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Young Eagles Rally is designed to get kids excited about aviation, B1
SPORTS
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Cedaredge High School students organize health fair for peers, C1
DELTA COUNTY
PANTHERS PREVAIL
Delta soccer team puts together four-game winning streak, C4 APRIL 17, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 16
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Governor Polis signs ERPO into law BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor said he is disappointed, but not surprised, that Governor Jared Polis signed the Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill into law last week. The law will enable law enforcement and family members to seek court orders to temporarily suspend firearms access to persons who are dangerous to themselves or others. Taylor was among sheriffs voicing opposition to the bill as it worked its way through the state Legislature. Through the County Sheriffs of Colorado association, he said he had hoped to broker a sit-down with the governor and county sheriffs from both sides,. “I’m disappointed we weren’t able to accomplish that before Governor Polis signed the bill,” Taylor said. “At least he would have heard both sides.” Now that the bill has become law, Taylor said implementation is a matter of “wait and see.” The bill takes effect in January 2020. In March, the Delta County Commissioners passed a resolution declaring Delta County a Second Amendment Preservation County, at the urging of the sheriff and in protest of HB19-1177, the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) bill. The commissioners also hosted a public meeting to hear comments on the proposed legislation. The overflow crowd was quite vocal in its objections to the bill, agreeing with the sheriff that HB19-1177 is unconstitutional. “This is the only bill I know of that allows law enforcement officers to take somebody’s property without due process,” the sheriff said. The Democrat-sponsored legislation has been called a “life-saving law” that will provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. According to a press release
issued by the Colorado Democratic Party, HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for an ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved ERPO TO A3
Managing Editor
Delta city clerk Jolene Nelson said she’s handed out a number of applications for medical marijuana establishment licenses, but as of noon Tuesday, none had been completed and returned. The initial application deadline was 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, but pursuant to city code, that deadline may be extended for some types of medical marijuana establishments if fewer applications are submitted by the deadline than the number of
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D8 Business ........................ A8 Church ..................... B5, D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ...... B6-7 Legals ......................... D2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ......................B8 School Zone .................. A6 Sports ..........................C4-7 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D5-6
Prom is not just an event for high school juniors and seniors; it’s also a popular event with area senior citizens, who donned their most elegant attire and headed to the Delta High School gym for a magical afternoon on April 13. The gym, which was decorated for the high school prom that night, was filled with the young-at-heart, who were treated to a live band, refreshments, professional photos, corsages and boutonnieres.
County shares bridge, intersection concerns with CDOT representatives BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
At their April 2 meeting, county commissioners Don Suppes and Mike Lane were joined by 10 representatives from CDOT for a discussion of current and future CDOT projects. Commissioner Mark Roeber was away on Colorado Counties, Inc. business. CDOT representatives present were Region 3 director Mike Goolsby, Region 3 regional planning manager Mike Rogers, Mesa County Commissioner District 7 Kathy Hall, program engineer Jason Smith, Region 3 traffic and safety, Mark Bunnell, planning and environmental manager Dave Cezark, chairman of the Gunnison Valley Transportation Region Vince Rogalski, Region 3 Montrose
No rush for medical marijuana licenses BY PAT SUNDERLAND
A magical afternoon
Photo by Pat Sunderland
available licenses. In November, City of Delta voters approved two measures, one allowing the establishment of medical marijuana centers, and the other permitting the establishment of medical marijuana cultivation, testing, research and manufacturing facilities. License applications were not available until April 10, following action by the Delta City Council to lift a moratorium that had been in effect while they finalized zoning and licensing requirements.
resident engineer Raelene Shelly, deputy maintenance superintendent Gage Steggart and Montrose area maintenance supervisor Eric Langford. Funding for CDOT projects was the first issue discussed. Kathy Hall said the Colorado Senate put through $106 million additional funding to go into transportation; however, the money may not stay in the budget, and $106 million is not a lot of money when you are talking about transportation. Mike Goolsby said that CDOT revenue is stagnant and the Highway User Tax Funds (HUTF) are being reduced due to more fuel efficient and electric vehicles. Mike Rogers encouraged local agencies to apply for TAP grants, a source of funding for alternative transportation programs, which will be available sometime in May. He encouraged agencies to have projects that CDOT can look at. He said the maximum grant is $1.2 million, which requires a 20 percent local match. Commissioner Suppes said the Gunnison River Bridge has been a top priority in Delta County since CDOT’s weight limit changed. Heavy traffic which cannot now use the bridge is using county roads that are not designed for heavy traffic. The commissioners sent a letter a few weeks ago to get this bridge moved to the top of the list. Jason Smith said this project does qualify and it did jump up in priority but it will take CDOT a little time to get it planned, designed and
delivered. The restrictions will have to remain in place for the next couple of years. Delta Road and Bridge foreman Larry Record said CDOT’s closing of Hwy. 50 for the Blue Creek project next year is concerning, as it will kick more traffic this way, and Smith said there will be a length restriction that may limit some loading and hopefully encourage the heavier loads and longer loads to go around the Pitkin route. Record also drew attention to the intersection of H75 and Highway 92, which is handling a lot of traffic. County engineering coordinator Bob Basher added that truckers have to look over their shoulder to the right to get on the highway, and it is difficult for them to see. Mike Goolsby said CDOT is trying to set up a separate meeting and this item will be added to that conversation. Jason Smith reviewed the Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 92 project in Delta. The project will go out for advertisement, a contractor will be selected and the work will begin in the spring. Commissioner Suppes said he has spoken with Raelene Shelly about this several times and he would really like a turn lane for northbound Hwy. 50. Smith reviewed the Hwy 50 North Delta and South Delta phases of ADA ramps, which are coming to a close. He said Raelene’s team has worked hard on this project. The ramps take a lot of time commitment because they are so detailed. Smith said these are the first ADA projects in our region and they’ve been a
learning curve. City of Delta public works director Betsy Suerth praised Shelly’s group for working with the city on several projects this summer, including the ADA ramp project and gearing up for the intersection improvements. Smith reviewed the Hwy. 92 and Hwy. 133 chip seal project, which was not on their plan originally. They were able to advance the project because of the Hwy. 50 project coming up next year. They did not want to have both projects going on at the same time. Commissioner Suppes spoke of the serious shoulder safety concern across Rogers Mesa. Shelly said they may be able to get maintenance to do some touchup, that they are working on a design for that corridor. Commissioner Suppes reiterated that the county’s greatest concerns are the Austin Bridge and Rogers Mesa, both of which have been discussed at TRP for a long time and they have not left Delta County’s radar. Greg Brinck, town administrator of Cedaredge, asked if CDOT asked about a pilot program with Road Usage Charge and Alternative Funding, and Crawford public works director Bruce Bair said he would like CDOT to take a closer look at Crawford. The highway is curvy and people consistently speed through town. The shoulders are pretty beat up and there is a lot of heaving and moisture. Bair said the town needs help with drainage water, sidewalks, rock walls and handling ADA ramps and crosswalks.
Downtown workshop planned
Son-Rise service planned
Delta County communities applied for and received assistance from Community Builders for a Colorado Downtown Streets Workshop. This free, interactive half-way workshop is scheduled Tuesday, April 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Hotchkiss. Lunch will be provided. Participants are asked to RSVP by Thursday, April 18, at http://tinyurl.com/y55en63p or by email at info@communitybuilders.org. Community residents, planners and anyone else interested in making their downtowns better will learn how communities can strike a balance among the many demands that face our downtown streets. Learn how to communicate and work with state and local agencies, identify problems, consider solutions, and get projects built to improve your downtown. Workshop attendees will receive a free copy of Colorado Downtown Streets: A Tool for Communities, Planners, and Engineers.
On Easter Sunday, a community Son-Rise Service is scheduled at 6:45 a.m. at the pow wow arbor in Confluence Park. Please bring your own chairs, gloves, coats and blankets. Following the service, breakfast will be served at the Gunnison Valley Church of the Nazarene, 1721 H Road. Another annual event commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Walk of the Cross, held on Good Friday, April 19. Everyone is welcome to come walk the cross from the Dairy Queen parking lot to Mountain View Park. Meet at 12:45 p.m.; the walk begins at 1 p.m. Water bottles and transportation back to your vehicle will be provided. A bus will also be provided for those who don’t want to walk the journey but still want to participate in the 12 Stations of the Cross. The entire family is welcome. For more information, call 874-3847.