TRIP OF A LIFETIME FOR A VET
Navy Veteran Ken Crosby selected for Honor Flight P4
City hosting ‘Brighter Brighton’ open house March 25
BY SCOTT TAYLOR
Brighton will host an open house to discuss a host of possible changes to downtown March 25, from creating a development authority to changing downtown’s ow of tra c.
“ e City has been working on several projects related to our downtown area, most of which require some sort of public engagement,” Senior Planner Emma Lane wrote in an email. “We thought it would be a good idea to combine some of these projects so that residents can come share their thoughts in one place.”
e open house, which is being called “Visions of a Brighter Downtown,” is sched-
uled from 3-7 p.m March 25 in the Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St.
e open house will o er an opportunity to learn about the projects currently underway for downtown Brighton, including grant programs and changes to local bus routes.
Attendees can o er their opinions about future projects, such as potential updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, potential changes to downtown roadways and the formation of a new Downtown Development Authority.
e open house will be open to the City as a whole, but will be focusing on feedback from downtown residents and business owners, Lane said.
Light refreshments will be served, Lane said.
One way streets on the agenda
One item being discussed is potential road changes in the downtown’s core area designed to make the area more walkable by removing some on-street parking and widening sidewalks.
Councilors discussed three options in February.
e rst would keep two-way tra c along the road, one lane in either direction, but would e ectively double the sidewalk space on both sides, replacing the on-street parking there. at would remove 16 spaces on the street north of the Bridge Street intersection.
Federal public safety funding remains frozen
Governor Polis promises to find ways to ‘bridge the gap’
BY LINDSEY TOOMER COLORADO NEWSLINE
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on March 3 urged the Trump administration to comply with a court order prohibiting the federal government from freezing funding, highlighting $69.5 million in public safety grants promised to the state. At the end of January, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping freeze on federal spending, which a federal judge soon temporarily blocked. State o cials said more than $570 million that Congress approved for Colorado remained inaccessible in early February.
A news release from Polis, a Democrat, said the administration has stopped paying for Homeland Security grants allocated to the state in deance of a court order mandating funding be disbursed. e release said the state will do “everything it can to bridge the gap in funding.”
“In Colorado, we are focused on improving public safety and this delay and uncertainty makes us less safe,” Polis said in a statement. “Common sense support to improve safety for Boys and Girls Clubs, places of worship, stopping school violence, and
Aims o ers public safety training for high schoolers
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Aims Community College is hosting a hands-on experience in re ghting and emergency services medical training for high school students at its eighth annual Aims Fire and EMS Xplore Academy. “Xplore Academy prepares young people to meet the demands of serving and protecting the community,” said Heather Logan, EMS Coordinator at Aims Community College in a news release. “ e program provides an invaluable experience for students to determine if a career in EMS or re science is right for them.” e training program for high school students interested in jobs in public safety, such as emergency medicine and re ghting, will be held from July 14 to 18 at the Windsor Campus Public Safety Institute, 1130 Southgate Dr. e training program is designed to be as realistic as possible. During the week, students will train like real re ghters and emergency responders. ey will be expected to master bunker gear and Scuba or self-contained breathing apparatus techniques. ey will navigate a re maze inside the state-of-the-art Simulated City training center and will learn lifesaving CPR techniques and complete an exam to earn CPR certi cation valid for two years in Colorado.
and ambulance to understand emergency transport procedures and will train in re extinguisher use, hose rolling, and door-forcing techniques. Students will also learn how to stabilize a car and break open doors safely by using power tools in a vehicle extrication exercise.
e Aims program will also help the students gain insight into the Candidate Physical Ability Test and complete a modi ed exam version if the want to continue and pursue a career in emergency services.
e training includes a live demon-
stration day, during which the students learn and test skills in front of their families. ey also participate in live re simulations, such as vehicle extrication. Once the training is complete, the students will have a graduation ceremony to recognize their achievements.
Students can register for the program through June 6 until it reaches its capacity of 40 students. e cost is $100, it includes lunch daily, snacks, three free t-shirts, and a water bottle.
For more information about Aims Fire Science programs and the Xplore Academy, visit aims.co/Xplore25.
Weld seeks grant to fix intersection
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Weld County will seek a $1.7 million state grant to help x the intersection at Colorado Highway 52 and Weld County Road 59.
Elizabeth Relford, the Weld County Grants and Project Support O cer, said that the application represents the latest step in ful lling a vision that Weld County, the state transportation department, the Weld RE-3J school district and the towns of Keenesburg, Hudson, Lochbuie have shared.
“ e idea to make the intersection safer and more e cient started as far back as 2011 with an intersection safety study,” Elizabeth Relford said “Now, 14 years later, we’re hopeful that this grant application will be one of the nal steps in achieving that goal. It would be a big victory for all entities involved and the traveling public.”
e state conducted a study in 2011 that led to the addition of turn lanes at the intersection. O cials found that didn’t resolve the overall safety issues, which led to another study in 2021. e 2021 study
analyzed a 41.6-mile stretch of the corridor from Colorado State Highway 119 in Boulder County to Colorado Highway 79 in Prospect Valley. It identi ed a roundabout as the optimal construction upgrade at the intersection. e Federal Highway Administration supports roundabouts to help reduce broadside accidents and fatalities. Additionally, roundabouts have less idling time compared to four-way stops and tra c signal lights, which helps reduce pollution while improving air quality.
Other grants
e Weld County Board of Commissioners agreed to apply for a $1.7 million grant from the “Nonattainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise”, a state program aimed at reducing motor vehicle air pollution in rural areas that do not meet federal air quality standards. at’s enough to pay for a portion of the work, but not all of it. Weld County has already found the bulk of the money for the project.
In December 2024, Weld County received over $1.38 million in federal Con-
gestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant funding to cover construction costs. According to o cials, the grant required a local match of $287,126 from the County. e project design is nearly complete, but construction cost estimates exceed the available funding. Relford said that a nearly $1.8 million shortfall stems from reduced funding from Senate Bill 21-260, passed in 2021. Early indications suggest that the bill, which funds projects statewide through various fees, has not delivered as expected.
If the grant is approved, it will cover the remaining construction costs necessary for the Department of Transportation to build the roundabout, she said.
Weld County Commissioner Kevin Ross said transportation funding for safety infrastructure improvements remains a high priority for our rural communities.
“While reducing state revenues creates a hardship, we remain committed to nding a funding solution to construct this roundabout and deliver a needed regional safety enhancement.”
Construction is anticipated to begin in October 2026.
Police warn of ‘Assassins’ game trending with teens
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fort Lupton High School o cials are warning that a nationally trending “Assassins” game has come to Colorado, with a dangerous twist.
School Resource O cer Sergeant Paul Grossman, with the Fort Lupton Police Department, issued a safety statement regarding the game “Assassins”, in a news release on March 5.
It’s modern game of tag, with players assigned targets they “assassinate” while dodging assassins targeting them.
Grossman said that high school students play the game using water guns and wear oaties to distinguish safe players. e game is harmless and does not lead to injuries when played with water guns, he said.
“Instead of traditional water guns, our students have been using Orbeez guns, which shoot gel pellets at high velocity,,” Grossman said. “While these gel projectiles may seem harmless, they can cause serious injury.
“Even more troubling is that I witnessed high school students today hanging out of moving car windows and shooting other students on public roadways. is behavior is not only dangerous but also reckless, and it will not be tolerated,” he added.
Grossman said that the School Resource O cer Unit is responsible for ensuring the safety of all students within the school district.
“ is kind of activity poses numerous risks, including the risk of injury from both the Orbeez guns and the dangerous act of hanging out of a moving vehicle,” Grossman said. “For the well-being of all students, the district is taking immediate action to prevent this behavior on school grounds.”
Grossman said that the SROs will promptly take action within the district to enforce laws pertaining to any violation that jeopardizes the safety and well-being of students.
“If your student is caught engaging in such activities, you will receive a call from my team to address the situation directly,” said Grossman. “ ank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your support in keeping our school environment safe for all students.”
Weld County seeks public comment on transportation
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Weld County Government is seeking input from residents about their needs and concerns regarding infrastructure improvements on several projects aimed at building safer transportation systems.
e county is o ering various opportunities to provide ideas, according to a
Feb. 24 news release.
“We are excited to bring these projects to fruition with the help of our residents,”
Weld County Chair Perry Buck said.
“Feedback on the plans will help county departments know what residents want from their local government.”
According to o cials, the state requires a “Housing Needs Assessment” to inventory existing availability in unincorporated Weld County under Senate
Bill 24-174.
Weld County’s government plans to study current service improvement approaches. is is why public input is important for county departments, such as programs and alternative technology. Such input can provide guidelines to enhance services and taxes.
e county will study housing availability, demographics, resources, and economic data before presenting this
information to the board of commissioners. County leaders will discuss housing policies and trends to ensure the county programs align with the state’s goals. Public input will be gathered until April 30.
For more information about each project and to take the surveys, visit https:// www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Information-O ce/Public-Input on the county’s website.
High school girls are interested in Firefighting.
COURTESY OF AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
While
the White House Reverses ‘Green’ Policies, Will Colorado Be Able to Hold Its Course?
For many years, Colorado, like California, has pursued its own “green new deal,” with its Democratic Governor and General Assembly passing one law after another that promotes everything that is now anathema to the current national administration.
Colorado sends a lot of tax dollars to the federal government and gets lots of tax dollars in return, especially for road projects such as the rebuilding of Interstate 70 through Denver. The current administration is using the leverage of withholding funds to pressure localities to fall in line with its immigration policies. It could just as easily withhold funds unless the state reverses its own green initiatives, such as incentivizing the purchase of new or used electric vehicles with bigger tax credits than any other state.
structed under laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.
The CEO’s website describes several laws it is implementing that address the issue of building efficiency, both residential and commercial. Primarily, it is requiring all jurisdictions in the state of Colorado that create or amend building codes to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which was adopted by the International Code Council, Inc., a non-governmental organization. It also requires all jurisdictions to adopt the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code upon updating any other building code.
“Cities and counties with building codes must adopt the 2021 IECC along with the model electric ready and solar ready code when adopting or updating any building code between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026.”
This isn’t a political column. Coloradans need to know whether its movement toward a “green” economy will be halted or reversed by the new administration. My intent in this column is merely to describe the programs and policies that may be in jeopardy.
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) is the arm of state government which develops and implements “green policies,” including in the real estate domain, as authorized and in-
According to the CEO, jurisdictions are encouraged to amend their building codes every three years and to incrementally move in the direction of the model codes, and they are prohibited from making amendments to their code which “decrease the effectiveness or efficiency” of the code.
The more liberal jurisdictions, such as Aspen, Denver and Jefferson County, have moved quickly to adopt those model codes, which include requiring new construction to include conduits and pre-wiring to facilitate future installation of EV charging stations and solar panels. According to the CEO website,
Also being developed, according to the website, is The Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, consisting of the 2024 IECC, as amended by Colorado’s Energy Code Board. To the White House and DOGE, the names alone suggest they’ll be targeted by the new administration. Let’s just say they’re “woke.”
A Model Green Code, currently in draft form at the CEO, “will address building attributes such as energy and water use efficiency, electrification, low carbon building materials, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. Local governments may voluntarily adopt this code in addition to the required energy code,” according to the website.
The state of Colorado has no statewide building code, but it does require any jurisdiction (i.e., counties or home-rule cities) which
Some Eager Sellers Cut Out Potential Buyers by Accepting a Quick Good Offer
Yes, the seller’s market of the Covid years is over, but there are still listings which sell right away, and too many sellers accept a fullprice or better offer on the first or second day, when they might get a better price if they just waited a few days.
This January, the average days on the MLS for listings within 25 miles of downtown Denver peaked at 60, compared to 22 days in January 2022. The median days on the MLS peaked at 44 this January compared to only 5 days in January 2022.
However, of the 2,396 listings in that area which closed this January, 63 went under contract the first day they were on the MLS and another 44 listings sold without even being entered on the MLS so that other buyers could know about them. 47 more went under contract the second day they were on the market, and 57 went under contract on the third day. I tell my sellers that if someone makes an
offer that quickly, and there are lots of showings, there are probably other buyers who might have paid more. It is my job as a listing agent to help my sellers get the highest price for their home, and I’m not doing that if I don’t convince them not to go under contract in less than four days.
This topic was inspired by a broker associate who said that twice in the past couple of months his buyer had lost out on a new listing that he showed the first or second day it was on the market because the seller had accepted a quick offer that our buyer would have beaten, given the chance.
In conclusion, just because the market has
Interested in a Different Take on Politics?
I have my own political blog called “Talking Turkey.” You can find it online at http://TalkingTurkey.substack.com
Just Listed: 4-BR Home Backing to Arvada Park
slowed down, sellers who price their home wisely and get a quick full-price offer should at least look at how many showings have been set, inform those other agents about the offer, and give them a chance to submit.
has a building code to follow state laws regarding building codes, and it’s common to adopt one of the codes created every few years by the International Code Council, amended as appropriate to their local needs.
The above map from the CEO website, shows the extent to which each county has adopted the IECC codes by year. The lightest colors are counties which have adopted (likely with amendments) the 2021 IECC, and the darkest counties have no building codes. The other colors have building codes based on IECC years 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2018. It’s a interactive map, and can be changed to display home-rule cities and their codes, or you can search a county or city and it will display the details of its code requirements and IECC year.
As usual, I have the links for all this at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com
$669,000
If you’re looking for an updated, move-in ready home in a quiet neighborhood, backing to a park, with no HOA and an RV parking space, this home at 7761 Everett Way may be what you have been looking for. Built in 1973, you'd swear this home is at least 20 years newer. The floors are hickory hardwood throughout, except for in the basement and the beautifully tiled bathrooms. Mature evergreens in the backyard provide afternoon shade for the large open deck, but there’s also an 8'x16' covered and screened deck. Tennis anyone? See the court in the picture above. Do you like to garden? There are two raised beds plus a larger ground level garden that is sprinklered. Do you have lots of stuff? There are two sheds! Do you like a wood-burning fireplace? This home comes with lots of cut firewood and kindling for the fireplace in the family room. Visit www.GRElistings.com to view a video walk-through narrated by the listing agent, then come to the open house this Saturday, Mar. 13th, 11am to 1pm, or call your agent (or me at 303525-1851) to arrange a showing. You may find that this home checks all your boxes!
Mr. Cosby goes to Washington, D.C.
Brighton Navy veteran selected by Honor Flight for April trip
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Navy veteran Ken Cosby has big plans for April. He’ll be joining Honor Flight on a trip to the nation’s capital.
“My rst reaction was one of being stunned and excited, as I didn’t expect to be heading out so soon,” Cosby, a Brighton resident said. “We had only applied a year ago, on December 7, 2023. We knew it would probably take a while before I made it onto the list. I feel honored to be on this ight.”
Ken’s wife, Martha Cosby, saw the news about the Honor Flight, prompting her to apply for her husband’s participation in it.
“I wish I had known about this for my Dad, but I can now do this for my husband. So, I visited the ‘Honor Flight’ website, where I found information about the application. I submitted it for him, but I had to ask him some questions, “ Martha said.
Martha said the Honor Flight was working on sending veterans from the Korean War and Vietnam to Washington in the next round of trips.
“I thought, well, we might have to wait, but Ken got a call at the beginning of this year and told us he was on the next Honor Flight,” Martha said.
“I am truly honored to accompany Dad and assist another Veteran. Seeing the Wall isn’t on my bucket list, but I feel privileged to be with Dad as he ful lls something on his own list,” Velotta said. Ken is a native of San Antonio, Texas, who has lived in Colorado since he was 11. He is now 75. He joined the Navy at about 17, serving from 1967 to 1976 as a Boatswain — taking care of deck work, driving security, and driving the boat. He took on several jobs after his discharge and worked for the 27J school district.
It’s not his rst brush with patriotic memorabilia. Ken also got the opportunity to escort the replica of the Veterans’ War Memorial in August 2021 from to Brighton and Mead. Having seen the portable version, he’s excited to see the real thing in person.
Cosby and Velotta will check in at Loveland for their itinerary, and then will be bused to Denver International Airport.
“From what I understand, there’s a banquet in our honor in D.C. that night, followed by a one-day excursion to all the monuments in Washington, D.C. And then, on the 28th, I return home,” Ken said.
“I was so excited when I saw Ken’s text on my phone. I was subbing at Southeast Elementary that week. My rst reaction was to cry, and I couldn’t believe it was happening. en I realized the full weight of what I was reading, and I wanted to jump up and down to tell everyone around me.”
FUNDING
disaster assistance is illegally being cut o by the Trump administration. is wrecking ball approach from the federal government puts communities throughout Colorado at risk.”
Funding promised to Colorado that the
Martha said their daughter, Kim Velotta, will accompany her Dad on the trip. Spouses are not allowed to accompany because it’s not a vacation; it’s a sightseeing tour.
state has not received includes:
• $18.66 million from state homeland security grants
• $6.36 million from emergency management performance grants
• $9.79 million from state and local cybersecurity grants
• $2.45 million in emergency operations center grants
• $9.87 million from nonpro t security grants
“I asked him who he would like to go with because we have ve children and are a blended family,” Martha said. “We thought of Kim, who was moved to tears go with her Dad.”
Kim will also help assist with another veteran on the trip should be assigned to help along with another veteran — and
• $775,720 from targeted violence and terrorism prevention grants
• $15.2 million from urban area security initiative grants
Summit County Sheri Jaime FitzSimons said the ongoing funding freeze is “deeply concerning” for his county.
“As home to the most visited national forest in the nation — the White River National Forest — a critical stretch of Interstate 70, and dam infrastructure vi-
Martha said, “ ere will be a ceremony in Loveland that morning before they bus them to DIA around 8:30 a.m.”
“We’re incredibly excited, and I’m so proud of my husband and grateful for this opportunity. I want to ensure our kids and grandkids feel proud of this moment for their dad and grandpa. We are truly thrilled for him about this journey,” said Martha.
tal to the Colorado River Basin, Summit County relies on federal funding to support public safety across private, public, and federal lands,” FitzSimons, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Public safety must remain a priority, and restoring these funds is essential.” is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
New homes from $400s
Introducing the brand-new Farmlore community. Here, beautiful ranch, two-story and paired homes are designed to blend seamlessly with the area’s rich agricultural roots, creating a friendly, small-town vibe all its own.
Farmlore is located in Brighton, just west of Prairie Center, on 144th Ave.
Ken Cosby at the Adams County Veteran’s Memorial next to the Navy memorial. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Brighton community gardens still available
City still has plots for residential vegetable gardens
Local gardeners looking to claim a small plot of their own have until April to enroll in the city’s community garden program.
“In April, we’ll start releasing the keys and turning on the water,” Brighton Rental Specialist Lance Vigil said. “It usually runs through September and we’ll begin collecting the keys. e water is turned o in October.”
e gardens are open to residents and non-residents. Would-be gardeners can register at the Brighton Recreation Center. Call 303 655-2200 for more information.
e city charges $40 for residents and $60 for non-residents. Gardeners must provide their own tools, plants, seeds and mulch. e city provides the water for irrigation and the space and usually rototills the plots each March.
Brighton has six community gardens spread around the city, on the BromleyHishinuma farm, at 781 S. 5th Ave., at 1119 E. Denver St., at 4801 Mt. Evans St., 395 S. 14th St. and at 889 Kinglet Court.
Returning a gardeners are able to pick
Vote
their plots in January. All residents can join the program beginning in February and the city begins accepting non-residents in mid-February.
e gardens range in size from 500 to 800 square feet with room for six to 18 plots, depending on the garden. e garden at the Ken Mitchell Recreation area, for example, has room for 10 plots while the Zion Garden, on S. 14th St., has room for 18 plots.
Vigil said the Adventist Community Garden, on S. 5th Ave. has 10 plots, but all are currently reserved.
ere is room in the Denver Street Garden, the Zion Garden, the Northgate
Garden on Mt. Evans St. and the Bromley-Hishinuma farm. ere is plenty of room at the Ken Mitchell farm, which as 10 full sized plots and six wheelchairaccessible raised beds.
Vigil said he’s seen people grow everything from cilantro and jalapenos to pumpkins, squash and canteloupe in the gardens.
“Mostly, they are people that live in the neighborhoods but some people do it because they live in apartments and don’t have room for gardens of their own,” Vigil said.
Brighton is currently taking applications for plots for the six Community Gardens around the city. The gardens, including the Northgate Community Garden on Mt. Evans Street, are expected to open for planting in April.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR
A pair of rusted clippers from last summer sit at the entrance of the Northgate Community Garden on Mt. Evans Street. The garden is one of six around Brighton that are expected to open for planting in April.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR
The journey toward authentic transformation
In our pursuit of change, it’s easy to get caught up in the tangible, a new haircut, a sleek set of clothes, or even a shiny new ride. ese external adjustments can certainly provide a burst of con dence and a touch of swagger. ey are the visible badges of change, a way to signal to the world that something is di erent. But while a rep at the gym or a new car might spark a temporary uplift, true transformation begins with the subtle shift that happens within.
Consider the allure of physical tness. ere’s a moment of pride when you add weight to your bench press or see the de nition of muscle emerging under your skin. And yes, that newfound strength can translate into con dence. Yet, if the only change you make is super cial, the uplift is often eeting. It’s not merely the muscles we build, but the internal resilience we cultivate that leads to lasting transformation. When we push through our physical limits, we also train our minds to overcome obstacles, rea rming the belief that we are capable of more than we ever imagined.
Similarly, a fresh haircut or updated wardrobe may transform how others perceive us and even how we see ourselves. New clothes can be a metaphor for new beginnings, a way to leave behind old patterns and step boldly into a reimagined self. But these changes, while invigorating, are just the surface. ey signal a desire to change, yet without the foundational work of inner growth, they risk being mere band-aids on deeper wounds. Real con dence emerges not from the approval of others but from the acceptance and understanding of who we truly are. Sometimes, the urge for change leads us to alter our surroundings, even our social circles. We may think that by surrounding ourselves with high-energy, ambitious people, we will be swept up in their momentum. And indeed, the people we choose to spend time with can have a profound impact on our mindset and behavior. Yet, if our inner dialogue remains unchanged, the external shift in friends can only do so much. e company we keep can mirror our aspirations, but the inner commitment to growth and self-improvement is what ultimately propels us forward.
Iam a recently-retired lawyer, having practiced for 45 years in Colorado. Over the past 10 years, my wife and I have had the honor of working as volunteer interpretative rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park (“Rocky”).
Neither Rocky Mountain, nor any of Colorado’s other national park units (of which there are about 16, including parks, monuments, historic trails and other sites), are oversta ed. Indeed, they have been understa ed for quite some time. at is based on our rsthand knowledge. When Elon Musk announced the indiscriminate employment cuts to our federal government, including all of our national
VOICES
Education in the U.S. and how each state fares
is brings us to the perennial debate: Does attitude drive behavior, or does behavior shape attitude? Some days, we wake up with a re in our belly, ready to conquer every challenge. Every action we take, whether hitting the gym, taking on a new project, or engaging in meaningful conversations, reinforces our positive mindset. Conversely, there are mornings when motivation seems elusive. Even then, when we push ourselves to take that rst step, we often nd that our mindset catches up to our actions. e physical act of moving, of doing something, can spark an internal shift that transforms hesitation into determination.
At the heart of changing from the inside out is a willingness to examine our current state and envision who we want to become. It’s about taking a hard look at our values, our dreams, and the areas in our lives that feel stagnant. Whether that means working on our physical health, mastering a new skill, or deepening our spiritual journey, the catalyst for real change lies within us. It’s a journey that demands introspection and a commitment to personal growth. e truth is that transformation isn’t a destination but an ongoing process. It requires patience, persistence, and the courage to face our vulnerabilities. While external changes can temporarily boost our self-esteem, the internal shift, a renewed mindset, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a deep-seated belief in our potential create lasting change. We are all a work in progress, under construction, always evolving.
I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can identify what we want to change and why, taking the necessary actions to pursue it, it really will be a betterthan-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
How does the U.S. do in educating its citizens compared with other developed nations? e following quote from education expert Judy Butler gives a perspective I never thought of.
states in order):Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Utah, Ohio, Maine, Florida, Delaware, Washington, South Dakota, Rhode Island.
“Education system rankings are always an apples and oranges comparison. Educational systems are a product of the countries’ culture,” she said.
She contends the U.S. is No. 1.
“ at’s because we educate everyone through age 18 and don’t siphon o kids around age 16, sending only the best students on to high school making them eligible for college and other post-high school education,” Butler said.
So, our democratic ideas a ect our ranking. We live up to the idea that everyone in the U.S. deserves a chance to succeed.
I looked at many rankings and only one, a U.S. News and World Report study in 2024, ranked the U.S. No. 1 in education. It included our world-class colleges and universities as part of our education system. As a result of my research, I know we are not 24th, as Elon Musk reported, but we are not the best either.
e U.S., despite ranking high in educational system surveys, falls behind in math and science scores compared to many other countries. In reality, we have 50 educational systems as our K-12 education is managed and funded almost completely by the 50 states, according to a 2024 report by Fullerton College of Education at Michigan State University.
So, as a result, I focused on measuring the 50 states in terms of their K-12 school systems. I found three credible studies that measured school quality, student safety and student success. As each study had di erences, I combined the three averaging each state’s scores. e following are those results.
First quadrant (highest performing states in order): New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, Maryland, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa.
Second quadrant (above average
ird quadrant (Below average states in order):Montana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Idaho, Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina.
Fourth quadrant (Poorest performing states in order): Hawaii, California, Oregon, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alaska, Alabama, Nevada, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico.
Some of these rankings are in uenced by the makeup of the individual states. ere is a study by the National Center for Education, which studies 67,977 schools in 12,842 districts. at study shows that suburban schools produce reading scores of 50.7 vs. similar scores of 41.4 in rural schools and 37.4 in urban schools. Math scores are also highest in suburban schools at 49.7 vs. 41.7 in rural schools and 38.0 in urban schools.
e three di erent school settings have similar student to pupil ratios and similar teacher pay per student ratios. is suggests that the scores students produce depend on their school environment. States with predominantly suburban schools will produce higher scores and the reverse is also true.
You may be wondering how we are doing. Schooldigger.com, an organization that helps parents understand school quality, rates both Evergreen and Conifer High Schools in the top 3% of the over 26,000 high schools in America.
I had a wife, sister and two aunts who were teachers. All would agree that the two facts that matter most in student success are parental involvement and the quality of the teacher. Who among us has not had that special teacher who motivated and challenged us.
My son, upon graduating from college, wrote to his fth-grade teacher thanking her for her extra e ort on his behalf. I invite you to remember your special teacher and tell someone about them.
Jim Rohrer of Evergreen is a retired businessman who worked in small, medium and very large businesses. His books “Never lose your job. Become an MVP” and “Improve your bottom line, develop MVP’s today” focus on fostering success.
Protect our parks by contacting your representatives
park units, I immediately began contacting the ofce of 8th District Congressman Gabe Evans to discuss the catastrophic e ect of these cuts on our national parks in Colorado, and I asked when he would publicly support our parks.
I’m in my third week of constant contact, and while I have spoken to people at his o ce, no one has given me any impression that he cares the least about our parks. Most re-
cently, when I asked a representative in his o ce to tell me when he would support the reversal of employee cuts in our national park units in Colorado, he said he did not know and instead referred me to the videos on Mr. Evans’ website touting his support for a recent House budget resolution and potential cuts in Medicaid. Please, let Mr. Evans know that our national parks are a beacon of light in the world.
My wife and I, in our jobs, discuss the beauty and majesty of Rocky with literally thousands of visitors from throughout the U.S. and dozens of other countries. I can think of nothing more important for us to promote in these trying times for our
country, and nothing more shortsighted than ignoring the park’s needs. Let Mr. Evans further know that if he does not care about our parks, he does not care about Colorado and has no business representing its citizens, whether in the 8th or any other district.
is guest column was written by Boulder County resident Kevin Allen, who moved to Colorado in 1978 and practiced law for 45 years, mostly at Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich & Factor P.C. Now retired, he and his wife have served as volunteer interpretative rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park for 10 years.
GUEST COLUMN
Kevin Allen
GUEST COLUMN
Jim Rohrer
Man gets 20 years for human tra cking
Court
Tidwell used coercion to force victims into sexual servitude
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A 52-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections after his conviction on multiple felony charges, including human tra cking for sexual servitude, sexual exploitation of a child and sexual assault.
In addition to his prison sentence, William Tidwell is required to register as a sex o ender for life and will be under strict supervision upon release, according to an Adams County District Attorney
news release. Tidwell was sentenced by Adams County District Court Judge Jeffrey Ru .
Two separate cases were brought against Tidwell – who committed his crimes in Adams County between July 2020 and July 2023, according to the news release.
In all, Tidwell pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child, assault in the second degree, causing serious bodily injury, human tra cking for sexual servitude and sexual exploitation of a child – possession of exploitive material that depicts child under 12.
Tidwell was the subject of an extensive investigation by local and federal law enforcement, which uncovered evi dence that he manipulated and coerced vulnerable individuals into exploitative situations through psychological abuse, threats, and physical violence, according
to the news release. Authorities revealed that he lured young women under the guise of providing them stability and support, only to control them through coercion and force, ultimately subjecting them to sexual servitude.
Tidwell maintained a structured environment of fear and submission, where victims were forced to follow strict rules and endure physical and sexual abuse, the news release states. Some were isolated from family and friends, with Tidwell controlling their nances, movements, and personal lives. Investigators found that he targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly young women in di cult life situations, grooming them through emotional
al abuse material. He not only exploited women under his control but also actively sought out minors online, engaging in predatory conversations and attempting to recruit additional victims. Evidence showed that he directed and pro ted from sex work involving multiple victims, further solidifying his role as a tra cker, the news release states.
“ is was a calculated predator who built a system of control designed to exploit and abuse young women,” said Adams County District Attorney Brian Mason in the news release. “He preyed on vulnerable individuals, using lies, intimidation, and violence to manipulate his victims into submission.”
of illicit images and videos on Tidwell’s electronic devices, including child sexu-
“His actions were outrageous, and he richly deserves the prison sentence he received today,” Mason added. “Human tra cking is real – it happens here in Adams County and throughout Colorado.”
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A 30-year-old man who kidnapped a 10-year-old girl outside STEM Launch in ornton has been sentenced to eight years in prison, Adams County District Attorney Brian Mason said Tuesday. Diego Gettler pleaded guilty to seconddegree kidnapping, as originally charged, for the 2022 attac. He also pleaded guilty
to second-degree assault of a police ocer in an unrelated case from April 2022, according to an Adams County District Attorney o ce news release. Adams County District Court Judge Stephen Howard sentenced Gettler to eight years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. e kidnapping dates back to the morning of Sept. 23, 2022. Gettler, dressed in all black and wearing a mask, ap-
proached the young victim shortly after she was dropped o at school, according to testimony. He forcibly grabbed the girl and attempted to restrain her in what appeared to be an attempted abduction. e child fought back, pulling the mask he was wearing down. at startled Gettler and caused him to ee the scene on foot. e victim ran to the school doors for help, and sta quickly responded, the news release states.
Surveillance footage from the school and surrounding areas captured critical moments before, during, and after the attack. e footage showed Gettler’s vehicle—a 2008 Saturn Aura—circling the area before parking nearby. He was then seen approaching the school, walking toward the girl, and ultimately committing the attack. He ed the scene after the victim resisted, stumbling as he ran back to his vehicle, according to the news release.
allieventcenter.com
FINDING PIECES OF IRELAND IN THE METRO AREA
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rather than vibrant green landscapes and stone bridges arched over running waters, the Rocky Mountains act as the backdrop for various pieces of Irish culture throughout the Denver metro area. Ireland’s rich history shines through in many aspects of life, re ected in clothing, cuisine, artwork, family life and much more. However, it’s the music, dancing and pubs that play integral roles in the nation’s identity and keeps Irish culture alive across Denver.
“Denver has a strong Irish cultural scene,” said Ariel Bennett, owner of the Denver-based Heritage Irish Stepdancers dance school.
Denver’s Irish history
e Irish have had a strong presence in Denver since the mid-to-late 1800s.
Between 1845 and 1855, many Irish people immigrated to the United States due to the Great Famine in Ireland that decimated potato crops. A few decades later, Irish immigrants migrated to Leadville when silver was discovered. But when the Colorado Silver Boom ended in 1893, they began to make their way to Denver.
ey continued to work as laborers, but as generations evolved with the turn of the century, the Irish became more involved in the development of the city – in uencing religion, education and politics.
“Including eight Irish dance schools, a number of Irish pubs and a bunch of home-grown Celtic bands.”
e in uence of the Irish continues to be seen today through dance, music and pubs.
“Singing, playing and dancing are an essential part of social interaction, artistic expression and cultural identity,” Bennett said.
Stepping into the culture
When Bennett was a child, her mom, Molly, played in an Irish band and while playing at a party, Molly met two teenagers from Ireland. e teens asked if anyone would be interested in joining an Irish dance class.
Bennett was immediately put in the class and was later joined by her sister and mom.
e family started their own school, Heritage Irish Stepdancers, in 1998. While the main studio is in Denver, located at 7808 Cherry Creek South Drive, they also have classes at the Dance Academy, 8600 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, and at Flatirons Dance, 8390 W. 80th Ave. in Arvada.
Although the exact origin of Irish dance is unknown, Bennett has learned about the di erent types of dances and how important it is to the culture.
ere are two forms of Irish social dancing. One is called set dancing, which has roots in English dancing, said Bennett, and the other is ceili dancing. is type of dance – which has become popular in competitions – involves couples dancing with other couples, similar to American square dancing.
“Sometimes people would do what was called a stepabout at these gatherings, where dancers would take turns showing o their fanciest moves,” Bennett said.
One of the more commonly-known styles is seeing the dancers with their arms by their sides. is is stepdancing, also known as solo dancing, and there are two styles within stepdancing. e soft shoe is more like ballet and the hard shoe is more like tap.
Also, women typically perform light and graceful moves while men do moves that are more powerful and rhythmic.
“Historically, stepdancing was done by common people, and they didn’t have special dance equipment,” said Bennett. “ ey wore ordinary clothes and shoes when they danced.”
Women and girls wore knee-length dresses with embroidered Celtic designs, said Bennett, but as competitive Irish dance became more popular, performance attire became shorter and lighter, with bright and bold designs.
For Bennett, Irish culture has always been part of her life, and over time, she has seen how dancing plays a key role in Irish identity.
A rainbow sits over a bright green landscape at the Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Republic of Ireland.
The River Lee runs through the Republic of Ireland’s second largest city, Cork, which is home to the English Market and the Blarney Castle and Gardens. PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA
PIECES OF IRELAND
Unique and distinctive music
“I was once told by an Irish person that the way you tell if someone has Celtic blood in them is by putting on Irish music. If they tap their feet and can’t sit still, they’re a Celt,” said Bennett. “ is just shows the importance that music has in Irish culture.”
With distinctive rhythms and unique traditional instruments, Irish music has always been a way to express emotions, tell stories and share culture.
Laura Schulkind, founder and executive director of the Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver, has been traveling around the metro area this March with the chamber, celebrating Celtic culture through music.
“Celtic music can be sorrowful, re ecting a lost love,” said Schulkind. “Or joyful and full of dance.”
Similar to many cultures, music was used to resist oppression. And Celtic music has also been used to preserve history, celebrate the nation’s identity and build community. It’s the instruments that are unique to the Celtic sound that instills life into the music.
Although Schulkind is a utist, she nds the distinctive sound of the Irish harp soothing and uplifting, making it one of her favorite instruments.
Other instruments that make up the Celtic sound include ddles, utes, the mandolin, concertina, tin whistles, highland pipes, uilleann pipes, Irish Bouzouki and the bodhrán.
A bodhrán is a frame drum where one side of the drum is open and the musician places their hand against the inside of the drum to control the tone and pitch while the other hand beats the drum.
“ e instruments create a rich texture that can go from a dense sound to a very light sound,” Schulkind said.
It’s often said that Irish music is a blend of storytelling and musical expression. Schulkind agrees.
A piece Schulkind is playing is called “In Ireland” by Hamilton Harty. She said the note at the beginning from the composer states: “In a Dublin street at dusk, two wandering musicians are playing.”
“ e composer is compelling me to tell a story with his piece,” said Schulkind. “He wants me to paint a picture with sound through the fantasy-type writing at the beginning and the joyful music at the end.”
Celtic music is not just for formal settings.
‘Good-ole Irish craic’
“Many of the tunes are also drinking tunes for the pubs,” Schulkind said.
From Celtic on Market to the Irish Rover, there are a multitude of pubs hidden throughout the Denver metro area. ere may not be as many as the 6,000 plus like in Ireland, but the metro area has its fair share.
Pubs are more than just a place to grab a drink. ey serve as a hub for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and contribution to the town.
“You just sit and have a good time, chat with your local friends, meet new people – and that’s exactly what we’ve tried to establish here,” said Megan Casey.
Casey has worked at Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub for 14 years and has fallen in love with getting to know the community and sharing a piece of Ireland.
e pub is a small, bright red building tucked away o Main Street in downtown Littleton. It rst opened in 2009 by two men – one of whom is from Ireland – after owning Scru y Murphy’s in downtown Denver.
Littleton “de nitely had the small town charm that a lot of Irish pubs have,” Casey said, adding that the building was remodeled in 2013 to make the pub more authentic.
While musical and stepdancing performances, as well as fundraising for local charities bring authenticity to the pub, Casey said getting to know its patrons on a personal level is what makes the pub feel genuine.
Having been to Ireland a few times, Casey said everyone in the pub is treated like family and that is what they aim for at Ned Kelly’s.
“ e few Irish pubs that I was in, that’s exactly how it was,” said Casey. “Everybody just welcomed you and wanted to get to know you. Like they say, ‘the good-ole Irish craic.”’
Stepdancing, also known as solo dancing, is a form of dance where the dancers perform with their arms down to their sides where women typically perform light and graceful moves while men do moves that are more powerful and rhythmic. COURTESY OF ARIEL BENNETT
Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub in downtown Littleton is one of many Irish pubs scattered throughout the Denver metro area. Established in 2009, it is the only Irish pub in Littleton. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
With various styles of social and competitive dance, dancing has been an integral part in Irish culture. The Denver-based Heritage Irish Stepdancers dance school continues to carry on the Irish culture in the metro area. COURTESY OF ARIEL BENNETT
VOICES
Shaun White promotes Snow League in Thornton
Snowboarding legend visits SNÖBAHN to lend tips, skate with kids
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Future of snow sports and next generations
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Olympic Gold Medalist and X-Games standout Shaun White sat with Colorado Community Media’s John Renfrow to discuss teaching kids the skills to excel on the mountain and his new project, e Snow League.
Colorado Community Media: Why is SNÖBAHN such a good resource and tool for aspiring action sports athletes? Why did you want to get involved?
It’s not often an arguable top-10 athlete of all time stops in for a session in your hometown. But that’s what kids in ornton got on March 4 when snowboarding legend Shaun White pulled up to SNÖBAHN Action Sports Center. e three-time Olympic gold medalist and 15time X Games gold medalist was in the Denver area ahead of the debut of Shaun White’s e Snow League at Buttermilk Ski Resort in Aspen. Beginning on March 7, the league is dubbed “the rst professional winter sports league entirely dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing.”
e inaugural event will see some of the world’s top snowboarders compete head-to-head in the halfpipe on NBC and Peacock. e qualifying day is March 7, and the nals are on March 8. “I mean, look, Colorado, it’s hard to compete with it,” White said. “It’s one of the best places in the world for winter sports and the people are amazing. I’ve had plenty of memories and plenty of things happen for me here. And so, we’re so proud to kick o the league event here and support SNÖBAHN. I try to work in the places that I’ve had great experiences and have been good to me … Aspen’s one of, if not the most talked about, world destination for winter sports, plus just the vibe and the culture and all that. It’s a scene in many ways. I’ve had some amazing experiences
Season one features a four-event global format boasting a $1.6 million prize purse, with athletes competing to earn points to determine
mass this week, the event moves to Yunding Secret Garden in China on Dec. 4–6, where 16 of the world’s top freeskiers will join the roster at the Beijing 2022 Olympic venue.
e League returns to Aspen next Feb. 26–28 and concludes at LAAX, Switzerland, next March 19–21, where the rst-ever Snow League World Champions will be crowned.
e event features reigning Olympic gold medalist Ayumu Hirano of Japan, PyeongChang Olympic silver medalist Liu Jiayu of China, Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Sena Tomita of Japan, along with U.S. Olympians Chase Josey, Lucas Foster and Maddie Mastro.
“ e nals is a head-to-head format. It’s like a March Madness or something,” White said. “It’s something that people recognize from other sports. It’s confusing format currently. But now, there’s a lot more education that’s going to go on to get people excited and understand what’s happening.”
White: I think it’s pretty obvious. You take one step into this place and go, “Oh, wow, like the trampoline setup and this entire skate park, the learn-to-ride areas.” And so I just thought it was so exciting. And there were a bunch of kids excited about it, talking about it. And I think I stepped into my 8-year-old self or whatever, and I was like, “Man, I would kill to have had something like this.”
Can you imagine? ese kids get it all. And then I was thinking about what type of athlete that would maybe bring about in the future, having access to something like this. And not only during the winter, where you can ride or go learn tricks up on the mountain, but when it’s not winter time, you you can come here year-round and learn.
CCM: How do facilities like this make the sports more accessible compared to when you were an up-and-coming snowboarder?
White: I started thinking about when I grew up riding, you know, it’s such an expensive sport. In a family of ve, lodging, these tickets, it’s such an expensive sport.
And so to come to somewhere like this and learn and then take those skills to the mountain and have a better experience, you can get the most bang for your buck when you’re there. I mean, you don’t want to spend that kind of money and just be like, hooking an edge, trying to learn how to ride all day. It’d be nice to get there and really explore the mountain for what you’re paying. I think it just breathes life into the sport. It supports the youth. It’s temperature-controlled. It’s a more controlled environment. My family members get to ride more often than most, but still, they wanted to go enjoy the mountain, but they’re there teaching and helping the kids out. And so I just think it’s so awesome to have this on many di erent levels for sure.
CCM: What’s your vision for e Snow League? How exciting is it to be debut week?
White: e goal is to just to change the sport; how it’s viewed by the spectator and at home. We’ve got a whole new format, a whole new way of watching and understanding what’s happening in the sport. And then changing just the competitive landscape for the actual athletes — any traditional sport: tennis, football, hockey, F1, whatever — you can go nd out how your team or your favorite athlete is doing. It’s really dicult in (snowboarding). We want to make it like any other traditional sport. One home, one hub for the sport, and it’ll just make
there. All the stars
SNOW LEAGUE, P11
SNOW LEAGUE
Check out e Snow League on NBC and Peacock.
Shaun White + SNÖBAHN White is an ambassador and investor at SNÖBAHN, an indoor action sports facility founded in 2016 with locations in
ornton and Centennial.
SNÖBAHN o ers indoor skiing and snowboard lessons with slopes and trampolines, provides a full indoor skate park, camps throughout the year, rentals and more. Visit www.snobahn.com for more information.
For more, read an extended Q&A with White at https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/03/05/shaun-whitethornton/
GENERATIONS
it better for the athletes and better for the viewers and people. And I felt like I was the right person for the job, from having that experience as a competitor and knowing the resort owners and the landscape and what’s needed.
CCM: How have snowboarders or skiers responded to this new tour format and event?
White: Just hearing their excitement on the phone was probably one of the coolest experiences of all this. But then I think the most kind of “pinch me” moment was the amount of resumes we started getting from people within the industry that are like, “ is is amazing. We’ve needed this for so long and I’d love to be a part of, if I could, in some way.” We want to take the world’s best, put them at the world’s best resorts and then have the biggest prize there’s ever been. And for athletes, in your path to qualify for the Olympics, you’ll get points at our events. We don’t want athletes to say, “Oh, I want to do Shaun’s thing, but I know you get points at other events that go towards your qualifying for the Olympics.” We wanted to make sure it was just like a plus experience. And so we were thrilled.
CCM: A lot of kids here today. How much do you enjoy spending time with the youth and passing down some wis-
dom to the next generation?
White: It’s one of the joys for me, you know, sharing that experience. And I remember being that age and asking pros for tips on tricks and whatever. I’m excited to be able to pay that forward and and just be in the mix. And it’s fun for me. I’ve done this for my entire life. And the big fear as an athlete is like, “Oh, I retire, and then everything stops,” right? You think about traditional sports athletes … does Tom Brady have to go to the park and do pickup games?” So, I love being around it. I love being a part of it. I get that same excitement. I pop into this place all the time, every time I connect through Denver. I’m like, “Oh, I’ll just swing through, say hi to the kids, do my thing.” So yeah, I’m sel shing just investing in the things I like to do.
CCM: How has the sport evolved even as you’ve retired? Do you ever get the itch to get back in the game?
White: I mean, it’s crazy, just to see, the tricks going. Quads are happening all the time in slopestyle. Triples are now happening all the time. I mean … part of me is like, “I could.” (Laughs) I think that just is, like a natural competitor response, having done it for so long. But no, it’s incredible to just see the talent and what countries are swinging in. And you realize, I mean, a lot of the Japanese riders, they have indoor halfpipes. You could go ride all summer long. So let’s have our own setup. I’m excited and I’m just thankful to be as involved in the sport as I am still.
Shaun White (left) high-fives a local while skating with kids at SNÖBAHN Action Sports Center in Thornton on March 4.
Shaun White interviews with local media at SNÖBAHN in Thornton on March 4. PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY
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CORRECTIONS
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Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
BRIEFS
Colorado Favorite Ghost Towns
Ron Ruho , with Ghost Town Club of Colorado, will be at the South Platte Historial Society, sharing the history of Colorado’s ghost town. It’s free and bring a dinner. After the presentation, there will be a brief meeting for members.
e event will be March 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fort Rendezvous Room at 2001 Historic Parkway, Fort Lupton. e fort is located o of Highway 85 on the north side of Fort Lupton; turn west on 14 1/2 Road. e parking will be on the right.
Float Thru the Movies
Pack your swim trunks and bring your family to host a movie night in our NEW Warm Water Pool March 7 at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center. ey will begin playing “LUCA” for you to enjoy while oating at 6 p.m.. Registration is required.
Annual Egg Hunt
Bunny arrives at 9 a.m. April 12, egg hunting starts for all ages at 9:30 am. ere will be LOTS of prizes in each age group, donuts for all, and hot co ee for the grownups!
Saturday pancakes
e Fort Lupton Public Library hosts a simple pancake breakfast on the last Saturday of each month in the library’s community rooms. is month’s pancake breakfast runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. March 29. e library is located at 370 S. Rollie Ave.
e auction bene ts the FLHS Student Government and their activities for the school. Please contact Christy at 720.928.4071. Tickets are $20 for adults, which inlcudes a choice of beer or wine, dinner, and dessert. Tickets are $10 for youth younger than 12.
Go For Launch
Colorado Air & Space Port is hosting a Higher Orbits for students from 8th and 12th grades to expand their STEM skill sets learning with teamwork, communications, research design, and leadership.
Students would get to work with an astronaut, Captain Wendy Lawerence, and work on an experiment design project during the event, learning, growing, and developing skills to succeed throughout their lives. e student teams will present their project to a panel of judges who work in the Space and STEM elds. ey will choose a winner from each Go for Launch event. e winning experiment will be launched to board the International Space Station or a suborbital ight. Michelle Lucas is the founder and CEO of Higher Orbits.
e event is combined with the library’s weekly reading program, so families can enjoy a good meal while listening to popular cult classic children’s stories that never get old. Breakfast starts at 9:30, and read-aloud starts at 10 a.m. every last Saturday of the month.
All ages are welcome.
Weld announces the Annual Youth Advancement Scholarship
e Weld County Sheri ’s O ce will award its annual scholarship to one deserving Weld County student who intends on pursuing a degree in higher education. e scholarship will be a one-time $500.00 award.
To be eligible, the applicants must be a high school graduation senior or current college / university student, a citizen of Weld County and have been accepted at an accredited university or college.
e applicant must submit a completed application form via U.S. Mail by April 11.
Acts of Connection seeks to lessen loneliness
Weld County and North Range Behavioral Health are working to target social isolation and build personal connections throughout the county with the Acts of Connection Initiative.
According to the group, four of ve adults younger than 24 and seniors older than 66 all reported feeling lonely at some point. e campaign encourages everyone to nd ways to connect with others, build relationships, and promote a stronger sense of wellbeing and a culture of connection for all. e group has sponsored a website at https://actsofconnectionweld.org/ to survey members of each group, o er some tips to help and take pledges to connect to the community and connect with other members of the community.
For more information about the Higher Orbits event, visit www.higherorbits.org. To sponsor the event, go to sponsors@higherobits.org. To call for information at 281-4515343.
Fort Lupton replacing water meters
e City of Fort Lupton has hired Northern Colorado Contractors to replace the water meters in town.
Over time, meters age and require replacement to ensure accurate measurement and e ciency of water use. e majority of the meters in the City are reaching their useful life prompting this program. e replacement of the meters is entirely free of charge to residents.
Mail the form to the Weld County Sheri ’s O ce – Scholarship Committee, Attn: Rosy Soto, 1950 “O” Street, Greeley, CO 80631
e scholarship application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation by a teacher or counselor from the applicant’s school and an o cial certi ed scholastic transcript. All applicants must also submit a 500-word essay on the following question:“What do you see as the future for law enforcement in our nation?”
e competitive selection process is based GPA, student’s need, and community involvement. Finalists will be selected by the Weld County Sheri ’s O ce scholarship committee and will be informed by April 28, 2025.
Spaghetti Dinner
Make a di erence in the lives of local students by attending our Spaghetti Dinner at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center on Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. April 16.
According to the city, the current meters continue to work properly, however, some meters do not transmit the data from the meter to the system. e meter must then be read manually.
Accounts with meters that can’t be manually read, will be estimated. If the actual amount consumed is lower than the estimated amount previously billed, then the bill will be adjusted to re ect the higher usage. When the new meter is connected, it will reect the correct usage moving forward.
Celebrating more than 18 years of partnership, fun and food! Spaghetti Dinner is a very special fundraising event where 100% of the proceeds from this dinner go directly to purchase school supplies (everything from backpacks to modeling clay to notebooks to computers) for our local Weld Re-8 School District schools, K-12. Silent Auction donations are needed.
Visit the e ort’s website at https://actsofconnectionweld.org/ for more information.
Blessings in a Bag
Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps schoolchildren in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and needs volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303-718-4440.
City committees need members
Fort Lupton is looking for several community-minded individuals to ll openings on several boards that advise the City Council and help run city programs.
e Cemetery Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, Golf Committee, the Library Board, Public Safety Committee and the Senior Advisory Committee have openings. e openings consist of a two-year term running through the end of 2024. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving on a committee, please complete a committee application at https://www.fortluptonco. gov/966/I-Want-To-Apply-for-a-Committee on the city’s website.
Help for vets
Contractors will notify residents when they will replace meters in their vicinity. For houses with meters that are outside and accessible, the contractors will let residents know when they plan to replace the meter. For houses that have inaccessible meters that are inside, in a basement or a crawl space, residents should contact Public Works to schedule an appointment.
More information can be found herehttps://www.fortluptonco.gov/1240/WaterMeter-Replacement-Program.
Co ee with a cop
Fort Lupton Police set aside one morning each month to share a few cups of co ee with residents.
Co ee with a Cop is a chance for police to meet with community members and discuss many topics, including parking regulations. To accommodate more people, they have changed their meeting location to the MultiPurpose Room at the Fort Lupton Rec Center!
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has several power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs available.
e VA o ers urgent care services to eligible veterans at VA medical facilities or several in-network urgent care clinics that are closer to home.
To nd the closest facility to you, visit www. va.gov/ nd-locations or call 720-600-0860.
e same time is on the rst Wednesday of each month at Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton. e next scheduled event is from 8-9:30 a.m. on April 2.
Quali ed Listeners also needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries, and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners.
Donation time
e Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).
Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. e bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.
Drop o donations at the food and clothing bank’s back door, 421 Denver Ave., on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 303857-1096.
Co ee with a Cop is an easy way to get to know the men and women who serve our community and tell them about the issues that matter most to you. Remember that you can always reach our police department at our non-emergency number, 720-652-4222.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.
Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
Report says fewer Coloradans identify as Christian
BY ELAINE TASSY
CPR NEWS
e percentage of Coloradans who call themselves Christian has declined over the past decade and a half, as the percentage of Coloradans who de ne themselves as “religiously una liated” increased by almost the same amount over the same time period.
It’s a trend that matches what’s happening across the country.
e Pew Research Center’s “Religious Landscape Study,” published Feb. 26, found that in 2007, about a third of Coloradans (67%) identi ed as Christian. Last year, that number dropped to about half (52%).
Carl Raschke, a professor of philosophy of religion at the University of Denver, says this shift is based on some unique characteristics about the Centennial state.
“Colorado is one of the most educated states in the country …. Higher levels of education very much go hand in hand with higher levels of religious disa liation,” Raschke said. “Colorado has historically always been less religious than other parts of the country.”
e state of Colorado is 10% less Christian than the country as a whole, according to the study. e percentage of people who identi ed as Christian was 78% nationally in 2007 (as compared to Colorado’s 67% at that time). e percentage of people nationwide self-identifying as Christian declined to 62% in 2024, 10% higher than Colorado’s 2024 Christian percentage at just over half (52%).
Religiously una liated on rise
Besides providing data on the decline of how many people identify as Christian, the report also found that the percentage of people in the U.S. who aren’t a part of any religion and describe themselves as “religiously una liated” has gone up, and it appears that the people who are walking away from Christianity are not connecting with new faiths.
Indeed, the decline in the number of people who identify as Christian nearly mirrored the rise in the number of people who are “religiously una liated” between 2007 and 2024. e number of people identifying as Christian declined nationally by 16%; those who de ned themselves as religiously una liated rose 13%.
In Colorado, the percentage of people who de ned themselves as religiously una liated In 2007 was a quarter of the state’s population, 25%. at percentage shot up 15 percentage points to 40% last year.
DU’s Raschke said age is a factor in the shift away from Christianity and religiosity in general.
“Most of the decline has been among the younger generation,” he said. “ at’s been a national trend.”
About 37,000 people participated in the Pew research study, which has been conducted for the past 17 years. is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
State Senate approves ‘Buy Colorado Day’
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Legislators, entrepreneurs and business owners celebrated the rst step of creating a new state holiday in a ttingly Coloradan way, proclaiming “Buy Colorado Day” at 3:03 p.m. on March 3, a nod to the state’s rst area code, 303.
e holiday is intended to celebrate Colorado-based companies and seeks to help strengthen the state’s economy. e holiday also would kick o “Buy Colorado Week,” which would run until March 10.
e holiday was launched as Senate Joint Resolution 8, which passed that chamber of government unanimously Monday, March 3, with a vote of 34-0. It still needs to pass the state House.
“ is is not just a local holiday; this is a global movement. Starting today, every March 3, will be an o cial celebration of Colorado commerce … from Brooklyn to Berlin,” said Ricardo Baca, who spearheaded the e orts to create Buy Colorado Day and also founded PR agency Grasslands, the Underground Music Showcase and ne art biennial Biome.
According to a press release from the marketing team in charge of getting the word out on the holiday, Colorado is home to 13,000 restaurants and taverns, 500 craft breweries and distilleries, nine Fortune 500 companies and “countless” artisans and other retailers.
“Buy Colorado Day isn’t just about shopping—it’s about investing in the trendsetting businesses that make our state such a brilliant place to live and work,” Baca said. “By making intentional
choices to support Colorado businesses, we’re keeping money in our communities, creating jobs and ensuring that Colorado brands continue to thrive—both here at home and on a global scale.”
Rodrigo Braun, brand experience director at Stranahan’s parent company
Proximo Spirits, said that as a local brand, the holiday allows businesses to connect with one another in addition to patrons.
“As a brand born right here in the heart of Colorado, we’ve experienced the magic of local love rsthand,” Braun said.
“It’s what fuels our growth and keeps us grounded. at’s why Buy Colorado Day is a chance to not just celebrate but supercharge the connections that make our community thrive.”
Colorado Senate President James Coleman addresses the crowd. PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN
Should Colorado fear measles outbreaks?
Health leaders say vaccination is the best prevention
BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
e ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico is edging closer to Colorado, at least geographically.
Four cases — and possibly a fth — have been reported in the Texas Panhandle county of Dallam, which sits about 35 miles south of Colorado’s southern border, separated by the Oklahoma Panhandle. is doesn’t mean an outbreak is imminent in Colorado, of course. But state health o cials have been getting ready in case one is.
“Right now we are ensuring that we are prepared,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We know that measles cases can occur at any time. But we know the risk is going to be greater when there are large outbreaks occurring in other parts of the country.”
So what should you be doing now and how worried should you be? e Sun talked to Herlihy and to Dr. Michelle Barron, an infectious disease expert at UCHealth. Here are some answers.
What’s going on with this measles outbreak?
At least 155 cases have been reported in Texas and New Mexico as of March 4, with 146 of those reported in Texas. e cases in Texas have been concentrated in children, with 40 occurring in kids under the age of 5, and 70 more in kids ages 5 through 17. One child has died, the rst measles death in the United States since 2015.
Of the 146 cases in Texas, ve have been in people who were inoculated with at least one dose of a measles vaccine. Of the remaining cases, 79 are in people who are unvaccinated and 62 in people with unknown vaccination status. e outbreak was initially concentrated in an under-vaccinated Mennonite community in West Texas, but it has since spread outward.
Nationwide, a total of 164 cases of measles have been reported so far in 2025, including the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks. Of those infected, 20% have been hospitalized.
“I want people to fully appreciate that
this is a huge outbreak, and we have not seen anything like this in a very long time,” Barron said.
Have there been any infections in Colorado?
As of March 4, there have been no measles infections in Colorado from the current outbreak.
e last measles case in a Colorado resident was in 2023. e patient was an adolescent who had traveled abroad.
Travel is a common source of exposure, Barron said, and Colorado often sees a case of measles every year or so related to travel. But you have to go all the way back to the mid-1990s to nd the last time there was a locally transmitted case of measles in Colorado, Herlihy said.
Back up, what is measles? Why is it bad?
People often associate measles with its telltale red rash. But the disease can be much more aggressive than that — attacking the brain and the respiratory system.
Barron said the rash is typically at and not itchy. Another common symptom are white dots in the mouth called Koplik spots.
e disease can also cause ear infection and diarrhea. Worse, the disease can cause pneumonia or swelling of the brain, which is what can lead to hospitalization and death. Severe complications and deaths are most common in children under 5. at’s bad enough, but measles also has a superpower: its contagiousness. e measles virus is among the most contagious ever documented, with one infected person able to pass the disease to as many as 18 other people. e virus is airborne and can linger in the air for as long as two hours after being exhaled by an infected person.
What can people do to prevent measles?
As with all viruses, good hygiene is helpful — wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching your face, wear a tight- tting mask in settings where you think you could be exposed, etc. But because the virus is so contagious, it can be di cult to avoid it if you are susceptible to infection. So the key, Herlihy said, is to make yourself not susceptible.
“We certainly want to make sure that Coloradans that are working on spring break plans are thinking about vaccine plans ahead of time,” she said.
A two-dose series of the MMR vaccine, which also covers the diseases mumps and rubella, is 97% e ective at protecting
against measles.
e rst dose of MMR vaccine is typically given to kids around their rst birthday, but it can be given to kids as young as 6 months old if they will be traveling, especially internationally. ( ose kids will still need two doses after they turn 1.) e best advice, Barron and Herlihy said, is to talk to your pediatrician for guidance.
I’ve already had measles or a measles vaccine. Do I need a booster?
e measles vaccine has gone through various formulas and dosing schedules over the years, creating an immunization hodgepodge, depending on when you were born (assuming you got your typical childhood vaccines as a kid).
Here’s what the state advises:
- For people born before 1957, you were likely exposed to measles as a kid. Prior infection is believed to create lifelong immunity for most, so no additional vaccination is recommended.
- For people born before 1968, you may have received an ine ective vaccine, especially if you were born from 1963 through 1967. You should receive a booster dose of the MMR vaccine unless you happen to know that the vaccine you received was a live measles vaccine, and not an inactivated measles vaccine. If you’re unsure, the recommendation is to get the booster.
- For people born from 1968 to 1989, you likely received only one dose of MMR. ere is no overall recommendation for these folks to get a booster dose, since one dose of MMR is 93% e ective. But Barron said people in this group who didn’t get a second dose later in life may want to get a booster, especially if you live or work around young children.
Herlihy and Barron said there is no known harm in getting a booster if you are unsure of your vaccination status. Again, though, talking it through with your doctor is the best policy.
Does Colorado have a high measles vaccination rate?
Colorado is among the states with the lowest measles vaccination rates in the country for school-age children. at has long been true, but the COVID pandemic — both the lack of access to health care that many families experienced during the pandemic, as well as the rising levels of vaccine skepticism — made it worse. e percentage of kids in kindergarten through 12th grade who were fully vaccinated against measles in Colorado hit its
People often associate measles with its telltale red rash, but the disease can be much more aggressive than that — attacking the brain and the respiratory system.
lowest level last year in at least six years. In the 2023-24 school year, 93.7% of students had received a full course of the MMR vaccine. at may sound like a lot, but it is below the target level for achieving herd immunity. Because measles is so contagious, health experts say 95% vaccination coverage is needed to ensure the disease can’t spread within a community.
While many districts do hit that mark, there are pockets with measles vaccination coverage below 80%. e state’s immunization dashboard has data by district and by school.
Is it time to worry yet?
Barron said she isn’t trying to cause alarm, but she has been losing sleep as she worries about what could come from the growing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. at’s why she said it is important for people to know their vaccination status.
“I don’t want to scare people, but I think people should truly be aware,” she said.
While measles has crept closest to Colorado’s southeastern border, Herlihy said she doesn’t see any one area or community more at-risk than another. Measles can just as easily be spread by someone on a plane or driving to the mountains for spring break.
“Really, it’s statewide,” she said of the area she’s watching. “It’s really di cult to predict.”
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.
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Denver leaders say they’re still committed to walking, cycling
End of car-free events and spaces cause o cials to catch flak
BY NATHANIEL MINOR DENVERITE
Denver pedestrian advocates feel like they’re on a losing streak lately.
e car-free or car-lite “shared streets” the city opened during the pandemic have almost all been returned to the roar of trafc. Most recently, cars are again rolling through the 2900 block of Larimer Street in the River North Arts District.
¡Viva! Streets Denver, which for a handful of Sundays in 2023, closed miles of Broadway and Welton Street to tra c so thousands of people could more freely walk, bike, and scoot instead, has been on hiatus. e car-free First Friday art walk on Sante Fe Drive is also in peril. ese changes and others have sparked protests, petitions and plenty of online chatter among car-resistant Denverites. e city’s role in them also disappointed Denver’s foremost street safety advocate.
“I can’t say it’s an intentional attempt to quash those events,” said Jill Locantore, executive director of the Denver Streets Partnership. “But it does seem like a terrible missed opportunity for the city to support those events, which have proven to be wildly popular and seem so well aligned with the mayor’s interest in revitalizing downtown.”
But Denver’s top transportation o cial said Mayor Mike Johnston remains committed to the climate, equity and safetyfocused vision adopted by former Mayor Michael Hancock that called for a signi -
cant shift away from cars.
“ e city is still, under the leadership of Mayor Johnston under myself and [in] collaboration with the community, very much focused on how we create multimodal choice and encourage people to think di erently about how we move around the city,” Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Executive Director Amy Ford said in an interview.
Ford cited logistics and safety, not a pro-car policy, for recent changes.
e Sante Fe First Friday event and ¡Viva! Streets Denver are both hosted by outside organizations and permitted by the city.
e city is trying to work through concerns with organizers of the Sante Fe event, as Denverite reported last month, and could still go forward later this year.
A return of ¡Viva! Streets Denver in its original 2023 form, which was criticized by some local businesses who reported a decline in revenue, will not happen this year, Ford said. But a modi ed version could happen this year or next.
“ e goal is absolutely to try to start ¡Viva! Streets again,” Ford said.
e Downtown Denver Partnership, which organized the event, said there are no plans to bring the event back this year.
“We love Viva Streets and believe deeply in all it stands for, though we do not have immediate plans to bring it back this year. We do hope to work with the City and other partners on its return in the future,” wrote spokesperson Britt Diehl.
e 2900 block of Larimer Street reopened to tra c because no neighborhood entity applied for a permit to keep it closed. e department is not considering re-closing the street on its own volition, but stands “at the ready to partner with
community should they want to be able to do that,” Ford said.
Locantore called that a disappointing position, citing a community feedback survey by the RiNo Business Improvement District that showed more than 90 percent of the 2,300 respondents supported the continued closure of the block.
“It’s incredibly rare to get that level of support,” Locantore said. “Of course there is 5 percent to 10 percent who are upset, but you’re never going to please everybody. But it’s also really rare that you get to please 90 percent of the population all at once. And so why are they letting this opportunity go?
e city is moving forward with its own “shared streets” elsewhere, including 21st Street near Coors Field, Acoma Street in the Golden Triangle, and is studying changes to Wynkoop Street near Union Station.
While each project will be di erent, the city describes a shared street as being designed to create “safe and comfortable spaces that are pedestrian oriented,” but where cars would still be allowed.
DOTI also wants to explore converting downtown Denver’s one-way streets, some of which have been narrowed in recent years with protected lanes but are generally relatively high-speed thoroughfares, into two-way streets, Ford said.
e city also will roll out speed cameras on two of Denver’s busiest and most deadly roads: Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. Ford said those could be installed as early as this summer.
Ford says the city’s committed to its big, visionary transit and walking goals. But Mayor Mike still sees a place for cars, too. e lengthy Denver Moves Everyone 2050 plan, which was published in the waning days of the Hancock administration, sets goals of raising the share of trips made by walking, rolling or biking to 20 percent and transit to 15 percent.
More recently, the Johnston administration adopted a goal of shifting 160,000 car trips to walking, biking or transit this year — that’s about one trip a week per household. “ at would also keep us on path to some of the very big goals that we have,” Ford said.
Locantore criticized that goal as a “mathematical restatement” of the city’s existing target. She credited Johnston for the advancement of the voter-passed sidewalk program, construction of bus rapid transit on East Colfax Avenue, and the city’s new bicycle plans. But she said she’s still waiting for Johnston to articulate his own
transportation vision.
“What does he hope to accomplish during his term, other than just allowing what got started under Hancock to continue?” she asked.
Transportation was not a top-tier issue in Johnston’s campaign, but he did brie y lay out his thinking recently in an interview on City Cast Denver. He said that most of Denver may remain car-dependent, but he described a vision of developing denser and better-connected “nodes.”
“What we have to do is focus on developing nodes or neighborhoods that are walkable and bikeable that are built around the city,” Johnston said. “And what you can try to do is maybe take public transit to or from those places. And if you live there, you can walk around that space.” at vision is made more di cult by Denver’s and the Regional Transportation District’s historic decisions not to build light- and commuter-rail lines into the city’s neighborhoods. But Johnston mentioned several transit-rich sites, like the Central Park RTD station and the East Colfax corridor, where the city is trying to focus more development.
Outside of those places, though, cars will be necessary, Johnston said.
“So we’re trying to focus on a handful of places we can really build housing density to match the public transit infrastructure and build up around those, knowing we can’t yet replace cars for families who have to go to four or ve di erent places in the city on a given day,” he said. is story is from Denverite, a Denver news site. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
Construction on East Colfax is well underway.
PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR
Denver mayor threatened with jail during testimony
Mayors testify on immigration policies
BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN
Mayor Mike Johnston, called before a congressional committee March 5 to answer for Denver’s status as a so-called sanctuary city, said providing refuge for the tens of thousands of migrants who arrived in Denver was both a requirement of his job and a moral obligation.
Several Republican members of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, however, said Johnston — along with the mayors of Chicago, New York and Boston — should be prosecuted and jailed for violating federal law that prohibits “harboring illegal aliens.”
Four hours into the heated hearing, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said she would request that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate the mayors. A referral from a member of Congress does not guarantee the U.S. Department of Justice will investigate.
“I’m not doing that in an e ort to bully you guys but I do believe that your policies are hurting the American people,” she said. “If you guys continue doing what you are doing, you are not going to help anyone. You are going to hurt more people and that’s exactly why I’m tired of it. e American people are tired of it.”
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican, referenced a previous comment by Johnston that the Denver mayor was willing to go to jail to prevent immigration raids at schools and churches in his city.
“One of you said you were willing to go to jail,” Higgins said at the end of ery remarks about the dangers of illegal immigration. “We might give you that opportunity.”
Johnston faced multiple rounds of tough questioning, including from U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, after he described how Denver housed and fed many of the 42,000 migrants who arrived in the city in an 18-month period beginning in
December 2022.
“We are each entitled to our own opinion about what should happen at the border,” Johnston said in his opening remarks to the Republican-controlled committee. “But that was not the question facing Denver. e question Denver faced is: what will you do with a mom and two kids dropped on the streets of our city with no warm clothes, no food and no place to stay?”
Johnston also quoted from the Bible as he spoke to the panel.
“As mayor I have to protect the health and safety of everyone in our city. As a man of faith I have a moral obligation to care for those in need,” he said. “As scripture says, ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in.’ So that’s what we did.”
At the height of the migration to Denver, 10 or 11 buses were arriving per day, carrying hundreds of people, many of them women and children in T-shirts and sandals in the middle of winter, Johnston said. Denver set up eight city-funded shelters, which are now closed, and helped 8,700 people apply for work authorization. e mayor pointed out during the hearing that many of the buses were sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“When buses started showing up lled with migrants some in my city were afraid, just like I’m sure some of your constituents are afraid,” Johnston said. “ ey were afraid about crime and homelessness and worried about what these new people might take away from them. I understand that fear. e truth is people who are new to this country do good and bad just like all of us.
“When those buses kept on coming, Denver made a choice as a city, not to hate each other, but to help each other.”
Boebert, whose district includes Douglas County, Loveland and the rural Eastern Plains, is on the committee, and three other Colorado Republicans — Reps. Je Crank, Je Hurd and Gabe Evans — asked to take part in the hearing.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and mayors from New York, Chicago and Boston spoke to congressional members of the House Oversight Committee on March 5 to discuss and defend their immigration policies.
1. TELEVISION: Which 1960s sitcom was about a TV comedy writer, his job and his family?
2. AD SLOGANS: Which candy slogan urges consumers to “Taste the rainbow”?
3. COMICS: Which superhero gets his power from a ring?
4. GEOGRAPHY: Which country has the most islands?
5. MEASUREMENTS: How many cups are in a pint?
6. MOVIES: Which scary 1980 movie contained the phrase “red rum” and what does it mean?
7. ANATOMY: What is the outermost layer of human skin called?
8. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the rst president to ride in a car to his inauguration?
9. HISTORY: When did India gain its independence from Great Britain?
TrIVIa
10. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: Who lives at 32 Windsor Gardens?
Answers
1. “ e Dick Van Dyke Show.”
2. Skittles.
3. e Green Lantern.
4. Sweden.
5. Two.
6. “ e Shining.” It’s the word “murder” spelled backward.
7. Epidermis.
8. Warren Harding (1921).
9. 1947.
10. Paddington Bear and the Brown family.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Legal Notice No. BSB3687
First Publication: March 13, 2025 Last Publication: March 13, 2025 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO. INTRODUCED BY: Pawlowski
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AMENDING THE FORMAL SOLICITATION
SECTION OF ARTICLE 3-8 OF THE BRIGHTON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES OF FLEET
VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 17.7 of the Charter of the City of Brighton, the City Council previously enacted Article 3-8 of the Brighton Municipal Code to address contracts and purchases; and
WHEREAS, the City Council passed Resolution No. 2023-64 and Resolution 2023-107, which waived the formal solicitation requirements o rticle -8 or the purchase o eet vehicles and equipment through the end of the 202 scal year and
WHEREAS, staff finds when purchasing eet vehicles and e uipment obtainin three quotes provides the City with competitive pricing and an alternative solicitation method; and
H R S the ity ouncil nds it is in the best interests of the City of Brighton and its residents to make the following updates to the Brighton Municipal Code to meet the evolving demands of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Sections 3-8-50 is hereby amended as followed:
(a) A formal solicitation is required for all procurement o ty thousand dollars ( 50 000) or greater, with the exception of single source procurement, sole-source procurement, cooperative purchasing agreements which were formally solicited by the contracting agency, or the procurement o eet vehicles and e uipment where the City obtains at least three (3) written competitive quotes or responses, as provided herein.
(b) A formal solicitation shall be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Finance Director may require formal solicitation for procurement under fifty thousand dollars ( 50 000) at their discretion.
Section 2. All sections, subsections, and de nitions not e pressly amended or modi ed herein remain in ull orce and e ect.
Section 3. As provided in City Charter Section 5.9(A), this Ordinance, either as presented or as amended, shall be published in full as it was adopted prior to ta in nal action. This rdinance shall be in ull orce and e ect ve days a ter its nal publication as provided in City Charter Section 5.8.
INTRODUCED, PASSED ON FIRST READING AND ORDERED PUBLISHED THIS 4th
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO
/s/ GREGORY MILLS, Mayor
ATTEST: /s/ NATALIE HOEL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ MICHAEL DAVIS, Assistant City Attorney
Legal Notice No. BSB3686
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Metropolitan Districts
Public Notice
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL BLUE LAKE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 3
§1-13.5-513, C.R.S.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Blue Lake Metropolitan District No. 3, Weld County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third (63rd) day before the election there were not more candidates for director than o ces to be lled at the election includin candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 6, 2025 is hereby cancelled pursuant to §1-13.5-513, C.R.S.
The following candidates for director are declared elected by acclamation:
Eric Sinclair 4-year Term, Until May 2029
Barbara Mutagamba 4-year Term, Until May 2029
Joe Taylor 4-year Term, Until May 2029
Nicole Hill 2-year Term, Until May 2027
Megan Sinclair 2-year Term, Until May 2027
By: /s/ Dianne Miller
Desi nated lection cial Blue Lake Metropolitan District No. 3
Legal Notice No. BSB3690
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Public Notice
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION and CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS §1-13.5-513(6), 32-1-104, 1-11-103(3) C.R.S.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the HAZELTINE HEIGHTS WATER AND SANITATION District, ADAMS County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates or director than o ces to be lled includin candidates lin a davits o intent to be writein candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 6, 2025 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513(6) C.R.S.
The following candidates are hereby declared elected:
Kevin Denny 4 year term until May, 2029
Steve Collins 4 year term until May, 2029
Joshua Mendoza 4 year term until May, 2029
Shirley Sabin
SHIRLEY SABIN
Contact Person for the District: SHIRLEY SABIN
Telephone Number of the District: 303-9163800
Address of the District: PO BOX 38, HENDERSON 80640
District Email: hhw_sd@comcast.net
Legal Notice No. BSB3689
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
u o s d
Notice
COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton, CO 80601
Plaintiff:
Defendants: JEREMY JOHN WETTIG;
AMANDA WETTIG; FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION; FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION; CITIBANK, NA; ALEX VILLAGRAN, AS PUBLIC TRUSTEE AND TREASURER FOR ADAMS COUNTY; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION
Case Number: 2024CV030751
ttorneys or lainti
WINZENBURG, LEFF, PURVIS & PAYNE, LLP
Wendy E. Weigler, # 28419
Address: 350 Indiana Street, Suite 450 Golden, CO 80401 Phone Number: 303-863-1870
wweigler@wlpplaw.com
SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE AND RIGHT TO CURE AND REDEEM
Under a Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure
entered on October 21, 2024, in the abovecaptioned action, I am ordered to sell certain real property as follows:
Original Lienee
Jeremy John Wettig and Amanda Wettig
Original Lienor
Park North Townhouse Corp.
Current Holder of the evidence of debt
Park North Townhouse Corp.
Date of Lien being foreclosed
Date of Recording of Lien being foreclosed October 4, 2023
County of Recording Adams
Recording Information
2023000056462
Original Principal Balance of the secured indebtedness 11 2 . 7
Outstanding Principal Balance of the secured indebtedness as of the date hereof 21 192.87
Amount of Judgment entered October 21, 2024 19 891. 8
Description of property to be foreclosed:
An undivided 1/235 interest in Park North Townhouses - (First Filing), except any air space above such property other than that specifically conveyed herein; also, all of that space or area which lies within the inside walls rst oor and ceilin o the second oor of Condominium Unit No. 57, Building No. 9 as shown on the Third Amended Condominium Map of Park North Townhouses (First Filing), together with everything now or hereafter located in said area; also all the air space contained within the Bay Area (s) appurtenant to said Unit, which air space is designated on the Third Amended Condominium Map of Park North Townhouses, (First Filing) as none. An undivided 1/7th interest in and to Building No. 9 as shown on the Condominium Map. Together with:
1. The exclusive right to use and occupy Patio Area No. 57 P as shown on the Condominium Map together with the right to use the air space over such area.
2. The exclusive right to use and occupy Carport No. 57 C as shown on the Condominium Map.
3. The exclusive right to use and occupy Air Space in the attic of Condominium Unit No. 57 of Building No. 9 as shown on the Condominium Map.
4. The right to use common elements in common with others. County of Adams, State of Colorado.
Also known as: 1200 W. 88th Avenue, #57, Thornton, CO 80260
THE PROPERTY TO BE FORECLOSED AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN.
THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The covenants o lainti have been violated as follows: failure to make payments on said indebtedness when the same were due and owing.
NOTICE OF SALE
THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that I will, at 9:00 o’clock A.M., on April 17 2025 at the dams ounty Sheri s ce 1100 Judicial Center Drive, located at Brighton, CO 80601, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property described above, and all interest of said Grantor and the heirs and assigns of said Grantor, for the purpose of paying the judgment amount entered herein, and will deliver to the purchaser a erti cate o urchase all as provided by law. Bidders are re uired to have cash or certi ed funds to cover the highest bid by noon on the day o the sale. erti ed unds are payable to the dams ounty Sheri s ce.
First Publication: February 20, 2025 Last Publication: March 20, 2025 Name of Publication: Brighton Standard Blade
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
YOU MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY BEING FORECLOSED,
OR HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS OR SUFFER CERTAIN LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO COLORADO LAW AS A RESULT OF SAID FORECLOSURE. YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDEEM SAID REAL PROPERTY OR YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CURE A DEFAULT UNDER THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED. A COPY OF THE STATUTES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE PURSUANT TO §38-38-104, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST SCHEDULED SALE DATE OR ANY DATE TO WHICH THE SALE IS CONTINUED. IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED.
A NOTICE OF INTENT TO REDEEM FILED PURSUANT TO §38-38-302, C.R.S., SHALL BE FILED WITH THE OFFICER NO LATER THAN EIGHT (8) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SALE, EXCEPT THAT, IF THE PERSON IS DEEMED AN ALTERNATE LIENOR PURSUANT TO §38-38-305.5, C.R.S. AND THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED IS A UNIT ASSOCIATION LIEN, THE ALTERNATE LIENOR HAS THIRTY (30) DAYS TO FILE THE NOTICE WITH THE OFFICER OF THE ALTERNATE LIENOR’S INTENT TO REDEEM.
IF THE BORROWER BELIEVES THAT A LENDER OR SERVICER HAS VIOLATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.1 OR THE PROHIBITION ON DUAL TRACKING IN C.R.S. 38-38-103.2, THE BORROWER MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LAW, RALPH L. CARR JUDICIAL BUILDING, 1300 BROADWAY, 10TH FLOOR, DENVER, CO 80203, 720-508-6000; THE CFPB, HTTP://WWW. CONSUMERFINANCE.GOV/COMPLAINT/; CFPB, PO BOX 2900, CLINTON IA 527332900 (855) 411-2372 OR BOTH, BUT THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WILL NOT STOP THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.
The name, address and telephone number of each of the attorneys representing the holder of the evidence of the debt is as follows: Wendy E. Weigler, Esq. inzenbur e urvis ayne 350 Indiana Street, Suite 450 Golden, CO 80401 303-863-1870
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Date: January 23, 2025.
By: Gene R. Claps dams ounty Sheri Adams County, Colorado
Statutes attached: §§38-37-108, 38-38-103, 38-38-104, 38-38-301, 38-38-302, 38-38304, 38-38-305, and 38-38-306, C.R.S., as amended.
Legal Notice No. BSB3643
First Publication: February 20, 2025
Last Publication: March 20, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY STATE OF COLORADO 1100 Judicial Center Dr. Brighton, CO 80601
RACHELE DAVIS, Pl i i s
HUBERT T. MORROW, STEVEN LESTER, HARENE BREW and RONDA DEVERS, Defendants.
Case Number: 24 CV 31634
o e o Pl i i ele D is Byron L. Miller Reg. No.: 35166
William E. Peters Reg. No.: 11325 44 Cook Street, Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80206
Phone Number: 303-916-3088
E-mail: info@criminallawmatters.com
DISTRICT COURT CIVIL SUMMONS TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: HARENE BREW
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and reuired to le with the ler o this ourt an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service
the claims may be forever barred.
o ee Pe so l ep ese i e
c/o Hinds and Hinds Family Law, P.C. Attention: Stuart S. Sargent, Esq. 8490 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 395 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Legal Notice No. BSB 3144
First Publication: February 27, 2025 Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Alan Rice, a/k/a Alan R. Rice, a/k/a Alan Raymond Rice, a/k/a Al Rice, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30111
All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before July 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Casey L. Williams, #39117
Attorney for Matthew W. Rice Pe so l ep ese i e 203 Telluride Street, #400 Brighton, CO 80601
Legal Notice No. BSB3673 First Publication: March 6, 2025 Last Publication: March 20, 2025 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Legal Notice No. BSB3676 First Publication: March 6, 2025 Last Publication: March 20, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Di isio D No. 24JV30272
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADOIN THE INTEREST OF:
i i P e o o o King Pacheco Montoya, Jayce Pacheco Montoya, Ariana Pacheco Montoya, i i P e o o o Children, and Concerning Reina Pacheco, Ruben Montoya, John Doe Respondents:
Estella Bogard, Stephan Bogard Special Respondents
S U M M O N S
To the parents, guardian, or other respondents named above, GREETINGS: John Doe
ou are hereby noti ed that a veri ed petition has been led in the above-named ourt in which it is represented to the Court that said child are alleged to be dependent and neglected; for the reasons set forth more fully in said petition, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference for greater certainty.
ou are urther noti ed that the parent-child legal relationship may be terminated by this action, if prayed for in the petition.
ou are urther noti ed that the ourt has set said petition for hearing on the 5th day of May, 2025 at the hour of 9:30 a.m. You are hereby noti ed to be and appear at said time, before this Court located at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court this 5th day of March, 2025.
Alana Percy Clerk of the District Court
Legal Notice No. BSB3688
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
udi i l e e D i e Brighton, CO 80601
ild e e i o les
Respondents: Ashley Gonzales, John Doe
Special Respondents: Alicia Perry Case Number: 24JV30077
Di D
OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-10-401, C.R.S
To: Roberto Castillo Zermeno
Last Known Address, if any: Unknown, Santa Rita, Ahuachapan Department, El Salvador A hearing on a petition to appoint a guardian and ma e ndin s
80301
ORDER OF ADVISEMENT
NOTICE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENTS,: Ashley Gonzales and John Doe
YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED that the Petitioner has led a Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship which now exists between you and the above-named child(ren);
YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that the Motion has been set for hearing in Division D of the District Court in and for the County of Adams, Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, Colorado, on the 18th day of March, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at which time the Petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that: 1) That the child(ren) was adjudicated dependent or neglected; 2) That an appropriate treatment plan has not reasonably been complied with by the parent or has not been successful; 3) That the parents are un t ) That the conduct or condition of the parent or parents is unlikely to change within a reasonable time; no less drastic alternative to termination exists, and 6) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respon-
dent(s) be terminated and severed. OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the parent or parents have surrendered physical custody for a period of six months and during this period have not manifested to the child(ren), the court or to the person havin physical custody a rm intention to assume or obtain physical custody or to make permanent legal arrangements for the care of the child(ren); and 2) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed. OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the identity of the parent of the child is unknown and has been unknown for three months or more and that reasonable e orts to identi y and locate the parent in accordance with section 19-3603 have failed; and 2) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.
If a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, or sister of the child is requesting guardianship or legal custody o the child such re uest must be led within twenty days o the lin o this motion.
YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that you have the right to have legal counsel represent you in all matters connected with the Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship. you cannot a ord to pay the ees o le al counsel, you are advised that the Court will appoint legal counsel to represent you at no cost to you upon your request and upon your showing of an inability to pay.
If you have any questions concerning the foregoing advisement, you should immediately contact either your legal counsel or the Court.
Done and signed on: February 26, 2025 BY THE COURT:
District Court Judge/Magistrate
Legal Notice No. BSB3677
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO Court Address: udi i l e e D i e Brighton, CO 80601
Children: Rubianna Hernandez espo de s d ee l d i e
Jordan Ray Hernandez
Special Respondent: Rubianna Lafebre Case Number: 24JV30057 Di D
ORDER OF ADVISEMENT
NOTICE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENTS,: d ee l d i e and Jordan Ray Hernandez
YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED that the Petitioner has led a Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship which now exists between you and the above-named child(ren);
YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that the Motion has been set for hearing in Division D of the District Court in and for the County of Adams, Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, Colorado, on the 18th day of March, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at which time the Petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that: 1) That the child(ren) was adjudicated dependent or neglected; 2) That an appropriate treatment plan has not reasonably been complied with by the parent or has not been successful; 3) That the parents are un t ) That the conduct or condition of the parent or parents is unlikely to change within a reasonable time; no less drastic alternative to termination exists, and 6) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed. OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the parent or parents have surrendered physical custody for a period of six months and during this period have not manifested to the child(ren), the court or to the person havin physical custody a rm intention to assume or obtain physical custody or to make permanent legal arrangements for the care of the child(ren); and 2) That it is in
the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.
OR 1) That the child(ren) has been abandoned by parent or parents in that the identity of the parent of the child is unknown and has been unknown for three months or more and that reasonable e orts to identi y and locate the parent in accordance with section 19-3603 have failed; and 2) That it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the parent-child legal relationship which exists between the child(ren) and the respondent(s) be terminated and severed.
If a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, or sister of the child is requesting guardianship or legal custody o the child such re uest must be led within twenty days o the lin o this motion.
YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED that you have the right to have legal counsel represent you in all matters connected with the Motion to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship. you cannot a ord to pay the ees o le al counsel, you are advised that the Court will appoint legal counsel to represent you at no cost to you upon your request and upon your showing of an inability to pay.
If you have any questions concerning the foregoing advisement, you should immediately contact either your legal counsel or the Court.
Done and signed on: February 10, 2025
BY THE COURT:
District Court Judge/Magistrate
Legal Notice No. BSB3682
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Publication: March 13, 2025 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade
Fort Lupton Press
Legals
City of Ft. Lupton
Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1184
INTRODUCED BY: VALERIE BLACKSTON
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 16 DEVELOPMENT CODE.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS:
INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 4th day of February 2025.
PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 13th day of February, 2025.
FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED by title only this 4th day of March 2025.
PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 13th day of March 2025.
EFFECTIVE (after publication) the 12th day of April 2025.
City of Fort Lupton, Colorado Zo Hubbard, Mayor
Attest:
Maricela Peña, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney
Legal Notice No. FLP1224
First Publication: March 13, 2025
Last Publication: March 13, 2025
Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLISHED NOTICE OF APPLICATION
AMENDMENT FILING FOR A REGULAR (112) CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS RECLAMATION PERMIT
.G. verist ncorporated has led an application amendment to their Reclamation Permit with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board under the provisions of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act for the extraction of construction materials. The mine is known as the Ragsdale Reservoirs (permit # M-2020007) and is located in parts of Sections 7, 8, 17, 18, and 19, all within Township 2 North, Range 66 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Weld County, Colorado.
The date of commencement for this mine was 2022 and the proposed date of completion December 2050. The proposed future use of the land is as developed water storage.
Additional information and the tentative decision date may be obtained from the Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety, 1313 Sherman St., Suite 215, Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-3567, or at the Weld County Clerk to the Board s o ce 1150 St. Greeley olorado 80632, or the above named applicant.
Comments must be in writing and must be received by the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety by 4:00 p.m. on April 23, 2025.
Please note that comments related to noise, truck traffic, hours of operation, visual impacts, effects on property values and other social or economic concerns are issues not subject to this Office’s jurisdiction. These subjects and similar ones, are typically addressed by your local governments, rather that the Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety or the Mined Land Reclamation Board.
L.G. Everist, Inc. Henderson, Colorado
Legal Notice No. FLP1221
First Publication: 13-March-2025 Second
TESTIMONY
Besides threats of jail, the hearing could have big implications for Denver and the other cities, as members of Congress have called for ending federal funding to cities that do not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In Colorado, it’s against state law for local law enforcement to hold immigrants in jail for the purpose of waiting for ICE to pick them up.
Boebert, limited to ve minutes like the rest of the panel, peppered Johnston with questions and wanted “yes” or “no” answers. When he tried to speak longer, she cut him o .
Boebert questioned why the mayor hired a lawyer “to help cover your ass for Denver’s sanctuary city policies for this hearing” and said she has documenta-
OPEN HOUSE
tion “that proves you were shipping illegal aliens to Aurora, their crime was increasing while you were hiding under laws that you will not demand be repealed.”
She asked about a 2017 Denver ordinance, called the Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act, that prohibits city employees from asking about someone’s immigration status or reporting it to federal immigration authorities.
“Would a city employee be red for communicating, coordinating, talking with an agent from the EPA?” Boebert asked.
“What about Health and Human Services?”
“So they would only be red for talking to federal law enforcement o cers?”
Johnston countered that Denver does cooperate with federal authorities, including by notifying ICE when someone in the local jail is wanted on an immigration detainer. Local authorities tell immigration agents when that person will be released, but they will not hold the person longer.
e second would convert Main Street to one-way tra c headed towards Bridge Street from the north and the south — northbound between Bush and Bridge and southbound from N. Cabbage to Bridge. at plan would preserve one side of on-street parking in line with the ow of tra c and widen sidewalks slightly.
e third option would make Main Street a southbound one-way for its entire path through the downtown, with on-street parking on the west side of the street and slightly wider sidewalks. N. Cabbage Street would become a dedicated one-way road between Egbert and its intersection with Main Street. and would get a new tra c signal.
Denver has made such noti cations to ICE 1,226 times in the past seven years, the mayor said.
Johnston also faced a round of aggressive questions from U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, who asked the Denver mayor about an ICE arrest last week of an immigrant charged with aggravated assault and held in jail for about a year. Jordan said Denver authorities gave ICE only about an hour’s notice before they released Abraham Gonzalez, who was picked up in the jail parking lot Friday after being chased by multiple federal ofcers.
A Denver Department of Public Safety video shows ICE o cers tackling Gonzalez, a situation that the Ohio congressman said was made dangerous because of Denver’s refusal to keep Gonzalez in
up?” Jordan asked. “Why not release him to ICE.”
Johnston said he had reviewed the video and o ered to meet with ICE about procedures the city could change.
Johnston was noti ed in a Jan. 27 letter that the committee was “investigating sanctuary jurisdictions” across the country and “their impact on public safety and the e ectiveness of federal e orts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States.”
“Denver is a sanctuary jurisdiction under Colorado law, and Mayor Mike Johnston con rmed that he was prepared to go to jail to protect illegal aliens from federal immigration authorities,” the letter said, citing a Fox News story that quoted Johnston about how the city would try to prevent a mass deportation.
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.
Bus route changes, a new development authority and potential tra c changes on Main Street will be among the several topics at an open house the city is hosting March 25 at the Armory Performing Arts Center.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR