse town in southeast New Mexico, where family, culture and hard work shaped his values. His academic focus on human development and family studies at Iowa State and Michigan State universities led to over 20 years of research and teaching on relationships between diverse communities.
Viramontes emphasizes the critical role of the Latino vote in shaping the future of our communities. He urges young Latinos to embrace their civic power, whether through voting or mobilizing others, as a means to create lasting change and stronger, more resilient communities across the country. is interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Colorado Community Media: I had the opportunity to hear you, Dr. Viramontes Anguiano, at the election panel moderated by Jesús Carrasquel of Univision, where your ideas on family, culture and civic engagement resonated deeply.
How does your upbringing and career re ect this deep commitment to family and culturally diverse Latino communities?
Dr. Rubén Viramontes Anguiano: It’s important because Latinos in the United States are di erent from Latinos in Latin America or Mexico. Latinos here have a history of su ering in this country due to the wars that took place during the 1800s.
It’s a di erent history when you compare a Latino from Latin America or even a Mexican from Mexico. ese histories aren’t the same. is is where the politics of this country are based, how Hispanics, as they used to say, were treated — like pawns. And the mentality in this country is like the proverb that says: Latinos don’t exist until you need them.
I was talking with my brother and my father in Michigan, where I just returned from. We were discussing what social justice is like in the Midwest, and we said that, many times here, we are only seen as labor and that we don’t have the intelligence to participate in elections or politics.
I learned from my mother, ever since I was a child, not to let people look down on you. Don’t let them despise you — you’re not better, but you’re not less. What happens is that we have to teach children from a young age that this country is their country. It doesn’t matter if a child is from here or undocumented. What matters is that they take pride in saying, “ is is my country, and I can have a voice.” But that thinking has to start with our children, our youth, and, of course, it becomes even more important as they grow older.
CCM: Given this same diversity, complexity and beauty that we bring, what are the deepest challenges we face as Latinos?
Dr. Rubén Viramontes Anguiano, founding president of the human development, family relations and education program at the University of Colorado-Denver’s School of Education speaks about the importance of access to education, voting and empowerment for Latino communities in Colorado.
COURTESY PHOTO
BALLOT BOX
Viramontes: e language barrier is one of the biggest challenges, but an even larger barrier is our own culture. We always tend to think of the family — the extended family and the whole community — before thinking of ourselves.
CCM: During the panel on the elections, the participants mentioned that we are only considered during elections. But why do you think we remain so invisible?
Viramontes: at’s a question we always ask ourselves, even with my children. e thing is, as we always say, we have to keep demanding our rights, not just asking for permission for everything. We must demand that we be considered, not just during voting seasons.
One example of this is how African Americans have done so much to move forward. I grew up with African Americans in southern New Mexico. It was a di erent experience because I grew up with Hispanics, European or white Americans, and African Americans. For me, African Americans are like brothers and sisters because I grew up with them in my youth.
What happens in the U.S. is that many times, Hispanics — and it’s the same for Asians — are caught in the middle. I always tell Hispanics, don’t see the world that way. You have to see the world di erently, and you have to be at the leadership table, just like African Americans. My African-American friends, ever since I was a child, and the older African-Americans always supported me.
ey’d tell me, “You need to be
Our Family Helping Your Family
CU Denver hosted a panel discussion titled “Election 2024 and Your Voice” at the Mile High Veterans Center on Federal. The event was conducted in Spanish and moderated by Jesús Carrasquel from Univision. Pictured from left to right: Jesús Carrasquel (Univision), Dr. Carlos Hipolito-Delgado, Director of the Latino Center for Research and Policy at CU Denver, Rubén Viramontes Anguiano, Professor at the School of Education at CU Denver, and Jennifer Arreola, Senior Civic Organizer at COLOR, an expert on reproductive issues, Jorge Chavez, Associate Professor and expert on immigration, Andy Figueroa, CEO of Elemento Consulting expert in economy and Milo Marquez Director Latino Research & Policy Center ROSSANA LONGO-BETTER
at the leadership table, Rubén, because you have to support your people. We support you, but you have to speak up for your people.”
CCM: How do you think the fear of accumulating student debt impacts Latinos, considering that many don’t come from families with generational wealth?
Viramontes: at’s true. For 28 years, I helped my mother and myself, along with my brothers and sisters, because my mother was an immigrant who worked as a domestic worker and also in restaurants, and of course, in the elds, doing the harvesting. Since she didn’t have a pension, my siblings and I supported her for 28 years, and that’s
James Grant “Jim” Terry July 6, 1935 - June 16, 2024
James Grant “Jim” Terry, aged 88, of Fort Lupton, Colorado, passed away on June 16, 2024. Born on July 6, 1935, in Fort Lupton, Colorado, Jim lived a life marked by dedication to his family, his community, and his country.
Raised on a dairy farm, Jim was deeply in uenced by his parents, Earnest and Viva Ackerson Terry, as well as his grandparents, Walter and Ellanora Carlstedt Ackerson. is early exposure to farm life instilled in him a profound love for animals, a trait that de ned much of his personal and professional pursuits.
Jim’s strong moral compass and sense of duty guided him to serve in the Colorado National Guard and the United States Army from 1953 to 1962. After his military service, he continued to serve the public as a member of the Colorado Highway Patrol and later as the Chief of Police in Johnstown. His commitment to law and order was paralleled by his dedication to the family farm, which he took over after retiring from public service. In late retirement Jim participated in the dog breeding business with his daughter.
and communities close this gap to better support Hispanic students?
Viramontes: It’s true, there’s a real gap. I thought about writing on what are known as “pathways to education” or “to higher education” in English, but we’ve never had pathways. We’ve never had a direct path. ere have always been gaps in reaching the education we deserve.
I recently wrote an article on this concept of the gap. More than 15 years ago, my mother and other elders talked about these gaps and told me, “Rubén, we’ve never had a direct path to education in the United States.”
CCM: Finally, looking toward the future, what advice would you give young Latinos about the power of their vote and how they can contribute to building stronger communities?
Viramontes: I’d advise them to vote, and if they can’t vote, then they can volunteer to mobilize voters. ey can go door-to-door, but nowadays, many use social media to promote this important civic act.
a reality in our community. We, the descendants, often end up taking on these family expenses due to the lack of support from the system.
CCM: ank you for bringing this up because I believe it’s something we should not forget — that our community here holds economic power. ey work not only to cover their costs, and nothing comes to them for free, but they also send money back to our countries. ese are expenses that could be used to help pay for a home, a 401(k), or retirement. Based on this reality, could you re ect on how many Latino families face a disconnect between home, school and society in general? How can schools
Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue
Martin Luther King had friends of all ethnicities, not just African Americans, but also White Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans. Everyone must vote.
GET THE WHOLE STORY ONLINE
This story has been edited to fit the space.
To read the full discussion between Rossana Longo Better and Dr. Rubén Viramontes Anguiano, go to https://coloradocommunitymedia. com/2024/10/10/entrevista-ruben-viramontes-anguiano-grupo-esperanza/ online.
Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at taborfuneralhome.com
A devoted husband to his late wife, Maryann Nichols Terry, and a loving father, Jim was survived by his children, Sharol Ann Terry Pestotnik, James Scott Terry, and Duane Lee Terry. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Katie, Ashley, Nathan, Jason, Amanda, and Zach, and his six greatgrandchildren, Ciella, Leo, Trenton, Colton, Joaquin, Julieta, Dexter, and Dempsey.
Jim was raised in the United Methodist Church. His hobbies included a yearly cruise vacation, leather crafting as a young man and woodworking in later years.
Jim’s life will be celebrated on November 2, 2024, at the 1st Street Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado. e day will begin with an interment at Hillside Cemetery at 10:00 AM followed by a service at 1st Street Church at 11:00 AM. A reception at the church will follow the service, where family and friends can share memories and honor Jim’s remarkable life.
Jim’s unwavering commitment to his family, his tireless service to his community, and his enduring kindness and integrity will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Lucy Jean Koontz (Salazar) October 2, 2024
Lucy Jean Koontz (Salazar), 77, of Greeley, CO, passed away on October 2, 2024, in Greeley, Colorado.
Lucy was born an identical twin at home in North Denver, delivered by her grandmother (Jesusita), who was also a midwife, to parents Anita and Macario (Max) Salazar. She attended North High School and married Fred Velarde. Together, they had three children: Gregory, Rebecca, and Christopher. Lucy loved being a homemaker, often showcasing her baking skills by creating beautiful cakes for her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews on their birthdays. She was also a talented seamstress, crafting stunning dresses and out ts for her loved ones, including prom gowns for her daughter and elegant dresses for various events. Lucy also enjoyed making dolls with intricate out ts. She loved reading her Bible and was a master decorator.
Later in life, Lucy married Gary Koontz, with whom she shared a deep love for the Lord. ey were married for 21 years.
Lucy’s greatest passion in life was her relationship with God and her unwavering love and dedication to her family. We rejoice in knowing she is now in heaven, living a joyful eternal life, even though we deeply feel her loss.
Lucy is survived by her children, Greg (Peggy), Becky (Dan), Deron (Christina), and Chris; her siblings, Linda, her identical twin (Felix), Virginia (Jerry), Marylou, and Gloria; her grandchildren: Sharai, Maleah, Joseph, Michael, DJ, Natalie, Destani, Rachel, and Alesia; her great-granddaughter Harlowe; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary, her cherished grandson Gregory (Little Greg), and her siblings Jenny, Perfecto, Rita, Frank, and Anthony (Tony). A celebration of life will be held at Victory Christian Fellowship, 6101 W. 10th St., Greeley, CO 80634, on Saturday, November 2nd at 1 pm.
TERRY
KOONTZ
ADAMS COUNTY 2024 ELECTION GUIDE
CANDIDATES, IN THEIR OWN WORDS
We asked the candidates for their views on local issues and they answered.
is week, we turn our attention to pro les from Congressional candidates in districts 7 and 8 and the responses from the Adams County Commissioners.
e responses we received from the candidates for the State House
and State Senate ran in print last week. If you missed one or want to take a closer look, all of the pro les are online. Please visit our election guide at https://bit.ly/2024elex-adams, or scan the QR Code to the top right. And also note that the pro les have been edited to t the print page. e full pro les are online.
I have delivered results for working families over the last 20 months amid what will go down in history as the most unproductive Congress since the Civil War. I was the rst Freshman Member of Congress to have a bill signed into law — a law that will confront the next wave of the drug crisis head on. I returned over $6 million to constituents through casework and secured nearly $120M in federal funding for community projects that will improve infrastructure, and transportation. I am a solutions-focused legislator who will continue to focus on solving the issues working families have.
Residence: ornton, CO
Profession: Pediatrician
About me:
For Dr. Yadira Caraveo, becoming a pediatrician, an accomplished legislator, and a ghter for workingclass families in Congress started with a dream.
Yadira’s parents came to Colorado from a small town in Mexico, looking for a better life. She knew from an early age she wanted to help people as a doctor. She attended public schools in Adams County, graduated from Regis University, and continued on to medical school at the University of Colorado.
In Congress, Yadira is taking the ght to special interests, and even her own party leaders, to do what’s right and lower costs for Colorado families.
For more information:
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
If I hear from working families that they are nding healthcare more accessible, that their reproductive freedoms are being threatened, that families are nding healthy food more accessible and a ordable, that they feel truly represented in Congress – then I will consider my second term successful. But there’s still a lot of work ahead to do. We need to focus on results – not on how many times you attacked your colleagues, or how much you are engaging in political games. As a doctor, I worked to make patients feel better and live healthier. As a legislator, I’m working following the same premise.
Gabe Evans
Residence: Fort Lupton
Profession: Colorado State Representative, local farmer, former police o cer, U.S. Army combat veteran
About me:
Until 3 years ago, I was a police o cer. I left that job to run for state legislature because far-left Colorado lawmakers, including my opponent, handcu ed law enforcement by supporting “defund the police” legislation, cashless bail for violent o enders, and reducing to a minuscule level the penalties for fentanyl dealers. Previously, I spent twelve years in the US Army and Colorado Army National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot and company commander. My wife and I operate a family farm and are parents to two boys. I am a grandson of Mexican immigrants. For more information: https://electgabeevans.com/
I’ve spent my adult life running toward challenge and making a di erence, as a legislator, police o cer, and in the U.S. Army and Colorado Army National Guard. I’m ready to take on my next mission: changing Washington to ensure America’s brightest days lie ahead of her. High prices, crime, drugs, and a wide-open border are plaguing our communities. Unlike my opponent, who has made matters worse by decriminalizing fentanyl, supporting open-border policies, and embracing spending and regulation policies that drive up in ation, I’ll use my proven record of bipartisanship and experience to x these issues.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
1. Take back control of the southern border from the cartels and coyotes who pro t from human and drug smuggling and stop the ow of illegal immigrants and drugs into America. 2. Fund and defend our law enforcement. In recent years, skyrocketing crime rates and drug overdoses (particularly fentanyl) are plaguing Colorado communities. I will stand up to the ‘defund the police’ policies – cashless bail, defunding border patrol, and decriminalizing fentanyl – embraced by my opponent. 3. Rein in the size of government – spending and regulatory policies -- that are driving up costs that crush Colorado families.
Yadira
Caraveo
U.S. Representative District 7
Brittany Pettersen
Residence: Lakewood
Profession: I am an elected representative for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. Before serving in Congress, I served for 10 years in the Colorado State Legislature as a state representative and a state senator.
About me: I grew up in Je erson County and have lived in Lakewood for 21 years. is community made investments in me, allowing me to overcome the obstacles I faced as a high-risk youth and become the rst in my family to graduate from high school and college. I ran for the state legislature in 2012 to make sure others have the same chance I did to build a better life. I served 10 years before running for Congress because the stakes couldn’t be higher. We need leaders who understand the struggles of regular people and will ght for them in Washington.
For more information: Website: https://brittanypettersen. com/, Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/brittanypettersenforcolorado, Twitter: https://twitter.com/pettersen4co, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanypettersen
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I am a product of this community with a proven track record of working across the aisle to solve problems and get things done for Coloradans. As a freshman in Congress, I’ve hit the ground running, working every day to build bridges and put partisan politics aside to address challenges for the people of this district. is year, I secured $14 million for CD7 projects, including ood protections, help with lowering housing costs, and investments in clean drinking water. I’ll continue ghting to reduce costs for working families on housing and healthcare, and to expand economic opportunities for all.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
First and foremost, I’m committed to lowering the cost of everyday expenses, including the price of groceries, health insurance, and prescription drugs, and I’ll continue my work in bringing investments for a ordable and accessible housing to Colorado. I will also continue to ght for national protections to abortion, including defending Americans’ right to decide if and when to start a family, a right which is currently under threat. I’ll continue advocating for federal investments in water infrastructure projects so that our Colorado communities – from metro areas to rural areas – can
have reliable access to clean and safe water.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
We need to continue supporting our economic recovery by holding companies accountable for pricegouging and taking advantage of the American people in di cult times while arti cially in ating their numbers for record pro ts. We also need to invest in America’s future by increasing access to a ordable childcare, housing, higher education and apprenticeship programs. We can build upon the CHIPS Act to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, and providing legal pathways to work in the US for critical need areas is the number one thing we can do to address the workforce shortage and reduce rising costs.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
We must put partisanship aside to work together, build bridges and nd common ground. I’ve continued to work on building relationships across the aisle, particularly with colleagues in their rst term and on the Financial Services committee. Even though Republicans are in the majority in the House, I’ve been able to get a bill signed into law and secured $14 million for projects across my district. I’m also proud to serve on the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Problem Solvers Caucus, and the Bipartisan Task Force on Arti cial Intelligence.
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
We have to recognize the real impact our broken immigration system is having on communities across Colorado and the entire country, something we’ve seen rsthand in Colorado with the arrival of thousands of migrants without adequate housing or workforce training and placement services, leaving communities overwhelmed. Earlier this year, I called on House Speaker Johnson to put partisan politics aside & negotiate a bipartisan border bill. at bill was killed by Donald Trump through his Freedom Caucus allies in the House. We must ght to get a humane, bipartisan, and comprehensive immigration reform bill passed.
Sergei Matveyuk
Residence: Golden Profession: Business Owner
About me: I am of Polish descent. I grew up under socialism. My father and grandfather were sent to the Gulag; their farms and businesses were con scated because they wouldn’t support socialism. Prices were high, products were scarce, freedom was rare. irty- ve years ago, I was privileged to legally come to the GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! My dreams came true; I became a U.S. citizen and got a degree from Colorado Christian University. I married my amazing wife, and we have three children. I became a business owner and built nancial security for my family and me.
For more information: sergiforcongress.com, www.facebook. com/sergeiforcongress x.com/Sergei4Congress, www.youtube.com/@ SergeiForCongress, www.instagram. com/sergeiforcongress/
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I’m a business owner raising my family, feeling the pain of the high cost of gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare. I’m not a career politician. I serve my community and send my children to our public schools. I built my American Dream because of the freedoms we have. I know what it takes to address the issues facing us and I know the costs of continuing the path we’re taking. I ed a life of scarcity and fear. I don’t want my children or your children to have to live that life. I will ght to protect your American Dream.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
I’ll accomplish: Our cost of living will be lower, including gas and grocery prices. Our borders will be closed, and our country and communities will be safer. e US will be energy independent, our environment protected, and parents will direct their children’s education. I came here with $90 in my pocket. I know what can be accomplished when the government doesn’t compete with us. Our national debt is out of control because of federal government overspending. If we don’t change course, we are on a slippery slope of too much government. I will ght to protect your American Dream.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
Our high cost of living is primarily driven by too much government spending. I will ght to reduce federal government spending, not just a reduction in spending growth but a true reduction in federal spending. I will support bringing back manufacturing jobs to the US as too many products are made overseas. I will work to ensure the US becomes energy independent so we can drive down energy costs. I will ght against price controls as I lived through the shortages that are caused when the government tries to control prices, and where corporations price gouge, I will ght it.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
Our country is in crisis, and we must all work together to bring back civility and ght for our Republic. I will work with members from any party who want to lower government spending, make our county safe, and protect our freedoms. I will do this by building relationships. Because I am not a career politician, I am not beholden to any special interests. I am free to build relationships and get to know other members and their humanity. I will nd our common ground and work together just as we do when we’re working to make our communities stronger.
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
My family waited for years to come to America legally, so I know rsthand what it means to want to come to America and have to wait. I know the value of being an American citizen, coming here legally and working to become a citizen. Congress should do its job and pass comprehensive immigration reform. ose waiting to come here legally should have a fair chance. Our borders must be closed, not just the southern border. Tens of thousands are streaming into the country without background checks and with little scrutiny. Without secure borders our citizenship has very little value.
Shelly McClure Adams County District 1
CARAVEO
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
work nding common solutions on a wide range of issues including lowering the costs of prescription drugs, tackling the next wave of the drug crisis, expanding mental health care for agriculture workers, confronting retail crime, and cracking down on drugs like fentanyl. I’ve proven that when we put political games aside, we can deliver tangible results.
Residence: ornton
Profession: Small Business Owner - represent contractors in catastrophe claims remediation
About me:
I am a proud wife, mother, grandmother, previous foster parent, business owner, and a woman of faith. I am a fourth-generation Coloradan and the daughter of a retired Air Force serviceman (father) and a Department of Defense employee (mother). I have a servant heart, and I am a defender of justice. My employment history includes Accounting, Human Resources, Transportation, Computer Science, Business Improvement District Management, Construction, Code Compliance, Service Industries, Property Insurance Claims and more. I enjoy caring for others, riding my motorcycle, family and friends, pets, and gardening.
For more information: www.shellyforadams.com\
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I am a businesswoman with a wide range of skills and experience. I am an advocate for self-development and personal rights, and I value community. I will work to help Adams County citizens and businesses
maintain life quality by assessing our current strengths and building on them to address the ongoing needs of all residents.
What decision that the current County Commission made do you disagree with and what would you have done di erently?
I do not have enough information to form an opinion on this question at this time.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
Increasing the quality of life for residents of Adams County.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
Work to continue lowering property tax rates, health care, childcare, and energy costs for residents.
County Commissioners are considering a county-wide minimum wage?
What is your opinion on this policy and why?
I am in agreement with raising the minimum wage over a period of several years to be closer to the minimum wage approved by Denver City and County in order to remain competitive in attracting quality employment candidates to Adams County.
In the state legislature I helped pass a rst in the nation cap on insulin, expand free kindergarten, and cut taxes for families. In Congress, I’m working to lower the cost of housing by cracking down on wealthy corporate investors to prevent them from buying up housing and driving up prices. I’ve worked to tackle the costs of food and healthcare by forcing more transparency into prescription prices and addressing the a ordability and availability of groceries. Most recently, I pushed to lower the cost of car insurance, a prevalent concern among Coloradans.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
I came to Congress to get things done and will work with anyone to solve the most pressing issues facing Coloradans. I was ranked the 8th most bipartisan Freshman member of Congress for my
EVANS
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
In ation is caused by de cit spending and too much money chasing too few goods. e Biden / Harris administration has unleashed a ood of government debt spending (demand), while simultaneously imposing sti ing, expensive regulations that limit supply. Red tape has made it harder than ever for farmers to produce food or energy workers to power America. e cost of transporting food has skyrocketed, thanks to punitive regulations on energy producers and the transportation sector. e solution? Cut government spending and rein in costly, heavy-handed regulations.
Will you work on solutions with members of opposing parties and how?
As a state representative in the minority party, I still passed almost 60% of my bills because
How to vote (and be sure it’s counted)
BY COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO STAFF
Colorado has gotten a lot of accolades over the years for having an election system that makes it relatively easy for people to vote, with things like same-day voter registration, all-mail ballots and countywide vote centers. However, it’s easy to have questions about what to do and how it all works. e following
are some of the most frequent questions we’ve gotten over the years and answers speci c to 2024.
Q: I keep hearing Colorado is a “mail ballot” state. What does that mean?
Ahead of each election, Colorado mails ballots to each registered, active voter in the state. Some registered voters may be considered “inactive,” and not get a ballot, if their
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
As the daughter of immigrants, I’m proud to be a voice in Congress to help other families like mine live their version of the American Dream. But our immigration system is in desperate need of comprehensive reform. We need both parties to focus on nding solutions, but instead, earlier this year, far-right Republicans sabotaged a bipartisan border deal for political purposes. at’s why I introduced a bipartisan immigration plan that will focus on securing the border, delivering funds to law enforcement at the border and in Colorado to stop the ow of illegal drugs, and creating a pathway to citizenship.
I can collaborate with anyone. Two-thirds of the sitting mayors in the district have endorsed me because they know I’m an honest broker. e Libertarian party candidate just withdrew from the race and endorsed me. As a police o cer and US Army veteran, I’ve put country rst for a combined total of 22 years. Putting country rst means knowing your principles AND being able to collaborate. I did it in the state house, and I look forward to doing it in Congress.
What should Congress do regarding immigration and the country’s southern border?
We know what works: (1) build more walls, (2) restore the “remain in Mexico policy,” so migrants must stay in Mexico unless and until they are determined to qualify for asylum, (3) place limits on asylum claims to ensure only quali ed migrants enter the U.S., (4) require employers to con rm employees’ employment eligibility; and (5) hire more border patrol agents and immigration judges and deploy cutting-edge technology.
in the general election
local clerk has a reason to believe they no longer live at the address on their registration (like election-related mail has been returned as undelivered). Inactive voters have to update their registration information to get a mail ballot: sos.state. co.us/voter/pages/pub/home.xhtml
Q. I just moved here from a state with absentee ballots. Do you guys
have that hear?
Not really. Since every registered voter is mailed a ballot, what many other states call absentee voting is really just the norm here. at said, if you are going to be away from home during October and want to get a ballot sent to a temporary address, you can do that.
Bernadette Tedesco Adams County District 2
Kathy Henson
Residence: Commerce City
Profession: Commerce City PD - Government
About me:
My name is Bernadette Tedesco, I am the Colorado Center Party Candidate for Adams County Commissioner, District 2. I am a Colorado native with deep-rooted Hispanic heritage spanning generations. I attended Southern Arizona Bible College. Professionally, I bring twenty-six years of experience in the local government sector, having served in various support roles within Police Departments, Courts, the District Attorney’s O ce, and Human Resources. I am committed to supporting balanced energy initiatives, enhancing public safety, keeping people housed, and identifying e ective solutions to reduce tax burdens.
For more information: BTedescoForAdams@Gmail. com; 303-917-1595; BTedescoForAdams.com; @b.tedesco.for. adams
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I am the candidate who will prioritize people over party lines and special interests, ensuring fair and equal treatment for everyone. I aim to serve, prioritizing the needs of Adams County residents, focusing on practical solutions that improve and empower lives. What decision that the current County Commission made do you disagree with and what would you have done di erently?
Adams County saw a spike in property taxes accrued, the
County Commission had an opportunity to refund taxpayers the excess amount or reduce the mill levy to adjust for that increase, and they chose to slightly reduce the mill levy. I would have voted to refund or reduce the mill levy entirely to balance the amount of taxes collected, helping to manage the tax burden on residents.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
To consider my term a success, I will collaborate with the DA’s O ce, Sheri , Courts and Police Agencies to ensure domestic violence assistance programs and strategies are implemented, providing victims with emergency shelter, nancial assistance and counseling.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
I will expand housing assistance programs to provide support with down payments, rent, and utilities. Additionally, I will promote a ordable housing and collaborate with state and federal governments to secure funding and resources for local programs.
County Commissioners are considering a county-wide minimum wage? What is your opinion on this policy and why?
I believe the minimum wage should be increased within reason to ensure workers can achieve a decent standard of living to meet their basic needs, while also protecting small businesses and non-pro ts from the detrimental e ects of unreasonable increases.
Name: Kathy Henson Residence: ornton Profession: ornton City Councilor
About me:
I grew up in Colorado and have lived in Adams County for 21 years. My husband and I raised our two sons (now in college) in ornton, where I was elected to city council in 2021. My background is in the performing arts and I worked for decades as an actor and choreographer. An education advocate, I just completed ve years on the Finance and Audit Committee in the Adams 12 District. On council I focus on economic revitalization (like ornton Shopping Center), supporting small businesses, and providing clean air and water for residents.
For more information: email: info@kathyforadams.com; website: www.kathyforadams.com; phone: 720-672-5067. Social media: https://www.facebook.com/kathyforadams
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I feel I am ready to serve as a commissioner due to my experience as a ornton City Councilor and community leader. As a committed public servant, I am willing to engage with all stakeholders to discuss important issues, and I have earned endorsements from a wide range of organizations and leaders - see them all at https:// www.kathyforadams.com/endorsements. I collaborated with residents and area leaders to redevelop the ornton Shopping Center, which is just one example of how I use my leadership skills to e ect positive change.
What decision that the current County Commission made do you disagree with and what would you have done di erently?
I appreciate the accomplishments of the current Board of Commissioners. One area I would have liked to see more focus on is services and support for seniors. We will see a 63% increase in population ages 65+ between 20202030. Sadly, the Senior Hub closed recently, leaving a gap in serving the needs of our seniors. I know our Board of Commissioners and the Adams County Health Department can work together to improve and increase access to services for seniors and their families, and I encourage them to focus on this important issue and the impacts to our community.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
ere are several issues I am passionate about to help our community. I would like to see greater investment in housing a ordability, and a greater number of housing options for everyone. I want to work on programs to support small businesses because they are essential to our economy. I want to expand services to seniors and see our health department continue to grow its services to our residents. Doing these things will mean success for Adams County.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
County Commissioners can work to assist families in our community with support programs for qualifying groups who need assistance -help paying their monthly utility bills or tax support for seniors for example. ese programs can help stabilize households in Adams County. e cost of food and our housing market are not controlled by the commission, but the county can work to provide services and assistance to help residents in need of support to care for their families.
County Commissioners are considering a county-wide minimum wage? What is your opinion on this policy and why? Our current minimum wage has lagged behind increases in cost of living for years. is makes it harder for families to keep pace with the cost of food, goods and housing. An updated minimum wage helps workers and families to remain in stable living conditions, which strengthens our communities and boosts our economy when they have money to spend at local businesses. I think this is an important economic issue that will have a great impact on our economy and greater community, and I am glad our Board of Commissioners is having this important conversation.
Lynn Baca Adams County District 5
Name: Lynn Baca
Residence: Brighton, CO
Profession: Current County Commissioner
About me:
I’m a second-generation Adams County resident and a graduate of Brighton 27J school district. My life of service started by volunteering at my church and in 27J schools. From there, my commitment to our community grew into serving on our ag-land preservation subcommittee to protect our local agricultural economy. Prior to my service as a County Commissioner, I served for over 20 years as a professional in our local governments while serving 2 terms on the Brighton City Council. For more information:
e most important role I have is approaching our challenges through the lens of a resident. As a second generation native and grand daughter of a vegetable farmer I have had a front row seat to the changes in our County. I have been engaged in our community for most of my life and I pride myself in maintaining a connection with residents across the county. is coupled with my years of experience working for local government gives me a unique perspective into the challenges our communities face while understanding how we can e ectively use the power of government to improve the lives of our residents.
What decision that the current County Commission made do you disagree with and what would you have done di erently?
I disagreed with a county policy that county o ces were closed every Monday. is reduced the amount of in-person services residents could receive to only 4 days a week, making it more di cult for families and residents to access their government.
As a County Commissioner I lobbied that this be xed, leading to the county reversing this decision and moving back to a 5 day model with services avail-
able Monday through Friday.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?
In my rst term we had a number of wins including preserving over 600 acres of agland, successfully implemented our own health department, and continue to work on improving transportation including 270 through Adams County.
In my second term among my top priorities is to develop and begin implementation of a parks and open spaces masterplan for eastern Adams County while also continuing to deepen relationships with our local city governments and school districts.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
ere is work to be done to expand the opportunity economy in Adams County. We are a community that is steeped in blue collar/working class values where residents are proud of their work and deserve a cost of living and quality of life that matches.
Some of the initiatives that I am taking on includes expanding housing diversity and availability, ensuring we are recruiting high paying and union jobs to our communities, while also seeking out housing, food, and health solutions for our residents on xed incomes.
County Commissioners are considering a county-wide minimum wage? What is your opinion on this policy and why?
Our minimum wage is still being studied as we actively solicit feedback from the community.
As a sitting County Commissioner, I am an advocate for a county-wide minimum wage.
Adams County residents should be able to work in their own communities without having to travel to neighboring counties for a job that pays a fair wage. I am committed to ensuring that a fulltime job pays a better wage that a ords residents a higher quality of life.
Jim Wood
Residence: Watkins
Profession: Business Owner
About me: I am a committed family man, Veteran and business owner. For more information: jim@jimwood4adamsco.com. www.jimwood4adamsco.com
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
My business and Military background gives me a unique perspective on what effective leadership looks like. I plan to immerse myself within the departments to fully understand the root cause of the various problems our county faces and then x the root cause not just the symptom. What decision that the current County Commission made do you disagree with and what would you have done di erently?
It’s not any one decision but where their priorities are. I am very concerned about the quality of our roads and water infrastructure. I would prioritize repairing and maintaining roads and bridges and also creating new water storage for our county.
If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success? If at the end of my term, our neighborhoods are safer, our roads are in a better condition than when I took o ce, we have NO new fees and we have clean drinking water to support the growth of the county for generations to come. I would feel i had done
To get information speci c to your situation, call your county clerk’s o ce ( nd the number here: sos.state.co.us/ pubs/elections/Resources/CountyElectionO ces.html).
Q: How do I check that my Colorado voter information is correct?
Just go to the Secretary of State’s website (coloradosos.gov) and enter your name, zip code, and date of birth to see your voter registration information. You can also use this page to register to vote or update your registration, change your party a liation, and to get a lot more information about the election.
Q: When should I expect to get my ballot in Colorado?
Clerks will start mailing out ballots on Friday, Oct. 11.
Q: How can I track my ballot?
Colorado uses a service called BallotTrax that allows voters to sign up for text or email alerts at each stage of the voting process. e messages will let you know when your ballot has been mailed to you, when it’s received back at the clerk’s o ce and when it’s been processed.
You can enroll here: ballottrax.coloradosos.gov/voter/.
Q: I’m nervous about the USPS. What if my ballot doesn’t arrive in time?
You are not required to use the ballot the state sends to you. Voter Centers will open around the state not
my job well.
What will you do to alleviate the high costs of living?
is is a complex problem that my family faces as well. I think we start by not adding to the problem with new fees and increases in taxes. As a county commissioner, I would look to reduce spending so we could lower mil levies as a start. I would then look to create an environment where businesses could thrive thus bringing in higher-paying job opportunities.
County Commissioners are considering a county-wide minimum wage? What is your opinion on this policy and why?
Adams County has a county-wide minimum wage set by the State. What I believe we are talking about is an increase in the minimum wage. I am not opposed to this as wages have not increased respectively to the cost of living. However, we must understand that these costs will be passed on by the businesses which will counteract the higher wages.
later than Oct. 21. Any voter who has not already returned a ballot can go to one and vote in person there. Just don’t then also return your mail ballot when it arrives. e system will ag that you’ve returned two ballots and you could face prosecution.
Q: What happens if I’ll be away from home when they send out ballots and won’t be back before the election?
You can still get a ballot and vote even if you’re away from home. From now until the vote centers open, you can pick one up in person from your county clerk’s o ce. You can also get your ballot sent to a temporary address. To get information speci c to your situation, call your county clerk’s o ce.
Q:How do I return my ballot?
When it comes to casting your vote, Colorado takes an all-of-the-above approach.
Want to mail it in? Check your envelope to see how much postage is required and send it back no closer than a week out from the election, to ensure it gets to your clerk’s o ce in time.
Want to drop it o ? Colorado will have hundreds of dropboxes available around the state to put your ballot in. You do need to be sure to use a box that’s in your county of residence — look for a list of locations on your county clerk’s website. Some counties, like Denver, also have drive-through drop-o s, where you can hand your ballot to an election judge. (All that said, if you do accidentally drop your ballot o in the wrong county, the clerk there will try to get it back where it belongs.)
Finding voting help in Adams and Weld Counties
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Election Day is Nov. 5, so voters can choose to mail or drop o ballots or vote in person at voter service and polling locations throughout Adams and Weld counties.
e election o cials must receive mail-in cast ballots by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters who drop o ballots at designated drop-box sites must have them in when polls close at 7 p.m.
Mail-in ballots must stamped and put in the mail with su cient time to reach the county clerk’s o ce. Ballots received after the polls have closed will not be counted, even if the postmark shows they were mailed before the polls closed. Ballots completed a week or less before Election Day should not be mailed but taken to a drop box location or delivered to a voting service center by hand before 7 p.m. Election Day.
According to o cials, military or overseas voters who cast a ballot must send it back by 7 p.m. MT on Nov. 5. e county elections o ce must receive those ballots by the close of business on the eighth day after Election Day.
Adams County’s 24-hour ballot box locations will open Friday, Oct. 11, and the boxes close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Residents can drop o their ballots at one of Adams County’s 30 drop-o locations. For an updated list of locations, go to adamscoun-
tycoelections.gov/ballot-drop-boxes/.
Weld County residents can drop o ballots at one of the 18, 24-hour ballot box locations, which are open from Oct. 11 until 7 p.m. Nov. 5. For updated locations, go to apps.weld. gov/clerkrecorder/elections/maps/
Adams and Weld counties provide several locations where voters can vote in person, register to vote, update their registration, drop o or request a new or replacement ballot, and vote on an ADA-accessible ballot marking device.
Adams County voter services
Adams County’s voting service locations are scheduled to open in three phases through Election Day on November 5.
Phase 1
e following voter service center locations will be open beginning Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ey will also be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3. ey will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave. in Aurora
- Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St. in Aurora
- Bennett Motor Vehicle O ce, 355 S. 1st St.
- Adams County Government Center, 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Brighton
- Commerce City Motor Vehicle
O ce, 7190 Colorado Blvd.
- Adams County Human Services Center, 11860 N. Pecos St., Westminster
- Westminster Motor Vehicle, 8452 Federal Blvd.
Phase 2
More locations open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, Nov. 2 and Nov. 4. ey will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, 12348 E. Montview Blvd. Aurora
- Reunion Recreation Center, 7910 Parkside Dr. N., Commerce City
- Trail Winds Recreation Center, 13495 Holly St., ornton
- Anythink Library Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave., ornton
- ornton Civic Center, 9500 Civic Center Dr., ornton
- Anythink Library Huron, 9417 Huron St., ornton
- Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado Blvd., ornton
- Front Range Community College, 3645 W. 112th Ave, Westminster
Phase 3
e nal group of voter service locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
- Anythink Library Brighton, 327 E. Bridge St.
- Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd., Building 1, Brighton
- Mapleton Public Schools Valley View Campus, 6951 Fox Way, Denver
- Belle Creek Family Center, 10693 Belle Creek Blvd., Henderson
- Mapleton Public School Skyview Campus, 8990 York St., ornton
- ornton Community Connections, 9471 Dorothy Blvd. ornton
- Irving Street Library, 7392 Irving St., Westminster
Weld County voter services
Weld County’s Election o ce, 1250 H. St. in Greeley, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for voter services through Election Day. e county will also o er special hours from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 2. e following locations will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Oct. 21 to Nov. 4. ey will also be open at those hours on Saturday, Nov. 2, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day:
- Aims Campus in Fort Lupton at 260 College Ave.
- Southwest Weld County Services Complex at 4209 County Road 24.5, Longmont
- Trinity Lutheran Church at 3000 35th Ave., Greeley
One other location, the UNC Campus Commons, 1051 22nd St. in Greeley, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5.
An Adams County election worker prepares the ballots to be put into the sorting machine.
PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Mile High Blaze player lends her talents to the Norsemen
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Tara Boysen was a loyal team mom on the sidelines for years while her husband was involved in youth football coaching. But she soon decided it was time to put on the pads herself.
In 2020, Boysen joined the Mile High Blaze, a fullcontact women’s football team based in Denver, eager to give playing a shot. e team competes in the Women’s Football Alliance against teams nationwide. Boysen played o ensive line and center, and after seeing some success with the team, wanted to lend her talents to others through coaching.
“ at next year, I actually started helping with the youth on the o ensive line, just because I was learning and I was teaching,” Boysen said. “And then last year, I actually was one of the ve football coaches for Northglenn’s ag football team.”
Boysen o cially became the rst woman varsity coach in Northglenn history. But she didn’t put her pads away. She’s still a member of the Mile High Blaze, and in 2022 the team won the national championship in WFA’s Division II group. Boysen was named an All-American center for her team in 2023.
It’s been an adjustment for some of the players, having a woman as a coach, but Boysen has earned their respect in the young 2024 season.
“ ey’ve been treating me very well, even though I’m a woman,” she said. “I know a couple of them at rst looked at me like, ‘Why is a mom here helping?’ So it’s de nitely been a little bit of a challenge in that sense. But they respect me. ey listen to me. We are making strides. I’m helping on the C team. So, you know, a lot of these boys have never played football, so trying to teach the game of football, and also, like why we do the things we do, especially on the o ensive line, is challenging in itself, for sure.” e Norsemen varsity team is 2-4 and 0-1 in the 5A Metro North League. A few blowout losses to Rocky
SPORTS
Meet Tara Boysen, Northglenn High’s new o ensive line coach
Mountain and Fort Collins opened Northglenn’s season at 0-2. e Norse almost got the best of Prairie View, but lost in overtime 22-14.
But then came an o ensive explosion en route to the team’s rst win over ornton 45-6. A week lat-
er, the Norse shut out Denver North 26-0 for two consecutive victories. But in Week 5, Westminster easily handled Northglenn 41-18.
As she works with the C team, Boysen emphasizes the fundamentals and tries to paint a di erent picture for her young players.
“I think having a di erent perspective, other than being in it and being a coach for so long, helps them to take the steps a little bit, one at a time, as opposed to trying to learn all right away and cram it into their brains,” Boysen said. “So, it’s just piece by piece.”
To learn more about Boysen, the Mile High Blaze and Northglenn’s football culture, check out the brief Q&A below. is interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Tara Boysen (back right in black) poses for a photo with the Northglenn flag football team she helped coach last year. This season, Boysen is a member of the boys football coaching sta , making her the first woman coach in program history.
COURTESY PHOTO
Tara Boysen (82) pushes the o ensive line for the Mile High Blaze, a women’s professional tackle football team in the Women’s Football Alliance. Boysen is a current player for the team while coaching at Northglenn.
COURTESY PHOTO
COACH
Northglenn- ornton Sentinel: How has the offensive line developed as the year has gone on, both in wins and losses?
Boysen: So, varsity-wise, they have a coach (Bart Barnard) that’s been coaching for a long time. … I get to help in areas where it seems like they don’t understand a little bit, so I can talk to them more on a just learning level since that’s kind of me as well. I think they’re doing great, and we’re looking good, and we just keep making improvements every week. So that’s the best we can ask for.
Sentinel: What’s the culture like at Northglenn football and why is it a good program to want to work for?
Boysen: We’ve de nitely been working on culture because, you know, with having kids that play for the rst time ever, we’re trying to make it more of a familyoriented program where it’s not just playing on a team. You’re playing with your family and brothers. en we try to get them to do a lot more things together outside of being on the eld, so it helps build a relationship and not just be on the football team, in that sense, to be the only way you know that person. So the culture is de nitely growing more family-oriented because a lot of these boys don’t usually hang out together outside of football or at school at all. I think we’ve seen a lot more of a change in that, even just in the last couple of years.
Sentinel: Has coaching the o ensive line changed your perspective on the position as opposed to playing?
Boysen: It’s de nitely taught me that the coaches have it hard. I know when I came into football — I’ve watched my kids play for many years — but trying to teach someone something is a very important thing. I mean, we have to block for the quarterback. We have to protect him. And so it makes your perspective change a lot. It gives me more respect toward these boys and toward the coaching because it is hard work. e wide receivers have to run all practice and we get to block and push people around. Trying to do that in a respectful manner, but also get the job done, is de nitely tough. You get the heightened energy, and sometimes they go a little too rough. But it’s just a fun game. And I think that my perspective on the o-line hasn’t changed, other than more respect in general for
the people who do it and for the coaches who teach it.
Sentinel: Tell me more about the Mile High Blaze. How amazing is that?
Boysen: I’m still a current player. We won the national championship in 2022 and I was an o ensive tackle at that point. And, yeah, we’ve been building from there. So, it’s really a cool place to be. It’s de nitely one of those things where I went into it, like, I don’t even know what
I’m doing, but they brought me in as family as well, and I’ve been learning and making strides in it ever since. So it’s fantastic.
Sentinel: Why is having a strong o ensive line so crucial? How important is the position?
Boysen: It’s got to be the least celebrated but most important job on the eld. Because if the O-line doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do, then we don’t get a play
o , meaning the wide receivers can’t catch and the quarterback can’t do anything. You see the pictures and the memes all the time of “Our jerseys look like this, so our quarterback can look like this” (where) they’re covered in mud and the quarterback is all clean, right? It’s 100% true. And being that, if a play doesn’t happen, and it’s something not even to do with the Oline, they’re the rst one that
gets the blame right until you see it on lm. Until they go back and look at it and it’s like, “Oh, well, they did their job.” I think they love to be in the trenches. I mean, you have to be in order to play that position.
Keep up with Northglenn football at www.norsefootball.com, and follow Boysen and the Blaze as they attempt to win another title at www.milehighblaze.com.
From left to right: Bradley Boysen, Teegan Boysen, Logan Boysen, Braxton Boysen and Tara Boysen pose for a photo at the Northglenn High School football banquet last season. Tara became the first woman varsity coach in program history this season when she was added as an o ensive line coach. Braxton and Teegan both play on the team and Bradley is a coach also.
From left to right: Braxton Boysen, Tara Boysen, Bradley Boysen and Teegan Boysen pose for a photo after Tara and the Mile High Blaze won the championship in the Women’s Football Alliance Division II championship in 2022.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Careers
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Legals
City and County
Public Notice
AVISO DE ELECCIÓN
Elección general mediante voto por correo Condado de Adams, Colorado Martes 5 de noviembre de 2024
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se realizará una elección en el Condado de Adams, Colorado, el martes 5 de noviembre de 2024, en modalidad de elección mediante voto por correo.
A partir del 11 de octubre de 2024, las boletas en sobres oficiales de retorno firmados podrán depositarse en cualquiera de los siguientes sitios designados para tal fin.
Sitios con buzones disponibles
las 24 horas del día
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 Anschutz Health & Wellness Center: 12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora 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: 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 Larkridge Shopping Center:
16434 Washington St., Thornton Martin Luther King, Jr. Library*: 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora Northglenn City Hall: 11701 Community Center Dr., Northglenn Reunion Recreation Center: 17910 Parkside Dr. N., Commerce City 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 Westminster City Hall–4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster
Westminster Motor Vehicle: 8452 Federal Blvd., Westminster
Las boletas deben recibirse en la Oficina Electoral del Condado de Adams, en un buzón para boletas designado o en un Centro de votación y servicios para electores (VSPC) antes de las 7 p. m. del día de la elección, el martes 5 de noviembre de 2024, para que su voto(s) sea contabilizado. No se contabilizarán las boletas que se reciban después de las 7 p. m. del día de la elección. Los matasellos no cuentan como fecha de recepción.
CENTROS DE VOTACIÓN Y SERVICIOS PARA ELECTORES (VSPC)
Entre los servicios ofrecidos se incluyen la recepción del voto, sustitución de boletas, buzón para boletas, dispositivos de marcado de boletas accesibles en conformidad con la ley ADA, registro de nuevos votantes y actualizaciones del registro de votantes disponibles en todos los sitios.
Centros VSPC para la Fase 1
Del 21 de octubre al 5 de noviembre
Horario:
A partir del 21 de octubre, de lunes a viernes, de 8 a. m. a 5 p. m.
Sábado 2 de noviembre, de 8 a. m. a 5 p. m.
Domingo 3 de noviembre, de 10 a. m. a 2 p. m.
Martes 5 de noviembre, día de la elección, de 7 a. m. a 7 p. m.
Adams County Government Center (Entrada por el Centro de Conferencias en el lado oeste): 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
Centros VSPC para la Fase 2
Del 31 de octubre al 2 de noviembre
Horario:
Lunes a viernes, de 8 a. m. a 5 p. m.
Sábado 2 de noviembre, de 8 a. m. a 5 p. m.
Martes 5 de noviembre, día de la elección, de 7 a. m. a 7 p. m.
Anschutz Health & Wellness Center: 12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora Anythink Library Huron: 9417 Huron St., Thornton Anythink Library Wright Farms: 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton Front Range Community College: 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster
Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center: 11151 Colorado Blvd., Thornton Reunion Recreation Center: 17910 Parkside Dr. N., Commerce City
Martes 5 de noviembre, día de la elección, de 7 a. m. a 7 p. m.
Anythink Library Brighton: 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton
Anythink Library Perl Mack: 7611 Hilltop Cir., Denver Belle Creek Family Center: 10693 Belle Creek Blvd., Henderson Eagle Pointe Recreation Center: 6060 Parkway Dr., Commerce City Irving Street Library: 7392 Irving St., Westminster
Mapleton Public School Skyview Campus: 8990 York St., Thornton
Mapleton Public School Valley View Campus: 6951 Fox Way, Denver Riverdale Regional Park: 9755 Henderson Rd., Building 1, Brighton
Thornton Community Connections: 9471 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton
*Denota buzones y centros VSPC compartidos con los condados de Arapahoe o Denver.
Habrá muestras de boletas disponibles en línea en GoVoteColorado.gov mediante el acceso a su registro electoral.
Si desea obtener más información sobre la elección o acceder a la sección de preguntas frecuentes, visite la página web de la Oficina Electoral del Condado de Adams en AdamsVotes.com o llame a la Oficina al 720.523.6500.
SECRETARIO Y FUNCIONARIO DE REGISTRO DEL CONDADO DE ADAMS
Josh Zygielbaum, secretario y funcionario de registro 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Suite E3102 Brighton, CO 80601
Legal Notice No. CCX1449
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 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 November 4, 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.
Resolution 2024-107 – 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 3, a final plat to create two lots, totaling approximately 20.57 acres, for future commercial and residential development. The platt 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).
Resolution 2024-127 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 18250 EAST 92nd AVENUE
Resolution 2024-050 – A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO FOR THE YEAR 2025 AND PROVIDING FOR 2024 COMMERCE CITY TAX LEVY (1st Reading 10/21/24)
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY COLORADO
ATTEST:
Public Notices
Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
Legal Notice No. CCX1446
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF ELECTION
General Election by Mail Ballot
Adams County, Colorado Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held in Adams County, Colorado, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, as a Mail Ballot Election.
Beginning Oct. 11, 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
Anschutz Health & Wellness Center –
12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora
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 – 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
Larkridge Shopping Center –16434 Washington St., Thornton Martin Luther King, Jr. Library* –9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora Northglenn City Hall –11701 Community Center Dr., Northglenn
Reunion Recreation Center –
17910 Parkside Dr. N., Commerce City
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 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, Nov. 5, 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 (VSPC)
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 VSPCs Oct. 21 – Nov. 5
Hours:
Monday-Friday, Oct. 21 – Nov. 4, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 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 2 VSPCs
Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Anschutz Health & Wellness Center –12348 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora
Anythink Library Huron –9417 Huron St., Thornton
Anythink Library Wright Farms –5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton
Front Range Community College –3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster
Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center –
11151 Colorado Blvd., Thornton
Reunion Recreation Center –17910 Parkside Dr. N., Commerce City
Thornton Civic Center –9500 Civic Center Dr., Thornton
Trail Winds Recreation Center –13495 Holly St., Thornton
Belle Creek Family Center –10693 Belle Creek Blvd., Henderson Eagle Pointe Recreation Center –6060 Parkway Dr., Commerce City Irving Street Library –7392 Irving St., Westminster
Mapleton Public School Skyview Campus – 8990 York St., Thornton
Mapleton Public School Valley View Campus – 6951 Fox Way, Denver Riverdale Regional Park –9755 Henderson Rd., Building 1, Brighton Thornton Community Connections –9471 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton
*Denotes Drop Boxes and VSPCs shared with Arapahoe and/or Denver Counties.
Sample ballots will be available online at GoVoteColorado.gov by accessing your voter registration record.
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. CCX1448
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Metro Districts Budget Hearings
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT No. 2
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of North Range Metropolitan District No. 2 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 on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. at 6:00 p.m. at the Reunion Recreation Center (located at 17910 East Parkside Dr. North Commerce City, CO 80022). 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.
TRICT No. 2
By: Charles Wolfersberger District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 3512
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND HEARING NEXUS NORTH AT DIA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the NEXUS NORTH AT DIA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a hearing at the meeting of the District to be held at 3:00 P.M., on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The location and additional information regarding the meeting will be available on the meeting notice posted on the District’s website at https://nexusmetro. specialdistrict.org/ at least 24-hours in advance of the meeting.
Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT:
By: /s/ ICENOGLE | SEAVER | POGUE A Professional Corporation
Legal Notice No. CCX1447
First Publication: October 17, 2024 Last Publication: October 17, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT No. 2 Subdistrict 2
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of North Range Metropolitan District No. 2 Subdistrict 2 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 on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. at 6:00 p.m. at the Reunion Recreation Center (17910 Parkside Dr N, Commerce City, CO 80022). Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect
DEBATE
key poll says Caraveo and Evans are tied at 44%.
Given the time restraints, Caraveo and Evans gave rapid re answers as Clark and Zelinger tried to hold each candidate to answers only relevant to each question. e candidates still veered o to emphasize their family and professional backgrounds.
Evans said Tuesday night that he supports deporting those who are illegally living in the United States and committing crimes. He declined to say he backed a Trump proposal to deport 20 million illegal residents.
He also would not say if he would greet Trump when he comes to Aurora Friday. Trump has said Aurora is a community being destroyed by illegal immigrants.
When asked if Evans plans to stand with Trump in Aurora, Evan
WATER
Justin Bieri, with the State Colorado Land Board, taught students about mapping water throughout Colorado and helped them understand what the land board does.
“I’m teaching them the different watersheds in Colorado and Continental Divide, and a variety of important general topics about water in Colorado. And that’s what the land board does, “ Bieri said.
Educators across the Front Range taught students handson activities and participated in interactive displays and entertainment. e kids participated in activities such as Water Tunes, Don’t Be a Drip!, Water Magic!, A Disappearing Resource, Fire and Water, Leave it to Beaver, and CSU Energy Institute, Microplastic in our Waterways.
Chad Gimmestad, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, taught students how to measure rain that falls in their backyard
said: “I haven’t been invited.”
Evans also declined to single out Trump for his “dehumanizing” rhetoric toward immigrants calling them “animals.”
“Of course, I condemn any sort of racist sort of speech,” Evans said.
Caraveo said she blamed both Republicans and Democrats for the border crisis, adding an immigration and foreign aid bill was killed by Republicans after the urging of Trump.
Caraveo was asked why her views on immigration have changed over the past few years. At one point, Caraveo called for the defunding of Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She also lashed out at President Joe Biden and Vice President – and now presidential candidate – Kamala Harris for mishandling border security.
She explained she more recently altered her views on the border because “I think the country has changed in a crisis that both parties have set up and not o ered solutions.”
with a rain gauge.
“ e kids played a game to ll up the rain gauge in a relay race then the kids looked at rain gauges measuring the rainwater practicing observational science on how rainfall varies and how we have to save for wet years and dry years. en we talked about weather safety with lighting, oods and tornadoes,” Gimmestad said.
Not all of the events were limited to kids. Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Executive Director Randy Ray joined Education Coordinator Tammy Rusch to give a VIP tour of the festival’s o erings to local o cials, school members, administrator sponsors, and community members.
e Adams County Regional Park was a co-sponsor for the 2024 Children’s Water Festival. Corporate sponsors include Chevron, Nutrien, Syngenta, O’Neil Electric, Principia Mathematica, Lawrence Custer Gramick Jones and Donavon LLP, White Sands Water Engineers, McCrometer, Tim Chavis and Associates, and others.
the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DIS-
TRICT No. 2 Subdistrict 2
By: Charles Wolfersberger District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 3511
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF
NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT No. 2 Subdistrict 1
Caraveo also said she votes for whatever her constituents in the 8th District want. “My job is to represent the 8th Congressional District, and that is what I’m doing every time I vote,” Caraveo said.
Evans would not say if Trump’s plan for tari s, especially on China, would bene t 8th Congressional District residents but said China should be held accountable for its economic reach into America’s economy.
“We need to make sure that we are holding China accountable for their dealings in the international community, and we’re not allowing them to take over certain sectors of our economy,” Evans said.
Caraveo said she supports a plan to increase taxes for those who make more than $400,000 a year. She also said she voted to extend the child tax credit that gives $1,800 a month to working families. She also favors cutting taxes for the middle class.
Evans said “red tap” was to blame
for stopping people trying to get ahead in our economy. He cited the red tape as a huge problem for residents of the Marshall Fire as they tried to rebuild but have been thwarted by high building costs.
“All these things contributed to a higher cost of living,” Evans said. Evans backed o a pledge he made in 2022 to support banning abortion except to save the life of a mother but o ered no exceptions for rape or incest.
Evans said Tuesday his work in the state legislature shows his support for exceptions. He also opposes a national abortion ban.
Caraveo said she supports codifying Roe v. Wade and said Evans was a “pro-life as they come.”
“ at decision of whether to have a child or not, it needs to be between a doctor and a woman,” Caraveo said. “As a doctor, as somebody who has been in clinics talking to women about this incredibly tough choice, that is the end all and be all of what I think abortion law should be.”
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of North Range Metropolitan District No. 2 subdistrict 1 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 on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. at 6:00 p.m. at the Reunion Recreation Center (located at 17910 East Parkside Dr. North Commerce City, CO 80022). 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.
NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DIS-
No. 2 Subdistrict 1
By: Charles Wolfersberger District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 3510
First Publication: October 17, 2024
Last Publication: October 17, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
persons having claims against the above-named estate are required
FROM PAGE 1
Je Kagan and Paige Doughty of educational troupe Water Tunes teach science by performing songs about nature and water in Spanish and English. Students from Baker Elementary in Fort Morgan and Reunion Elementary in Commerce City participated.
