Commerce City Sentinel Express January 9, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

A year of interviews and news

It’s been a year since we launched La Ciudad. Here’s what I learned.

BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER

As this year comes to a close, I nd myself re ecting deeply on the incredible journey La Ciudad has taken me on. What a year it has been! From powerful interviews to forging stronger connections with the heart of our community, it’s been a year of transformation. But more than anything, this year has been about giving a platform to those whose voices are too

often overlooked — particularly the hardworking, resilient people of Commerce City. is year, I had the privilege of speaking with incredible change makers and leaders who are shaping the future of our community. From the profound insights shared by Beto Mordajin, multifaceted artist and community leader , to the wisdom of Renee Chacon, a passionate environmental rights advocate with Womxn from the Mountains, our pages have been lled with voices that inspire action. Each interview has taught me something new and reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for social change. More highlights from the

year include my interviews with Dr. Ruben Viramontes, who encouraged students to demand visibility at the table, and the enlightening dialogue with Maribel Cifuentes, who shared critical insights from the Colorado Health Foundation’s Pulse survey. Each interview was a step toward better understanding the needs and concerns of our community, from the ght for cleaner air in Commerce City to the ght for immigrant rights led by Jeannette Vizguerra. ese voices have shaped my journey as La Ciudad’s bilingual editor. rough it all, our mission has remained clear: to create a publication that re ects our community’s diversity and

EPA objects to Suncor permit

Agency demands more oversight and assurances at Commerce City

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

e Environmental Protection Agency found problems Dec. 30 with another Colorado-issued permit for Suncor’s re nery operations in Commerce City and ordered revisions. Regional and national EPA o ces made the same objections and demanded revisions to a di erent state permit for Suncor in 2022 and 2023. e EPA, reviewing petitions from environmental advocates, sent the proposed state permit for Suncor plants 1 and 3 back to the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division to answer detailed questions or make outright revisions to the permit mandates. e order signed by acting EPA administrator Jane Nishida agreed in part with the advocates’ claims that the state permit may not properly monitor and calculate pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds emanating from the big re nery.

strength. As we move forward, I am lled with gratitude for every person who shared their story, every reader who trusted us, and every colleague who believed in our vision. is year has been a whirlwind — full of triumphs, challenges and heartbreaking news that has a ected our communities both near and far. From the painful struggles of families in our own backyard to the devastating events across the globe, we’ve witnessed a world in turmoil. But despite the hardship, the resilience of our people continues to shine brightly, and that resilience is what has carried us forward.

“Once again, EPA found Colorado is failing to ensure adequate monitoring of toxic air pollution and failing to ensure Suncor is held fully accountable to safeguarding clean air and public health,” said Jeremy Nichols of the Center for Biological Diversity, which objected to the plants 1 and 3 permit — the west side of the sprawling complex — alongside the Sierra Club.

“While this is an important win for clean air, it’s still beyond disappointing that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment refuses to do the right thing here,” Nichols said. e division said it was reading through the 39-page permit objection and did not have comments as of Dec. 31.

A collage showing some of the people interviewed as a part of La Cuidad’s Entrevista.

LINDA CARPIO SHAPLEY

REAL ID requirements are coming in 2025

BY JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

As the year comes to a close and people prepare for what comes next, many things linger in their minds that can perhaps impact the way 2025 plays out.

For those who have been traveling, you have likely seen several signs at Denver International Airport announcing the upcoming REAL ID Act that will be enforced starting in May 2025. (According to e (Fort Collins) Coloradoan, most Colorado IDs have been compliant since 2012.)

According to the Department of Homeland Security, REAL ID was passed by Congress in 2005, as a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, for the federal government to establish minimum security standards for state issued driver’s licenses and identi cation cards for travel and to access certain federal and government buildings. Forms of identi cation that don’t meet the standards of REAL ID will be rejected by certain federal agencies.

However, it’s been somewhat of a challenge to fully enforce the act. Deadline extensions have taken place due to “lack of full state compliance with the requirements for issuing the more secure driver’s licenses,” according to NBC News in 2022. e COVID-19 pandemic also caused a delay in enforcement because it was harder for people to obtain new identications through various lockdowns and sta reductions at various departments of motor vehicles. e original deadline for the REAL ID to be put in place was Octo-

ber 2021, before it was extended to May 2025.

While the REAL ID has been enforced for entrance to certain federal buildings and facilities, the enforcement of REAL ID will be the standard requirement across the country after the deadline. e main concern, and the area that will be primarily a ected, is air travel. e DHS states that the Transportation Security Administration’s security checkpoints will require a REAL ID or other acceptable alternatives, such as a U.S. passport or state issued driver’s license.

To determine if your driver’s license or state photo identity cards are REAL ID compliant, they must have a star marking on it. ose who travel without a compliant form will not be permitted through security checkpoints.

E ects on the immigrant community

Because REAL IDs and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses are only issued to those who have lawful status, immigrants are concerned on how this can impact travel. REAL ID allows states to issue driver’s licenses and identi cation cards to those whose identity can’t be fully veri ed or their legal status hasn’t been con rmed. However, these will be considered noncompliant forms of identi cation and must clearly indicate that they are not acceptable for REAL ID purposes and have a di erent design or color that di erentiates them from compliant cards.

Texas immigration law rm Davis and Associates stated on their website that this “will change the way undocumented im-

migrants present identi cation for many purposes.”

e DHS wrote on their website that the “possession of a non-compliant card does not indicate that the holder is an undocumented individual, given that individuals may obtain non-compliant cards for many reasons unrelated to unlawful presence.”

“If fully implemented, the law would facilitate the tracking of data on individuals and bring government into the very center of every citizen’s life. By de nitively turning driver’s licenses into a form

of national identity documents, REAL ID would have a tremendously destructive impact on privacy,” wrote the American Civil Liberties Union on their website. For bene ciaries of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the act allows states to issue temporary REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards to applicants “who provide valid, documentary evidence that they have ‘approved deferred action status.’ ”

For more information on the REAL ID Act and what will come after the deadline, visit dhs.gov/real-id.

Popular black license plates power disability programs

Founder of Englewood trade school is director of new state o ce

BY JENNIFER BROWN

THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s throwback license plates — especially the cool black ones — are powering a new state o ce created to help people with disabilities get jobs and live independently.

e Colorado Disability Opportunity

O ce, called the “C-Doo” among government o cials, will give out $5 million this scal year to organizations working to support people with disabilities. e o ce was created by the legislature in June and its inaugural director, Danny Combs, is the father of a son with autism and founder of a trade school in Englewood that teaches young people with autism how to become auto mechanics, welders, carpenters and electricians.

e o ce gets $25 per retro license plate sold. ose include the long-popular green mountains on a white sky, as well as the reintroduced white COLORADO on a solid blue background, on a red background, and the most popular, on a black background. e three plates, dating to 1914, 1915 and 1945, had been retired and were brought back into circulation in 2021. About 20% of Coloradans have one or more disabilities, according to the new ofce. And programs that provide assistance are spread across multiple state agencies, including the state education department, the health and human services depart-

ment, and the state agency that oversees Medicaid government insurance. e goal of CDOO is to coordinate all those e orts to create more e ciency and less overlap, as well as ll in the gaps where services aren’t covered.

It’s telling that the state selected Combs, who started his new job Nov. 12. In 2016, Combs founded Teaching the Autism Community Trades, or TACT, the rst trade school in the nation speci cally for young people with autism. He said he wanted more for his son, who has an interest in rebuilding cars and writing, and would not be satis ed with a job bagging groceries or washing dishes. It’s also signi cant to note that the new o ce is housed within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, which signals a focus on helping people gain self-su ciency.

“Traditionally, solutions to disability issues are often considered from a human services and poverty approach,” the o ce said in announcing its opening a few months ago. “Disability policy will be framed through an opportunity lens with the goal of helping those with disabilities get on a path to self-su ciency, so more people with disabilities can prosper.”

e Department of Labor and Employment also houses the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps people with disabilities get job training and operates under the motto that “anyone with a disability who wants to work, can work, regardless of the type or severity of their disability.”

Combs reports directly to the governor’s o ce, as well as to Joe Barela, executive director of the labor department. His role is to make recommendations after gathering input from disability advo-

cates, boards, committees and state agencies that run programs in schools or support people with disabilities living at home. “ ere are leaders that are working so hard but they are unaware of what others are doing,” Combs said.

So far, CDOO has just one other employee besides Combs but the plan is to hire two more as soon as possible.

e o ce recently announced a new round of $2 million in grants, which is in addition to $1 million distributed earlier this year and another $2 million planned before the end of the scal year on June 30. e awards are determined by the Colorado Disability Funding Committee, which was transferred to the new o ce from the state Department of Personnel and Administration. e committee has 13 governorappointed members, more than half of whom must have a disability or “have rsthand experience working with someone who does.”

The all-black, all-red, all-blue and the retired green-and-white license plates were among those Colorado began o ering in 2023, allowing people to choose from among four historic license plates, with revenue beneﬁting the

His long-term goals as director include improving transportation options for people with disabilities, as well as increasing access to services, particularly in rural areas. “Being a statewide agency, we will be able to start supporting not just the Front Range corridor but all of Colorado,” he said.

e focus of the latest round of funding is for nonpro ts or county human service agencies that are helping people with disabilities navigate the complex process of applying for state and federal bene ts. Combs believes many Coloradans with disabilities are unaware that they qualify for services and unsure how to get them. “ ere are so many agencies doing great work but it can be kind of tricky,” he said.

Combs said New York is the only other state he is aware of with a similar disability o ce and that he is meeting with that state’s disability director next week. Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera said in a news release that the grants re ect Colorado’s “unwavering commitment to empowering Coloradans with disabilities to achieve independence and thrive.”

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Colorado Disability Funding Committee.

The star, either black or gold, in the upper right corner of the idea denotes an identiﬁcation card as a valid for REAL ID. Airlines will begin requiring these kinds of cards in 2025. COURTESY TSA

Statistics Confirm That the Seller’s Market Evaporated by the End of 2024

Now that 2024 has ended, we can see quite clearly that the seller’s market created during the Covid pandemic is now a thing of the past. December was a particularly slow month in a year that saw a great increase in the number of active listings, but little or no corresponding increase in sales, plus some other negative metrics, as shown in the charts at right.

As always, I derive these statistics from REcolorado, the Denver MLS, within a 25-mile radius of downtown Denver instead of using the multicounty “metro Denver” stats reported by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

that there were now more homebuyers than homes for sale, which fostered competition and drove home prices to unforeseen levels. From the start of the pandemic in March 2020 until the Federal Reserve began hiking rates in March 2022, home prices grew 37%, per Case-Shiller.

All Charts Are for Last 5 Years

Expired Listings

The most obvious indicator of a slowing market is how many listings expire without selling, and that number reached nearly 3,000 in December, about triple the figures for the first two Decembers of the pandemic, 2020 and 2021.

The ratio of closed price to listing price is another key indicator of a seller’s market. It peaked at 106.1% in April 2022, but has been as low as 92.0% since then.

The median sold price has leveled off but is still higher this December than all previous Decembers. It’s just that sellers are still overpricing their homes when they first put them on the market, producing that lower ratio.

The median time on market stayed well below 10 days throughout the pandemic, but has risen steadily since the fall of 2022 and is at its highest level in recent history now — 39 days. The average days on market is at 56 days. This compares to 30 days and 47 days respectively a year ago.

A big factor in the real estate market is always the cost of mortgage loans. At right is a graphic from USNews that charts the impact of interest rates on home prices from 1987 to present. Here’s that website’s interpretation of the chart:

“In late 2022, home sales activity came to an abrupt halt when mortgage rates climbed from about 3% to above 7% in a matter of months. Buyers are still facing higher mortgage rates than they've seen in recent memory – on top of that, home prices are still staying stubbornly high after the pandemic housing boom. For many, especially first-time homebuyers who lack tappable equity, monthly mortgage payments have become too expensive at these new interest rates.

“The housing market is in a mortgage rate stalemate: Homebuyers are priced out, and homeowners are reluctant to sell and trade in their low mortgage rates.”

So what should we expect in 2025?

Whenever there’s a market slowdown, it produces pent-up demand later on. And I foresee that pent-up demand expressing itself this month and this year in a more balanced market. The big increase is inventory shows that sellers are accepting that interest rates

“With mortgage rates at 3% or even lower, more homebuyers could afford to enter the market in the early 2020s. Home sales activity picked up, but housing inventory was insufficient to keep up with demand. Decades of housing underproduction in the U.S. meant

will stay at present levels, so they are no longer waiting for them to go down before sacrificing their current low interest rate loan to purchase a replacement home. Likewise, I see buyers accepting current interest rates as the “new normal” and getting off the fence.

Open House at 2-BR Condo in Downtown Golden

New App Adds Neighborhood Politics to Criteria

Nearly one-quarter of Americans say local and national politics highly influence their decision about where to live, according to a recent survey from Realtor.com. In some age groups, that percentage is even higher.

“With both local and national politicians making decisions that impact daily life, both socially and fiscally, it makes sense that many would prefer to live in areas where the politics align with their own beliefs,” according to Danielle Hale, Realtor.com’s chief economist.

Many of the respondents to a Realtor.com survey said their political views do not align with those of their neighbors, and 17% have considered moving for that reason.

That percentage was 28% for the millennial generation, who are also the most likely –at 33% - to report that their decisions about where to live are highly influenced by national politics. Among Gen Z respondents, 25% say politics influence their decisions, and among Gen X, it’s 21%. Only 16% of baby boomers felt that way.

Now a company called Oyssey has entered the home search business with an app that includes all the usual criteria plus neighbor-

hood politics — even block-by-block. Calling Oyssey an “app” minimizes the company’s intention, which is to replace Zillow as the go-to real estate search engine by providing more information about listings — including neighborhood politics. Currently, the app is sold to individual real estate brokers who can invite individual buyers to access it. It’s strictly a buyer’s tool, and brokers will still be using their current MLS for listing homes for sale. The idea is that Oyssey would replace buyer tools, such as email alerts, built into the MLS, and that the buyer agency agreements now required by the NAR settlement would be built into its functionality.

Ultimately, the company wants to partner with the nation’s MLSs to have their app be an included feature of that MLS instead of something brokers need to purchase on the side.

The app was introduced last month in south Florida and some New York cities, but should be available elsewhere, including Colorado, by the end of March 2025.

I am the first Colorado broker to have signed up for it when it comes to our market.

Condos in this building at 722 Washington Avenue (called Washington Station) are in great demand because of its location right in downtown Golden. This listing is Unit 201, which has a great corner location directly above the unit’s deeded parking spot. Moreover, the stairs to the parking garage are right next to the door to this unit. (There’s also an elevator.) This is a mixed use building, with commercial units on the main floor. The unit itself features an open floor plan, with slab granite countertops and cherry cabinets with handles, and an island with breakfast bar to complement the dining area. There’s a balcony outside the living room. It an all windows have mountain view. The bathrooms and kitchen have ceramic tile floors, and the rest of the unit has carpeting in like-new condition. There’s a 7’deep storage room and laundry closet with vinyl flooring. Take a narrated video tour at www.GoldenCondo.info, then come to the open house this Saturday, 11am to 1pm. Or call Kathy Jonke at 303-990-7428 to request a private showing.

$650,000

Originally listed for $750,000, the price is now $100,000 less! There’s so much to love about this home at 7085 W. 32nd Pl.! For starters, it’s a handyman’s delight with an oversized 2-car garage that is heated and has 200 Amps of power, including two 240-Volt circuits! Also, one of the basement bedrooms has been converted into a sound studio with professional soundproofing such that neighbors and the people upstairs wouldn’t be aware of it! Altogether, including that studio with its ensuite bathroom, this home has five bedrooms and three full bathrooms. And it has a full-size bar with bar stools next to that studio in the basement that is to die for. Under the new state law, the basement could be adapted into a 2-bedroom/1-bathroom accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to provide extra income for the owner. To fully appreciate this impressive home, which has been owned and lovingly maintained by the seller for 43 years, take the narrated video tour at www.GRElistings.com, then come to the open house this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Or call Kathy at 303-990-7428.

NOTE: All prior “Real Estate Today” columns are archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com.

Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851

Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727

BROWN, 303-885-7855

, 303-868-1903

Big Price Reduction on Brick Ranch in Wheat Ridge

Snow Trooper helps get you through the storm

When the akes start falling, Commerce City Public Works hits the road to plow nearly 300 lane miles of streets in the city.

To help you prepare for a safe commute, the city’s online Snow Trooper map shows which roads have been plowed and how recently. Visit snowtrooper. c3gov.com to see the treatment map and priority level of streets along your route.

As a reminder, the city does not plow state roads, such as Highway 85, Interstates 270 and 76, and Brighton Boulevard. Learn more about the city’s snow response plan at c3gov.com/Snow.

Corridor study to help determine safety Commerce City is conducting a comprehensive corridor study of E. 64th Avenue from Highway 2 to Quebec Parkway, spanning approximately 1.5 miles.

e corridor study aims to advance the complete streets vision for E. 64th Avenue by increasing safety and enhancing transportation infrastructure to accommodate various modes of transportation, including walking, biking, and transit.

For more information and to provide your input by Jan. 11, visit c3gov. com/64th.

Legal self-help clinic

mayors of municipalities in the county are asking for nominations for the 2025 Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards. is award focuses on youth who have triumphed over great odds and serve as inspiration and role models for their peers.

is program recognizes young people in grades 6-12 (up to 20 years old) who have overcome personal adversity to create a positive change in their own lives or for those around them. If you know of an individual who has had this impact on others but is not in a school setting, those nominations will also be accepted.

If you’d like to nominate a student for the ACMCYA, please complete the online nomination form. e deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 31, 2025, but please nominate as soon as possible.

e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every month. e program is for those without legal representation and needing help navigating through legal issues. Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before.

Nominations needed for 2025 Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards Adams County commissioners and the

If you have questions, please contact Abby Martinez at the City of Brighton Ofce of Youth Services, at 303-655-2186 or agmartinez@brightonco.gov.

Alliance Business Assistance Center grants available

e Alliance Business Assistance Center is excited to announce that 2024 business grants are now available to support your business endeavors.

Sta at the center can assist residents by helping to identify grants that align with their business goals and industry, providing guidance through the application process, ensuring that they have the best chance of success and providing other valuable resources for local business.

To get started, visit our website at https://businessinthornton.com/localbusiness/small-business-support-programs/business- nancial-assistance.

a police o cer.

Community members can now conveniently report incidents that do not require immediate o cer intervention, such as fraud, identity theft, lost property, theft/shoplifting (less than $2,000), and vandalism.

e new form is online now in English and Spanish at c3gov.com/ReportACrime. Residents should always call 911 for emergencies.

‘Taking No Chances’

e 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Ofce and e Link, a community resource and assessment center in ornton, offer free, 10-week programs to families of Adams County teenagers to help develop personal and interpersonal drug-resistance skills. Sessions are from 5:30 to 6;30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 720-292-2811.

CCPD o ers online crime reporting form

e Commerce City Police Department has a new online reporting tool allowing the public to report some nonemergency crimes and receive a police report immediately without speaking to

Boards/commissions’ openings

Commerce City has openings for several boards and commissions, including the city’s cultural council, the housing authority, and the Derby Review Board. Visit https://www.c3gov.com/Home/ Components/Form/Form/70316b05422 c448492c51da0f0e0fd86/ to sign up.

Help for vets

Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has many power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs available.

To nd the closest facility to you, visit www.va.gov/ nd-locations.

Quali ed Listeners also need volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, provide handyperson services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries, and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners. Call 720600-0860.

Walk with a doc

and a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the bene ts of walking.

Mental health

Community Reach Center o ers inperson intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call the Community Reach Center at 303-853-3500. For walk-in intake, bring an ID and insurance information. For those who would prefer to complete the intake forms and schedule an appointment, the intake forms are available online at www.communityreachcenter.org. ere will be a short screening for u-like symptoms before entering the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone. Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Center at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Legal self-help clinic

Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before.

Workforce & Business Center workshops

Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute. is is a walking program for everyone interested in a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk

e Adams County Workforce & Business Center is hosting multiple workshops throughout November. Visit the center’s website, https://adcogov.org/workforce-business-center, for a full class schedule, which includes contact information for each workshop. e center has locations in Aurora, in Westminter’sPete Mirelez Human Services Center, 11860 N. Pecos St and at 36 South 18th Ave. in Brighton.

Warm Line up and running

Community Reach Center is o ering a Warm Line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mental health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep, and strained relationships, among other topics. e professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

RTD seeks equal access comments

Riders asked for thoughts on Title VI program changes

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Regional Transportation District is asking the public to comment on the agency’s update of its Title VI program, which is a federal law that ensures riders equal access to transit services including buses and commuter trains.

RTD is accepting community feedback about the proposed updates through Jan. 31.

RTD’s Transit Equity O ce updates its Title VI Program every three years and is seeking feedback on proposed updates to three key policies, according to a RTD news release:

e Major Service Change Policy, which would rede ne both “adverse e ect” and what constitutes a major service change.

e Low-Income De nition, which would rede ne low-income populations as those whose household incomes are at or below 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines.

e Fare Equity Policy, which would clarify what constitutes a fare change and when a fare equity analysis would be required in accordance with the FTA.

Community members can provide feedback on the proposed changes on RTD’s Title VI Program page (recommended) or by sending an

We’ve reported on ongoing pollution in Commerce City, the struggles of underserved communities ghting for cleaner air and better health, and the countless challenges that come with living on the margins of society. We’ve covered the relentless pressure of economic hardships, immigration challenges and the overwhelming realities of systemic inequities that continue to plague our communities. Each of these stories has weighed heavily on our hearts, reminding us of the urgent work that lies ahead.

When we rst connected with Adams 14 school board director Lucy Molina, I knew that what we were doing was something much bigger than just telling stories. We were shedding light on the authentic voices of our community — voices that speak not only of the daily struggles but of the incredible strength and bravery of those who call this place home. And as we continue to amplify these voices, we bring to the forefront not just the pollution and hardships caused by industries, but the undeniable spirit of resilience that de nes the people who live here.

Last week, we had a conversation with inuencer Lissa Leticia de González. is was a conversation that resonated deeply, not only for the urgency of the issues it raised but also for the role journalists play in today’s world. We are at a time when the media landscape is saturated with noise; misinformation, divisive rhetoric and false narratives are everywhere. As we navigate a media landscape saturated with fake news and misinformation, it’s more important than ever to highlight the true stories of our people — stories that bring us together, that help us understand one another, and that make us stronger as a community. From the leaders such as Milo Marquez to the dedicated voices of community activists and workers, we’ve captured the essence of what it means to ght for a better future. And it’s not just about the ght—it’s about the joy, the unity, and the power that comes from knowing you’re not alone.

RTD is accepting community feedback about the proposed updates to its equal access policies.

email to transitequity@rtd-denver.com with “Proposed Title VI Policy Changes” in the subject line.

RTD’s current Title VI program started in 2022 and runs through mid-2025. e agen-

Our community’s Latinidad is an undeniable force. e cultural richness and history that people carry with them shape the very fabric of this area. And that’s why it’s crucial to not only focus on the struggles but to honor the bravery, the achievements and the determination that so many people show, day in and day out.

Gracias, de corazón, to the many who have shared their stories with me this year.

I nd myself re ecting not just on the work I’ve done but also on the personal decisions that have shaped my path. is year was not only about creating meaningful content but also about walking my talk and making tough but necessary choices for my personal wellbeing and the continued success of La Ciudad.

One of the most signi cant decisions I’ve made is stepping away from my role as bilingual editor and passing the baton to the incredibly talented Jackie Ramirez. is wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s one I make with full trust in the strong foundation we’ve built and the high-quality news platform we’ve created. It’s bittersweet to leave, but I do so knowing that the spirit of what we’ve done together will continue to thrive under Jackie’s leadership.

I’m also deeply grateful to Linda Carpio Shapley, our managing editor, whose vision and guidance have been instrumental in bringing La Ciudad to life. When Linda hired me a year ago to create a bilingual newsletter, she entrusted me with a mission to serve a news desert. It was under her leadership that I found the space to rediscover my ability to write again, to reconnect with my voice and my purpose as a storyteller. Her trust in me helped reignite my passion for writing and gave me the con dence to share my thoughts, my reections and my heart once more.

Looking back, it’s clear to me that my path has been one of constant evolution, shaped by the incredible mentors and opportunities I’ve encountered along the way. From the very beginnings of developing a Spanish broadcasting service for the blind and visually impaired, to producing podcasts and the “Storytellers of Color” program for KGNU, I’ve sought to connect vital information for the people who wanted it.

I’ve also sought to shape the future of jour-

Call ﬁrst: 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton, CO 80601

PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR

cy’s updated program will be in e ect from mid-2025 to 2028. e public is encouraged to visit the Program page to learn more about the proposed updates and contribute feedback through the end of January.

nalism with the Colorado News Collaborative’s Workforce Pathways program, which helped bring a more diverse workforce and amplify the voices that are needed in our newsrooms.

And of course, I cannot forget the profound impact that joining the Above the Noise initiative has had on me. is combined project, led by the Rocky Mountain Public Media, with collaboration partners the Colorado Press Association, the Colorado Media Project and CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation gave me the opportunity to gather voices from communities that are often overlooked.

e stories we heard fueled my belief in the power of the media to spark real change. It deepened my conviction that journalism, when done right, can bring attention to issues that matter most. As I continue to engage with Above the Noise, I am more committed than ever to pouring myself into this project. is work is not just a professional pursuit for me; it’s a calling to keep shedding light on the experiences of our communities in ways that inspire action and solidarity.

is initiative has helped me grow not only as a journalist but also as a media producer and an advocate for justice, equity and the importance of inclusive narratives in the media.

All of these blessings have shaped me into who I am today. ey’ve given me the strength to believe in my purpose: to be an empty vessel, bringing forward the voices of the unheard, the invisibleONe and the often silenced.

is year, Above the Noise will continue to expand our e orts by creating a wider support network to ensure that information in Spanish continues to be produced by bilingual and bicultural journalists. is collaboration will be key to ensuring that the voices of our community remain heard and empowered across all platforms.

As I step away from my position of bilingual editor of La Ciudad, I do so with a heart full of gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey. e baton has been passed, but my commitment to uplifting the community and sharing their stories remains as strong as ever. ank you to all who have trusted me, guided me, and shared their stories.

Here’s to the future and all the voices we have yet to elevate.

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

BROOKE WARNER Executive Director brooke@ntln.org

LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classiﬁed Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BUSINESS INQUIRIES For advertiser or vendor questions, please email our business department at accounting@ coloradocommunitymedia.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Standard Blade.

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

Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.

Commerce City Sentinel Express (USPS 3886) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Commerce City, Colorado, Commerce City Sentinel Express is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601.

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Commerce City and additional mailing o ces.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Commerce City Sentinel Express, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Web: CommerceCitySentinel.com A publication of CORRECTIONS

Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.

Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.

e objections from the advocates that were endorsed this week by the EPA are similar to criticism of a 2022 permit update granted by the state to Suncor’s plant 2, the eastern portion of the re nery. e EPA’s Region 8 o ce based in Denver rst objected to the state’s plant 2 permit draft in 2022. e state made revisions, but environmental advocates in 2023 successfully petitioned the EPA for more changes.

e permit for plants 1 and 3 was issued by the state in March, and survived an EPA initial review. But the Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity led formal petitions.

“Everything EPA agreed with us on were issues the agency already objected to in relation to the plant 2 permit,” Nichols said.

Major air polluters in Colorado are allowed to continue operating on the terms of expired permits as long as they are complying with deadlines for renewals. Colorado has been far behind in issuing updated permits. Various forms of the Suncor plants 1 and 3 permit have been up for renewal and state drafts since 2016, according to the EPA’s new ruling.

Suncor, the only re nery in Colorado, produces gasoline and other petroleum products for transportation, as well as aviation fuel for airports. e Canadianowned public company has been a frequent violator of Colorado air pollution laws.

e EPA and state regulators in July hit Suncor with a new round of pollution vi-

olation notices for the past two years, despite a $10.5 million settlement for similar 2021 transgressions that state o cials vowed would set the re nery on a path to cleaner operations.

A 140-page litany of alleged new violations compiled by the EPA’s regional ofce in July accused Suncor of continued releases of benzene and other toxins into

CARPENTER

the air and water around the Commerce City plant. e newest violations, including in some areas the EPA had not pinpointed in previous inspections, boosted criticism from neighbors and environmental groups that small nes have not altered the course of Suncor’s multi-billion dollar business.

“ e Commerce City re nery has been

subject to state air enforcement actions by the (state Air Pollution Control Division) annually for at least the past 10 years,” the EPA’s new notice of violations emphasized. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

Nancy Jean Carpenter

December 19, 1939 - December 13, 2024

Nancy Jean Carpenter, 84, passed away at home in Ponca City, Oklahoma on Friday December 13th, 2024.

Nancy loved her family deeply and she was always willing to help. She had a great smile and the best laugh.

Nancy is survived by her sister, Patricia (Mickey) Fitzgerald, brother, Chuck (Jeanne) Jorgensen, daughter, eresa (Michael) Barnett, sons, Timothy (De) Eidenschink, omas (Ava) Eidenschink,

Todd (Angie) Eidenschink, and Tracy Eidenschink, 10 grandchildren, 16 greatgrandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Cleone, her sister, Sally Jenkins, and a nephew.

Cremation services were provided by Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, Oklahoma. An online guest registry is available at gracememorialchapel.net.

Mary Lucile Allen

November 17, 1931 - December 28, 2024

Mary was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up on the Western Slope in Eagle, Ri e and Meeker, CO. When Mary was 8 years old her father passed away, so her maternal grandparents helped raise her and her sister. She moved to Broom eld and then Denver when she was a teenager. Mary married Bill Allen in 1948, and they lived most of their married life in Brighton, CO, where they raised their daughters.

e Arthritis Foundation, and as a “Friend of the Library” for Anythink Brighton.

Mary also loved to spend as much time as she could with family and friends at their travel trailer in Estes Park or roaming most of the United States with Bill hauling the trailer behind his pick-up. ey also traveled to Europe several times.

AVEY

Colleen June Avey Obituary

Mary worked as a speech aide for Brighton schools and then spent 15 years working for Valley Bank and Trust. After retiring Mary lled her time as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, United Methodist Women, Cottonwood Homeowners Association,

Mary is survived by her daughters, Debra Wittke and Patricia Aguirre, and her grandsons, David Wittke and Alex Aguirre. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Lemuel Miller and Lucile (Miller) Robertson, her husband William (Bill) Allen, and her sister, Juanita (Dowd) Walling.

Colleen June (Kissler) Avey June 6, 1937 - December 20, 2024

Colleen Avey, 87, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, December 20, 2024. Colleen will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother by all that loved and knew her. Colleen was born on June 6, 1937 to Frederick and Clara (Tautfest) Kissler.

Colleen is survived by her 2 sisters Joyce (Paul) Flot and Judy (Harold) Corliss and her 4 Children: Lyle Avey, Pamela (James) Fuller, Paula (Robert) Cook, and Alison (Erik) Keefer. She has 7 grandchildren, 14 Great Grand Children and 2 Great-Great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years.

She married Leo Avey on June 7, 1953 in Brighton, CO. Colleen was a homemaker for the entirety of their marriage and raised 4 wonderful children, that she thought and worried about constantly. In her years, after Leo’s death, she moved to Whitewater, CO with her daughter, Alison and Erik Keefer, where she was able to experience the history of the Western Slope culture and history. She enjoyed that so much that she bought books regarding the

subjects of the Grand Mesa and surrounding areas. She enjoyed learning about what she would see from the front window and while sitting on the patio at her new home living with her daughter, Alison. She would often talk about what she had learned with family.

Colleen was involved with the Platte Valley Ri e Association in target shooting with Leo. In 1964 they moved to Fort Lupton, CO to live on the Farm with Leo’s folks, at that time, they took up bowling and they traveled all over the United States bowling in the National Bowling Association tournaments. In 1987, Colleen took up archery hunting to participate with Leo. ey were always doing things together. Colleen retired from bowling in April of 2015 which she enjoyed very much. She was a member of the Brighton Senior Center, which was very enjoyable for her. Cribbage was her favorite game with family and friends.

A graveside service will be held with the immediate family on January 4, 2025 at Olinger Highland Mortuary Heritage Hall. Interment will follow at Olinger Highland Cemetery in the Mausoleum. Celebration of Life will be in 2025 at a date to be determined at a later time.

ALLEN

The Environmental Protection Agency has found problems with recent permits for the Suncor reﬁnery in Commerce City and is sending it back

state and local regulators.

Public Notices call Jean 303.566.4123

Legals

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

FINAL SETTLEMENT

Project Title: Porteos – PA-3 Landscaping

Project Owners:

Velocity Metropolitan District No. 1

Project Location: City of Aurora, Colorado

The Velocity Metropolitan District plans to accept the above titled project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Hall Landscape Contractors after February 10, 2025. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Velocity Metropolitan District may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Hall Landscape Contractors, as necessary, to protect the Velocity Metropolitan District from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Hall Landscape Contractors to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Hall Landscape Contractors are hereby notified that unresolved outstanding claims must be certified and forwarded to:

Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E.

Address: 5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111

as soon as possible, but no later than February 3, 2025.

Legal Notice No. CCX1523

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Date: January 9, 2025

Sealed Bids will be received by the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise (Owner), Attn: Dawn Fredette at 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022 until 1:30 p.m., local time, on Thursday January 30, 2025, for the project entitled “PHASE 2 LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENTS”. At said place and time, and promptly thereafter, all Bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

(9)

City and Adams County that are owned and operated by the Owner. Four (4) of the sites are located in close proximity to Interstate I-270 between 52nd Avenue and 64th Avenue, three (3) of the sites are located near U.S. Highway 85 between 72nd Avenue and 104th Avenue, and the remaining two (2) sites are located in the vicinity of Interstate I-76 between 108th Avenue and 124th Avenue. The project generally consists of removal of fiberglass hutch pump enclosures, installation of new pump sheds, general sitework improvements (i.e., grading, concrete flatwork and retaining walls, etc.), removal and replacement of electrical equipment, replacement of primary station controls to radar level sensors, and removal and replacement of secondary station float controls.

All Bids must be in accordance with the Contract Documents on file with the Owner, South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022; and at the office of Muller Engineering Company, Inc., 7245 West Alaska Drive, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado 80226.

Electronic files of the Bidding Documents for use in preparing Bids may be obtained from Muller Engineering Company. Bidding Documents will be available on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at no charge. Please contact Taylor Barnett, tbarnett@ mullereng.com, for questions and to obtain electronic copies of the Bidding Documents. No printed copies of the plans and specifications will be provided.

An optional pre-bid meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday January 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Interested bidders should contact Taylor Barnett at tbarnett@mullereng.com for a link to the pre-bid meeting.

Bids will be received on a lump sum price basis per site, with the anticipated project award issued to the lowest total Bid. Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid must accompany each Bid. It is anticipated that the Contract Agreement will be signed and the Notice to Proceed will be issued in late February 2025. Construction shall be completed and ready for final payment within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days.

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Construction Performance Bond and a Construction Payment Bond as security for the faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the contract.

The Bid and Bid Security will remain subject to acceptance for 70 calendar days after the Bid opening, or for such longer period of time that Bidder may agree to in writing upon request of Owner.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities, and to reject non-conforming, non-responsive, or conditional Bids.

By: Vicki Ennis Secretary

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise

Legal Notice No. CCX1524

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 9, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

FINAL SETTLEMENT

Project Title: Porteos –Phase 7 (Segment 3) Streetlights

Project Owners:

Velocity Metropolitan District

Project Location: City of Aurora, Colorado

The Velocity Metropolitan District plans to accept the above titled project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Dynalectric Company after February 10, 2025. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Velocity Metropolitan District may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Dynalectric Company, as necessary, to protect the Velocity Metropolitan District from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Dynalectric Company to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Dynalectric Company are hereby notified that unresolved outstanding claims must be certified and forwarded to:

Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E.

Address: 5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 as soon as possible, but no later than February 3, 2025.

Legal Notice No. CCX1522

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

FINAL SETTLEMENT

Project Title: Porteos – Phase 6 (Segment 2) and Phase 8 (Segment 5) Streetlights –LP1 and LP3 of Phase 6

Project Owners:

Velocity Metropolitan District

Project Location: City of Aurora, Colorado

Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E.

Address: 5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 as soon as possible, but no later than February 3, 2025.

Legal Notice No. CCX1521

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Harvest Road – Utilities

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 8051 E. Maplewood Ave, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on February 7, 2025 for:

Harvest Road – Utilities

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Approximately 1 mile of utility (water, sanitary, and storm) improvements. The utility improvements are located on the West side of Harvest Road located south of E. 56th Avenue and north of E. 48th Avenue.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@merrick.com, beginning January 9, 2025. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

The Work is expected to be commenced within Sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

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

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

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

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

Legal Notice No. CCX1525

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Summons

COURT,

ADAMS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO

100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601 Court Phone: 303-659-1161

PLAINTIFF: RIVER RUN FILING NO. 4 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. v. DEFENDANTS: TAYLOR JAMES CUMMINGS; PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC; MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC.; and ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE Case No.: 2024CV031055 Div. A

Attorney: Kate M. Leason, Reg No. 41025

Jeffrey B. Smith, Reg No. 40490 Firm: Altitude Community Law P.C. Address:555 Zang Street, Suite 100 Lakewood, Colorado 80228-1011

Phone Number: 303.432.9999

E-mails: kleason@altitude.law jsmith@altitude.law Our File No.: 9644.0313

SUMMONS

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your Answer or other response within twenty-one (21) days after service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you, outside of the State of Colorado, you are required to file your Answer or other response within

thirty-five (35) days after service upon you or if served by publication pursuant to C.R.C.P. 4(g). If served by publication, service shall be complete on the day of the last publication. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2410(b), the time for filing an Answer or other response is extended to sixty (60) days for the United States. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee. A copy of the Complaint may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court.

If you fail to file your Answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, the Court may enter judgment by default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.

This is an action affecting the real property described in the Complaint and is a proceeding in rem as well as a proceeding in personam.

Dated: July 8, 2024

Respectfully submitted, ALTITUDE COMMUNITY LAW P.C.

Original signature of Kate M. Leason is on file with the law offices of Altitude Community Law P.C. pursuant to C.R.C.P. 121, §1-26(7).

S/Kate M. Leason

Kate M. Leason, #41025

Jeffrey B. Smith, #40490 555 Zang Street, Suite 100 Lakewood, Colorado 80228-1011 303.432.9999

ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

River Run Filing No. 4 Homeowners Association

Address of Plaintiff:

River Run Filing No. 4

Homeowners Association, Inc. c/o PMP Management 390 Interlocken Crescent, Suite 350 Broomfield, CO 80021

Legal Notice No. CCX 4508

First Publication: January 2, 2025

Last Publication: January 30, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of KARIM I. ALSUBHI, a/k/a KARIM ALSUBHI, a/k/a KARIM I. ALSUBLI, a/k/a KARIM ALSUBLI, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 030916

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before May 10, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Wassim Subie

Personal Representative

c/o Brian Landy, Attorney 4201 E. Yale Ave., Suite 110 Denver, CO 80222

Legal Notice No. CCX1520

First Publication: January 9, 2025

Last Publication: January 23, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

###