Arvada Press June 6, 2024

Plutonium found in Indiana Street air filters near Rocky Flats; Boulder Commissioners reconsider trail project

High winds carry plutonium-laden dirt from former weapons plant to filters on Indiana Street, experts say

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A recent discovery of plutonium in air lters on Indiana Street near Rocky Flats has given Boulder County Commissioners pause as they appear to reconsider involvement in the Rocky Mountain Greenway Project trail system.

e Greenway project began in 2016 as an e ort to connect three National Wildlife Refuges — Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Two Ponds and Rocky Flats — through an interconnected trail system.

e project calls for the installation of an underpass connecting Rocky Flats to Boulder Open Space through the Rock Creek Corridor and an overpass to connect Westminster trails to the Greenway.

When gale-force winds hit on April 6, chemist and DU Professor Michael Ketterer and retired FBI agent Jon Lipsky — who led the 1989 raid of Rocky Flats that eventually led to the plant being shut down and designated as an EPA Superfund site — set up air lters in three locations nearby to conduct a study on the contaminated soil’s ac-

tivities in high winds.

Ketterer said he has taken air lter samples near Rocky Flats a handful of times, but that the high wind event of April 6 drew special interest because dirt was visibly moving in the air.

“We both observed large, rapidly moving suspended dust clouds extending from ground level up to heights of hundreds of feet, originating from areas on the (Central Operating Unit of Rocky Flats) and/or contaminated bu er zone,” Ketterer said in an a davit written after collecting the samples.

Two samples were collected along Indiana Street while high winds were blowing from the west. Ketterer sent the samples to the radiochemistry lab at Northern Arizona University, where scientists used mass spectronomy to study the lters.

“Plutonium was unequivocally detected in the two Indiana Street air lters,” a statement from Ketterer said. “With less than 30 minutes sample collection time, quantities ranging from 47 to 128 milligrams of lter ash were recovered from air lters; plutonium was detected in all six of the individual preparations of ash from the two Indiana Street samples.” e concern surrounding Ketterer’s ndings, he says, is that if the Greenway is constructed, increased foot trafc will spread the contaminated soil to neighboring communities.

Arvada City Council adopts Housing Strategic Plan

Plan calls for city to create more a ordable, mixed-income housing

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Arvada’s City Council has adopted a new Housing Strategic Plan that addresses a ordability concerns within the city in part by allocating publicly owned land for a ordable and mixed-income housing.

e plan, which the Arvada Housing Advisory Committee created, was adopted by a 4-1 vote from council, with Councilmember John Marriott being the lone dissenting vote. Councilmembers Randy Moorman and Lisa Feret were absent from the May 20 meeting, while Mayor Lauren Simpson attended via Zoom.

e strategic plan has nine key goals:

1. Continue existing program funding supported by federal and

state funds and service delivery partnerships

2. Continue to allocate publicly owned land (and/or acquire properties) for a ordable and mixedincome housing

3. Create a dedicated, sustainable revenue source to support the underfunded Arvada A ordable Housing Fund

4. Invest in the production of income-restricted housing, prioritizing projects that align with the housing needs

5. Invest in the preservation of affordable housing, including naturally occurring a ordable housing and properties with expiring a ordability contracts

6. Bolster implementation and coordination capacity in support of the Housing Strategic Plan

7. Incorporate additional incentives for a ordable (income-restricted) developments

8. Implement the Je co Housing Advocacy Steering Committee’s workforce housing land use recommendations

9. Explore a ordability require-

TRUCK & TRAILER

AUCTION

ments in new developments

While the majority of city council was supportive of the plan, Marriott voiced concerns that it is too reliant on land use and zoning measures to make housing a ordable. He suggested that the city look at making building more a ordable so that all housing in Arvada is more cost-friendly — not just housing built using LowIncome Housing Tax Credits.

“I would think that a review of city codes and city building practices might be something that would be worth doing,” Marriott said. “To look at the other side of the coin of ‘how do we make housing cheaper?’… (Because) we’re not talking about building better, we’re talking about building cheaper.”

Marriott also voiced that he felt like too much of the draft plan relied on what he called “subsidized housing.”

“ ese things seem to be in the category of ‘How do we subsidize more housing?’” Marriott said. “How do you develop local subsidies for housing? Every one of these strategies, in one way or another, involves somebody paying for somebody (else’s) housing, whether that be directly or hidden. I appreciate that, I realize that’s what these days we call ‘A ordable Housing.’

“I tend to be honest and just call it ‘subsidized housing,’” Marriott continued. “I would have hoped that if we were going to adopt a housing strategy unique to us, that we would have looked at it bigger, tried to be bolder. is (plan) strikes me as a work product you pay a consultant for and they present to every city… I just wish this were better.”

Mindy Mohr, a member of the Arvada Housing Advisory Committee, responded to Marriott’s comments, saying that his interpretation of the plan does not represent what she feels the plan seeks to accomplish.

“I see our housing strategy as more than subsidized housing,” Mohr said. “I see it as a strategy of promoting housing diversity across the city — both rental and homeownership opportunities. Changes to zoning, incentives, it’s more than just incentivized rental housing. I see this as opening a door to a lot of opportunities, not just ‘all we have is assisted housing.’

“I see it as much broader than that,” Mohr continued.

While Marriott partially agreed with Mohr’s rebuttal, he also said that the employees at Larson’s Ski and Sport (which he owns) have found di erent solutions to housing hurdles.

“I employ a lot of people who make minimum wage up, and the people I employ are all doing ne with their housing,” Marriott said. “ ey’re just doing it with a di erent de nition than these de nitions. My minimum wage employees that earn less than $20 an hour don’t expect that they get to rent their own place at a rate a ordable to them.

“ ey have roommates or partners or something and several of them split it and they live great,” he continued. “And yet we tell this story of this desire for someone who works at McDonald’s can a ord their apartment, they get to live all by themselves. at was a luxury I didn’t have untill I was nearly 30.”

Community goals for the newly adopted Arvada Housing Strategic Plan.

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

The Division of Real Estate’s HOA Information & Resource Center issued some useful advice last week which got me to thinking. It was advice on doing “due diligence” about a neighborhood’s HOA so you’re not blindsided after closing.

With over two decades of representing buyers in the purchase of homes, both with and without a homeowner’s association, I have lots more to suggest than was in that release.

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

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

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

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

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

Those minutes will also give you a sense of the financial health of the HOA and whether a dues increase or special assessment might be under discussion. Other documents for you to study are the financial statements, the budget for the coming year, and the most recent reserve study, which lets you know whether they have the financial reserves to deal with future repairs such as replacing the boundary fences, or fixing

How to Do Advanced Listing Searches on the MLS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Just Had a Terrible Thought…

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

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

Just Listed: 2-BR, 1280-SF Fraser Condo

This wonderful condo at 693 Wapiti Drive

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

$697,000

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

Jim Smith

PLUTONIUM

“ e more that people walk on the refuge, and the more land use that is taking place… undisturbed soil is pretty well protected against wind erosion, but once people and animals start walking on the development, then the erodibility, if you will, of the soil surface is going to greatly increase,” Ketterer said.

He added that this could mean more contaminated soil being transported o the refuge toward neighboring properties.

Radioactive plutonium is a material that is produced by nuclear reactors, and has been known to

cause lung, bone and liver cancer in people exposed to it, according to the CDC.

e two isotopes of plutonium Ketterer found near Rocky Flats are 239 and 240, which have a “ ngerprint” that con rms they originated at the former nuclear weapons plant.

Now, Ketterer’s ndings are giving some governmental agencies pause about the construction of the Greenway Project, which calls for the Federal Highway Administration to install the underpass and overpass.

At an April 4 Boulder County Commissioners meeting, Lipsky warned county leaders of the dangers of building such structures on the site, referencing the Colorado State construction standard that forbids building when more than

0.9 picocuries per gram are found in soil.

Ketterer’s recent samples ranged from 0.15 to 1.19 picocuries of plutonium per gram of soil.

“I have a couple concerns: there is going to be digging, and the standard at Rocky Flats changes dramatically, exponentially, when it goes below three feet,” Lipsky said. “If it goes below six feet, there is no standard, and there’s no consideration for the workers, no consideration for the residents, like Superior, that will be receiving contaminants from this digging.”

Ketterer also gave comment at the April 4 meeting and did not mince words in his caution to commissioners.

“Commissioners, it’s not a mar-

velous idea to dig up and disturb plutonium-contaminated soils,” Ketterer said. “It’s all very unsettling to me. Not only do the soils near Rocky Flats and the Indiana Street corridor have plutonium in them, but a lot of it is in these discreet particles… I think this whole area is generously sprinkled with that.

“Commissioners,” Ketterer continued, “Rocky Flats is just one of the unsettling places in the U.S. and the world that we should worry about plutonium at — there’s a whole mess of uncontained plutonium at the central operating unit (of Rocky Flats) buried under… and we’re seeing a few breadcrumbs on the surface.”

View of Rocky Flats from one of Ketterer’s air filter collection sites.

COURTESY MICHAEL KETTERER

New law makes two years of college free for Colorado families

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Gov. Jared Polis made a bold declaration ursday before he signed a bill that gives more incentives for Coloradans to pursue a higher education.

“ is one of the most important bills in this legislative session,” Polis

said before signing HB24-1340 before a crowd of educators, lawmakers and students at Mountain Range High School.

e bill stipulates that beginning in the fall of 2024, students who attend public institutions and have family incomes of $90,000 or less are eligible for a complete reimbursement of any out-of-pocket

by

tuition and fees paid for their education, according to a news release. e legislation expands on existing state programs aimed at making college a ordable for middle class Coloradans, Polis said.

sponsor of the bill – echoed Polis’s sentiments.

“ is is my most favorite bill this legislation session,” Bird said.

“Some people simply can’t a ord to go to college while others have spread out their higher education over 8-to-10 years because of the costs,” Polis said.

Two years at any public four-year college, community college or trade school are essentially free to every Coloradan, added Polis. “ is (bill) will strengthen Colorado’s workforce, provide new pathways for students to gain in-demand skills, and save Coloradans thousands of dollars – helping ensure that higher education is a ordable for everyone,” Polis said in the news release.

State Rep. Shannon Bird – a co-

Polis also signed HB24-1305 which expands the state’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTech) program which allows students in approved programs to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree or certi cate in certain disciplines. e bill expands the allowable disciplines to include industries beyond the scient, technology, engineering and mathematics elds, according to the legislative scal note.

Mountain Range junior Caleb Bennett said both measures will help students gain greater access to higher education. “It breaks the cycle where for a lot of people before you couldn’t a ord higher education and access to good jobs.”

Photo

Michael Pintar Photography

Legislators and supporters talk with Gov. Jared Polis after he signed a new education bill at Mountain Range High School in Westminster May 30. MONTE WHALEY

Je co Schools food and nutrition director receives award after coordination with students and faculty amid school closures

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Je erson County Public Schools Beth Wallace was named the 2024 Mountain Plains Region Director of the Year by the School Nutrition Association. e award was well-deserved in the aftermath of the school closures that rocked the 202324 school year.

“We tried to be very positive from the beginning,” Wallace explained. “And immediately when the closures were announced, we went out and talked to all of the people that were affected, and just let them express their concerns and their thoughts.”

Wallace shared the words of encouragement that she gave the displaced workers as they prepared to close the schools in 2023.

“I just reassured them that we felt like we were going to have a position for all of them,” Wallace recalled. “I know, change is di cult. And we talked about that.”

Wallace and her administrative team held periodic meetings throughout the 2023-24 school year.

“We just kept checking in with them. We had central meetings just so that that group could come in and talk about all the openings we knew about. at they would have rst priority of those jobs.”

Wallace said that the displaced employees were asked for their second and third choices in job placement. Wallace then stayed in touch until everyone who wanted it secured a new position.

During the entire process, the employees needed emotional support too, according to Wallace. Food services workers especially spent their days supporting and feeding students who were bracing for closures emotionally. Someone needed to be there for the employees in those closing schools. Wallace said that was a role that she and her team took very seriously.

Wallace explained that increased participation in the school lunch program was important for feeding Jeffco kids. In the midst of the school closures, Wallace was still focused on ghting food insecurity through the school lunch program. is included securing in-cost meals and mak-

ing sure the summer lunch program stayed in place.

“One of the things that was great about this year in particular was that we implemented meals at no cost for all students,” Wallace said. “We knew our participation was going to go up after the closures. And so, therefore, it was almost like an ideal time for the program.”

Wallace went on to explain that access to school nutrition during the summer was a priority during the closure process.

“We are a district that is considered low, free and reduced,” she said. “We only have about 32% of our families qualify for free and reduced meals. We felt it was important to just keep the summer lunch program going. And you know, it’s taken people a long time to recover from COVID and all of those things and the results of that and so making sure that kids have access

to meals is really what we’re all about.” rough the stress of the past year, Wallace said she sought peace and stress relief in her own family.

Wallace shared her belief in the importance of nutrition moving forward for Je co schools.

“ e cornerstone to education is having kids who are well said before they embark on their learning, and wherever that takes them in their future, we want to be sure that all kids are set up for success,” she said. “And I think that starts with a healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch.”

Wallace said that ultimately the focus of her job is on the kids.

“What our job is is to make sure that we’re feeding quality meals to kids, no matter what happens with the district.”

For more information on Je erson County School’s Food Services Programs, go toJe coPublicSchools.org.

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Beth Wallace, executive director of Food and Nutrition Services at Je co Public Schools. Wallace received the 2024 Mountain Plains Region Director of the Year award for her work.

CATHERINE JETER PHOTOGRAPHY

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LEARNPOPULARLINEDANCESWITHLAURIEBURKHARDT

BODYART/FACEPAINTING&SPARKLEHAIRWITH LITTLEPEOPLEFACEPAINTING**

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YOURT-SHIRTSWITHINK&DRINK** FOODTRUCKS&DRINKS**

PLUTONIUM

Boulder County entered into an intergovernmental agreement allowing the Greenway Project to move forward in 2016. On Jan. 30, commissioners voted to oppose public recreation at Rocky Flats, which does not impact the county’s place in the Greenway IGA.

e City of Arvada, City and County of Boulder, City and County of Broom eld, Je erson County, and the City of Westminster are all involved in the project.

e town of Superior sued over minor modi cations made to the trail plans in 2018, alleging that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to perform a necessary environmental review before altering plans. In 2021, a federal judge ruled against Superior, stating that the federal government did not violate

BATHROOM REMODELING DONE RIGHT

federal law.

Further legal action was brought in January when the advocacy group Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado led a lawsuit that seeks to block construction of trails in and around Rocky Flats. at litigation is ongoing as of press time.

Ketterer said that at a May 16 Boulder County Commissioners meeting, commissioners resolved to seek legal advice around the future of the IGA. Commissioners Deputy of Boulder County Natalie Springett con rmed that on May 29, an executive session on the topic of the Greenway IGA was held but was unable to give more information due to attorney-client privilege.

“ ey’re seeking legal advice,” Ketterer said. “And I think they want to know, what are the ramications if they stay in the deal? Or if they leave, and the county is in a position, I think, where they have legal exposure either way.”

Ketterer’s air filter, used to catch samples, some of which contained plutonium.

COURTESY OF MICHAEL KETTERER

CONGRATULATIONS!

To the winners of our Cutest Pets Contest

First Place Dog

First Place Cat First Place Other

Round of applause to our winners and a very special thanks to all the cute pets that participated in this years contest. We’ll see you again next year!

In the captivating world of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, our team of intrepid eld biologists is rewriting the narrative of wildlife management. Contrary to the traditional image of scientists in sterile lab coats, our dedicated terrestrial and aquatic biologists venture into the wild, focusing on an eclectic array of species – from majestic deer and elk to elusive trout, warm-water sport sh, and amphibians. ese eld biologists are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to conserve and understand nature’s intricate dance.

In the vast tapestry of CPW, researchers delve into singular species management, species interactions, habitat utilization, and the ever-complex human dimension. Meanwhile, our district wildlife managers, also known as wildlife o cers, equipped with both biological expertise and law enforcement commissions, play multifaceted roles in the eld. It’s this biological foundation that empowers CPW to manage all of Colorado’s wildlife based on the best available science, transcending subjective instincts and political whims.

CPW takes pride in its diverse projects, spanning the monitoring

VOICES

Balancing badges and biology in the field

FROM THE WILDLIFE OFFICER’S DESK

Jacob Sonberg, Scott Murdoch, Philip Sorensen, Mark Lamb, Matt Martinez & Kara VanHoose

of mountain plovers, sage grouse lek counts, helicopter classi cations, and counts of various wildlife species. From gill net surveys in warmwater lakes to adrenaline-pumping electroshocking surveys in high mountain trout streams, and even quirky toad counts, the breadth of projects re ects the agency’s commitment to understanding and conserving Colorado’s rich biodiversity. For those immersed in the eld, the biological aspect of the job stands out as particularly spectacular. Memories of ying in helicopters, counting and classifying deer amid breathtaking landscapes, evoke a sense of awe. e work often garners reactions like “ at’s work?” or “How can I get that job?” as we recount experiences of solitary sage grouse lek counts, witnessing the fascinating dance of birds, and encountering wildlife untouched by time.

And then there’s the thrilling shock shing – an activity that

might raise eyebrows. Rest assured, it doesn’t harm the sh; instead, it provides crucial data for sheries management. e day unfolds with the excitement of netting and measuring sh as they dart around in a state of temporary confusion. e collected data in uences shing regulations and guides the strategic placement of nearly 100 million sh stocked by CPW each year.

If that’s not enough, gear up for the physically demanding and challenging sheep inventories. Equipping sheep with GPS collars unlocks insights into movement patterns and mortality rates. Data gathered is essential for pinpointing lambing and wintering locations. As summer unfolds, embrace the challenges of hiking, horseback riding, and climbing to track down sheep in high altitudes and rugged terrains. e collected data steers the course for critical habitat projects and shapes the population models.

e life of a eld biologist is not one of comfort. It involves long, tedious days, often in adverse weather conditions and challenging terrains. While it may not make you rich, the real wealth lies in the satisfaction of dedicating a day to the resources and collecting data for the sake of

conservation. As the sun sets and a massive ram silhouette graces the mountain range, the thought crosses my mind – should I be paying for the privilege of doing what I do?

If you would like to get in touch with your local Wildlife O cer regarding wildlife violations, habitat projects, educational program opportunities, or other wildlife concerns and incidents, please contact CPW’s Northeast Region Service Center during normal business hours at 303-291-7227.

If you would like to report a wildlife incident and it is outside of normal business hours, please contact Colorado State Patrol’s Non-Emergency Dispatch at 303-239-4501 or *CSP (*277), and a Wildlife O cer will be in touch.

If you would like to report a wildlife violation, on record or anonymously, please contact Colorado Operation Game ief at 1-877-COLO-OGT (1-877-265-6648).

Contributors to this column included Wildlife O cers Jacob Sonberg, Scott Murdoch and Philip Sorensen; Area Wildlife Managers Mark Lamb and Matt Martinez; and CPW NE Region PIO Kara VanHoose.

Snoopy Brings Learning, Imagination to Wings Over the Rockies

There are so many reasons

Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip is the gold standard for the medium. It has a lot to do with the characters he created and the relatability of their lives, but sometimes it’s just fun to watch Snoopy get lost in his imagination. For its summer family exhibit, Wings Over the Rockies is partnering with the world’s favorite beagle to teach about World War I aviation and the power of creativity with its“Snoopy and the Red Baron” exhibition.

e show opens at the Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd. in Denver, on Sunday, June 8, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 1.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Clarke Reader

“My whole career in aviation came from building models, and the rst model I built was the Sopwith Camel I remember seeing in ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.’ It all started for me with Snoopy and the Red Baron,” said Stewart Bailey, the museum’s curator. “I think this exhibit is going to be a great opportunity to showcase the museum to audiences that don’t ordinarily visit us.”

e traveling exhibit features about

38 large comic panels of Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace, and will also include other collectible items featuring the famous beagle. e show is a rare chance to get people thinking about the role pilots played in the rst World War, pilots who often don’t receive the same attention as World War II aviators.

“We’re using our World War I exhibit to supplement the Snoopy one and will be able to talk about things like rotary and radial engines, and a lot more,” Bailey said. “ at time period was an era of big, rapid change for aviation. It was just 11 years after the Wright Brothers, but planes had already become a big power on the military side.”

By using a popular character like Snoopy, the serious topic of air warfare can be more easily approached by the curious. And it also fosters exploration and discovery about a time more than 100 years ago when the world was still learning how to use planes in battle.

In addition to educating, the exhibit is a great occasion to celebrate the scope and importance of imagination.

“If you think about it, the real ‘Zen of Snoopy’ is that if you can imagine it, you can do it,” Bailey said. “It’s a really fun and grand exhibit because the whole point is to encourage people to dare to dream.”

READER

For all the details, visit https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/snoopy/.

The Dream of the 90’s is Alive in Highlands Ranch

ere’s something about the music from the 90’s that never seems to get old. I have no idea what it is, but so many of the songs have a staying power that those of us who were there at the time couldn’t have anticipated. All of this to say, Highlands Ranch’s Summer Concert Series featuring Nothing But the Nineties from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on ursday, June 6, will be an absolute blast of the evening. e free event will be held at Civic Green, 9370 Ridgeline Blvd., and will feature a food truck serving bites. For those unfamiliar with the band, the ve-piece group is known for its highquality covers and has performed all over the state.

Visit https://hrcaonline.org/classes-camps-activities/eventsfor all you need to know.

40 West Arts Celebrates Arts and Pride

Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District is o cially welcoming summer with the June Arts Crawl, held at galleries at spaces on West Colfax, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 7. e evening will be particularly special, as it’s including Pride Month in its celebrations by working with Edgewater Pride. All gallery and studio spaces will be open to the public

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completely free of charge and visitors can explore the district and nd loads of other free activities, like craft tables, community mural painting, artist demos and opportunities to try different mediums like clay, watercolor and more. ere will also be food and drink available along the corridor. Details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ events/2217712321896979.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Five Points Jazz Festival on Welton Street

Reaching two decades of an event is a signi cant milestone, so it makes sense that the Five Points Jazz Festival is going all out to mark 20 years. e festival, which celebrates the music, culture and roots of the historic neighborhood known as the “Harlem of the West,” will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. e free event takes place along Welton Street, between Park Avenue West and 30th Street, and features more than 20 bands playing music on four outdoor stages, with others performing in various indoor venues. Bands will be performing everything from Latin jazz and bop to swing and the blues. Additionally, there will be food, shopping and other entertainments available to visitors, as well as a kicko parade down Welton Street at noon.

For the full event schedule, visit www.ArtsandVenues.com/5PJF.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

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BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Jacques Hennig’s Australian shepherd mix Alex collapsed at the park in January 2024, he knew it was time to say goodbye.

“It’s a feeling in your gut; I knew immediately the cancer had come back,” he said.

He also knew how Alex would die: at home, with Hennig and his partner Max Donald by his side. A year earlier, the couple had used in-home euthanasia for their other dog, Oliver.

“It’s a horrible thing to have to deal with,” Hennig said. “You don’t want them to ever go; you want them to be with you forever. But it was important to me they were happy in death as well. I didn’t want their last vision to be the vet with uorescent lighting and lots of noise.”

Veterinarian H Howells, who performed the service for both Alex and Oliver through her company Peace Wings, is among a subset of veterinarians who o er in-home euthanasia. ese mobile veterinarians come to the pet owner’s residence, where they administer medication so the pet can pass in their home, surrounded by their owners and often, other family pets.

In-home euthanasia is a fastgrowing service, with a network of veterinarians that includes local, independent doctors like Howells, Conifer-based Amy Holtschlag and Franktown-based Julie Hasenfratz of Hometown Veterinary Hospice, as well as national companies like Lap of Love that employ a network of doctors.

As in a clinic setting, veterinarians performing in-home euthanasia typically use two medications: one to sedate the pet, and a second that stops the heart. Some vets also

use oxygen to help the pets relax further.

While fees vary, the service costs more than an in-clinic euthanasia service. e personalized nature of the service, time spent with each client and transportation costs are all factors in setting prices, veterinarians said.

e three veterinarians who spoke for this story charge between $350 and $775, their rates varying with the type and size of animal and the services included. Some charge separately for cremation, urns, memorial keepsakes and other items and services, while others include it in a at fee.

‘The last act of love’

Many pet owners say it’s worth it, and the best way they’ve found to close the nal chapter in a beloved pet’s life.

When Commerce City residents John and Jan Leiker adopted their Great Dane Kiara, John Leiker said she was an aggressive, poorly socialized, “out-of-control” rescue.

ey spent two years training and loving her, “to turn her into the wonderful Great Dane that she was. She had a wonderful life.”

Giving her a peaceful ending was their nal act of caring, and Hasenfratz helped them give her that.

“Dr. Hasenfratz took her time and let us know everything she was doing, every step of the way,” Leiker said. “She just sat down with Kiara petting her, letting her sni everything. She gave her the proper drug to just relax.

“You still cry when they go; it’s never easy. But this is so much easier on the people and the animals. It’s the last act of love you can do. I will always do it this way if possible.”

Hasenfratz also o ered the couple a memorial paw print with Kiara’s name imprinted on it, which the couple treasures.

“When it’s time for our current Dane to go, Julie will be the one we’ll call,” his wife Jan agreed.

Despite the pain of loss that accompanies an in-home euthanasia, owners describe the service as personal, intimate and soothing. And most veterinarians say they work hard to make it that way.

“People have a lot of anxiety around this decision,” Holtschlag said. “And pets are often not relaxed when they come to the vet clinic; there’s that innate panic they have coming through the doors. at fear is not there when they’re home with their people.

From left, Jacques Hennig, Oliver, Alex and Max Donald on the road together. Hennig and Donald chose in-home euthanasia for both dogs. “It was important to me they were happy in death as well,” Hennig said.

PHOTO BY JACQUES HENNIG

ALTERNATIVE

“I want the experience to be as peaceful as it can be for both the pet and the people, and a memory the owners can cherish going forward,” Holtschlag continued.

Holtschlag treats each appointment as its own service.

“I usually do a little information gathering before I get there,” she said. “I have the family tell me if they have any special requests or wishes, and who is going to be there. ere are things we can do at home we’re not able to do in a clinic to make it meaningful for them; they can set up the experience the way they want it to go.

“When I get there, I spend a lot of time going through what will happen, explaining the process so they know what they’re going to see. ey can hold their pet, or be right next to them throughout.”

In December 2023, Holtschlag helped Evergreen residents John and Sue Dunlop say goodbye to their 10-year-old standard poodle Reggie, who’d su ered a series of debilitating seizures. Dunlop described Holtschlag and her assistant as patient, respectful and “very compassionate.”

“While it was heartbreaking, it

was great that he was here in our house, in a place he was comfortable,” John Dunlop said. “It was easier on us, too, because we didn’t have to walk out of the vet’s o ce and leave our (deceased) pet behind.

“We’ve been down this road before, and this was so much more comforting. ere’s no easy way. But in our mind, it was the most compassionate thing we could do.”

After Reggie passed, John Dunlop brought his other standard poodle Cooper into the room to see the body — an act that would have been more challenging at a clinic.

“We hoped it would give him some knowledge of what’s going on,” he said. “Who knows what they think. But for my peace of mind, I’d like to think he understood.”

e Dunlops opted to have Reggie cremated and plan to spread his ashes on their property.

“I would do it again,” John Dunlop said. “We’ve had pets euthanized in a vet’s o ce and they were also compassionate and doing the best they can, but it’s not the same. It’s not like being at home.”

Guidance for end-of-life decisions

Veterinarians who provide the service can also guide pet owners in making end-of-life decisions.

“When a pet has a slow-moving illness or a long decline, the owners have a choice in the matter,” Howells said. “When they call me, a lot of them are struggling with the timing. If I wait too long, I’ve been sel sh. If I do it too soon, I haven’t been patient enough. e big question that’s underlying that is, ‘Am I killing my pet?’

“ e answer is no. Cancer is killing your pet. Kidney disease is killing your pet. eir pets are dying anyway,” Howells continued. “When people can ip that switch, it gives them and me peace. ey’re no longer making a life-and-death decision; biology has already made it. In all reality, at-home euthanasia is a happy ending. In many cases, they’ve lived a long life, and they’re in the home in which they’ve been cherished.”

Hasenfratz also provides such consultations and said she understands the struggle pet owners undergo. She tries to emphasize that

death is not just inevitable, but natural. And while you can’t keep it from happening, you can sometimes control the circumstances that surround it.

“I lost my mom in hospice care, and that’s when I started realizing how important it is to be home — not just for the patient but the family,” she said. “Saying goodbye is a natural part of living. If we can pass away as comfortably as possible, I think that’s what we all would want.

“I feel very good about what I do because I end struggles,” she continued. “I give the pet a peaceful passing, and I give that peace to their human family too.”

Because the service is so personal, the bonds extend beyond owners and pets to the veterinarian as well. Hennig and Donald chose Howells for Alex because she had previously done the same service for their dog Oliver. e moment Howells and Oliver met is still vivid in Hennig’s memory.

“Oliver used to come over at every meal and lean on you with his forehead; we found out years later that’s a way they bond or say thank you,” he said. “When Dr. H came in for his appointment, she was sitting on the oor, getting her supplies out. Oliver could hardly walk, but he went over to her and pressed his forehead into hers. And I thought, ‘ is is OK.’”

Commerce City residents John and Jan Leiker opted for in-home euthanasia for their great Dane Kiara. “It’s the last act of love you can do,” John Leiker said. PHOTO BY JOHN LEIKER

Jacques Hennig’s dog Alex rests his paw on Hennig’s hand on the day he died through an in-home euthanasia. Hennig has Alex’s head tattoed on his hand.

PHOTO BY JACQUES HENNIG

Bridging the gap from Aurora to Golden

Community College of Aurora, Colorado School of Mines establish transfer program for STEM students

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado School of Mines students and alumni have built many things — bridges, networks, pipelines and more — over the last 150 years, but their latest project involves connecting opposite ends of the Denver met-

ro area in a more metaphorical way.

On May 30, Colorado School of Mines and Community College of Aurora signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Mines Academy at CCA, empowering current and future CCA students to transfer to Mines as juniors and pursue bachelor’s degrees. rough the Mines Academy, CCA students can earn guaranteed admission to any four-year degree program at Mines by successfully completing the required coursework, maintaining a certain GPA and participating in co-curricular events, CCA o cials described.

O cials from both institutions

said this partnership will give students the con dence they need to complete their rst two years of college at CCA, while connecting them with Mines for future academic and career-related opportunities.

CCA President Mordecai Brownlee described how this will also help create new economic pathways for local students and prepare a diversi ed workforce across STEM elds.

Mines President Paul Johnson added that “there’s more than one way to get (to Mines),” including transfer programs like this. He wanted more people to have the opportunity to attend Mines, but noted that nances, family commitments and other things might prevent them from traditional four-year enrollments.

Mines already has similar partnerships at Red Rocks and Front Range community colleges, university ofcials Lori Kester and Liz Cox conrmed.

ey described how Mines wanted to establish this new partnership with CCA because the Aurora-based institution has a well-rounded STEM program with very active students. Last fall, Mines had eight CCA transfer students and hoped to welcome more in the coming years, they said.

Navigating all the required courses can be challenging for students planning to transfer from community colleges to universities, CCA Dean of Academic Success in STEM Susan Young said. It can be frustrating to nd out some courses didn’t transfer or didn’t count toward a degree pro-

gram.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

So, CCA and Mines are working together to ensure students are taking all the proper courses before transferring, she described.

“Instead of students doing it on their own,” Young said of navigating the transfer process, “we’re o ering them wrap-around support.”

CCA students can sign up for the Mines Academy online, and they’ll be able to access resources like transcript reviews and special events at Mines like networking opportunities and campus visits.

If CCA students take all the required courses and maintain a certain GPA, they will be guaranteed admission to Mines, she added.

Zack Quraishi, a recent CCA graduate who will be attending Mines this fall, said he’s looking forward to continuing his computer science studies in Golden. As a rst-generation college student, he said CCA helped him navigate all the uncertainties that came with a college education and an eventual transfer to a fouryear university.

Quraishi said being accepted to Mines was the happiest day of his life. He’s excited to dive into everything the university has to o er, from its career fairs and hands-on academic projects to the Orediggers’ strong sense of community and dedication to excellence, he added.

“ ank you to everyone,” Quraishi said, addressing the room of Mines and CCA o cials and students, “who made this partnership a reality.”

At front left, Colorado School of Mines President Paul Johnson takes a selfie with Community College of Aurora students and sta members during the May 30 Mines Academy MOU Signing Event at CCA. Mines and CCA have developed a transfer program to help prepare CCA students for their time at Mines.

Thu 6/13

circling girl

@ 7pm

Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Troy Cartwright @ 7pm

Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Shift w/ Equanimous

@ 8:30pm

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver

Fri 6/14

Noah Vonne

@ 7pm

The Black Buzzard, 1624 Market St, Denver

Toast @ 8pm

Acraze @ 8pm

Ogden Theatre, Denver

Myke Bogan @ 8pm

Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Sat 6/15

DOWNTOWN LAKEWOOD

STREET FEST

@ 5pm

7337 W Alaska Dr, 7337 West Alaska Drive, Lakewood. info@belmarcol orado.com, 303-742-1520

Classless Act @ 7pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Desert Dwellers 25 Year

Anniversary Denver @ 7pm

ReelWorks Denver, 1399 35th St, Denver

Sponsored Content with Deth Rali, The Mañanas (DJ Set) @ 7pm

Two Moons Music Hall, 2944 Larimer St, Denver

Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé @ 7:30pm / $29

St Cajetan's, 101 Lawrence Way, Denver. fever@eventvesta.com

Sun 6/16

Adam Bodine

@ 10:30am Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

KB ANGEL: Duet Show @ 7pm

#VYBE, 1027 N Broadway,, Denver

HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver

Mon 6/17

Molly Lewis (Whistler) @ 6pm

Megan Thee Stallion @ 7pm Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Cir, Denver

Tue 6/18

Stephane Wrembel at the Dazzle @ 7pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

Wed 6/19

Eric Golden @ 6pm

The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd #900, Westminster

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison

Amythyst Kiah @ 7pm

Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St,, Denver

GloRilla @ 7pm

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Cir, Denver

Motion City Soundtrack - I Am The

Movie 20th Anniversary Tour @ 7pm / $39.50-$75 Summit, Denver

Lulada Club NYC's only allwomen salsa orquestra @ 8pm / $15

La Rumba, Denver

Pedro the Lion w/ Squirrel Flower @ 8pm Bluebird Theatre, Denver

Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ers. All events are

King Soopers salvaged enough food for nearly 5 million meals last year

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Ever wonder what happens to the dented cans or cereal boxes that get pushed aside at King Soopers? Most of the items nd a way to people’s plates through recovery and redistribution e orts with hunger relief organizations that partner with King Soopers.

“It’s our mission to end hunger and waste in our communities, but it takes all of our associates doing their part,” said Jessica Trowbridge of King Soopers and City Market corporate a airs.

Another part of the e ort is to ght climate change by preventing salvageable food from being thrown away. Kroger Co., which operates 153 King Soopers in Colorado, established a Zero Hunger / Zero Waste program in 2018. It aims to build a more resilient, equi-

table and sustainable food system.  rough the e ort, nearly 6 million pounds of food was rescued last year.

“Which is equivalent to 4.92 million meals,” said Trowbridge.

Such e orts are needed. In Colorado, one in nine people face hunger, according to Feeding America.  e Zero Hunger / Zero Waste program is not just about rescuing and redistributing food. It also aims to increase the a ordability of and access to fresh food.

Feeding America also reports those facing hunger often lack funds to purchase healthy foods. at is why King Soopers activates a markdown program when items in the fresh departments approach their use-by dates, making them more a ordable, reducing the amount that would spoil.

With about 8 million pounds of cardboard recycled monthly, the cardboard at the King Soopers Reclamation center in Aurora gets compressed in a baler compactor and taken to New Mexico where they get turned into new boxes.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

MEALS

e grocer also considers the e ort to be a top solution when it comes to reversing the e ects of climate change. Unsellable items may be donated to local food banks and agencies. For example, if the corner of a Cheerios box has a dented corner and gets pushed aside, it’s still usable as long as the cereal inside is not compromised.

“Oftentimes, this is where the food banks get the majority of that fresh product, which they can redisburse to the community,” said Trowbridge. “It helps them make sure people that are in need are still getting fresh meat or dairy.”

Meet Bruno!

Bruno (292116) is a 4-yearold male American Bulldog needing extra support to feel safe. He will do best in a calm home where he can rest and wait things out or retreat to a separate space when anxious. Access to a yard will allow Bruno to opt out of walks and still enjoy outdoor time. He is available to homes

King Soopers works with Feeding America as well as the Food Bank of the Rockies, where they pick up the products weekly and redistribute them to local communities.

e federal Department of Agriculture estimates that between 30-40% of food produced goes to waste in America. For Zero Hunger / Zero Waste, the goal is to ensure that non-perishable items don’t wind up in the land ll, as well as organic items, because those take longer to break down, producing more climate-harming methane. It can also help water systems.

Ralph Powell, the reclamation center manager at King Soopers, added that Colorado’s good samaritan law allows donated products to go to food banks. From there, the food banks will evaluate to make sure it’s safe to consume.

“ ey will trash some of what we give them if it’s not up to their standards,” Powell said.

With composting taking place at each store, and about 500,000 pounds of mostly produce and deli trimmings each week, King Soopers locations across the state composted over 9.5 thousand pounds last year. Several of the stores commercially bag and sell the compost for people to use in their gardens.

“Always looking for ways that we can leave less of an impact on the earth,” Trowbridge said.

was,” said Powell. “When it rst started, we were doing glass, steel cans and aluminum cans.”

For a time, the stores had bins and employees would sort materials customers brought in, but that raised concerns about sanitation within the stores.

In 2023, the reclamation center recycled over 104 million pounds of materials. e top product is baled old corrugated cardboard, making up 94 million pounds.

e cardboard gets compressed in a Baler Compactor, making it easier to transport. Powell said about seven trailers a day take the material down to New Mexico where it is turned into reusable boxes.

Loose plastic is continuously cleaned, compacted and made into 2,000 pound bales that are then sold for deck materials. Plastic bags, which accounted for over 3.2 million pounds last year, also get condensed.  ere is more to the reclamation center than condensing materials. Dairy, bakery and produce crates get sanitized and reused, and eventually recycled when no longer useful.

“We’ve looked at our operation and how do we, instead of using something that’s single use, use something that’s multiuse,” said Trowbridge.

Outside, there are trailers that hold smaller items, such as milk jugs and plastic soda bottles.

303.278.7575

FoothillsAnimalShelter.org info@fas4pets.org

Any unsold organics not eligible for donation go into a composting program, which Powell helped develop. In addition to helping the environment, their trash bill was reduced by the amount it cost to compost what was being thrown away, said Powell.

King Soopers reclamation center e King Soopers Reclamation Center in Aurora, near Denver International Airport, operates round the clock. About 180 semi truck trailers lled with plastic containers used for shipping, the bakery, diary, reusable containers and materials like baled cardboard and loose plastic are cleaned out daily at the center.

It didn’t use to be this way. Powell began working at the reclamation center in 1986 in the transportation department.

“It’s totally di erent from what it

Having worked in the industry for nearly four decades, Powell has seen the impacts recycling, composting and donating can have on the community and environment.

“We’re all coming to grips with what hunger is about and what we’re doing to the earth,” said Powell. “ is is just one piece that can help it.”

The King Soopers Reclamation Center in Aurora takes in recycling from all 153 King Soopers grocery stores in the state. They unload, organize and condense millions of pounds of materials in the warehouse that coincides with the Zero Hunger Zero Waste program and helps keep materials out of landfills.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Big companies like to buy Colorado’s thriving outdoor businesses

And

then move them out of state

BY JASON BLEVINS

THE COLORADO SUN

irty years ago in a Boulder garage, Bruce “Bruno” McGowan and Bruce “Edge” Edgerly minted their rst Alpine Trekker, a clunky contraption that enabled skiers to skin uphill in alpine boots and bindings. As their Backcountry Access Alpine Trekker sold, they moved into a dark o ce on North Broadway, next to Boulder’s only strip club, where

there was an executed search warrant on the oor and a car on blocks in the back room.

When McGowan and Edgerly launched BCA’s Tracker DTS avalanche transceiver in the late 1990s — revolutionizing avalanche safety with the world’s rst digital, multiple antennae beacon — they moved to a new Boulder o ce where they would anchor the launch of the company’s equally game-changing Float avalanche airbag line in 2010.  Ski industry titan K2 Sports acquired BCA in 2013, taking over some administrative tasks while engineering, design and marketing for its avalanche safety gear remained

in Boulder. K2 Sports owner Jared Corp. sold to Newell Brands for $16 billion in 2015. Newell sold its winter brands — K2, Line, Volkl, Marker and BCA — in 2017 to private equity rm Kohlberg and Co. for $240 million.

And now, K2 is corralling its operations in Washington and BCA is leaving Boulder.

“We’ve been suspecting this for about 10 years,” said Edgerly, who two years ago moved away from daily operations to serve as a BCA brand ambassador focusing on how BCA tools can improve safety in avalanche terrain. “One of the main reasons to be in the outdoor

industry is to have a fun work environment with like-minded people and to be involved in developing and testing prototypes and being hands-on with products. All that is going away, so it appears my dream career is kind of starting to dissipate, which is heartbreaking but inevitable, you know.”

BCA is not alone in leaving Colorado. QuietKat, an electric bike company founded by brothers Jake and Justin Roach in Eagle, quickly pulled up stakes and moved to California as part of a corporate reshu ing. Bike-maker Niner Bikes has left its longtime headquarters in Fort Collins. Denver’s Guerilla Gravity has shut down its bike factory and closed its unique carbon manufacturing business.

As Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry matures and draws investment from heavyweight outsiders, part of that growth includes reshufing, consolidation and new corporate strategies that can pull thriving businesses out of the state.

“ ere is always talk of quoteunquote ‘synergies’ and ‘leveraging xed assets’ and other buzzwords that look good in PowerPoint decks,” Edgerly said. “I have not really seen any of that out of this acquisition but you never know. About two years ago, we really started to see some corporate ngers getting into BCA’s operations.”

At one point BCA had 50 employees in Boulder. When K2 took over, that dropped to about 35. ere were about 15 when the company announced last month it would be consolidating its operations in a new headquarters outside Seattle. K2 has asked that about six BCA workers — all the electrical engineers who helped design the company’s airbag packs and transceivers — make the move to Washington.

It’s a result of BCA shifting production from China to a circuit-board manufacturer in Washington. All the assembly, testing, calibration and packaging of the company’s Tracker 4 avalanche beacons — which used to be done in Boulder — will now be done in Washington, near K2’s headquarters.

“ ey wanted the engineering team to be closer to manufacturing, which is mandatory really,” Edgerly said.

QuietKat co-owner Jake Roach built a new 10,000 square-foot logistics center in Eagle. QuietKat e-bikes were designed, prototyped and sold at headquarters in Eagle. Now the company is moving to Irvine, California. PHOTO BY STEVE PETERSON/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

INDUSTRY

Guerrilla Gravity closes shop e founders of Guerrilla Gravity, Matt Giara a and Will Montague, spent 12 years innovating a new American-made modular frame and then a rst-of-its-kind carbon manufacturing process for bikes, all from a bustling shop in Denver. e company quietly closed in September. Cycling newsroom Pink Bike reported that investors in the company decided to pull out and shut down the bike-maker.

It appeared last fall that company’s parent, Revved Industries, remained intact after the closure of Guerrilla Gravity, o ering its innovative carbon ber technology and manufacturing process to the cycling and other industries.   Revved in February 2020 o ered investors shares of Revved Industries, o ering $3.2 million in equity shares and selling $2.2 million. In December, Revved auctioned its manufacturing equipment after a bankruptcy ling.

Guerrilla Gravy co-founder Giara a last fall posted on LinkedIn that he was leaving the company after “introducing the rst modern thermoplastic/carbon ber composite manufacturing to the mountain bike industry, growing from just a couple of us to a pretty large crew.”

“I’m super proud of what we have accomplished, the relationships created, friends made, challenges gured out, machines built, and products made,” Giara a wrote. “Like all things, eventually it’s time to move along, see others carry on the torch.”

Giara a declined to speak about the closure of Guerrilla Gravity. e engineer landed at Supertramp Campers in Golden, helping to design and build a new overland camper.

“ e company has a lot of similarities to Guerrilla Gravity,” he told e Sun.

Niner Bikes pulls out of Fort Collins

In December, Niner Bikes announced it was leaving its 13-year headquarters in Fort Collins for Ohio as part of a consolidation by Niner owner United Wheels, the owner of Hu y brand bikes.  United Wheels, a division of Hong Kong-based investment company

Covation Holdings Ltd., bought Niner out of bankruptcy in 2018. Niner was founded in California in 2004 and helped prove the e ciency and validity of 29-inch wheels for mountain bikes and recently began making high-end, carbonber electric mountain bikes.

QuietKat leaves Eagle

Justin and Jake Roach founded QuietKat in 2012 with a plan to help hunters get deeper into the backcountry with agile but powerful electric mountain bikes. By 2014 the brothers were selling their e-bikes to all sorts of riders, emerging as a top brand in the growing industry. In 2021 they had almost 50 employees and sales were exploding, up 145% in 2020 compared with 2019.

Vista Outdoor Inc., a Minnesota-based conglomerate that owns diverse outdoor brands including CamelBak, Bell, Giro Simms, Remington and Camp Chef, acquired QuietKat in 2021 in for an undisclosed price. e company recently announced plans to create a standalone public company — Revelyst — with 15 of its biking and hunting brands. e restructuring moves brands like CamelBak, Bell, Giro and QuietKat into the headquarters of Fox Racing in Irvine, California, and a warehouse in Kansas City, while other brands shift to Bozeman, Montana, and San Diego.

“It was a quick move,” said Jake Roach, whose last day with QuietKat was April 1.

Keeping companies anchored in small communities as they are acquired or consolidated “can be challenging but not impossible,” said Chris Romer with the Vail Valley Partnership.

While resort communities can nurture entrepreneurs with investment in workforce training and support systems, Romer says the ght to keep businesses local is a perpetual challenge as housing prices soar and rural supply chain issues spike costs.

“Our focus needs to remain on building a culture that supports our outdoor recreation economy and our small businesses, and to continue to support those with an emotional connection to our communities,” Romer said. “Because the nancial bottom line will almost always be better when consolidated, but the brand alignment and emotional connection with

community might never be.”

Cory and Jamie Finney’s Greater Colorado Venture Fund has invested $44.5 million in 37 rural Colorado startup companies, helping to support entrepreneurs beyond the Front Range, including QuietKat.

e Finneys are quick to make sure to not blend the outdoor industry, Colorado rural startups in the outdoor industry and the overall ecosystem supporting rural entrepreneurs in the state.

e outdoor industry is seeing challenges as it emerges from the banner years of the pandemic. Outdoors businesses across the country are tightening budgets and consolidating operations and “some of our rural Colorado outdoor success stories are caught up in this current,” Cory Finney said.

“Sure, they may have had more say of where operations are when they were private, but the reality is that most outdoor companies right

now are focused on survival,” he said.

But the rural Colorado entrepreneurial landscape is vibrant, Finney said.

“ at includes new starts in the outdoor industry. We are still seeing businesses being created at a consistent if not increased pace,” Finney said, noting that the Greater Colorado Venture Fund anticipates investments in another 15 to 20 businesses in the next few years. “ e opportunity set remains strong. It is natural for companies to go through life cycles, but the constant is that the founders have chosen rural Colorado as home and will start their next venture in their community.”

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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